Devices Responsive Or Sensitive To Electromagnetic Radiation, E.g., Infrared Radiation, Adapted For Conversion Of Radiation Into Electrical Energy Or For Control Of Electrical Energy By Such Radiation, E.g., Photovoltaic Modules Based On Organic Solar Cells (epo) Patents (Class 257/E25.009)
  • Patent number: 10797258
    Abstract: Provided are an OLED device and a method of manufacturing the OLED device that may provide improved luminance uniformity. The disclosed OLED may have a first electrode that has a first sheet resistance Rs, and a second electrode that has a second sheet resistance, wherein the second sheet resistance may be in the range of 0.3 Rs-1.3 Rs. In addition, the disclosed OLED may have a plurality of equal potential difference between points on a first electrode and a second electrode. The equal potential difference may be provided by a gradient resistance formed on at least one of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Display Corporation
    Inventors: Huiqing Pang, Ruiqing Ma
  • Patent number: 9318641
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method include depositing a metal film on a substrate layer. The metal film is annealed to form islands of the metal film on the substrate layer. The substrate layer is etched using the islands as an etch mask to form pillars in the substrate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith E. Fogel, Jeehwan Kim, Jae-Woong Nah, Devendra K. Sadana, Kuen-Ting Shiu
  • Patent number: 9040428
    Abstract: Hemispheres and spheres are formed and employed for a plurality of applications. Hemispheres are employed to form a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes peaks of pillars which have a base attached to the lower surface. The peaks have a density defined at the upper surface by an array of hemispherical metal structures that act as a mask during an etch to remove substrate material down to the lower surface during formation of the pillars. The pillars are dense and uniform and include a microscale average diameter. The spheres are formed as independent metal spheres or nanoparticles for other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Augustin J. Hong, Woo-Shik Jung, Jeehwan Kim, Jae-Woong Nahum, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 9006715
    Abstract: A method of making an electronic device comprising a double bank well-defining structure, which method comprises: providing an electronic substrate; depositing a first insulating material on the substrate to form a first insulating layer; depositing a second insulating material on the first insulating layer to form a second insulating layer; removing a portion of the second insulating layer to expose a portion of the first insulating layer and form a second well-defining bank; depositing a resist on the second insulating layer and on a portion of the exposed first insulating layer; removing the portion of the first insulating layer not covered by the resist, to expose a portion of the electronic substrate and form a first well-defining bank within the second well-defining bank; and removing the resist. The method can provide devices with reduced leakage currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cambridge Display Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Crankshaw, Mark Dowling, Daniel Forsythe, Simon Goddard, Gary Williams, Ilaria Grizzi, Angela McConnell
  • Patent number: 8993366
    Abstract: The method of the invention includes the sequential steps of providing a plurality of solar cells, interconnecting the solar cells using one or more interconnect tabs, attaching the interconnect tabs to a top side of the solar cell to interconnect the plurality of solar cells by coupling an exposed top surface of a first solar cell to a top surface of an adjacent second solar cell, attaching one or more bypass diodes to a top side of the solar cell, then next applying an adhesive to a first film layer, placing the plurality of solar cells onto the first film layer, then next applying an adhesive to a second film layer, placing the plurality of solar cells and first film layer onto the second film layer to form a sheet assembly, and then forming the solar sheet from the sheet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: MicroLink Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Chan, Haruki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8945978
    Abstract: A metal contact of a solar cell is formed by electroplating copper using an electroplating seed that is formed on a dielectric layer. The electroplating seed includes an aluminum layer that connects to a diffusion region of the solar cell through a contact hole in the dielectric layer. A nickel layer is formed on the aluminum layer, with the nickel layer-aluminum layer stack forming the electroplating seed. The copper is electroplated in a copper plating bath that has methanesulfonic acid instead of sulfuric acid as the supporting electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Frederick Behnke
  • Patent number: 8916905
