Solid-core panel incorporating decorative and/or functional material

Abstract

A panel includes a fiberglass substrate encapsulating an aesthetic material. The fiberglass substrate and the aesthetic material are both impregnated with resin to form the solid-core of the panel. The solid-core panel can be manufactured by arranging multiple layers of a fiberglass material between multiple plates, interleaving aesthetic material between at least two of the layers of fiberglass material, applying resin to the multiple layers of fiberglass material and the aesthetic material, and then allowing the combination of the resin, multiple layers of fiberglass material, and the aesthetic material to cure between the plates, forming a solid-core panel encapsulating the aesthetic material.

1 . A panel comprising:
 a fiberglass substrate encapsulating an aesthetic material, wherein the fiberglass substrate and the aesthetic material are both impregnated with resin to form a solid-core of the panel.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the aesthetic material comprises multiple levels within the fiberglass substrate. 
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the aesthetic material includes at least one of a solar cell device or a solar fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective coating located at one or more surfaces of the panel, wherein the protective coating is integrated with the resin residing at one or more surfaces of the panel. 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 4 , wherein the protective coating is a combination of the resin and at least one of a polyurethane-based product, a clear coat polymer, or a gel coat polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the aesthetic material is metal or a decorative organic material including at least one of a paper, tissue, fabric, or plant material. 
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the fiberglass substrate encapsulates the aesthetic material in an orientation that is non-parallel to surfaces of the panel.