Patents by Inventor Rebecca Saive
Rebecca Saive 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).
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Patent number: 11939688Abstract: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) technology for the conversion of solar energy into chemicals may require cost-effective photoelectrodes to efficiently and stably drive anodic and/or cathodic half-reactions to complete the overall reactions for storing solar energy in chemical bonds. Apparatus and systems incorporating effectively transparent metal catalysts enable the design and/or implementation of PEC devices for light harvesting. Triple-junction photocathodes with the triangular catalyst grids are provided to improve the efficiency of the photocathodes to generate renewable fuel from sunlight.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Wen-Hui Cheng, Harry A. Atwater, Rebecca Saive, Matthias H. Richter, Sisir Yalamanchili, Michael D. Kelzenberg, Kelly McKenzie
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Publication number: 20230025035Abstract: A photovoltaic solar power plant assembly and a method of using said assembly to generate power are disclosed. The assembly includes an array of photovoltaic solar modules arranged in a solar module surface, and an optical structure for redirecting light towards said solar module surface, having a redirected light emitting surface. The optical structure includes: a planar optical waveguide which has a parallel first and second planar waveguide surfaces, wherein the first planar waveguide surface extends parallel to the redirected light emitting surface, wherein the first planar waveguide surface is at least partially covered by a photonic layer which is configured to provide an angular restriction of a light emission from the planar waveguide through the redirected light emitting surface, and a light scattering and/or luminescent material, which material is arranged as particles in the planar optical waveguide and/or in a layer which at least partially covers the second planar waveguide surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2020Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventor: Rebecca SAIVE
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Patent number: 11041338Abstract: Systems and methods for transparent materials implementing effectively transparent conductors in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a window including a first transparent layer of transparent material having a first surface and a second surface, a first plurality of triangular conductors in optical communication with the first transparent layer of glass, wherein each of the first plurality of triangular conductors includes a base side that is parallel to the first surface of the first transparent layer of glass and wherein the first plurality of triangular conductors is configured to redirect a portion of incident light, wherein the portion of incident light travels through both the first surface and the second surface of the first transparent layer of glass.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Rebecca Saive, Harry A. Atwater, Thomas C. R. Russell, Michael D. Kelzenberg, Lucas J. Myers
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Publication number: 20200308717Abstract: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) technology for the conversion of solar energy into chemicals may require cost-effective photoelectrodes to efficiently and stably drive anodic and/or cathodic half-reactions to complete the overall reactions for storing solar energy in chemical bonds. Apparatus and systems incorporating effectively transparent metal catalysts enable the design and/or implementation of PEC devices for light harvesting. Triple-junction photocathodes with the triangular catalyst grids are provided to improve the efficiency of the photocathodes to generate renewable fuel from sunlight.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Wen-Hui Cheng, Harry A. Atwater, Rebecca Saive, Matthias H. Richter, Sisir Yalamanchili, Michael D. Kelzenberg, Kelly McKenzie
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Patent number: 10700234Abstract: In conventional solar cells with metal contacts, a non-negligible fraction of the incoming solar power is immediately lost either through absorption or reflection upon interaction with the contacts. Effectively transparent contacts (“ETCs”) for solar cells can be referred to as three-dimensional contacts designed to redirect incoming light onto a photoabsorbing surface of a solar cell. In many embodiments, the ETCs have triangular cross-sections. Such ETCs can be placed on a photoabsorbing surface such that at least one of their sides forms an angle with the photoabsorbing surface. In this configuration, the ETCs can redirect incident light onto the photoabsorbing surface, mitigating or eliminating reflection loss compared to conventional solar cells. When constructed in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, ETCs can be effectively transparent and highly conductive.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Rebecca Saive, Harry A. Atwater, Sisir Yalamanchili, Colton Bukowsky, Thomas Russell
