Patents by Inventor Jose Luis Cruz-Campa
Jose Luis Cruz-Campa 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).
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Patent number: 11552211Abstract: A moldable photovoltaic module is provided. The module includes a flexible polymeric flex-circuit substrate having an electrically conductive printed wiring pattern and solder pads defined on it. Small photovoltaic cells are affixed to the flex-circuit substrate by back-surface contacts in electrical contact with the solder pads. At least one thermoformable polymeric film is joined to the flex-circuit substrate. Each said solder pad comprises a solder composition that, after an initial melt, has a melting point that lies above at least a portion of the temperature range for thermoforming the polymeric film.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2018Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Jeffrey S. Nelson, Michael Hibbs, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Paul J. Resnick, Carlos Anthony Sanchez, Vipin P. Gupta, Peggy J. Clews
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Patent number: 10892372Abstract: High performance single crystal silicon cells and arrays thereof are manufactured using a rapid process flow. Tunneling junctions formed in the process provide performance benefits, such as higher efficiency and a lower power temperature coefficient. The process generates a large array of interconnected high performance cells smaller than typical cells without requiring additional process steps, and simplifies integration of these coupons into the final product. The cells can have different shapes, sizes, and orientations, enabling the array to be flexible in any desired direction. Higher efficiencies and lower hot spotting under shading is achieved by connecting small low current, high voltage cells in dense series and parallel configurations. Low current cells also require much less metallization than typical solar cells and arrays.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: mPower Technology, Inc.Inventors: Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa
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Patent number: 10304977Abstract: A method, system and apparatus including a device cell having a top side, a bottom side and opposing side walls. A passivation layer is formed along the top side, the bottom side and opposing side walls of the device cell. The passivation layer serves to passivate the device cell and facilitate carrier collection around the device cell. An anti-reflective layer is formed over the passivation layer and an optical layer is formed on the top side of the device cell. The optical layer reflects light within the device cell. The apparatus may further include a reflective layer formed along the bottom side of the device cell, the reflective layer to reflect light internally within the device cell.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2015Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Paul J. Resnick, Carlos Anthony Sanchez
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Patent number: 10243095Abstract: A method is provided for making a molded photovoltaic module. The module includes a flexible polymeric flex-circuit substrate having an electrically conductive printed wiring pattern and solder pads defined on it. Small photovoltaic cells are affixed to the flex-circuit substrate by back-surface contacts in electrical contact with the solder pads. At least one thermoformable polymeric film is joined to the flex-circuit substrate. Each said solder pad comprises a solder composition that, after an initial melt, has a melting point that lies above at least a portion of the temperature range for thermoforming the polymeric film.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Jeffrey S. Nelson, Michael Hibbs, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Paul J. Resnick, Carlos Anthony Sanchez, Vipin P. Gupta, Peggy J. Clews
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Publication number: 20180323324Abstract: A moldable photovoltaic module is provided. The module includes a flexible polymeric flex-circuit substrate having an electrically conductive printed wiring pattern and solder pads defined on it. Small photovoltaic cells are affixed to the flex-circuit substrate by back-surface contacts in electrical contact with the solder pads. At least one thermoformable polymeric film is joined to the flex-circuit substrate. Each said solder pad comprises a solder composition that, after an initial melt, has a melting point that lies above at least a portion of the temperature range for thermoforming the polymeric film.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey S. Nelson, Michael Hibbs, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Paul J. Resnick, Carlos Anthony Sanchez, Vipin P. Gupta, Peggy J. Clews
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Publication number: 20180323325Abstract: A method is provided for making a molded photovoltaic module. The module includes a flexible polymeric flex-circuit substrate having an electrically conductive printed wiring pattern and solder pads defined on it. Small photovoltaic cells are affixed to the flex-circuit substrate by back-surface contacts in electrical contact with the solder pads. At least one thermoformable polymeric film is joined to the flex-circuit substrate. Each said solder pad comprises a solder composition that, after an initial melt, has a melting point that lies above at least a portion of the temperature range for thermoforming the polymeric film.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey S. Nelson, Michael Hibbs, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Paul J. Resnick, Carlos Anthony Sanchez, Vipin P. Gupta, Peggy J. Clews
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Patent number: 10038113Abstract: A moldable photovoltaic module is provided. The module includes a flexible polymeric flex-circuit substrate having an electrically conductive printed wiring pattern and solder pads defined on it. Small photovoltaic cells are affixed to the flex-circuit substrate by back-surface contacts in electrical contact with the solder pads. At least one thermoformable polymeric film is joined to the flex-circuit substrate. Each said solder pad comprises a solder composition that, after an initial melt, has a melting point that lies above at least a portion of the temperature range for thermoforming the polymeric film.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Jeffrey S. Nelson, Michael Hibbs, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Paul J. Resnick, Carlos Anthony Sanchez, Vipin P. Gupta, Peggy J. Clews
