Contact, Coating, Or Surface Geometry Patents (Class 136/256)
  • Patent number: 10483478
    Abstract: A tandem Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) apparatus and method of fabricating the same, where the tandem OLED apparatus includes a buffer assisted charge generation layer having a junction of a p-type doped semiconductor layer and an n-type doped semiconductor layer, where a hole buffer layer and an electron buffer layer pair surrounding the junction of the p-type and n-type doped semiconductor layers. The OLED apparatus further includes a first OLED emissive layer and a second OLED emissive layer pair surrounding the buffer assisted charge generation layer, and a cathode and anode layer pair further surrounding the first and second OLED emissive layer pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: eMagin Corporation
    Inventors: Qi Wang, Evan P. Donoghue, Ilyas I. Khayrullin, Tariq Ali, Kerry Tice, Amalkumar P. Ghosh
  • Patent number: 10475939
    Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion element comprising ITiO as a transparent electrode that is formed using an inline-type sputtering method, and utilizing the high transmittance up to the near-infrared ray region and excellent conductivity of ITiO. Using the inline-type sputtering method, a first transparent conductive oxide film 8 comprising indium oxide or tin-containing indium oxide that includes indium oxide as a main component and tin at an atomic ratio Sn/(In+Sn) of 19 atomic % or less is formed on a photoelectric conversion layer 7 side, and a second transparent conductive oxide film 9 comprising a titanium-containing indium oxide that includes indium oxide as a main component, and titanium at an atomic ratio Ti/(In+Ti) of 0.5 atomic % to 3.5 atomic % is laminated on an opposite side of the first transparent conductive film 8 from the photoelectric conversion layer 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Abe, Yasunori Yamanobe, Riichiro Wake, Masakazu Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 10468615
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to organic photovoltaic cells comprising a heterojunction structure formed by a first organic donor layer and a first organic acceptor layer, and further comprising a second organic acceptor layer adjacent to the first organic acceptor layer and/or a second organic donor layer adjacent to the first organic donor layer. The materials of the first acceptor layer and the second acceptor layer are selected to allow exciton dissociation by charge transfer at their interface, and to simultaneously allow exciton energy transfer at their interface. The materials of the first donor layer and the second donor layer are selected to allow exciton dissociation by charge transfer at their interface, and to simultaneously allow exciton energy transfer at their interface. Organic photovoltaic cells of the present invention may have a high short-circuit current density, a good open-circuit voltage and a good fill factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignees: IMEC vzw, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
    Inventors: Barry Rand, Kjell Cnops
  • Patent number: 10461495
    Abstract: A method of creating a laser, comprising: bonding a III-V semiconductor material with a silicon substrate; removing excess III-V semiconductor material bonded with the substrate to leave a III-V semiconductor material base layer of a predetermined thickness bonded with the substrate; and after removing the excess III-V semiconductor material, epitaxially growing at least one layer on the III-V semiconductor material base layer, the at least one layer comprising a quantum dot layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic F. Siriani, Sean P. Anderson, Vipulkumar Patel
  • Patent number: 10459121
    Abstract: Compositions for increasing the thermal stability of optical absorbers are provided as well as methods of making and using the resulting compositions. The compositions or complexes of the present teachings generally include an optical absorber bound to a metal or a metal oxide through one or more linkers, which contain a metal binding moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignees: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York, Crysta-Lyn Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Bernier, Megan Fegley, Bradley Galusha, Francis D. Goroleski, Wayne E. Jones, Kenneth H. Skorenko
  • Patent number: 10457148
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods for a solar car. The exterior of the solar car is comprised of smoothly curved and continuous photovoltaic cells. The exterior car parts, e.g., roof, doors, hood, trunk and so forth, may include integrated photovoltaic cells, all manufactured in the shape of the corresponding car parts. The photovoltaic cells are meta-encapsulated in an edgeless manner, and may utilize superconducting anodes. A first encapsulate may be polychlorotrifluoroethylene, an extreme water barrier. A second encapsulate, e.g., silicone, may be a water barrier and shock absorber. A third encapsulate may be UV stabilized polycarbonate or low iron glass. A street legal solar car may be constructed upon an electric car chassis. A competition solar car has one or more hyper-efficient electric motors, that may utilize superconducting wire in their armatures. Superconducting wire may also be used in the vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: EPIC BATTERY INC.
    Inventor: Melvin James Bullen
  • Patent number: 10453978
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a photovoltaic device includes forming a two dimensional material on a first monocrystalline substrate. A single crystal absorber layer including Cu—Zn—Sn—S(Se) (CZTSSe) is grown over the first monocrystalline substrate. The single crystal absorber layer is exfoliated from the two dimensional material. The single crystal absorber layer is transferred to a second substrate, and the single crystal absorber layer is placed on a conductive layer formed on the second substrate. Additional layers are formed on the single crystal absorber layer to complete the photovoltaic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeehwan Kim, Yun Seog Lee, Talia S. Gershon
  • Patent number: 10453613
    Abstract: A conductive resin paste that includes a conductive component and a resin component, where the conductive component includes at least Ag and Cu, and the proportion of the Ag to the total amount of the Ag and Cu included in the conductive component falls within the range of 11.6 mass % to 28.8 mass %. As the conductive component, an Ag-coated Cu powder is used which has a Cu powder with a surface at least partially coated with Ag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kota Zenzai, Yosuke Terashita
  • Patent number: 10453974
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conductive paste comprising from 30 to 97% by weight of electrically conductive particles, from 0 to 20% by weight of a glass frit, from 3 to 70% by weight of an organic medium and from 0.1 to 67% by weight of a silicone oil, each based on the total mass of the paste, wherein the silicone oil has a boiling point or a boiling range in the range between 180° C. and 350° C. The invention further relates to a use of the conductive paste and a process for producing electrodes on a semiconductor substrate using the paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Markus Fiess, Han Chang Pan, Yu Lin Wang, Chia Chin Cho
  • Patent number: 10453981
    Abstract: A solar cell includes a photoelectric conversion section that, includes an n-type crystal silicon substrate, a p-type silicon-based thin-film provided on a first principal surface, and an n-type silicon-based thin-film provided on a second principal surface, and further includes a first electrode layer on the p-type silicon-based thin-film, and a second electrode layer on the n-type silicon-based thin film. A patterned collector electrode is provided on the first electrode layer. On the first principal surface of the photoelectric conversion section, a wraparound portion of the second electrode layer, an insulating region where neither the first electrode layer nor the second electrode layer is provided, and a first electrode layer-formed region are arranged in this order from a peripheral end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Adachi
  • Patent number: 10446772
    Abstract: The present specification provides an organic solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Hangken Lee, Jiehyun Seong, Jaechol Lee, Jeong Min Choi, Songrim Jang, Seung Heon Lee, Song Ho Jang
  • Patent number: 10446291
    Abstract: Provided is a paste composition that enables the formation of a diffusion layer with a high concentration of n-type dopant element on a semiconductor substrate in a simple manner. The paste composition is intended to form a film on a semiconductor substrate. The paste composition contains an aluminum powder, a compound containing an n-type dopant element, a resin, and a solvent. The n-type dopant element is one, two, or more elements selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, antimony, arsenic, and bismuth. The content of the n-type dopant element in the n-type dopant element-containing compound is 1.5 parts by mass or more and 1000 parts by mass or less, per 100 parts by mass of aluminum contained in the aluminum powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TOYO ALUMINIUM KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Marwin Dhamrin, Shota Suzuki, Ken Kikuchi, Masahiro Nakahara, Naoya Morishita
  • Patent number: 10439094
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a solar cell element that can increase the film thickness for collector electrodes formed in a screen printing process and reduce the resistance value of the same as well as contribute to improvements in conversion efficiency. When a collector electrode for a solar cell element is formed by screen printing of a conductive paste, that screen-printing process is repeated a plurality of times. At this time, the squeegee speed during the second or later screen printing is faster than the squeegee speed during the first screen printing. The second and later screen printing is superimposed on the collector electrode printed the first time; therefore, the faster the squeegee speed is, the better the plate release is for the paste and foundation. The amount of paste applied increases, and the film for the collector electrode that is formed becomes thicker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo Mitta, Yoko Endo, Takenori Watabe, Hiroyuki Otsuka
  • Patent number: 10428428
