Patents Examined by Jennifer K Michener
  • Solar cell and method of producing the same
    Patent number: 7999178
    Abstract: A solar cell comprises a substrate; an n-type barium silicide layer being arranged on the substrate and containing Ba atoms and Si atoms; an n+-type barium silicide layer being arranged on the n-type barium silicide layer and containing impurity atoms which are at least one of atoms belonging to Groups 13 to 15 of the periodic table, Ba atoms, and Si atoms; an upper electrode arranged on the n+-type barium silicide layer; and a lower electrode arranged on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventor: Takashi Suemasu
  • Method to reduce/eliminate shunt current corrosion of wet end plate in PEM fuel cells
    Patent number: 7998631
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a first fuel cell assembly and a last fuel cell assembly. The first fuel cell assembly includes a first end plate assembly, which has a first end plate cooling channel adapted to receive a coolant. The last fuel cell assembly includes a last end plate assembly that has a last end plate cooling channel. A first electrical potential exists between the first end plate and the last end plate. The fuel cell stack also includes a connecting cooling channel is in fluid communication with the first end plate cooling channel and the last end plate cooling channel. A coolant is contained within the connecting coolant channel, the first end plate cooling channel, and a last end plate cooling channel. The fuel cell stack further includes a coolant electrode positioned in the coolant channel, which contacts the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech
  • Optical thin film for solar cells and method of forming the same
    Patent number: 7999177
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical thin film for a thin-film solar cell, which is formed directly on a top surface of the thin-film solar cell having a transparent conductive film layer to provide a high infrared emissivity and a lower solar absorptivity to the thin-film solar cell. The optical thin film is formed through a vacuum vapor deposition process. The thin film makes it possible to provide enhanced infrared emissivity based on its reduced thickness, while suppressing unnecessary incoming solar radiation in a simplified structure to achieve a reduced solar absorptivity so as to maintain desired cell efficiency. The optical thin film of the present invention is capable of achieving reduction in weight of a solar cell, and suitable for use, particularly, in space environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Inventor: Kazunori Shimazaki
  • Methods for fabricating thin film III-V compound solar cell
    Patent number: 7994419
    Abstract: The present invention utilizes epitaxial lift-off in which a sacrificial layer is included in the epitaxial growth between the substrate and a thin film III-V compound solar cell. To provide support for the thin film III-V compound solar cell in absence of the substrate, a backing layer is applied to a surface of the thin film III-V compound solar cell before it is separated from the substrate. To separate the thin film III-V compound solar cell from the substrate, the sacrificial layer is removed as part of the epitaxial lift-off. Once the substrate is separated from the thin film III-V compound solar cell, the substrate may then be reused in the formation of another thin film III-V compound solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: MicroLink Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Noren Pan, Glen Hillier, Duy Phach Vu, Rao Tatavarti, Christopher Youtsey, David McCallum, Genevieve Martin
  • Photovoltaic devices having nanoparticle dipoles for enhanced performance and methods for making same
    Patent number: 7994421
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device has nanoparticles sandwiched between a conductive substrate and a charge selective transport layer. Each of the nanoparticles has a ligand shell attached to the nanoparticle core. A first type of ligand is electron rich and attached to one hemisphere of the nanoparticle core, while a second type of ligand is electron poor and attached to an opposite hemisphere of the core. Consequently, the ligand shell induces an electric field within the nanoparticle, enhancing the photovoltaic effect. The arrangement of ligands types on different sides of the nanoparticle is obtained by a process involving ligand substitution after adhering the nanoparticles to the conductive substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Voxtel, Inc.
