Photoelectric Patents (Class 427/74)
  • Patent number: 11778840
    Abstract: To provide a solid-state imaging element capable of further improving reliability. Provided is a solid-state imaging element including at least a first photoelectric conversion section, and a semiconductor substrate in which a second photoelectric conversion section is formed, in this order from a light incidence side, in which the first photoelectric conversion section includes at least a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, a first oxide semiconductor layer, a second oxide semiconductor layer, and a second electrode in this order, and a film density of the first oxide semiconductor layer is higher than a film density of the second oxide semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiko Hayashi, Masahiro Joei, Kenichi Murata, Shintarou Hirata
  • Patent number: 11283061
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a battery and a testing method of an active specific surface area of an electrode plate. The battery comprises a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator and an electrolyte, the negative electrode plate comprises a negative current collector and a negative film, the negative film is provided on at least one surface of the negative current collector and comprises a negative active material, the negative active material comprises graphite, and an active specific surface area of the negative electrode plate is 1 cm2/g˜15 cm2/g. In the present disclosure, by reasonably controlling the active specific surface area of the negative electrode plate can make the battery have the characteristics of high energy density and excellent dynamics performance at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuliang Shen, Meng Kang, Jiazheng Wang, Libing He, Qiqi Zuo
  • Patent number: 11217442
    Abstract: A method of depositing a SiN film onto a flexible substrate includes providing the flexible substrate, and depositing the SiN film onto the flexible substrate in a plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) process using SiH4, N2 and H2, in which the temperature of the substrate is 200° C. or less and SiH4 is introduced into the PECVD process at a flow rate of greater than 100 sccm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SPTS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Carruthers
  • Patent number: 10930809
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device with increased efficiency and a method for making the same. The present invention provides a photovoltaic device including: a transparent substrate; a transparent conductive electrode layer disposed on the transparent substrate; an n-type layer disposed on the transparent conductive electrode layer; a chalcogen absorber layer disposed on the n-type layer; a p-type molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) interlayer disposed on the chalcogen absorber layer; and a conductive layer disposed on the interlayer. A photovoltaic device having a superstrate configuration with the order of the layers reversed is also provided. The present invention further provides methods for making the photovoltaic devices according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Priscilla D. Antunez, Yun Seog Lee, Ravin Mankad, Teodor K. Todorov
  • Patent number: 10622497
    Abstract: An inorganic nanocrystal solar cell comprising a substrate, a layer of metal, a layer of CdTe, a layer of CdSe, and a layer of transparent conductor. An inorganic nanocrystal solar cell comprising a transparent conductive substrate, a layer of CdSe, a layer of CdTe, and a Au contact. A method of spray deposition for inorganic nanocrystal solar cells comprising subjecting a first solution of CdTe or CdSe nanocrystals to ligand exchange with a small coordinating molecule, diluting the first solution in solvent to form a second solution, applying the second solution to a substrate, drying the substrate, dipping the substrate in a solution in MeOH of a compound that promotes sintering, washing the substrate with iPrOH, drying the substrate with N2, and heating and forming a film on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Edward E Foos, Woojun Yoon, Joseph G. Tischler, Troy K Townsend
  • Patent number: 10481511
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer is a single-layer photosensitive layer and contains a charge generating material, a hole transport material, an electron transport material, and a binder resin. The binder resin has a viscosity average molecular weight of at least 25,000 and no greater than 50,000. A strain at break of the photosensitive layer is at least 4.9% and no greater than 13.0%. A scratch resistant depth of the photosensitive layer is no greater than 0.50 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Shimizu, Kiichiro Oji
  • Patent number: 10444655
