Photoelectric Patents (Class 427/74)
  • Patent number: 7858145
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a pattern of an electroconductive member, comprising: a step of forming a resin film on a substrate surface; a step of incorporating the first metal component into the resin by applying to the resin a liquid which contains a complex of a first metal component, which contains also a second metal component different from the first component, and to which a compound forming a complex with the second metal component is contacting or contacted preliminary; and a step of baking the resin film to form the electroconductive member from the first metal component incorporated into the resin film. Thus, the second metal component is prevented from adversely affecting the first metal component to be incorporated into the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Furuse, Shosei Mori, Masahiro Terada, Taku Shimoda, Michiko Kato
  • Publication number: 20100319757
    Abstract: A method is described that provides a current carrying substrate and individually controlling film characteristics for a material being simultaneously formed on both sides of the substrate so as to provide a first layer of the material on one side substantially thicker than a second layer on another side of the substrate. The thinned layer is formed from an electrically insulating material but is configured such that the layer provides no significant electrical resistance to current passing through the layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Wolf Oetting
  • Publication number: 20100313936
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent glass substrate, associated with a transparent electro-conductive layer capable of constituting an electrode of a photovoltaic cell and composed of a doped oxide, characterized by the interposition, between the glass substrate and the transparent electroconductive layer, of a mixed layer of one or more first nitride(s) or oxynitride(s), or oxide(s) or oxycarbide(s) having good adhesive properties with glass, and one or more second nitride(s) or oxynitride(s) or oxide(s) or oxycarbide(s) capable of constituting, possibly in the doped state, a transparent electroconductive layer; a method for producing this substrate; a photovoltaic cell, a tempered and/or curved glass, a shaped heating glass, a plasma screen and a flat lamp electrode having this substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Bernard Nghiem, Emilie Viasnoff, Bertrand Kuhn, David Le Bellac, Anne Durandeau, Fabrice Abbott, Eddy Royer, Georges Zagdoun, Olivier Dubois
  • Publication number: 20100313951
    Abstract: Solar cells are provided with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which are used: to define a micron/sub-micron geometry of the solar cells; and/or as charge transporters for efficiently removing charge carriers from the absorber layer to reduce the rate of electron-hole recombination in the absorber layer. A solar cell may comprise: a substrate; a multiplicity of areas of metal catalyst on the surface of the substrate; a multiplicity of carbon nanotube bundles formed on the multiplicity of areas of metal catalyst, each bundle including carbon nanotubes aligned roughly perpendicular to the surface of the substrate; and a photoactive solar cell layer formed over the carbon nanotube bundles and exposed surfaces of the substrate, wherein the photoactive solar cell layer is continuous over the carbon nanotube bundles and the exposed surfaces of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Omkaram Nalamasu, Charles Gay, Victor L. Pushparaj, Kaushal K. Singh, Robert J. Visser, Majeed A. Foad, Ralf Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20100313932
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved thin film solar cell, wherein at least one additional resistive transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer is incorporated into the solar cell. The additional resistive TCO electrically separates the conductive TCO layers acting as electrodes of such a cell and thus decreases or prevents performance losses. Furthermore, methods for the production of such solar cells are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: OERLIKON SOLAR IP AG, TRUBBACH
    Inventors: Ulrich Kroll, Evelyne Vallat-Sauvain, Daniel Borrello, Johannes Meier
  • Patent number: 7851012
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrically conducting paste comprising a silver powder, a glass frit, a resin binder and a sintering inhibitor. The paste is used in the manufacture of solar cell electrodes by applying the electrically conducting paste to a substrate and then firing of the coated substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Takuya Konno
  • Patent number: 7838065
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing an electrode having an electrochemical catalyst layer, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate having a conductive layer thereon, immersing the substrate in a first solution having a conditioner to form a conditioner layer on the surface of the conductive layer, and immersing the substrate in a second solution having polymer-capped noble metal nanoclusters to form an electrochemical catalyst layer on the conditioner layer of the substrate. This method can reduce the amount of noble metal used in the electrochemical catalyst layer and is suitable for mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Tzu-Chien Wei, Chi-Chao Wan, Yeng-Yun Wang, Hui-Hsiu Tang
