US Patent Applications filed in 2006 in the area of DSC
US Patent Applications in the area of DSSC in 2006
Submitted by kalyan on Tue, 2006-09-12 11:54. Patents_DSC
US Patent Applications issued during the year 2006
US20060000505
Photovoltaic cell and method for manufacturing the same
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US20060001004
Dye loaded zeolite material containing devices
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US20060008740
Organic devices, organic electroluminescent devices and organic solar cells
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US20060016474
Dye-sensitized solar cell
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US20060048812
Dye-sensitized solar cell
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US20060065301
Photoelectrode for dye sensitizing solar cell or organic solar cell, and dye sensitizing solar cell having same
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US20060070653
Nanostructured composite photovoltaic cell
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US20060102226
Method for producing the photoelectrode of a solar cell
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US20060102229
Counter electrode for dye sensitizing solar cell, and dye sensitizing solar cell having same
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US20060111568
Novel azo dye compound
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US20060121748
Coupling device for thin-film photovoltaic cells
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US20060130895
Patterned photovoltaic cell
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US20060137740
Photovoltaic cell and method of manufacturing the same
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US20060142553
Novel azo dye compound
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US20060147616
Polymer catalyst for photovoltaic cell
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US20060154049
Solar control multilayer film
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US20060157104
Surface-modified semiconductor electrode, dye-sensitized solar cell, method of manufacturing the solar cell, and polymer composition used for the method
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US20060162765
Porous zinc oxide thin-film for substrate of dye-sensitized solar cell, zinc oxide/dye composite thin-film for photoelectrode and dye-sensitized solar cell
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US20060162770
Electrode substrate, photoelectric conversion element, conductive glass substrate and production method therefo, and pigment sensitizing solar cell
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US20060165404
Photoreceptive layer including heterogeneous dyes and solar cell employing the same
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US20060174936
Water-based electrolyte gel for dye-sensitized solar cells and manufacturing methods
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US20060174938
Water-based electrolyte gel for dye-sensitized solar cells and manufacturing methods
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US20060219289
Combined photoelectrochemical cell and capacitor
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US20060225782
Photovoltaic cells having a thermoelectric material
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US20060231135
Raw material kit for electrolytic composition, electrolytic composition, and photosensitized solar cell
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US20060234065
Transparent electroconductive substrate, dye-sensitized solar cell electrode, and dye-sensitized solar cell
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US20060249201
Rechargeable dye sensitized solar cell
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US20060254640
Polymer electrolyte and dye-sensitized solar cell comprising the polymer electrolyte
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US20060263922
Hybrid solar cells based on nanostructured semiconductors and organic materials
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US20060266411
Dye-sensitized solar cell
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US20060289056
Dye-sensitized solar cell
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US 20060289057
Dye-sensitized solar cell
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US20060292347
STABILIZATION OF FLUORESCENT DYES IN VINYL ARTICLES USING HINDERED AMINE LIGHT STABILIZERS
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US20060197170
Dye-sensitized solar cell
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US20060137734
High efficiency solar cells
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US20060207646
Encapsulation of solar cells
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US20060219294
Oxide semiconductor electrode, dye-sensitized solar cell, and, method of producing the same
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US20060201544
Filler sheet for solar cell module, and solar cell module using the same
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US20060016473
Dye-sensitized solar cell employing photoelectric transformation electrode and a method of manufacturing thereof
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US20060005877
Passivated, dye-sensitized oxide semiconductor electrode, solar cell using same, and method
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US20060107997
Electrode, photoelectric conversion element, and dye-sensitized solar cell
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US20060070651
Highly efficient counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell and method of producing the same
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US20060137738
Transparent electrode having thermal stability, method of fabricating the same and dye-sensitized solar cell comprising the same
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US20060204838
Solar driven concentration cell
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US20060016472
Electrolyte composition and solar cell using the same
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US20060185714
Flexible solar cell and method of producing the same
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US20060189803
Cyanine dye
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US20060063296
Method of forming nanoparticle oxide electrode of plastic-type dye-sensitized solar cell using high viscosity nanoparticle oxide paste without binder
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US20060008580
Hybrid solar cells with thermal deposited semiconductive oxide layer
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US20060174932
Electrolyte compositon, photoelectric converter and dye-sensitized solar cell using same
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US20060063296
Method of forming nanoparticle oxide electrode of plastic-type dye-sensitized solar cell using high viscosity nanoparticle oxide paste without binder
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US20060084257
Dye sensitization photoelectric converter and process for fabricating the same
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US20060130249
Dye-sensitized photoelectric conversion device
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US20060163567
Semiconductor electrode, method of manufacturing the same, and solar cell employing the same
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US20060151023
Process for manufacturing a solar cell foil using a temporary substrate
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US20060180193
Photoreceptive layer comprising metal oxide of core-shell structure and solar cell using the same
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US20060174932
Electrolyte compositon, photoelectric converter and dye-sensitized solar cell using same
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US20060191565
Material for photovoltaic film, solar cell, process for producing photovoltaic film material and process for producing photovoltaic film
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US20060137741
Photoanode using carbon nanotubes, method of manufacturing the photoanode, and photovoltaic solar cell including the photoanode
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US20060207645
Method of manufacturing a solor cell module
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US20060107471
Method and apparatus for dyeing a layer of nanocrystalline material
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US20060166023
Backside protective sheet for solar battery module and solar battery module using the same
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US20060118166
Photoelectric conversion element, solar battery, and photo sensor
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US20060065300
Photoelectric conversion element, process for producing the same, light sensor and solar cell
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US20060107993
Building element including solar energy converter
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US20060137739
Dye sensitization photoelectric converter and process for producing the same
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US20060185713
Solar panels with liquid superconcentrators exhibiting wide fields of view
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US7078613
Structured micro-channel semiconductor electrode for photovoltaic cells
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US20060174933
TiO2 aerogel-based photovoltaic electrodes and solar cells
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US20060169971
Energy conversion film and quantum dot film comprising quantum dot compound, energy conversion layer including the quantum dot film, and solar cell including the energy conversion layer
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11/30/06
US Patent Application 20060266411
Dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventors: Hideo Sugiyama, Shingo Ohno, Shinichiro Sugi, Shinichi Toyosawa, Masato Yoshikakwa
A method for making a dye-sensitized solar cell having a semiconductor film that exhibits high power generating efficiency and that can be formed at relatively low temperature is provided. Titanium oxide paste is applied and dried on a transparent conductive film 2 to form a titanium oxide layer. An aqueous peroxotitanic acid solution 11 is dropwise-placed and heated on the titanium oxide layer. During this process, the aqueous peroxotitanic acid solution penetrates sites on which titanium oxide particles 10 are not adsorbed on the transparent conductive film 2, and the aqueous peroxotitanic acid solution 11 reacts to generate titanium oxide 11A. The titanium oxide 11A is generated at gaps s,t between the titanium oxide particles 10 to form tight linkages between titanium oxide particles 10, resulting in high power generating efficiency.
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11/16/06 / US Patent Application #20060254640
Polymer electrolyte and dye-sensitized solar cell comprising the polymer electrolyte
Inventors: Joung-Won Park, Kang-Jin Kim, Seung-Hoon kal, Wha-Sup Lee, Byong-Cheol Shin
Applicaton #: 20060254640
A polymer electrolyte composition for a dye-sensitized solar cell, a polymer electrolyte, a dye-sensitized solar cell employing the polymer electrolyte, and a method for preparing the same. The polymer electrolyte composition for a dye-sensitized solar cell includes: a mono-functional or multi-functional monomer having at least one ethylene glycol in a side chain; a polymerization initiator; a lithium salt; and an organic solvent. The polymer electrolyte suppresses the volatilization of a redox electrolyte and provides stable photoelectrochemical properties against environmental changes, such as a rise in the external temperature of a solar cell. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes: first and second electrodes facing each other; a dye-adsorbed porous film interposed between the first and second electrodes; and the polymer electrolyte interposed between the first and second electrodes. The dye-sensitized solar cell has a high voltage and high photoelectric conversion efficiency.