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a charging roll for excellent image quality electrophotographic equipment. This charging roll for electrophotographic equipment is provided with a shaft body, an elastic body layer formed on the outer periphery of the shaft body, and a surface layer formed on the outer periphery of the elastic body layer, wherein the surface layer contains a modifier having polyamide and a hydroxyl group, and has a Bénard cell with a height of 0.1 to 1.0 ?m on the surface thereof. A fluorine-based modifier having a hydroxyl group, a silicone-based modifier having a hydroxyl group, and an acrylic modifier having a hydroxyl group can be cited as examples of the modifier having the hydroxyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Saito, Yasuhide Watanabe, Shigeki Kanda
  • Patent number: 10109755
    Abstract: Techniques for fabrication of kesterite Cu—Zn—Sn—(Se,S) films and improved photovoltaic devices based on these films are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a kesterite film having a formula Cu2?xZn1+ySn(S1?zSez)4+q, wherein 0?x?1; 0?y?1; 0?z?1; and ?1?q?1 is provided. The method includes the following steps. A substrate is provided. A bulk precursor layer is formed on the substrate, the bulk precursor layer comprising Cu, Zn, Sn and at least one of S and Se. A capping layer is formed on the bulk precursor layer, the capping layer comprising at least one of Sn, S and Se. The bulk precursor layer and the capping layer are annealed under conditions sufficient to produce the kesterite film having values of x, y, z and q for any given part of the film that deviate from average values of x, y, z and q throughout the film by less than 20 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Santanu Bag, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, David Brian Mitzi, Teodor Krassimirov Todorov
  • Patent number: 10031431
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer contains at least a charge generating material, a charge transport material, and a binder resin. The binder resin includes a polyarylate resin. The polyarylate resin is represented by general formula (1) shown below. In general formula (1), X represents a divalent group represented by chemical formula (1-1), (1-2), (1-3), or (1-4) shown below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Azuma, Takahiro Oki, Kensuke Okawa, Akihiko Ogata
  • Patent number: 9944822
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of making an article. The method comprises coating a composition to a surface of a substrate. The coating composition comprises an aqueous continuous liquid phase, a silica nano-particle dispersed in the aqueous continuous liquid phase, and a polymer latex dispersion. The coated substrate is then heated to at least 300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Justin A. Riddle, Zhigang Yu, Mingna Xiong, Zhengjun Wang, Yiwen Chu, Rui Pan, George Van Dyke Tiers, Katherine A. Brown
  • Patent number: 9932669
    Abstract: A metal nanodot formation method includes: loading a target substrate inside a processing container of a processing apparatus; depositing a plurality of metal nanodots on a surface of the target substrate by a sequence of: supplying a CO gas from a CO gas container which stores the CO gas into a raw material container which stores a metal carbonyl compound; generating gas of the metal carbonyl compound; introducing the generated gas of the metal carbonyl compound as a mixture gas containing the CO gas into the processing container; and decomposing the metal carbonyl compound on the target substrate, and directly introducing the CO gas from the CO gas container into the processing container, in a state where the introduction of the mixture gas into the processing container is stopped, such that the CO gas is brought into contact with the metal nanodots on the surface of the target substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Tadahiro Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 9917295
    Abstract: A method for using atomic layer deposition to produce a film configured for use in an anode, cathode, or solid state electrolyte of a lithium-ion battery or a lithium-sulfur battery. The method includes repeating a cycle for a predetermined number of times in an inert atmosphere. The cycle includes exposing a substrate to a first precursor, purging the substrate with inert gas, exposing the substrate to a second precursor, and purging the substrate with inert gas. The film is a metal sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Elam, Xiangbo Meng
  • Patent number: 9761421
    Abstract: Provided are an indium cylindrical sputtering target capable of providing good film thickness distribution and a method for production thereof. The indium cylindrical target comprises crystal grains whose average size is 1 mm to 20 mm over its surface to be sputtered. The method for manufacturing the indium cylindrical target includes the steps of: casting a semi-finished product of an indium cylindrical target integrated with a backing tube; and subjecting the semi-finished product to plastic working in its radial direction, wherein the plastic working is performed with a total thickness reduction rate of at least 10% over its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Yousuke Endo, Hideyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9722120