  • Patent number: 7838062
    Abstract: Fabrication of a solar cell using a printed contact mask. The contact mask may include dots formed by inkjet printing. The dots may be formed in openings between dielectric layers (e.g., polyimide). Intersections of overlapping dots may form gaps that define contact regions. The spacing of the gaps may be dictated by the alignment of nozzles that dispense the dots. Using the dots as a contact mask, an underlying dielectric layer may be etched to form the contact regions through the underlying dielectric layer. Metal contact fingers may be formed over the wafer to form electrical connections to corresponding diffusion regions through the contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sunpower Corporation
    Inventors: Peter John Cousins, Michael Joseph Cudzinovic
  • Patent number: 7833474
    Abstract: A sterile device immersed in a sterile buffer and a method for providing same. The sterile device may be a medical device such as a biosensor having a biomolecule as a sensing element such as, for example, a glucose oxidase enzyme. The buffer may be a bicarbonate solution. Both the device and the buffer may be packaged and stored over long term while maintaining sterilization. The sterilization method may comprise a combination of gaseous, liquid and light sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron J. Swanson, Jennifer M. Reynolds, Rajiv Shah
  • Publication number: 20100278892
    Abstract: A dodecamer peptide, and its modified variant, having a repeating glycine-lysine sequence was created and found to bind with high affinity to oxide surfaces and certain activated polymeric surfaces. Reversible binding characteristics of the peptides were demonstrated. The peptides were integrated with proteins, cells and fusion proteins to provide attachment of the proteins, cells and fusion proteins to solid material structures. The peptides can be used to functionalize surfaces of components within mechanical, in mechanical, biomechanical, micro fluidic, electronic, bioelectronic, bio-optical, and biochemical devices. Experiments were carried out to assess functionalization and reusability of a suspended mass resonator's cantilever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eric Mark Krauland, Stephen Kottmann, Roberto Juan Barbero, Angela Belcher
  • Patent number: 7811624
    Abstract: Charge transport materials are provided, and methods for making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Dupont Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: Hailiang Wang
  • Patent number: 7811625
    Abstract: There is provided an electron-emitting device of a field emission type, with which the spot size of an electron beam is small, an electron emission area is large, highly efficient electron emission is possible with a low voltage, and the manufacturing process is easy. The electron-emitting device includes a layer 2 which is electrically connected to a cathode electrode 5, and a plurality of particles 3 which contains a material having a resistivity lower than that of a material constituting the layer 2, and is wherein a density of particles 3 in the layer 2 is 1×1014/cm3 or more and 5×1018/cm3 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Ichikawa, Ryoji Fujiwara, Daisuke Sasaguri
  • Publication number: 20100218822
    Abstract: A composite film for a superstrate solar cell or a substrate solar cell has a transparent conductive film and a conductive reflective film, wherein the transparent conductive film is formed by using a wet coating method to apply a transparent conductive film composition or dispersion containing microparticles of a conductive oxide, the conductive reflective film is formed by using a wet coating method to apply a conductive reflective film composition containing metal nanoparticles, the average diameter of holes occurring at the contact surface of the conductive reflective film on either the side of the photovoltaic layer or the side of the transparent conductive film is not more than 100 nm, the average depth at which the holes are positioned is not more than 100 nm, and the number density of the holes is not more than 30 holes/?m2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Yamasaki, Toshiharu Hayashi, Masahide Arai, Satoko Ogawa, Yoshiaki Takata
  • Patent number: 7785657
    Abstract: A first population of semiconductor nanocrystals to create electron transport conduits, a second population so semiconductor nanocrystals to create hole transport conduits; and a third population of semiconductor nanocrystals to be used for either light absorption or light emission can be combined to form an inorganic nanostructure layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Evident Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael LoCascio, San Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 7785502
    Abstract: A method of enabling entry of data into a computer system via a printed form is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing the printed form, the form containing human-readable information and machine-readable coded data, the coded data being indicative of an identity of the form and of a plurality of locations on the form; (ii) operatively positioning a sensing device relative to the form; (iii) sensing at least some of the coded data; (iv) generating indicating data using the sensed coded data, the indicating data being indicative of the identity of the form and the position of the sensing device relative to the form; and (v) sending the indicating data to a computer system, thereby enabling the computer system to identify the data for entry. The coded data comprises an ink composition containing an IR-absorbing dye and a singlet oxygen quencher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Damon Donald Ridley, Kia Silverbrook, Lachlan Everett Hall, Paul Lapstun, Alexandra Artemis Papadakis, Scott Matthew Starling, Simone Charlotte Vonwiller
