Photoemissive, Capacitive, Magnetic, Or Ferroelectric Patents (Class 136/254)
  • Patent number: 12002255
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for the design and fabrication of arrays of vacuum photodiodes for application to solar power generation. In a preferred embodiment, each photodiode cell comprises a microfabricated enclosure with a hermetically sealed vacuum, an absorptive photocathode, and a transparent anode, wherein the photocathode and the anode are separated by a vacuum gap of less than about 20 micrometers. Light incident on the photocathode through the anode leads to a flux of electrons passing from the photocathode across the vacuum gap to the anode. In a further preferred embodiment, the photocathode is backed by a reflection layer with, e.g., controlled diffuse reflection, thus increasing the efficiency of energy extraction. An array of such cells may be manufactured using automated thin-film deposition and micromachining techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: nVizix LLC
    Inventor: David Roberts Winn
  • Patent number: 11764001
    Abstract: Various perovskite solar cell embodiments include a flexible metal substrate (e.g., including a metal doped TiO2 layer), a perovskite layer, and a transparent electrode layer (e.g., including a dielectric/metal/dielectric structure), wherein the perovskite layer is provided between the flexible metal substrate and the transparent electrode layer. Also, various tandem solar cell embodiments including a perovskite solar cell and either a quantum dot solar cell, and organic solar cell or a thin film solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Jung-Kun Lee, Gillsang Han
  • Patent number: 11309499
    Abstract: Small organic molecule semi-conducting chromophores containing a halogen-substituted core structure are disclosed. Such compounds can be used in organic heterojunction devices, such as organic small molecule solar cells and transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Next Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold B. Tamayo, Bruno J. A. Caputo, Corey V. Hoven
  • Patent number: 11009726
    Abstract: An electro-absorption optical modulator capable of realizing optical coupling with a Si waveguide with high efficiency, improving modulation efficiency, reducing light absorption by an electrode layer and achieving low optical loss includes a substrate; a first silicon layer doped to exhibit a first type of conductivity and a second silicon layer doped to exhibit a second type of conductivity that are disposed parallel to the substrate; and a Ge1?xSix (0<x<1)/Si stack in which a Ge1?xSix layer and a Si layer are stacked on the first and second silicon layers in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: NEC CORPORATION, PHOTONICS ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
    Inventor: Junichi Fujikata
  • Patent number: 10960385
    Abstract: A method for producing new nanomaterials, 80 to 100 mol % of which are composed of TiO2 and 0 to 20 mol % are composed of another metal or semi-metal oxide that has a specific surface of 100 to 300 m2·g?1 and 1 to 3 hydroxyl groups per nm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, UNIVERSITE DE CERGY PONTOISE
    Inventors: Nicolas Pasternak, Nancy Linder
  • Patent number: 10898880
    Abstract: A method of making a copper oxide-titanium dioxide nanocatalyst for performing the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide is provided. The copper oxide-titanium dioxide nanocatalyst is in the form of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles supported on mesoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes. The copper oxide-titanium dioxide nanocatalyst is prepared by adding an aqueous solution of Cu(NO3)2.3H2O to an aqueous suspension of titanium dioxide nanotubes. Deposition precipitation at constant alkaline pH is used to form the copper oxide nanoparticles supported on mesoporous titanium dioxide nanotubes. Aqueous sodium carbonate is used to adjust the pH. The solid matter (copper oxide deposited on titanium dioxide nanotubes) is separated from the suspension, washed, dried and calcined, yielding the copper oxide-titanium dioxide nanocatalyst. Carbon monoxide may then flow over a fixed-bed reactor loaded with the copper oxide-titanium dioxide nanocatalyst at a temperature between 80° C. and 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: QATAR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Abdallah F. Zedan, Siham Y. Alqaradawi
  • Patent number: 10896991
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the surface cleaning and passivation of PV absorbers, such as CdTe substrates usable in solar cells, and devices made by such methods. In some embodiments, the method involves an anode layer ion source (ALIS) plasma discharge process to clean and oxidize a CdTe surface to produce a thin oxide layer between the CdTe layer and subsequent back contact layer(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Changming Jin, Sanghyun Lee, Jun-Ying Zhang
  • Patent number: 10831327
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a light-transmitting electroconductive film 10 comprising a light-transmitting base material 11 and an electroconductive part 13 provided on one surface of the light-transmitting base material 11, wherein the electroconductive part 13 includes a light-transmitting resin 15 and plural electroconductive fibers 16 incorporated in the light-transmitting resin 15, and the electroconductive part 13 can conduct electricity from the surface 13A of the electroconductive part 13, and the electroconductive fibers 16 as a whole are unevenly distributed on the light-transmitting base material side than the position HL, which is located at half the film thickness of the electroconductive part 13 in the electroconductive part 13, and the electroconductive part 13 has a surface resistance value of 200 ?/? or less, and the electroconductive film 10 has a haze value of 5% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichiro Ogumi, Yoshimasa Ogawa, Eiji Ooishi, Yukimitsu Iwata, Yuji Shimizu, Ryota Kitayama, Hiroaki Mutou
  • Patent number: 10727359
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure of a solar cell for improving photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell, and a manufacturing method therefor. One aspect of the solar cell according to the present invention relates to a solar cell having a light-absorbing layer formed between two electrodes arranged to face each other, wherein an electrical polarization layer comprising an electrical polarization material forming an inner electrical field is formed between the electrodes and the light-absorbing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventor: Young Kwon Jun
  • Patent number: 10304827
    Abstract: Disclosed examples include semiconductor devices and fabrication methods to fabricate semiconductor wafers and integrated circuits, including forming a first epitaxial semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type on a first side of a semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type, forming a nitride or oxide protection layer on a top side of the first epitaxial semiconductor layer, forming a second epitaxial semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type on the second side of the semiconductor substrate, and removing the protection layer from the first epitaxial semiconductor layer. The wafer can be used to fabricate an integrated circuit by forming a plurality of transistors at least partially on the first epitaxial semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James Fred Salzman, Bradley David Sucher
  • Patent number: 10205208
    Abstract: A method and device for harvesting and storing solar energy is provided. The device converts solar energy to electrical energy via the photovoltaic effect. The device includes a pair of electrodes, at least one of which is transparent to allow solar energy to pass through. A medium is disposed between the electrodes which exhibits a combination of photovoltaic and ferroelectric properties. When solar energy passes through the transparent electrode and is received by the medium, electron-hole pairs establish a voltage potential between electrodes in the device via the photovoltaic effect. The voltage potential may be retained and the mobile charge may be stored in the absence of solar energy via the ferroelectric effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Hongrui Jiang, Chensha Li, Chi-Wei Lo
  • Patent number: 10020408
    Abstract: Architecture of the light-to-electricity converter characterized in that the system of amorphized nanograins, preferentially nanograins of amorphized silicon, of any shape are optimally spread within the crystalline host material, preferentially crystalline silicon that are wrapped around with a metamaterial seg-matter nanolayer, characterized by secondary generation centers, called segtons, that are conditioned around divacancies and disposed entirely or only partly within the volume of the emitter, this volume being limited at each end by a nanomembrane assuming the appropriate exploitation of the lower-energy secondary generation through the giant photoconversion involving hot electrons, segtons, and seg-matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: SEGTON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Zbigniew Kuznicki, Patrick Meyrueis
  • Patent number: 9972839
    Abstract: A negative active material, a method of preparing the same, and a lithium secondary battery including the negative electrode. The negative active material includes a plurality of titanium oxide nanotubes, wherein the Raman shift of the negative active material includes a characteristic peak located at a Raman shift between about 680 cm?1 and about 750 cm?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-sang Song, Ka-hee Shin, Ja-man Choi, Moon-seok Kwon, Jeong-kuk Shon, Jong-hyeok Park, Seung-sik Hwang
  • Patent number: 9780362
    Abstract: Electrodes made with a matrix selectively loaded with particular active particles provide uniform distribution and reduce issues due to particle expansion. The electrode has a current collector, a separator and a matrix having first pores having a first size and second pores having a second size, the first size being larger than the second size, the second pores being uniformly distributed throughout the matrix; first active particles deposited in the first pores, the first active particles having a first particle size smaller than the first pores and larger than the second pores; and second active particles deposited in the second pores, the second active particles having a second particle size smaller than the second pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Hao, Jessica Weber, Kenzo Oshihara, Ying Liu
  • Patent number: 9525085
    Abstract: A bismuth ferrite thin-film solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same control the quantity of Fe2+ defected in the bismuth ferrite thin-film by doping with zinc. Reduction of the quantity of Fe2+ defects in the bismuth ferrite thin-film is conducive to the increase of closed-circuit current density and enhancement of photoelectric conversion efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHUNG SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yueh-Hsuan Tsai, Chao-Nan Wei, Hui-Yun Bor, Chia-Shih Lin, Cuo-Yo Nieh, Jenn-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 9503656
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device includes: solid state imaging elements having a first electrode, a ferroelectric layer, and a transparent second electrode laminated together, and a PN junction between the ferroelectric layer and the first or second electrode; a controller acquiring brightness information of an imaging target, and determining whether each solid state imaging element is set to operate in a high or low sensitivity mode based on the brightness information; and a circuit applying a voltage to the solid state imaging element based on the determination, and setting the solid state imaging element to operate in the high or low sensitivity mode, in which a photovoltaic current from the solid state imaging element which is set to operate in the high or low sensitivity mode is detected, and an image is acquired based on the detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Yonemura, Yasuaki Hamada, Yoshihiko Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9231518
    Abstract: A design is described for solar panel that allows for modular installation and efficient removal of panels irrespective of the panel's relative location in an array arrangement. A system is provided that includes a plurality of modular panels (such as solar power panels). These panels are rimmed by frames featuring one or more exterior-facing, grooved channels. A first channel—which may be used to mount the panel, and which replaces traditional railing installation systems—and a second channel that is configured to allow movement of one or more panel splices used to secure the panels together. Integrated electrical connection interfaces are provided on opposite side surfaces of the frames to couple with the electrical connection interfaces of adjacent panels to establish an electrical path between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SPICE SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Barry Cinnamon, Wilson Leong, David Baker
  • Patent number: 9184203
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate including photoelectric conversion regions, a magnetic layer disposed on a back side of the substrate and suitable for generating a magnetic field, and color filters and microlenses disposed on the magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Do-Hwan Kim, Dong-Hyun Woo, Jong-Chae Kim, Chung-Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 9035169
    Abstract: A layered compound-metal particle composite 3 is obtained by the addition, to an organically modified layered compound 1 formed by the intercalation of organic ions between layers of a layered compound, of both an aqueous colloidal metal solution 2 in which metal particles are dispersed as a metal colloid in water, and a nonaqueous solvent which is a poor solvent for the metal colloid and has an excellent ability to swell the organically modified layered compound 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KYUSHU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sunao Yamada, Masahi Ogawa, Takashi Kurihara, Kengo Ito
  • Publication number: 20150107653
    Abstract: An article of manufacture (400) includes a number of photovoltaic cells (102) forming a photovoltaic (PV) module circuit, with a first bus bar (106) electrically coupled to one extremity of the PV module circuit and a second bus (206) bar electrically coupled to a second extremity of the PV module. The bus bars (106, 206) are positioned on an opposing side of the PV cells (104, 204) from a light incident side of the PV cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Abhijit Namjoshi, Marty Degroot, Leonardo Lopez, Rebekah Feist, Lindsey Clark
  • Publication number: 20150101656
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes a photoanode that includes a solid semiconductor layer containing a dye molecule, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte medium disposed between the photoanode and the counter electrode. The dye molecule includes XD represented by chemical formula (1) and YA represented by chemical formula (2): R(XD/YA), which is a ratio of a number of XD to a number of YA in the dye molecule, is 2 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: TAKASHI SEKIGUCHI, MASAHIRO TAKAHATA, MICHIO SUZUKA, NAOKI HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 9000651