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11/09/06 / US Patent Application #20060249201
Rechargeable dye sensitized solar cell
Inventor: Nabil M. Lawandy
Applicaton #: 20060249201 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
A rechargeable photovoltaic cell. In one embodiment the photovoltaic cell includes a first electrode with a transparent substrate having a porous high surface area titanium dioxide layer thereon, and including a light absorbing dye. The rechargeable cell also includes a second electrode which includes a transparent electrically conductive substrate arranged in spaced apart relationship with the first electrode so as to define a gap with the first electrode. A re-sealable seal provides access to the gap from the exterior of the cell. An electrolyte solution is located within the gap. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of recharging a photovoltaic cell. In one embodiment the method includes draining the first electrolyte solution from gap in the photovoltaic cell, flushing the first electrolyte solution from the gap, drying the gap, and filling the gap with a second electrolyte solution all through a re-sealable seal.
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11/02/06 / US Patent Application #20060243321
Semiconductor electrode, production process thereof and photovoltaic cell using semiconductor electrode
Inventors: Yuka Yamada, Nobuyasu Suzuki, Yasunori Morinaga, Hidehiro Sasaki
Applicaton #: 20060243321 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
An object of the present invention is to provide a photovoltaic cell that demonstrates a superior photoelectric conversion function. The present invention relates to a photovoltaic cell comprising a semiconductor electrode, an electrolyte and a counter electrode, wherein (1) the semiconductor electrode contains an oxide semiconductor layer having photocatalytic activity, (2) the oxide semiconductor layer contains secondary particles in which primary particles comprising a metal oxide are aggregated, (3) the average particle diameter of the primary particles is from 1 nm to 50 nm, and the average particle diameter of the secondary particles is from 100 nm to 10 m, and (4) the photovoltaic cell generates electromotive force by radiating light of a wavelength substantially equal to the average particle diameter of the secondary particles onto the semiconductor electrode.
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10/19/06 / US Patent Application 20060234065
Transparent electroconductive substrate, dye-sensitized solar cell electrode, and dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventors: Shingo Ohno, Yoshinori Iwabuchi, Hidefumi Kotsubo, Yasuhiro Morimura, Shinichiro Sugi, Hideo Sugiyama, Masato Yoshikawa
Applicaton #: 20060234065 Class: 428432000 (USPTO)
An acid-resistant transparent electroconductive substrate with an ITO layer includes a transparent base and the ITO layer formed over the transparent base. The ITO layer contains at least 30 percent by weight of tin oxide. A dye-sensitized solar cell electrode includes the transparent electroconductive substrate and a dye-adsorbed semiconductor layer formed over the ITO layer of the transparent electroconductive substrate. A dye-sensitized solar cell is provided which uses the dye-sensitized solar cell electrode as a dye-sensitized semiconductor electrode. A SnO2 content of 30 percent by weight or more enhances acid resistance. The dye-sensitized semiconductor electrode for the dye-sensitized solar cell is prepared by forming a layer-by-layer self-assembled film on the ITO layer by a layer-by-layer assembly technique, forming a replica layer by acid-treating the layer-by-layer self-assembled film to form irregularities, and forming a semiconductor layer on the replica layer.
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US Patent Application # 20060231135
Raw material kit for electrolytic composition, electrolytic composition, and photosensitized solar cell
Inventors: Shinji Murai, Satoshi Mikoshiba
Class: 136252000 (USPTO)
An electrolytic composition includes a mixture containing an electrolyte, an amine compound and an organic halide. The electrolyte contains iodine. The amine compound has a chain alkyl group. The organic halide has two or more halogen atoms per molecule.
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10/12/06 / US Patent Application #20060225782
Photovoltaic cells having a thermoelectric material
Inventors: Howard Berke, Russell Gaudiana
Applicaton #: 20060225782 Class: 136252000 (USPTO)
Photovoltaic cells having a thermoelectric material, as well as related systems, components, and methods are disclosed.
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10/05/06 / US Patent Application #20060219294
Oxide semiconductor electrode, dye-sensitized solar cell, and, method of producing the same
Inventors: Yosuke Yabuuchi, Hiroki Nakagawa, Hiroyuki Kobori
Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
An oxide semiconductor electrode is provided with a bonding layer with excellent temporal stability of adhesive force and excellent productivity in a transfer method including a dye-sensitized solar cell with the oxide semiconductor electrode; a method of producing an oxide semiconductor electrode that can produce an oxide semiconductor electrode excellent in the energy conversion efficiency at the high productivity is also provided. The oxide semiconductor electrode and method for making the same are disclosed noting that the oxide semiconductor electrode includes: a base material; a bonding layer formed on the base material made of a thermoplastic resin; a first electrode layer formed on the bonding layer made of a metal oxide; and a porous layer formed on the first electrode and made of the fine particle of a metal oxide semiconductor, wherein the thermoplastic resin includes a silane-modified resin.
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10/05/06 /US Patent Application #20060219293
Solar cell and method of adjusting color of the same
Inventors: Hisao Morooka, Takeshi Echizenya, Hirokazu Fujioka, Saki Takahashi, Kazuo Nishi
Applicaton #: 20060219293 Class: 136258000 (USPTO)
The present invention provides a solar cell whose external color can be adjusted so that redness is suppressed. In the case where a photoelectric conversion layer contains amorphous silicon, an optical absorption layer is provided between the photoelectric conversion layer and a reflecting electrode layer. The optical absorption layer has a light absorbing property mainly in a long wavelength range, while the photoelectric conversion layer (amorphous silicon) has a selective light absorbing property mainly in a short/medium wavelength range. Incident light (solar light) passed through the photoelectric conversion layer further passes through the optical absorption layer and, after that, is reflected by the reflecting electrode layer. That is, remaining light of the incident light absorbed by the optical absorption layer and the photoelectric conversion layer is reflected by the reflecting electrode layer. Consequently, redness of the reflection light can be suppressed more than in the case where the optical absorption layer is not provided between the photoelectric conversion layer and the reflecting electrode layer.
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US Patent Application #20060219287
Sensitized semiconductor solar cell
Inventor: Yuan-Yu Huang
Class: 136243000 (USPTO)
The present invention provides a solar cell that absorbs a light source within a spectrum range from ultraviolet to far infrared with two surfaces by an absorption layer made of a semiconductor.
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US Patent Application #20060197170
Dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventor: Takashi Tomita Class: 257432000 (USPTO)
A dye-sensitized solar cell with high conversion efficiency is provided. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention has, between an electrode (2) formed on a surface of a transparent substrate (1) and a counter electrode (6), a light-absorbing layer (3) containing light-absorbing particles carrying dye and an electrolyte layer (5), characterized in that the light-absorbing layer (3) containing light-scattering particles (4) different in size from the light-absorbing particles. In such a dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention, the energy of light, which passes through a light-absorbing layer in a conventional cell structure, can be strongly absorbed by the dye in the light-absorbing layer of the present invention. This will increase the conversion efficiency and output current of the dye-sensitized solar cell.
