Patents by Inventor Ian D. Sharp

Ian D. Sharp 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: 11208322
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to a solar fuel generator. In one aspect, a device includes a photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell having a first surface and a second surface, a mesh disposed on the first surface of the photovoltaic cell, and a polymer disposed on the mesh and on the first surface of the photovoltaic cell. The mesh has a catalyst disposed thereon. The polymer covers the first surface of the photovoltaic cell, with at least a portion of the mesh not being covered with the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Karl A. Walczak, Jeffrey W. Beeman, Ian D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 10370766
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to a hybrid photo-electrochemical and photo-voltaic cell. In one aspect, device includes a substrate comprising a semiconductor, a transparent conductor disposed on the second surface of the substrate, a photoanode disposed on the transparent conductor, an electrolyte in electrical communication with the photoanode, and an electrode in contact with the electrolyte. The substrate is doped with a first n-type dopant. A first area of a first surface of the substrate is heavily doped with a first p-type dopant. A second area of the first surface of the substrate is heavily doped with a second n-type dopant. The second surface of the substrate is heavily doped with a second p-type dopant. The electrode is in electrical contact with the second area. The first area is in electrical contact with the second area through an electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Gideon Segev, Ian D. Sharp, Hen Dotan, Avner Rothschild
  • Publication number: 20190144271
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to a solar fuel generator. In one aspect, a device includes a photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell having a first surface and a second surface, a mesh disposed on the first surface of the photovoltaic cell, and a polymer disposed on the mesh and on the first surface of the photovoltaic cell. The mesh has a catalyst disposed thereon. The polymer covers the first surface of the photovoltaic cell, with at least a portion of the mesh not being covered with the polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Karl A. Walczak, Jeffrey W. Beeman, Ian D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20180119292
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to a hybrid photo-electrochemical and photo-voltaic cell. In one aspect, device includes a substrate comprising a semiconductor, a transparent conductor disposed on the second surface of the substrate, a photoanode disposed on the transparent conductor, an electrolyte in electrical communication with the photoanode, and an electrode in contact with the electrolyte. The substrate is doped with a first n-type dopant. A first area of a first surface of the substrate is heavily doped with a first p-type dopant. A second area of the first surface of the substrate is heavily doped with a second n-type dopant. The second surface of the substrate is heavily doped with a second p-type dopant. The electrode is in electrical contact with the second area. The first area is in electrical contact with the second area through an electrical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Gideon Segev, Ian D. Sharp, Hen Dotan, Avner Rothschild