Patents Examined by James Lin
-
Patent number: 8895849Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element is provided which includes a semiconductor electrode (108) containing a semiconductor layer (103) and a dye, a counter electrode (109), and an electrolyte layer (104) disposed between the semiconductor electrode (108) and the counter electrode (109) and in which the dye contains a compound expressed by General Formula 1. (where A in General Formula 1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group and may contain one or more atoms of oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, boron, or halogen and the aromatic group may be obtained by condensing a plurality of aromatic groups).Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Kentaro Nakahara, Kenji Kobayashi, Masahiro Suguro, Shin Nakamura
-
Patent number: 8888982Abstract: A method for creating an oxide layer having a reduced copper concentration over a surface of an object comprising aluminum and copper for use in a semiconductor processing system. The oxide layer produced using a plasma electrolytic oxidation process has a reduced copper peak concentration, which decreases a risk of copper contamination, and includes magnesium oxides that can be converted to magnesium halide upon exposure to an excited halogen-comprising gas or halogen-comprising plasma to increase the erosion/corrosion resistance of the oxide layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2010Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: MKS Instruments Inc.Inventors: Xing Chen, Chengxiang Ji, Chiu-Ying Tai
-
Patent number: 8888983Abstract: Metal implants (10) are treated by anodising the surface (11, 12) in contact with an electrolyte, and then briefly subjecting the anodised surface to a reversed voltage. During a first anodising stage the surfaces are passivated, while during a subsequent anodising stage pits are formed in the passivating surface layer. Rough portions (15) of the surface, in particular portions produced by plasma spraying of metal powder, are sealed with a watertight cover (20) during at least part of the anodising process. After rinsing, biocidal metal ions are subsequently absorbed into the surface of the implant. This provides the implant with biocidal properties. The use of the cover (20) enables a more uniform geometric distribution of biocidal metal ions to be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Accentus Medical LimitedInventors: James Timothy Shawcross, Andrew Derek Turner, David Richard Lewis
-
Patent number: 8882983Abstract: A method for forming a film on a conductive substrate, comprising immersing a substrate having a conductive portion in a solution comprising a metal ion ceramic precursor for the film and a peroxide; applying a voltage potential to the conductive portion with respect to a counter electrode in the solution, sufficient to protect the conductive portion from corrosion by the solution, and drive formation of a film on the substrate, controlling a pH of the solution while limiting a production of hydrogen by electrolysis of the solution proximate to the conductive portion; and maintaining the voltage potential for a sufficient duration to produce a film on the conductive portion. An electrode may be formed over the film to produce an electrical device. The film may be, for example, insulating, dielectric, resistive, semiconductive, magnetic, or ferromagnetic.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2009Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: The Research Foundation for The State University of New YorkInventors: Junghyun Cho, Bahgat Sammakia, Mark D. Poliks, Roy Magnuson, Biplab Kumar Roy
-
Patent number: 8877030Abstract: A magnetic film plating apparatus employs a dip method that allows relatively good escape of bubbles and does not require a wide footprint and, even when a ferromagnetic material is used for an anode, can form a magnetic film on a substrate surface while minimizing the influence of the anode on the uniformity of magnetic anisotropy in the magnetic film. The magnetic film plating apparatus includes a plating tank for holding a plating solution, an anode vertically disposed in the plating tank at a position to be immersed in the plating solution, a substrate holder for holding a substrate W and positioning the substrate W opposite the anode, and a magnetic field generator, disposed outside the plating tank, for generating a magnetic field around the substrate W held by the substrate holder and positioned opposite the anode.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2009Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Ebara CorporationInventors: Yasuhiko Endo, Fumio Kuriyama, Masaaki Kimura
-
Patent number: 8864974Abstract: A hydrogen generator comprising an enclosure, a series of spaced plates contained within the enclosure and defining between them liquidtight cells, with a plate forming a first wall of each cell of a nobler material than a plate forming a second wall of that cell, and where a first place of the series is an anode arranged to be connected to a power supply and the last plate of the series is a cathode arranged to be connected to a power supply, an inlet to each cell arranged to allow an electrolyte to flow into the cell, and an outlet from each cell arranged to allow an electrolyte and hydrogen gas to flow out of the cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Printer Ribbon Inkers P.R.I. LimitedInventor: David Geurts
-
