Energy Storage/generating Using Nanostructure (e.g., Fuel Cell, Battery, Etc.) Patents (Class 977/948)
  • Publication number: 20140127558
    Abstract: A composite anode active material, a method of preparing the composite anode active material, and a lithium battery including the lithium battery. According to the method of preparing the composite anode active material, carbon nanotubes are formed on a Si particle without a separate operation of applying a catalyst. Furthermore, high adherence is provided between the Si particle and carbon nanotubes, and therefore the composite anode active material is used as an anode material of the lithium battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho-suk KANG, Jeong-hee LEE, Yoon-chul SON, Jeong-na HEO
  • Publication number: 20140127586
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aligned carbon nanotube assembly constituted of carbon nanotubes each having a defective pore on its side surface, a method of manufacturing the aligned carbon nanotube assembly, a carbon-based electrode, and a power storage device. The aligned carbon nanotube assembly is formed by aggregating a large number of carbon nanotubes aligned in parallel along the same direction and having parallel orientation. In such a state that the aligned carbon nanotube assembly remains grown, the carbon nanotube constituting the aligned carbon nanotube assembly has a defective pore on its side surface. In a raman spectrum of the aligned carbon nanotube assembly in a Raman spectrometric method, when intensity of scattered light in D-band is represented by ID and intensity of scattered light in G-band is represented by IG, an ID/IG ratio is not less than 0.80.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Kamizono, Gang Xie
  • Publication number: 20140120419
    Abstract: A method of forming carbon nanotubes on a copper substrate may comprise providing a copper substrate, depositing a titanium metal thin film adhesion layer on the copper substrate, depositing a titanium nitride thin film on the titanium metal thin film, the titanium nitride thin film being between 100 and 200 nanometers in thickness, depositing a catalyst metal on the titanium nitride thin film, the catalyst metal being in the form of discrete particles on the surface of the titanium nitride thin film, and growing carbon nanotubes on the discrete particles of catalyst metal, the carbon nanotubes being grown to an average length of at least 3 microns, wherein the titanium nitride thin film is a diffusion barrier layer preventing alloying of copper with the catalyst metal. To form a silicon battery electrode, the method may further include depositing silicon on the carbon nanotubes over their entire length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Victor PUSHPARAJ, Gene Maramag
  • Publication number: 20140113218
    Abstract: Catalysts comprising porous metal nanoparticles, which are individually encapsulated with a reaction-enhancing material, and their use in fuel cell catalysis are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jonah Daedalus Erlebacher, Joshua D. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20140111063
    Abstract: A textile-based stretchable energy generator is provided. The energy generator includes: flexible and stretchable first and second electrode substrates; and an energy generation layer, which is provided between the first and second electrode substrates and includes a dielectric elastomer for generating electrical energy from a transformation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-hyun BAE, Jong Jin PARK, Sang-hun JEON, Burak GUZELTURK
  • Patent number: 8703526
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a transparent electrode for use in a quantum dot sensitized solar cell, and a quantum dot sensitized solar cell fabricated according to the method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jaehoon Kim, Byoung Koun Min, Jae-Duck Kim, Jong Min Park, Wonho Jang
  • Patent number: 8703355
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell comprising a gradient catalyst structure and a method of making the same. The gradient catalyst structure can include a plurality of catalyst nanoparticles, e.g., platinum, disposed on layered buckypaper. The layered buckypaper can include at least a first layer and a second layer and the first layer can have a lower porosity compared to the second layer. The gradient catalyst structure can include single-wall nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or both in the first layer of the layered buckypaper and can include carbon nanofibers in the second layer of the layered buckypaper. The MEA can have a catalyst utilization efficiency of at least 0.35 gcat/kW or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Zhang, Wei Zhu, Jian-ping Zheng, Zhiyong Liang, Ben Wang
  • Publication number: 20140104751
    Abstract: Nanobiomimetic supercapacitors comprise an “Electron Well” and an “Electron-Dam” Membrane Electrode Assembling (MEA); the “Electron-Well” MEA compromises an electrode comprising a substrate of glassy carbon; a self-assembling membrane comprises a polymer matrix; wherein the polymer matrix is comprised of an electrically conductive copolymer; wherein the copolymer is further comprised of one or more first ?-cyclodextrin molecules having at least one or more free acetyl groups; one or more polyethylene glycol molecules; one or more poly(4-vinylpyridine) molecules; and one or more second ?-cyclodextrin molecules; the self-assembling membrane having a surface structure comprising one or more nanopores and pillars; the nanopores and pillars are vertically oriented on the substrate to form nanopore and pillar array; the “Electron-Dam” MEA compromises the nanopore/pillar layer sealed with an embedded hydrophobic aromatic substance having a flat lid structure; Wherein the MEA can be as either said positive or negativ
