Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric inventions 02/08

20080047598 - Thermoelectric device: A thermoelectric device comprises a plurality of semiconductor elements comprising a first set of semiconductor elements and a second set of semiconductor elements, which include dissimilar electrical properties. The semiconductor elements are oriented in a substantially hexagonal array that includes rows in which semiconductor elements of the first and second... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080047599 - Monolithic integration of nonplanar solar cells: A solar cell unit is provided that has a substrate having a first end and a second end, where at least a portion of the substrate is rigid and nonplanar. The solar cell unit has a plurality of photovoltaic cells linearly arranged on the substrate, including a first and second... Agent: Jones Day

20080047601 - High efficiency solar cells and manufacturing methods: A Schottky contact photovoltaic energy conversion cell. The Schottky contact photovoltaic energy conversion cell comprises a flexible substrate and a first array of a plurality of closely-spaced microscale pillars connected to a first electrical cell contact. The pillars and the contact are formed of (or having a top) layer of... Agent: HulseyIPIntellectual Property Lawyers, P.C.

20080047600 - Photoelectric conversion element and process thereof: A photoelectric conversion element has a Schottky electrode, a light-receiving semiconductor layer in contact with the Schottky electrode, and a transparent electrode in contact with the light-receiving semiconductor layer, wherein the Schottky electrode has a periodic concavo-convex structure; the light-receiving semiconductor layer is placed in contact with a face of... Agent: Fitzpatrick Cella Harper & Scinto

20080047602 - Front contact with high-function tco for use in photovoltaic device and method of making same: This invention relates to a front contact for use in an electronic device such as a photovoltaic device. In certain example embodiments, the front contact of the photovoltaic device includes a low work-function transparent conductive oxide (TCO) of a material such as tin oxide, zinc oxide, or the like, and... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080047603 - Front contact with intermediate layer(s) adjacent thereto for use in photovoltaic device and method of making same: An intermediate film is provided between the front contact and an absorbing semiconductor film of a photovoltaic device. The intermediate film may be discrete or refractive index graded in certain example embodiments of this invention. The refractive index (n) of the intermediate film is tuned to satisfy one or more... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080047604 - Nanowires in thin-film silicon solar cells: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to photovoltaic (PV) devices comprising silicon (Si) nanowires as active PV elements, wherein such devices are typically thin film Si solar cells. Generally, such solar cells are of the p-i-n type and can be fabricated for front and/or backside (i.e., top and/or... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20080047605 - Multi-junction solar cells with a homogenizer system and coupled non-imaging light concentrator: Optical systems and methods that concentrate light from a distant source, such as the sun, onto a target device, such as a solar cell. Light impinging from the distant source, is focused or imaged by a plurality of primary reflective segments of a primary mirror element onto a plurality of... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080041436 - Bifacial photovoltaic devices: This invention provides a bifacial photovoltaic device to enhance the conversion of solar energy into electricity with a layer by layer additive structure. The bifacial photovoltaic device comprises an electrically conductive core electrode, a plurality of semiconductor layers covering one end region of the core electrode and at least a... Agent: Cindy X. Qiu

20080041435 - Diode-based reverse-entropy generator: This is an apparatus that converts heat directly into electrical energy by the use of many microscopic alternating layers of electrically-conductive metal and semiconductor diodes. The electron motion that results from microscopic heat gradients and the heat itself causes electrons to irreversibly pass through the diode layers, causing an accumulation... Agent: Bret Cummings

20080041434 - Methods and devices for large-scale solar installations: Methods and devices are provided for improved large-scale solar installations. In one embodiment, a junction-box free photovoltaic module is used comprising of a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a module support layer providing a mounting surface for the cells. The module has a first electrical lead extending outward from one... Agent: Nanosolar, Inc.

20080041437 - Photoelectric conversion element and interconnector-equipped photoelectric conversion element: Provided are a photoelectric conversion element and an interconnector-equipped photoelectric conversion element, the photoelectric conversion element including: a photoelectric conversion layer having at least one pn junction; a first electrode pad provided on a surface of the photoelectric conversion layer; a second electrode pad provided on a surface different from... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080041439 - Real time process monitoring and control for semiconductor junctions: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor layer is provided. In a first deposition during a first period of time, at least one Group IIIA element and at least one Group VIA element are deposited on a substrate or on a layer optional disposed on the substrate such as a back-electrode.... Agent: Jones Day

20080041438 - Photoelectric conversion device: m

20080041441 - solar concentrator device for photovoltaic energy generation: A solar energy concentrator lens is formed by a prism array. Each prism is designed to deflect the incident solar rays and fully illuminate a rectangular photovoltaic cell with uniform intensity. The combination of multiple prisms uniformly illuminating a common target area yields concentrated uniform illumination across the target area.... Agent: David Klein Dekel Patent Ltd.

