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).

  • Patent number: 11552211
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 10892372
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: mPower Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa
  • Patent number: 10304977
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Paul J. Resnick, Carlos Anthony Sanchez
  • Patent number: 10243095
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20180323324
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20180323325
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 10038113
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20180166598
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: mPower Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa
  • Patent number: 9978895
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin John Anderson, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Murat Okandan, Anthony L. Lentine, Paul J. Resnick
  • Patent number: 9972736
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Koplow, Vipin P. Gupta, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Jeffrey S. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9911871
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony L. Lentine, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Murat Okandan, Ronald S. Goeke
  • Patent number: 9831369
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony L. Lentine, Gregory N. Nielson, Anna Tauke-Pedretti, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Murat Okandan
  • Patent number: 9763370
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Judith Maria Lavin, Paul J. Resnick
  • Patent number: 9748415
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Carlos Anthony Sanchez
  • Patent number: 9685580
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Xiaowang Zhou, David Zubia
  • Publication number: 20170162724
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Carlos Anthony Sanchez
  • Patent number: 9559219
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Carlos Anthony Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20170005222
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Xiaowang Zhou, David Zubia
  • Patent number: 9508881
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Anna Tauke-Pedretti, Jeffrey Cederberg, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa
  • Patent number: 9496448
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Anthony L. Lentine, Paul J. Resnick, Vipin P. Gupta