    Abstract: A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated using thermal energy obtained from: a combustion reaction; solar energy; a nuclear reaction; ocean water; geothermal energy; or thermal energy recovered from an industrial process. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material. The heat source used to heat the material can be: a combustion apparatus; a solar thermal collector; or a component of a furnace exhaust device. Alternatively, the heat exchanger can be a device for extracting thermal energy from the earth, the sun, ocean water, an industrial process, a combustion reaction or a nuclear reaction. A vehicle is also described which comprises an apparatus for converting heat to electrical energy connected to an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Neothermal Energy Company
    Inventors: Ahmet Erbil, David F. Walbert
  • Publication number: 20150083201
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve solar cells having an anode formed in a core/shell/shell construction. The core is formed from oxide nanoparticles, which are then coated with a catalyst and a photoactive semiconductor. This construction, which can be combined with other innovations described herein, results in an inexpensive but efficient solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Helen E. VanBenschoten
  • Patent number: 8987578
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an energy conversion device comprises a nuclear battery, a light source coupled to the nuclear battery and operable to receive electric energy from the nuclear battery and radiate electromagnetic energy, and a photocell operable to receive the radiated electromagnetic energy and convert the received electromagnetic energy into electric energy. The nuclear battery comprises a radioactive substance and a collector operable to receive particles emitted by the radioactive substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Frazier, Timothy J. Imholt, Alexander F. St. Claire
  • Patent number: 8981388
    Abstract: Provided are a solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes: preparing a bottom substrate including sequentially stacked first and second portions, each of the first and second portions including a plurality of grains, wherein the maximum grain size of the second portion is less than the minimum grains size of the first portion; exposing the first portion of the bottom substrate by removing the second portion of the bottom substrate; and forming a photovoltaic conversion layer on the first portion of the bottom substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Hogyeong Yun
  • Patent number: 8969710
    Abstract: An electromagnetic energy collector and sensor use enhanced fields to emit electrons for energy collection. The collector and sensor collect energy from visible light, infrared radiation and ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation. The collector and sensor include a waveguide with a geometry selected to enhance the electric field along a conductor to create a high, localized electric field, which causes electron emission across a gap to a return plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pacific Integrated Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip J. Layton
  • Patent number: 8962977
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel dyes for dye sensitized photovoltaic conversion devices. The dyes contain novel anchoring ligands, which have a vinyl or phenylethenyl moiety incorporated in the anchoring bipyridine. Such dyes exhibit an increased molar extinction coefficient and enhanced red response in the visible regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mohammad Nazeeruddin, Michael Graetzel
  • Publication number: 20150034150
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a mesoporous single crystal of a semiconductor, wherein the shortest external dimension of said single crystal, measured along any of the crystallographic principal axes of said single crystal, is x, wherein x is equal to or greater than 50 nm, which process comprises growing a single crystal of a semiconductor within a mesoporous template material until said shortest external dimension of the single crystal is equal to or greater than x. Further provided is a mesoporous single crystal obtainable by the process of the invention. The invention also provides a mesoporous single crystal of a semiconductor, wherein the shortest external dimension of said single crystal measured along any of the principal axes of said single crystal is equal to or greater than 50 nm. Further provided is a composition comprising a plurality of mesoporous single crystals of the invention. The invention also provides a semiconducting layer of a mesoporous single crystal of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Henry James Snaith, Edward James Crossland
  • Patent number: 8927856
    Abstract: An optical device (1) is provided. The optical device comprising a switchable layer (2) at least one alignment layer (6) a light guiding system (5), whereas the switchable layer (2) comprises a luminescent material (3) for absorbing and emitting light, whereby the alignment of the luminescent material (3) is changeable and the light guiding system (5) guides the emitted light, whereby the switchable layer (2) is in contact with the at least one alignment layer (6) and the luminescent material (3) exhibits anisotropic properties, whereby the optical device (1) comprises a light energy-converting means (7), wherein the light guiding system (5) is in physical contact with the energy converting means (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Peer+B.V.