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a photovoltaic device includes forming a polycrystalline absorber layer including Cu—Zn—Sn—S(Se) (CZTSSe) over a substrate. The absorber layer is rapid thermal annealed in a sealed chamber having elemental sulfur within the chamber. A sulfur content profile is graded in the absorber layer in accordance with a size of the elemental sulfur and an anneal temperature to provide a graduated bandgap profile for the absorber layer. Additional layers are formed on the absorber layer to complete the photovoltaic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Talia S. Gershon, Marinus J. P. Hopstaken, Jeehwan Kim, Yun Seog Lee
  • Patent number: 9512302
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluoropolymer coating having improved tribological properties, which coating comprises nanodiamond particles in a concentration between 0.01 wt. % and 5 wt. %, wherein said fluoropolymer coating is obtained by drying and curing a slurry composition comprising said fluoropolymer and said nanodiamond particles, wherein the zeta potential of the nanodiamond particles is over ?30 mV at pH higher than 8. The invention also relates to a slurry composition which can be used for producing said fluoropolymer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Carbodeon Ltd Oy
    Inventors: Vesa Myllymaki, Perttu Rintala
  • Patent number: 9478684
    Abstract: Disclosed are three-layer core-shell structure nanoparticles used to form a light absorption layer of solar cells including a core including a copper (Cu)-containing chalcogenide, and (i) a first shell including a tin (Sn)-containing chalcogenide and a second shell including a zinc (Zn)-containing chalcogenide; or (ii) a first shell including a zinc (Zn)-containing chalcogenide and a second shell including a tin (Sn)-containing chalcogenide, and a method of manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Hosub Lee, Seokhee Yoon, Seokhyun Yoon, Eun Ju Park
  • Patent number: 9368660
    Abstract: Techniques for fabrication of kesterite Cu—Zn—Sn—(Se,S) films and improved photovoltaic devices based on these films are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a kesterite film having a formula Cu2?xZn1+ySn(S1?zSez)4+q, wherein 0?x?1; 0?y?1; 0?z?1; and ?1?q?1 is provided. The method includes the following steps. A substrate is provided. A bulk precursor layer is formed on the substrate, the bulk precursor layer comprising Cu, Zn, Sn and at least one of S and Se. A capping layer is formed on the bulk precursor layer, the capping layer comprising at least one of Sn, S and Se. The bulk precursor layer and the capping layer are annealed under conditions sufficient to produce the kesterite film having values of x, y, z and q for any given part of the film that deviate from average values of x, y, z and q throughout the film by less than 20 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Santanu Bag, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, David Brian Mitzi, Teodor Krassimirov Todorov
  • Patent number: 9207788
    Abstract: A decorative film on a transparent substrate is provided. The decorative film includes a color transparent layer, a reflective layer and a protective layer. The color transparent layer is on a surface of a transparent substrate. The reflective layer is disposed on the color transparent layer and the protective layer is disposed on the reflective layer. The disclosure also describes a touch sensor device and a method of manufacturing a touch sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: INNOCOM TECHNOLOGY(SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., INNOLUX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Su Peng Lin, Tsu-Hsien Ku, Jyh-Douh Tu, Szu-Wei Lai
  • Patent number: 9178090
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a CIGS absorber of a thin film solar cell. The apparatus includes a supply chamber configured to provide a flexible substrate coated with precursors. The apparatus further includes a reaction chamber coupled to the supply chamber for at least subjecting the precursors on the flexible substrate to a reactive gas at a first state to form an absorber material. Additionally, the apparatus includes a gas-balancing chamber filled with the reactive gas at a second state. The gas-balancing chamber is communicated with the reaction chamber for automatically updating the first state of the reactive gas to the second state. Moreover, the apparatus includes a control system to maintain the second state of the reactive gas in the gas-balancing chamber at a preset condition and to adjust the transportation of the flexible substrate through the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Soltrium Technology, LTD.
