Electrode (epo) Patents (Class 257/E31.124)
  • Publication number: 20120064662
    Abstract: An improved, lower cost method of processing substrates, such as to create solar cells, is disclosed. The doped regions are created on the substrate, using a mask or without the use of lithography or masks. After the implantation is complete, visual recognition is used to determine the exact region that was implanted. This information can then be used by subsequent process steps to crate a suitable metallization layer and provide alignment information. These techniques can also be used in other ion implanter applications. In another aspect, a dot pattern selective emitter is created and imaging is used to determine the appropriate metallization layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: Benjamin Riordon
  • Publication number: 20120060908
    Abstract: A solar cell, including contact metallization formed using selective laser irradiation. An upper layer is formed in the solar cell including a material which can be selectively modified to electrical contacts upon laser irradiation. Selective laser irradiation is applied to at least one region of the upper layer to form at least one electrical contact in the layer. A remaining region of the upper layer may be a functional layer of the solar cell which need not be removed. The upper layer may be, e.g., a transparent, conductive film, and anti-reflective film, and/or passivation. The electrical contact may provide an electrically conductive path to at least one region below the upper layer of the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: TETRASUN, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Crafts
  • Publication number: 20120060890
    Abstract: Provided are a solar cell module and a manufacturing method thereof. The solar cell module includes a substrate having a first region and a second region; a first electrode disposed on the substrate, in the first region and the second region; and an upper cell disposed in the first region; and a lower cell disposed in the second region. The upper cell and the lower cell each include a first semiconductor layer, an intermediate layer, a second semiconductor layer, and a second electrode that are sequentially stacked. The threshold voltage in the lower cell is lower than the threshold voltage in the upper cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joong-Hyun PARK, Myung-Hun SHIN
  • Publication number: 20120060907
    Abstract: A back-to-back parallel tandem organic photovoltaic cell structure and a method for fabricating the back-to-back parallel tandem organic photovoltaic cell structure include an aluminum doped zinc oxide material layer (AZO) as a common central cathode within the back-to-back parallel tandem organic photovoltaic cell structure and sandwiched between (and contacting) a pair of lithium fluoride material layers (LiF). The back-to-back parallel tandem organic photovoltaic cell structure and the related method also includes separate and different active material layers further separated from the aluminum doped zinc oxide material layer (AZO) common central cathode and further separated nickel and indium doped tin oxide material layer (Ni-ITO) anodes. An aluminum doped zinc oxide material layer (AZO) and lithium fluoride material layer (LiF) laminate is also contemplated for use in various photovoltaic cell structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
    Inventors: Winston V. Schoenfeld, Hani Khallaf
  • Publication number: 20120061785
    Abstract: A photodiode PD1 is provided with an n? type semiconductor substrate 1 with a pn junction formed of a first conductivity type semiconductor region and a second conductivity type semiconductor region. For the n? type semiconductor substrate 1, an accumulation layer 7 is formed on the second principal surface 1b side of the n? type semiconductor substrate 1 and an irregular asperity 10 is formed at least in regions opposed to the pn junction in a first principal surface 1a and in the second principal surface 1b. The regions opposed to the pn junction in the first principal surface 1a and in the second principal surface 1b of the n? type semiconductor substrate 1 are optically exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Ishikawa, Akira Sakamoto, Kazuhisa Yamamura, Satoshi Kawai
  • Publication number: 20120064660
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for manufacturing a thin film type solar cell, which enables the enhancement of productivity, the apparatus for manufacturing a thin film type solar cell including a first electrode forming unit; a first separation part; an optoelectric conversion layer forming unit; a contact line forming unit; a printing unit; and an etching process unit, wherein the etching process unit removes the optoelectric conversion layer in a second separation part to expose the first electrode in the second separation part through a wet etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Cheol Hoon YANG
  • Patent number: 8133807
    Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide a transparent electrode substrate with an ITO film formed thereon, used for example as the transparent electrode plate in a dye sensitized solar cell, for which the electrical resistance does not increase even when exposed to high temperatures of 300° C. or higher. In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a substrate for a transparent electrode, wherein two or more layers of different transparent conductive films are formed on a transparent substrate, and an upper layer transparent conductive film has a higher heat resistance than that of a lower layer transparent conductive film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Kawashima, Hiroshi Matsui, Kenichi Okada, Nobuo Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20120056289