  • Publication number: 20100209614
    Abstract: The invention provides a coating method by which plural coating solutions of a coating solution formed from organic EL material for formation of an organic EL layer in an organic EL element and another coating solution formed from organic photoelectric conversion element material for formation of an organic photoelectric conversion element layer can be coated to prepare a multilayer film with no damage of the organic EL layer and organic photoelectric conversion element layer, and also provides a coating apparatus with the coating method. It is a feature in the coating method that plural coating units each facing a backup roll and sandwiching a long length support with the backup roll are provided, and plural coating solutions are coated onto the support by the plural coating units to form a multilayer coating film, wherein the moving support is wound up by the continuously moving backup roll supporting the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Sakata, Kiyoshi Endo
  • Publication number: 20100206361
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an oxide electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell including metal oxide nanoparticles by using a miller, and a dye-sensitized solar cell manufactured by using the same. More particularly, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an oxide electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell. The method includes (a) mixing metal oxide nanoparticles, a binder resin, and a solvent to prepare a metal oxide paste, (b) coating the metal oxide paste to a miller and pulverizing the metal oxide nanoparticles to prepare a paste including the metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein, and (c) coating the paste including the metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed therein on a conductive transparent substrate, performing a heat treatment of the resulting substrate, and adsorbing a dye thereon to manufacture the conductive electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kyung-Kon Kim, Nam-Gyu Park, Dong-Young Kim, Jun-Kyung Kim
  • Publication number: 20100209594
    Abstract: A method (200) for depositing an aluminum film or contact (124). The method includes providing (230) a substrate (120) with a surface for receiving the aluminum film (124). The substrate (120) is heated (240) to a printing temperature such as over 150° C., and the method (200) includes depositing (250) a volume of ink upon a surface of the substrate (120). The ink (136) includes an organometallic aluminum complex or precursor, and the substrate surface temperature is selected or high enough to decompose the organometallic aluminum complex or precursor to provide aluminum of the film (124) and a gaseous byproduct. The depositing or printing (250) of the ink may be performed within an inert or substantially oxygen-free atmosphere (144). The ink (136) may be a solution of the organometallic aluminum complex and a solvent. The aluminum complex or precursor may include an amine compound and alane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Calvin J. Curtis, Alexander Miedaner, Marinus Franciscus Antonius Maria van Hest, David S. Ginley
  • Publication number: 20100193004
    Abstract: The present invention provides thermoelectric conversion devices and production methods thereof. The thermoelectric conversion device includes: a thermoelectric conversion device main body having a ridge portion and/or a vertex portion at which a ridge and/or a vertex have/has been subjected to a chamfering process; and a film covering a surface of the thermoelectric conversion device main body, including the ridge portion and/or the vertex portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yuichi Hiroyama
  • Publication number: 20100196591
    Abstract: A system for thin film deposition on a flexible substrate having at least a first deposition region is described. The system includes a first chamber being based on a platform, wherein the first deposition region is within the first chamber, wherein the first chamber has a first support member configuration configured for supporting at least two different substrate guiding systems and wherein one substrate guiding system is supported by the first support member configuration, and wherein the platform is configured for at least two different deposition units and wherein one deposition unit of the at least two different deposition units is enclosed by the first chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan HEIN, Andre HERZOG, Peter SAUER, Neil MORRISON
  • Publication number: 20100193364
