Patents by Inventor Karl A. Walczak

Karl A. Walczak 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).

  • Solar fuel generator including a catalytic mesh
    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
  • Vapor phase photo-electrochemical cell
    Patent number: 11145921
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to a vapor phase photo-electrochemical cell. In one aspect, a device includes a photovoltaic cell, a cathode disposed on the photovoltaic cell, an ionomer membrane disposed on the cathode, and an anode disposed on the ionomer membrane. The cathode includes a cathode catalyst. The ionomer membrane is in contact with the cathode catalyst. The anode includes an anode catalyst. The anode catalyst is in contact with the ionomer membrane. The anode, the ionomer membrane, and the cathode are transmissive to the solar radiation spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: David M. Larson, Karl A. Walczak
  • VAPOR PHASE PHOTO-ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL
    Publication number: 20190181521
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to a vapor phase photo-electrochemical cell. In one aspect, a device includes a photovoltaic cell, a cathode disposed on the photovoltaic cell, an ionomer membrane disposed on the cathode, and an anode disposed on the ionomer membrane. The cathode includes a cathode catalyst. The ionomer membrane is in contact with the cathode catalyst. The anode includes an anode catalyst. The anode catalyst is in contact with the ionomer membrane. The anode, the ionomer membrane, and the cathode are transmissive to the solar radiation spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: David M. Larson, Karl A. Walczak
  • SOLAR FUEL GENERATOR INCLUDING A CATALYTIC MESH
    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