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08/31/06 / US Patent Application # 20060191565
Material for photovoltaic film, solar cell, process for producing photovoltaic film material and process for producing photovoltaic film
Inventor: Yoshiyuki Nagae
Class: 136243000 (USPTO)
A photovoltaic film 30 comprises photocatalyst-coated particles which include inorganic material particles, titanium dioxide particles coated on the surface of the inorganic material particles, and lithium particles attached to the inorganic material particles and/or the titanium dioxide particles. The photocatalyst-coated particles are obtained by means of: producing a mixture in which an aqueous solution obtained by means of mixing titanium hydroxide gel and aqueous hydrogen peroxide, powder consisting of the inorganic material particles, and water; leaving to stand a second mixture obtained by means of mixing the mixture and lithium chloride aqueous solution, thereby obtaining a product material in which titanium hydroxide is coated on the surface of the inorganic material particles; and thereafter baking the product material. The photocatalyst-coated particles are formed into paste with the use of a binder, and coated onto a conductive glass plate, to thus form a coating. To provide, in relation to a dye-sensitized solar cell, an inexpensive photovoltaic film material which can solve problems arising from usage of a sensitizing dye comprising an organic substance; and a solar cell having the photovoltaic film.
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08/24/06 / US Patent Application #20060185717
Photoelectric conversion element and process for fabricating the same, electronic apparatus and process for fabricating the same, and semiconductor layer and process for forming the same
Inventors: Kenichi Ishibashi, Yuichi Tokita, Masahiro Morooka, Yusuke Suzuki, Kazuhiro Noda
Applicaton #: 20060185717 Class: 136252000 (USPTO)
A paste in which semiconductor fine grain such as titanium oxide fine grain or the like and a binder made of a polymer compound are mixed is coated onto a transparent conductive substrate and sintered, thereby forming a semiconductor layer made of the semiconductor fine grain, after that, ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the semiconductor layer and, by using a photocatalyst effect of the semiconductor fine grain, an organic substance remaining in the semiconductor layer is removed.
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08/24/06 / US Patent Application #20060185714
Flexible solar cell and method of producing the same
Inventors: Jung-gyu Nam, Sang-cheol Park, Won-cheol Jung, Young-jun Park
Applicaton #: 20060185714 Class: 136244000 (USPTO)
Provided are a cylindrical flexible solar cell which is made of only flexible materials so that the cell can freely bend, has a cylindrical shape which allows the cell to absorb solar light at any angle of illumination, and has a large surface area and high efficiency; and a method of producing the same.
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08/17/06 - #20060180193
Photoreceptive layer comprising metal oxide of core-shell structure and solar cell using the same
Inventors: Sang-cheol Park, Jung-gyu Nam, Ki-yong Song, Chang-ho Noh
Applicaton #: 20060180193 Class: 136243000 (USPTO)
A photoacceptive layer having a core-shell structure and a solar cell using the same are provided. More specifically, a photoacceptive layer including a metal oxide of a core-shell structure which can improve photoconversion efficiency by improving a electron migration path, and a solar cell using the same are provided.
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08/10/06 / US Patent Application #20060174938
Water-based electrolyte gel for dye-sensitized solar cells and manufacturing methods
Inventors: Vincenza Di Palma, Angela Cimmino, Rossana Scaldaferri, Cosimo Carfagna, Antonella De Maria, Valeria Casuscelli
Applicaton #: 20060174938 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
A dye-sensitized solar cell is provided having an organic compound to absorb solar radiation and donate electrons, a semiconductor to transport electrons, and a hole transporting material formed of a water-based electrolyte gel that includes a polymeric compound and a electrolyte solution. Preparation of the water based gel includes gelling a hydrophilic polymer that is present at least in a concentration, depending on molecular weight and/or degree of hydrolyses and/or degree of polymerization, sufficient to form the gel from the aqueous solution.
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US Patent Application # 20060174937
High performance organic materials for solar cells
The present invention is drawn to a composition or layered composite for absorbing and utilizing radiant energy in a solar cell. The composition can comprise a blend of a push-pull copolymer including at least one electron donor entity and at least one electron acceptor entity, and a fullerene composition. The layered composite can comprise a push-pull copolymer including at least one electron donor entity and at least one electron acceptor entity configured in a first layer, and a fullerene composition configured in a second layer. The first layer is typically in contact with the second layer.
Inventor: Zhang-Lin Zhou
Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
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US Patent Application #20060174936
Water-based electrolyte gel for dye-sensitized solar cells and manufacturing methods
A dye-sensitized solar cell is provided having at least one organic compound to absorb solar radiation and donate electrons, at least one semiconductor to transport electrons, and at least one hole transporting material formed of a water-based electrolyte gel that includes at least one polymeric compound and at least one electrolyte solution. Preparation of the water based gel includes gelling at least one hydrophilic polymer that is present at least in a concentration, depending on molecular weight and/or degree of hydrolyses and/or degree of polymerization, sufficient to form the gel from the aqueous solution.
Inventors: Vincenza Di Palma, Angela Cimmino, Rossana Scaldaferri, Cosimo Carfagna, Antonella De Maria, Valeria Casuscelli
Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
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United States Application 20060174933
TiO2 aerogel-based photovoltaic electrodes and solar cells
A photoelectrode is disclosed having a conductive lead and a titania aerogel in electrical contact with the lead. The aerogel is coated with a photosensitive dye. The photoelectrode may be made by forming a film of a titania aerogel paste on a conductive substrate and coating the film with a dye.
Inventors: Debra Rolison, Jeremy Pietron, Arnold Stux
Class: 136256000 (USPTO)
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US Patent Application 20060174932
Electrolyte compositon, photoelectric converter and dye-sensitized solar cell using same
An electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid and conductive particles as main components, an electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid, and oxide semiconductor particles or oxide semiconductor particles, and conductive particles, and an electrolyte composition containing an ionic liquid and insulating particles are provided. Furthermore, a photoelectric conversion element comprising: a working electrode, the working electrode comprising an electrode substrate and an oxide semiconductor porous film formed on the electrode substrate and sensitized with a dye; a counter electrode disposed opposing the working electrode; and an electrolyte layer made of these electrolyte compositions is provided.
Inventors: Hiroki Usui, Nobuo Tanabe, Hiroshi Matsui, Tetsuya Ezure, Shozo Yanagida
Class: 136252000 (USPTO)
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08/03/06 / US Patent Application #20060169971
Energy conversion film and quantum dot film comprising quantum dot compound, energy conversion layer including the quantum dot film, and solar cell including the energy conversion layer
Inventors: Kyung-Sang Cho, Byung-Ki Kim
Applicaton #: 20060169971 Class: 257014000 (USPTO)
An energy conversion film and a quantum dot film which contain a quantum dot compound, an energy conversion layer including the quantum dot film, and a solar cell including the energy conversion layer. The films act as cut-off filters blocking light of a particular energy level using the light absorption and emission effects of quantum dots and can convert high energy light to low energy light. The efficiency of a solar cell may be improved by providing the cell with a film that converts light above the spectrum-responsive region to light in the cell's spectrum-responsive region. The absorption wavelength region of the films can be broadened by providing the quantum dot compound in a variety of average particle sizes, for example, by providing a mixture of a first quantum dot compound having a first average particle size and a first quantum dot compound having a second average particle size.
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07/27/06 / US Patent Application #20060163567
Semiconductor electrode, method of manufacturing the same, and solar cell employing the same
Inventors: Sang-cheol Park, Jung-gyu Nam, Won-cheol Jung, Young-jun Park
Applicaton #: 20060163567 Class: 257043000 (USPTO)
Provided are a continuous-phase semiconductor electrode that can provide better photoelectric conversion efficiency by improving a pathway for electron transport, a method of manufacturing the same, and a solar cell employing the same. The semiconductor electrode includes a transparent conductive electrode, formed on a substrate, including a metal or a metal nitride; and a metal oxide layer continuously formed on the transparent conductive electrode.
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07/27/06 / US Patent Application #20060165404
Photoreceptive layer including heterogeneous dyes and solar cell employing the same
Inventors: Won-cheol Jung, Kyung-sang Cho, Jung-gyu Nam, Sang-cheol Park
Applicaton #: 20060165404 Class: 396268000 (USPTO)
A photoreceptive layer including heterogeneous dyes is provided. The dye fill density is enhanced and light absorption is achieved at a broad wavelength range, which enables the beneficial utilization of the photoreceptive layer in a dye-sensitized solar cell.
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07/20/06 /US Patent Application #20060157104
Surface-modified semiconductor electrode, dye-sensitized solar cell, method of manufacturing the solar cell, and polymer composition used for the method
Inventors: Won-cheol Jung, Sang-cheol Park, Young-jun Park, Jung-gyu Nam
Applicaton #: 20060157104 Class: 136256000 (USPTO)
Provided is a semiconductor anode including: a metal oxide semiconductor formed on a conductive substrate; a dye formed on a surface of the metal oxide semiconductor; and a polymer self-assembled on a surface of the metal oxide semiconductor. Provided are also a dye-sensitized solar cell, a method of manufacturing the dye-sensitized solar cell, and a polymer composition used for the method of manufacturing the dye-sensitized solar cell. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes an organic material-incorporated metal oxide semiconductor. Therefore, the transfer of electrons in the semiconductor to an electrolyte can be prevented, thereby increasing photocurrent and photovoltage, resulting in enhancement in energy conversion efficiency.
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United States Application 20060137741
Photoanode using carbon nanotubes, method of manufacturing the photoanode, and photovoltaic solar cell including the photoanode
Provided are a photoanode including: a conductive substrate; carbon nanotubes and a semiconductor formed on the conductive substrate; and a photosensitizer formed on the carbon nanotubes and the semiconductor, and a solar cell including the photoanode. In the photoanode, the conductive carbon nanotubes can be directly formed on the conductive substrate, thereby promoting electron transfer, unlike in a common photoanode with no carbon nanotubes. In particular, densely formed, branched carbon nanotubes can serve as electron transfer channels between semiconductor particles, thereby enabling an effective application to solar cells, etc.
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05/25/06 / US Patent Application #20060107997
Electrode, photoelectric conversion element, and dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventors: Hiroshi Matsui, Nobuo Tanabe
Applicaton #: 20060107997 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
An electrode according to the present invention includes a substrate, and a conductive layer containing carbon particles or platinum particles and a conductive binder for binding the carbon particles or platinum particles formed above the substrate. By binding the carbon particles or the platinum particles with the conductive binder, it is possible to form an electrode with a porous structure where spaces that communicate with a surface of the conductive layer are defined between the corresponding carbon particles or platinum particles, thereby increasing the effective area (surface area) of the electrode. The photoelectric conversion elements and the dye-sensitized photovoltaic or solar cells according to the present invention can be manufactured at a low cost and have an increased effective area, making it possible to obtain excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency.
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United States Application 20060104894
Method for making single-phase anatase titanium oxide
This invention relates to methods of making single phase nanocrystalline titanium dioxide. It is hereby provided a method for preparing single-phase anatase type titanium dioxide photocatalyst having a particle size of nano level at near room temperatures without the need for a sintering process at high temperatures.
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04/20/06 -/US Patent Application #20060084257
Dye sensitization photoelectric converter and process for fabricating the same
Inventors: Yuichi Tokita, Yusuke Suzuki, Masahiro Morooka, Kenichi Ishibashi, Kazuhiro Noda
Applicaton #: 20060084257 Class: 438609000 (USPTO)
In a dye-sensitized photoelectric transfer device having a semiconductor layer and an electrolyte layer between a transparent conductive substrate and a counter conductive substrate, the semiconductor layer is composed of titania nanotubes, and a sensitizing dye is retained by the titania nanotubes. The titania nanotubes preferably have an anatase-type crystalline form. The dye-sensitized photoelectric transfer device is used as a dye-sensitized solar cell.
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04/13/06 /US Patent Application #20060076051
Electrolyte composition and photoelectric conversion element using same
Inventors: Masayoshi Watanabe, Ryuji Kawano, Hiroshi Matsui, Nobuo Tanabe
Applicaton #: 20060076051 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
An electrolyte composition is in solid form, and includes a polymer compound containing a cation structure selected from a group consisting of ammonium, phosphonium and sulfonium structures in either the principal chain or a side chain of the polymer, and a halide ion and/or a polyhalide as a counter anion.
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04/06/06 US Patent Application #20060070653
Nanostructured composite photovoltaic cell
Inventors: Scott A. Elrod, Karl A. Littau, Thomas Hantschel, Raj B. Apte, David K. Biegelsen
Applicaton #: 20060070653 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
In accordance with one aspect of the present application, a solar photovoltaic cell is disclosed. The semiconductor material of the solar photovoltaic cell includes an inter-digitated nanostructure of a charge transport material and an optical absorbing material. The charge transport material is formed by anodization of a metal, preferably a transition metal. The resultant charge transport material has an array of discrete, substantially parallel and cylindrical pores formed therein. These pores are filled with the optical semiconductor material, which can include a solution of organic semiconducting materials or an inorganic semiconducting oxide material.
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04/06/06 US Application 20060070651
Highly efficient counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell and method of producing the same.
Inventors: Yong Soo Kang, Bum Suk Jung, Young Jin Kim, Moon Sung Kang
Applicaton #: 20060070651 Class: 136256000 (USPTO)
Disclosed herein is a counter electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell, and a method of producing the same. In the dye-sensitized solar cell which includes a photoelectrode containing a photosensitive dye molecules, in which the counter electrode is positioned opposite to the photoelectrode, and an electrolytic solution interposed between the photoelectrode and the counter electrode, the counter electrode has an electron transfer layer. The electron transfer layer has a structure in which one or more conductive materials, selected from the group consisting of a conductive polymer, platinum nanoparticles, a carbon compound, inorganic oxide particles, and a conductive polymer blend, are sequentially laminated. In the counter electrode, the electron transfer layer promotes smooth electron transfer through an interface between the electrolyte, containing pairs of redox ions, and counter electrode. Thereby, energy conversion efficiency is significantly improved in comparison with a conventional dye-sensitized solar cell employing a counter electrode in which only a platinum layer is applied on a transparent conductive material.
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03/23/06 US Application 20060063296
Method of forming nanoparticle oxide electrode of plastic-type dye-sensitized
solar cell using high viscosity nanoparticle oxide paste without binder
Inventors: Nam Gyu Park, Mangu Kang, Kwang Man Kim, Kwang Sun Ryu, Soon Ho Chang
Applicaton #: 20060063296 Class: 438093000 (USPTO)
A method for forming a nanoparticle oxide electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell is provided. In the method, a basic aqueous solution or an acidic aqueous solution is respectively added to a nanoparticle oxide colloidal solution having a good acidic or basic dispersion, to form a basic nanoparticle oxide paste by an acid-base reaction. Next, after the nanoparticle oxide paste is coated on a substrate, the coated nanoparticle oxide paste is dried at a low temperature of 150.degree. C. or lower. Accordingly, the low-temperature coating nanoparticle oxide paste with high viscosity can be manufactured on the basis of the acid-base reaction, even without the addition of polymer, and accordingly, the nanoparticle oxide electrode can be formed even at a low temperature.
