There has been recent discussion about solar powered zipzaps. I'm glad people brought back the idea and that Azimov got to show off his work a bit more.
Researching, I found a picture of a plastic thin film solar cell that someone was trying to use, not sure if it was azimov. Following some of the provided links in the thread, I stumbled on a store to get these:
http://www.solar-world.com/images/flex.jpg
http://www.solar-world.com/PowerFilm.htm
I recognized that layout of solar cells right away. Doing a little research, I found that they were indeed PowerFilm cells. My specification is semiconductors in EE at Iowa State. There is a company close to Ames (where Iowa State is) called Iowa Thin Film, the maker of PowerFilm cells.
My main professor that I have interacted with and researched for does research in thin films. I've actually helped to run tests to help Iowa Thin Film. I considered trying to work there once upon a time. They have a great system. While not super efficient, their cells can be mass produced and are very practical.
Their cells are made using plasma enhanced chemical vapor depostion, basically using Silane (SiH4) in a plasma reactor that isolates the silicon and deposits it on a film.
Most of there cells are around the two micron area for thickness or .0001 cm. The Silicon is deposited on a conductive plastic called polyimide. They have a giant roll on one side that rolls through the plasma reactor and winds up done on the other side.
Of course it's a little more complicated in that they also have to deposit aluminum fingers on the top of the solar cells.
They really are super flexible and the military loves them. They've integrated them into tents.
http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/produc...ents/index.htm
Also used for fold up battery chargers for soldiers to carry with them on longer missions. A secret ops reconisance soldier would typically take around 12-24 batteries with them. When they were gone he was done. Now he can carry a fold up battery charger and rechargable batteries and go as long as he wants.
http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/produc...tary/index.htm
It really is some cool stuff, and I'm glad it's getting used. Thin films might be the future of the solar industry since it uses less than 1/100 the silicon of typical crystalline silicon solar cells.
Sorry, solar power is a soft spot with me, I hope at least someone found this interesting. I think azimov will.
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