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a photoelectric conversion device with high photoelectric conversion efficiency that improves reliability by increasing contact force between a light absorbing layer and an electrode layer. The photoelectric conversion device includes an electrode layer, and a light absorbing layer located on the electrode layer. The light absorbing layer contains a compound semiconductor. The light absorbing layer comprises a first layer close to the electrode layer and a second layer located on the first layer. The first layer has a void ratio lower than that of the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Shintaro Kubo, Shuji Nakazawa, Rui Kamada, Seiji Oguri, Shinnosuke Ushio, Shuichi Kasai, Seiichiro Inai
  • Patent number: 8912532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a top-emissive organic light-emitting diode (OLED) (10) arranged to emit light having different emission colors, comprising a multi-layered structure provided with a first electrode, a second electrode and a functional layer enabling light emission disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein thickness (H1, H2) of the functional layer is modulated by allowing at least a portion of the functional layer to interact with a thickness modulator (5a, 5b, 5c), wherein the functional layer comprises a hole injection layer or the electron injection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Dorothee Christine Hermes, Joanne Sarah Wilson, Petrus Alexander Rensing
  • Patent number: 8900908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for local high-doping and contacting of a semiconductor structure which is a solar cell or a precursor of a solar cell and has a silicon semiconductor substrate (1) of a base doping type. The high-doping and contacting is effected by producing a plurality of local high-doping regions of the base doping type in the semiconductor substrate (1) on a contacting side (1a) of the semiconductor substrate and applying a metal contacting layer (7) to the contacting side (1a) or, if applicable, one or more intermediate layers wholly or partially covering the contacting side (1a), to form electrically conductive connections between the metal contacting layer (7) and the semiconductor substrate (1) at the high doping regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V., Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
    Inventors: Dominik Suwito, Jan Benick, Ulrich Jager
  • Patent number: 8859310
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating optoelectronic devices, such as photovoltaic cells and light-emitting devices. In one embodiment, such a method includes providing a substrate, applying a monolayer of semiconductor particles to the substrate, and encasing the monolayer with one or more coatings so as to form an encased-particle layer. At some point during the method, the substrate is removed so as to expose the reverse side of the encased-particle layer and further processing is performed on the reverse side. When a device made using such a method has been completed and installed into an electrical circuit the semiconductor particles actively participate in the photoelectric effect or generation of light, depending on the type of device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Versatilis LLC
    Inventor: Ajaykumar R. Jain
  • Patent number: 8778787
    Abstract: Methods of forming contacts for solar cells are described. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a silicon layer above a substrate, forming and patterning a solid-state p-type dopant source on the silicon layer, forming an n-type dopant source layer over exposed regions of the silicon layer and over a plurality of regions of the solid-state p-type dopant source, and heating the substrate to provide a plurality of n-type doped silicon regions among a plurality of p-type doped silicon regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Jane Manning
  • Patent number: 8723025
    Abstract: An organic device, including an organic compound having charge-transporting ability (i.e., transporting holes and/or electrons) and/or including organic light emissive molecules capable of emitting at least one of fluorescent light or phosphorescent light, has a charge transfer complex-contained layer including a charge transfer complex formed upon contact of an organic hole-transporting compound and molybdenum trioxide via a manner of lamination or mixing thereof, so that the organic hole-transporting compound is in a state of radical cation (i.e., positively charged species) in the charge transfer complex-contained layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Rohm Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Kido, Toshio Matsumoto, Takeshi Nakada
  • Patent number: 8685858
    Abstract: Hemispheres and spheres are formed and employed for a plurality of applications. Hemispheres are employed to form a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes peaks of pillars which have a base attached to the lower surface. The peaks have a density defined at the upper surface by an array of hemispherical metal structures that act as a mask during an etch to remove substrate material down to the lower surface during formation of the pillars. The pillars are dense and uniform and include a microscale average diameter. The spheres are formed as independent metal spheres or nanoparticles for other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Augustin J. Hong, Woo-Shik Jung, Jeehwan Kim, Jae-Woong Nah, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 8685781