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Ellen T. Chen
  • Publication number: 20140102539
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide functionalized carbon nanostructures for use in various devices, including photovoltaic devices (e.g., solar cells). In some embodiments, carbon nanostructures substituted with at least one cyclobutyl and/or cyclobutenyl group are provided. Devices including such materials may exhibit increased efficiency, increased open circuit potential, high electron/hole mobility, and/or low electrical resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Vladimir Bulovic, Ggoch Ddeul Han, Trisha L. Andrew
  • Publication number: 20140102536
    Abstract: A composite photovoltaic cell comprised of a substrate overlaid with metallic nanoparticles sensitized with quantum dots. Using flexible or rigid substrates in conjunction with metallic nanoparticles and quantum dots a highly efficient photovoltaic cell can be formed by using localized surface plasmon resonance. The localized surface plasmon resonance of the metallic nanoparticles enhances the absorption of photons and is further sensitized by quantum dots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Nanosensing Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia Maria Albuquerque de Farias, Arnaldo Cesar Dantas dos Santos Andrade, Josivandro do Nascimento Silva, Jamil Saade, Olavo Dhyan de Farias Cardozo
  • Publication number: 20140093790
    Abstract: A nanofibrous catalyst and method of manufacture. A precursor solution of a transition metal based material is formed into a plurality of interconnected nanofibers by electro-spinning the precursor solution with the nanofibers converted to a catalytically active material by a heat treatment. Selected subsequent treatments can enhance catalytic activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Di-Jia Liu, Jianglan Shui, Chen Chen
  • Publication number: 20140093773
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrode for energy devices such as electric double layer capacitors, which includes conductive fibers made of carbon, such as carbon nanotubes, as an electrode active material and has a high capacitance. The electrode for energy devices includes a current collector and a plurality of conductive fibers (e.g., carbon nanotubes) provided to stand on a surface of the current collector so that their one ends are electrically connected to the surface of the current collector, wherein the conductive fibers are made of carbon and have carboxyl group-containing functional groups or oxo group-containing functional groups and hydroxyl group-containing functional groups attached thereto. The conductive fibers preferably carry a quinone group-containing compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hashimoto, Takuma Asari, Shigeo Hayashi, Hironori Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20140092527
    Abstract: An electric double-layer capacitor having a capacitor element, a package defining a closed space accommodating the capacitor element, and electrolytic solution loaded in the closed space. The package includes a body and a lid, and the body has a metallic portion and a resin portion. The metallic portion includes two lead-out terminals electrically coupled to the capacitor element, and these two lead-out terminals are electrically isolated from each other by the resin portion. The resin portion includes two projections extending into the closed space, which make the closed space narrower and reduce the amount of loading of the electrolytic solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Harada, Masaharu Itaya
  • Publication number: 20140093778
    Abstract: A nanosheet comprises a single crystal mixed metal oxide M1xM2yO2 material composition that may comprise a single crystal NaxCoO2 material composition. The nanosheet may be prepared using a sequential process sequence that includes chelated mixed metal ion sol-gel mixture formation, autocombustion, isostatic pressing, electro kinetic demixing and calcination. This particular process sequence provides single crystal nanosheets having in-plane mutually perpendicular lateral sheet dimensions greater than about 10 microns by about 200 microns, and a thickness from about 5 to about 100 nanometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: CORNELL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mahmut Askit, Richard D. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140092521
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise different methods and equipment for efficiently and relatively inexpensively producing Casimir cavities for use in quantum vacuum energy extraction. The methods include without limitation, sintering; submicron porous filter materials; web roll-to-roll produced mesh or foil layers; nanotube arrays; web roll-to-roll produced porous membranes such as graphene, metallically doped; web roll-to-roll produced metallic crystals with self assembling arrays of nano-channels; three-dimensional prototyping; charged particle deposition; metal wire bundles; metal tube bundles; and metallically doped or metallically coated glass or polymer wire bundles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Charles Hillel ROSENDORF
  • Publication number: 20140093769