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Publication number: 20180166598Abstract: High performance single crystal silicon cells and arrays thereof are manufactured using a rapid process flow. Tunneling junctions formed in the process provide performance benefits, such as higher efficiency and a lower power temperature coefficient. The process generates a large array of interconnected high performance cells smaller than typical cells without requiring additional process steps, and simplifies integration of these coupons into the final product. The cells can have different shapes, sizes, and orientations, enabling the array to be flexible in any desired direction. Higher efficiencies and lower hot spotting under shading is achieved by connecting small low current, high voltage cells in dense series and parallel configurations. Low current cells also require much less metallization than typical solar cells and arrays.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: mPower Technology, Inc.Inventors: Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa
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Patent number: 9978895Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system, the apparatus and system including a flexible microsystems enabled microelectronic device package including a microelectronic device positioned on a substrate; an encapsulation layer encapsulating the microelectronic device and the substrate; a protective layer positioned around the encapsulating layer; and a reinforcing layer coupled to the protective layer, wherein the substrate, encapsulation layer, protective layer and reinforcing layer form a flexible and optically transparent package around the microelectronic device. The method including encapsulating a microelectronic device positioned on a substrate within an encapsulation layer; sealing the encapsulated microelectronic device within a protective layer; and coupling the protective layer to a reinforcing layer, wherein the substrate, encapsulation layer, protective layer and reinforcing layer form a flexible and optically transparent package around the microelectronic device.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Benjamin John Anderson, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Murat Okandan, Anthony L. Lentine, Paul J. Resnick
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Patent number: 9972736Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system, the apparatus including a receiving member dimensioned to receive an array of microelectronic devices; and a linkage member coupled to the receiving member, the linkage member configured to move the receiving member in at least two dimensions so as to modify a spacing between the electronic devices within the array of microelectronic devices received by the receiving member. The method including coupling an array of microelectronic devices to an expansion assembly; and expanding the expansion assembly so as to expand the array of microelectronic devices in at least two directions within a single plane. The system including a support member; an expansion assembly coupled to the support member, the expansion assembly having a plurality of receiving members configured to move in at least two dimensions within a single plane; and a plurality of microelectronic devices coupled to each of the plurality of receiving members.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Jeffrey P. Koplow, Vipin P. Gupta, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Jeffrey S. Nelson
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Patent number: 9911871Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes colorized reflective photovoltaic cells that act as pixels. The colorized reflective photovoltaic cells are arranged so that reflections from the photovoltaic cells or pixels visually combine into an image on the photovoltaic module. The colorized photovoltaic cell or pixel is composed of a set of 100 to 256 base color sub-pixel reflective segments or sub-pixels. The color of each pixel is determined by the combination of base color sub-pixels forming the pixel. As a result, each pixel can have a wide variety of colors using a set of base colors, which are created, from sub-pixel reflective segments having standard film thicknesses.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Anthony L. Lentine, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Murat Okandan, Ronald S. Goeke
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Patent number: 9831369Abstract: A photovoltaic power generation system that includes a solar panel is described herein. The solar panel includes a photovoltaic sub-module, which includes a group of microsystem enabled photovoltaic cells. The group includes a first string of photovoltaic cells, a second string of photovoltaic cells, and a differing photovoltaic cell. Photovoltaic cells in the first string are electrically connected in series, and photovoltaic cells in the second string are electrically connected in series. Further, the first string of photovoltaic cells, the second string of photovoltaic cells, and the differing photovoltaic cell are electrically connected in parallel. Moreover, the differing photovoltaic cell is used as a bypass diode for the first string of photovoltaic cells and the second string of photovoltaic cells.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Anthony L. Lentine, Gregory N. Nielson, Anna Tauke-Pedretti, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Murat Okandan
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Patent number: 9763370Abstract: An apparatus including a carrier substrate configured to move a microelectronic device. The apparatus further includes a rotatable body configured to receive the microelectronic device. Additionally, the apparatus includes a second substrate configured to receive the microelectronic device from the rotatable body.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Judith Maria Lavin, Paul J. Resnick