    Inventor: Delin Li
  • Patent number: 9153712
    Abstract: Conductive contacts for solar cells and methods of forming conductive contacts for solar cells are described. For example, a solar cell includes a substrate. A conductive contact is disposed on the substrate. The conductive contact includes a layer composed of a first metal species having a plurality of pores. The conductive contact also includes a second metal species disposed in the plurality of pores. Portions of both the first and second metal species are in contact with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Xi Zhu
  • Patent number: 9050615
    Abstract: The invention relates to several embodiments of equipment for coating substrates for detecting one or more analytes by way of an affinity assay method, comprising: a receptacle receiving a liquid to be atomized (“liquid receptacle”) with substances (compounds) to be deposited onto at least one surface of said substrates and an atomized volume produced by the liquid in the operating state; an actuator for triggering the atomization process and; a fixture for receiving and storing the substrates during the coating process. The invention is characterized in that the substrates are not in contact with the surface of the liquid to be atomized. The invention also relates to several embodiments of methods for coating substrates with coupler and/or passivation layers for use in the detection of one or more analytes by way of an affinity assay method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: BAYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH
    Inventors: Eginhard Schick, Dominic Utinger, Claudio Calonder
  • Patent number: 9040128
    Abstract: A method of photoplating a metal contact onto a surface of a cathode of a photovoltaic device is provided using light induced plating technique. The method comprises: a) immersing the photovoltaic device in a solution of metal ions, where the metal ions are a species which is to be plated onto the surface of the cathode of the photovoltaic device; and b) illuminating the photovoltaic device, using a light source of time varying intensity. This results in nett plating which is faster in a direction normal to the surface of the cathode than in a direction in a plane of the surface of the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: NEWSOUTH INNOVATIONS PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ly Mai, Alison Maree Wenham, Stuart Ross Wenham
  • Patent number: 9040113
    Abstract: A method for preparing a metal sulfide thin film using ALD and structures incorporating the metal sulfide thin film. The method includes providing an ALD reactor, a substrate, a first precursor comprising a metal and a second precursor comprising a sulfur compound. The first and the second precursors are reacted in the ALD precursor to form a metal sulfide thin film on the substrate. In a particular embodiment, the metal compound comprises Bis(N,N?-di-sec-butylacetamidinato)dicopper(I) and the sulfur compound comprises hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to prepare a Cu2S film. The resulting metal sulfide thin film may be used in among other devices, photovoltaic devices, including interdigitated photovoltaic devices that may use relatively abundant materials for electrical energy production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Alex B. F. Martinson, Jeffrey W. Elam, Michael J. Pellin
  • Publication number: 20150136209
    Abstract: A flexible substrate has heat resistance to endure the high temperature such as sintering of a photovoltaic conversion layer of a compound-type thin film solar cell, can prevent permeation and/or diffusion of metal into the photovoltaic conversion layer, and can be used for many applications. The polyimide layer-containing flexible substrate has a metal substrate of metal foil made of ordinary steel or stainless steel having a coefficient of thermal expansion in a plane direction of not more than 15 ppm/K, or a metal substrate of metal foil made of that ordinary steel or stainless steel on the surface of which a metal layer comprising one of copper, nickel, zinc, or aluminum or an alloy layer of the same is provided, over which a polyimide layer having a layer thickness of 1.5 to 100 ?m and a glass transition point temperature of 300 to 450° C. is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMIKIN CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouichi Hattori, Katsufumi Hiraishi, Takuhei Ohta, Shinichi Terashima, Hideaki Suda, Masao Kurosaki, Masamoto Tanaka, Shuji Nagasaki, Atsushi Mizuyama
  • Publication number: 20150136217
    Abstract: Electrode comprising a conductive substrate on which a uniform layer of aggregates A, having an average diameter ranging from 40 to 100 nm, is deposited, on which a non-homogeneous distribution of aggregates B, having an average diameter ranging from 300 nm to 1,200 nm, is superimposed, both of said aggregates being composed of particles containing one or more metals Me selected from platinum, palladium and gold, having an average diameter ranging from 8 to 10 nm. The use of said electrode, as cathode, for DSSC devices produces a marked improvement in the performances of the cell with respect to the results that can be obtained with known cathodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Stefano Ramello, Paolo Biagini
  • Publication number: 20150133752
    Abstract: A nanosensor for detecting an analyte can include a substrate, a photoluminescent nanostructure, and a polymer interacting with the photoluminescent nanostructure. The nanosensor can be used in in vivo for biomedical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Nicole M. Iverson, Michael S. Strano, Nigel F. Reuel, Thomas P. McNicholas
  • Publication number: 20150107582