    Abstract: Carbon nanotube-based electrode materials for rechargeable batteries have a vastly increased power density and charging rate compared to conventional lithium ion batteries. The electrodes are based on a carbon nanotube scaffold that is coated with a thin layer of electrochemically active material in the form of nanoparticles. Alternating layers of carbon nanotubes and electrochemically active nanoparticles further increases the power density of the batteries. Rechargeable batteries made with the electrodes have a 100 to 10000 times increased power density compared to conventional lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and a charging rate increased by up to 100 times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ahmed Busnaina, Sivasubramanian Somu, Ankita Shah
  • Publication number: 20140083492
    Abstract: Designs of extremely high efficiency solar cells are described. A novel alternating bias scheme enhances the photovoltaic power extraction capability above the cell band-gap by enabling the extraction of hot carriers. When applied in conventional solar cells, this alternating bias scheme has the potential of more than doubling their yielded net efficiency. When applied in conjunction with solar cells incorporating quantum wells (QWs) or quantum dots (QDs) based solar cells, the described alternating bias scheme has the potential of extending such solar cell power extraction coverage, possibly across the entire solar spectrum, thus enabling unprecedented solar power extraction efficiency. Within such cells, a novel alternating bias scheme extends the cell energy conversion capability above the cell material band-gap while the quantum confinement structures are used to extend the cell energy conversion capability below the cell band-gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: OSTENDO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hussein S. El-Ghoroury, Dale A. McNeill, Selim E. Guncer
  • Patent number: 8673807
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst composition for the synthesis of thin multi-walled carbon nanotube(MWCNT). More particularly, this invention relates to a multi-component metal catalyst composition comprising i) main catalyst of Co and Al, ii) inactive support of Mg and iii) optional co-catalyst at least one selected from Ni, Cr, Mn, Mo, W, Pb, Ti, Sn, or Cu. Further, the present invention affords thin multi-walled carbon nanotube having 5˜20 nm of diameter and 100˜10,000 of aspect ratio in a high yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Hyo Ryu, Wan Sung Lee, Youngchan Jang
  • Publication number: 20140072871
    Abstract: A rechargeable lithium cell comprising: (a) an anode comprising an anode active material; (b) a cathode comprising a hybrid cathode active material composed of an electrically conductive substrate and a phthalocyanine compound chemically bonded to or immobilized by the conductive substrate, wherein the phthalocyanine compound is in an amount of from 1% to 99% by weight based on the total weight of the conductive substrate and the phthalocyanine compound combined; and (c) electrolyte or a combination of electrolyte and a porous separator, wherein the separator is disposed between the anode and the cathode and the electrolyte is in ionic contact with the anode and the cathode. This secondary cell exhibits a long cycle life, the best cathode specific capacity, and best cell-level specific energy of all rechargeable lithium-ion cells ever reported.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Guorong Chen, Zhenning Yu, Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z. Jang
  • Publication number: 20140072876
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for forming an energy storage device. More particularly, embodiments described herein relate to methods of forming electric batteries and electrochemical capacitors. In one embodiment a method of forming a high surface area electrode for use in an energy storage device is provided. The method comprises forming an amorphous silicon layer on a current collector having a conductive surface, immersing the amorphous silicon layer in an electrolytic solution to form a series of interconnected pores in the amorphous silicon layer, and forming carbon nanotubes within the series of interconnected pores of the amorphous silicon layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Victor L. PUSHPARAJ, Omkaram NALAMASU, Steven VERHAVERBEKE
  • Publication number: 20140060637
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a photoelectrode mounted between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and an electrolyte located between the photoelectrode and the positive electrode. The photoelectrode is adapted to absorb a dye. The photoelectrode includes a dense layer, a scattering layer and a carrier transport layer. The dense layer, the scattering layer and the carrier transport layer are stacked one upon another. The dense layer is formed by titanium dioxide nanoparticles having a diameter of 15-20 nm. The scattering layer is formed by titanium dioxide nanospheres having a diameter of 200-500 nm. The carrier transport layer is formed by titanium dioxide nanotubes having a length of 300-800 nm. Furthermore, a photoelectrode for the dye-sensitized solar cell, as well as a method for producing the photoelectrode, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: I-SHOU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tien-Tsan HUNG, Jun-Yu BAI
  • Publication number: 20140053897
