Printed circuit board

This invention comprises manufacture of photovoltaic cells by deposition of thin film photovoltaic junctions on metal foil substrates. The photovoltaic junctions may be heat treated if appropriate following deposition in a continuous fashion without deterioration of the metal support structure. In a separate operation, an interconnection substrate structure is provided, optionally in a continuous fashion. Multiple photovoltaic cells are then laminated to the interconnection substrate structure and conductive joining methods are employed to complete the array. In this way the interconnection substrate structure can be uniquely formulated from polymer-based materials employing optimal processing unique to polymeric materials. Furthermore, the photovoltaic junction and its metal foil support can be produced in bulk without the need to use the expensive and intricate material removal operations currently taught in the art to achieve series interconnections.

Substrate structures for integrated series connected photovoltaic arrays and process of manufacture of such arrays

ABS is an engineering plastic that has butadiene part uniformly distributed over the acrylonitrile-styrene matrix. It possesses excellent toughness, good dimensional stability, easy processing ability, chemical resistance, and cheapness. However, it suffers from inherent shortcomings in terms of mechanical strength and vulnerability to environmental conditions. Furthermore, it is non-conducting and easily fretted. Plating on ABS can serve to enhance the strength and structural integrity as well as to improve durability and thermal resistance resulting in metallic properties on the ABS material. ABS is described as the most suitable candidate for plating because it is possible to deposit an adherent metal coating on it by only the use of chemical pretreatment process and without the use of any mechanical abrasion. This article aims to review the history of ABS plastics, properties of ABS, processes and mechanisms of plating, and studies of plating on ABS involving mainly eco-friendly methods of plating by discussing the literature published in recent years. The details of electroplating of ABS carried out in the authors’ laboratory are also presented.

Plating on acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) plastic: a review

An interconnected arrangement of photovoltaic cells is achieved using laminating current collector electrodes. The electrodes comprise a pattern of conductive material extending over a first surface of sheetlike substrate material. The first surface comprises material having adhesive affinity for a selected conductive surface. Application of the electrode to the selected conductive surface brings the first surface of the sheetlike substrate into adhesive contact with the conductive surface and simultaneously brings the conductive surface into firm contact with the conductive material extending over first surface of the sheetlike substrate. Use of the laminating current collector electrodes allows facile and continuous production of expansive area interconnected photovoltaic arrays.

Collector grid and interconnect structures for photovoltaic arrays and modules

The invention teaches novel structure and methods for producing electrical current collectors and electrical interconnection structure. Such articles find particular use in facile production of modular arrays of photovoltaic cells. The current collector and interconnecting structures may be initially produced separately from the photovoltaic cells thereby allowing the use of unique materials and manufacture. Subsequent combination of the structures with photovoltaic cells allows facile and efficient completion of modular arrays. Methods for combining the collector and interconnection structures with cells and final interconnecting into modular arrays are taught.

Substrate and collector grid structures for integrated series connected photovoltaic arrays and process of manufacture of such arrays

PLASTIC SUBSTRATES, SUCH AS POLYPROPYLENE, ABS, ETC. ARE PLATED WITH AN ADHERENT METAL COATING IN A PROCESS WHICH AVOIDS COMPLETELY THE ART-EMPLOYED STEPS OF ETCHING IN A CHROMIC-SULFURIC ACID SOLUTION AS WELL AS THE DEPOSITION OF A THIN COATING OF METAL ON THE SUBSTRATE FROM AN ELECTROLESS PLATING BATH PRIOR TO THE ELECTROLYTIC PLATING OPERATION. PLASTIC SUBSTRATES ARE (1) TREATED WITH A SOLUTION OR DISPERSION OF SULFUR IN A SUITABLE SOLVENT, SUCH AS A TRICHLOROETHYLENE, (2) CONTACTED WITH AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF A CUPROUS SALT; SUCH AS CUPROUS CHLORIDE, (3) OPTIONALLY TREATED WITH AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF PALLADIUM CHLORIDE AND FINALLY (4) ELECTROPLATED TO FORM A COATING OF THE DESIRED METAL OF THE DESIRED THICKNESS.

Method of treating plastic substrates and process for plating thereon

A METHOD IS DISCLOSED FOR TREATING PLASTIC SHEATHED METAL JIGS OR RACKS CONVENTIONALLY USED IN SUPPORTING AND TRANSPORTING NONCONDUCTIVE ARTICLES THROUGH CHEMICAL AND ELECTROPLATING SOLUTIONS IN THE COURSE OF A CONTINUOUS PLATING CYCLE FOR METALLIZING THE ARTICESS, WHEREBY TO PREVENT OR REDUCE DEPOSIT OF METAL ON THE RACKS THEMSELVES. O THIS END, THE RACKS ARE TREATED TO CAUSE ADSORPTION OF HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IONS AT THE SURFACE OF THEIR PLASTIC SHEATHED PROTIONS.

Method of preventing rack plating in continuous plating cycle for nonconductive articles

A method is disclosed for treating the surface of a polymeric plastic substrate in a chemical plating process incorporating a preliminary chromic acid etch followed by one-step activation in a tin-palladium hydrosol. The method involves the step of immersing the substrate in a dilute aqueous acid solution of stannous chloride between the etching and activating steps.

Preactivation conditioner for electroless metal plating system

The invention discloses compositions for and methods of treating the surface of molded polyolefins, more especially polypropylene, polyethylene and polybutylene, prior to the deposition of a metallic plate thereon in order to improve the adherence of the plate to the surface of the polyolefin substrate. The compositions comprise stable, aqueous microemulsions of the oil-in-water-type containing as the principal active agents a mixture of white phosphorus and trichloroethylene.

John J Grunwald

Papers

Method of treating plastic substrates and process for plating thereon

Method of preventing rack plating in continuous plating cycle for nonconductive articles

Preactivation conditioner for electroless metal plating system

Pretreatment of molded polyolefins for electroless plating

Aqueous emulsion for plating pretreatment of molded polyolefins