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Patent number: 9748415Abstract: A method including providing a substrate comprising a device layer on which a plurality of device cells are defined; depositing a first dielectric layer on the device layer and metal interconnect such that the deposited interconnect is electrically connected to at least two of the device cells; depositing a second dielectric layer over the interconnect; and exposing at least one contact point on the interconnect through the second dielectric layer. An apparatus including a substrate having defined thereon a device layer including a plurality of device cells; a first dielectric layer disposed directly on the device layer; a plurality of metal interconnects, each of which is electrically connected to at least two of the device cells; and a second dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer and over the interconnects, wherein the second dielectric layer is patterned in a positive or negative planar spring pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Carlos Anthony Sanchez
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Patent number: 9685580Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell comprises a nano-patterned substrate layer. A plurality of nano-windows are etched into an intermediate substrate layer to form the nano-patterned substrate layer. The nano-patterned substrate layer is positioned between an n-type semiconductor layer composed of an n-type semiconductor material and a p-type semiconductor layer composed of a p-type semiconductor material. Semiconductor material accumulates in the plurality of nano-windows, causing a plurality of heterojunctions to form between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Xiaowang Zhou, David Zubia
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Publication number: 20170162724Abstract: A method including providing a substrate comprising a device layer on which a plurality of device cells are defined; depositing a first dielectric layer on the device layer and metal interconnect such that the deposited interconnect is electrically connected to at least two of the device cells; depositing a second dielectric layer over the interconnect; and exposing at least one contact point on the interconnect through the second dielectric layer. An apparatus including a substrate having defined thereon a device layer including a plurality of device cells; a first dielectric layer disposed directly on the device layer; a plurality of metal interconnects, each of which is electrically connected to at least two of the device cells; and a second dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer and over the interconnects, wherein the second dielectric layer is patterned in a positive or negative planar spring pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Carlos Anthony Sanchez
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Patent number: 9559219Abstract: A method including providing a substrate comprising a device layer on which a plurality of device cells are defined; depositing a first dielectric layer on the device layer and metal interconnect such that the deposited interconnect is electrically connected to at least two of the device cells; depositing a second dielectric layer over the interconnect; and exposing at least one contact point on the interconnect through the second dielectric layer. An apparatus including a substrate having defined thereon a device layer including a plurality of device cells; a first dielectric layer disposed directly on the device layer; a plurality of metal interconnects, each of which is electrically connected to at least two of the device cells; and a second dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer and over the interconnects, wherein the second dielectric layer is patterned in a positive or negative planar spring pattern.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Carlos Anthony Sanchez
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Publication number: 20170005222Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell comprises a nano-patterned substrate layer. A plurality of nano-windows are etched into an intermediate substrate layer to form the nano-patterned substrate layer. The nano-patterned substrate layer is positioned between an n-type semiconductor layer composed of an n-type semiconductor material and a p-type semiconductor layer composed of a p-type semiconductor material. Semiconductor material accumulates in the plurality of nano-windows, causing a plurality of heterojunctions to form between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Xiaowang Zhou, David Zubia
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Patent number: 9508881Abstract: A microsystems-enabled multi-junction photovoltaic (MEM-PV) cell includes a first photovoltaic cell having a first junction, the first photovoltaic cell including a first semiconductor material employed to form the first junction, the first semiconductor material having a first bandgap. The MEM-PV cell also includes a second photovoltaic cell comprising a second junction. The second photovoltaic cell comprises a second semiconductor material employed to form the second junction, the second semiconductor material having a second bandgap that is less than the first bandgap, the second photovoltaic cell further comprising a first contact layer disposed between the first junction of the first photovoltaic cell and the second junction of the second photovoltaic cell, the first contact layer composed of a third semiconductor material having a third bandgap, the third bandgap being greater than or equal to the first bandgap.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Anna Tauke-Pedretti, Jeffrey Cederberg, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa
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Patent number: 9496448Abstract: Photovoltaic cells and photovoltaic modules, as well as methods of making and using such photovoltaic cells and photovoltaic modules, are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the photovoltaic cells selectively reflect visible light to provide the photovoltaic cells with a colorized appearance. Photovoltaic modules combining colorized photovoltaic cells may be used to harvest solar energy while providing a customized appearance, e.g., an image or pattern.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Anthony L. Lentine, Paul J. Resnick, Vipin P. Gupta