Patent number: 8864964Abstract: A system employs a closed electrolyzer vessel into which water is circulated, and an electrode plate assembly is immersed to dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Only water is used as the electrolyte fluid. An air injector in the water return line injects air bubbling for enhanced dissociation of water. The electrode plate assembly is formed by one or more unit stacks of 7-plates each, including two outer cathode plates, a middle anode plate, and spaced inner plates. The generated gases are maintained in a stable condition by an electromagnetic coil assembly that separates the hydrogen gas from oxygen gas. The system can obtain 180% reduction in fuel usage in a vehicle engine, and 20 times reduction in carbon exhaust. It can obtain a 500% increase in fuel efficiency in an electrical power generator.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Tasos Inc.Inventor: Tasos Aggelopoulos
-
Patent number: 8858778Abstract: The present invention provides a method for etching graphene using a DNA sample of a predetermined DNA shape. The DNA sample is preferably placed onto a reaction area of a piece of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), and both the DNA sample and HOPG are then preferably placed into a humidity-controlled chamber. Humidity is preferably applied to the HOPG to produce a film of water across the surface of the DNA sample. Electrical voltage is also applied to the HOPG to create potential energy for the etching process. After the etching is completed, the reaction area is typically rinsed with deionized water.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Inventor: Michael James Darling
-
Patent number: 8858765Abstract: An improved device and method for the creation of acidic electrolyzed water is described. The device has an flow-through anode chamber and a static cathode chamber. The static cathode chamber contains a fixed amount of salt-containing electrolyte, which is renewed as needed. The flow rate of water through the anode is restricted to a range of about 5 to 40 ml per ampere of current passed through the electrode. Electrolyzed water flowing from the anode is diluted to obtain the desired concentration of hypochlorous acid, and is collected in a tank or other vessel. The electrolysis reaction is terminated when a preset amount of current has passed through the anode. Water circulation may be one pass or recycling. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane is anion-selective.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Yoichi Sano, Barry R. Taylor
-
Patent number: 8858775Abstract: Metal objects are treated by anodising the metal object in contact with an acidic solution, and then subjecting the anodised metal object to a reversed voltage (compared to the anodising voltage). The thus-treated metal object is then contacted with a biocidal metal-containing solution. Biocidal metal is deposited on the surface of the metal object, resulting in improved biocidal properties.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2008Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Accentus Medical LimitedInventors: Philip James Agg, James Timothy Shawcross, Martin Edward Lee Pickford, Andrew Derek Turner, David Richard Lewis
-
Patent number: 8840771Abstract: An electrochemical method for producing a hole extraction layer in a solar cell based on organic semiconductor materials. Conjugated polymers are used to build a hole extraction layer and a photoactive layer. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is used as a hole extraction layer and is deposited electrochemically from an aqueous solution on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. A nanofibrilar or nanogranular morphology of the PEDOT is achieved by carrying out the polymerization in the presence of a surfactant. A photoactive layer of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PCBM) can be deposited by spin-coating technique on top of the PEDOT layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: New York UniversityInventors: Kalle Levon, Eduard Nasybulin, Shu Wei, Ian Albuquerque
-
Patent number: 8841540Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a thermoelectric device includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements that each include a diffusion barrier. The diffusion barrier includes a refractory metal. The thermoelectric device also includes a plurality of conductors coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric elements. The plurality of conductors include aluminum. In addition, the thermoelectric device includes at least one plate coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric elements using a braze. The braze includes aluminum.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Marlow Industries, Inc.Inventors: Joshua E. Moczygemba, James L. Bierschenk, Jeffrey W. Sharp
-
Patent number: 8829339Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes patterning a dielectric layer on a substrate to form a patterned dielectric having local spacings between shapes and remote spacings between groups of shapes, and depositing a doped epitaxial layer over the patterned dielectric such that selective crystalline growth occurs in portions of the epitaxial layer in contact with the substrate and noncrystalline growth occurs in portions of the epitaxial layer in contact with the patterned dielectric. First metal contacts are formed over the local spacings of the patterned dielectric, and second metal contacts are formed over the remote spacings. Exposed portions of the noncrystalline growth are etched using the first and second metal contacts as an etch mask to form alternating interdigitated emitter and back contact stacks.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Keith E. Fogel, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Devendra K. Sadana, Ghavam G. Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi
-
