Patents by Inventor Nicholas E. Powell

Nicholas E. Powell 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: 20150034141
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) cell comprises a base substrate which comprises silicon and includes at least one doped region. The PV cell further comprises a collector disposed on the doped region of the base substrate and having a lower portion in physical contact with the doped region of the base substrate, and an upper portion opposite the lower portion. The PV cell further comprises an electrically conductive layer which is electrically isotropic or anisotropic and disposed adjacent the collector. The electrically conductive layer is in electrical communication with the base substrate via the collector. The electrically conductive layer comprises a binder and electrically conductive particles comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Group 8 through Group 14 metals of the Periodic Table of Elements. The electrically conductive particles impart isotropic or anisotropic electrical conductivity to the electrically conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: John D. Albaugh, Tiffany Menjoulet, Timothy Paul Mitchell, Nicholas E. Powell
  • Publication number: 20140370311
    Abstract: A composition comprises a metal powder. The composition further comprises a solder powder which has a lower melting temperature than a melting temperature of the metal powder. The composition further comprises a polymer and a carboxylated-polymer different from the polymer. The carboxylated-polymer is useful for fluxing the metal powder and cross-linking the polymer. The composition further comprises a dicarboxylic acid and a monocarboxylic acid. The acids are useful for fluxing the metal powder. The composition may be used for forming a conductor. The conductor may be used for current trans and/or electrical connection. An article comprises a substrate and the conductor disposed on and in electrical contact with the substrate. The article may be used for various applications, such as for converting light of many different wavelengths into electricity. Examples of such articles include photovoltaic (PV) cells and circuit boards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Caroline Boulord, Pierre Maurice Chevalier, Nicholas E. Powell, Adriana Petkova Zambova
  • Publication number: 20140345685
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell comprises a base substrate comprising silicon and including a rear region. A first electrode is disposed on, and is in electrical communication with, the rear region, and comprises a first metal present in the first electrode in a majority amount. A second electrode is spaced from the rear region such that the rear region is free of physical contact with the second electrode. The second electrode is in electrical contact with the first electrode. The second electrode comprises a polymer, a second metal present in the second electrode in a majority amount, and a third metal different from the first and second metals. The third metal has a melting temperature of no greater than about 300° C. The rear region is in electrical communication with the second electrode via the first electrode. A method of forming the PV cell is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: John D. Albaugh, Guy Damien Serge Beaucarne, Nicholas E. Powell, Adriana Petkova Zambova
  • Publication number: 20140332072
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) cell comprises a base substrate comprising silicon and including an upper doped region. A coating layer is disposed on the upper doped region and has an outer surface. Fingers are disposed in the coating layer. Each finger has a lower portion in electrical contact with the upper doped region, and an upper portion extending outwardly through the outer surface. Each finger comprises a first metal. A busbar is spaced from the upper doped region, which is free of physical contact with the busbar. The busbar is in electrical contact with the upper portions of the fingers. The busbar comprises a second metal and a third metal different from the first and second metals. The third metal has a melting temperature of no greater than about 300° C. A method of forming the PV cell is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Guy Damien Serge Beaucarne, Jorg (or Joerg) Horzel, Nicholas E. Powell, Loic Tous, Donald Adriaan Wood, Adriana Petkova Zambova