    Abstract: This disclosure features a system that includes first and second electrodes; first and second photoactive layers between the first and second electrodes; and a recombination material between the first and second photoactive layers. The first photoactive layer is between the first electrode and the recombination material. The second photoactive layer is between the second electrode and the recombination material. The recombination material includes a first hole blocking layer and a first hole carrier layer. The first hole blocking layer includes an n-type semiconductor material and a polyamine, at least some molecules of the polyamine being cross-linked. The system is configured as a photovoltaic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Srinivasan Balasubramanian, Kethinni G. Chittibabu, Robert D. Eckert, Russell Gaudiana, Nirupama Kattamuri, Michael Lee, David P. Waller
  • Publication number: 20140057178
    Abstract: An anode of a lithium battery includes a carbon nanotube film structure and an anode active material. The carbon nanotube film structure includes a number of carbon nanotubes joined by van der Waals force therebetween. The anode active material is located on surface of the carbon nanotubes to form a tubular structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: XING-FENG HE, YANG WU, JIA-PING WANG, KAI-LI JIANG, SHOU-SHAN FAN
  • Publication number: 20140049879
    Abstract: A structural electrochemical capacitor that includes at least one pair of electrodes and a solid electrolytic material disposed between the electrodes which, taken collectively, have sufficient mechanical strength to allow the electrochemical capacitor to be used as a structural component of an article of manufacture is described. The present invention also describes a method of capacitively storing electrical energy and conserving mass and/or volume in a device that includes the steps of: fabricating portions of the structure of a device with high-strength structural electrochemical capacitor that includes at least one pair of electrodes and a body of solid electrolytic material disposed between said electrodes wherein the body of solid electrolytic material accounts for a majority of the mass of a structural element or a majority of the volume of a structural element in the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: James F. SNYDER, Eric D. WETZEL
  • Publication number: 20140050973
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell including an anode, a sulfur-containing cathode, a lithium-ion-containing electrolyte, and a porous carbon interlayer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The interlayer may be permeable to the electrolyte. The interlayer may be formed from a multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) or a microporous carbon paper (MCP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Arumugam Manthiram, Yu-Sheng Su
  • Publication number: 20140045059
    Abstract: A cathode electrode of a lithium ion battery includes a cathode current collector and a cathode material layer. The cathode material layer is located on a surface of the cathode current collector. The cathode material layer includes a cathode active material. The cathode active material includes sulfur grafted poly(pyridinopyridine). The sulfur grafted poly(pyridinopyridine) includes a poly(pyridinopyridine) matrix and sulfur dispersed in the poly(pyridinopyridine) matrix. The cathode current collector includes a polymer substrate and a graphene layer located on a surface of the polymer substrate adjacent to the cathode material layer. A lithium ion battery using the cathode electrode is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: XIANG-MING HE, LI WANG, JIAN-JUN LI, JIAN GAO
  • Publication number: 20140042376
    Abstract: A nanostructure and method for assembly thereof are disclosed. The nanostructure includes a gain medium nanoparticle; an output coupler nanoparticle being discrete from and linked to the gain medium nanoparticle; and a plurality of metal nanoparticles being linked about the gain medium nanoparticle, wherein the gain medium nanoparticle and the output coupler nanoparticle are included in the nanostructure in a one to one ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Idan Mandelbaum, Tadd C. Kippeny
  • Publication number: 20140045093
    Abstract: A metal electrode assembly includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and an ion conducting membrane disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. The ion conducting layer includes a polyphenylene sulfide mat with a first polymer imbibed therein. The polyphenylene sulfide mat includes the polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures. A method for forming the ion conducting layer is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James Mitchell, Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20140044963
    Abstract: A vapor-grown graphite fibers (VGGF) composition and a mixture containing the VGGF composition and applications thereof are provided. The VGGF composition includes a carbon ingredient containing a carbon content of at least 99.9 wt %. The carbon ingredient has a graphitization degree of at least 75%, and the carbon ingredient includes non-fibrous carbon and fibrous VGGF, wherein an area ratio of the non-fibrous carbon to the fibrous VGGF measured by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is about equal to or smaller than 5%. The fibrous VGGF include graphite fibers having a 3-D linkage structure, wherein the content of the graphite fibers having the 3-D linkage structure in the fibrous VGGF measured by the SEM is about between 5 area % and 50 area %. The VGGF composition and its mixture are applied to the composite materials, thereby promoting the strength, electric and thermal conductivity of the composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: YONGYU APPLIED TECHNOLOGY MATERIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chun-Shan WANG, Teng-Hui WANG
