Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric inventions 11/08

20080289676 - Electrode for a thermal battery and method of making the same: An aqueous slurry can be used to paint thermal electrodes onto a current-collector substrate with a spray gun for thin electrodes or pasting with a thickened slurry. A feedstock aqueous slurry can include thermal electrode components, thermal electrolyte components, a binder or thickening agent, and water. This slurry can be... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20080289677 - Composite thermoelectric materials and method of manufacture: The present disclosure describes a improved composite thermoelectric and an accompanying method. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the thermoelectric is constructed in layers from a perform of a stack of layers, and then treated or otherwise modified in order to create a thinner thermoelectric structure.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080289678 - Light recapturing system and method: A system for recapturing light emitted by a light source and converting that light into electrical current which can be used to power the same light source or other devices. An exemplary embodiment may use photovoltaic cells to recapture light from ceiling lights and convert it into a source of... Agent: Standley Law Group LLP

20080289679 - Method and apparatus for assembling photovoltaic modules: A method of assembling a solar array includes forming at least one substrate member that includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is contoured with a shape that at least partially conforms to at least a portion of a contoured roof. The upper surface includes at... Agent: John S. Beulick (17851) Armstrong Teasdale LLP

20080289680 - Photovoltaic module with improved heat transfer and recovery potential: A photovoltaic module with improved thermal properties, a method of making same and a structural, thermally improved photovoltaic panel are provided. A plurality of perforations are formed substantially entirely through the module which form a ventilation mechanism allowing heat to be transferred from the front side of the module to... Agent: Pryor Cashman, LLP

20080289681 - Structures for low cost, reliable solar modules: Methods and devices are provided for improved large-scale solar installations. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic module is provided comprising a module front layer comprising a glass plate, a module back layer comprising an electrically conductive foil, and a plurality of solar cells arranged to be protected by the front layer... Agent: Director Of Ip

20080289682 - Structures for low cost, reliable solar modules: Methods and devices are provided for improved large-scale solar installations. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic module is provided comprising a module front layer comprising a glass plate, a module back layer comprising an electrically conductive foil, and a plurality of solar cells arranged to be protected by the front layer... Agent: Director Of Ip

20080289684 - Pyramidal three-dimensional thin-film solar cells: A pyramidal three-dimensional thin-film solar cell, comprising a pyramidal three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate comprising a plurality of pyramid-shaped unit cells with emitter junction regions and doped base regions, emitter metallization regions and base metallization regions. Optionally, the pyramidal three-dimensional thin-film solar cell may be mounted on a rear mirror... Agent: HulseyIPIntellectual Property Lawyers, P.C.

20080289683 - Thin-film solar cell interconnection: A method of interconnecting thin-film solar cells formed on a foreign insulating substrate or superstrate is described: the top and bottom layers of the thin-film solar cells having a sheet resistances below 10,000 Ω/sq. The method comprises the steps of forming a thin-film solar cell structure comprising at least an... Agent: Husch Blackwell Sanders, LLP Welsh & Katz

20080289686 - Method and apparatus for depositing a silicon layer on a transmitting conductive oxide layer suitable for use in solar cell applications: Methods and apparatus for reducing defects on transmitting conducting oxide (TCO) layer are provided. In one embodiment, a method for depositing a silicon layer on a transmitting conducting oxide (TCO) layer may include providing a substrate having a TCO layer disposed thereon, wherein the TCO layer has a peripheral region... Agent: Patterson & Sheridan, LLP - - Appm/tx

20080289687 - Methods for depositing a silicon layer on a laser scribed transmitting conductive oxide layer suitable for use in solar cell applications: Methods and apparatus for reducing defects on transmitting conducting oxide (TCO) layer are provided. The method includes a method of laser scribing a TCO layer for solar cell applications. In one embodiment, a method for depositing a silicon layer on a transmitting conducting oxide (TCO) layer may include laser scribing... Agent: Patterson & Sheridan, LLP - - Appm/tx

20080289688 - Photovoltaic apparatus including spherical semiconducting particles: A photovoltaic apparatus includes a plurality of approximately spherical photoelectric conversion elements including a second semiconductor layer located outside a first semiconductor layer, for generating photoelectromotive force therebetween. The second semiconductor layer has an opening through which part of the first semiconductor layer is exposed. The apparatus also includes a... Agent: Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP (c/o Patent Administrator)

20080289685 - Thin film solar cell with rough surface layer formed by nano/micro particle conductor balls: A thin film solar cell has a rough surface layer formed by nano/micro particle conductor balls, which is provided by a method of producing a textured surface for a conductive layer of the solar cell by mounting the nano/micro particle conductor balls with a particle diameter of 50 nm to... Agent: Hdsl