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a workpiece-surface-influencing device preferentially contacts the top surface of the workpiece, to chemically modify the surface at desired field areas of the workpiece without affecting the surfaces of cavities or recesses in the field areas. The device includes a substance which is chemically reactive with material forming the workpiece surface. The substance can be in the form of a thin film or coating which contacts the surface of the workpiece to chemically modify that surface. The workpiece-surface-influencing device can be in the form of a solid state applicator such as a roller or a semi-permeable membrane. In some other embodiments, the cavities are filled with material that prevents surface modification of the cavity surfaces while allowing modification of the field areas, or which encourages surface modification of the cavity surfaces while preventing modification of the field areas. The modified surface facilitates selective deposition of materials on the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: IPGRIP, LLC
    Inventor: Vladislav Vasilev
  • Patent number: 7767253
    Abstract: A method of making an anti-reflection coating using a sol-gel process, for use in a photovoltaic device or the like. The method may include the following steps in certain example embodiments: forming a polymeric component of silica by mixing silane(s) with one or more of a first solvent, a catalyst, and water; forming a silica sol gel by mixing the polymeric component with a colloidal silica, and optionally a second solvent; forming a metal oxide sol by mixing silane(s) with a metal oxide, a second catalyst, and a third solvent; forming a combined sol by mixing the metal oxide sol with the silica sol; casting the mixture by spin coating or the like to form a silica and metal oxide containing layer on a substrate; and curing and/or heat treating the layer. This layer may make up all or only part of an anti-reflection coating which may be used in a photovoltaic device or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Pramod K. Sharma
  • Publication number: 20100186814
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coating which has been applied to a substrate, comprising at least a first film and a second film which have been applied on top of each other and each comprise a transparent conducting oxide and an electron donor, wherein the second film comprises relatively at least 10 percent less electron donor than the first film. The invention also relates to a solar cell comprising a coating according to the invention. The invention further relates to a method for applying the coating according to the invention to a substrate, wherein at least a first and a second mixture which each comprise one or more precursors for a transparent conducting oxide and an electron donor are applied to the substrate, wherein the second mixture is composed such that relatively at least 10 percent less electron donor is incorporated in the film compared with the film deposited by the first mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST- NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
    Inventors: Johannes Petrus Zijp, Antonius Maria B. van Mol, Frank Theodoor, J. Grob
  • Publication number: 20100180942
    Abstract: Provided is a solar cell module that comprises a solar cell assembly. The solar cell assembly is encapsulated by a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant and contains an oxidizable metal component that is at least partially in contact with the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. The poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant comprises poly(vinyl butyral), about 15 to about 45 wt % of one or more plasticizers, and about 0.5 to about 2 wt % of one or more hindered amine, based on the total weight of the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. Further provided are an assembly for preparing the solar cell module; a process for preventing or reducing the discoloration of a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant in contact with an oxidizable metal component in the solar cell module; and the use of the solar cell module to convert solar energy to electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Rebecca L. Smith, Katherine M. Stika, Jason S. Wall
  • Publication number: 20100178417
    Abstract: A variety of methods, devices, systems and arrangements are implemented involving nanowire meshes. One such method is implemented to include synthesizing metal nanowires in a solution containing a structure-directing agent. The metal nanowires are deposited on a substrate to form a sheet of nanowires. The deposited metal nanowires are heated to a temperature less than about 200 degrees Celsius and for a period of time of about 10 minutes to 60 minutes, thereby removing the structure-directing agent and modifying the electrical conductivity and optical transmittance of the sheet of nanowires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Steve T. Connor, Jung-Yong Lee, Yi Cui, Peter Peumans
  • Patent number: 7749645
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The electrochemical cell comprises: a first conductive layer; a metal oxide layer provided on the first conductive layer, the metal oxide layer comprising a plurality of adjacent metal oxide cells, spaced from one another; a functional dye layer provided on the metal oxide layer; a second conductive layer; an electrolyte layer provided between the functional dye layer and the second conductive layer, wherein at least one of the first and second conductive layers is transparent; and wherein the functional dye layer is formed from an organic solvent ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Barry M. McGregor, Masaya Ishida
