Patents Examined by Thanh-Truc Trinh
  • Patent number: 9224886
    Abstract: A silicon thin film solar cell is discussed. The silicon thin film solar cell includes a substrate on which light is incident, a first electrode positioned on the substrate at a surface opposite a surface of the substrate on which the solar light is incident, a second electrode positioned on the first electrode, at least one photoelectric conversion unit positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a back reflection layer positioned between the at least one photoelectric conversion unit and the second electrode. The back reflection layer includes a first reflection layer formed of a material having an absorption coefficient equal to or less than 400 cm?1 with respect to light having a wavelength equal to or greater than 700 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Suntae Hwang, Sehwon Ahn, Seungyoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9178083
    Abstract: Provided is a solar-cell manufacturing method that is capable of preventing a conductive paste from bleeding and spreading on a photoelectric conversion body. In the provided method of manufacturing a solar cell, a first printing speed at which a first conductive material is printed is faster than a second printing speed at which a second conductive material is printed on the first conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishiwaki, Yukihiro Yoshimine
  • Patent number: 9153387
    Abstract: The photoelectric conversion element of the present invention includes: a pair of electrodes facing one another; a oxide semiconductor layer provided on one of the pair of electrodes; an electrolyte disposed between the electrodes; and a sealing part that connects the electrodes, and surrounds and seals the oxide semiconductor layer and the electrolyte. At least a portion of the sealing part comprises an inorganic sealing part formed of an inorganic material and on a surface of at least one of the electrodes and a resin sealing part that is connected to the inorganic sealing part along the direction connecting the electrodes and comprises a material including a resin. A region on a surface of the inorganic sealing part on a side closer to the electrolyte than a region connected to the resin sealing part is covered with a protective resin layer that is resistant to the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Usui, Hiroshi Matsui, Kenichi Okada
  • Patent number: 9112071
    Abstract: The manufacturing of the solar cell comprises the etching of a via hole (2) with a tapered shape such that the diameter (A) at a first side (1a) of the substrate (1), intended as a main side for capturing incident light, is larger than the diameter (B) at the second side (1b) of the substrate (1). The first doped region (3) extends to a first surface (11) in the via hole (2). The second doped region (5) is present at the second side (1b) of the substrate (1) and is suitably formed by ion implantation. The resulting solar cell has an appropriate isolation between first doped region (3) and second doped region (5) over a second surface (12) in the via hole (2) and is suitably provided with a deep junction between the first doped region (3) and dopant in the substrate (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Tempress IP B.V.
    Inventors: Ronald Cornelis Gerard Naber, Johannes Reinder Marc Luchies
  • Patent number: 9105848
    Abstract: The present invention provides composite organics and optoelectronic devices, including photovoltaic devices, comprising the same. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a photovoltaic cell comprising a radiation transmissive first electrode, a photosensitive layer electrically connected to the first electrode, the photosensitive layer comprising a plurality of composite organic layers, wherein each of the plurality of composite organic layers comprises a polymeric phase and a nanoparticle phase, the nanoparticle phase comprising at least one exaggerated nanocrystalline grain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: David L. Carroll
  • Patent number: 9087945
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nanostructure including a first set of nanowires formed from filling a plurality of voids of a template. The nanostructure also includes a second set of nanowires formed from filling a plurality of spaces created when the template is removed, such that the second set of nanowires encases the first set of nanowires. Several methods are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a nanostructure including nanowires is disclosed. The method may include forming a first set of nanowires in a template, removing a first portion of the template, thereby creating spaces between the first set of nanowires, forming a second set of nanowires in the spaces between the first set of nanowires, and removing a second portion of the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Charles Elijah May, Vijay Pal Singh, Suresh K S Rajaputra
  • Patent number: 9070800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell. The solar cell includes a substrate of a first conductive type, the substrate having a textured surface on which a plurality of projected portions are formed, and surfaces of the projected portions having at least one of a plurality of particles attached thereto and a plurality of depressions formed thereon; an emitter layer of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type, the emitter layer being positioned in the substrate so that the emitter layer has the textured surface; an anti-reflection layer positioned on the emitter layer which has the textured surface and including at least one layer; a plurality of first electrodes electrically connected to the emitter layer; and at least one second electrode electrically connected to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jinsung Kim, Chulchae Choi, Changseo Park, Jaewon Chang, Hyungseok Kim, Youngho Choe, Philwon Yoon
  • Patent number: 9012764
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing including an outer surface and an inner surface. A core electronic component is configured to be provided inside of the housing. A transparent material is provided at the outer surface of the housing. A solar cell is provided on the inner surface of the housing and spaced apart from the transparent material by a predetermined distance. The transparent material is configured to receive light from an external source and direct the light to the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: IXYS Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan Zommer
  • Patent number: 9006566
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprising: an inorganic photoelectric conversion film; and an organic photoelectric conversion film, wherein an insulating film between the inorganic photoelectric conversion film and the organic photoelectric conversion film has a thickness of from 1 to 6 ?m, wherein the organic photoelectric conversion film has a multilayer structure comprising four or more layers, or wherein a protective film having a multilayer structure comprising three or more layers is provided on the organic photoelectric conversion film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Ihama
  • Patent number: 8957301
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a solar cell, a solar module, a solar array, a network of solar arrays, and also a solar power grid suitable for providing power for industrial, residential and transportation use. A solar cell or solar module including a plurality of solar cells can be made in a structure configured to have the appearance of natural foliage. Accordingly, a solar array including a plurality of solar modules each including at least one solar cell can be made to resemble a palm tree, a deciduous tree, an evergreen tree, or other type of natural foliage. A network of solar arrays can be made to resemble a row or grove of palm trees, and thus meet the functional and aesthetic demands of landscape architecture. The network of solar arrays can extend for many miles alongside roads, highways, railways, pipelines, or canals, and can further include means for storing and transmitting electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Lyden
  • Patent number: 8927856
    Abstract: An optical device (1) is provided. The optical device comprising a switchable layer (2) at least one alignment layer (6) a light guiding system (5), whereas the switchable layer (2) comprises a luminescent material (3) for absorbing and emitting light, whereby the alignment of the luminescent material (3) is changeable and the light guiding system (5) guides the emitted light, whereby the switchable layer (2) is in contact with the at least one alignment layer (6) and the luminescent material (3) exhibits anisotropic properties, whereby the optical device (1) comprises a light energy-converting means (7), wherein the light guiding system (5) is in physical contact with the energy converting means (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Peer+B.V.
    Inventors: Michael George Debije, Casper Laurens Oosten Van, Cornelis Wilhelmus Maria Bastiaansen
  • Patent number: 8907206
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell structure for manufacturing a photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic cell structure includes a substrate including a surface region. A first conductor layer overlies the surface region. The photovoltaic cell structure includes a lower cell structure. The lower cell structure includes a first P type absorber layer using a first semiconductor metal chalcogenide material and/or other semiconductor material overlying the first conductor layer. The first P type absorber material is characterized by a first bandgap ranging from about 0.5 eV to about 1.0 eV, a first optical absorption coefficient greater than about 104 cm?1. The lower cell structure includes a first N+ type window layer comprising at least a second metal chalcogenide material and/or other semiconductor material overlying the first P absorber layer. The photovoltaic cell structure includes an upper cell structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Stion Corporation
    Inventor: Howard W. H. Lee
  • Patent number: 8895832
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a thermoelectric device which can be prevented from being destroyed by thermal stresses, and a thermoelectric module using a plurality of such thermoelectric devices. The thermoelectric device in accordance with the present invention comprises an element for transforming energy between thermal energy and electric energy and a pair of electrodes connected to both end parts of the element, while the element is provided with a stress alleviating part for alleviating a stress caused by a temperature difference between the both end parts. Therefore, when generating electricity by using the thermoelectric device, the stress alleviating part can alleviate the stress caused by the temperature difference between both end parts of the element and restrain the element from being destroyed by the thermal stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiki Fukada
  • Patent number: 8835746
    Abstract: A concentration photovoltaic module includes a radiator, solar cell units, a datum plate, an optical unit and an alignment unit. The radiator includes apertures defined therein. The solar cell units are located on the radiator. The datum plate is located on the radiator. From a lower face of the datum plate extend positioning columns corresponding to the apertures defined in the radiator. The datum plate is provided with marks corresponding to some of the solar cell units. The optical unit is provided with lines near edges thereof. The alignment unit includes a board and light sources. The board is formed with corners corresponding to the lines provided on the datum plate. The light sources are located on the board. The light sources cast light on the solar cell units through the marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Atomic Energy Council
    Inventors: Hwa-Yuh Shin, Hung-Sheng Chiu, Yam-Mou Shyu, Yi-Ya Hwang, Ying-Ru Chen
  • Patent number: 8809676
    Abstract: A thin film solar cell includes a first substrate, a transparent conductive layer on an inner surface of the first substrate, the transparent conductive layer having an uneven top surface and including through-holes, a light-absorbing layer on the transparent conductive layer, a reflection electrode on the light-absorbing layer, a second substrate facing and attached with the first substrate, and a polymeric material layer on an inner surface of the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Seo Park, Jeong-Woo Lee, Seong-Kee Park, Kyung-Jin Shim, Tae-Youn Kim, Yi-Yin Yu
  • Patent number: 8796533
    Abstract: A connector for a thermoelectric conversion element free of a continuity failure and that is high in electrical reliability. In a thermoelectric conversion module, each thermoelectric conversion element has first and second electrode faces, and the thermoelectric conversion elements adjacent to each other are electrically connected thereto via connectors formed in a predetermined shape. Further, the connectors include a pair of fitted portions that are engagingly mounted to a first electrode face and another second electrode of the thermal electric conversion elements that are adjacent thereto, and a connection portions for connecting one pair of these fitted portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Ko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8796542
    Abstract: An encapsulant material with enhanced light reflectivity, a crystalline silicon photovoltaic module and a thin film photovoltaic module are provided. The encapsulant material has a porous structure therein, and an average pore diameter of the porous structure is between several hundreds of nanometers and several hundreds of micrometers, so that the light reflectance of the encapsulant material is improved. Moreover, the encapsulant material is crosslinked by a physical or chemical crosslinking method, so heat resistance thereof is improved. Therefore, the encapsulant material is suitable for the crystalline silicon photovoltaic module and the thin film photovoltaic module, so as to increase power conversion efficiency of these modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Lee-May Huang, Cheng-Yu Peng, Wen-Chung Liang, Chun-Heng Chen
  • Patent number: 8796544
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wet or dry bio-sensitized photoelectric conversion device (photodetector or photovoltaic) comprising: a stabilized biologically-derived sensitizer, such as a stablilized photosystem I (PS-I), deposited on nanowires, semiconductor material, electrodes and a support. The nanowires provide a greater surface area of the light absorption layer for better energy conversion efficiency and are chosen such as to complement the absorption spectrum of the sensitizer and protect the sensitizer from photobleaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Andreas Mershin, Brian Cook, Shuguang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8759671
    Abstract: A structure for a single junction solar cell. The structure includes a substrate member having a surface region. The structure includes a first electrode structure overlying the surface region of the substrate member. A P absorber layer is formed overlying the first electrode structure. In a specific embodiment, the P absorber layer has a P? type impurity characteristics and a first optical absorption coefficient greater than 104 cm?1 in a wavelength range comprising 400 nm to 800 nm. An N+ layer is provided overlying the P absorber layer and an interface region formed within a vicinity of the P layer and the N+ layer. The structure also includes a high resistivity buffer layer overlying the N+ layer and a second electrode structure overlying the buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Stion Corporation
    Inventor: Howard W. H. Lee
  • Patent number: 8742253
    Abstract: New photovoltaic device configurations utilize combinations of n-copper indium selenide (n-CIS) absorber and p-type semiconducting organic/polymeric or inorganic materials to maximize the efficiency of solar energy conversion into electric power. Fabrication methods to produce various device configurations, based on n-CIS thin films, nanoparticles, organic or polymeric materials deposited on flexible or rigid substrates are described, that simplify process steps and hence the costs for high volume solar cell manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: InterPhases Solar
    Inventors: Shalini Menezes, Yan Li, Sharmila Jacqueline Menezes