Patents by Inventor Michael Gratzel

Michael Gratzel 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).

  • Publication number: 20210249196
    Abstract: An organometallic perovskite solar cell and manufacturing process, in particular a solar cell having a lead or tin organometallic photon absorber layer. The organometallic solar cell includes an absorber layer containing a compound which crystallizes in the perovskite crystal lattice and which includes a lithium-free hole conductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Seckin Akin, Maximilian Fleischer, Michael Grätzel, Hui-Seon Kim, Jiyoun Seo, Elfriede Simon, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin
  • Patent number: 10488879
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system including a solar cell having a hysteretic behavior; and a power device configured to extract a maximum power from the solar cell by forcing power oscillations of the power output by the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Norman Pellet, Fabrizio Giordano, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Grätzel
  • Publication number: 20180259990
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system including a solar cell having a hysteretic behavior; and a power device configured to extract a maximum power from the solar cell by forcing power oscillations of the power output by the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Norman Pellet, Fabrizio Giordano, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Grätzel
  • Publication number: 20170301479
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for room temperature reverse-bias operation photo-detection. The device comprising:—a planar first electrode extending in a planar direction;—a second electrode positioned above the first electrode in a direction substantially perpendicular to said planar direction; and—an active region sandwiched between the first and second electrode. The active region consists of a light absorbing perovskite and wherein the light absorbing perovskite is in direct contact with at least one of the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas MOEHL, Mohammad Khaja NAZEERUDDIN, Michael GRÄTZEL, Jeong-Hyeok IM, Nam-Gyu PARK, Konrad DOMANSKI
  • Patent number: 9730795
    Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSITE DE GENEVE, ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
    Inventors: Pierre Descouts, Björn-Owe Aronsson, Michael Grätzel, Carine Viornery, Peter Péchy
  • Publication number: 20140316533
    Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Pierre DESCOUTS, Björn-Owe ARONSSON, Michael GRÄTZEL, Carine VIORNERY, Peter PÉCHY
  • Patent number: 8802123
    Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Universite de Geneve, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Pierre Descouts, Björn-Owe Aronsson, Michael Grätzel, Carine Viornery, Peter Péchy
  • Patent number: 8567110
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter describes a new sealing process of a specific type of photovoltaic cells named dye-sensitized solar cells. Currently, the sealing of these cells is made by means of a polymer, which connects the two electrode substrates made of glass, isolating the cell's inner content from the outside. The glass-based sealing method has the advantage of enhancing the cell's lifetime. However, glass sealing should not lead to the heating of the whole cell, which may cause its degradation. The process here unveiled employs a string of a glass precursor, a powder or a paste, that bounds the cell's entire external perimeter. The glass precursor string is then heated to its melting point with a laser beam, allowing the two substrates of the cell to stick together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Efacec Engenharia e Sistemas S.A.
    Inventors: Adélio Miguel Magalhães Mendes, Joaquim Gabriel Magalhães Mendes, Helena Isabel Pereira Da Costa Aguilar Ribeiro, Michael Gratzel, Luisa Manuela Madureira Andrade, Luís Francisco Moreira Gonçalves, Carlos Albino Veiga Da Costa
  • Publication number: 20120258148
    Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Pierre DESCOUTS, Björn-Owe ARONSSON, Michael GRÄTZEL, Carine VIORNERY, Peter PÉCHY
  • Patent number: 8216601
    Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Universite de Geneve, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Pierre Descouts, Björn-Owe Aronsson, Michael Grätzel, Carine Viornery, Peter Péchy
  • Patent number: 8097361
    Abstract: This invention concerns a novel method for surface derivatization of electrode materials for Li-ion batteries. The derivatization is based on adsorption of a composite assembly consisting of amphiphilic redox active molecule attached to single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). Its role consists in the enhancement of electronic conductivity of electrode materials, such as phosphate olivines, without requesting any significant increase of the electrode volume and mass. The SWCNT is linked to the redox molecule via non-covalent or covalent interaction with the hydrophobic part of the molecule or electrostatic interaction. The hydrophilic part of the molecule serves as the anchoring site for surface modification of the electrode active material. The redox potential of the molecule is close to the redox potential of the electrode active material. The adsorbed assembly of redox-molecule & SWCNT thus improves the charge transfer from a current collector to the electrode active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Exnar, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Gratzel, Ladislav Kavan
  • Publication number: 20110306161
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter describes a new sealing process of a specific type of photovoltaic cells named dye-sensitized solar cells. Currently, the sealing of these cells is made by means of a polymer, which connects the two electrode substrates made of glass, isolating the cell's inner content from the outside. The glass-based sealing method has the advantage of enhancing the cell's lifetime. However, glass sealing should not lead to the heating of the whole cell, which may cause its degradation. The process here unveiled employs a string of a glass precursor, a powder or a paste, that bounds the cell's entire external perimeter. The glass precursor string is then heated to its melting point with a laser beam, allowing the two substrates of the cell to stick together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Adélio Miguel Magalhães Mendes, Joaquim Gabriel Magalhães Mendes, Helena Isabel Pereira Da Costa Aguilar Ribeiro, Michael Gratzel, Luísa Manuela Madureira Andrade, Luís Francisco Moreira Gonçalves, Carlos Albino Veiga Da Costa