    Abstract: A deposition apparatus for depositing a material on a substrate is provided. The deposition apparatus has a processing chamber defining a processing space in which the substrate is arranged, an ultraviolet radiation assembly configured to emit ultraviolet radiation and a microwave radiation assembly configured to emit microwave radiation into an excitation space that can be the same as the processing space, and a gas feed assembly configured to feed a precursor gas into the processing space and a reactive gas into the excitation space. The ultraviolet radiation assembly and the microwave radiation assembly are operated in combination to excite the reactive gas in the excitation space. The material is deposited on the substrate from the reaction of the excited reactive gas and the precursor gas. A method for using the deposition apparatus to deposit a material on a substrate is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred Grill, Son V. Nguyen, Deepika Priyadarshini
  • Patent number: 10418300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate structure in which organic-inorganic hybrid thin films are laminated and a method for preparing the same and more specifically to a substrate structure in which organic-inorganic hybrid thin films are laminated that can be used for light emitters, display devices and solar cell devices wherein the organic-inorganic hybrid thin film including a stable new functional group, an inorganic precursor and an organic precursor are alternately used to afford stability in air and a method for preparing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: IUCF-HYU (INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Myung Mo Sung, Kyu Seok Han
  • Patent number: 10418186
    Abstract: Provided are a photoelectric conversion element including a first electrode having a photosensitive layer including a light absorber on a conductive support and a second electrode facing the first electrode, in which the light absorber includes a compound having a perovskite-type crystal structure including organic cations, cations of a metallic atom other than elements belonging to Group I of the periodic table, and anions, and at least some of the organic cations constituting the compound are organic cations having a silyl group and a solar cell using the photoelectric conversion element. Also provided is a composition containing a compound represented by Formula (1a) and a halogenated metal. R13Si-L-NR23Hal??Formula (1a) In the formula, R1, R2, and L are specific groups. Hal represents a halogen atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Satou, Kenji Shirokane, Toshihiro Ise, Katsumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10418933
    Abstract: A flexible circuit that allows a standardized connection interface to connect flexible solar cell(s) for easy integration into electronics devices. This interconnection scheme does not limit the intrinsic solar cell flexibility and may conform to standard design practices in electronic device manufacturing. In an aspect, a solar module is described that includes one or more solar panels and a flexible trace or interconnect having conductive wires inside an insulation material. In another aspect, an electronic device is described that includes a circuit board, one or more solar panels and a flexible trace or interconnect having conductive wires inside an insulation material. The electronic device may be an internet-of-things (IoT) device or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), for example. In yet another aspect, a lighting module is described that includes one or more lighting panels and a flexible trace or interconnect having conductive wires inside an insulation material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Earl France, Linlin Yang, Liguang Lan
  • Patent number: 10396231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photovoltaic material and a photovoltaic device comprising the photoactive material arranged between a hole transport layer and an electron acceptor layer. The present invention also relates to the use of the photovoltaic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: FUNDACIÓ INSTITUT DE CIÈNCIES FOTÒNIQUES
    Inventors: Gerasimos Konstantatos, María Bernechea Navarro, Nichole Cates Miller
  • Patent number: 10396218
    Abstract: A method (200) for fabricating patterns on the surface of a layer of a device (100), the method comprising: providing at least one layer (130, 230); adding at least one alkali metal (235); controlling the temperature (2300) of the at least one layer, thereby forming a plurality of self-assembled, regularly spaced, parallel lines of alkali compound embossings (1300, 1305) at the surface of the layer. The method further comprises forming cavities (236, 1300) by dissolving the alkali compound embossings. The method (200) is advantageous for nanopatterning of devices (100) without using templates and for the production of high efficiency optoelectronic thin-film devices (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignees: FLISOM AG, EMPA
    Inventors: Patrick Reinhard, Benjamin Bissig, Stephan Buecheler, Ayodhya Nath Tiwari, Fabian Pianezzi
  • Patent number: 10395847
    Abstract: An element includes a first substrate and a layer including a first conductive layer with a first conductive portion and a second conductive layer. The element includes a cell including the first conductive portion, a second substrate and a sealing portion. A groove is formed between the first and second conductive layers, the element includes an insulating layer provided between the sealing portion and the first substrate, and an outer circumferential edge of the insulating layer is provided to surround the entire sealing portion. The insulating layer covers and hides a portion of the first conductive layer, which protrudes outside the sealing portion, inside from the outer circumferential edge of the insulating layer and outside the sealing portion, enters the groove and covers a part of the second conductive layer, and the rest of the second conductive layer is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Nishino, Keisuke Naka
  • Patent number: 10396227
    Abstract: A solar module and a method for fabricating a solar module comprising a plurality of rear contact solar cells are described. Rear contact solar cells (1) are provided with a large size of e.g. 156×156 mm2. Soldering pad arrangements (13, 15) applied on emitter contacts (5) and base contacts (7) are provided with one or more soldering pads (9, 11) arranged linearly. The soldering pad arrangements (13, 15) are arranged asymmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis (17). Each solar cell (1) is then separated into first and second cell portions (19, 21) along a line (23) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: REC SOLAR PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Philipp Johannes Rostan, Robert Wade, Noel Gonzales Diesta, Shankar Gauri Sridhara, Anders Søreng
  • Patent number: 10379643
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode structure for a touch panel and a method for fabricating the same, in which a unit wire and another unit wire continued thereto are continued while the contact area between the unit wires decreases from the entire line width, thereby achieving irregular patterns. In the electrode structure for the touch panel and the method for fabricating the same, a metal wire formed with continuous unit wires has an irregular pattern where the contact area between any one unit wire and another unit wire continued thereto decreases, from the entire line width, by a non-contact size value k obtained by dividing a line width by an arbitrary real number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: DONGWOO FINE-CHEM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Changjun Maeng, Myunsoo Kim, In Ho Rha, Woo Hyun Bae
  • Patent number: 10381564
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskite film includes depositing a precursor layer onto a substrate, the precursor layer comprising metal halide, placing an organic source-material layer onto a boat, the organic source-material layer comprising an organic cation, and annealing the precursor layer and the organic source-material layer in a vacuum chamber enclosed in a constrained volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hoi Sing Kwok, Guijun Li, Yeuk Lung Jacob Ho, Man Wong
  • Patent number: 10367131
    Abstract: A method includes forming a thin-film based thermoelectric module by sputter depositing pairs of N-type and P-type thermoelectric legs electrically in contact with one another on corresponding electrically conductive pads on a flexible substrate having a dimensional thickness less than or equal to 25 ?m, with the legs having extended areas compared to the corresponding electrically conductive pads, and rendering the formed thin-film based thermoelectric module flexible and less than or equal to 100 ?m in dimensional thickness based on choices of fabrication processes. The method also includes encapsulating the formed thin-film based thermoelectric module with an elastomer to render the flexibility thereto. The elastomer encapsulation has a dimensional thickness less than or equal to 15 ?m, and the flexibility enables an array of thin-film based thermoelectric modules to be completely wrappable and bendable around a system element from which the array is configured to derive thermoelectric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: Sridhar Kasichainula
  • Patent number: 10367103
    Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion element including: a first electrode having opaqueness to light and formed of a metal; a hole blocking layer provided on the first electrode; an electron transport layer provided on the hole blocking layer; a hole transport layer provided on the electron transport layer; and a second electrode provided on the hole transport layer and having transmissivity to light, wherein the hole blocking layer contains an oxide of the metal in the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuji Tanaka, Shigeyo Suzuki, Naomichi Kanei
  • Patent number: 10362673
    Abstract: A nano graphene platelet-based conductive ink comprising: (a) nano graphene platelets (preferably un-oxidized or pristine graphene), and (b) a liquid medium in which the nano graphene platelets are dispersed, wherein the nano graphene platelets occupy a proportion of at least 0.001% by volume based on the total ink volume and a process using the same. The ink can also contain a binder or matrix material and/or a surfactant. The ink may further comprise other fillers, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nano-fibers, metal nano particles, carbon black, conductive organic species, etc. The graphene platelets preferably have an average thickness no greater than 10 nm and more preferably no greater than 1 nm. These inks can be printed to form a range of electrically or thermally conductive components or printed electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Nanotek Instuments, Inc.
    Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z Jang
  • Patent number: 10361321
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forming a contact for a photovoltaic (PV) cell. The method comprises the step of providing a substrate of a semiconductor material. The substrate has first regions that have a first doping property and are located at first surface portions. The method also comprises depositing a passivation layer on the surface of the substrate including the first surface portions. Further, the method comprises depositing a conductive layer on the passivation layer such that material of the passivation layer is sandwiched between the first regions and the conductive layer. In addition, the method comprises applying an electric field between the first regions and the conductive layer in a manner such that locally a dielectric breakdown of the sandwiched passivation layer material is induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: NewSouth Innovations Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Ned Western, Stephen Bremner
  • Patent number: 10355145
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device (1) includes: an i-type amorphous semiconductor layer (102i) formed in contact with one of the surfaces of a semiconductor substrate (101); p-type amorphous semiconductor strips (102p) spaced apart from each other and provided on the i-type amorphous semiconductor layer (102i); and n-type amorphous semiconductor strips (102n) spaced apart from each other and provided on the i amorphous semiconductor layer (102i), each n-type amorphous semiconductor strip (102n) being adjacent to at least one of the p-type amorphous semiconductor strips (102p) as traced along an in-plane direction of the semiconductor substrate (101). The photovoltaic device (1) further includes electrodes (103) as a protection layer formed in contact with the i-type amorphous semiconductor layer (102) between adjacent p-type amorphous semiconductor strips (102p) and between adjacent n-type amorphous semiconductor strips (102n).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masatomi Harada, Kenichi Higashi, Takeshi Kamikawa, Toshihiko Sakai, Tokuaki Kuniyoshi, Kazuya Tsujino, Liumin Zou
  • Patent number: 10355147
    Abstract: A solar cell module capable of preventing the occurrence of a PID failure in a solar photovoltaic power generation system with a MW capacity, said system being used in a high-temperature high-humidity environment; and a method for manufacturing this solar cell module. A solar cell module which comprises a protection glass material and a sealing material on a light receiving surface side of a substrate, and which also comprises an oxide layer between the substrate and the protection glass material, said oxide layer containing a metal element and silicon. It is preferable that the oxide layer contains at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, niobium and molybdenum. It is also preferable that the oxide layer has a refractive index of from 1.5 to 2.3 (inclusive) with respect to incident light having a wavelength of 587 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: MATERIAL CONCEPT, INC.
    Inventors: Junichi Koike, Yuji Sutou, Daisuke Ando, Makoto Wada
  • Patent number: 10347887
    Abstract: Described herein is a battery module where the battery module footprint is generally defined by the size and number of battery cells. This is implemented by first optimizing the battery cell structure and stacking orientation for a given battery module footprint. A predetermined number of battery cells are then removed and replaced with components needed to implement a variety of auxiliary functions. For example, the components can be electrical connectors, cooling channels, heating channels and mounting channels for placement of mounting pins. In an implementation, the positions of the removed battery cells can also be mounting points. The predetermined number of battery cells can be a function of the amount of electrical energy needed to be stored by the battery module. The positions of the removed battery cells can be anywhere in the battery module, including the edge or interior positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Austin Newman
  • Patent number: 10340842
    Abstract: A method of energy collection using a set of collecting manifolds or surfaces such as solar cells immersed into a refracting matrix. The combination of the surfaces and matrix into a module forms the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Jesse Timron Brown
  • Patent number: 10340396
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a solar cell, the method including: forming a semiconductor layer on one surface of a semiconductor substrate; forming a mask layer including a first layer and a second layer sequentially on the semiconductor layer; texturing another surface of the semiconductor substrate using the mask layer as a mask; forming a patterned mask layer by forming an opening at the mask layer through a laser patterning using a laser; and forming a conductive region through a doping process of doping a portion of the semiconductor layer exposed through the opening with a dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Eunjoo Lee
  • Patent number: 10340412
    Abstract: A solar cell includes a photoelectric conversion layer; and a front electrode on the photoelectric conversion layer, wherein the front electrode includes a plurality of first finger electrodes; a plurality of second finger electrodes; a bus electrode directly connected to at least one of the plurality of first finger electrodes; a plurality of connecting electrodes connected to the plurality of second finger electrodes, the plurality of connecting electrodes forming at least one space therebetween; and an auxiliary electrode formed at the at least one space, wherein the auxiliary electrode connects at least two connecting electrodes of the plurality of connecting electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sungjin Kim, Taeyoung Kwon, Seongeun Lee, Gyeayoung Kwag
  • Patent number: 10330830