  • Patent number: 8642496
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a catalyst comprising catalytic nanoparticles and a catalyst support, wherein the catalytic nanoparticles are embedded in the catalyst support, comprising forming the catalytic nanoparticles on carbon particle, dispersing the carbon particle in a solution comprising precursors of the catalyst support to form a suspension, heating the suspension to form a gel, subjecting the gel to incineration to form a powder, and sintering the powder to form the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Zetao Xia, Liang Hong, Wei Wang, Zhao Lin Liu
  • Patent number: 8641876
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel device for biosensing and energy storage. The present invented device comprises an electrode having a nanopore structured and bio-communicationally active cyclodextrin attached thereto. The device has demonstrated robust analytical performances for direct single subtype breast cancer measurements without mediators, or native enzyme, and without antibodies labeling; the device is capable to store energy by direct bio-communication with the living cancer cells at real time is demonstrated. It is beneficial in the health care diagnostic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Ellen Tuanying Chen
  • Publication number: 20140030590
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode for an electrochemical energy storage device, the electrode comprising a self-supporting layer of a mixture of graphene sheets and spacer particles and/or binder particles, wherein the electrode is prepared without using water, solvent, or liquid chemical. The graphene electrode prepared by the solvent-free process exhibits many desirable features and advantages as compared to the corresponding electrode prepared by a known wet process. These advantages include a higher electrode specific surface area, higher energy storage capacity, improved or higher packing density or tap density, lower amount of binder required, lower internal electrode resistance, more consistent and uniform dispersion of graphene sheets and binder, reduction or elimination of undesirable effect of electrolyte oxidation or decomposition due to the presence of water, solvent, or chemical, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Mingchao Wang, Guorong Chen, Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z. Jang
  • Publication number: 20140026949
    Abstract: A chalcogen-resistant material including at least one of a conductive elongated nanostructure layer and a high work function material layer is deposited on a transition metal layer on a substrate. A semiconductor chalcogenide material layer is deposited over the chalcogen-resistant material. The conductive elongated nanostructures, if present, can reduce contact resistance by providing direct electrically conductive paths from the transition metal layer through the chalcogen-resistant material and to the semiconductor chalcogenide material. The high work function material layer, if present, can reduce contact resistance by blocking chalcogenization of the transition metal in the transition metal layer. Reduction of the contact resistance can enhance efficiency of a solar cell including the chalcogenide semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shafaat AHMED, Hariklia DELIGIANNI, Lubomyr T. ROMANKIW
  • Publication number: 20140030636
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a graphene film is used as a protective layer for current collectors in electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices. The graphene film inhibits passivation or corrosion of the underlying metals of the current collectors without adding additional weight or volume to the devices. The graphene film is highly conductive so the coated current collectors maintain conductivity as high as that of underlying metals. The protective nature of the graphene film enables less corrosion resistant, less costly and/or lighter weight metals to be utilized as current collectors. The graphene film may be formed directly on Cu or Ni current collectors using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or may be transferred to other types of current collectors after formation. The graphene film coated current collectors may be utilized in batteries, super capacitors, dye-sensitized solar cells, and fuel and electrolytic cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Bluestone Global Tech
    Inventors: Xin Zhao, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Publication number: 20140026948
    Abstract: An organic solar cell includes a first sub-cell including a first active layer and a second sub-cell including a second active layer, wherein at least one of the first active layer and the second active layer includes at least two types of electron acceptors having different light absorbance from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo Ghang IHN, Jong Hwan PARK, Yeon Ji CHUNG, Young Min NAM
  • Publication number: 20140022700
