Patents by Inventor Shalini Menezes

Shalini Menezes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8742253
    Abstract: New photovoltaic device configurations utilize combinations of n-copper indium selenide (n-CIS) absorber and p-type semiconducting organic/polymeric or inorganic materials to maximize the efficiency of solar energy conversion into electric power. Fabrication methods to produce various device configurations, based on n-CIS thin films, nanoparticles, organic or polymeric materials deposited on flexible or rigid substrates are described, that simplify process steps and hence the costs for high volume solar cell manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: InterPhases Solar
    Inventors: Shalini Menezes, Yan Li, Sharmila Jacqueline Menezes
  • Patent number: 8388818
    Abstract: Lightweight photoelectrochemical system for real-time hydrogen production from water and sunlight, using lightweight multi-junction photo electrodes made from the highly reliable and efficient copper indium selenide thin films, preferably made by low-cost electrodeposition on flexible foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Shalini Menezes
  • Patent number: 7560641
    Abstract: A new photovoltaic device configuration based on an n-copper indium selenide absorber and a p-type window is disclosed. A fabrication method to produce this device on flexible or rigid substrates is described that reduces the number of cell components, avoids hazardous materials, simplifies the process steps and hence the costs for high volume solar cell manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Shalini Menezes
  • Publication number: 20030230338
    Abstract: A new photovoltaic device configuration based on an n-copper indium selenide absorber and a p-type window is disclosed. A fabrication method to produce this device on flexible or rigid substrates is described that reduces the number of cell components, avoids hazardous materials, simplifies the process steps and hence the costs for high volume solar cell manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Shalini Menezes
  • Patent number: 6228243
    Abstract: A new method to synthesize crystalline films, superlattices and multilayered devices based on metallic or semiconductor compounds or alloys in electrolyte media on non-crystalline substrates. An automated sequence of flow, equilibration and underpotential electrodeposition from a single electrolyte comprising the film constituents leads to the synthesis of stoichiometric, epitaxial layers. The invention process is based on a new concept of electrochemical molecular layer epitaxy; it provides a relatively simple, fast and inexpensive method to fabricate a wide range of high quality technological materials, ranging from large-area single phase films to multiple quantum-well structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Shalini Menezes
  • Patent number: 5286306
    Abstract: A photovoltaic energy conversion device and methods for forming the same with relatively high efficiency, high stability, low cost, low weight, and low toxicity. The device comprises a thin film n/p or n/i/p type, gradient-doped heterojunction which uses compatible, lattice-matched, non-hazardous semiconducting compounds from the I-III-VI.sub.2 (14), I-III-VI-VII (15) and I-VI.sub.3 -VII (16) series, an ohmic contact (13) to the n-layer comprising a group III metal, a transparent ohmic contact (17) to the p-layer, a grid (18), and an antireflection coating (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Shalini Menezes
  • Patent number: 4601960
    Abstract: To obtain an efficiency of about 10% in photoelectrochemical solar cells, the pairing of semiconductor material for the working electrode and composition of the electrolyte liquid is of critical importance. The semiconductor material therefore should not be too expensive, and should have a short absorption length for light and be resistant to photocorrosion. Further, a non-toxic electrolyte should be employed permitting operation even without a hermetic seal. The photoelectrochemical solar cell of the invention utilizes a CuInSe.sub.2 or CuInS.sub.2 in a ternary compound, for the semiconductor material, which is used with an iodine-iodide solution as an electrolyte. In a method of fabricating a substrate for such a cell, a surface film is produced on a single-crystal or polycrystalline semiconductor material, particularly CuInSe.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Hahn-Meitner-Institut fur Kernforschung Berlin GmbH
    Inventors: Shalini Menezes, Hans-Joachim Lewerenz, Klaus Bachmann