This Phase I effort will establish photovoltaic materials, device designs, and processing approaches for modules that offer high efficiency (>12%) and can be flexed, stretched, twisted, and deformed (to strains of >50%) in ways that enable conformable wrapping of complex, curvilinear shapes. This new class of technology will create application opportunities for photovoltaics ranging from systems that intimately integrate with the curved surfaces of structural components of aircrafts, boats, and land vehicles, to those that can mount on the surfaces of garments, personal accessories, or the human body itself. Among the designs that will be explored, those that combine thin, monocrystalline microcells interconnected by non-coplanar mesh structures and supported by thin elastomeric substrates appear most promising. To establish feasibility, Phase I will culminate with the fabrication and test of structures with this design to position the program for successful construction of working prototypes in Phase II and, ultimately, modules for integration into expeditionary force equipment platforms in Phase III.
Benefit: Opportunities exist in the integration of photovoltaics with curvilinear surfaces of structural components of aircrafts and warships; with sun-umbrellas and tents and other mobile enclosures; with satellites and communication infrastructure. Stretchable modules intrinsically provide extreme mechanical robustness in ultralight forms, at levels that would be difficult or impossible to achieve using other approaches. Thin-film photovoltaics are particularly applicable for military applications in which low cost, flexibility, and reduction in photovoltaics size can help to significantly reduce the amount of transportable fuel equipment for warfighters.
Keywords: High-efficiency, High-efficiency, conformable, solar, stretchable, Silicon, photovoltaics, GALLIUM ARSENIDE