20080289689 - Concentrating module and method of manufacture for photovoltaic strips: A glass concentrator for manufacture of solar energy conversion module is provided including a webbing that has a load sustenance characteristic and a hail impact resistance characteristic based on a first thickness of the webbing. The concentrator also includes a plurality of elongated concentrating elements integrally formed with the webbing.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080289690 - Process for producing a silicon film on a substrate surface by vapor deposition: The present invention relates to a process for producing a silicon film on a substrate surface by vapor deposition, starting from a silicon-based precursor, characterized in that the precursor used is silicon tetrachloride. The present invention also relates to thin-film solar cells or crystalline silicon thin-film solar cells obtainable by... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080283110 - Large scale array of thermoelectric devices for generation of electric power: A thermoelectric power generating device is assembled from multiple thermoelectric elements disposed in a chip structure, the chip structure forming a power generating core. Multiple cores are stacked within a thermal container such that thermal energy provided at a first end of the thermal container is delivered in a serial... Agent: Koppel, Patrick & Heybl

20080283109 - Space solar power system for thermochemical processing and electricity production: Thermochemical processing systems for the production of electricity and chemicals using energy from an orbiting space solar power satellite (100). Methods of producing electricity and chemicals using the powerbeam (120). Systems and applications include the orbiting satellite, which intercepts solar energy (110) and directs a powerbeam to a lunar or... Agent: John C Mankins

20080283113 - \"solar array support methods and systems\": Systems and methods for disposing and supporting a solar panel array are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for supporting a solar panel array includes the use of support columns and cables suspended between the support columns, with the solar panels received by solar panel receivers that are adapted to... Agent: Sheridan Ross PC

20080283112 - Solar array support methods and systems: Systems and methods for disposing and supporting a solar panel array are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for supporting a solar panel array includes the use of support columns and cables suspended between the support columns, with the solar panels received by solar panel receivers that are adapted to... Agent: Sheridan Ross PC

20080283111 - Solar cell module connector: The present invention includes two pairs of positive and negative cables are led out by dividing a pair of positive and negative terminals of a solar cell modules, and dipole connectors to which terminals are connected are formed on ends of the cables. The terminals in the dipole connector disposed... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080283114 - Notebook carry case employing a solar energy charging and cooling system: A notebook carry case employing a solar energy charging and cooling system is disclosed. In one form, a solar energy charge and cooling system can include a first fan coupled to an interior lid portion of a housing configured to store a portable electronic device, and a solar panel array... Agent: Kevin R. Imes

20080283115 - Solar battery module and photovoltaic generation device: A solar cell module, comprising a front surface member 1 having translucency, a rear surface member 5, an intermediate member 7 formed of an insulator disposed between the front surface member 1 and the rear surface member 5, a first solar cell element group 8a disposed between the front surface... Agent: Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

20080283116 - Light energy conversion systems and methods: A light energy conversion (LEC) system includes a fluid circuit having a working fluid flowing therethrough and a plurality of light concentrating (LC) modules for converting light energy into electrical energy and for transforming the light energy into thermal energy. The LC modules including a first LC module coupled in... Agent: The Small Patent Law Group LLP

20080283118 - Photovoltaic ac inverter mount and interconnect: A replaceable photovoltaic inverter is mounted on each of a plurality of photovoltaic module for the conversion of direct current, produced by the photovoltaic cells, to alternating current. The inverter is coupled to a mounting bracket on the photovoltaic module such that is can be easily replaced. Replacement of an... Agent: Hogan & Hartson LLP

20080283117 - Solar cell module and method of manufacturing solar cell module: A solar cell module capable of suppressing reduction of the quantity of power generation while retaining adhesive strength of a laminated resin film also when exposed to environment influenced by heat, moisture, light (ultraviolet light) etc. over a long period is obtained. This solar cell module (1) comprises a plurality... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20080283119 - Method of producing a porous semiconductor film on a substrate: The invention relates to a method of producing a porous semiconductor film and to a suspension of semiconductor particles. It further relates to a porous semiconductor film produced by the method, and to an electronic device, in particular a solar cell comprising said semiconductor film.... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080283120 - Method of manufacturing n-type multicrystalline silicon solar cells: The invention provides solar cells and methods of manufacturing solar cells having a Hetero-junction with Intrinsic Thin-layer (HIT) structure using an n-type multicrystalline silicon substrate. An n-type multicrystalline silicon substrate is subjected to a phosphorus diffusion step using a relatively high temperature. The front side diffusion layer is then removed.... Agent: Fliesler Meyer LLP

