Patents by Inventor William B. Ray, II

William B. Ray, II 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: 11875908
    Abstract: An electrode for beta-photovoltaic cells includes: a substrate formed of a conductive layer with a thickness ranging between about 10 nm to 1 micron; a composite layer of radioluminescent phosphor with radioisotope particles homogeneously dispersed therein formed on conductive substrate with a thickness ranging between about 1 and 25 microns; and a semiconductor comprising a P-i-N/P-u-N junction or a N-i-P-P junction. The radioisotope may be a beta-emitter, such as Ni-63, H-3, Pm-147, or Sr-90/Y-90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John A Russo, Marc S. Litz, William B. Ray, II
  • Publication number: 20210327604
    Abstract: An electrode for beta-photovoltaic cells includes: a substrate formed of a conductive layer with a thickness ranging between about 10 nm to 1 micron; a composite layer of radioluminescent phosphor with radioisotope particles homogeneously dispersed therein formed on conductive substrate with a thickness ranging between about 1 and 25 microns; and a semiconductor comprising a P-i-N/P-u-N junction or a N-i-P-P junction. The radioisotope may be a beta-emitter, such as Ni-63, H-3, Pm-147, or Sr-90/Y-90.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: John A. Russo, Marc S. Litz, William B. Ray, II
  • Patent number: 11081252
    Abstract: An electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process forms a radioluminescent phosphor and radioisotope composite layer on a conductive surface of a substrate. In the composite layer formed, the particles of radioisotope are homogeneously dispersed with the radioluminescent phosphor. The radioisotope may be a beta-emitter, such as Ni-63, H-3, Pm-147, or Sr-90/Y-90. By applying the composite layer using the EPD process, the electrode can be configured for betavoltaic, beta-photovoltaic and photovoltaic cells according to further embodiments. A direct bandgap semiconductor device can convert betas and/or photons emitted from composite layer. Methods and choice of materials and components produces a hybrid radioisotope battery, conversion of photons and nuclear decay products, or radioluminescent surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John A. Russo, Marc S. Litz, William B. Ray, II
  • Publication number: 20200312477
    Abstract: An electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process forms a radioluminescent phosphor and radioisotope composite layer on a conductive surface of a substrate. In the composite layer formed, the particles of radioisotope are homogeneously dispersed with the radioluminescent phosphor. The radioisotope may be a beta-emitter, such as Ni-63, H-3, Pm-147, or Sr-90/Y-90. By applying the composite layer using the EPD process, the electrode can be configured for betavoltaic, beta-photovoltaic and photovoltaic cells according to further embodiments. A direct bandgap semiconductor device can convert betas and/or photons emitted from composite layer. Methods and choice of materials and components produces a hybrid radioisotope battery, conversion of photons and nuclear decay products, or radioluminescent surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: John A. Russo, Marc S. Litz, William B. Ray, II