Cell Structure With High Aspect Ratio Gridlines
A cell structure (e.g., a battery or solar cell) is formed by extruding/dispensing materials on a substrate such that centrally disposed conductive high aspect ratio line structures (gridlines) are formed on the substrate surface such that each gridline has an aspect ratio greater than 2:1. Each gridline is formed with localized support structures coincidentally disposed on opposing side surfaces of the gridlines such that the gridlines are surrounded or otherwise supported by the localized support structures. The localized support structures are sacrificial in the sense that they are removed as part of the solar cell structure manufacturing process (e.g., after subsequent processing hardens the gridline material). In one embodiment each gridline has a width in the range of 100 nanometers to 100 microns. The co-extrusion process is performed such that both the central gridline and the localized support structures are in direct contact with the surface of the substrate.
1 . A solar cell structure, comprising:
a substrate; and
at least one gridline formed on the substrate;
wherein the at least one gridline has an aspect ratio of 2:1 to 10:1.
2 . The solar cell structure of claim 1 , wherein the least one gridline has a width in the range of 100 nanometers to 100 microns.
3 . The solar cell structure of claim 1 , wherein the gridline comprises a silver paste.
4 . The cell structure of claim 1 , wherein the least one gridline covers less than 4% of a surface area of said substrate.
5 . A battery comprising:
a substrate; and
a plurality of gridlines formed on the substrate;
wherein each of the plurality of gridlines has an aspect ratio greater than 2:1.
6 . The battery of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of gridlines has a width in the range of 100 nanometers to 100 microns.
7 . The battery of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of gridlines comprises a silver paste.
8 . The battery of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of gridlines cover less than 4% of a surface area of said substrate.
9 . The battery of claim 5 , further comprising separate localized transparent support structures, each separate localized transparent support structures being disposed horizontally adjacent to a corresponding gridline of said plurality of gridlines such that said each separate localized transparent support structures contacts a side edge of said corresponding gridline.
10 . The battery of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of gridlines and the separate localized transparent support structures are in direct contact with a surface of the substrate.
11 . A cell structure comprising:
a substrate; and
a plurality of gridlines formed on the substrate;
wherein each of the plurality of gridlines has an aspect ratio greater than 2:1.
12 . The cell structure of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of gridlines has a width in the range of 100 nanometers to 100 microns.
13 . The cell structure of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of gridlines comprises a silver paste.
14 . The cell structure of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of gridlines cover less than 4% of a surface area of said substrate.
15 . The cell structure of claim 11 , further comprising separate localized transparent support structures, each separate localized transparent support structures being disposed horizontally adjacent to a corresponding gridline of said plurality of gridlines such that said each separate localized transparent support structures contacts a side edge of said corresponding gridline.
16 . The cell structure of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of gridlines and the separate localized transparent support structures are in direct contact with a surface of the substrate.