    Abstract: A display device having a display element, such as a light-emitting device or a light-reflecting device, such as a MEMS device, and a glass touch panel covering the display element, the outer surface of the panel being textured. The panel is thin, having a thickness of 1.1 mm or less between the inner and outer surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Nicholas Francis Borrelli, Sasha Marjanovic, Timothy James Orsley
  • Patent number: 10333017
    Abstract: Thin-film photovoltaic devices and methods of their use and manufacture are disclosed. More particularly, polycrystalline CuIn(1-x)GaxSe2 (CIGS) based thin-film photovoltaic devices having independently tunable sublayers are disclosed. Also provided are methods of producing an n-doped graphene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC, The Research Foundation for the State University of New York
    Inventors: Nanditha M. Dissanayake, Matthew Eisaman, Ahsan Ashraf, Nancy Goroff, Xiuzhu Ang
  • Patent number: 10333181
    Abstract: A transparent photorechargeable electrochemical device is provided. An n-type semiconductor may be used as a positive-electrode active material in the transparent photorechargeable electrochemical device. A method for photorecharging the device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, UNIVERSITE DE PICARDIE JULES VERNE, SORBONNE UNIVERSITE
    Inventors: Frederic Sauvage, Christian Andriamiadamanana, Christel Laberty
  • Patent number: 10333012
    Abstract: The method for manufacturing a crystalline silicon substrate for a solar cell includes: forming a texture on the surface of a single-crystalline silicon substrate by bringing an alkali solution and the surface of the single-crystalline silicon substrate into contact with each other; bringing an acidic solution and the surface of the single-crystalline silicon substrate into contact with each other to perform an acid treatment thereon; and then by bringing ozone water and the surface of the single-crystalline silicon substrate into contact with each other to perform an ozone treatment thereon. One aspect of embodiment is that the acidic solution used for the acid treatment is hydrochloric acid. Another aspect of embodiment is that the ozone treatment is performed by immersing the single-crystalline silicon substrate into the ozone water bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiko Uto, Takashi Suezaki, Wataru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10326033
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. One embodiment of the present invention provides a photovoltaic (PV) device. The PV device comprises an absorber layer made of a compound semiconductor; and an emitter layer located closer than the absorber layer to a first side of the device. The PV device includes a p-n junction formed between the emitter layer and the absorber layer, the p-n junction causing a voltage to be generated in the device in response to the device being exposed to light at a second side of the device. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Melissa J. Archer, Thomas J. Gmitter, Gang He, Gregg Higashi
  • Patent number: 10319906
    Abstract: A oxide-based direct-access resistive nonvolatile memory may include within the interconnect portion of the integrated circuit a memory plane including capacitive memory cells extending in orthogonal first and second directions and each including a first electrode, a dielectric region and a second electrode. The memory plane may include conductive pads of square or rectangular shape forming the first electrodes. The stack of the dielectric layer and the second conductive layer covers the pads in the first direction and forms, in the second direction, conductive bands extending over and between the pads. The second electrodes may be formed by zones of the second bands facing the pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Philippe Boivin
  • Patent number: 10319872
    Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes providing a substrate. A layer is deposited to form one or more layers of a photovoltaic stack on the substrate. The depositing of the amorphous layer includes performing a high power flash deposition for depositing a first portion of the layer. A low power deposition is performed for depositing a second portion of the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tze-Chiang Chen, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10312386
    Abstract: A solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor region positioned at a front surface or a back surface of the semiconductor substrate and doped with impurities of a first conductive type, a first electrode connected to the first semiconductor region, and a second electrode connected to the back surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second electrode is formed of a metal foil, and an air gap is formed between the second electrode formed of the metal foil and the back surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kwangsun Ji, Sehwon Ahn
  • Patent number: 10312384
    Abstract: A solar cell is provided. The solar cell includes a Si substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, an emitter, a first electrode, a doped region, a passivation layer, a doped polysilicon layer, a semiconductor layer, and a second electrode. The emitter is disposed on the first surface. The first electrode is disposed on the emitter. The doped region is disposed in the second surface. The passivation layer is disposed on the second surface. The doped polysilicon layer is disposed on the passivation layer, wherein a plurality of holes penetrates the doped polysilicon layer and the passivation layer and exposes a portion of the second surface. The semiconductor layer is disposed on the doped polysilicon layer and in the holes. The band gap of the semiconductor layer is greater than that of the Si substrate. The second electrode is disposed on the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chao-Cheng Lin, Chien-Kai Peng, Chen-Cheng Lin, Chen-Hsun Du, Chorng-Jye Huang, Chun-Ming Yeh
  • Patent number: 10305013
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrolyte solution for a thermoelectric device, the solution comprising: a redox couple; water; and a polar organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: PUSAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION OF PUSAN