    Abstract: A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: InVisage Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Tian, Edward Sargent
  • Patent number: 8129216
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate, applying a first dopant to a first surface, applying a second dopant to a second surface, covering the doped first surface with a hard mask, applying a third dopant to the substrate side, removing the hard mask, applying a pattern of first electrical contacts to the doping pattern, and applying a pattern of second electrical contacts to the doped second surface, the pattern of second electrical contacts and the doping pattern being straight-lined opposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Michael Haag, Harold John Hovel, Rainer Krause, Markus Schmidt, Steven Erik Steen
  • Publication number: 20120048334
    Abstract: Photovoltaic modules can include a dual opening substrate to improve, for example, safety, durability, and voltage handling capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Brian E. Cohen, Richard S. Malik, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120052611
    Abstract: In a method for continuously coating a wafer for solar cell production, in a coating bath comprising metal such as nickel, copper or silver, said metal is deposited on the wafer. The wafer is introduced into the coating bath and, at a point in time at which the wafer already extends into the coating bath with a first region, but does not extend into it with a second region, a current surge is effected at the second region of the wafer, This initiates the electrodeposition of the metal on the first region of the wafer extending into the coating bath for a subsequent automatic coating with the wafer having been completely introduced into the coating bath, also on the remaining area of said wafer, without a further current surge or current flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Gebr. Schmid GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Maurer
  • Publication number: 20120048360
    Abstract: A solar cell including: a semiconductor substrate, a passivation film disposed on a side of the semiconductor substrate, a protective layer disposed on a side of the passivation film opposite the semiconductor substrate, and an electrode disposed on a side of the protective layer opposite the passivation film, wherein the electrode includes a product of a conductive paste including glass frit and a conductive material, and wherein the protective layer includes a material having an absolute value of a Gibb's free energy which is less than an absolute value of a Gibb's free energy of each component of the glass frit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xianyu Wenxu, Yong-Young PARK, Yeon-Hee KIM, Woo-Young YANG, Hyun-Jong KIM
  • Publication number: 20120052613
    Abstract: Optoelectronic device modules, arrays optoelectronic device modules and methods for fabricating optoelectronic device modules are disclosed. The device modules are made using a starting substrate having an insulator layer sandwiched between a bottom electrode made of a flexible bulk conductor and a conductive back plane. An active layer is disposed between the bottom electrode and a transparent conducting layer. One or more electrical contacts between the transparent conducting layer and the back plane are formed through the transparent conducting layer, the active layer, the flexible bulk conductor and the insulating layer. The electrical contacts are electrically isolated from the active layer, the bottom electrode and the insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: James R. Sheats, Sam Kao, Martin R. Roscheisen
  • Publication number: 20120049044
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: pixels each including a hybrid photoelectric conversion portion and pixel transistors, wherein the hybrid photoelectric conversion portion includes a semiconductor layer having a p-n junction, a plurality of columnar or cylindrical hollow-shaped organic material layers disposed in the semiconductor layer, and a pair of electrodes disposed above and below the semiconductor layer and the organic material layers, wherein charges generated in the organic material layers through photoelectric conversion move inside the semiconductor layer so as to be guided to a charge accumulation region, and wherein the solid-state imaging device is configured as a back-illuminated type in which light is incident from a surface opposite to the surface on which the pixel transistors are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Kuboi
  • Publication number: 20120048365
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell includes forming a passivation layer on a rear surface of a substrate of a first conductivity type; forming connecting electrodes having a plurality of electrical contacts that are in contact with the rear surface of the substrate by using a first paste for a first temperature firing on portions of the passivation layer; and forming a rear electrode layer by using a second paste for a second temperature firing on the passivation layer and the plurality of electrical contacts, wherein a temperature of the second temperature firing is lower than a temperature of the first temperature firing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Daeyong LEE, Junyong AHN, Jihoon KO
  • Publication number: 20120049215
    Abstract: An organic light-emitting display device that is transparent and prevents distortion of an image transmitted therethrough by preventing light from scattering during image display. The organic light-emitting display device comprises a plurality of pixels, in which each pixel includes a light transmission area, a light emitting area, and a light absorption area. The light transmission area is configured to pass visible light incident thereto. The light absorption is configured to absorb visible light incident thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG MOBILE DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: SEOK-GYU YOON, JAE-HEUNG HA, KYU-HWAN HWANG, YOUNG-WOO SONG
  • Publication number: 20120052623
    Abstract: A method is provided to adhere a lamina to a receiver element using a glass frit mixture. A donor body having a previously defined cleave plane and a receiver element are provided. The glass frit mixture is applied to either the donor body or the receiver element, or both, and is first dried to drive off solvents, then heated to burn out organics. If the glass frit mixture is applied to the receiver, the receiver element and glass frit mixture may be heated to the flow temperature of the frit. Following burn out of organics, the glass frit mixture will undergo no additional outgassing or densification. The receiver element and the donor body are then juxtaposed, the glass frit layer between them. The structure is heated further to permanently adhere the surfaces and to cleave a lamina from the donor body at the cleave plane. A device such as a photovoltaic cell is fabricated, the cell comprising the lamina.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Twin Creeks Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed M. Hilali, Venkateswaran Subbaraman, John Alexander
  • Publication number: 20120042934
    Abstract: A laminated body, comprising: a supporting body having a concave-convex surface; and a semiconductor layer laminated on a surface of the supporting body, wherein a part of the supporting body includes a layer thickness measurement portion for optically measuring a layer thickness of the semiconductor layer, and the layer thickness measurement portion includes a reduced surface roughness region whose surface roughness is smaller than that of the concave-convex surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nasuno, Tohru Takeda
  • Publication number: 20120042926
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion module in which an output voltage defect is suppressed is obtained by forming in parallel over a substrate n number (n is a natural number) of integrated photoelectric conversion devices each including a plurality of cells that are connected in series, and electrically connecting in parallel n?1 number or less of integrated photoelectric conversion devices with normal electrical characteristics and excluding an integrated photoelectric conversion device with a characteristic defect such as a short-circuit between top and bottom electrodes or a leak current due to a structural defect or the like formed in a semiconductor layer or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Kazuo Nishi, Yasushi Maeda, Ryosuke Motoyoshi, Yuji Oda, Kei Takahashi, Yoshiaki Ito, Tatsuji Nishijima
  • Publication number: 20120042946
    Abstract: The embodiment provides a solar cell and a manufacturing process thereof. The solar cell is equipped with an electrode on the light incident surface side; and the electrode has both low resistivity and high transparency, can efficiently utilize solar light for excitation of carriers, and can be made of inexpensive materials. The solar cell comprises a photoelectric conversion layer, a first electrode layer arranged on the light incident surface side, and a second electrode layer arranged opposed to the first electrode layer. The first electrode layer has a thickness in the range of 10 to 200 nm, and has plural penetrating openings. Each of the individual openings occupies an area in the range of 80 nm2 to 0.8 ?m2, and the aperture ratio thereof is in the range 10 to 66%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kumi Masunaga, Akira Fujimoto, Tsutomu Nakanishi, Eishi Tsutsumi, Ryota Kitagawa, Koji Asakawa, Hideyuki Nishizawa
  • Publication number: 20120042939
    Abstract: This invention discloses an electrode of a solar cell electrically connected to a conductive element via a connect structure. The electrode of the solar cell includes a dielectric structure including one or more openings and located on a contact electrode. The connect structure is disposed within the openings to avoid horizontally diffusing into the contact electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: SOLAPOINT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tai Hui LIU
  • Publication number: 20120037218
    Abstract: An electrode for a photoelectric conversion device, a method of preparing the same and a photoelectric conversion device including the same. In one embodiment, an electrode for a photoelectric conversion device includes a transparent conductive layer, a metal electrode layer and an intermediate electrode layer. The transparent conductive layer is formed on a substrate. The metal electrode layer is disposed on the transparent conductive layer to have a pattern. The intermediate electrode layer is interposed between the transparent conductive layer and the metal electrode layer to join the transparent conductive layer and the metal electrode layer. Accordingly, the photoelectric conversion device is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Nam-Choul Yang, Sang-Yeol Hur