  • Publication number: 20100234900
    Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Pierre Descouts, Björn-Owe Aronsson, Michael Grätzel, Carine Viornery, Peter Péchy
  • Patent number: 7727540
    Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Universite de Geneve, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Pierre Descouts, Björn-Owe Aronsson, Michael Grätzel, Carine Viornery, Peter Péchy
  • Publication number: 20100068621
    Abstract: This invention concerns a novel method for surface derivatization of electrode materials for Li-ion batteries. The derivatization is based on adsorption of a composite assembly consisting of amphiphilic redox active molecule attached to single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). Its role consists in the enhancement of electronic conductivity of electrode materials, such as phosphate olivines, without requesting any significant increase of the electrode volume and mass. The SWCNT is linked to the redox molecule via non-covalent or covalent interaction with the hydrophobic part of the molecule or electrostatic interaction. The hydrophilic part of the molecule serves as the anchoring site for surface modification of the electrode active material. The redox potential of the molecule is close to the redox potential of the electrode active material. The adsorbed assembly of redox-molecule & SWCNT thus improves the charge transfer from a current collector to the electrode active material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Ivan Exnar, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Gratzel, Ladislav Kavan
  • Publication number: 20090176162
    Abstract: This invention concerns a lithium rechargeable electrochemical cell containing electrochemical redox active compounds in the electrolyte. The cell is composed of two compartments, where the cathodic compartment comprises a cathodic lithium insertion material and one or more of p-type redox active compound(s) in the electrolyte; the anodic compartment comprises an anodic lithium insertion material and one or more of n-type redox active compound(s) in the electrolyte. These two compartments are separated by a separator and the redox active compounds are confined only in each compartment. Such a rechargeable electrochemical cell is suitable for high energy density applications. The present invention also concerns the general use of redox active compounds and electrochemically addressable electrode systems containing similar components which are suitable for use in the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Ivan Exnar, Qing Wang, Michael Gratzel, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Ladislav Kavan
  • Publication number: 20090123837
    Abstract: This invention concerns a lithium rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising an electrochemically addressable electrode system. The electrodes are composed of a cathodic lithium insertion material (2) incorporating a p-type conductive compound (4), and an anodic lithium insertion material (3) incorporating an n-type conductive compound (5). Such a rechargeable electrochemical cell is suitable for high energy density applications. The present invention also concerns the general use of conductive compounds and electrochemically addressable electrode systems comprising similar components which are suitable for use in the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Gratzel, Ivan Exnar, Qing Wang
  • Patent number: 7271334
    Abstract: The Photocatalytic film of semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3), contains an n-dopant, or a mixture of n-dopants, or a p-dopant or a mixture of p-dopants. Electrode consists of a substrate, with one or more films or photocatalytic arrangements of film of semiconducting n-doped or p-doped iron oxide (Fe2O3) e.g. on the surface of one side of the substrate or on the surface of different sides. The photoelectrochemical cell comprises electrodes with a film or with films of the n-doped or p-doped semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3). The semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3) film can be manufactured with a spray pyrolysis process or a sol gel process. The system for the direct cleavage of water with visible light, into hydrogen and oxygen the system comprises one or more of the photoelectrochemical cells with photocatalytic films. The system can be a tandem cell system, comprising the photoelectrochemical cell with the doped iron oxide (Fe2O3) film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: The Hydrogen Solar Production Company Limited
    Inventors: Michael Gratzel, Ravindranathan Thampi
  • Patent number: 7090496
    Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to human or animal bone, said implant having a surface made from a selected metal or a selected metal alloy or a ceramic, whereby said metal resp. metal alloy is selected from chromium, niobium, tantalum, vanadium, zirconium, aluminium, cobalt, nickel, stainless steels or an alloy thereof, said surface having a smooth or rough texture, characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable organic compound carrying at least one phosphonic acid group or a derivative thereof preferably a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or amid thereof and method for producing said implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignees: Universite de Geneve, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Pierre Descouts, Björn-Owe Aronsson, Michael Grätzel, Carine Viornery, Peter Péchy
  • Patent number: RE43793
    Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: Universite de Geneve, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Pierre Descouts, Bjorn-Owe Aronsson, Michael Gratzel, Carine Viorney, Peter Pechy