Patents by Inventor Michael D. Irwin

Michael D. Irwin 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: 10193087
    Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes, the active layer having perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HEE Solar, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Jerred A. Chute
  • Patent number: 10189998
    Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes. The active layer may have perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hunt Energy Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Vivek V. Dhas, Kamil Mielczarek
  • Publication number: 20180301288
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, an active layer disposed at least partially between the first and second electrodes, an interfacial layer disposed at least partially between the first and second electrodes, and a non-stoichiometric oxide layer disposed at least partially between and in contact with one of the first or second electrodes and an encapsulant layer. The active layer of the photovoltaic device comprises a photoactive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Kamil Mielczarek
  • Publication number: 20180299764
    Abstract: A method for preparing photoactive perovskite materials. The method comprises the steps of: introducing a lead halide and a first solvent to a first vessel and contacting the lead halide with the first solvent to dissolve the lead halide to form a lead halide solution, introducing a Group 1 metal halide a second solvent into a second vessel and contacting the Group 1 metal halide with the second solvent to dissolve the Group 1 metal halide to form a Group 1 metal halide solution, and contacting the lead halide solution with the Group 1 metal halide solution to form a thin-film precursor ink. The method further comprises depositing the thin-film precursor ink onto a substrate, drying the thin-film precursor ink to form a thin film, annealing the thin film; and rinsing the thin film with a salt solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Kamil Mielczarek, Vivek V. Dhas
  • Publication number: 20180287082
    Abstract: A method for preparing photoactive perovskite materials. The method comprises the step of preparing a lead halide precursor ink. Preparing a lead halide precursor ink comprises the steps of: introducing a lead halide into a vessel, introducing a first solvent to the vessel, and contacting the lead halide with the first solvent to dissolve the lead halide. The method further comprises depositing the lead halide precursor ink onto a substrate, drying the lead halide precursor ink to form a thin film, annealing the thin film, and rinsing the thin film with a second solvent and a salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Jerred A. Chute, Vivek V. Dhas
  • Publication number: 20180278208
    Abstract: The performance of photosensitive devices over time may be tested by configuring a photosensitive device test system that includes a light source plate that exposes photosensitive devices within a container to a specified light intensity. The light intensity may be adjusted by a programmable power source according to one or more thresholds. A test may last for a set duration with performance measurements being taken at predetermined intervals throughout the duration. Feedback from the photosensitive device test system may be recorded to determine whether to increase light intensity, to stop testing, to continue testing, and whether one or more environmental conditions should be altered. Measurements may be sent to a client for analysis and display to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Jerome Lovelace, Kamil Mielczarek
  • Publication number: 20180248134
    Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes, the active layer having perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Vivek V. Dhas
  • Publication number: 20180248133
    Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes, the active layer having perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Vivek V. Dhas
  • Publication number: 20180248132
    Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes, the active layer having perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Vivek V. Dhas
  • Patent number: 9991457
    Abstract: A method for preparing photoactive perovskite materials. The method comprises the step of preparing a lead halide precursor ink. Preparing a lead halide precursor ink comprises the steps of: introducing a lead halide into a vessel, introducing a first solvent to the vessel, and contacting the lead halide with the first solvent to dissolve the lead halide. The method further comprises depositing the lead halide precursor ink onto a substrate, drying the lead halide precursor ink to form a thin film, annealing the thin film, and rinsing the thin film with a second solvent and a salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: HEE Solar, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Jerred A. Chute, Vivek V. Dhas
  • Patent number: 9985583
    Abstract: The performance of photosensitive devices over time may be tested by configuring a photosensitive device test system that includes a light source plate that exposes photosensitive devices within a container to a specified light intensity. The light intensity may be adjusted by a programmable power source according to one or more thresholds. A test may last for a set duration with performance measurements being taken at predetermined intervals throughout the duration. Feedback from the photosensitive device test system may be recorded to determine whether to increase light intensity, to stop testing, to continue testing, and whether one or more environmental conditions should be altered. Measurements may be sent to a client for analysis and display to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HEE Solar, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Jerome Lovelace, Kamil Mielczarek
