Abstract: Photovoltaic materials and methods of photovoltaic cell fabrication provide a photovoltaic cell in the form of a fiber. These fibers may be formed into a flexible fabric or textile.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 24, 2003
Date of Patent:
July 5, 2005
Assignee:
Konarka Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Kethinni Chittibabu, Robert Eckert, Russell Gaudiana, Lian Li, Alan Montello, Edmund Montello, Paul Wormser
Abstract: Replacing liquid electrolytes with solid or quasi-solid electrolytes facilitates the production of photovoltaic cells using continuous manufacturing processes, such as roll-to-roll or web processes, thus creating inexpensive, lightweight photovoltaic cells using flexible plastic substrates.
Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to various aspects of the use of one or more wires in conjunction with an adhesive strip to serve as an electrically conductive connector between the photoactive layers of a photovoltaic cell or module.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 24, 2003
Publication date:
March 31, 2005
Applicant:
Konarka Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert Eckert, Russell Gaudiana, Lian Li, Alan Montello, Edmund Montello
Abstract: Photovoltaic materials and methods of photovoltaic cell fabrication provide a photovoltaic cell in the form of a fiber. These fibers may be formed into a flexible fabric or textile.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 24, 2003
Publication date:
February 24, 2005
Applicant:
Konarka Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Kethinni Chittibabu, Robert Eckert, Russell Gaudiana, Lian Li, Alan Montello, Edmund Montello, Paul Wormser
Abstract: Replacing liquid electrolytes with solid or quasi-solid electrolytes facilitates the production of photovoltaic cells using continuous manufacturing processes, such as roll-to-roll or web processes, thus creating inexpensive, lightweight photovoltaic cells using flexible plastic substrates.
Abstract: A polymeric linking agent enables the manufacture of photovoltaic cells on flexible substrates, including, for example, polymeric substrates. Photovoltaic cells may be fabricated by a relatively simple continuous manufacturing process, for example, a roll-to-roll process, instead of a batch process.
Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides photovoltaic modules. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells, at least two of which include a photosensitized nanomatrix layer and a charge carrier media. Preferably, the cells further include a catalytic media layer. The photovoltaic cells are disposed between a first electrical connection layer and a second electrical connection layer. In one embodiment, the cells are interconnected in series and the electrical connections layers each include conductive and insulative regions.
Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to a method of scoring the coating of a first coated base material at a temperature sufficiently elevated to part the coating and melt at least a portion of the first base material. In a further embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of forming a photovoltaic module by scoring a coating of a first coated base material at a temperature sufficiently elevated to part the coating and melt at least a portion of the first base material; scoring a coating of a second coated base material at a temperature sufficiently elevated to part the coating and at least a portion of the second base material; and joining the first and second base materials to form a photovoltaic module.
Abstract: Replacing liquid electrolytes with solid or quasi-solid electrolytes facilitates the production of photovoltaic cells using continuous manufacturing processes, such as roll-to-roll or web processes, thus creating inexpensive, lightweight photovoltaic cells using flexible plastic substrates.
Abstract: A polymeric linking agent enables the manufacture of photovoltaic cells on flexible substrates, including, for example, polymeric substrates. Photovoltaic cells may be fabricated by a relatively simple continuous manufacturing process, for example, a roll-to-roll process, instead of a batch process.
Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, provides a photovoltaic cell including a charge carrier material and a photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material including nanoparticles linked by a polymeric linking agent, both disposed between first and second rigid, significantly light-transmitting substrates. In one embodiment, the charge carrier material and the photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material are disposed between a first and second flexible, significantly light-transmitting substrate that are themselves disposed between the first and second rigid, significantly light-transmitting substrates.
Abstract: The invention, in various embodiments, is directed to photovoltaic cells, modules and methods for making the same, wherein a plurality of discrete portions of metal foil having an interconnected nanoparticle material formed thereon are disposed, preferably as strips having a controlled size and relative spacing, between first and second flexible substrates.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 24, 2003
Publication date:
October 16, 2003
Applicant:
Konarka Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Bill Beckenbaugh, Russell Gaudiana, Alan Montello, Edmund Montello
Abstract: An ultrasonic slitting device cuts and seals the edges of photovoltaic cells and modules to encapsulate the photoactive components in an environment substantially impervious to the atmosphere.
Abstract: A flexible photovoltaically powered display, which may be utilized in a wide variety of display contexts including retail shelf systems, is described. The photovoltaic cell is preferably activated by ambient light (e.g., fluorescent or incandescent).
Abstract: A flexible photovoltaic cell integrated onto an active card, such as a greeting card or “smart” card, may be fabricated separately and then integrated with additional electronics on the active card. Alternatively, the photovoltaic cell may be fabricated on the active card itself, constituting, if desired, part or all of its surface design.
Abstract: Co-sensitizers that co-adsorb with a sensitizing dye to the surface of an interconnected semiconductor oxide nanoparticle material increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells by improving their charge transfer efficiency and reducing the back transfer of electrons from the interconnected semiconductor oxide nanoparticle material to the sensitizing dye.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 24, 2003
Publication date:
October 9, 2003
Applicant:
Konarka Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Russell Gaudiana, Savvas Hadjikyriacou, Jin-An He, David Waller, Zhengguo Zhu