Patent ID: 11877402
Assignee: LUMET TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
Field: Audio-visual technology (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC H  B  Y | IPC B  H

Claim 0:
1. A method of applying a pattern of electrical conductors to a substrate formed by a surface of a solar cell, which method comprises:
(a) providing a continuous flexible membrane comprising in a first surface of the membrane a formable thermoplastic polymer capable of being cast and/or embossed and being conformable to the surface of the substrate, wherein the first surface has a pattern of grooves cast and/or embossed therein, the pattern corresponding at least partially to a desired pattern of electrical conductors to be applied to the substrate;
(b) loading into the grooves of the first surface of the membrane a wet composition that includes, as composition components, a liquid carrier, particles made of an electrically conductive material and an adhesive, said loading being performed in one or more filling cycle(s) such that on completion of loading parts of the first surface between the grooves are substantially devoid of the wet composition;
(c) substantially drying the wet composition within the grooves after at least a last filling cycle such that on completion of loading and drying, a dried composition substantially fills the grooves and is substantially level with the first surface of the membrane;
(d) bringing the first surface of the membrane into contact with the substrate, the pattern of grooves loaded with the dried composition being aligned with the substrate; and
(e) applying pressure to the membrane, heat being applied to at least one of the membrane and the substrate prior to and/or while being in contact, to cause the dried composition loaded into the pattern of grooves in the first surface of the membrane to adhere to the substrate;
wherein at least a portion of the grooves of the pattern have a tapering cross section profile having a base width WB and a height h, such that a dimensionless aspect ratio ASP between the height and the base width (ASP=h/WB) of the profile is within a range of 5:1 to 1:5.