Patent number: 8829333Abstract: A highly reliable solar cell module and method for manufacturing same are disclosed. The solar cell module is provided with first and second solar cell elements, each of which has a semiconductor substrate and an output taking out electrode; a circuit film which electrically connects together the first solar cell element and the second solar cell element; and a sealing material disposed between the circuit film and the second surface of the first and the second solar cell elements. The sealing material has a through hole, and the circuit film has: a base sheet having a protruding section which protrudes toward the second surface of the solar cell element; and a wiring conductor which electrically connects the output taking out electrode of the first solar cell element and the output taking out electrode of the second solar cell element.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: KYOCERA CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Yamashita, Takeshi Kyouda
-
Patent number: 8829342Abstract: A photovoltaic cell structure is disclosed that includes a buffer/passivation layer at a CdTe/Back contact interface. The buffer/passivation layer is formed from the same material that forms the n-type semiconductor active layer. In one embodiment, the buffer layer and the n-type semiconductor active layer are formed from cadmium sulfide (CdS). A method of forming a photovoltaic cell includes the step of forming the semiconductor active layers and the buffer/passivation layer within the same deposition chamber and using the same material source.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: The University of ToledoInventors: Alvin D. Compaan, Victor V. Plotnikov
-
Patent number: 8828215Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a coating on the surface of a substrate by plasma-electrolytic oxidation. Improved corrosion protection for lightweight metals, in particular for magnesium or magnesium alloys, is achieved by the process. Furthermore, biocompatible protective layers can also be produced on these materials, with the option of controlling degradation of the substrate. The layers are amorphous. They are produced by plasma-electrolytic oxidation in which the substrate is dipped as electrode together with a counterelectrode into an electrolyte liquid and a sufficient electric potential for generating spark discharges at the surface of the substrate is applied, wherein the electrolyte comprises clay particles dispersed therein. Substrates can therefore be any machine components, automobile components, railroad components, aircraft components, ships' components, etc.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum für Material-und Küstenforschung GmbHInventors: Carsten Blawert, Daniel Hoche, Yuanding Huang, Jun Liang
-
Patent number: 8821707Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electric Al or Al alloy plating bath which comprises (A) an aluminum halide; (B) one kind of compound or at least two kinds of compounds selected from the group consisting of N-alkylpyridinium halides, N-alkylimidazolium halides, N,N?-alkylimidazolium halides, N-alkyl-pyrazolium halides, N,N?-alkylpyrazolium halides, N-alkylpyrrolidinium halides and N,N-alkyl-pyrrolidinium halides; and (C) a high boiling point aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, wherein the molar ratio of the aluminum halide (A) to the compound (B) ranges from 1:1 to 3:1 and the flash point of the plating bath is not less than 50° C. The plating bath never involves any risk of causing an explosion, can be handled industrially with safety and can provide a smooth and fine Al of Al alloy plated film.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignees: Dipsol Chemicals Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Manabu Inoue, Tadahiro Ohnuma, Tsutomu Miyadera
-
Patent number: 8815061Abstract: An electropolishing fixture with a plunger mechanism. The plunger mechanism can establish contact between a device and an anode mandrel during an electropolishing process while the device is immersed in an electrolytic bath.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Anthony S. Andreacchi, Sophia L. Wong
-
Patent number: 8815072Abstract: A process is provided for roughening both sides of a copper plate by forming protrusions with fine bump shapes on both sides of the copper plate in an electroplating solution for plating copper while reducing deterioration of the electroplating solution. Opposed pairs of negative electrodes (3c) and positive electrodes (3a) are provided in an electroplating copper solution (2), and a copper plate (4) is arranged between the pair of negative electrodes (3c). An anodic treatment for generating copper fine particles on both surfaces of the copper plate (4) is carried out by performing an electrolytic process for three to ten minutes with the copper plate (4) as a positive electrode between the negative electrodes (3c).Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hajime Watanabe, Sadao Ishihama, Kiyoteru Yamamoto, Takahiro Imai, Toshihiro Oyoshi
-
Patent number: 8808523Abstract: A method for forming a ZrO2 oxide film by plasma electrolytic oxidation includes a first step of placing an anode, which is a substrate with a ZrN film, and a cathode into an electrolyte of which the temperature range is from 65° C. to 75° C. Said electrolyte contains barium acetate or barium hydroxide ranging from 0.3 M to 0.7 M and sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide ranging from 1.5 M to 2.5 M. The method includes a second step of applying a voltage ranging from 50 V to 1000 V to the anode and cathode to finally form a ZrO2 film on a surface of the ZrN film of the anode. A DC power supply, an AC power supply, unipolar pulse power supply or bipolar pulse power supply is applied to said anode and cathode in constant-voltage mode or constant-current mode. The oxide film can be formed more rapidly than the prior art and has excellent crystallinity.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: National Chung Hsing UniversityInventors: Fu-Hsing Lu, Jhu-Ling Zeng, Huan-Ping Teng