20080041440 - Solar panel condenser: The present invention relates to a solar panel condenser apparatus which includes an optical condenser and a photovoltaic cell mounted substantially parallel to the optical condenser and placed about midway between the optical condenser and the focus of the optical condenser. The optical condenser can increase the effective area of... Agent: Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

20080041442 - Frameless photovoltaic module: A photovoltaic module includes a backsheet layer, a transparent upper support layer, a photovoltaic layer positioned between the backsheet layer and the transparent upper support layer, and a non-conductive frame. The photovoltaic layer includes a plurality of electrically connected photovoltaic cells, and the non-conductive frame includes at least one irradiated... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20080041443 - Thinned solar cell: The present invention relates to a solar or photovoltaic cell wherein the thickness of the photovoltaic substrate is reduced such that the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell is about 100% greater than a typical photovoltaic cell. The solar cell can also include a cold plate located adjacent to the solar... Agent: Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

20080041444 - Solar cpv cell module and method of safely assembling, installing, and/or maintaining the same: A concentrated solar energy device is connectable to a solar array and includes a photovoltaic cell that provides electrical energy and heat from a solar energy source, a thermally conductive element, concentrating optics, and a housing. The concentrating optics are positioned between the solar energy source and the photovoltaic cell... Agent: Kinney & Lange, P.A.

20080041445 - Energy capture system: A solar panel system is disclosed, wherein energy is captured by the solar panel system and stored for re-use in an energy storage device. The solar panel system facilitates a preservation of aesthetics while a complexity of installation, cost of the solar panel system, and cost of installation are minimized.... Agent: Fraser Clemens Martin & Miller LLC

20080041446 - Dye-sensitized solar cells and method for fabricating same: A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) comprising nanoparticles formed on a surface of a nanowire formed on a substrate and a method of fabricating the same is disclosed. The dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a first substrate. A nanowire is formed on the first substrate. A plurality of nanoparticles is then contacted... Agent: Quintero Law Office, PC

20080041447 - Photovoltaic devices with nanostructure/conjugated polymer hybrid layer and its matched electron transporting layer: The present invention discloses a photovoltaic device comprising a multilayer structure for generating and transporting charge, wherein the multilayer structure comprises: a substrate; an anode layer; a hole transporting layer; a first nanostructure/conjugated polymer hybrid layer; an network-shaped electron transporting layer matched to the hybrid layer; and a cathode layer.... Agent: Wpat, PC

20080035195 - Thermoelectric power generation systems: Representative configurations for improved thermoelectric power generation systems to improve and increase thermal efficiency are disclosed.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080035196 - Method and apparatus for preventing distortion of a framed solar module: Method and apparatus for preventing the distortion of a frame of a solar module (10) wherein the frame (12) is comprised of two side rails (15) joined together by end members to form a rectangular frame. At least one support bar member (26) is attached to and extends between the... Agent: Carol Wilson Bp America Inc.

20080035197 - Photoactive materials containing bulk and quantum-confined semiconductor structures and optoelectronic devices made therefrom: The present invention provides photoactive materials that include quantum-confined semiconductor nanostructures in combination with non-quantum confined and bulk semiconductor structures to enhance or create a type II band offset structure. The photoactive materials are well-suited for use as the photoactive layer in photoactive devices, including photovoltaic devices, photoconductors and photodetectors.... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080035198 - Method for the contact separation of electrically-conducting layers on the back contacts of solar cells and corresponding solar cells: The electrically conductive layer (5) is separated by applying an etch barrier layer (8) over the entire surface which is then removed free from masking and selectively e.g. by laser ablation, locally above the insulating layer (7). The conductive layer is locally removed in the area of the openings (9)... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080035199 - Process for producing light absorbing layer for chalcopyrite type thin-film solar cell: A process for producing a light absorbing layer for thin-film solar cell that possesses a film structure having a constituent component of chalcopyrite compound (Cu(In+Ga)Se2) uniformly distributed thereinside. There is provided a process for producing a light absorbing layer, including the precursor forming step of superimposing on an Mo electrode... Agent: Rankin, Hill, Porter & Clark LLP