20080283121 - Bandgap-shifted semiconductor surface and method for making same, and apparatus for using same: Apparatus for generating electricity and for carrying out photo-induced reactions comprises: a primary reflector (610) or other optic which concentrates radiation to a primary focus; a secondary reflector at the primary focus to direct radiation to a secondary focus; a photovoltaic device (602) to convert radiation to electricity; and a... Agent: David J. Cole

20080283122 - Beta-substituted porphyrins: The invention relates to ÿ-substituted porphyrins, methods for their synthesis, and their use in the preparation of photoelectric materials. In particular, the invention relates to solid state photoelectric devices, including solar cells and photodetectors, incorporating these photoelectric materials, with improved photon-to-current conversion efficiencies.... Agent: Baldwins

20080276979 - Semiconductor nanowire thermoelectric materials and devices, and processes for producing same: The present invention provides nanowires and nanoribbons that are well suited for use in thermoelectric applications. The nanowires and nanoribbons are characterized by a periodic longitudinal modulation, which may be a compositional modulation or a strain-induced modulation. The nanowires are constructed using lithographic techniques from thin semiconductor membranes, or “nanomembranes.”... Agent: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (warf)

20080276980 - Solar cell module: A solar cell module capable of suppressing reduction in output is obtained. This solar cell module includes a first cell and a second cell adjacent to each other, each including a first electrode layer, a power generating Layer formed oil a surface of the first electrode layer and a second... Agent: Ditthavong Mori & Steiner, P.C.

20080276981 - Solar cell module: The first and second solar cells are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction. On the back surface of the first solar cell, the multiple first n-type regions are formed in the arrangement direction and the multiple first p-type regions are formed between each of the... Agent: Mots Law, PLLC

20080276982 - System and methods for optimal light collection array: Apparatus and methods according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a light collection array. One or more light redirectors located at or near inactive areas of light collection arrays may redirect incident light to active areas. In one embodiment, the light redirector may be... Agent: The Noblitt Group, PLLC

20080276983 - Encapsulation of photovoltaic cells: This invention relates to a photovoltaic cell module and a process of applying a silicone based hot melt encapsulant material (102a, 104a) onto photovoltaic cells (103a) to form a photovoltaic cell module. There is provided a photovoltaic array with more efficient manufacturing and better utilization of the solar spectrum by... Agent: Dow Corning Corporation Co1232

20080276984 - System and method for magnetically attaching photovoltaic modules enabling enhanced redeployment: A system and method for magnetically attaching photovoltaic modules enabling enhanced redeployment comprises at least one photovoltaic module with a magnetic membrane disposed on an opposite surface to its light receptive side. The module is removeably attachable by the magnetic force of attraction between it and a magnetically receptive substrate.... Agent: Patwrite LLC

20080276985 - Sensitizing complexes, process for the preparation thereof, semiconductive inorganic/organic hybrid material comprising them, and photovoltaic cell comprising said material: s

20080276988 - Method for regenerating photovoltaic module and photovoltaic module: The present invention allows a crystalline photovoltaic module having a super straight type structure in which a light-receiving surface side-sealing EVA layer 2, a photovoltaic cell matrix 3, a back surface side-sealing EVA layer 4 and a back surface-sealing weatherproof film 5 are laminated sequentially in this order on a... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080276987 - Nanostructured solar cells: Improved photovoltaic devices and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor layer and a light-responsive layer (which can be made, for example, of a semiconductor material) which form a junction, such as a p-n junction. The light-responsive layer can include a plurality of carbon... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080276986 - Photolithography method for contacting thin-film semiconductor structures: A photolithography method for contacting one or more contact regions of a thin-film semiconductor structure on a transparent supporting material is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming one or more openings (6a) in the semiconductor structure (2, 3, 4) to substantially expose respective surface portions (5a) of the... Agent: Carter, Deluca, Farrell & Schmidt, LLP

20080276989 - Method of hybrid stacked flip chip for a solar cell: A method of hybrid stacked Flip Chip for a solar cell onto which semiconductor layers of different materials are stacked in the Flip-Chip technology to solve the problem of lattices mismatch between the layers for further increase of the efficiency of solar cell.... Agent: Alan D. Kamrath Kamrath & Associates, P.A.