  • Publication number: 20120038016
    Abstract: In a back-illuminated solid-state image pickup device including a semiconductor substrate 4 having a light incident surface at a back surface side and a charge transfer electrode 2 disposed at a light detection surface at an opposite side of the semiconductor substrate 4 with respect to the light incident surface, the light detection surface has an uneven surface. By the light detection surface having the uneven surface, etaloning is suppressed because lights reflected by the uneven surface have scattered phase differences with respect to a phase of incident light and resulting interfering lights offset each other. A high quality image can thus be acquired by the back-illuminated solid-state image pickup device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Hisanori Suzuki, Yasuhito Yoneta, Yasuhito Miyazaki, Masaharu Muramatsu, Koei Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20120037219
    Abstract: A solar cell and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed. The solar cell includes a substrate of a first conductive type, an emitter layer of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type, a plurality of first electrodes each including a first electrode layer connected to the emitter layer and a second electrode layer positioned on the first electrode layer, at least one first current collector connected to the plurality of first electrodes, and a second electrode connected to the substrate. The emitter layer forms a p-n junction along with the substrate. The first electrode layer has a first width and the second electrode layer has a second width less than the first width of the first electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Sungjin KIM, Youngsung YANG, Taeyoung KWON, Seongeun LEE
  • Publication number: 20120037225
    Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell includes a substrate, a rear electrode layer provided on the substrate, a light absorbing layer provided on the rear electrode layer, and a front electrode layer provided on the light absorbing layer, wherein the front electrode layer includes, a first conductive layer provided on the light absorbing layer, and a second conductive layer provided on the first conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Suk Jae Jee, Ho Gun Cho, Chul Hwan Choi
  • Publication number: 20120037227
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell (100) includes the steps of removing a resist film (50) and removing a part of an n-type amorphous semiconductor layer (12n).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Takahama, Masayoshi Ono, Hiroyuki Mori, Youhei Murakami
  • Publication number: 20120040490
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention also generally provide a solar cell formation process that includes the formation of metal contacts over heavly doped regions that are formed in a desired pattern on a surface of a substrate. Embodiments of the invention also provide an inspection system and supporting hardware that is used to reliably position a similarly shaped, or patterned, metal contact structure on the patterned heavily doped regions to allow an Ohmic contact to be made. The metal contact structure, such as fingers and busbars, are formed on the heavily doped regions so that a high quality electrical connection can be formed between these two regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Applied Materials Italia S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Gallazzo, Timothy W. Weidman, Andrea Baccini, Sunhom (Steve) Paak, Hongbin Fang, Zhenhua Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120037224
    Abstract: A solar battery cell including: a semiconductor substrate; front-surface asperities formed on the principal surface on a light-receiving side of the semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor layer having a conductive type and formed along the front-surface asperities; and an anti-reflection film formed on the light-receiving side of the semiconductor layer, a passivation film is formed on the principal surface on the back-surface side of the semiconductor substrate, and at least one opening is provided in the passivation film. A first back-surface electrode is formed on the passivation film so as to overlap the entire area occupied by the opening and to cover the opening, and a second back-surface electrode is formed on the passivation film so as to overlap the entire area occupied by the first back-surface electrode and to cover the first back-surface electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujikawa, Shigeru Matsuno
  • Publication number: 20120031460
    Abstract: A solar battery including a transparent conductive film; and a solar battery element, wherein the transparent conductive film is bonded to a surface of the solar battery element, and the transparent conductive film is electrically connected to the solar battery element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichi Hosoya, Nori Miyagishima, Kenji Naoi, Teruhiko Kuramachi, Ryoji Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20120031486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to nanoparticle compositions for use in photovoltaic cells. Nanoparticles are utilized to provide increased scattering and also wavelength shifting to increase the efficiency of the photovoltaic cells. Exemplary nanoparticles include colloidal metal and fluorescent nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: NANOSYS, INC.
