Cold lift-off test for strength of film stack subjected to thermal loading
First Claim
1. A method of testing a solar cell that comprises the steps of:
- positioning the solar cell within a chamber having defined inner dimensions;
laminating the solar cell with an encapsulant that is added to the chamber;
cooling the laminated solar cell to a temperature sufficient to cause defects to appear wherein the inner dimensions of the chamber, at least along an axis that is perpendicular to a plane defined by the solar cell, remain substantially constant during cooling; and
detecting the presence of defects in the solar cell.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Multilayer articles such as thin-film solar cells can be effectively tested under thermal load in a mini-module that includes a chamber or enclosure in which one or more laminated multilayer articles are housed. The inner dimensions of the chamber, at least along the axis that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the laminated solar cells, are configured to remain substantially constant during testing. Cooling the laminated solar cells in the mini-module device causes the encapsulant material to shrink and thereby induces accelerated failures in the laminated solar cells and associated structures. A technique of detecting the presence of defects or failures is near infrared radiation thermography wherein NIR images of the laminated solar cells are taken during the cooling process. The color patterns manifested from the cooled laminated solar cells can reveal the location, nature and extent of the defect or failure.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of testing a solar cell that comprises the steps of:
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positioning the solar cell within a chamber having defined inner dimensions; laminating the solar cell with an encapsulant that is added to the chamber; cooling the laminated solar cell to a temperature sufficient to cause defects to appear wherein the inner dimensions of the chamber, at least along an axis that is perpendicular to a plane defined by the solar cell, remain substantially constant during cooling; and detecting the presence of defects in the solar cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification