Patents by Inventor Gloria W. Fraczak

Gloria W. Fraczak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11011661
    Abstract: Improved high work function back contacts for solar cells are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a completed solar cell having a substrate coated with an electrically conductive material, an absorber disposed on the electrically conductive material, a buffer layer disposed on the absorber, a transparent front contact disposed on the buffer layer, and a metal grid disposed on the transparent front contact; removing the substrate and the electrically conductive material using exfoliation, exposing a backside surface of the solar cell; depositing a high work function material onto the back side surface of the solar cell; and depositing a back contact onto the high work function material. A solar cell formed by the present techniques is also provided. Yield of the exfoliated device can be improved by removing bubbles from adhesive used for exfoliation and/or forming contact pads to access the metal grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Priscilla D. Antunez, Douglas M. Bishop, Gloria W. Fraczak, Oki Gunawan, Richard A. Haight
  • Publication number: 20200152815
    Abstract: Improved high work function back contacts for solar cells are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a completed solar cell having a substrate coated with an electrically conductive material, an absorber disposed on the electrically conductive material, a buffer layer disposed on the absorber, a transparent front contact disposed on the buffer layer, and a metal grid disposed on the transparent front contact; removing the substrate and the electrically conductive material using exfoliation, exposing a backside surface of the solar cell; depositing a high work function material onto the back side surface of the solar cell; and depositing a back contact onto the high work function material. A solar cell formed by the present techniques is also provided. Yield of the exfoliated device can be improved by removing bubbles from adhesive used for exfoliation and/or forming contact pads to access the metal grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Priscilla D. Antunez, Douglas M. Bishop, Gloria W. Fraczak, Oki Gunawan, Richard A. Haight
  • Patent number: 10541346
    Abstract: Improved high work function back contacts for solar cells are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a completed solar cell having a substrate coated with an electrically conductive material, an absorber disposed on the electrically conductive material, a buffer layer disposed on the absorber, a transparent front contact disposed on the buffer layer, and a metal grid disposed on the transparent front contact; removing the substrate and the electrically conductive material using exfoliation, exposing a backside surface of the solar cell; depositing a high work function material onto the back side surface of the solar cell; and depositing a back contact onto the high work function material. A solar cell formed by the present techniques is also provided. Yield of the exfoliated device can be improved by removing bubbles from adhesive used for exfoliation and/or forming contact pads to access the metal grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Priscilla D. Antunez, Douglas M. Bishop, Gloria W. Fraczak, Oki Gunawan, Richard A. Haight
  • Publication number: 20180226524
    Abstract: Improved high work function back contacts for solar cells are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a completed solar cell having a substrate coated with an electrically conductive material, an absorber disposed on the electrically conductive material, a buffer layer disposed on the absorber, a transparent front contact disposed on the buffer layer, and a metal grid disposed on the transparent front contact; removing the substrate and the electrically conductive material using exfoliation, exposing a backside surface of the solar cell; depositing a high work function material onto the back side surface of the solar cell; and depositing a back contact onto the high work function material. A solar cell formed by the present techniques is also provided. Yield of the exfoliated device can be improved by removing bubbles from adhesive used for exfoliation and/or forming contact pads to access the metal grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Priscilla D. Antunez, Douglas M. Bishop, Gloria W. Fraczak, Oki Gunawan, Richard A. Haight