    Inventors: J. Wallace Parce, Jian Chen
  • Publication number: 20120032168
    Abstract: A photonic device (200) and method (100) of making the photonic device (200) employs preferential etching of grain boundaries of a polycrystalline semiconductor material layer (210). The method (100) includes growing (110) the polycrystalline layer (210) on a substrate (201). The polycrystalline layer includes a transition region (212) of variously oriented grains and a region (214) of columnar grain boundaries (215) adjacent to the transition region. The method further includes preferentially etching (120) the colunmar grain boundaries to provide tapered structures (220) of the semiconductor material that are continuous (217) with respective aligned grains (213) of the transition region. The tapered structures are predominantly single crystal. The method further includes forming (140) a conformal semiconductor junction (240) on the tapered structures and providing (160) first and second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Hans S. Cho, Theodore I. Kamins, Nathaniel J. Quitoriano
  • Publication number: 20120031484
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a solar cell electrode comprising steps of: (a) preparing a semiconductor substrate comprising a negative layer, a positive layer and passivation layers formed on the negative layer and the positive layer; (b) applying a conductive paste onto the passivation layer(s) formed on the positive layer, on the negative layer, or on both of the positive layer and the negative layer, wherein the conductive paste comprises; (i) a conductive powder; (ii) a glass frit comprising 45 to 81 mole percent (mol %) of PbO, 1 to 38 mol % of SiO2 and 5 to 47 mol % of B2O3, based on the total molar fraction of each component in the glass frit; and (iii) a resin binder; and (c) firing the conductive paste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Hisashi Matsuno, Norihiko Takeda
  • Publication number: 20120025340
    Abstract: The vertical silicon photomultiplier according to the present invention includes a trench electrode and a PN-junction layer perpendicular to the trench electrode forms and can maximize the quantum efficiency at optical wavelengths, 200˜900 nm in such a way that: it generates electric fields horizontal thereto, by applying a reverse bias voltage to between the trench electrode and the PN junction layer, so that, although ultraviolet light does not reach the PN-junction layer but is incident on the surface, electron-hole pairs can be produced by the horizontally generated electric fields although and an avalanche breakdown can be thus generated, and it allows ultraviolet light, capable of being transmitted to a relatively deep depth, to react with the PN-junction layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicants: SENSE TECHNOLOGY, EWHA UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY COLLABORATION FOUNDATION
    Inventor: IL HUNG PARK
  • Publication number: 20120025281
    Abstract: A pixel includes at least first to fourth semiconductor tiers. The first semiconductor tier includes a first semiconductor region that is electrically connected to a first external circuit, a second semiconductor region, and a third semiconductor region that is isolated from the first semiconductor region by the second semiconductor region and that is electrically connected to a second external circuit. The second semiconductor tier includes a MOS transistor that has insulating films and gate conductive electrodes that are electrically connected to a third external circuit. The third semiconductor tier includes a photodiode formed of the second and fourth semiconductor regions. A junction transistor is formed in which the fourth semiconductor region serves as a gate and in which one of the first and fifth semiconductor regions serves as a drain and the other serves as a source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Fujio Masuoka, Nozomu Harada
  • Publication number: 20120024369
    Abstract: A photo-chemical solar cell with nanoneedle electrode and a method manufacturing the same includes at least a working electrode, a counter electrode, an electrolyte layer and a photosensitized dye layer. The working electrode is an nanoneedle electrode formed from an nanoneedle semiconductor layer, wherein the nanoneedle semiconductor layer is prepared by sol-gel method at a low temperature to increase the specific surface area, adsorb more dye, increase the conductive ratio of the electrode, and thus improve the photo-current and the conversion efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Cheng-Jye CHU, Ruei-Ming Huang, Hui-Ju Chuang
