Abstract: A photovoltaic device (10) is provided that comprises serially arranged photovoltaic device cells (10A, 10B). Each cell having a transparent electrode layer region electrical conductors (121A, . . . , 124A) forming an electric contact with the transparent electrode layer region, a photo-voltaic stack portion (14A, 14B) that extends over the transparent electrode region (11A, 11B) and over an insulated portion of the electrical conductors, a further electrode region (15A, 5B) that extends over the photovoltaic stack portion (14A,14B). A further electrode region (15A) of a photovoltaic device cell (10A) extends over electric contacts formed by exposed ends (12B1) of the electrical conductors of a subsequent photovoltaic device cell (10B).

Abstract: A photovoltaic device (10) is provided that comprises serially arranged photovoltaic device cells (10A, 10B). Each cell having a transparent electrode layer region electrical conductors (121A, . . . , 124A) forming an electric contact with the transparent electrode layer region, a photo-voltaic stack portion (14A, 14B) that extends over the transparent electrode region (11A, 11B) and over an insulated portion of the electrical conductors, a further electrode region (15A, 5B) that extends over the photovoltaic stack portion (14A,14B). A further electrode region (15A) of a photovoltaic device cell (10A) extends over electric contacts formed by exposed ends (12B1) of the electrical conductors of a subsequent photovoltaic device cell (10B).

Abstract: A slot-die coating apparatus for manufacturing a patterned coating layer (3) on a substrate surface (1s) of a substrate (1) comprises a slot-die coating head (2), a controlled coating fluid supply system (7) and a substrate carrier (6) for carrying the substrate (1). The slot-die coating head (2) comprises an inlet (21) for receiving coating fluid from the coating fluid supply system and a slit-shaped outflow opening (22) that is communicatively coupled to the inlet and has a slit direction. The controlled coating fluid supply system (7) alternately operates in a first mode (M1) to provide for a flow of coating fluid out of the slit-shaped outflow opening (22) for deposition on the substrate surface and in a second mode (M2) wherein a deposition of coating fluid out of the slit-shaped outflow opening (22) on the substrate surface is interrupted (21). The coating head (2) has an internal coating fluid trajectory extending from the inlet (21) to the slit-shaped outflow opening (22).

Abstract: A slot-die coating apparatus for manufacturing a patterned coating layer (3) on a substrate (1) comprises a substrate carrier (6), a coating device, a sensor facility (70) and a controller (80). The substrate carrier (6) is arranged on a support for providing the substrate (1). The coating device comprises a head-side unit and a support-side unit (50, 55; 52 resp.) that are mutually movable with respect to each other by a motor (52, 56). The head-side unit comprises a translator part (52) and a slot-die coating head (2). The support-side unit (55) comprises a stator part (56) of the motor. The controller (80) controls the motor (52) to position the slot-die coating head at a desired distance (Ds). The support-side unit (55) has a mass that is at least equal to the mass of the head-side unit (50), and the support-side unit (55) is flexibly coupled to the support (60).

Abstract: A coating system (1) is provided comprising a coating chamber (20) having arranged therein a coating apparatus (10) for providing a substrate (S) with an organic coating layer. The coating apparatus (10) comprises a coating device (12) for depositing a solvent free, curable liquid organic precursor for said organic coating layer and a curing unit (14) for curing the liquid organic precursor deposited on said substrate (S) by supplying energy to said liquid organic precursor. The coating system further comprises a vacuum pump (30) that, while coating, maintains a pressure inside said coating chamber below 1 mbar. A supply facility (152, 152?) for controllably supplies the curable liquid organic precursor from the reservoir to the coating device (12), The supply facility (152, 52?) has an input (1510) for receiving curable liquid organic precursor from the reservoir. A position of a bottom (150B) of the reservoir is arranged at a height (H1) above the input (1510).