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US Application 20060057360
Nanostructures formed of branched nanowhiskers and methods of producing the same
A method of forming a nanostructure having the form of a tree, comprises a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes providing one or more catalytic particles on a substrate surface, and growing a first nanowhisker via each catalytic particle. The second stage includes providing, on the periphery of each first nanowhisker, one or more second catalytic particles, and growing, from each second catalytic particle, a second nanowhisker extending transversely from the periphery of the respective first nanowhisker. Further stages may be included to grow one or more further nanowhiskers extending from the nanowhisker(s) of the preceding stage. Heterostructures may be created within the nanowhiskers. Such nanostructures may form the components of a solar cell array or a light emitting flat panel, where the nanowhiskers are formed of a photosensitive material. A neural network may be formed by positioning the first nanowhiskers close together so that adjacent trees contact one another through nanowhiskers grown in a subsequent stage, and heterojunctions within the nanowhiskers create tunnel barriers to current flow.
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03/02/06 US Patent Application #20060046504
Metal oxide structure containing titanium oxide and production method and use thereof
Inventors: Susumu Kayama, Hisao Kogoi, Jun Tanaka
Applicaton #: 20060046504 Class: 438758000 (USPTO)
A dye sensitized solar cell comprising, as the dye electrode, a titanium oxide structure having an optical band gap (hereinafter referred to as “BG”) of 2.7 to 3.1 eV as calculated from absorbance measured by an integrating sphere-type sptetrophotometer, or a metal oxide structure obtained by dry-mixing a plurality of metal oxide powder particles differing in the particle size or a metal oxide dispersion thereof, wherein assuming that the BG of raw material metal oxide is BGO and the BG of metal oxide after the dry mixing is BG1, the (BG0-BG1) is from 0.01 to 0.45 eV, and a production method thereof are provided.
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02/16/06/ US Application 20060035392
Application of lignin derivatives to photoelectric transducer and photoelectrochemical cell
Inventors: Masamitsu Funaoka, Mitsuru Aoyagi
Applicaton #: 20060035392 Class: 438012000 (USPTO)
The invention regards application of lignin derivatives to a photoelectric transducer. The photoelectric transducer of the invention includes a semiconductor film as a thin film electrode, that is photosensitized by one or multiple lignin derivatives selected from the group consisting of: (a) a lignophenol derivative or a phenol derivative of lignin that is prepared by solvating a lignin-containing material with a phenol compound and adding an acid to the solvate; (b) a secondary derivative that is prepared by one reaction of the lignophenol derivative (a) selected among acylation, carboxylation, amidation, introduction of a crosslinking group, and alkali treatment; (c) a higher-order derivative that is prepared by at least two reactions of the lignophenol derivative (a) selected among acylation, carboxylation, amidation, introduction of the crosslinking group, and alkali treatment; (d) a crosslinked secondary derivative that is prepared by crosslinking the secondary derivative (b) obtained by the introduction of the crosslinking group; and (e) a crosslinked higher-order derivative that is prepared by crosslinking the higher-order derivative (c) obtained by the introduction of the crosslinking group.
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02/02/06 / US Application #20060021649
Porous electrodes, devices including the porous electrodes, and methods for their production
Inventors: Ryuma Kuroda, Atsuhiro Takata
Applicaton #: 20060021649 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
Disclosed is a porous electrode comprising a porous film (A) with through pores and an electrically conducting material selected from the group consisting of conductor and semiconductor, the porous film (A) having an average pore size d1 of from 0.02 to 3 .mu.m and a porosity of from 40 to 90%, the electrically conducting material being filled in the through pores of the porous film (A). A dye-sensitized solar cell and an electric double layer capacitor including the porous electrode as a constituent are also disclosed.
see related
Porous Electrodes, Devices including the Porous Electrodes, and Methods for their Production
European Patent EP1624472
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01/26/06 / US Application #20060016474
Dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventors: Ryuichi Shiratsuchi, Shuzi Hayase
Applicaton #: 20060016474 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
A dye-sensitized solar cell is provided that includes a transparent electrode formed by depositing, in order on a transparent substrate, a transparent conductive film containing tin oxide as a main component, and a compact titanium oxide layer and/or a porous titanium oxide layer, wherein the transparent conductive film, which contains tin oxide as the main component, has a fluorine concentration not exceeding 0.2 wt %, and the transparent conductive film on the transparent substrate has in an X-ray diffraction pattern thereof diffraction peaks attributable to (110), (200), and (211) planes satisfying the conditions that, relative to the sum of the diffraction intensities of the three planes, the ratios of both the (110) and (211) diffraction intensities are larger than 0.25 and smaller than 0.4, and the ratio of the (200) diffraction intensity is larger than 0.25 and smaller than 0.5. The dye-sensitized solar cell has high light conversion efficiency and has an FTO film that are highly heat resistant and does not easily deteriorate during a thermal treatment step when forming a titanium oxide porous film.
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01/26/06 / US Application #20060016473
Dye-sensitized solar cell employing photoelectric transformation electrode and a method of manufacturing thereof
Inventors: Jae-Man Choi, Ji-Won Lee, Wha-Sup Lee, Kwang-Soon Ahn, Joung-Won Park, Byong-Cheol Shin
Applicaton #: 20060016473 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
A dye-sensitized solar cell using a photoelectric transformation electrode. The solar cell includes a semiconductor electrode, a counter electrode provided opposite to the semiconductor electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer provided between the semiconductor electrode and the counter electrode and having a dye adsorbed thereon, an electrolyte solution provided between the semiconductor electrode and the counter electrode, a spacer partitioning a space defined between the semiconductor electrode and the counter electrode to form at least one unit cell, and a metal wire at least partially patterned between the at least one unit cells.
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01/26/06 / US Application #20060016472
Electrolyte composition and solar cell using the same
Inventors: Joung-Won Park, Ji-Won Lee, Wha-Sup Lee, Kwang-Soon Ahn, Jae-Man Choi, Byong-Cheol Shin
Applicaton #: 20060016472 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
An electrolyte composition and a solar cell using the same are provided. The electrolyte composition comprises an electron donor compound “A” having a lone electron pair, an iodine salt. and iodine (I2). The electrolyte composition according to the present invention increases electrons in a porous film to improve a charge integration capacity and increases the open circuit voltage, thereby providing a dye sensitized solar cell with high efficiency.
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01/12/06 United States Application 20060008580
Hybrid solar cells with thermal deposited semiconductive oxide layer.
Inventors: Gabrielle Nelles, Akio Yasuda, Hans-Werner Schmidt, Mukundan Thelakkat, Christoph Schmitz
Applicaton #: 20060008580 Class: 427162000 (USPTO)
A hybrid solar cell device comprising: a substrate material (substrate), an electrode material (EM), a hole transport material (HTM), a dye material (dye), and a semiconductive oxide layer (SOL), wherein a structure of the hybrid solar cell device is selected from a group consisting of: Substrate+EM/HTM/dye/SOL/EM, or Substrate+EM/SOL/dye/HTM/E- M, or Substrate+EM/HTM/SOL/EM, and wherein the EM is selected from a group consisting of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), a transparent conductive polymer or a transparent organic material, and a metal, with at least one of the EM layer(s) of the hybrid solar cell being a TCO, and wherein the SOL comprises a dense semiconductive oxide layer.
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01/12/06 / US Patent Application #20060005877
Passivated, dye-sensitized oxide semiconductor electrode, solar cell using same, and method
Inventors: James Lawrence Spivack, Shellie Virginia Gasaway, Oltea Puica Siclovan
Applicaton #: 20060005877 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
Disclosed is a dye-sensitized oxide semiconductor electrode comprising an electrically conductive substrate, an oxide semiconductor film provided on a surface of said electrically conductive substrate, and a sensitizing dye adsorbed on said film, wherein the oxide semiconductor film has been further treated with at least one silanizing agent comprising the partial structure R1—Si—OR2, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl groups, or R1 is an alkyl group and R2 is hydrogen or aryl. Also disclosed are solar cells comprising said electrode and a method for improving the efficiency of the solar cells. The solar cells exhibit improved efficiency and other beneficial properties compared to similar cells not having the passivated electrode.
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Nanostructured titanium dioxide films having low optical gap and a process for the preparation thereof
European Patent EP1612189
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US Patents issued during the year 2005
12/15/05 / United States Application 20050274412
Flexible dye-sensitized solar cell using conducting metal substrate
Inventors: Man Gu Kang, Nam-Gyu Park, Kwang Man Kim, Young Sik Hong, Yong Joon Park, Young Gi Lee, Soon Ho Chang, Kwang Sun Ryu
Applicaton #: 20050274412 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
A flexible dye-sensitized solar cell is provided. The solar cell is formed by assembling a semiconductor electrode prepared by forming a nanoparticle oxide layer on a first flexible conducting substrate composed of a metal, such as a stainless steel, and allowing a dye to be adsorbed thereon and a counter electrode including a Pt layer formed on a second flexible conducting substrate composed of a transparent polymer. When a semiconductor electrode including an insulating thin film and a conducting thin film formed on the first conducting substrate is used, an energy conversion efficiency of the solar cell can be significantly improved when compared to a conventional flexible solar cell.
see also related
Flexible dye-sentitized solar cell using conducting metal substrate
European Patent EP1605479
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11/24/05 / United States Application #20050257826
Dye-sensitized solar cell and dye-sensitized solar cell module
Inventors: Ryohsuke Yamanaka, Liyuan Han
Applicaton #: 20050257826 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
A dye-sensitized solar cell comprising a first support, a first conductive layer, a porous photovoltaic layer containing a dye, a carrier transport layer and a second conductive layer stacked in this order, wherein the length of contact side of the porous photovoltaic layer closed to the first conductive layer is different from that of its confronted side of the porous photovoltaic layer.
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11/24/05 / United States Application #20050257827
Rotational photovoltaic cells, systems and methods
Inventors: Russell Gaudiana, Daniel Patrick McGahn
Applicaton #: 20050257827 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
Photovoltaic cells, systems and methods, as well as related compositions, are disclosed. Embodiments involve providing a first photovoltaic facility; providing a second photovoltaic facility; and electrically and mechanically associating the first and second photovoltaic facilities; wherein the association provides relative rotational freedom of the first and second photovoltaic facilities, forming a flexible photovoltaic facility.
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11/24/05 / United States Application - #20050260786
Dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventors: Masato Yoshikawa, Shingo Ohno, Taichi Kobayashi, Takayuki Sugimura, Yoshinori Iwabuchi, Osamu Shiino, Hideo Sugiyama, Yasuo Horikawa, Shinichi Toyosawa
Applicaton #: 20050260786 Class: 438085000 (USPTO)
An electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells, wherein an oxidation-reduction substance is carried by a vulcanized rubber, a phosphazene polymer, a porous body comprising a high molecular material which has a three-dimensional continuous network skeleton structure, or an EVA resin film. A dye-sensitized solar cell comprising dye-sensitized semiconductor electrodes 2, 3, a counter electrode 4 arranged at an opposed position to the electrodes, and an electrolyte 6 between the electrodes 2, 3 and the electrode 4. A solid electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells effective in improving the generation efficiency, durability, and safety of dye-sensitized solar cells and can be manufactured inexpensively.
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11/24/05 / United States Application #20050257825
Zno/cu(inga)se2 solar cells prepared by vapor phase zn doping
Inventors: Kannan Ramanathan, Falah S. Hasoon, Sarah E. Asher, James Dolan, James C. Keane
Applicaton #: 20050257825 Class: 136262000 (USPTO)
A process for making a thin film ZnO/Cu(InGa)Se2 solar cell without depositing a buffer layer and by Zn doping from a vapor phase, comprising: depositing Cu(InGa)Se2 layer on a metal back contact deposited on a glass substrate; heating the Cu(InGa)Se2 layer on the metal back contact on the glass substrate to a temperature range between about 100° C. to about 250° C.; subjecting the heated layer of Cu(InGa)Se2 to an evaporant species from a Zn compound; and sputter depositing ZnO on the Zn compound evaporant species treated layer of Cu(InGa)Se2.
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10/27/05 -- #20050236037
Dye-sensitized solar cell module
Inventors: Kwang-Soon Ahn, Ji-Won Lee, Wha-Sup Lee, Jae-Man Choi, Byong-Cheol Shin, Joung-Won Park
Applicaton #: 20050236037 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
Related Patents: Batteries: Thermoelectric And Photoelectric,
A high capacity dye-sensitized solar cell module where a plurality of unit cells are simultaneously formed at a substrate in a simplified manner with increased light absorption efficiency. The dye-sensitized solar cell module includes first and second conductive substrates facing one another with regions for a plurality of unit cells. First and second electrodes are formed on the first or the second substrate such that the first and the second electrodes face one another at the respective unit cells. A dye is adsorbed at the first electrode. The space between the first and the second substrates at the respective unit cells is filled with an electrolyte. Insulation regions are formed on at least one of the first and the second substrates between a pair of unit cells neighboring to one another. The pattern of insulation regions, on one or both of the substrates, results in the unit cells being coupled in series, in parallel, or in a combination manner.
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10/27/05 / US Application 20050236033
Plasmon enhanced sensitized photovoltaic cells
Inventor: Nabil M. Lawandy
Applicaton #: 20050236033 Class: 136252000 (USPTO)
A plasmon enhanced particle for use in a photovoltaic cell. The particle includes a nanostructure capable of plasmon resonance; a charge accepting semiconductor in conjunction with the nanostructure; and a sensitizer coating the charge accepting semiconductor. Another aspect the invention relates to a plasmon enhanced solar photovoltaic cell. The solar photovoltaic cell includes a plurality of nanoparticles capable of plasmon resonance; a plurality of nanoparticles of charge accepting semiconductor in conjunction with the nanoparticles capable of plasmon resonance; and a coating of sensitizer on the plurality of nanoparticles of charge accepting semiconductor. Another aspect relates to a method of making a plasmon enhanced material suitable for use in a photovoltaic cell. The steps include providing a nanostructure capable of plasmon resonance; providing a charge accepting semiconductor in conjunction with the nanostructure; sintering the charge accepting semiconductor such as metal oxide; and coating the charge accepting semiconductor with sensitizer.
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10/20/05 US Patent Application #20050229966
Dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventors: Ryoichi Komiya, Ryohsuke Yamanaka, Liyuan Han, Takehito Mitate, Eriko Ishiko, Michiyuki Kono
Applicaton #: 20050229966 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
Provided is a dye-sensitized solar cell having improved stability of safety and performance by employing a non-volatile molten salt which makes it possible to facilitate the control over the composition of gel electrolyte, simplify the working step during production and give an excellent conversion efficiency. The dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a transparent substrate, a transparent electrically-conductive membrane formed on the surface of the transparent substrate and an electrically-conductive substrate disposed opposed to the transparent electrically-conductive membrane and further comprises a porous semiconductor layer having a dye adsorbed thereto and an electrolyte provided interposed between the aforesaid transparent electrically-conductive membrane and the electrically-conductive substrate, wherein the electrolyte comprises a molten salt incorporated in a network structure obtained by crosslinking at least one kind of Compound A having isocyanate group with at least one kind of Compound B having amino group to solve the aforesaid problems. Or the electrolyte comprises a molten salt incorporated in a network structure obtained by crosslinking at least one kind of Compound A having isocyanate group with at least one kind of Compound C having carboxyl group and/or hydroxyl group, at least one of Compound A and Compound C constituting the electrolyte has a polymer structure having a molecular weight of from 500 to 100,000 and a part or whole of the polymer structure comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyether, polyester, polycaprolactone, polysiloxane, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polycarbonate and polyphosphazene.
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United States Application 20050219678
Novel electrochromic materials and devices
The present invention relates to an electrochromic material, and a device utilizing the electrochromic material, comprising a substituted-1,1-dioxo-thiopyran of the general structure I: 1wherein:X is carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;n is 0, 1 or 2;R3 is independently an electron withdrawing group or a substituted or unsubstituted alky or aryl group;R1 and R5 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; andR2 and R4 each independently represent hydrogen, or an electron withdrawing group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group.
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09/29/05 / US Application 20050211293
Photoelectric transfer material, manufacturing method thereof, photoelectric transfer element and manufacturing method thereof
Inventors: Masashi Enomoto, Myung-Seok Choi, Yoshiaki Kobuke, Akiharu Satake
Applicaton #: 20050211293 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
A photoelectric transfer material, manufacturing method thereof, photoelectric transfer element and manufacturing method thereof are provided. In an organic photoelectric transfer element of an organic solar cell or other like device, the photoelectric transfer material is composed of a conductive polymer such as MEH-PPV, electronic acceptor such as a fullerene derivative and antenna porphyrin aggregate. The photoelectric transfer material can be made by coating a mixed solution of the conductive polymer, electron acceptor and antenna porphyrin aggregate by spin coating, for example. This photoelectric transfer material and a photoelectric transfer element using the material exhibit high photoelectric transfer efficiency because of small electric resistance and high sunlight usage efficiency, and simultaneously exhibit stability.
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09/08/05 / United States Application 20050194035
Fibril solar cell and method of manufacture
Inventors: Yong-Wan Jin, Jong-Min Kim
Applicaton #: 20050194035 Class: 136252000 (USPTO)
A fibril solar cell includes: a fiber-shaped inner core having a porous fiber composed of first carbon nanotubes and a cathode material, in which pores of the porous fiber are filled with second carbon nanotubes, titanium dioxide, a photosensitive dye, and an electron transfer electrolyte; a photoconductive layer formed on a surface of the fiber-shaped inner core and composed of at least one photoconductive polymer; a transparent electrode layer formed on a surface of the photoconductive layer; and a transparent protective layer formed on a surface of the transparent electrode layer and composed of at least one transparent polymer. The fibril solar cell can be mass-produced inexpensively using a polymer. Also, the fibril solar cell has a high efficiency and can be converted into various shapes. The fibril solar cell can be attached to clothing, and be used as a portable power source for mobile electronics.
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08/25/05 United States Application 20050183769
Method of producing substrate for dye-sensitized solar cell and dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventors: Hiroki Nakagawa, Yosuke Yabuuchi, Hiroyuki Kobori
Applicaton #: 20050183769 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
The main object of the invention is to provide a method capable of producing a substrate for a dye-sensitized solar cell in high yield and a method of producing a dye-sensitized solar cell with such a substrate. In order to achieve the object, there is provided, according to the invention, a method of producing a substrate for a dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising the processes of: applying, to a heat-resistant substrate, an intermediate layer-forming coating material that contains an organic material and fine particles of a metal oxide semiconductor and setting the coating to form an intermediate layer-forming layer; applying, to the intermediate layer-forming layer, an oxide semiconductor layer-forming coating material whose solids have a higher concentration of fine particles of a metal oxide semiconductor than that of those in the solids of the intermediate layer-forming coating material and setting the coating to form an oxide semiconductor layer-forming layer; sintering the intermediate layer-forming layer and the oxide semiconductor layer-forming layer to form a porous intermediate membrane and a porous oxide semiconductor membrane; and forming a first electrode layer and a substrate on the oxide semiconductor membrane.
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United States Application 20050166960
Photoelectrochemical cell
A particulate structure containing a carbon nanotube thus exhibiting improved electron-transferring property, a semiconductor electrode for a photoelectrochemical cell containing a carbon nanotube thus exhibiting improved electron-transferring property, an electrolytic solution for a photoelectrochemical cell containing a carbon nanotube thus exhibiting improved oxidation-reduction property, a reduction electrode for a photoelectrochemical cell containing a carbon nanotube thus exhibiting improved reduction property; and a photoelectrochemical cell applying at least one aspect above.
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08/04/05 / United States Application 20050166959
Dye-sensitized solar cell and method of manufacturing the same
Inventors: Wha-Sup Lee, Ji-Won Lee, Kwang-Soon Ahn, Jae-Man Choi, Byong-Cheol Shin, Joung-Won Park
Applicaton #: 20050166959 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
The invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell with an improved electrode structure and enhanced energy efficiency, and a method of manufacturing same. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a light-transmission first electrode with a first surface, and a second electrode with a second surface facing the first surface of the first electrode. The second surface of the second electrode has convexo-concave portions. A porous layer is formed on the first surface of the first electrode. A dye is absorbed into the porous layer. An electrolyte is impregnated between the first and the second electrodes.
see related
DYE-Sensitized solar cell and method of manufacturing the same
European Patent EP1562205
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08/04/05 / United States Application 20050166958
Dye-sensitized solar cell having enlarged wavelength range for light absorption and method of fabricating same
Inventors: Joung-Won Park, Ji-Won Lee, Wha-Sup Lee, Kwang-Soon Ahn, Jae-Man Choi, Byong-Cheol Shin
Applicaton #: 20050166958 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
A dye-sensitized solar cell with an enlarged effective wavelength range for light energy absorption and enhanced photoelectric conversion efficiency, and a method of fabricating such a solar cell are disclosed. The dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a first electrode comprising a light transmission material, and a second electrode facing the first electrode. A porous layer is formed on the first electrode, and a composite dye is absorbed to the porous layer. The composite dye comprises two or more dye materials. An electrolyte is impregnated between the first and second electrodes.
see related
Dye-sensitized solar cell having enlarged wavelength range for light
absorption and method of fabricating same
European Patent EP1562206
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07/14/05 United States Application 20050150545
Dye-sensitized solar cell and fabrication method thereof
Inventors: Jae-Man Choi, Ji-Won Lee, Wha-Sup Lee, Kwang-Soon Ahn, Byong-Cheol Shin, Joung-Won Park
Applicaton #: 20050150545 Class: 136263000 (USPTO)
Disclosed is a dye-sensitized solar cell with enhanced photoelectric conversion efficiency. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a first electrode of a light transmission material, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and a dye-absorbed porous layer formed on the first electrode. An electrolyte is injected between the first and the second electrodes. The porous layer contains first and second materials differing from each other in conduction band energy level.
see related
Dye-sensitized solar cell and fabrication method thereof / European Patent EP1542249
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United States Application 20050139257
Photosensitizing transition metal complex containing quaterpyridine and
photovoltaic cell with the metal complex
A photosensitizer complex of formula (I) MLX.sub.2 in which M is a transition metal selected from ruthenium, osmium, iron, rhenium and technetium; each X is a co-ligand independently selected from NCS.sup.-, Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, CN.sup.-, H.sub.2O; pyridine unsubstituted or substituted by at least one group selected from vinyl, primary, secondary or tertiary amine, OH and C.sub.1-30 alky, preferably NSC.sup.- and CN.sup.-. L is a tetradentate polypyridine ligand, carrying at least one carboxylic, phosphoric acid or a chelating group and one substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkylamide group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group having 7 to 50 carbon atoms. A dye-sensitized electrode includes a substrate having an electrically conductive surface, an oxide semiconductor film formed thereon, and the above sensitizer of formula (I) as specified above, supported on the film.
