Patents by Inventor Soichiro Shibasaki

Soichiro Shibasaki 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: 11398577
    Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell of an embodiment includes a first solar cell including a first photoelectric conversion device, a second solar cell including a plurality of second photoelectric conversion devices connected in series and having a back contact, and an insulating layer between the first solar cell and the second solar cell. A device isolation region is provided between the second photoelectric conversion devices connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Kazushige Yamamoto, Hiroki Hiraga, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Shinya Sakurada, Michihiko Inaba, Hitomi Saito
  • Patent number: 11322627
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. When a transmittance of the solar cell is measured in a wavelength range of 700 to 1000 nm, an average of the transmittance of the solar cell is 60% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Sara Yoshio, Kazushige Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11302831
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a plurality of insulants. The photoelectric conversion layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The plurality of insulants is disposed on a face of the first electrode. The face faces the second electrode. Any adjacent two of the plurality of insulants are disposed with a void interposed between the adjacent two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Kazushige Yamamoto, Yuya Honishi
  • Publication number: 20220077332
    Abstract: The solar cell of embodiments includes a transparent first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer mainly containing cuprous oxide on the first electrode, an n-type layer on the photoelectric conversion layer, and a transparent second electrode on the n-type layer. A mixed region or/and a mixed layer are present on the n-type layer side of the photoelectric conversion layer, and the mixed region and the mixed layer contain elements belonging to a first group, a second group, and a third group. The first group is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Zn and Sn, the second group is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Y, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zr, B, Al, Ga, Nb, Mo, Ti, F, Cl, Br, and I, and the third group is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ge and Si.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Kazushige Yamamoto, Soichiro Shibasaki, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Yuya Honishi, Sara Yoshio, Yoshiko Hiraoka
  • Publication number: 20210408315
    Abstract: A solar cell of an embodiment includes: a transparent substrate; a p-electrode on the substrate, the p-electrode including a first p-electrode containing an Sn-based metal oxide, a second p-electrode having an opening and consisting of a wiring containing a metal or graphene, and a third p-electrode containing an In-based metal oxide; a p-type light absorbing layer in direct contact with a surface of the first p-electrode on a side opposite to the second p-electrode side; an n-type layer provided on the p-type light absorbing layer; and an n-electrode provided on the n-type layer. The third p-electrode is provided to be present between the first p-electrode and the second p-electrode and to be in direct contact with an upper surface of the second p-electrode. An entire side surface of the second p-electrode is in direct contact with the first p-electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kazushige Yamamoto, Soichiro Shibasaki, Yuya Honishi, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Yoshiko Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 11205732
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a multi-junction solar cell includes a first solar cell, a second solar cell, and an insulating layer. The first solar cell includes a first photoelectric conversion element. The second solar cell is connected in parallel with the first solar cell. The second solar cell includes multiple second photoelectric conversion elements connected in series. The insulating layer is provided between the first solar cell and the second solar cell. The second photoelectric conversion element includes a p-electrode and an n-electrode. The p-electrode is connected to a p+-region including a surface on a side opposite to a light incident surface. The n-electrode is connected to an n+-region including the surface on the side opposite to the light incident surface. The p-electrodes oppose each other or the n-electrodes oppose each other in a region where the multiple second photoelectric conversion elements are adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Hiroki Hiraga, Hitomi Saito, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Kazushige Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20210391491
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a multilayered thin film, includes: forming a photovoltaic conversion layer, comprising Cu2O as a main component, on a first transparent electrode; and placing, under a first atmosphere at an oxygen level of from 5.0×10?8 [g/L] to 5.0×10?5 [g/L] for 1 h to 1600 h, a member having the photovoltaic conversion layer formed on the first transparent electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Yuya Honishi, Soichiro Shibasaki, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Yoshiko Hiraoka, Kazushige Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20210376174
    Abstract: A solar cell module of an embodiment includes: a first solar panel having a plurality of first sub modules each including a plurality of first solar cells; and a second solar panel layered with the first solar panel, the second solar panel having a plurality of second solar cells. The first solar panel exists on the side where light is incident. The first solar panel and the second solar panel are electrically connected in parallel. The first solar cells included in the first submodules are electrically connected in series. The first submodules are electrically connected in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Soichiro SHIBASAKI, Miyuki SHIOKAWA, Naoyuki NAKAGAWA, Sara YOSHIO, Mutsuki YAMAZAKI, Hiroki HIRAGA, Kazushige YAMAMOTO, Yuya HONISHI, Takeshi NIIMOTO
  • Patent number: 11171253
    Abstract: A solar cell of an embodiment includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; a light-absorbing layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a dot region interposed between the first electrode and the light-absorbing layer, the dot region including dots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Miyuki Shiokawa, Sara Yoshio, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Yukitami Mizuno, Kohei Nakayama, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Yoshiko Hiraoka, Kazushige Yamamoto, Yuya Honishi, Takeshi Niimoto
  • Publication number: 20210184064
    Abstract: The photoelectric conversion layer of an embodiment is based on Cu2O, contains at least one p-type dopant selected from the group consisting of Ge, Ta, and In, and has a band gap of equal to or more than 2.10 eV and equal to or less than 2.30 eV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Kazushige Yamamoto, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Soichiro Shibasaki, Yuya Honishi, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Yoshiko Hiraoka
  • Publication number: 20210184066
    Abstract: A solar cell according to an embodiment includes a first electrode being transparent, a first semiconductor layer on the first electrode, a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode being transparent on the second semiconductor layer, wherein grooves exist regularly on a surface of the first semiconductor layer facing a side of the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Yuya Honishi, Soichiro Shibasaki, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Yoshiko Hiraoka, Kazushige Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11031512