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, devices and materials are disclosed for spectrally selective coatings for optical surfaces having high solar absorptivity, low infrared emissivity, and strong durability at elevated temperatures. In one aspect, a spectrally selective coating includes a substrate formed of a light absorbing material, and a composite material formed over the substrate and including nanoparticles dispersed in a dielectric material, in which the composite material forms a coating capable of absorbing solar energy in a selected spectrum and reflecting the solar energy in another selected spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Sungho Jin, Renkun Chen, Zhaowei Liu, Tae Kyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 9005697
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: depositing an amorphous silicon layer on an insulating substrate; converting the amorphous silicon layer to a polysilicon layer by a plurality of laser shots using a mask; forming a gate insulating layer on the polysilicon layer; forming a plurality of gate lines on the gate insulating layer; forming a first interlayer insulating layer on the gate lines; forming a plurality of data lines on the first interlayer insulating layer; forming a second interlayer insulating layer on the data lines; and forming a plurality of pixel electrodes on the second interlayer insulating layer, wherein the mask comprises a plurality of transmitting areas and a plurality of blocking areas arranged in a mixed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Jae Kim, Sook-Young Kang, Dong-Byum Kim, Su-Gyeong Lee, Myung-Koo Kang
  • Publication number: 20150096610
    Abstract: Provided are a transparent conductive film having a simple manufacturing process and high transparency, high photoelectric conversion efficiency, and excellent durability and an organic photoelectric conversion element using this transparent conductive film. The transparent conductive film of the present invention is formed by laminating a ground layer which contains a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a metal thin film layer which contains a metal element of Group 11 of the periodic table and has a thickness of from 2 to 10 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Yasushi Okubo, Hiroaki Itoh, Ayako Wachi, Hiroshi Ishidai
  • Patent number: 8999180
    Abstract: A process of manufacturing a solar cell is provided. The process comprising the steps of: i) ink jet printing an alkali removable water insoluble hot melt ink jet ink onto a substrate comprising a silicon wafer to form a resist image on the substrate; ii) etching or plating the substrate in an aqueous acid medium; and iv) removing the resist image with an aqueous alkali.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sun Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Nigel Anthony Caiger
  • Publication number: 20150093515
    Abstract: A fully additive method for forming optical waveguides and devices, such as thermo-optic polymer switches and electro-optic polymer modulators, is disclosed. A first polymer material of refractive index N1 is coated onto a suitable substrate to form a first cladding layer. The first cladding is then selectively patterned using a mold to form an impression of the waveguide core into the first cladding layer. Next, a core layer is formed by ink-jet printing onto the imprinted first cladding layer with a core material of refractive index N2 (N2>N1). The core layer is subsequently coated by ink jet printing with a second polymer material of refractive index N3 (N3<N2) to form a second cladding, resulting in an optical waveguide. An electrode may be ink jet printed before coating the first cladding material or after coating the second cladding material, or both before and after coating, in order to form active photonic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Omega Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Harish Subbaraman, Ray T. Chen
  • Publication number: 20150079275
    Abstract: A spray gun, which contains: a coating liquid nozzle configured to discharge a coating liquid from an outlet; and a flow channel forming member configured to surround an outer perimeter surface of the coating liquid nozzle to form an air flow channel, through which atomizing air passes, between the outer perimeter surface of the coating liquid nozzle and the flow channel forming member, wherein the spray gun is configured to atomize the coating liquid with the atomizing air to spray the atomized coating liquid to a coating target, wherein a gap T of the narrowest part of the air flow channel is 0.48 mm or smaller, and wherein a ratio T/L of the gap T to a distance L from the narrowest part to an apical surface at which the outlet of the coating liquid nozzle is open is 0.60 or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20150075592
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dye-sensitized solar cell including a working electrode (1), a first conducting layer (3) for extracting photo-generated electrons from the working electrode, a porous insulation substrate (4) made of a microfibers, wherein the first conducting layer is a porous conducting layer formed on one side of the porous insulation substrate, a counter electrode including a second conducting layer (2) arranged on the opposite side of the porous substrate, and electrolyte for transferring electrons from the counter electrode to the working electrode. The porous insulation substrate comprises a layer (5) of woven microfibers and a layer (6) of non-woven microfibers disposed on the layer of woven microfibers. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Henrik Lindström, Giovanni Fili
  • Patent number: 8980677
    Abstract: A method of fabricating organic solar panels with transparent contacts. The method uses a layer-by-layer spray technique to create the anode layer. The method includes placing the substrate on a flat magnet, aligning a magnetic shadow mask over the substrate, applying photoresist to the substrate using spray photolithography, etching the substrate, cleaning the substrate, spin coating a tuning layer on substrate, spin coating an active layer of P3HT/PCBM on the substrate, spray coating the substrate with a modified PEDOT solution, and annealing the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Jason Lewis, Jian Zhang, Xiaomei Jiang