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Publication number: 20200152821Abstract: In conventional solar cells with metal contacts, a non-negligible fraction of the incoming solar power is immediately lost either through absorption or reflection upon interaction with the contacts. Effectively transparent contacts (“ETCs”) for solar cells can be referred to as three-dimensional contacts designed to redirect incoming light onto a photoabsorbing surface of a solar cell. In many embodiments, the ETCs have triangular cross-sections. Such ETCs can be placed on a photoabsorbing surface such that at least one of their sides forms an angle with the photoabsorbing surface. In this configuration, the ETCs can redirect incident light onto the photoabsorbing surface, mitigating or eliminating reflection loss compared to conventional solar cells. When constructed in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, ETCs can be effectively transparent and highly conductive.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Rebecca Saive, Harry A. Atwater, Sisir Yalamanchili, Colton Bukowsky, Thomas Russell
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Publication number: 20200063487Abstract: Systems and methods for transparent materials implementing effectively transparent conductors in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a window including a first transparent layer of transparent material having a first surface and a second surface, a first plurality of triangular conductors in optical communication with the first transparent layer of glass, wherein each of the first plurality of triangular conductors includes a base side that is parallel to the first surface of the first transparent layer of glass and wherein the first plurality of triangular conductors is configured to redirect a portion of incident light, wherein the portion of incident light travels through both the first surface and the second surface of the first transparent layer of glass.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Rebecca Saive, Harry A. Atwater, Thomas C.R. Russell, Michael D. Kelzenberg, Lucas J. Myers
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Publication number: 20200028005Abstract: Bifacial solar cells have been gaining momentum due to their promise of reducing the price of photovoltaic generated electricity by increasing power output. In addition to front side illumination, bifacial solar cells can also accept photons incident on the rear side. In many embodiments, increased power output values of up to and around 50% can be achieved. In some circumstances, other values can be achieved. For example, ˜40-70% under cloudy conditions and between ˜13-35% under sunny conditions, depending on the height of the ground clearance, can be achieved. Other factors such as but not limited to the (spectral) albedo of the surroundings as well as the geometry in which the cells are mounted can strongly influence the power output. As can readily be appreciated, the exact amount of increased power output can vary widely depending on the configuration and operating conditions of the bifacial solar cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Rebecca Saive, Thomas Russell, Harry A. Atwater
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Publication number: 20190148574Abstract: Superstrates containing ETCs in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be implemented to reduce optical losses by decreasing the thickness of the TCO and by reducing or eliminating shading losses of metal grid fingers. ETC superstrates can include a transparent material with grooves, which can be infilled with reflective, conductive material(s) such as but not limited to silver and aluminum. In further embodiments, the grooves are triangular-shaped. ETC superstrates can enable a significant reduction in the TCO thickness required for current extraction with a high fill factor. By reducing the thickness of the TCO layer in solar cells, the short circuit current density can be enhanced by more than 1 mA/cm2 due to decreased parasitic absorption and optimized antireflection properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Rebecca Saive, Harry A. Atwater, Sophia Coplin, Michael Kelzenberg, Sisir Yalamanchili, Colton Bukowsky, Thomas Russell
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Publication number: 20190074401Abstract: In conventional solar cells with metal contacts, a non-negligible fraction of the incoming solar power is immediately lost either through absorption or reflection upon interaction with the contacts. Effectively transparent contacts (“ETCs”) for solar cells can be referred to as three-dimensional contacts designed to redirect incoming light onto a photoabsorbing surface of a solar cell. In many embodiments, the ETCs have triangular cross-sections. Such ETCs can be placed on a photoabsorbing surface such that at least one of their sides forms an angle with the photoabsorbing surface. In this configuration, the ETCs can redirect incident light onto the photoabsorbing surface, mitigating or eliminating reflection loss compared to conventional solar cells. When constructed in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, ETCs can be effectively transparent and highly conductive.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Rebecca Saive, Harry A. Atwater, Sisir Yalamanchili, Colton Bukowsky, Thomas Russell
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Publication number: 20160322514Abstract: Solar cells in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention incorporate effectively transparent 3D contacts that redirect light incident on the contacts onto the photoabsorbing surfaces of the solar cells. One embodiment includes a photoabsorbing surface and a plurality of three-dimensional contacts formed on the photoabsorbing surface. The plurality of three-dimensional contacts are spaced apart so that radiation is incident on a portion of the photoabsorbing surface. In addition, the three-dimensional contacts include at least one surface that redirects radiation incident on the three-dimensional contacts onto the photoabsorbing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Harry A. Atwater, Rebecca Saive, Aleca M. Borsuk, Hal Emmer, Colton Bukowsky, Sisir Yalamanchili