    Inventors: Michael George Debije, Casper Laurens Oosten Van, Cornelis Wilhelmus Maria Bastiaansen
  • Patent number: 8921691
    Abstract: There is provided a solar cell in which a lower electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer having a chalcopyrite structure that includes a Group Ib element, a Group IIIb element, and a Group VIb element, and an upper electrode layer are sequentially formed on top of a substrate, wherein the solar cell is provided with a silicate layer between the substrate and the lower electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Shogo Ishizuka, Shigeru Niki, Nobuaki Kido, Hiroyuki Honmoto
  • Publication number: 20140360564
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a plasmonic enhanced tandem dye sensitized solar cell system. The system has plasmonic nanostructures integrated to both a photoanode and a photocathode for enhancing respective electron and hole carrier transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Siu-pang NG, Chi-man Lawrence WU, Chun-sing LEE
  • Patent number: 8907205
    Abstract: A solar cell comprising a semiconductor solar cell of a first band gap; a buffer layer formed on a surface of the semiconductor solar cell; and at least one layer of a multiferroic or a ferroelectric material formed on the buffer layer; wherein the at least one layer of a multiferroic or a ferroelectric material has a second bang gap, the first band gap being smaller than the second band gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS)
    Inventors: Riad Nechache, Andreas Ruediger, Federico Rosei
  • Publication number: 20140326297
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoelectrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell including inorganic nanoparticles, wherein a three-dimensional pattern is formed on the surface of the photoelectrode. The three-dimensional photoelectrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention has a micrometer-sized pattern and thus exhibits an improved light absorption caused by a total reflection and a increased light path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Kookheon Char, Sanghyuk Wooh, Yong Soo Kang, Hyunsik Yoon
  • Publication number: 20140290725
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes a ferroelectric layer; a first electrode provided on a surface or a surface layer portion of the ferroelectric layer; a second electrode provided on a surface or a surface layer portion of the ferroelectric layer, and allowing a voltage to be applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a pair of lead-out electrodes that extract electric power from the ferroelectric layer, in which the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged alternately in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru HOSONO, Satoshi KIMURA, Setsuya IWASHITA, Yasuaki HAMADA
  • Patent number: 8845932
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electroconductive thick film paste composition comprising electrically conductive Ag, a second electrically conductive metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Al and mixtures thereof and a Pb-free bismuth-tellurium-oxide all dispersed in an organic medium. The present invention is further directed to an electrode formed from the thick film paste composition and a semiconductor device and, in particular, a solar cell comprising such an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Warren Hang, Yueli Wang
  • Publication number: 20140261645
    Abstract: An electrode for solar conversion including a porous structure configured to contain therein at least one of an electrolyte, a catalyst, a chromophore, a redox couple, a hole-conducting polymer, an electron-conducting polymer, a semiconducting organic conjugated polymer, an electron acceptor, and a hole acceptor. The porous structure has a set of electrically conductive nanoparticles adjoining each other. The set of electrically conductive nanoparticles forms a meandering electrical path connecting the nanoparticles together. The porous structure has a semiconductive coating disposed conformally on the electrically conductive nanoparticles to form an exterior surface for reception of charge carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Paul Gerard Hoertz
  • Publication number: 20140261611
    Abstract: In one aspect, optoelectronic devices are described herein. In some implementations, an optoelectronic device comprises a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell comprises a space-charge region, a quasi-neutral region, and a low bandgap absorber region (LBAR) layer or an improved transport (IT) layer at least partially positioned in the quasi-neutral region of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: The Boeing Company
  • Publication number: 20140261647
