SBIR-STTR Award

This Phase I effort will demonstrate a thin, conformal solar module(1 cm x 1 cm) composed of either GaAs or Si micro-cells packaged in an elastomeric film. This module will utilize unique mechanical designs, including non-planar interconnects, and thin micro-cells ( 10% efficiency and > 10% stretchability while providing output of > 25V. This effort will provide a plan and possible routes to develop 1 sq meter modules with energy output sufficient to replace current lithium ion batteries.

Benefit:
MC10 seeks to develop small scale, portable solar modules based on the unique capabilities of the proposed technology to provide high voltage, high efficiency photovoltaics in a thin conformal form factor that can be adapted to and integrated into unique three-dimensionl structures.

Keywords:
solar, solar, Silicon, Thin, High-efficiency, conformal, GaAs, high-voltage, photovoltaics

This Phase II effort will establish stretchable photovoltaic modules that achieve the key metrics of the program: modules with efficiencies > 10%, that sustain elastic deformations > 10% (with little or no loss in performance), and that produce output voltages > 25 V. In this Phase II effort will we demonstrate functional modules deployed on the airfoil of micro unmanned aerial vehicles (MAVs). To do so, we combine multi-junction and multi-stacked solar microcells with non-coplanar mesh of metal interconnects supported by thin elastomeric substrates to achieve high density, conformal arrays of solar microcells optimized for specific power output. Phase II will culminate with the field testing of working prototypes of solar modules to position the program for successful integration of modules into MAV platforms in Phase III.

Benefit:
MC10 will utilize the work resulting from this grant to develop compact, ultra-thin, semi-transparent solar modules for military and non-military applications, including ultrathin, semi-transparent energy storage-enabled

Keywords:
High efficiency, conformal, solar, Rugged, Photovoltaic, Multi-Junction, GaAs, flexible