  • Patent number: 9941480
    Abstract: A method for processing a perovskite photoactive layer. The method comprises depositing a lead salt precursor onto a substrate to form a lead salt thin film, depositing a second salt precursor onto the lead salt thin film, annealing the substrate to form a perovskite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: HEE Solar, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Jerred A. Chute, Vivek V. Dhas
  • Publication number: 20180076764
    Abstract: The performance of photosensitive devices over time may be tested by configuring a photosensitive device test system that includes a light source plate that exposes photosensitive devices within a container to a specified light intensity. The light intensity may be adjusted by a programmable power source according to one or more thresholds. A test may last for a set duration with performance measurements being taken at predetermined intervals throughout the duration. Feedback from the photosensitive device test system may be recorded to determine whether to increase light intensity, to stop testing, to continue testing, and whether one or more environmental conditions should be altered. Measurements may be sent to a client for analysis and display to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Jerome Lovelace, Kamil Mielczarek
  • Patent number: 9884966
    Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes. The active layer may have perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hee Solar, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Jerred A. Chute, Vivek V. Dhas
  • Publication number: 20180030279
    Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes. The active layer may have perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Jerred A. Chute, Vivek V. Dhas, Kamil Mielczarek
  • Patent number: 9880458
    Abstract: A method for preparing photoactive perovskite materials. The method comprises the steps of: introducing a lead halide and a first solvent to a first vessel and contacting the lead halide with the first solvent to dissolve the lead halide to form a lead halide solution, introducing a Group 1 metal halide a second solvent into a second vessel and contacting the Group 1 metal halide with the second solvent to dissolve the Group 1 metal halide to form a Group 1 metal halide solution, and contacting the lead halide solution with the Group 1 metal halide solution to form a thin-film precursor ink. The method further comprises depositing the thin-film precursor ink onto a substrate, drying the thin-film precursor ink to form a thin film, annealing the thin film; and rinsing the thin film with a salt solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: HEE Solar, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Kamil Mielczarek, Vivek V. Dhas
  • Patent number: 9837611
    Abstract: Design and use of photo-switching, fullerene-based dyads of the design x-D-y-A or D-y-A-x as interfacial layers (IFL) for organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices are described herein. The fullerene-based dyads and triads of the present invention contain electron-donating substituents such as porphyrins or phthalocyanines that exhibit charge separation states with long lifetimes upon irradiation, resulting in rejection of electrons reaching the electrode and concurrently promoting the conduction of holes. This phenomenon has a strong rectifying effect on the whole device, not just the interfaces, resulting in improved charge extraction from the interior of the photo-active layer. The invention further describes anchoring an IFL to the ITO surface as a monolayer, bilayer, or greater multilayers. One OPV design embodiment of the present invention embodiment involves the formation of covalent bonds via silane groups (—SiR3) as the anchor (x), to form siloxane bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Luis Echegoyen, Michael D. Irwin, Danisha M. Rivera-Nazario
  • Patent number: 9831829
    Abstract: The performance of photosensitive devices over time may be tested by configuring a photosensitive device test system that includes a light source plate that exposes photosensitive devices within a container to a specified light intensity. The light intensity may be adjusted by a programmable power source according to one or more thresholds. A test may last for a set duration with performance measurements being taken at predetermined intervals throughout the duration. Feedback from the photosensitive device test system may be recorded to determine whether to increase light intensity, to stop testing, to continue testing, and whether one or more environmental conditions should be altered. Measurements may be sent to a client for analysis and display to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: HEE Solar, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Jerome Lovelace, Kamil Mielczarek
  • Publication number: 20170186558
    Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes, the active layer having perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Robert D. Maher, III
  • Publication number: 20170178822
    Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes. The active layer may have perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Michael D. Irwin, Vivek V. Dhas, Kamil Mielczarek