  • Publication number: 20100165440
    Abstract: A method for lithiating an electrochromic device comprise forming a first transparent conductive layer on a substrate, forming an electrochromic structure on the first transparent conductive layer, forming a second transparent conductive layer on the electrochromic structure, and lithiating the electrochromic structure through the second transparent conductive layer. In one exemplary embodiment lithiating the electrochromic structure comprises lithiating the electrochromic structure at a temperature range of between about room temperature and about 500 C for the duration of the lithiation process. In another exemplary embodiment, lithiating the electrochromic structure further comprises lithiating the electrochromic structure by using at least one of sputtering, evaporation, laser ablation and exposure to a lithium salt. The electrochromic device can be configured in either a “forward” or a “reverse” stack configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Paul P. Nguyen, Shiwei Liu
  • Publication number: 20100159205
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer molecular film, a photo-electronic element comprising the same and method for manufacturing the same. The polymer molecular film of the invention is formed via a deformation process on a substrate. Particularly, the polymer molecular film includes a plurality of conjugated polymers, therein at least one of the conjugated polymers has a stretched molecular structure. As a result, the photo-electronic element having said polymer molecular film performs with good lighting or power generating efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Arnold Chang-Mou YANG
  • Publication number: 20100154879
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), photo-sensitized anode electrode thereof, and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed, which includes the photo-sensitized anode electrode having a titanium dioxide layer coated by a protonized food dye layer that is an environmentally friendly photosensitizer instead of prior dyes. Therefore, the resultant DSSC can be recycled for reducing environmental pollution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: TAIWAN TEXTILE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chun-Chi Lai, Yu-Chou Chao, Wen-Hsien Ho, Jui-Chi Lin
  • Publication number: 20100159125
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method as well as an apparatus for depositing a layer at a substrate, the layer containing at least two components co-deposited by at least two evaporation sources, wherein the mixture of the components regarding the content of the components is set by tilting the evaporation sources to predetermined angle and/or by positioning the evaporation sources at a predetermined distance with respect to the substrate and/or wherein evaporation plumes of the evaporation sources are arranged such that the maxima of the evaporation plumes are separated locally with respect to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Juergen Bruch, Elisabeth Sommer, Uwe Hoffmann, Manuel Dieguez-Campo
  • Publication number: 20100148666
    Abstract: An encapsulant composition is provided. The encapsulant composition includes at least one silicone resin monomer and at least one resin monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin monomers and epoxy resin monomers, a filler of about 0.1-15 wt % of the encapsulant composition, and an initiator. The invention also provides a method for fabricating an encapsulant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Lung-Chang Liu, Ming-Hua Chung, Tsung-Ju Hsu, Chih-Fen Chang, Jen-Hao Chen
  • Publication number: 20100151248
    Abstract: A nanoparticle coated with a semiconducting material and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the method comprises making a semiconductor coated nanoparticle comprising a layer of at least one semiconducting material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a nanoparticle, comprising: (A) dispersing the nanoparticle under suitable conditions to provide a dispersed nanoparticle; and (B) depositing at least one semiconducting material under suitable conditions onto at least one surface of the dispersed nanoparticle to produce the semiconductor coated nanoparticle. In other embodiments, the nanoparticle comprises a fullerene. Further embodiments include the semiconducting material comprising CdS or CdSe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Dennis J. Flood, John R. Loscutova
  • Patent number: 7737356
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell for converting a light source into electricity, including: (a) a housing for the photovoltaic cell, including: (i) an at least partially transparent cell wall; (b) at least one electrically-conductive element, disposed at least partially within the photovoltaic cell, for boosting collection of a current generated by the cell; (c) a conductive coating, electrically associated with the electrically-conductive element, and disposed on a surface within the photovoltaic cell; (d) an electrolyte, disposed within the cell wall, the electrolyte containing a redox species, and (e) a current collection element, disposed on a side of the cell wall, wherein the current collection element is electrically connected to the electrically-conductive element, so as to remove the current produced by the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: 3GSolar Ltd.