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to a method for forming a graphene composite structure. Initially, an encapsulating film is formed on a substrate. The encapsulating film comprises graphene. Subsequently, a plurality of particles are deposited on the encapsulating film, and then a temporary layer is deposited on the plurality of active particles and the encapsulating film. The substrate is then removed. Lastly, the temporary layer is also removed so as to cause the plurality of particles to form a cluster that is at least partially encapsulated by the encapsulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: BLUESTONE GLOBAL TECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Xin Zhao, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Publication number: 20140021827
    Abstract: Primary voltaic sources include nanofiber Schottky barrier arrays and a radioactive source including at least one radioactive element configured to emit radioactive particles. The arrays have a semiconductor component and a metallic component joined at a metal-semiconductor junction. The radioactive source is positioned proximate to the arrays such that at least a portion of the radioactive particles impinge on the arrays to produce a flow of electrons across the metal-semiconductor junction. Methods of producing voltaic sources include reacting at least one carbon oxide and a reducing agent in the presence of a substrate comprising a catalyst to form a solid carbon product over the substrate. Material is disposed over at least a portion of the solid carbon product to form a nanofiber Schottky barrier array. A radioactive source is disposed adjacent the nanofiber Schottky barrier array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Dallas B. Noyes
  • Publication number: 20140017563
    Abstract: A current collector includes a support and at least one graphene layer located on the support. The support includes two surfaces. The at least one graphene layer is located on one of the two surfaces of the support. The at least one graphene layer includes a number of uniformly distributed graphenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: JIA-PING WANG, KAI-LI JIANG, SHOU-SHAN FAN
  • Publication number: 20140014169
    Abstract: Semiconductor nanostrings, mats containing semiconductor nanostrings, and devices and modules, such as, solar energy generating modules, including semiconductor nanostrings or mats containing semiconductor nanostrings are described herein. Methods for making multi-layer nanostrings and mats and other devices including multi-layer nanostrings are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: James A. RAND, Scott MORRISON, John BLUM
  • Publication number: 20140007687
    Abstract: A traffic sensor includes a flexible substrate having a top surface. A piezoelectric structure extends from the first electrode layer. The piezoelectric structure has a top end. An insulating layer is infused into the piezoelectric structure. A first electrode layer is disposed on top of the insulating layer. A second electrode layer is disposed below the flexible substrate. A packaging layer is disposed around the substrate, the first electrode layer, the piezoelectric structure, the insulating layer and the second electrode layer. In a method of sensing a traffic parameter, a piezoelectric nanostructure-based traffic sensor is applied to a roadway. An electrical event generated by the piezoelectric nanostructure-based traffic sensor in response to a vehicle interacting with the piezoelectric nanostructure-based traffic sensor is detected. The electrical event is correlated with the traffic parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Zhong Lin Wang, Youfan Hu, Long Lin
  • Publication number: 20140011112
    Abstract: A membrane electrode includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a proton exchange membrane sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a first gas diffusion layer and a first catalyst layer. The second electrode includes a second gas diffusion layer and a second catalyst layer. The first catalyst layer or the second catalyst layer includes a carbon nanotube-metal particle composite including carbon nanotubes, polymer layer, and metal particles. The polymer layer is coated on a surface of the carbon nanotubes and defines a plurality of pores uniformly distributed; the metal particles are located in the pores. A fuel cell including the membrane electrode is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: JIAN-WEI GUO, XIAO-LIN XIE, CHENG WANG, XIANG-MING HE, WEN-JUAN WEI, CHEN-CHEN ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20140000696
    Abstract: This invention relates to a class of ruthenium(II) bis(aryleneethynylene) complexes for use in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cell devices, and the method of synthesizing thereof. This invention also relates to a BHJ solar cell device comprising the ruthenium(II) bis(aryleneethynylene) complex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Wai-Yeung Wong, Qian Liu, Cheuk-Lam Ho
  • Publication number: 20140004430
    Abstract: Disclosed is a metal-air fuel cell based on a solid oxide electrolyte employing metal nanoparticles as fuel. The metal-air fuel cell includes an anode, a cathode, a solid oxide electrolyte and a metal fuel, wherein the metal fuel comprises metal nanoparticles having an average particle diameter ranging from 1 nm to 100 nm. The metal nanoparticles have a low melting point and provide high reactivity. Thus, the metal-air fuel cell forms a metal molten phase at a relatively low temperature thereby improving contactability and has improved reactivity to promote oxidation, thereby enabling highly efficient power generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Jaeyoung Lee, HyungKuk Ju, Jae Kwang Lee, Jin Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20140002881