    Abstract: A novel compound represented by general formula (1), a support supporting this novel compound, and a photoelectric transduction element using this support. (In the formula, Y is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group having 1-20 carbon atoms having —CO—NR4- or —SO2—NR4- in the group; Z is a group of a conjugated system; R1, R2, and R3 represent optionally substituted hydrocarbon groups or optionally substituted hydrocarbon-oxy groups; at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon-oxy group; R4 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group having 1-20 carbon atoms; R4 and Z may join together to form a ring. However, Y excludes groups represented by partial structural formulas (Y-11) and (Y-12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ADEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yohei Aoyama, Kazuyuki Noda, Hiroyuki Osada
  • Publication number: 20140261646
    Abstract: An electrode for solar conversion including a porous structure configured to contain therein at least one of a catalyst, a chromophore, and a redox couple. The porous structure has a set of electrically conductive nanoparticles adjoining each other. The set of electrically conductive nanoparticles forms a meandering electrical path connecting the nanoparticles together. The porous structure has an atomic layer by layer deposited semiconductive coating disposed conformally on the electrically conductive nanoparticles to form an exterior surface for reception of charge carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE, DUKE UNIVERSITY, NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
    Inventors: Paul G. HOERTZ, Qing PENG, Berc KALANYAN, Do Han KIM, Leila ALIBABAEI, Jie LlU, Thomas J. MEYER, Gregory N. PARSON, Jeffrey T. GLASS, Mark LOSEGO
  • Publication number: 20140246080
    Abstract: Provided are a solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes: preparing a bottom substrate including sequentially stacked first and second portions, each of the first and second portions including a plurality of grains, wherein the maximum grain size of the second portion is less than the minimum grains size of the first portion; exposing the first portion of the bottom substrate by removing the second portion of the bottom substrate; and forming a photovoltaic conversion layer on the first portion of the bottom substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Hogyeong YUN
  • Publication number: 20140234026
    Abstract: Photovoltaic devices and methods of making the same, are disclosed herein. The cell comprises a photovoltaic device that comprises a first electrically conductive layer comprising a photo-sensitized electrode; at least one photoelectrochemical layer comprising metal-oxide particles, an electrolyte solution comprising at least one asphaltene fraction, wherein the metal-oxide particles are optionally dispersed in a surfactant; and a second electrically conductive layer comprising a counter-electrode, wherein the second electrically conductive layer comprises one or more conductive elements comprising carbon, graphite, soot, carbon allotropes or any combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Russell R. Chianelli, Karina Castillo, Vipin Gupta, Ali M. Qudah, Brenda Torres, Rajib E. Abujnah
  • Publication number: 20140224305
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes: a wavelength converting region that absorbs ambient light to generate electrons and holes, and recombines the generated electrons and holes to generate monochromatic light; and a photoelectric conversion region that has a p-n junction or p-i-n junction, absorbs the monochromatic light generated in the wavelength converting region to generate electrons and holes, and separates and moves the electrons and holes generated by absorption of the monochromatic light. The wavelength converting region includes: a carrier generating region that generates the electrons and holes; a light emitting region that generates the monochromatic light; and a carrier selective transfer region that is disposed between the carrier generating region and the light emitting region and that, of the electrons and holes generated in the carrier generating region, moves those electrons and holes having specific energies difference there between to the light emitting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomonori Nagashima, Yasuhiko Takeda, Nicholas John Ekins-Daukes, Daniel James Farrell
  • Publication number: 20140212705
