Abstract: An electronic device module comprises: A. At least one electronic device, e.g., a solar cell, and B. A polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising an ethylene multi-block copolymer. Typically, the polyolefin material is an ethylene multi-block copolymer with a density of less than about 0.90 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc). The polymeric material can fully encapsulate the electronic device, or it can be laminated to one face surface of the device. Optionally, the polymeric material can further comprise a scorch inhibitor, and the copolymer can remain uncrosslinked or it can be crosslinked.

Abstract: Disclosed in more detail in this application are ethylene interpolymer films having one or more layers, comprising surface layer comprising: (A) a silane-containing ethylene interpolymer comprising (1) an ethylene interpolymer having a density of less than 0.905 g/cm3, and (2) at least 0.1 percent by weight alkoxysilane; characterized by: (3) having a volume resistivity of greater than 5×1015 ohm-cm as measured at 60 C. In one embodiment, such ethylene interpolymer has a residual boron content of less than 10 ppm and residual aluminum content of less than 100 ppm. Also disclosed are laminated electronic device modules comprising: A. at least one electronic device, and B. one of the ethylene interpolymer films as described above in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device. Such laminated electronic device modules according to the invention have been shown to suffer reduced potential induced degradation (“PID”).

Abstract: Disclosed are multilayer film structures comprising a layer (B) that comprises a crystalline block copolymer composite (CBC) or a specified block copolymer composite (BC), comprising i) an ethylene polymer (EP) comprising at least 80 mol % polymerized ethylene; ii) an alpha-olefin-based crystalline polymer (CAOP) and iii) a block copolymer comprising (a) an ethylene polymer block comprising at least 80 mol % polymerized ethylene and (b) a crystalline alpha-olefin block (CAOB); and a layer C that comprises a polyolefin having at least one melting peak greater than 1255 C, the top facial surface of layer C in adhering contact with the bottom facial surface of layer B. Such multilayer film structure preferably comprises (A) a seal layer A having a bottom facial surface in adhering contact with the top facial surface of layer B. Such films are suited for use in electronic device (ED) modules comprising an electronic device such as a PV cell.

Abstract: A multilayer film structure comprising a top encapsulation layer A, a tie Layer B between top Layer A and bottom Layer C and a bottom layer C, the multilayer film structure characterized in that tie Layer B comprises a crystalline block composite resin or a block composite resin and bottom Layer C comprises a polyolefin having at least one melting point greater than 125° C.

Abstract: An electronic device module comprising: A. At least one electronic device, e.g., a solar cell, and B. A polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising (1) a polyolefin copolymer with at least one of (a) a density of less than about 0.90 g/cc, (b) a 2% secant modulus of less than about 150 megaPascal (mPa) as measured by ASTM D-882-02), (c) a melt point of less than about 95 C, (d) an ?-olefin content of at least about 15 and less than about 50 wt % based on the weight of the polymer, (e) a Tg of less than about ?35 C, and (f) a SCBDI of at least about 50, (2) optionally, free radical initiator, e.g., a peroxide or azo compound, or a photoinitiator, e.g., benzophenone, and (3) optionally, a co-agent. Typically, the polyolefin copolymer is an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer. Optionally, the polymeric material can further comprise a vinyl silane and/or a scorch inhibitor, and the copolymer can remain uncrosslinked or be crosslinked.

Abstract: An electronic device module comprising: A. At least one electronic device, e.g., a solar cell, and B. A polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising (1) a polyolefin copolymer with at least one of (a) a density of less than about 0.90 g/cc, (b) a 2% secant modulus of less than about 150 megaPascal (mPa) as measured by ASTM D-882-02), (c) a melt point of less than about 95 C, (d) an ?-olefin content of at least about 15 and less than about 50 wt % based on the weight of the polymer, (e) a Tg of less than about ?35 C, and (f) a SCBDI of at least about 50, (2) optionally, free radical initiator, e.g., a peroxide or azo compound, or a photoinitiator, e.g., benzophenone, and (3) optionally, a co-agent. Typically, the polyolefin copolymer is an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer. Optionally, the polymeric material can further comprise a vinyl silane and/or a scorch inhibitor, and the copolymer can remain uncrosslinked or be crosslinked.

Abstract: Disclosure are films based on alkoxysilane-containing polyolefin resins with reduced melt strength, photovoltaic cell laminate structures and methods for their preparation. In the disclosed alkoxysilane-containing polyolefin resin films according to the invention, reduced melt strength is provided by, among other things, using optimized silane:initiator ratios and is shown to reduce detrimental film shrinkage and provide improved photovoltaic laminate structures.

Abstract: An electronic device module comprising: A. At least one electronic device, e.g., a solar cell, and B. A polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising (1) an ethylene interpolymer comprising an overall polymer density of not more than 0.905 g/cm3; total unsaturation of not more than 125 per 100,000 carbons; up to 3 long chain branches/1000 carbons; vinyl-3 content of less than 5 per 100,000 carbons; and a total number of vinyl groups/1000 carbons of less than the quantity (8000/Mn), wherein the vinyl-3 content and vinyl group measurements are measured by gel permeation chromatography (145° C.) and 1H-NMR (125° C.), (2) grafted vinyl silane, (3) optionally, free radical initiator or a photoinitiator in an amount of at least about 0.05 wt % based on the weight of the copolymer, and (3) optionally, a co-agent in an amount of at least about 0.05 wt % based upon the weight of the copolymer.

Abstract: An electronic device module comprising: A. At least one electronic device, e.g., a solar cell, and B. A polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising (1) an ethylene interpolymer comprising an overall polymer density of not more than 0.905 g/cm3; total unsaturation of not more than 125 per 100,000 carbons; and; up to 3 long chain branches/1000 carbons; vinyl-3 content of less than 5 per 100,000 carbons; and a total number of vinyl groups/1000 carbons of less than the quantity (8000/Mn), wherein the vinyl-3 content and vinyl group measurements are measured by gel permeation chromatography (145° C.) and 1H-NMR (125° C.), (2) a graft polymer to enhance the adhesion, (3) optionally, free radical initiator or a photoinitiator in an amount of at least about 0.05 wt % based on the weight of the copolymer, and (3) optionally, a co-agent in an amount of at least about 0.05 wt% based upon the weight of the copolymer.

Abstract: An electronic device module such as a solar cell is described. The electronic device module is made using a polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising a tapered block copolymer comprising an A block, and a B block.

Abstract: Multilayer structures useful as a backsheet for an electronic device, e.g., a photovoltaic cell, comprise (A) a top layer comprising a polyolefin resin, e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate, and having a top facial surface and a bottom facial surface, (B) a tie layer comprising an adhesive, e.g., an ethylene glycidyl methacrylate, having a top facial surface and a bottom facial surface, the top facial surface in adhering contact with the bottom facial surface of the top layer, and (C) a bottom layer comprising a polyolefin having at least one melting peak greater than 125° C., e.g., a polypropylene, and having a top facial layer and a bottom facial surface, the top facial surface in adhering contact with the bottom facial surface of the tie layer.

Abstract: An electronic device module is disclosed comprising: A. at least one electronic device, and B. a polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising (1) An ethylenic polymer comprising at least 0.1 amyl branches per 1000 carbon atoms as determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and both a highest peak melting temperature, Tm, in ° C., and a heat of fusion, Hf, in J/g, as determined by DSC Crystallinity, where the numerical values of Tm and Hf correspond to the relationship: Tm?(0.2143*Hf)+79.643, and wherein the ethylenic polymer has less than about 1 mole percent ctane comonomer, and less than about 0.5 mole percent ctane, pentene, or ctane comonomer. (2) optionally, free radical initiator or a photoinitiator in an amount of at least about 0.05 wt % based on the weight of the copolymer, (3) optionally, a co-agent in an amount of at least about 0.

Abstract: An electronic device module comprising: A. At least one electronic device, e.g., a solar cell, and B. A polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising (1) a polyolefin copolymer characterized as having has an average Mv and a valley temperature between the interpolymer and high crystalline fraction, Thc, such that the average Mv for a fraction above Thc from ATREF divided by average Mv of the whole polymer from ATREF (Mhc/Mp) is less than about 1.95 and wherein the copolymer has a CDBI of less than 60%, (2) optionally, a vinyl silane, (3) optionally, free radical initiator or a photoinitiator in an amount of at least about 0.05 wt % based on the weight of the copolymer, and (4) optionally, a co-agent in an amount of at least about 0.05 wt % based upon the weight of the copolymer.