  • Publication number: 20120024371
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a back electrode-type solar cell having improved conversion efficiency and reliability, and a method of manufacturing the back electrode-type solar cell having a reduced number of steps of forming an electrode and using a conductive paste. The back electrode-type solar cell of the present invention includes on one surface of a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a first doped region identical in conductivity type to the first conductivity type and a second doped region of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, and a first electrode formed on the first doped region and a second electrode formed on the second doped region. Each of the first electrode and the second electrode is a fired electrode, and at least the first electrode of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a conductive coating layer on a surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Yasushi Funakoshi
  • Publication number: 20120028396
    Abstract: Proposed is the method for forming selective emitters, field-induced emitters, back-surface field regions, and contacts to the functional regions of a solar cell by essentially electrical means and without conventional thermal diffusion and masking processes. The process includes forming conductive layers on both sides of an intermediate solar-cell structure, performing electrical and thermal treatment by passing electrical current independently through the front-side conductive layer and the back-side conductive layer, thus forming the selective emitters, the selective BSF regions, selective emitter contact regions, and contacts to the selective BSF regions. The obtained structure is then subjected to pulse electrical treatment by applying a voltage pulse or pulses between the front and back conductive layers to form the field-induced emitter and the field-induced BSF region. After the conductive layers are removed, a final solar cell is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Boris Gilman
  • Publication number: 20120021561
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell in which qualities and thicknesses of formed films are uniformed is obtained. This method of manufacturing a solar cell includes steps of forming a substrate-side electrode (11) on a substrate (10), forming at least part of a photoelectric conversion unit (12, 13) on the substrate-side electrode by supplying source gas from projecting portions of a plasma processing apparatus (1) including a first electrode (4) having the projecting portions (4b, 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d), made of a conductive porous material, provided to cover gas supply ports (4a), and forming a rear-side electrode (14) on the photoelectric conversion unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Terakawa
  • Publication number: 20120017968
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module may include an electrical connection assembly with increased corrosion protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Brian E. Cohen, Jianjun Wang, Rui Xiao
  • Publication number: 20120012160
    Abstract: Solar module structures and methods for assembling solar module structures. The solar module structures comprise pyramidal three-dimensional thin-film solar cells arranged in solar module structures. The pyramidal three-dimensional thin-film solar cell comprises a pyramidal three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate with emitter junction regions and doped base regions. The three-dimensional thin-film solar cell further includes emitter metallization regions and base metallization regions. The three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate comprises a plurality of pyramid-shaped unit cells. The solar module structures may be used in solar glass applications, building façade applications, rooftop installation applications as well as for centralized solar electricity generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SOLEXEL INC.