    Inventor: Jonathan R. Goldstein
  • Publication number: 20100132762
    Abstract: Improved environmental barrier coatings and improved organic semiconductor devices employing the improved environmental barrier coatings are disclosed herein. Methods of making and using the improved coatings and devices are also described. An improved environmental barrier coating generally includes a primary barrier layer, a secondary barrier layer disposed on the primary barrier layer, and a passivation layer disposed on the secondary barrier layer. The secondary barrier layer is formed using atomic layer deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: SAMUEL GRAHAM, JR., Bernard Kippelen, Namsu Kim, Benoit Domercq
  • Publication number: 20100136245
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method to design, manufacture and structure a multi-component energy device having a unified structure, wherein the individual components are chosen from the list consisting of electrochemical cells, photovoltaic cells, fuel-cells, capacitors, ultracapacitors, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, microelectromechanical turbines and energy scavengers. Said components are organized into a structure to achieve an energy density, power density, voltage range, current range and lifetime range that the single components could not achieve individually, i.e. to say the individual components complement each other. The individual components form a hybrid structure, wherein the elements are in electrical, chemical and thermal conduction with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Sakti3, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Albano, Chia Wei Wang, Ann Marie Sastry
  • Publication number: 20100134871
    Abstract: In an electro-phoretic display and a fabricating method thereof, the electro-phoretic display is fabricated by the steps: forming a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in matrix form on a first substrate; disposing a plurality of electro-phoretic displaying units including a plurality of colored charged particles, wherein each pixel electrode is corresponding to at least one of the electro-phoretic displaying units having the colored charged particles with the same color; forming a transparent electrode on a second substrate; and disposing the second substrate on the electro-phoretic displaying units to positioning the transparent electrode between the second substrate and the electro-phoretic displaying units. The electro-phoretic display can select a part of the pixel electrodes for being driven according to the color of the image being displayed, so that the electro-phoretic display may have an improved chromatic performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Yi-Ching Wang, Su-Cheng Liu, Ted-Hong Shinn
  • Publication number: 20100133515
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a layered organic device, and a method of forming the same. The method includes steps of applying a first solvent-containing organic layer to a substrate and removing solvent from the first solvent-containing organic layer to form a first solidified organic layer. Additional steps include applying a second solvent-containing organic layer to the first solidified organic layer and removing solvent from the second solvent-containing organic layer to form a second solidified organic layer. The first solidified organic layer can be crosslinked, which suppresses negative impact to components in the first solidified organic layer when the solvent of the second solvent-containing organic layer is deposited on the first solidified organic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Xia Sheng, Zhang-Lin Zhou, Krzysztof Nauka, Chung Ching Yang
  • Publication number: 20100132775
    Abstract: Methods of promoting adhesion between a reflective backing layer and a solar cell substrate are provided. The reflective backing layer is formed over a conductive metal oxide layer as an alloy using reflective and adhesive components, the adhesive components being present in levels generally below about 5 atomic percent. Techniques are disclosed for depositing varying the concentration of the reflective backing layer to localize the adhesive components in an adhesion region near the conductive metal oxide layer. Techniques are also disclosed for boosting bonding species in the conductive metal oxide layer to further enhance adhesion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Hienminh H. Le, David Tanner
  • Publication number: 20100124643
    Abstract: A coated article includes a substrate and a first coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first coating includes a mixture of oxides including oxides of at least two of P, Si, Ti, Al and Zr. A photoactive functional coating is formed over at least a portion of the first coating. In one embodiment, the functional coating includes titania.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.