20080029144 - Supporting a solar energy collection device: Apparatus is provided for supporting a solar energy collection device (601, 602). The apparatus is substantially wedge-shaped with a base (102) for contacting a roof surface (203) and an inclined front face (103) for supporting the device (601). The apparatus is configured such that the total weight is adjustable so... Agent: James C. Wray

20080029145 - Diamond-like carbon thermoelectric conversion devices and methods for the use and manufacture thereof: Diamond-like carbon based thermoelectric conversion devices and methods of making and using the same, which have improved conversion efficiencies and increased reliability. The device can include a cathode having a base member with a layer of diamond-like carbon material such as amorphous diamond coated over the cathode. A dielectric intermediate... Agent: Thorpe North & Western, LLP.

20080029146 - Thermoelectric structure and use of the thermoelectric structure to form a textile structure: The thermoelectric structure is formed by a network of wires oriented substantially in a weft direction of the structure. It comprises first and second conducting wires of different kinds, interwoven to form cold and hot junctions distributed respectively in a top plane and a bottom plane. The junctions are alternately... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080029148 - Floating support structure for a solar panel array: A floating support structure for a solar panel array having flotation elements and a support structure disposed above the flotation elements for adjustably and removably mounting at least one solar collector panel. Connectors joining floatation elements form a platform for gangways and catwalks providing access for installation, repair, and maintenance,... Agent: Stainbrook & Stainbrook, LLP

20080029147 - Stacked layer electrode for organic electronic devices: An electrode for an electro-optic device has a wetting layer of electrically conductive material formed on a substrate. A second layer of electrically conductive material is formed on the wetting layer of electrically conductive material. The wetting layer has a first wetting ability with respect to a surface of the... Agent: Venable LLP

20080029149 - Method and apparatus for arranging a solar cell and reflector: A system and method of arranging a solar cell and reflector to replace a typical solar cell oriented normal to the incoming sunlight inside a module (i.e. parallel to a module's transparent cover plate or opening). The present invention in a preferred embodiment uses a solar cell oriented at a... Agent: Clifford H. Kraft

20080029150 - Solar concentrator plant: In a specific application for generating electric power, the two-dimensional solar concentrator means consist of a parabolic trough collector (1), while the three-dimensional solar concentrator means consist of a heliostat field and central tower (2) for generating overheated steam that expands in a turbine (6) coupled to an electric generator... Agent: Law Office Of John C. Mcmahon

20080029151 - Terrestrial solar power system using iii-v semiconductor solar cells: A system for generating electrical power from solar radiation utilizing a III-V compound multijunction semiconductor solar cell; a concentrator for focusing sunlight on the solar cell, including a concave trough-shaped reflector; and a heat spreader connected to the solar cell for cooling the cell.... Agent: Casey Toohey Emcore Corporation

20080029152 - Laser scribing apparatus, systems, and methods: Apparatus, systems, and methods for forming a photovoltaic cell from a common layer on a substrate are provided. A first pass is made with a first laser beam over an area on the common layer. The first pass forms a groove in the common layer. The first pass forms within... Agent: Jones Day

20080029153 - Portable power supply: Disclosed is an electrical power converter circuit including a photovoltaic cell and a power supply adapted to control a low power output of the photovoltaic cell. The power supply includes an input switch, an over-voltage detector, an under voltage detector, a rechargeable battery, a DC to DC converter circuit, an... Agent: Bergman & Song, LLP

20080029154 - System and method for creating electric isolation between layers comprising solar cells: Methods for forming a patterned layer from common layer in a photovoltaic application are provided. The patterned layer is configured to form one or more portions of one or more solar cells on a rigid substrate. A first pass is made with a first laser beam over an area on... Agent: Jones Day

20080029155 - Self-assembled photosynthesis-inspired light harvesting material and solar cells containing the same: A solar cell is described that comprises: (a) a semiconductor charge separation material; (b) at least one electrode connected to the charge separation material; and (c) a light-harvesting film on the charge separation material, the light-harvesting film comprising non-covalently coupled, self-assembled units of porphyrinic macrocycles. The porphyrinic macrocycles preferably comprise:... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec