Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes active elements containing thermoelectric materials of silicon, an alloy of silicon, a metal-silicide or silicon composite and an interconnection zone consisting of a metal interconnect and a re-crystallized phase consisting of material from the active thermoelectric elements. The metal interconnect is from a metal that does not form metal silicides in a solid state, has a certain solubility for components of the thermoelectric elements in the liquid phase and a low solubility of these components in the solid phase. The active thermoelectric elements are shaped with a first and a second contact interface. The interconnection between the different thermoelectric elements consists of at least two phases of material, one of which is mainly the metallic interconnection material, the other is formed by the re-crystallized components of the thermoelectric materials.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes active elements containing thermoelectric materials of silicon, an alloy of silicon, a metal-silicide or silicon composite and an interconnection zone consisting of a metal interconnect and a re-crystallized phase consisting of material from the active thermoelectric elements. The metal interconnect is from a metal that does not form metal silicides in a solid state, has a certain solubility for components of the thermoelectric elements in the liquid phase and a low solubility of these components in the solid phase. The active thermoelectric elements are shaped with a first and a second contact interface. The interconnection between the different thermoelectric elements consists of at least two phases of material, one of which is mainly the metallic interconnection material, the other is formed by the re-crystallized components of the thermoelectric materials.

Abstract: A method and device for producing metal foils using the foil-casting principle includes the steps of filling a casting frame with liquid metal, moving a substrate through the bottom of the casting frame, with the substrate belt being at a lower temperature than the melting point of the liquid metal in the bottom of the casting frame, so that a bottom layer of the liquid metal crystallizes on the substrate and a metal foil is formed on the substrate on one side of the casting frame. The method further includes the steps of measuring at least one of a thickness and weight of the metal foil, and adjusting the contact surface area between the liquid metal and the substrate as a function of the measured value for the thickness and/or weight of the foils produced.

Abstract: A device and method for producing metal panels. First a metal melt is produced, then a substrate, having a lower temperature than the metal melt, is contacted with it so that some of the metal melt crystallizes on the substrate. The substrate is then moved relative to the metal melt so that a metal foil is formed on the substrate. The metal foil is divided into metal panels. The substrate has grooves which are used to fit partitions between the panels, and grooves which are filled with liquid metal. The latter grooves provide a reinforcement for the metal panels. A pattern of recesses and/or elevations can be provided in the substrate so that the same pattern is formed in the metal foil. The pattern may include parallel grooves which ensure that the surface of the foil is enlarged. In the case of solar cells this results in greater efficiency.

Abstract: Module for a solar panel, comprising a glass plate and a monolithic solar cell, wherein the monolithic solar cell is joined to the glass plate. A glass frit layer is located between the solar cell and the glass plate and forms the join between a surface of the glass plate and a photoactive surface of the solar cell.

Abstract: A method and device for producing metal foils using the foil-casting principle includes the steps of filling a casting frame with liquid metal, moving a substrate through the bottom of the casting frame, with the substrate belt being at a lower temperature than the melting point of the liquid metal in the bottom of the casting frame, so that a bottom layer of the liquid metal crystallizes on the substrate and a metal foil is formed on the substrate on one side of the casting frame. The method further includes the steps of measuring at least one of a thickness and weight of the metal foil, and adjusting the contact surface area between the liquid metal and the substrate as a function of the measured value for the thickness and/or weight of the foils produced.

Abstract: The invention is a method for the production of a silicon foil with a targeted charge carrier transport to the p-n transition by means of an integral electric field (‘drift field’). By varying the crystal growth speed and introducing a doping substance into the fluid silicon beforehand, a crystallization process can be carried out in such a way that a gradient over the foil thickness is produced in the doping profile in the silicon. This gradient of the doping profile gives rise to an electric field. With the aid of various foil casting techniques foils that are suitable for the production of solar cells can thus be produced in a relatively simple manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for producing metal panels. First a metal melt is produced, then a substrate, which has a lower temperature than the metal melt, is brought into contact with it so that some of the metal melt crystallises on the substrate. The substrate is then moved relative to the metal melt so that a metal foil is formed on the substrate. Finally the metal foil is divided into metal panels. According to the invention the substrate comprises grooves which are used to fit partitions between the panels, as well as grooves which are filled with liquid metal. The latter grooves provide a reinforcement for the metal panels. In addition a pattern of recesses and/or elevations can be provided in the substrate so that the same pattern is formed in the metal foil. The pattern may consist, for example, of parallel grooves which ensure that the surface of the foil is enlarged. In the case of solar cells this results in greater efficiency.