Abstract: An electronic device module comprising: A. At least one electronic device, e.g., a solar cell, and B. A polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising (1) an ethylene-based polymer composition characterized by a Comonomer Distribution Constant greater than about 45, more preferably greater than 50, most preferably greater than 95, and as high as 400, preferably as high as 200, wherein the composition has less than 120 total unsaturation unit/1,000,000C, preferably the ethylene-based polymer compositions comprise up to about 3 long chain branches/1000 carbons, more preferably from about 0.

Abstract: Multilayer structures useful as a backsheet for an electronic device, e.g., a photovoltaic cell, comprise (A) a top layer comprising a polyolefin resin, e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate, and having a top facial surface and a bottom facial surface, (B) a tie layer comprising an adhesive, e.g., an ethylene glycidyl methacrylate, having a top facial surface and a bottom facial surface, the top facial surface in adhering contact with the bottom facial surface of the top layer, and (C) a bottom layer comprising a polyolefin having at least one melting peak greater than 125° C., e.g., a polypropylene, and having a top facial layer and a bottom facial surface, the top facial surface in adhering contact with the bottom facial surface of the tie layer.

Abstract: The present invention includes a multicomponent structure comprising at least two components having a tie layer or adhesive layer directly between them, the tie layer comprising at least one olefin unsaturated ester copolymer and at least one photoinitiator and optionally a crosslinking enhancer. The tie layer is preferably irradiated with sufficient actinic radiation to result in increased interlayer adhesion strength between the two components as compared with the interlayer adhesion strength before treatment with the actinic radiation or between the components having a tie layer of the same composition except without the added photoinitiator or crosslinking enhancer. Without the photoinitiator, optionally crosslinking enhancer, and radiation the interlayer adhesion of the components is preferably less than 55 N/m.

Abstract: An electronic device module comprises: A. At least one electronic device, e.g., a solar cell, and B. A polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising an ethylene multi-block copolymer. Typically, the polyolefin material is an ethylene multi-block copolymer with a density of less than about 0.90 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc). The polymeric material can fully encapsulate the electronic device, or it can be laminated to one face surface of the device. Optionally, the polymeric material can further comprise a scorch inhibitor, and the copolymer can remain uncrosslinked or it can be crosslinked.

Abstract: An electronic device module comprising: A. At least one electronic device, e.g., a solar cell, and B. A polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising (1) a polyolefin copolymer with at least one of (a) a density of less than about 0.90 g/cc, (b) a 2% secant modulus of less than about 150 megaPascal (mPa) as measured by ASTM D-882-02), (c) a melt point of less than about 95 C, (d) an ?-olefin content of at least about 15 and less than about 50 wt % based on the weight of the polymer, (e) a Tg of less than about ?35 C, and (f) a SCBDI of at least about 50, (2) optionally, free radical initiator, e.g., a peroxide or azo compound, or a photoinitiator, e.g., benzophenone, and (3) optionally, a co-agent. Typically, the polyolefin copolymer is an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer. Optionally, the polymeric material can further comprise a vinyl silane and/or a scorch inhibitor, and the copolymer can remain uncrosslinked or be crosslinked.

Abstract: A method for coextruding a multilayer tubular film having a barrier material comprises (a) extruding a core extrudate of barrier material with a core extruder; (b) providing a preencapsulation die adjacent the outlet of the core extruder, the prencapsulation die capable of producing a non-uniform layer thickness; (c) extruding a preencapsular extrudate of preencapsular material and directing said preencapsular extrudate to the preencapsulation die; (d) joining the core extrudate and the preencapsular extrudate in the preencapsulation die in a coaxial relationship wherein the preencapsular extrudate is disposed radially outwardly of the core extrudate to form a preencapsulated core extrudate having a non-uniform layer thickness; (e) extruding an inner layer extrudate and an outer layer extrudate; (f) feeding the preencapsulated ore extrudate through a distribution manifold to a coextrusion die, the distribution manifold designed to overlap opposing longitudinally extending edges; and (g) forming a multilayer b

Abstract: A tubular, multilayer film comprises a central barrier layer and a pair of adhesive layers on opposite sides of the central barrier layer. The adhesive layers completely cover the central barrier layer. Opposing edges of the central barrier layer overlap longitudinally along the tubular, multilayer film. The total thickness of the central barrier layers in the overlapping portion is substantially the same as the thickness of the central barrier layer in the non-overlapping portion. The tubular, multilayer film also includes inner and outer surface layers. The inner surface layer extends completely around the interior of the tubular, multilayer film, and the outer surface layer extends completely around the exterior of the tubular, multilayer film.