    Abstract: A method of forming an optoelectronic device. The method includes providing a deposition surface and contacting the deposition surface with a ligand exchange chemical and contacting the deposition surface with a quantum dot (QD) colloid. This initial process is repeated over one or more cycles to form an initial QD film on the deposition surface. The method further includes subsequently contacting the QD film with a secondary treatment chemical and optionally contacting the surface with additional QDs to form an enhanced QD layer exhibiting multiple exciton generation (MEG) upon absorption of high energy photons by the QD active layer. Devices having an enhanced QD active layer as described above are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Octavi Escala Semonin, Joseph M. Luther, Matthew C. Beard, Hsiang-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8659110
    Abstract: A single-junction photovoltaic cell includes a doped layer comprising a dopant diffused into a semiconductor substrate; a patterned conducting layer formed on the doped layer; a semiconductor layer comprising the semiconductor substrate located on the doped layer on a surface of the doped layer opposite the patterned conducting layer; and an ohmic contact layer formed on the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Keith E. Fogel, Devendra Sadana, Davood Shahrjerdi, Norma E. Sosa Cortes, Brent A. Wacaser
  • Patent number: 8647910
    Abstract: The present invention relates to masking pastes and methods for removing portions of the back electrode and photovoltaic junction from a photovoltaic laminate to create a partially transparent thin-film photovoltaic panel. Such panels may be useful in window and sun-roof applications. This method can be used to edge-delete and electrically isolate a photovoltaic panel and to reduce the reflectivity of the sun-facing substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Lap-Tak Andrew Cheng
  • Patent number: 8628992
    Abstract: Methods exploiting a Self Aligned Cell (SAC) architecture for doping purposes, use the architecture to direct the deposition and application of either a dopant or a diffusion retarder. Doping is provided in regions that will become metallization for conducting fingers. Dopant may be treated directly into metallization grooves. Or, diffusion retarder may be provided in non-groove locations, and dopant may be provided over some or all of the entire wafer surface. Dopant and metal automatically go where desired, and in register with each other. The SAC architecture also includes concave surfaces for light absorbing regions of a cell, to reduce reflection of light energy, which regions may also be treated with dopant in the concavities, to result in semi-conductor emitter lines. Alternatively, diffusion retarder may be treated into the concavities, leaving upper tips of ridges between the concavities exposed, thereby subject to deeper doping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: 1366 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Gabor, Richard L. Wallace
  • Patent number: 8628991
    Abstract: A solar cell includes a semiconductor layer which includes a p-type impurity containing layer and an n-type impurity-containing layer; a dielectric layer disposed on one side of the semiconductor layer, wherein the dielectric layer has an isotropically etched portion on the surface thereof; a first electrode electrically connected with the p-type impurity-containing layer in the semiconductor layer; and a second electrode electrically connected with the n-type impurity-containing layer in the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 8624294
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing optical power to a semiconductor chip. An active semiconductor layer of the semiconductor chip is disposed toward a front side of the semiconductor chip. The active semiconductor layer comprises one or more integrated circuit devices. A photovoltaic semiconductor layer of the semiconductor chip is disposed between the active semiconductor layer and a back side of the semiconductor chip. The back side of the semiconductor chip is opposite the front side of the semiconductor chip. The photovoltaic semiconductor layer converts electromagnetic radiation to electric power. One or more conductive pathways between the photovoltaic semiconductor layer and the active semiconductor layer provide the electric power from the photovoltaic semiconductor layer to the one or more integrated circuit devices of the active semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Eric V. Kline
  • Patent number: 8618624
    Abstract: The present invention relates to UV curable encapsulant compositions based on acrylic and/or methacrylic block copolymers, to structures containing these compositions especially photovoltaic cells and to the use of these compositions in photovoltaic cells. The liquid encapsulant composition according to the invention comprises: an acrylic or methacrylic block copolymer, at least one acrylic or methacrylic monomer and/or oligomer, and at least one photo initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Arkema France, Pythagoras Solar Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Gerard, Izhar Halahmi, Pasha Solel
  • Patent number: 8586975
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion element provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The photoelectric conversion element includes a polymer. The polymer includes at least one light absorber which absorbs light and generates at least one kind of carrier. An end part of the polymer combines with a surface, which faces the second electrode, of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 8574944