    Abstract: A solid dye sensitization type solar cell includes a substrate, a first electrode disposed on the substrate, an electron transport layer including an electron transport semiconductor and disposed on the first electrode, the electron transport layer including a photosensitizing compound adsorbed on a surface of the electron transport semiconductor, a hole transport layer disposed on the electron transport layer, and a second electrode disposed on the hole transport layer. Each of the first electrode and the second electrode includes divided multiple electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Horiuchi, Tohru Yashiro, Hiroshi Deguchi, Hisamitsu Kamezaki, Takumi Yamaga, Keiichiroh Yutani, Yuko Arizumi
  • Publication number: 20140182666
    Abstract: Quantum dot-sensitized solar cell and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The proposed quantum dot-sensitized solar cell has a counter electrode with a PbS thin-film layer and a polysulfide electrolyte contacting the PbS thin-film layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Hsisheng Teng, Cheng-Yu Lin, Tzung-Luen Li, Chiao-Yi Teng
  • Publication number: 20140174514
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a metal oxide-carbonaceous hybrid thin film, a preparing method of the metal oxide-carbonaceous hybrid thin film, and a dye-sensitized solar cell using a photoelectrode including the metal oxide-carbonaceous hybrid thin film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Ewha University - Industry Collaboration Foundation
    Inventors: Dong Ha Kim, Yoon Hee Jang
  • Publication number: 20140166086
    Abstract: A magnetically polarized photonic device is provided. The magnetically polarized photonic device (100) includes substrate (102), an annihilation layer (106) and a graded band gap layer (142). The annihilation layer (106) is deposed on a surface (104) of substrate (102) with graded band gap layer (142) disposed on annihilation layer (106). Contacts (116, 128) are disposed on ends (146, 150) of magnetically polarized photonic device (100). A magnetic field (159) is applied to graded band gap layer (142) and annihilation layer (106) to drive charges to contacts (116, 128).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel Scott Marshall
  • Patent number: 8754322
    Abstract: In various embodiments, energy is harvested from a plurality of photons of received light, each photon having energy below an activation energy threshold of a photon activated process. The harvested energy from one or more of the photons is aggregated until the aggregated energy exceeds the activation energy level. The aggregated energy is then outputted, to e.g. a photolytic power source, a photovoltaic power source or a laser gain media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development, LLC
    Inventor: Ruth Ann Mullen
  • Publication number: 20140158186
    Abstract: Disclosed are a counter electrode and a dye-sensitized solar cell. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a photo electrode, the counter electrode and an electrolytic solution. The counter electrode is disposed correspondingly to the photo electrode. The counter electrode includes a conductive layer and a catalytic layer. The catalytic layer is formed on a surface of the conductive layer facing the photo electrode. The catalytic layer includes FeS2. The electrolytic solution is disposed between the photo electrode and the counter electrode. The present invention is capable of significantly decreasing manufacturing costs of the counter electrode and the dye-sensitized solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicants: National Taiwan Normal University, National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chun-wei CHEN, Chia-chun CHEN, Di-yan WANG, Ying-chiao WANG
  • Publication number: 20140150855
    Abstract: A functional material having excellent photocatalytic activity, electric characteristics and the like is provided. A porous structure body 10 comprises a first target material 20 and an aggregate body 30 formed by aggregation of the first material. The aggregate body 30 adheres to the first target material and is located so as to surround the first target material. The aggregate body has a plurality of first pores 32 unevenly distributed near the first target material in the aggregate body and a plurality of second pores 34 scattered over the aggregate body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: AJINOMOTO CO., INC.
    Inventors: Ippei INOUE, Ichiro Yamashita, Bin Zheng, Hisashi Yasueda, Yukiharu Uraoka, Yasuaki Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20140144493
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mesoporous titania bead and the preparation method thereof, wherein said mesoporous titania bead has a diameter of 200-1000 nm, specific surface area of 50-100 m2/g, porosity of 40-60%, pore radius of 5-20 nm, pore volume of 0.20-0.30 cm3/g, and the titania comprised in the bead is anatase titania.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: National Cheng Kung University
    Inventors: Jyh-Ming TING, Chun-Ren KE