Abstract: A method of obtaining cullet from a solar module unit is disclosed. The method involves providing a solar module unit in which a detectable tagging material has been applied onto an exposed outer surface of a glass substrate of the solar module unit over one or more electrically conductive contact strips located beneath and visible through the glass substrate. Thereafter, the solar module unit is crushed into assorted module pieces. The assorted module pieces are then sorted by detecting module pieces that include the detectable tagging material and separating the assorted module pieces into a collection of accepted module pieces and a collection of rejected module pieces. The collection of accepted module pieces has module pieces determined not to include the detectable tagging material. Recycled glass is then obtained from the collection of accepted module pieces.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new method for creating hybrid edge seals using metal, alloy, powder coated metal and other conductive surfaces in between two substrates. The methods utilize various materials, seal designs, and geometries of hybrid seals based on polymeric powder coatings and glass powder coatings.

Abstract: A method of obtaining cullet from a solar module unit is disclosed. The method involves providing a solar module unit in which a detectable tagging material has been applied onto an exposed outer surface of a glass substrate of the solar module unit over one or more electrically conductive contact strips located beneath and visible through the glass substrate. Thereafter, the solar module unit is crushed into assorted module pieces. The assorted module pieces are then sorted by detecting module pieces that include the detectable tagging material and separating the assorted module pieces into a collection of accepted module pieces and a collection of rejected module pieces. The collection of accepted module pieces has module pieces determined not to include the detectable tagging material. Recycled glass is then obtained from the collection of accepted module pieces.

Abstract: A method of obtaining cullet from a thin film solar module unit is disclosed. The method involves applying a detectable tagging material onto an exposed outer surface of a glass substrate of the thin film solar module unit over one or more electrically conductive contact strips located beneath and visible through the glass substrate. Thereafter, the thin film solar module unit is crushed into assorted module pieces. The assorted module pieces are then sorted by detecting module pieces that include the detectable tagging material and separating the assorted module pieces into a collection of accepted module pieces and a collection of rejected module pieces. The collection of accepted module pieces has module pieces determined not to include the detectable tagging material. Recycled glass is then obtained from the collection of accepted module pieces.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new method for creating hybrid edge seals using metal, alloy, powder coated metal and other conductive surfaces in between two substrates. The methods utilize various materials, seal designs, and geometries of hybrid seals based on polymeric powder coatings and glass powder coatings.

Abstract: A method of sealing at least two inorganic substrates together using an induction energy source comprising applying to at least one of the substrates a paste composition including a glass frit, and an induction coupling additive, bringing at least a second substrate into contact with the paste composition, and subjecting the substrates and paste to induction heating, thereby forming a hermetic seal between the two inorganic substrates.

Abstract: A method of reducing bow and/or improving the electrical performance of an aluminum back contacted silicon solar cell includes applying to a silicon wafer substrate a paste including aluminum and an organometallic compound, and firing the substrate. The organometallic compound is a C1 to C30 organometallic compound of a metal selected from the group consisting of Ag, Al, Ba, Bi, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nd, Ni, Sb, Si, Sn, Sr, Ta, V, Zn, Zr. A paste is formed having an exothermic reaction peak at a temperature of at least 300° C. to less than 660° C.

Abstract: Solder can be used to wet and bind glass substrates together to ensure a hermetic seal that superior (less penetrable) than conventional polymeric (thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer) seals in electric and electronic applications.

Abstract: Broadband infrared radiation is used to heat and fuse an enamel paste to form an enamel seal between at least two solid substrates such as glass, ceramic or metal.

Abstract: Solder can be used to wet and bind glass substrates together to ensure a hermetic seal that superior (less penetrable) than conventional polymeric (thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer) seals in electric and electronic applications.

Abstract: A glass-flake loaded organic sealant system is useful for sealing active layers such as those in electronic devices and solar cells.

Abstract: Durable hermetic seals between two inorganic substrates are produced using a high-intensity electromagnetic energy source, such as laser, to heat and seal enamel layers with controlled absorption of high-intensity energy source. Durable hermetic seals incorporating electrical feedthroughs are also produced.

Abstract: Formulations and methods of making solar cells are disclosed. In general, the invention presents a solar cell contact made from a mixture wherein the mixture comprises a solids portion and an organics portion, wherein the solids portion comprises from about 85 to about 99 wt % of a metal component, and from about 1 to about 15 wt % of a lead-free glass component. Both front contacts and back contacts arc disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates an aluminum conductor paste formulation and its method of application on rear side passivated locally opened vias; dot or line geometry or combination thereof employing laser ablation or chemical etching methods. Such Back Surface Passivated Si-solar cells include dielectric layers of Al203, SiNx, Si02, SiC, ?-Si, Si02/SiNx, Al203/SiNx, Si02/Al203/SiNx. The Al-conductor paste of this invention achieves; (i) non-degradation of passivation stack, (ii) defect free surfaces and void free vias, (iii) a strong and uniform Back Surface Field (BSF) layer within dot vias and line vias.

Abstract: Formulations and methods of making solar cells are disclosed. In general, the invention presents a solar cell contact made from a mixture wherein the mixture comprises a solids portion and an organics portion, wherein the solids portion comprises from about 85 to about 99 wt % of silver, and from about 1 to about 15 wt % of a glass component wherein the glass component comprises from about 15 to about 75 mol % PbO, and from about 5 to about 50 mol % SiO2, and preferably with no B2O3.

Abstract: A method of sealing at least two inorganic substrates together using an induction energy source comprising applying to at least one of the substrates a paste composition including a glass frit, and an induction coupling additive, bringing at least a second substrate into contact with the paste composition, and subjecting the substrates and paste to induction heating, thereby forming a hermetic seal between the two inorganic substrates.

Abstract: A frit-based hermetic sealing system for sealing glass plates to one another, or sealing glass to ceramics is disclosed. Seal materials, the methods to apply these seal materials, and the seal designs for selective and controlled absorption of microwave energy to heat and seal the system are presented. The hermetic seals are useful in various applications such as (a) encapsulating solar cells based on silicon, organic systems, and thin film, (b) encapsulating other electronic devices such as organic LEDs, (c) producing Vacuum Insulated Glass windows, and (d) architectural windows and automotive glass.

Abstract: Solar cell contacts having good electrical performance are made by a process involving: (a) providing a silicon wafer substrate; (b) providing a paste comprising: (i) aluminum, (ii) glass frit, and (iii) a separate and distinct amount of at least one oxide, such that, together with the aluminum, the glass frit and oxide forms a paste having an exothermic reaction peak, at a temperature of at least 660° C. to less than 900° C., (c) applying the paste to the silicon wafer substrate to form a coated substrate, and (d) firing the coated substrate for a time and at a temperature sufficient to sinter the aluminum and fuse the glass frit and oxide.

Abstract: Al pastes with additives of Co, Sr, V, compounds thereof and combinations thereof improve both the physical integrity of a back contact of a silicon solar cell as well as the electrical performance of a cell with such a contact.

Abstract: Broadband infrared radiation is used to heat and fuse an enamel paste to form an enamel seal between at least two solid substrates such as glass, ceramic or metal.