Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for fabricating a lightweight solar cell from aerogels, comprising: a) preparing an LD aerogel substrate at densities between 10-1,000 mg/cc, b) polishing the surface of said aerogel substrate, c) applying a dielectric planarization layer to the so-polished aerogel surface and d) depositing at least one PV layer on said planarization layer to provide a lightweight solar cell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for fabricating a lightweight solar cell from aerogels, comprising: a) preparing an LD aerogel substrate at densities between 10-1,000 mg/cc, b) polishing the surface of said aerogel substrate, c) applying a dielectric planarization layer to the so-polished aerogel surface and d) depositing at least one PV layer on said planarization layer to provide a lightweight solar cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of PV layers are deposited on said planarization layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said PV layers are PV thin films.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said PV layer is a thin film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate has a density of from 40-800 mg/cc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 employing an organic or inorganic aerogel substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least a pair of metal electrodes are deposited on or mounted in contact with said at least one PV layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A lightweight solar cell comprising: a) an LD aerogel substrate having a density of between 10-1,000 mg/cc, the surface of said substrate being polished b) a dielectric planarization layer being applied to the polished surface, and c) at least one layer of PV material deposited thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A lightweight solar cell comprising: a) an LD aerogel substrate having a density of between 10-1,000 mg/cc, the surface of said substrate being polished b) a dielectric planarization layer being applied to the polished surface, and c) at least one layer of PV material deposited thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The solar cell of claim 8 having a plurality of PV layers deposited on said planarization layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The solar cell of claim 9 wherein said PV layers are PV thin films.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The solar cell of claim 10 wherein said PV thin films are those selected from the group consisting of CdS, CdTe, CdInSe 2 , CdZnTe, CdMnTe, CuInSe 2 , AlGaAs, and Si/Ge alloys.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The solar cell of claim 8 wherein at least one of the PV layer, the planarization layer, and the aerogel substrate is substantially transparent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The solar cell of claim 12 wherein the aerogel substrate has a density of 30-800 mg/cc.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The solar cell of claim 13 having electrodes in contact with one or more PV layers at coplanar or different levels thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The solar cell of claim 14 wherein said electrodes are selected from the group consisting of metal rods, pins, bars, sheet, foil, and coatings.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The solar cell of claim 15 wherein all the layers thereof including the substrate are substantially transparent and admit light from the PV layer side and the substrate side thereof to energize such solar cell.