    Abstract: A solar cell of an embodiment includes: a substrate having a light transmitting property; a first electrode including a plurality of metal portions and having a light transmitting property; a light absorbing layer disposed on the first electrode and absorbing light; and a second electrode disposed on the light absorbing layer and having a light transmitting property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Miyuki Shiokawa, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Kazushige Yamamoto, Yuya Honishi, Takeshi Niimoto
  • Publication number: 20210013360
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stacked thin film, includes forming a photoelectric conversion layer on a first transparent electrode by sputtering using a target mainly composed of copper in an oxygen containing atmosphere. An oxygen partial pressure of the sputtering is in a range of 0.01 [Pa] or more and 4.8 [Pa] or less, and 0.24×d [Pa] or more and 2.4×d [Pa] or less when a deposition rate is d [?m/min], in formation of the photoelectric conversion layer. A sputtering temperature is 300° C. or more and 600° C. or less, in formation of the photoelectric conversion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichiro SHIBASAKI, Yuya HONISHI, Mutsuki YAMAZAKI, Naoyuki NAKAGAWA, Sara YOSHIO, Yoshiko HIRAOKA, Kazushige YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10770902
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solar cell system includes a first solar cell including a first terminal and a second terminal, a second solar cell including a third terminal and a fourth terminal, and a voltage converter including a fifth terminal and a sixth terminal. The third terminal is electrically connected to the first terminal. The fifth terminal is electrically connected to the fourth terminal. The voltage converter causes a second absolute value to be smaller than a first absolute value. The first absolute value is of a difference between a first potential difference and a second potential difference. The first potential difference is between the first and second terminals. The second potential difference is between the first and fourth terminals. The second absolute value is of a difference between the first and third potential differences. The third potential difference is between the first and sixth terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Sara Yoshio, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Kazushige Yamamoto, Yuya Honishi
  • Publication number: 20200194608
    Abstract: A solar cell of an embodiment includes a p-electrode, a p-type light-absorbing layer directly in contact with the p-electrode, an n-type layer, and an n-electrode. The n-type layer is disposed between the p-type light-absorbing layer and the n-electrode. A region from an interface between the p-type light-absorbing layer and the p-electrode to 10 nm to 100 nm from the interface in a direction of the n-type layer is a p+ type region including a p-type dopant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Kazushige Yamamoto, Soichiro Shibasaki, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Sara Yoshio
  • Publication number: 20200176624
    Abstract: A solar module of an embodiment includes: a first solar panel having a plurality of first submodules each including a plurality of first solar cells; and a second solar panel layered with the first solar panel, the second solar panel having a plurality of second submodules each including a plurality of second solar cells. The first solar panel is provided on a side where light is incident. The first solar panel and the second solar panel are electrically connected in parallel. The plurality of first solar cells included in each of the plurality of first submodules is electrically connected in series. The plurality of first submodules is electrically connected in parallel. The plurality of second solar cells included in each of the plurality of second submodules is electrically connected in series. The plurality of second submodules is electrically connected in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Miyuki Shiokawa, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Sara Yoshio, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Hiroki Hiraga, Kazushige Yamamoto, Yuya Honishi, Takeshi Niimoto
  • Publication number: 20200091357
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. When a transmittance of the solar cell is measured in a wavelength range of 700 to 1000 nm, an average of the transmittance of the solar cell is 60% or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Sara Yoshio, Kazushige Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20200091365
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. In a case where a photoluminescence spectrum of the photoelectric conversion layer is measured at a temperature of 100 K or lower, a first maximum value (A) which is a maximum value of emission intensity in a wavelength range of more than 650 nm and 1000 nm or less is 100 times or less of a second maximum value (B) which is a maximum value of emission intensity in a wavelength range of 600 nm or more and 650 nm or less (A?100B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Sara Yoshio, Kazushige Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20200091361
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a multi-junction solar cell includes a first solar cell, a second solar cell, and an insulating layer. The first solar cell includes a first photoelectric conversion element. The second solar cell is connected in parallel with the first solar cell. The second solar cell includes multiple second photoelectric conversion elements connected in series. The insulating layer is provided between the first solar cell and the second solar cell. The second photoelectric conversion element includes a p-electrode and an n-electrode. The p-electrode is connected to a p+-region including a surface on a side opposite to a light incident surface. The n-electrode is connected to an n+-region including the surface on the side opposite to the light incident surface. The p-electrodes oppose each other or the n-electrodes oppose each other in a region where the multiple second photoelectric conversion elements are adjacent to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Soichiro SHIBASAKI, Hiroki HIRAGA, Hitomi SAITO, Naoyuki NAKAGAWA, Mutsuki YAMAZAKI, Kazushige YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10573771
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a multi-junction solar cell includes a first solar cell, a second solar cell, and an insulating layer. The first solar cell includes a first photoelectric conversion element. The second solar cell is connected in parallel with the first solar cell. The second solar cell includes multiple second photoelectric conversion elements connected in series. The insulating layer is provided between the first solar cell and the second solar cell. The second photoelectric conversion element includes a p-electrode and an n-electrode. The p-electrode is connected to a p+-region including a surface on a side opposite to a light incident surface. The n-electrode is connected to an n+-region including the surface on the side opposite to the light incident surface. The p-electrodes oppose each other or the n-electrodes oppose each other in a region where the multiple second photoelectric conversion elements are adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Hiroki Hiraga, Hitomi Saito, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Kazushige Yamamoto