    Inventors: Tae June Kang, Yong Hyup Kim, Taewoo Kim
  • Patent number: 10304977
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus including a device cell having a top side, a bottom side and opposing side walls. A passivation layer is formed along the top side, the bottom side and opposing side walls of the device cell. The passivation layer serves to passivate the device cell and facilitate carrier collection around the device cell. An anti-reflective layer is formed over the passivation layer and an optical layer is formed on the top side of the device cell. The optical layer reflects light within the device cell. The apparatus may further include a reflective layer formed along the bottom side of the device cell, the reflective layer to reflect light internally within the device cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Paul J. Resnick, Carlos Anthony Sanchez
  • Patent number: 10290759
    Abstract: A perovskite photoelectric conversion element includes a light transmitting substrate 11, on a front surface of which light is made incident, an oxide porous layer 13, formed on a rear surface of the light transmitting substrate 11 and with metal oxide particles 12 connected in a network, a metal porous layer 15, formed on a rear surface of the oxide porous layer 13 and with metal particles 14 connected in a network, a porous insulating layer 17, formed on a rear surface of the metal porous layer 15, a first electrode layer 18, formed on and across an entirety of a rear surface of the porous insulating layer 17, a second electrode layer 19, connected to the metal porous layer 15 and formed at a portion different from the first electrode layer 18 in a state of being insulated from the first electrode layer 18, and perovskite 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: FUJICO CO., LTD., KYUSHU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuzi Hayase, Tingli Ma, Hideaki Nagayoshi, Daishiro Nomura, Takatoshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 10290837
    Abstract: A packaging material for a power storage device, comprising: a coating layer disposed directly on a first surface of a metal foil or disposed via a first corrosion protection layer; and a second corrosion protection layer, a sealant adhesive layer, and a sealant layer disposed in this sequence on a second surface of the metal foil, wherein the coating layer is produced from an aromatic polyimide resin made of a tetracarboxylic dianhydride or derivatives thereof and a diamine or derivatives thereof, and wherein the coating layer has a tensile elongation in a tensile test (in compliance with JIS K7127, JIS K7127 specimen type 5, tensile rate 50 mm/min) is not less than 20% in an MD direction and a TD direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Maeda, Yuki Muroi
  • Patent number: 10290749
    Abstract: A solar cell includes: a first bus bar electrode disposed on a first end portion of the solar cell, and to which the wiring member is connected; a second bus bar electrode disposed on a second end portion of the solar cell, and to which the wiring member is connected; first finger electrodes disposed on the solar cell, electrically connected to the first bus bar electrode, and extending in a first direction toward the second bus bar electrode; second finger electrodes disposed on the solar cell, electrically connected to the second bus bar electrode, and extending in a second direction toward the first bus bar electrode. Each first finger electrode has a thickness which decreases as a distance to the second bus bar electrode decreases, and each second finger electrode has a thickness which decreases as a distance to the first bus bar electrode decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Panasenlc Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youhei Murakami, Kenji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10290755
    Abstract: Novel structures of photovoltaic cells are provided. The cells are based on nanometer or micrometer-scaled wires, tubes, and/or rods, which are made of electronic materials covering semiconductors, insulators, and may be metallic in structure. These photovoltaic cells have large power generation capability per unit physical area over the conventional cells. These cells will have enormous applications such as in space, commercial, residential and industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Banpil Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Achyut Kumar Dutta
  • Patent number: 10290765
    Abstract: A solar cell and a method for manufacturing the solar cell are discussed. The method for manufacturing the solar cell includes applying an electrode paste on a semiconductor substrate and sintering the electrode paste using a light sintering device to form an electrode. The electrode paste includes fine metal particles, a binder, and a solvent. An amount of the fine metal particles is greater than a sum of an amount of the binder and an amount of the solvent, and the amount of the binder is greater than the amount of the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jinah Kim, Ilhyoung Jung, Seunghwan Shim
  • Patent number: 10283712
    Abstract: Painted circuit devices, methods, and systems are disclosed. In some implementations, painted circuit devices are created using multiple layers of electrically conductive paint. In one aspect, a painted circuit includes a substrate and one or more paint layer applied to the substrate, where the one or more paint layers each form an electrical component of the painted circuit. A given paint layer of the one or more paint layers can include a conductive paint formulation having a resistance that is defined by a concentration of conductive material that is included in the conductive paint formulation and a thickness of the given paint layer, and lower concentrations of the conductive material included in the conductive paint formulation provide a higher resistance than higher concentrations of conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Katy Kasmai, Haydn Kirk Vestal