Abstract: There is disclosed a slot-die coating method and apparatus, and a substrate having a patterned coating layer. The method comprises controlling an intermittent transfer of the coating fluid from a slot-die coating head onto the substrate surface to provide, by said intermittent transfer, coated areas on the substrate surface separated by uncoated areas. The substrate surface comprises a pre-patterned layer of high surface energy areas and low surface energy areas; wherein a contact angle of the coating fluid on the substrate surface is lower in the high surface energy areas than in the low surface energy areas. Boundaries between the low surface energy areas and high surface energy areas are arranged along a slit direction of the slot die coating head.

Abstract: A manufacturing facility is provided for manufacturing a product on a foil (FO). The manufacturing facility comprises a deposition zone (10) formed by a clean room wherein at least a first and a second deposition facility (21, 22) are arranged for depositing a layer of a material on the foil. The manufacturing facility further comprises at least one processing facility (31) for processing the deposited layer, said processing facility being arranged outside said deposition zone and comprising a processing trajectory with a first path (31a) away from said deposition zone, towards a turning facility (41) and with a second path (31b) from said turning facility back towards said deposition zone.

Abstract: A slot-die coating apparatus for manufacturing a patterned coating layer (3) on a substrate (1) comprises a substrate carrier (6), a coating device, a sensor facility (70) and a controller (80). The substrate carrier (6) is arranged on a support for providing the substrate (1). The coating device comprises a head-side unit and a support-side unit (50, 55; 52 resp.) that are mutually movable with respect to each other by a motor (52, 56). The head-side unit comprises a translator part (52) and a slot-die coating head (2). The support-side unit (55) comprises a stator part (56) of the motor. The controller (80) controls the motor (52) to position the slot-die coating head at a desired distance (Ds). The support-side unit (55) has a mass that is at least equal to the mass of the head-side unit (50), and the support-side unit (55) is flexibly coupled to the support (60).

Abstract: There is disclosed a slot-die coating method and apparatus, and a substrate having a patterned coating layer. The method comprises controlling an intermittent transfer of the coating fluid from a slot-die coating head onto the substrate surface to provide, by said intermittent transfer, coated areas on the substrate surface separated by uncoated areas. The substrate surface comprises a pre-patterned layer of high surface energy areas and low surface energy areas; wherein a contact angle of the coating fluid on the substrate surface is lower in the high surface energy areas than in the low surface energy areas. Boundaries between the low surface energy areas and high surface energy areas are arranged along a slit direction of the slot die coating head.

Abstract: A manufacturing facility is provided for manufacturing a product on a foil (FO). The manufacturing facility comprises a deposition zone (10) formed by a clean room wherein at least a first and a second deposition facility (21, 22) are arranged for depositing a layer of a material on the foil. The manufacturing facility further comprises at least one processing facility (31) for processing the deposited layer, said processing facility being arranged outside said deposition zone and comprising a processing trajectory with a first path (31a) away from said deposition zone, towards a turning facility (41) and with a second path (31b) from said turning facility back towards said deposition zone.

Abstract: A method is described for providing a substrate foil (L0) with at least a laminating foil (L1) of material. The method comprises the steps of providing the substrate foil (L0) and the laminating foil (L1). And subsequently applying weakend portions (100) in the laminating foil (L1). The weakened portions extend in a direction transverse (Dtr) to a longitudinal direction of the laminating foil, and are spaced at intervals along the longitudinal direction. The weakened portions have a width (w) substantially smaller than the length (?) of said intervals, providing a tension to the laminating foil (L1) in the longitudinal direction (Dlong). Thereby the laminating foil (L1) is stretched in the weakened portions, attaching the stretched laminating foil (L1) to the substrate foil (L0).

Abstract: A method is described for providing a substrate foil (L0) with at least a laminating foil (L1) of material. The method comprises the steps of providing the substrate foil (L0) and the laminating foil (L1). And subsequently applying weakend portions (100) in the laminating foil (L1). The weakened portions extend in a direction transverse (Dtr) to a longitudinal direction of the laminating foil, and are spaced at intervals along the longitudinal direction. The weakened portions have a width (w) substantially smaller than the length (A) of said intervals, providing a tension to the laminating foil (L1) in the longitudinal direction (Dlong). Thereby the laminating foil (L1) is stretched in the weakened portions, attaching the stretched laminating foil (L1) to the substrate foil (L0).