    Inventors: George M. Williams, David M. Schut, Andreas Stonas
  • Chemically modified catalyzed support particles for electrochemical cells
    Patent number: 7993797
    Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly in a polymer electrolyte/proton exchange membrane fuel cell includes the electrodes (anode and cathode), with a thin layer of catalyzed conductive support particles bonded to either side of the membrane. Where the polymer membrane comprises pendant chains of fluorinated carbon atoms with mobile proton containing terminal groups, proton conductivity with the catalyst particles is improved by chemically attaching like pendant chains to carbon atoms at surfaces of carbon particles. In certain implementations, an amino aryl perfluorinated sulfonic acid precursor is prepared. This precursor is converted to an aryl diazonium cation in the presence of carbon particles. The diazonium cation is reduced to the aryl radical which reacts with carbon atoms of the carbon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tina T. Salguero, Elena Sherman, Ping Liu
  • Photovoltaic solar cell and solar module
    Patent number: 7994420
    Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell including an upper electrode, a layer with light scattering and/or reflection properties, and a lower electrode. The layer with light scattering and/or reflection properties is located between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Nils-Peter Harder, Paul Mogensen, Ulf Blieske
  • Optimal cell selection for series connection in Cassegrain PV module
    Patent number: 7994417
    Abstract: A solar PV panel has an array of primary mirrors that collects and reflects solar radiation toward an array of dichroic secondary elements. The dichroic secondary elements reflect near-visible solar radiation to an array of near-visible radiation sensitive solar cells and simultaneously transmit infrared radiation to an array of infrared sensitive solar cells. The array of near-visible radiation sensitive cells and the array of infrared sensitive cells are wired in series. The optical properties of the dichoic secondary element, near-visible radiation sensitive cell, and IR sensitive cell are chosen for simultaneous maximum power production from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: JX Crystals Inc.
    Inventor: Lewis M. Fraas
  • Charge-transport materials, methods of fabrication thereof, and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 7994423
    Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include charge-transport materials, methods of forming charge-transport materials, and methods of using the charge-transport materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Seth Marder, Bilal Kaafarani, Steve Barlow, Bernhard Kippelen, Benoit Domercq, Qing Zhang, Takeshi Kondo
  • Metal strip product
    Patent number: 7989077
    Abstract: A coated steel product comprises a metallic strip material which has a coating comprising an electrically insulating layer doped with sodium. The thermal expansion coefficient of said metallic strip material is less than 12×10?6 K?1 in the temperature range 0-600° C. Said product may be coated with an electrically conducting layer of molybdenum. The coated steel product is useful as a substrate for flexible Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventors: Mikael Schuisky, Magnus Cedergren
  • Fuel diffusion unit, fuel supply unit, and fuel cell system including the same
    Patent number: 7989119
    Abstract: A fuel diffusion unit including: a fuel diffusion plate; a diffusion sheet disposed on fuel diffusion plate, to evenly distribute a fuel to the fuel diffusion plate; a primary transportation unit disposed on the diffusion sheet; secondary transportation units connected to the primary transportation unit, to distribute the fuel to the fuel from the primary transportation unit to the diffusion sheet. The diffusion sheet has a wetting direction that allows the fuel to flow in a predetermined direction. The fuel diffusion unit can be included in a fuel supply unit and a fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaeyong Lee, Lei Hu, Jin-ho Kim, Kyoung-hwan Choi
  • Method of depositing alkali metals on catalysts
    Patent number: 7985707
    Abstract: An alkali metal-containing catalyst is prepared by providing a catalyst-containing component which contains an alkali metal and another catalyst metal, for example, transition and platinum group metals, and contacting the catalyst-containing component with a binder agent in the presence of a non-aqueous, non-polar component to form a mixture. The mixture is then applied to a suitable catalyst substrate and calcined at the appropriate temperature to produce the alkali metal-containing catalyst. One preferred alkali metal is sodium, and oxides of silicon, aluminum and zirconium may be used as binder agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Brooks, John M. Pigos
  • Systems to retain an optical element on a solar cell
    Patent number: 7985921
    Abstract: A system may include a solar cell, a support defining an opening over the solar cell and comprising a retention feature, and an optical element disposed within the opening. The optical element may include a location feature engaged with the retention feature of the support. In some aspects, the optical element includes an upper surface to receive concentrated light and a lower surface through which light passes to the solar cell, and the location feature is disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The retention feature may be a lip defining the opening over the solar cell, and/or the location feature may consist of a notch defined by an edge of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Solfocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Prather, Hing Wah Chan