    Abstract: Provided is an electrochromic device with a solar cell. The device may include first and second substrates spaced apart from and facing each other, an electrolytic layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first electrode between the first substrate and the electrolytic layer, a second electrode between the second substrate and the electrolytic layer, an electrochromic layer between the first electrode and the electrolytic layer, and a counter electrode between the second electrode and the electrolytic layer. The counter electrode may be a silicon solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
  • Publication number: 20140004440
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of ultralow loading catalyst. Also disclosed are membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cells utilizing the ultralow loading catalyst. One embodiment of an ultralow loading catalyst includes support particles comprised of a non-precious metal catalyst material and precious metal particles supported on the support particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: TAEHEE HAN, ELLAZAR V. NIANGAR, NILESH DALE
  • Publication number: 20130344421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hollow platinum nanoparticles with a diameter comprised between 3 and 20 nm which comprise a first central cavity and optionally at least one second cavity at the periphery of the first cavity, the shell of which is dense and single-crystal with a thickness comprised between 0.2 and 5 nm. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such nanoparticles, as well as to their use as an electrocatalyst in fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Audrey MONTAUT, Sandrine MOUTIN, Marian Julien CHATENET, Julien Frederic Christophe DURST, Frederic Thibaut Maillard
  • Publication number: 20130342963
    Abstract: The arrangement for supercapacitor device comprises an electrode (1) provided with an electrically conductive element (4). It also comprises a separator element (3) fixed against a first face (4a) of the electrically conductive element (4), the arrangement being perforated with a plurality of through holes (5) which pass through both the electrically conductive element (4) and the separator element (3). The perforated separator element (3) forms a membrane that is both electrically insulating and porous to ions of an electrolyte of the supercapacitor device. The electrically conductive element (4) of the electrode (1) being perforated, the equivalent surface area of the electrodes of the supercapacitor device is dependent on the number of holes made and on their depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Pascal Besesty, Gerard Bidan, Emmanuel Hadji
  • Publication number: 20130342959
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to capacitors comprising organized assemblies of carbon and non-carbon compounds. This invention further relates to methods of making such organized structures. It also relates to devices containing such structures. In preferred embodiments, the organized structures of the instant invention take the form of nanorods or their aggregate forms. More preferably, a nanorod is made up of a carbon nanotube filled, coated, or both filled and coated by a non-carbon material. In particular, the present invention is directed to a capacitor electrode comprising a carbon nanotube filled with one or more non-carbon materials comprising titanium, a titanium compound, manganese, a manganese compound, cobalt, nickel, palladium, platinum, bromine, iodine, an interhalogen compound, or the combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Leonid GRIGORIAN, Steven G. COLBERN, Sean Imtiaz BRAHIM
  • Publication number: 20130344390
    Abstract: A composition of graphene-based nanomaterials and a method of preparing the composition are provided. A carbon-based precursor is dissolved in water to form a precursor suspension. The precursor suspension is placed onto a substrate, thereby forming a precursor assembly. The precursor assembly is annealed, thereby forming the graphene-based nanomaterials. The graphene-based nanomaterials are crystallographically ordered at least in part and configured to form a plurality of diffraction rings when probed by an incident electron beam. In one aspect, the graphene-based nanomaterials are semiconducting. In one aspect, a method of engineering an energy bandgap of graphene monoxide generally includes providing at least one atomic layer of graphene monoxide having a first energy bandgap, and applying a substantially planar strain is applied to the graphene monoxide, thereby tuning the first energy band gap to a second energy bandgap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Junhong Chen, Marija Gajdardziska-Josifovska, Carol Hirschmugl, Eric Mattson, Haihui Pu, Michael Weinert
  • Publication number: 20130335885
    Abstract: The invention relates to electrical engineering. The multi-element electrochemical capacitor of this invention comprises at least one layer of electrical insulation film with alternating opposite-polarity electrode films placed thereon in succession and interspaced by a porous ion-permeable separator, coiled into a roll. Each electrode sheet is a substrate of nonwoven polymer material at a high pore ratio, with at least one electrode in the form of an electrochemically active layer attached to one side or both sides thereof, or embedded within the same. The capacitor also comprises contact electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Yuriy Midhatovich Ginatulin, Andrey Viktorovich Desyatov, Anton Vladimirovich Asseyev, Aleksandr Petruvich Kubyshkin, Sergey Ivanovich Sirotin, Lyubov Vladimirovna Bulibekova, Lyubov Densunovna Li