  • Patent number: 8974864
    Abstract: A method of coating a substrate is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; depositing an infrared reflecting layer over at least a portion of a substrate; depositing a primer layer over at least a portion of the infrared reflective layer; depositing a dielectric layer over at least a portion of the primer layer; and forming an absorbing layer. The absorbing layer includes an alloy and/or mixture of (a) a metal having an index of refraction at 500 nm less than or equal to 1.0 and (b) a material having a ?G°f of greater than or equal to ?100 at 1000° K. The metal can be silver and the material can be tin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Finley, James P. Thiel, Harry Buhay
  • Patent number: 8956687
    Abstract: A method and composition for plating metal contacts on photovoltaic solar cells is described. The cell is immersed in an aqueous bath containing platable metal ions and a solubilizing agent for aluminum or aluminum alloy ions from the back side of the solar cell. The cell is then exposed to light, causing the two sides of the cell to become oppositely charged. The metal ions are plated without requiring an external electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventors: David W. Minsek, Lev Taytsas
  • Publication number: 20150041841
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an LED/phosphor structure is described where an array of blue light emitting diode (LED) dies are mounted on a submount wafer. A phosphor powder is mixed with an organic polymer binder, such as an acrylate or nitrocellulose. The liquid or paste mixture is then deposited over the LED dies or other substrate as a substantially uniform layer. The organic binder is then removed by being burned away in air, or being subject to an O2 plasma process, or dissolved, leaving a porous layer of phosphor grains sintered together. The porous phosphor layer is impregnated with a sol-gel (e.g., a sol-gel of TEOS or MTMS) or liquid glass (e.g., sodium silicate or potassium silicate), also known as water glass, which saturates the porous structure. The structure is then heated to cure the inorganic glass binder, leaving a robust glass binder that resists yellowing, among other desirable properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Grigoriy Basin, Stein Kuiper, Paul Scott Martin
  • Publication number: 20150040976
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a room temperature process for the fabrication of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Particularly, the invention discloses a room temperature process for preparing easily curable, binder free titania based solar paint that gives a high conversion efficiency to be used in fabrication of DSSCs at room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Shruti Anil Agarkar, Vivek Vishnu Dhas, Subas Muduli, Satishchandra Balkrishna Ogale
  • Patent number: 8951601
    Abstract: One limitation to the realisation of mass produced electrochemical cells is a lack of high resolution patterning techniques providing accurate alignment. A method of fabricating a patterned structure on a polymer layer for the manufacture of an electrochemical cell is provided. The method comprises: depositing a polymer layer upon a substrate; and stamping the polymer layer to form an embossed polymer layer using an embossing tool, the embossing tool having a first array of adjacent cells, spaced from one another and extending from the stamping face of the embossing tool and thereby forming a second array of adjacent cells, spaced from one another and extending as cavities within the embossed polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shunpu Li, Masaya Ishida
  • Patent number: 8945429
    Abstract: The present invention relates conductive nanostructured copolymer materials, such as thin film. In particular, the nanostructured copolymer material comprises plurality of chains substantially parallel to each other, each conductive chain comprising a plurality of conductive polyacetylene polymer blocks positioned along the chain and a plurality of polar poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer blocks in between the polyacetylene polymer blocks to form a pattern of alternatively repeating polyacetylene polymer blocks and poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer blocks and a ratio of polyacetylene polymer to poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer to provide the nanostructured copolymer material with conductivity of at least 1 S/cm. In some aspects, the invention relates to photoelectric devices comprising a nanostructured copolymer material and capable to convert light to electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Energy Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Stephan DeLuca, Sitaraman Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20150028365
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a light source and a light conversion layer disposed proximate the light source, the light conversion layer comprising a plurality of quantum dots (QDs) or phosphors, and a plurality of transparent thermally conductive particles, embedded in a matrix material to improve heat dissipation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Juanita N. Kurtin, Nathan Evan Stott
  • Patent number: 8940465
    Abstract: An undercoat layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a polymerized product of a composition that contains an isocyanate compound having a specific structure, a resin having a specific structure, and an electron transporting substance having a specific structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Sekido, Hiroyuki Tomono, Michiyo Sekiya, Atsushi Okuda, Yuka Ishiduka, Nobuhiro Nakamura, Yota Ito
