BioSolar files patent for BioBacksheet-A thin film PV solar module component

SANTA CLARITA, USA: BioSolar Inc., a developer of a breakthrough technology to produce bio-based materials from renewable plant sources that reduce the cost of photovoltaic solar modules, announced that the company has recently filed a patent application to protect the innovations behind its proprietary BioBacksheet-A, a bio-based backsheet featuring an absolute moisture barrier for the thin-film solar cell market.

BioBacksheet-A is a three layer laminate film consisting of a 100 percent recyclable aluminum foil center core sandwiched between two outer layers of bio-based polymer films, making it a unique product in the industry.

“BioSolar's goal is to reduce the costs of solar modules and make solar energy greener by replacing petroleum-based module components with bio-based materials made from renewable plant sources,” said Dr. David Lee, CEO of BioSolar. “Patent filing and protection of our intellectual property is an important milestone as we continue our journey toward full-scale commercial production for many of the company’s new products.”

This patent filing follows the recent news that BioSolar has not only accepted the challenge of developing a backsheet with a water vapor transmission rate of essentially zero, which is necessary for thin film solar module components such as cad-telluride and CIGS, but also the initial pilot line run of this backsheet was highly successful. Testing of these samples continues as the company moves toward commercialization.

BioSolar’s complete line of backsheets meet or exceed the characteristics of various testing and performance standards for the photovoltaic industry and are expected to cost significantly less than petroleum-based films currently in use by the majority of solar module manufacturers today.

QD Soleil acquires critical patents in solar energy

PALO ALTO, USA: QD Soleil, a division of Nanosys Inc., announced the signing of an exclusive license agreement with Starfire Electronic Development and Marketing Corp. for patents covering the work of nanotechnology pioneer Dr. Avery Goldstein.

The technologies under license have the potential to dramatically improve the economics of solar energy by increasing process efficiencies and reducing the amount of raw materials required in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells.

The license relates to manufacturing methods for making semiconductor thin films using roll-to-roll processing and nanoparticle inks, and also includes seminal coverage of silicon and germanium nanocrystals, all of which are critical in the production of solar energy at cost parity with traditional energy sources. Silicon nanocrystals also have the potential to produce highly efficient photovoltaic cells.

“These patents complement our strong intellectual property position in the area of thin films and photovoltaic devices,” said Vijendra Sahi, vice president and general manager of QD Soleil. “Avery Goldstein has been one of the leading minds in nanotechnology since the beginning of this field. The licensed patents from Starfire cover fundamental applications of nanotechnology in photovoltaic technologies which will help keep QD Soleil at the forefront of solar innovation.”

“We are pleased to be working with QD Soleil, which is clearly the leader in semiconductor thin films and nanotechnology-enabled photovoltaic cells,” said Dr. Goldstein. “This is a natural fit for our intellectual property. I am excited about the opportunity to further the development and commercialization of this technology working in conjunction with QD Soleil.”