  • Method of producing salts of dinitramidic acid
    Patent number: 7981393
    Abstract: A method of preparing salt of dinitramidic acid, comprising nitration of an initial compound with a nitrating acid mixture to form dinitramidic acid in a reaction mixture. A positive ion is added to the reaction mixture and forms with the dinitramide ion an ion pair complex which precipitates in the acidic reaction mixture, and the precipitate is separated from the mixture. The remaining spent acid can be reprocessed for recovery of acid for preparation of a new nitrating acid mixture. The preferred positive ion is the guanylurea ion which gives a precipitate of guanylurea dinitramide. The precipitate can be used as starting material for preparation of other dinitramide salts, such as KDN and ADN. The guanylurea ion can be formed in situ in the process by cyanoguanidine being reacted with the reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Försvarets Materielverk
    Inventors: Carin Vörde, Henrik Skifs
  • Thin film solar cell module of see-through type
    Patent number: 7982127
    Abstract: A thin film solar cell module of see-through type and method of fabricating the same is provided. The method includes forming scribe lines in two directions in a first electrode material layer disposed on an opaque substrate so as to avoid short circuit caused by a high-temperature laser scribing process and reduction of the process yield. Moreover, the thin film solar cell module of see-through type has holes through the opaque substrate so that the cell module increases the transmittance of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jian-Shu Wu, Te-Chi Wong
  • Battery packaging system
    Patent number: 7981535
    Abstract: A battery holder assembly (219) includes a cavity structure (CS), a screw plate (SP), a spring electrical contact (SEC), an insulator cup (IC), and a pin (402). CS (392) defines a cavity (210) in a chassis panel (CP) of an electronic device (ED). SP (320) snugly fits within an opening in CP (212). SP has a base (702) forming a cover for enclosing the cavity. SP forms a connection with CS and a first terminal of a battery (318), when battery is positioned in the cavity and SP is fitted within the opening. SEC (802) provides a connection between battery and SP. IC (322) snugly receives battery therein. IC fits within the cavity and electrically insulates a second terminal of battery from CS. A battery contact (BC) is disposed on IC. BC (716, 412) provides a connection to the second terminal. Pin forms a connection between BC and ED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Scott, Timothy D. Rountree, Joshua Storm Gannon, Michael Stevens
  • Member of connecting electrode in battery module
    Patent number: 7976978
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrode terminal connecting member for electrically interconnecting plate-shaped secondary battery cells (‘battery cells’) constituting a battery module, wherein the electrode terminal connecting member includes a coupling part (‘bent coupling part’) bent to form a groove at the rear of the electrode terminal connecting member such that a plate-shaped electrode terminal (‘battery cell electrode terminal’) of each battery cell is inserted into the groove, an external input and output terminal protruding toward the front of the electrode terminal connecting member while being bent, and a voltage detection terminal protruding toward the front of the electrode terminal connecting member while being bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yongshik Shin, Jeeho Kim, Jin Woong Ha
  • Direct reaction fuel cells utilizing taylor vortex flows
    Patent number: 7972747
    Abstract: Direct reaction fuel cells (10) and fuel cell batteries (200) with rotating electrodes (18) that generate Taylor Vortex Flows (54) and Circular Couette Flows (56) in electrolyte chambers (24) are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Global Energy Science, LLC (California)
    Inventor: Halbert Fischel
  • Reconstituted battery pack, reconstituted battery pack producing method, reconstituted battery pack using method, and reconstituted battery pack control system
    Patent number: 7971345
    Abstract: A reconstituted battery pack producing method comprises an obtaining process for obtaining, by use of one of a first charged-state control device having ever controlled a charged state of a used battery pack when it was used before and a second charged-state control device arranged to control the charged state of the used battery pack as with the first charged-state control device, a reference-time charge amount charged in each used secondary battery constituting the used battery pack; a selecting process for selecting more than one of the used secondary batteries close to each other in the reference-time charge amount from a group of the used secondary batteries whose reference-time charge amounts have been obtained; and an assembling process for combining and assembling the selected used secondary batteries into a new reconstituted battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyoshi Okumura, Katsunori Maegawa
  • Corrosion resistant metal composite for electrochemical devices and methods of producing the same
    Patent number: 7972449
    Abstract: A metal composite for use in electrochemical devices is disclosed. The metal composite comprises a stainless steel interior component and a deposited nitrided metal exterior layer, wherein the nitrided exterior layer has lower electric contact resistance and greater corrosion resistance than the stainless steel interior component. A bipolar plate made of such metal composite and methods of producing the metal composite and bipolar plate are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Feng Zhong, Richard H. Blunk, Daniel J. Lisi