    Abstract: A system for selectively filling pin holes, weak shunts and/or scribe lines in photovoltaics devices and photovoltaic cells made thereby is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Toledo
    Inventor: Dean M. Giolando
  • Patent number: 8569098
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device including a first-conductivity-type crystalline semiconductor region, an intrinsic crystalline semiconductor region, and a second-conductivity-type semiconductor region that are stacked over an electrode is provided for a new anti-reflection structure. An interface between the electrode and the first-conductivity-type crystalline semiconductor region is flat. The intrinsic crystalline semiconductor region includes a crystalline semiconductor region, and a plurality of whiskers that are provided over the crystalline semiconductor region and include a crystalline semiconductor. The first-conductivity-type crystalline semiconductor region and the intrinsic crystalline semiconductor region are formed by a low pressure chemical vapor deposition method at a temperature higher than 550° C. and lower than 650° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8552520
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a first insulating layer. The first insulating layer includes a first lower layer and a first upper layer on the first lower layer. The first insulating layer has a first opening through the first lower layer and the first upper layer. A maximum width of the first opening at the first lower layer is different from a maximum width of the first opening at the first upper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Yoonsil Jin, Goohwan Shim, Youngho Choe, Changseo Park
  • Patent number: 8518833
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent electroconductive oxide layer having a high transmittance and a high electroconductivity and further a thin-film photoelectric converter having a high photoelectric conversion efficiency by applying the transparent electroconductive oxide layer to a transparent electrode layer of a photoelectric converter. The transparent electroconductive oxide layer in the present invention is deposited on a transparent substrate with a first and a second impurities contained in the transparent electroconductive oxide layer, especially in the vicinity of a surface of the layer in a higher concentration, and carbon atoms contained in the vicinity of the surface of the layer, thereby achieving a high transmittance and a high electroconductivity simultaneously and thus solving the problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Ichikawa, Fumiyasu Sezaki, Kenji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8507786
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a shaped thin-film photovoltaic device. The method includes providing a shaped substrate member including a surface region and forming a first electrode layer overlying the surface region. Additionally, the method includes forming an absorber comprising copper species, indium species, and selenide species overlying the first electrode layer. The method further includes scribing through the absorber using a mechanical tip to form a first pattern. Furthermore, the method includes forming a window layer comprising cadmium sulfide species overlying the absorber including the first pattern. Moreover, the method includes scribing through the window layer and the absorber using the mechanical tip to form a second pattern. The second pattern is separated a distance from the first pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Stion Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Wieting
  • Patent number: 8507307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, particularly photovoltaic devices, incorporating Group IIB/VA semiconductors such phosphides, arsenides, and/or antimonides of one or more of Zn and/or Cd. In particular, the present invention relates to methodologies, resultant products, and precursors thereof in which electronic performance of the semiconductor material is improved by causing the Group IIB/VA semiconductor material to react with at least one metal-containing species (hereinafter co-reactive species) that is sufficiently co-reactive with at least one Group VA species incorporated into the Group IIB/VA semiconductor as a lattice substituent (recognizing that the same and/or another Group VA species also optionally may be incorporated into the Group IIB/VA semiconductor in other ways, e.g., as a dopant or the like).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Gregory M. Kimball, Marty W. DeGroot, Nathan S. Lewis, Harry A. Atwater
  • Patent number: 8507901
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device, particularly photoreceptor or electrophotographic device, comprising an organic function material, which comprises an electron transport component and a hole trap component, to an organic material, which is a mixture or a copolymer comprising an electron transport component and a hole trap component, its use as charge transport material in a photoreceptor or electrophotographic device, especially of the positive charging type, and to electronic devices comprising such a material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Junyou Pan