    Inventors: Songwei Lu, Caroline S. Harris, James McCamy, Ilya Koltover, Mehran Arbab, Cheri M. Boykin
  • Patent number: 7709051
    Abstract: Method for dyeing a layer of a nanocrystalline material on a substrate using a liquid dye, comprising the successive steps of (i) providing said layer on a substrate, (ii) providing an apparatus for dyeing said layer, which apparatus comprises at least a supply container for the liquid dye, a closable substrate holder provided with at least one inlet and at least one outlet for a substrate provided with a layer of nanocrystalline material, and conduit and circulation means for causing the liquid dye to circulate through the supply container and the substrate holder, (iii) placing the substrate with said layer in the substrate holder and closing the substrate holder, and providing a liquid dye in the supply container, and (iv) causing the liquid dye from the supply container to circulate for a determined time through the substrate holder, and apparatus for performing this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Stichting Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland
    Inventors: Martin Spath, Nicolaas Petrus Gijsbertus Van Der Burg, Danny Roberto Mahieu, Paul Matthieu Sommeling
  • Publication number: 20100101633
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The photovoltaic device includes: a substrate; a first conductive layer formed on the substrate; P layers and N layers alternately formed along a first direction on the first conductive layer; and I layers covering the P layers and the N layers on the first conductive layer, wherein the P layers and the N layers are separated from each other by a first interval, the I layers are formed between the P layers and the N layers that are separated by the first interval, and the P layers, the I layers, and the N layers formed along the first direction form unit cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Min PARK, Min-Seok Oh, Jung-Tae Kim, Czang-Ho Lee, Myung-Hun Shin, Byoung-Kyu Lee, Ku-Hyun Kang, Yuk-Hyun Nam, Seung-Jae Jung, Mi-Hwa Lim, Joon-Young Seo
  • Publication number: 20100101103
    Abstract: A tilt sensor includes a light emitting element and two light receiving elements accommodated in a case. The case is formed with an inner space in which a rolling member is provided in a freely movable manner by the pulling force of gravity. A cover plate is fixed to the case to close the inner space. The cover plate is provided with an irregular, inner ceiling surface that is exposed to the inner surface so as to come into sliding contact with the rolling member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Horio, Satoshi Fujitani
  • Publication number: 20100101645
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell, an electrode of the dye-sensitized solar cell, a method of manufacturing the electrode of the dye-sensitized solar cell are disclosed. The method of manufacturing the electrode of the dye-sensitized solar cell in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: forming a metal transparent electrode on one surface of a transparent polymer board, in which the metal transparent electrode has holes formed therein; forming a electron transfer layer on the metal transparent electrode; and absorbing photosensitive dye into the electron transfer layer. According to the method as set forth above, a flexible solar cell can be implemented by using a flexible electrode, and another transparent electrode layer using ITO can be omitted by using the nano-patterned metal transparent electrode. Therefore, the highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cell can be implemented by the excellent conductivity of metals and the plasmon effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Hyun-Jun KIM, Sung-Soo Park, Young-Sun Won, Ji-Chul An, Jin-Uk Lee, Soo-Yeong Ji
  • Publication number: 20100101637
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a method for producing a dispersion of metal nanoparticles which enables to control the shape and the particle diameter over a wide range, a dispersion of metal nanoparticles having superior dispersion stability, and a method for producing the same. In addition, the present invention further aims to provide a dispersion of metal nanoparticles which has a volume resistivity of 2×10?6 to 6×10?6 ?·cm and is suitable for use as an electrically conductive material, and a method for producing the same. Moreover, the present invention further aims to provide a method for synthesizing metal nanoparticles which can produce metal nanoparticles suitable for use as electrically conductive materials by synthesizing the metal nanoparticles from a insoluble metal salt which is free of corrosive materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Yamasaki, Airi Katagiri, Masahide Arai, Yoshiaki Takata, Toshiharu Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20100096006