  • Publication number: 20150007885
    Abstract: A polyester film containing a polyester support having a terminal carboxylic acid value of from 3 to 20 eq/ton and IV of from 0.65 to 0.9 dL/g, and a conductive layer having a surface specific resistance of from 106 to 1014? per square with an in-plane distribution of from 0.1 to 20% exhibits an improvement in withstand voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kiyokazu HASHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 8921688
    Abstract: A composite film for a superstrate solar cell or a substrate solar cell has a transparent conductive film and a conductive reflective film, wherein the transparent conductive film is formed by using a wet coating method to apply a transparent conductive film composition or dispersion containing microparticles of a conductive oxide, the conductive reflective film is formed by using a wet coating method to apply a conductive reflective film composition containing metal nanoparticles, the average diameter of holes occurring at the contact surface of the conductive reflective film on either the side of the photovoltaic layer or the side of the transparent conductive film is not more than 100 nm, the average depth at which the holes are positioned is not more than 100 nm, and the number density of the holes is not more than 30 holes/?m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Yamasaki, Toshiharu Hayashi, Masahide Arai, Satoko Ogawa, Yoshiaki Takata
  • Patent number: 8911818
    Abstract: A nanodiamond coating for use on a solar cell, the coating including a nanodiamond material suspended in a liquid, wherein the nanodiamond material has a size range from about 1 nm to about 10 nm. Methods for improving the efficiency of a solar cell, including mixing a nanodiamond material with a liquid polymer or non-polymer solvent to form a nanodiamond-polymer suspension, forming a coating of the suspension on a top surface of a solar cell, and drying the coating such that a dried nanodiamond-polymer layer remains bonded to the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Robert N. Castellano
  • Patent number: 8901024
    Abstract: Ozone treated carbon electrodes can provide increased catalytic activity, such as in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) or other electrochemical device or other device that could benefit from an increased catalytic activity, such as lithium ion or other batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, or electroanalytical instruments. Devices, methods of making, and methods of using are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Jessika E. Trancik, James C. Hone
  • Patent number: 8894826
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a thin film of a copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)-type material are disclosed. The method includes providing first and second targets in a common sputtering chamber. The first target includes a source of CIGS material, such as an approximately stoichiometric polycrystalline CIGS material, and the second target includes a chalcogen, such as selenium, sulfur, tellurium, or a combination of these elements. The second target provides an excess of chalcogen in the chamber. This can compensate, at least in part, for the loss of chalcogen from the CIGS-source in the first target, resulting in a thin film with a controlled stoichiometry which provides effective light absorption when used in a solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventors: Jesse A. Frantz, Jasbinder S. Sanghera, Robel Y. Bekele, Vinh Q Nguyen, Ishwar D. Aggarwal, Allan J. Bruce, Michael Cyrus, Sergey V. Frolov
  • Patent number: 8894760
    Abstract: A Group 3a ink, comprising, as initial components: a polyamine solvent; a Group 3a material/organic complex; and, a reducing agent; wherein the molar concentration of the reducing agent exceeds the molar concentration of the Group 3a material/organic complex; wherein the Group 3a ink is a stable dispersion and wherein the Group 3a ink is hydrazine and hydrazinium free. Also provided are methods of preparing the Group 3a ink and of using the Group 3a ink to deposit a Group 3a material on a substrate for use in a variety of semiconductor applications, such as metallization of silicon devices in VLSI technology, the growth of semiconducting III-V alloys, thin film transistors (TFTs), light emitting diodes (LEDs); and infrared detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Calzia, David W. Mosley
  • Publication number: 20140338749
    Abstract: A material includes a glass or glass-ceramic sheet provided on at least one portion of one of its faces with a photocatalytic coating based on titanium oxide deposited on a silica-based sublayer deposited by combustion chemical vapor deposition, the roughness Ra of which is between 4 and 30 nm, limits included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventor: Rosiana Aguiar
  • Publication number: 20140338740
    Abstract: The preparation of cementitious articles with a high surface finish, useful for the preparation of electrical devices, in particular photovoltaic devices, is described. The process involves exposing a prefabricated cementitious article to specific temperature and pressure intervals, for a given time period, and then coating the article thus treated with a polymer film, preferably based on polyimide, in specific quantities. Heat-resistant cementitious surfaces with a low, controlled and regular roughness, without pointlike defects, suitable for the deposition of additional thin films, in particular metallic films and absorbent films, typically used for the manufacture of photo voltaic cells and/or modules, are obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Roberta Alfani, Claudia Capone, Antonio Rombola' Ottavio