A photovoltaic cell is proposed. The photovoltaic cell includes a substrate of semiconductor material, and a plurality of contact terminals each one arranged on a corresponding contact area of the substrate for collecting electric charges being generated in the substrate by the light. For at least one of the contact areas, the substrate includes at least one porous semiconductor region extending from the contact area into the substrate for anchoring the whole corresponding contact terminal on the substrate. In the solution according to an embodiment of the invention, each porous semiconductor region has a porosity decreasing moving away from the contact area inwards the substrate. An etching module and an electrolytic module for processing photovoltaic cells, a production line for producing photovoltaic cells, and a process for producing photovoltaic cells are also proposed.

A photovoltaic cell is proposed. The photovoltaic cell includes a substrate of semiconductor material, and a plurality of contact terminals each one arranged on a corresponding contact area of the substrate for collecting electric charges being generated in the substrate by the light. For at least one of the contact areas, the substrate includes at least one porous semiconductor region extending from the contact area into the substrate for anchoring the whole corresponding contact terminal on the substrate. In the solution according to an embodiment of the invention, each porous semiconductor region has a porosity decreasing moving away from the contact area inwards the substrate. An etching module and an electrolytic module for processing photovoltaic cells, a production line for producing photovoltaic cells, and a process for producing photovoltaic cells are also proposed.

Exemplary substrate locking system, device, apparatus and method for chemical and/or electrolytic surface treatment of a substrate in a process fluid can be provided. For example, it is possible to provide a first element, a second element and a locking unit. The first element and the second element can be configured to hold the substrate between each other. The locking unit can be configured to lock the first element and the second element with each other. The locking unit can comprise a magnet control device and a magnet. The magnet can be arranged at or near the first element and/or the second element. The magnet control device can be configured to control a magnetic force between the first element and the second element.

Exemplary methods of semiconductor processing may include performing an electroplating operation on a semiconductor substrate in an electroplating bath within a vessel of an electroplating system. The methods may include removing the semiconductor substrate from the electroplating bath. The methods may include closing a valve associated with a first drain from the electroplating system. The methods may include increasing flow to a second drain from the electroplating system. The second drain may be associated with a drain channel from the vessel of the electroplating system.

The invention relates to a distribution body for a process fluid for chemical and/or electrolytic surface treatment of a substrate, a distribution system for chemical and/or electrolytic surface treatment of a substrate in a process fluid, a use of a distribution body or a distribution system for a chemical and/or electrolytic surface treatment of a substrate in a process fluid and a distribution method for a process fluid for chemical and/or electrolytic surface treatment of a substrate. The distribution body comprises: a front face, a rear face, at least an inlet, an outlet array, and a flow control array. The front face is configured to be directed towards the substrate for the surface treatment of the substrate. The rear face is arranged opposite to the front face. The inlet is configured for an entry of the process fluid into the distribution body. The outlet array comprises several outlets, which are configured for an exit of the process fluid out of the distribution body and towards the substrate. The flow control array is arranged upstream of the outlet array with respect to a flow of the process fluid and comprises several flow control elements.

The invention relates to a distribution body for a process fluid for chemical and/or electrolytic surface treatment of a substrate, a distribution system for chemical and/or electrolytic surface treatment of a substrate in a process fluid, a use of a distribution body or a distribution system for a chemical and/or electrolytic surface treatment of a substrate in a process fluid and a distribution method for a process fluid for chemical and/or electrolytic surface treatment of a substrate. The distribution body comprises: a front face, a rear face, at least an inlet, an outlet array, and a flow control array. The front face is configured to be directed towards the substrate for the surface treatment of the substrate. The rear face is arranged opposite to the front face. The inlet is configured for an entry of the process fluid into the distribution body. The outlet array comprises several outlets, which are configured for an exit of the process fluid out of the distribution body and towards the substrate. The flow control array is arranged upstream of the outlet array with respect to a flow of the process fluid and comprises several flow control elements.

A method of electroplating metal into features of a partially fabricated electronic device on a substrate having high open area portions is provided. The method includes initiating a bulk electrofill phase with a pulse at a high level of current; reducing the current to a baseline current level; and optionally increasing the current in one or more steps until electroplating is complete.

A method of electroplating a target electrode comprises establishing a first electric current through an electrolytic solution, comprising a quantity of an electrically charged material, an initial electrode, and a transitional electrode, so that a quantity of the electrically charged material is converted to a quantity of an electrically neutral material, which is electroplated, as a deposit, onto the transitional electrode; and establishing a second electric current through the electrolytic solution, the transitional electrode, and the target electrode so that a quantity of the electrically neutral material from the deposit is converted to a quantity of the electrically charged material, which is dissolved into the electrolytic solution, and a quantity of the electrically charged material in the electrolytic solution is converted to a quantity of the electrically neutral material, which is electroplated onto the surface of the target electrode.

An e-coat line includes a frame supporting a process track configured to extend along a process direction, a workpiece rack moveably supported on the frame, and a plurality of electrodes supported on an electrode rack. The rack includes support members configured to hold a plurality of hollow workpieces in a predetermined arrangement, and the workpiece rack is moveable relative to the frame between a raised position and a lowered position. The plurality of electrodes are supported on the electrode rack in a predetermined arrangement complementary to the predetermined arrangement of the plurality of hollow workpieces on the support members. The electrode rack is moveable relative to the workpiece rack in a direction crossing the process direction between a first position, in which the plurality of electrodes are extended along and overlapping with the support members to fit within the plurality of hollow workpieces, and a second position, in which the plurality of electrodes are retracted away from the support members to be removed from the plurality of hollow workpieces.

Articles prepared by additive manufacturing of preforms that are coated by electrodeposition of nanolaminate materials, and methods of their production are described.