  • Patent number: 8501526
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing a thin film of copper, zinc, tin, and a chalcogen species (“CZTCh” or “CZTSS”) with well-controlled properties. The method includes depositing a thin film of precursor materials, e.g., approximately stoichiometric amounts of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), and a chalcogen species (Ch). The method then involves re-crystallizing and grain growth at higher temperatures, e.g., between about 725 and 925 degrees K, and annealing the precursor film at relatively lower temperatures, e.g., between 600 and 650 degrees K. The processing of the precursor film takes place in the presence of a quasi-equilibrium vapor, e.g., Sn and chalcogen species. The quasi-equilibrium vapor is used to maintain the precursor film in a quasi-equilibrium condition to reduce and even prevent decomposition of the CZTCh and is provided at a rate to balance desorption fluxes of Sn and chalcogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Glenn Teeter, Hui Du, Matthew Young
  • Patent number: 8497151
    Abstract: A method to improve CdTe-based photovoltaic device efficiency is disclosed. The CdTe-based photovoltaic device can include oxygen or silicon in semiconductor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Xiong, Ricky C. Powell, Aaron Roggelin, Kuntal Kumar, Arnold Allenic, Kenneth M. Ring, Charles Wickersham
  • Patent number: 8497512
    Abstract: To prevent a point defect and a line defect in forming a light-emitting device, thereby improving the yield. A light-emitting element and a driver circuit of the light-emitting element, which are provided over different substrates, are electrically connected. That is, a light-emitting element and a driver circuit of the light-emitting element are formed over different substrates first, and then electrically connected. By providing a light-emitting element and a driver circuit of the light-emitting element over different substrates, the step of forming the light-emitting element and the step of forming the driver circuit of the light-emitting element can be performed separately. Therefore, degrees of freedom of each step can be increased, and the process can be flexibly changed. Further, steps (irregularities) on the surface for forming the light-emitting element can be reduced than in the conventional technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Nakamura, Miyuki Higuchi, Yasuko Watanabe, Yasuyuki Arai
  • Patent number: 8455295
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of dye-sensitized solar cells and discloses a method for reducing the temperature necessary for sintering the metal oxide paste coating the electrode. The method comprises applying a colloid comprising a metal oxide, a solvent and a binder to an electrode and heating the coated electrode to a temperature of at most 300° C. for sintering the metal oxide following by cooling the electrode coated with sintered metal oxide. A process for preparing dye sensitized solar cells is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Bangor University
    Inventors: Peter Holliman, Arthur Connell
  • Patent number: 8450140
    Abstract: So as to improve large-scale industrial manufacturing of photovoltaic cells and of the respective converter panels at a photovoltaic cell with a microcrystalline layer of intrinsic silicon compound at least one of the adjacent layers of doped silicon material is conceived as a an amorphous layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: TEL Solar AG
    Inventors: Daniel Lepori, Tobias Roschek, Ulrich Kroll
  • Patent number: 8394650
    Abstract: A laminated module or panel of solar cells and a laminating method for making same comprise a top layer of melt flowable optically transparent molecularly flexible thermoplastic and a rear sheet of melt flowable insulating molecularly flexible thermoplastic both melt flowing at a temperature between about 80° C. and 250° C. and having a low glass transition temperature. Solar cells are encapsulated by melt flowing the top layer and rear sheet, and electrical connections are provided between front and back contacts thereof. Light passing through the transparent top layer impinges upon the solar cells and the laminated module exhibits sufficient flexural modulus without cross-linking chemical curing. Electrical connections may be provided by melt flowable electrically conductive molecularly flexible thermoplastic adhesive or by metal strips or by both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Amerasia International Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Kwong-Tai Chung
  • Patent number: 8390083
    Abstract: Backside recesses in a base member host components, such as sensors or circuits, to allow closer proximity and efficient use of the surface space and internal volume of the base member. Recesses may include covers, caps, filters and lenses, and may be in communication with circuits on the frontside of the base member, or with circuits on an active backside cap. An array of recessed components may a form complete, compact sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. O'Donnell, Michael J. Cusack, Rigan F. McGeehan, Garrett A. Griffin
  • Patent number: 8372678