    Inventor: Mehrdad M. Moslehi
  • Publication number: 20120012153
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connection sheet for a solar battery cell electrode, which is a polymer sheet for use in the connection between an electrode for extracting an electric power from a solar battery cell and a wiring member through an electrically conductive adhesive material by heating and pressurizing, and which is intercalated between a heating/pressurizing member and the wiring member upon use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Syuichi Azechi, Ikuo Sakurai, Masakatsu Hotta, Takeshi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20120012151
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photovoltaic modules and methods of manufacturing photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Sreenivas Jayaraman, Oleh P. Karpenko
  • Publication number: 20120012176
    Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate, a doped pattern, a contact layer, and an electrode. The substrate includes a first surface onto which sunlight is incident and a second surface facing the first surface. The doped pattern is formed on the second surface of the substrate and the contact layer is formed on the doped pattern. The electrode is formed on the contact layer and is electrically connected to the doped pattern. Accordingly, a contact resistance between the substrate and the electrode may be decreased, so that the doped pattern and the electrode may be uniformly formed and a power efficiency of the solar cell may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Young-Jin Kim, Dong-Seop Kim, Doo-Youl Lee, Jun-Hyun Park, Sang-Ho Kim, Ju-Hyun Jeong, Young-Soo Kim, Chan-Bin Mo, Young-Su Kim, Myeong-Woo Kim, Sang-Joon Lee
  • Publication number: 20120012180
    Abstract: Provided is a back electrode type solar cell in which at least one of the first conductivity type electrode and the second conductivity type electrode is provided with a shape through which a liquid material can flow; a connecting sheet in which at least one of the first conductivity type wire and the second conductivity type wire is provided with a shape through which a liquid material can flow; a solar cell with a connecting sheet using the above-described back electrode type solar cell and/or the connecting sheet; a solar cell module; a method of manufacturing the solar cell with a connecting sheet; and a method of manufacturing the solar cell module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Yoshiya Abiko
  • Publication number: 20120006379
    Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a high quality dye-sensitized solar cell module which prevents a discrepancy in the position of a pair of base materials, and does not easily allow the occurrence of connection failure or internal short circuit, and a method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell module which allows easy production of the dye-sensitized solar cell module. To attain the object, the present invention discloses a dye-sensitized solar cell module comprising: a pair of resin substrates having flexibility, and two or more dye-sensitized solar cells formed between the pair of resin substrates, wherein a fixing member is disposed between adjacent dye-sensitized solar cells, and the fixing member is formed so as to penetrate through from an external side of one of the resin substrates to an external side of the other resin substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Miho SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20120009730
    Abstract: Throughput of manufacturing thin-film solar panels by inline technique is made substantially independent from the time extent of different surface treatment steps by accordingly subdividing treatment steps in sub-steps performed in inline subsequent treatment stations. Treatment duration in each of the subsequent treatment stations is equal (?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: OC OERLIKON BALZERS AG
    Inventors: Stephan Voser, Oliver Rattunde, Martin Dubs, Gerald Feistritzer, Volker Wuestenhagen, Gerhard Dovids
  • Publication number: 20120006394
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for manufacturing of electrical contacts on a solar cell is provided. The method may include forming a dielectric layer on a region to be electrically contacted; forming a first metal layer over the dielectric layer; forming electrical contacts between the first metal layer and the region to be electrically contacted through the dielectric layer by laser pulses; annealing the formed electrical contacts; and forming a second metal layer comprising a solderable material at least over a portion of the first metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: SOLARWORLD INDUSTRIES AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Philipp Richter, Torsten Weber
  • Publication number: 20120009717
    Abstract: Microelectronic imagers, methods for packaging microelectronic imagers, and methods for forming electrically conductive through-wafer interconnects in microelectronic imagers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a microelectronic imaging die can include a microelectronic substrate, an integrated circuit, and an image sensor electrically coupled to the integrated circuit. A bond-pad is carried by the substrate and electrically coupled to the integrated circuit. An electrically conductive through-wafer interconnect extends partially through the substrate and is in contact with the bond-pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Kyle K. Kirby, Salman Akram, William M. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 8093675
    Abstract: To provide a photoelectric conversion element that allows connection between adjacent photoelectric conversion elements by use of an inexpensive wiring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akiko Tsunemi, Satoshi Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20120003780
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell manufacturing method is disclosed. Methods include manufacturing a photovoltaic cell having a selective emitter and buried contact (electrode) structure utilizing nanoimprint technology. The methods include providing a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; forming a first doped region in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the first surface; performing a nanoimprint process and an etching process to form a trench in the semiconductor substrate, the trench extending into the semiconductor substrate from the first surface; forming a second doped region in the semiconductor substrate within the trench, the second doped region having a greater doping concentration than the first doped region; and filling the trench with a conductive material. The nanoimprint process uses a mold to define a location of an electrode line layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Tu, Chun-Lang Chen