20080276990 - Substrate surface structures and processes for forming the same: Structures and methods are provided for forming substrates having surface coatings thereon. In one aspect, a structure is provided including a substrate, a surface coating formed on the surface of the substrate, wherein the surface coating comprises a monolayer of dielectric particles, and a dielectric layer having a thickness of... Agent: Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP Intellectual Property Section

20080271771 - Thermoelectric conversion module: A thermoelectric conversion module which includes a good thermally conductive substrate that is inexpensive, and which secures the electrical insulating property between the good thermally conductive substrate and the electrode. The thermoelectric conversion element unit is constituted of a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor which are connected to form... Agent: Mcginn Intellectual Property Law Group, PLLC

20080271772 - Method for manufacturing a thermopile on a membrane and a membrane-less thermopile, the thermopile thus obtained and a thermoelectric generator comprising such thermopiles: A method for manufacturing thermopile carrier chips comprises forming first type thermocouple legs and second type thermocouple legs on a first surface of a substrate and afterwards removing part of the substrate form a second surface opposite to the first surface, thereby forming a carrier frame from the substrate and... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20080271773 - Photovoltaic devices and photovoltaic roofing elements including granules, and roofs using them: The present invention includes photovoltaic devices and photovoltaic roofing elements comprising a photovoltaic element having an active face and an operating wavelength range; a polymer structure having (a) a bottom surface disposed on the active face of the photovoltaic element and (b) a top surface; and a plurality of granules... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20080271774 - Photovoltaic roofing wiring array, photovoltaic roofing wiring system and roofs using them: The present invention provides photovoltaic wiring arrays and photovoltaic wiring systems suitable for use in rooftop photovoltaic power generation systems. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a photovoltaic roofing wiring array for use with a plurality of photovoltaic roofing elements, each photovoltaic roofing element having a positive lead terminated... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20080271775 - Solar power: A unique solar powered invention(s) to be used for the charging of mobile communications devices/cellular telephone batteries for extend usage. The distinctive invention(s) consist of solar panel(s) to collect natural light for generating a power source, a battery for storing solar energy, and the option to use the current most... Agent: Jack D. Bailey Jr.

20080271776 - Light-guide solar panel and method of fabrication thereof: The present invention is that of a solar energy system that uses a light-guide solar panel (LGSP) to trap light inside a dielectric or other transparent panel and propagates the light to one of the panel edges for harvesting by a solar energy collector such as a photovoltaic cell. This... Agent: Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Anne Kinsman

20080271779 - Fine grained, non banded, refractory metal sputtering targets with a uniformly random crystallographic orientation, method for making such film, and thin film based devices and products made therefrom: The invention relates to a sputtering target which has a fine uniform equiaxed grain structure of less than 44 microns, no preferred texture orientation as measured by electron back scattered diffraction (“EBSD”) and that displays no grain size banding or texture banding throughout the body of the target. The invention... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20080271777 - Method and apparatus for eye-safe transmittal of electrical power in vehicles using white light via plastic optical fiber: An apparatus for transmitting wide spectrum white light having a plurality of plastic optical fibers. The apparatus includes a sheath housing the plurality of fibers. An apparatus for providing energy in an airplane. The apparatus includes a light source which produces wide spectrum white light. The apparatus includes a cable... Agent: Ansel M. Schwartz Attorney At Law

20080271778 - Use of electromagnetic excitation or light-matter interactions to generate or exchange thermal, kinetic, electronic or photonic energy: The present disclosure concerns a means to use at least a form of electromagnetic excitation or light-matter interactions in a structure or material having one or more addressable frequencies to generate the exchange of thermal, kinetic, electronic or photonic energy. In some implementations this provides a means to use electromagnetic... Agent: Matter, Inc.

20080271780 - Photovoltaic cell and production thereof: An efficient photovoltaic cell, and its process of manufacture, is disclosed wherein the back surface p-n junction is removed from a doped substrate having an oppositely doped emitter layer. A front surface and edges and optionally the back surface periphery are masked and a back surface etch is performed. The... Agent: Carol Wilson Bp America Inc.

20080271781 - Cis type thin-film solar cell and process for producing the same: This invention provides a CIS-based thin film solar battery and a process for producing the same in which the formation of an alkali barrier layer and a metal backside electrode layer is carried out at a low cost in a short time to prevent such an unfavorable phenomenon that a... Agent: Sughrue-265550

20080271782 - Method of making a photovoltaic device or front substrate for use in same with scratch-resistant coating and resulting product: 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,... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080271783 - Photovoltaic device and manufacturing method thereof: There is provided a photovoltaic device in which at least one pin-junction is formed in a thin film semiconductor deposited on a substrate, the substrate including: a base including polycrystalline silicon; and a polycrystalline silicon layer formed on the base by liquid phase growth, in which at least a part... Agent: Fitzpatrick Cella Harper & Scinto

20080271784 - Electro-optic prism systems: Techniques and assemblies for steering light rays are described. An electro-optic prism configured to provide controllable steering of solar rays includes a first electrode including multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes positioned on a first substrate and a reference electrode positioned on a second substrate. An electro-optic material is positioned between... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.