Patents by Inventor Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
Thomas Nathaniel Tombs 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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Publication number: 20240130145Abstract: A bifacial photovoltaic structure includes a transparent substrate, a perovskite absorber layer overlaying the substrate, a transparent first composite conductor interposed between the substrate and the perovskite absorber layer, and a transparent second composite conductor disposed over the perovskite absorber layer. The first composite conductor includes a first set of metal lines, and a first conducting layer provided in contact with the metal lines, wherein the first set of metal lines is characterized by a first set of dimensions and a first metallic composition. The second composite conductor includes a second conducting layer, and a second set of metal lines provided in contact with the second conducting layer, wherein the second set of metal lines is characterized by a second set of dimensions and a second metallic composition. The dimensions and/or compositions of the first and second composite conductors are different.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Scott Kenneth Christensen
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Publication number: 20240065089Abstract: A method for making a perovskite layer includes providing a substrate; providing a perovskite solution comprising first and second polar, protic solvents each having a boiling point less than 135 degrees Celsius, an inorganic perovskite precursor, and an organic perovskite precursor, wherein the first solvent is an alcohol-based glycol ether capable of dissolving the inorganic Perovskite precursor material, the second solvent is an aliphatic alcohol, and the perovskite solution has a total initial amount of solvent greater than 30 percent by weight and a total solids concentration that is between 30 percent and 70 percent by weight of the Perovskite solution's saturation concentration: depositing the perovskite solution at a temperature of from 20 to 40 degrees Celsius on the substrate at a first location; removing a first portion of the initial amount of solvent from the deposited perovskite solution with a first drying step having a first drying step dwell time at a second location wherein the temperature oType: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2022Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Qi Li, Scott Kenneth Christensen, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Stephan J. DeLuca
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Patent number: 11404589Abstract: An electrode film includes a first electrode pattern having a first set of parallel conductive electrodes and a second electrode pattern having a second set of parallel conductive electrodes disposed on a surface of a transparent film. The conductive electrodes in the first and second electrode patterns are conductive mesh patterns including a pattern of open areas and are arranged in an interlaced pattern. The first and second electrode patterns are configured to be connected to respective sources of electrical power supplying respective waveforms to generate a time-varying electric field pattern above a surface of the electrode film.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANYInventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Todd Mathew Spath, Christopher B. Liston, Douglas Edward Garman
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Publication number: 20220238807Abstract: A method of making a perovskite layer includes providing a flexible substrate; providing a perovskite solution comprising an initial amount of solvent and perovskite precursor materials and a total solids concentration between 30 percent and 70 percent by weight of its saturation concentration; depositing the perovskite solution on the substrate; removing a first portion of the solvent from the deposited perovskite solution and increasing the total solids concentration of the perovskite solution to at least 75 percent of its saturation concentration with a first drying step; and removing a second portion of the solvent from the deposited perovskite solution with a second drying step having a higher rate of solvent evaporation that causes saturation and a conversion reaction in the deposited perovskite solution resulting in perovskite crystal formation or formation of a perovskite intermediate phase, wherein the first drying step dwell time is at least 5 times longer than the second drying step dwell time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2020Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Scott Kenneth Christensen, Qi Li, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Stephan J. DeLuca
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Patent number: 11342130Abstract: A continuous inline method for production of photovoltaic devices at high speed includes: providing a substrate; depositing a first carrier transport solution layer with a first carrier transport deposition device to form a first carrier transport layer on the substrate; depositing a Perovskite solution comprising solvent and perovskite precursor materials with a Perovskite solution deposition device on the first carrier transport layer; drying the deposited Perovskite solution to form a Perovskite absorber layer; and depositing a second carrier transport solution with a second carrier transport deposition device to form a second carrier transport layer on the Perovskite absorber layer, wherein the deposited Perovskite solution is dried at least partially with a fast drying device which causes a conversion reaction and the Perovskite solution to change in optical density by at least a factor of 2 in less than 0.5 seconds after the fast drying device first acts on the Perovskite solution.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Energy Materials CorporationInventors: Scott Kenneth Christensen, Qi Li, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Stephan J. DeLuca
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Patent number: 11110493Abstract: An electrode film includes a first electrode pattern having a first set of parallel conductive electrodes and a second electrode pattern having a second set of parallel conductive electrodes disposed on a first surface of a transparent film, wherein elements of the first electrode pattern do not cross over elements of the second electrode pattern. A third electrode pattern having a third set of parallel conductive electrodes is disposed on a second surface of the transparent film, wherein the first, second and third sets of parallel conductive electrodes are arranged in an interlaced pattern. The electrode patterns are configured to be connected to respective power sources of electrical power supplying respective waveforms to generate a time-varying electric field pattern above a surface of the electrode film.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Todd Mathew Spath, Douglas Edward Garman, Carolyn Rae Ellinger, Christopher B. Liston
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Patent number: 11108007Abstract: A method of making a perovskite layer includes providing a flexible substrate; providing a perovskite solution comprising an initial amount of solvent and perovskite precursor materials and a total solids concentration between 30 percent and 70 percent by weight of its saturation concentration; depositing the perovskite solution on the flexible substrate; removing a first portion of the solvent from the deposited perovskite solution and increasing the total solids concentration of the perovskite solution to at least 75 percent of its saturation concentration with a first drying step; and removing a second portion of the solvent from the deposited perovskite solution with a second drying step having a higher rate of solvent evaporation that causes saturation and a conversion reaction in the deposited perovskite solution resulting in perovskite crystal formation or formation of a perovskite intermediate phase, wherein the first drying step dwell time is at least 5 times longer than the second drying step dwellType: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Energy Materials CorporationInventors: Scott Kenneth Christensen, Qi Li, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Stephan J. DeLuca
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Publication number: 20200381642Abstract: A method of making a perovskite layer includes providing a flexible substrate; providing a perovskite solution comprising an initial amount of solvent and perovskite precursor materials and a total solids concentration between 30 percent and 70 percent by weight of its saturation concentration; depositing the perovskite solution on the flexible substrate; removing a first portion of the solvent from the deposited perovskite solution and increasing the total solids concentration of the perovskite solution to at least 75 percent of its saturation concentration with a first drying step; and removing a second portion of the solvent from the deposited perovskite solution with a second drying step having a higher rate of solvent evaporation that causes saturation and a conversion reaction in the deposited perovskite solution resulting in perovskite crystal formation or formation of a perovskite intermediate phase, wherein the first drying step dwell time is at least 5 times longer than the second drying step dwellType: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2019Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Scott Kenneth Christensen, Qi Li, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Stephan J. DeLuca
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Publication number: 20200377532Abstract: A Perovskite solution is described for use in making a uniform Perovskite layer at high speed to enable low cost production of high efficiency Perovskite devices. The Perovskite solution contains a solvent, an organic Perovskite precursor material, and an inorganic Perovskite precursor material, wherein the amount of solvent is greater than 30 percent by weight and the Perovskite solution has a total solids concentration that is between 30 percent and 70 percent by weight of the Perovskite solution's saturation concentration at a solution temperature of from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2019Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Qi Li, Scott Kenneth Christensen, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Stephan J. DeLuca
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Publication number: 20200381183Abstract: A continuous inline method for production of photovoltaic devices at high speed includes: providing a substrate; depositing a first carrier transport solution layer with a first carrier transport deposition device to form a first carrier transport layer on the substrate; depositing a Perovskite solution comprising solvent and perovskite precursor materials with a Perovskite solution deposition device on the first carrier transport layer; drying the deposited Perovskite solution to form a Perovskite absorber layer; and depositing a second carrier transport solution with a second carrier transport deposition device to form a second carrier transport layer on the Perovskite absorber layer, wherein the deposited Perovskite solution is dried at least partially with a fast drying device which causes a conversion reaction and the Perovskite solution to change in optical density by at least a factor of 2 in less than 0.5 seconds after the fast drying device first acts on the Perovskite solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2019Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Scott Kenneth Christensen, Qi Li, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Stephan J. DeLuca
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Patent number: 10847887Abstract: A transparent antenna is fabricated by printing a pattern of catalytic ink onto a web of substrate in one or more conductive regions, wherein a geometry of the conductive regions defines an antenna pattern. A pattern of non-conductive ink is printed in registration onto the substrate in a fill pattern, wherein the fill pattern is an inverse of the antenna pattern within a defined region of interest. A conductive material is electrolessly plated onto the pattern of catalytic ink by transporting the web of substrate through a reservoir of plating solution to provide a corresponding pattern of conductive material, thereby providing the transparent antenna. An average optical transparency in the conductive regions and non-conductive regions is at least 50%, and the average optical transparency in the conductive regions differs from that of the non-conductive regions by no more than 10%.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANYInventor: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
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Patent number: 10707359Abstract: An electrode film is fabricated by using a flexographic printing system to print a first electrode pattern including a first set of parallel electrodes and a second electrode pattern including a second set of parallel electrodes onto a first surface of a transparent film using a catalytic ink, wherein elements of the first electrode pattern do not cross over elements of the second electrode pattern. The flexographic printing system prints a third electrode pattern including a third set of parallel electrodes onto a second surface of the transparent film using the catalytic ink, wherein the first, second and third sets of parallel electrodes are arranged in an interlaced pattern. A conductive metallic material is electrolessly plated onto the catalytic ink such that the elements of the first, second and third electrode patterns become conductive.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANYInventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Todd Mathew Spath, Douglas Edward Garman, Christopher B. Liston, Carolyn Rae Ellinger
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Publication number: 20200066925Abstract: An electrode film is fabricated by using a flexographic printing system to print a first electrode pattern including a first set of parallel electrodes and a second electrode pattern including a second set of parallel electrodes onto a first surface of a transparent film using a catalytic ink, wherein elements of the first electrode pattern do not cross over elements of the second electrode pattern. The flexographic printing system prints a third electrode pattern including a third set of parallel electrodes onto a second surface of the transparent film using the catalytic ink, wherein the first, second and third sets of parallel electrodes are arranged in an interlaced pattern. A conductive metallic material is electrolessly plated onto the catalytic ink such that the elements of the first, second and third electrode patterns become conductive.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Todd Mathew Spath, Douglas Edward Garman, Christopher B. Liston, Carolyn Rae Ellinger
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Publication number: 20200061678Abstract: An electrode film includes a first electrode pattern having a first set of parallel conductive electrodes and a second electrode pattern having a second set of parallel conductive electrodes disposed on a first surface of a transparent film, wherein elements of the first electrode pattern do not cross over elements of the second electrode pattern. A third electrode pattern having a third set of parallel conductive electrodes is disposed on a second surface of the transparent film, wherein the first, second and third sets of parallel conductive electrodes are arranged in an interlaced pattern. The electrode patterns are configured to be connected to respective power sources of electrical power supplying respective waveforms to generate a time-varying electric field pattern above a surface of the electrode film.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Todd Mathew Spath, Douglas Edward Garman, Carolvn Rae Ellinger, Christopher B. Liston
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Publication number: 20200066924Abstract: An electrode film includes a first electrode pattern having a first set of parallel conductive electrodes and a second electrode pattern having a second set of parallel conductive electrodes disposed on a surface of a transparent film. The conductive electrodes in the first and second electrode patterns are conductive mesh patterns including a pattern of open areas and are arranged in an interlaced pattern. The first and second electrode patterns are configured to be connected to respective sources of electrical power supplying respective waveforms to generate a time-varying electric field pattern above a surface of the electrode film.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Todd Mathew Spath, Christopher B. Liston, Douqlas Edward Garman
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Patent number: 10524356Abstract: A transparent antenna includes a conductive material disposed on a surface of a non-opaque substrate in one or more conductive regions, wherein a geometry of the conductive regions defines an antenna pattern. A non-conductive material is disposed on the surface of the substrate in a fill pattern which is an inverse of the antenna pattern. An average optical transparency in the conductive regions and the non-conductive regions is at least 50%, and the average optical transparency in the conductive regions differs from that of the non-conductive regions by no more than 10%.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
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Publication number: 20190110360Abstract: A transparent antenna includes a conductive material disposed on a surface of a non-opaque substrate in one or more conductive regions, wherein a geometry of the conductive regions defines an antenna pattern. A non-conductive material is disposed on the surface of the substrate in a fill pattern which is an inverse of the antenna pattern. An average optical transparency in the conductive regions and the non-conductive regions is at least 50%, and the average optical transparency in the conductive regions differs from that of the non-conductive regions by no more than 10%.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventor: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
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Publication number: 20190109381Abstract: A transparent antenna is fabricated by printing a pattern of catalytic ink onto a web of substrate in one or more conductive regions, wherein a geometry of the conductive regions defines an antenna pattern. A pattern of non-conductive ink is printed in registration onto the substrate in a fill pattern, wherein the fill pattern is an inverse of the antenna pattern within a defined region of interest. A conductive material is electrolessly plated onto the pattern of catalytic ink by transporting the web of substrate through a reservoir of plating solution to provide a corresponding pattern of conductive material, thereby providing the transparent antenna. An average optical transparency in the conductive regions and non-conductive regions is at least 50%, and the average optical transparency in the conductive regions differs from that of the non-conductive regions by no more than 10%.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventor: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
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Publication number: 20170355135Abstract: An electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system is used to print a three-dimensional part. An electrophotography engine is used to print a part layer of the three-dimensional part is using a part material compositionally including part material particles. The developed part layer is transferred from the electrophotography engine to a transfer medium, and the transferred part layer is transfused together to previously-printed layers using a layer transfusion assembly. A surface height profile of the transfused part layers is measured using a surface profilometer, and a thickness profile of a subsequently-printed part layer is controlled responsive to the measured surface height profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2016Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventor: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
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Publication number: 20170291362Abstract: A 3D part and a support structure is printed using an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system. A support layer of the support structure is developed with a first electrophotography engine using a support material and transferred to a transfer medium. A large-particle part layer corresponding to a first portion of the 3D part is developed with a second electrophotography engine using a first part material and transferred to a transfer medium, and a plurality of small-particle part layers corresponding to a second portion of the 3D part are developed with one or more additional electrophotography engines using a second part material and transferred to a transfer medium. An average size of the first part material particles is at least two times that of the second part material particles. The transferred support layer, large-particle part layer and small-particle part layers are transfused to previously-printed layers using a layer transfusion assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Cumar Sreekumar