    Abstract: Devices incorporating an interferometric stack in a photovoltaic device and method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device comprising an interferometric stack. In one example, a photovoltaic device includes a photovoltaic active layer, an absorber layer, and a first optical resonant cavity layer. The optical resonant cavity layer is disposed between the absorber layer and photovoltaic active layer forming an interferometric modulator. The interferometric modulator is configured to reflect a uniform color. In another example, a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device includes depositing a photovoltaic active layer on an interferometric stack. The interferometric stack can include an absorber layer and a first optical resonant cavity. The photovoltaic active layer is deposited on the optical resonant cavity and the formed photovoltaic device is reflects a uniform color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Griffiths, Manish Kothari
  • Publication number: 20100098840
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a back electrode of a silicon bulk solar cell is provided, which includes depositing a passivation layer on a back of a silicon substrate, and then coating a first metal paste on the passivation layer. Thereafter, a first sintering is performed at a high temperature, such that the first metal paste penetrates the passivation layer, joints to the silicon substrate, and diffuses into the back of the silicon substrate. Afterward, a second metal paste is coated on the back of the silicon substrate, and then a second sintering is performed at a low temperature to cure the second metal paste without penetrating the passivation layer, so as to finish the back electrode structure. Therefore, this method can reduce the manufacturing cost and simplify the manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chen-Hsun Du, Shih-Peng Hsu
  • Publication number: 20100096002
    Abstract: A composition for electrode formation containing metal nanoparticles dispersed in a dispersion medium, wherein the composition also comprises one or more organic polymers selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymers, polyvinyl alcohols, and cellulose ethers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Hayashi, Kazuhiko Yamasaki, Yoshiaki Takata
  • Patent number: 7700464
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for transforming non-planar or planar precursor materials in an appropriate vehicle under the appropriate conditions to create dispersions of planar particles with stoichiometric ratios of elements equal to that of the feedstock or precursor materials, even after selective forces settling. In particular, planar particles disperse more easily, form much denser coatings (or form coatings with more interparticle contact area), and anneal into fused, dense films at a lower temperature and/or time than their counterparts made from spherical nanoparticles. These planar particles may be nanoflakes that have a high aspect ratio. The resulting dense films formed from nanoflakes are particularly useful in forming photovoltaic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nanosolar, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Robinson, Jeroen K. J. Van Duren, Craig Leidholm, Brian M. Sager
  • Publication number: 20100089448
    Abstract: A coaxial solar cell forces an exposed annular light receiving layers of a constant thickness to directly receive projection of light excitedly to generate pairs of electrons and holes that are driven by radial built-in electronic field formed on a PN junction to travel by the same distance paths to coaxial inner and outer electrodes. The photons directly enter an exposed drift region. The excited pairs of electrons and holes are separated by the even built-in electronic field to output current. Loss caused by crowding and recombination of diffusion current can be prevented. Photoelectric conversion efficiency improves without losing photon energy of short wavelengths projecting to the surface. The linear coaxial solar cell is fabricated by forming coaxial and annular semiconductor layers or compound films through deposition. Thus, it can be continuously fabricated by extending its length and mass production to reduce costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Chun-Chu Yang
  • Publication number: 20100093127
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mounted solar cell by providing a metallic flexible film having a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion; and attaching the semiconductor solar cell to the metallic film, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the semiconductor body closely matching the predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Emcore Solar Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Sharps, Cory Tourino, Arthur Cornfeld