    Abstract: Disclosed are solar cells and methods for making solar cells. Also disclosed are counter electrodes for solar cells including dye-sensitized and/or nanocrystal-sensitized solar cells. An example counter electrode for a solar cell may include a substrate, a microstructured template disposed on the substrate, and a layer of catalytic material disposed on the microstructured template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Linan Zhao, Marilyn Wang, Zhi Zheng, Xuanbin Liu
  • Patent number: 8372679
    Abstract: A process of forming a front-grid electrode on a silicon wafer having an ARC layer wherein thin parallel fingers lines that form the front side grid electrode are double printed from a metal paste, and the metal pastes used for the first and second printing differ in their content of glass frit plus optionally present other inorganic additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: David Kent Anderson, Russell David Anderson, Kenneth Warren Hang, Shih-Ming Kao, Giovanna Laudisio, Cheng-Nan Lin, Chun-Kwei Wu
  • Patent number: 8361602
    Abstract: The present invention is premised upon a multi-layer laminate structure and method of manufacture, more particularly to a method of constructing the multi-layer laminate structure utilizing a laminate frame and at least one energy activated flowable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: James R. Keenihan, Robert J. Cleereman, Gerald Eurich, Andrew T. Graham, Joe A. Langmaid
  • Patent number: 8343794
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a hybrid multi junction photovoltaic device. The method begins by providing a plurality of planar photovoltaic semi-transparent modules. Each of the modules is a fully functional, thin-film, photovoltaic device and includes first and second conductive layers and at least first and second semiconductor layers disposed between the conductive layers. The first and second semiconductor layers define a junction at an interface therebetween. The method continues by disposing the modules one on top of another and hybridly adhering them to each other. At least one of the modules is configured to convert a first spectral portion of optical energy into an electrical voltage and transmit a second spectral portion of optical energy to another of the junctions that is configured to convert at least part of the second spectral portion of optical energy into an electrical voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sunlight Photonics Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Frolov, Michael Cyrus
  • Patent number: 8338215
    Abstract: A solar cell module and a method of manufacturing the solar cell module are disclosed. The method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes forming a conductive bump on a conductive pad formed on one surface of a solar cell, forming a circuit pattern on one surface of a transparent substrate, in which the circuit pattern corresponds to a position of the conductive bump, adhering the solar cell to the transparent substrate in such a way that the conductive bump is in direct contact with the circuit pattern, and forming a protective resin layer on one surface of the transparent substrate in such a way that the solar cell is covered. By using the above steps, a thinner solar cell module can be implemented while improving the manufacturing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Mun Ryu, Ho-Seop Jeong, Tae-Young Kim, Byung-Jae Kim, In-Taek Song
  • Patent number: 8314435
    Abstract: An organic light emitting diode display is disclosed. The organic light emitting diode display includes a plurality of subpixels that emit light of at least three colors, the plurality of subpixels each including a first electrode, an organic light emitting layer, and a second electrode. Each of the organic light emitting layers of at least two of the plurality of subpixels includes at least two electron transport layers. The organic light emitting layer of at least one of the plurality of subpixels includes at least one electron transport layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sehee Lee
  • Patent number: 8187907
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell by providing a first substrate; depositing on the first substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell including a top subcell and a bottom subcell; forming a metal back contact over the bottom subcell; forming a group of discrete, spaced-apart first bonding elements over the surface of the back metal contact; attaching a surrogate substrate on top of the back metal contact using the bonding elements; and removing the first substrate to expose the surface of the top subcell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Emcore Solar Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred Newman
  • Patent number: 8178221
    Abstract: Novel articles and methods to fabricate the same resulting in flexible, {100}<100> or 45°-rotated {100}<100> oriented, semiconductor-based, electronic devices are disclosed. Potential applications of resulting articles are in areas of photovoltaic devices, flat-panel displays, thermophotovoltaic devices, ferroelectric devices, light emitting diode devices, computer hard disc drive devices, magnetoresistance based devices, photoluminescence based devices, non-volatile memory devices, dielectric devices, thermoelectric devices and quantum dot laser devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Amit Goyal
  • Patent number: 8148796
    Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell and a manufacturing method thereof. The solar cell in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a substrate having a plurality of holes formed on one surface thereof; a metal layer formed on an inner wall of the hole and on one surface of the substrate; a p-type semiconductor coated on the metal layer; an n-type semiconductor formed inside the hole and on one surface of the substrate; a transparent conductive oxide formed on the n-type semiconductor; and an electrode terminal formed on the p-type semiconductor and on the transparent conductive oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ro-Woon Lee, Jae-Woo Joung, Shang-Hoon Seo, Tae-Gu Kim
  • Patent number: 8143085
    Abstract: Provided is a dye-sensitized solar cell. Specifically, the present invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell which is designed to reduce the production cost, improve productivity and increase energy efficiency by using a carbon electrode as a counter electrode, and a manufacturing method thereof. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a working electrode, a counter electrode, and an electrolytic layer separating the two electrodes, wherein the counter electrode comprises a carbon electrode formed on a first transparent substrate, wherein the carbon electrode is a conductive transparent carbon electrode. According to the present invention, it is possible to remarkably reduce the production cost by using a relatively low-cost material, i.e. carbon electrode, and improve the solar cell efficiency by preventing oxidation with the electrolytic layer owing to corrosion and oxidation resistance of the carbon electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sungkyunkwan University Foundation For Corporate Collaboration
    Inventors: Byung You Hong, Yong Seob Park, Sung Uk Lee, Mi Ju Park
  • Patent number: 8138502
    Abstract: To prevent a point defect and a line defect in forming a light-emitting device, thereby improving the yield. A light-emitting element and a driver circuit of the light-emitting element, which are provided over different substrates, are electrically connected. That is, a light-emitting element and a driver circuit of the light-emitting element are formed over different substrates first, and then electrically connected. By providing a light-emitting element and a driver circuit of the light-emitting element over different substrates, the step of forming the light-emitting element and the step of forming the driver circuit of the light-emitting element can be performed separately. Therefore, degrees of freedom of each step can be increased, and the process can be flexibly changed. Further, steps (irregularities) on the surface for forming the light-emitting element can be reduced than in the conventional technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Nakamura, Miyuki Higuchi, Yasuko Watanabe, Yasuyuki Arai
  • Patent number: 8133747
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device including a rear electrode which may also function as a rear reflector. In certain example embodiments, the rear electrode comprises a reflective film (e.g., of Mo or the like) including one or more layers provided on an interior surface of a rear glass substrate of the photovoltaic device. In certain example embodiments, the interior surface(s) of the rear glass substrate and/or reflective film is/are textured so as to provide desirable electrical and reflective characteristics. The rear glass substrate and textured rear electrode/reflector are used in a photovoltaic device (e.g., CIS or CIGS solar cell) where an active semiconductor film is provided between the rear electrode/reflector and a front electrode(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Leonard L. Boyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8129713
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion element provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The photoelectric conversion element includes a polymer. The polymer includes at least one light absorber which absorbs light and generates at least one kind of carrier. An end part of the polymer combines with a surface, which faces the second electrode, of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 8129822
    Abstract: A template 100 for three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate formation for use in three-dimensional thin-film solar cells. The template 100 comprises a substrate which comprises a plurality of posts 102 and a plurality of trenches 104 between said plurality of posts 102. The template 100 forms an environment for three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Solexel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mehrdad Moslehi
  • Patent number: 8120019
    Abstract: An organic light-emitting element has an anode, a cathode, and a layer including an organic compound between the anode and the cathode. The layer including the organic compound has at least one tetracyano compound represented by at least one of Formula (1) or (2) below. In Formula (1), R1 to R4 are each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a nitro group, or a cyano group. In Formula (2), n represents an integer of 1 to 2, Mn+ is a metal ion or an onium cation, and R1 to R4 are as defined in formula (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Nakata, Kazunori Ueno, Koichi Suzuki