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06/23/05 - #20050136332
Ionic liquids and process for manufacturing the same
Agent: Flynn Thiel Boutell & Tanis, P.C. - Kalamazoo, MI, US
Applicaton #: 20050136332 Class: 429324000 (USPTO)
In the formula, R1 to R5 may be the same as or different from each other and each represents an H, a halogen, or a C1 to C10 alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, heterocyclic group, aryl group or alkoxyalkyl group; X and Y may be the same as or different from each other and each represents an N or a P; Z represents an S or an O. Ionic liquids exhibit a stable liquid state even at low temperatures and have a good conductivity. The ionic liquids each contain an organic compound represented by the following formula (1) as a cation
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05/26/05-- #20050109385
Dye-sensitized solar cell based on electrospun ultra-fine titanium dioxide fibers and fabrication method thereof
Inventors: Dong-Young Kim, Seong-Mu Jo, Wha-Seop Lee, Mi-Yeon Song, Do-Kyun Kim
Applicaton #: 20050109385 Class: 136252000 (USPTO)
A dye-sensitized solar cell comprising a semiconductor electrode comprising electrospun ultra-fine titanium dioxide fibers and fabrication method thereof are disclosed. The dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a semiconductor electrode comprising an electrospun ultra-fine fibrous titanium dioxide layer, a counter electrode and electrolyte interposed therebetween. A non-liquid electrolyte such as polymer gel electrolyte or the like having low fluidity, as well as the liquid electrolyte, can be easily infiltrated thereinto. In addition, electrons can be effectively transferred since titanium dioxide crystals are one-dimensionally arranged.
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United States Application 20050039790
Gel electrolytes for dye sensitized solar cells
Replacing liquid electrolytes with solid or quasi-solid electrolytes facilitates the production of photovoltaic cells using continuous manufacturing processes, such as roll-to-roll or web processes, thus creating inexpensive, lightweight photovoltaic cells using flexible plastic substrates.
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United States Application 20050072462
Solid state dye-sensitized solar cell employing composite polymer electrolyte
Disclosed is a solid state dye-sensitized solar cell employing a composite polymer electrolyte, which includes a photoelectrode, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte interposed between the photoelectrode and counter electrode. The electrolyte includes at least one of a middle molecular substance, a polymer mixture, and inorganic nanoparticles, and a redox derivative. The dye-sensitized solar cell reduces crystallinity of the polymer electrolyte to significantly increase ionic conductivity, and enables the polymer electrolyte to smoothly permeate into a titanium oxide layer to improve mechanical properties, thereby significantly increasing energy conversion efficiency. Accordingly, the dye-sensitized solar cell assures high energy conversion efficiency without an electrolyte leak, and thus, it can be stably and practically used for a long time.
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Dye-sensitized solar cell
United States Application 20050067009
It is an object of the present invention to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell which has high conversion efficiency and excellent endurance. A dye-sensitized solar cell includes a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other. A buffer layer and a porous layer are sequentially formed on the first electrode and a dye is adsorbed on the porous layer. An electrolyte is impregnated between the first electrode and the second electrode. The dye-sensitized solar cell also includes an anti-reflection film formed on the outer surface of the first electrode.
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US Patents issued during the year 2004
United States Application 20040256001
Photovoltaic cell using stable Cu2O nanocrystals and conductive polymers
The present invention relates to the use of a nanocrystalline layer of Cu.sub.2O in the construction of photovoltaic cells to increase the ability of the photovoltaic cells to utilize UV radiations for photocurrent generation.
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United States Application 20050117194
Method for preparing electrode system, electrode system prepared therefrom, and electric device comprising the same
Provided are a method for preparing an electrode system, an electrode system prepared therefrom, and an electric device including the same. The method includes the steps of forming a porous template having nanopores on a first electrode, wherein a diameter of the nanopores is between 5 to nm 500 nm; and forming a rod-type/tube-type second electrode inside the nanopores which are connected to the first electrode, the electrode system prepared therefrom, and an electric device including the same. With the large surface area, the electrode system of the present research improves efficiency and performance of various electric devices. The contrast and respond speed of the electrochromic device can be increased, and the number of electron-hole pairs of a solar cell is increased. The loss of electron-hole pairs is minimized, and charge storage of the supercapacitor and charge respond speed is heightened.
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Organic photoelectric conversion element
United States Application 20050022856
The organic photoelectric conversion element according to the invention has enhanced the light-absorbing property by incorporating two or more kinds of electron donating organic materials 4a and 4b in the photoelectric conversion region 14. With such measure, it has become possible to efficiently absorb the incident light and enhance the photoelectric conversion characteristic. In addition, a light-to-light conversion material 7 is incorporated in the photoelectric conversion region, too. With this measure, even the light of such a wavelength that an electron donating organic material cannot inherently absorb comes to be absorbed since the light-to-light conversion material 7 converts the wavelength, thus enabling the light to be utilized for carrier generation. Accordingly, an organic photoelectric conversion element with a high conversion efficiency can be obtained.
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Solid state heterojunction and solid state sensitized photovoltaic cell
United States Application 20050006714
A solid state p-n heterojunction comprising an electron conductor and a hole conductor; it further comprises a sensitising semiconductor, said sensitizing semiconductor being located at an interface between said electron conductor and said hole conductor. In particular, the sensitizing semiconductor is in form of quantum-dots. A solid state sensitized photovoltaic cell comprises such a heterojunction between two electrodes.
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Dye-sensitized solar cells including liquid type imidazolium electrolyte
United States Application 20040261842
Provided is a dye-sensitized solar cell including liquid-type imidazolium material, which is liquid at a room temperature to a high temperature, as electrolyte.. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a semiconductor electrode; a confronting electrode; and electrolyte of 1,3-vinylalkylimidazolium iodide family being inserted between the semiconductor electrode and the confronting electrode. Since the solar cell of the present research uses 1,3-vinylalkylimidazolium iodide instead of iodine-family oxidation and reduction electrolyte including organic solvent easily volatilized at a high temperature. Thus, the solar cell can have excellent thermal stability and temperature stability as well as high energy conversion efficiency.
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Nanowire array and nanowire solar cells and methods for forming the same
United States Application 20050009224
omogeneous and dense arrays of nanowires are described. The nanowires can be formed in solution and can have average diameters of 40-300 nm and lengths of 1-3 .mu.m. They can be formed on any suitable substrate. Photovoltaic devices are also described
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Method of injecting electrolytic solution, method of manufacturing wet-type photoelectric conversion device, and method of manufacturing wet-type apparatus
United States Application 20040258980
A wet-type photoelectric conversion device is provided with an electrolytic solution containing portion of which a portion is opened. An electrolytic solution is dropped to the opened portion of the electrolytic solution containing portion, and the wet-type photoelectric conversion device is rotated to generate a centrifugal force, whereby the electrolytic solution is injected into the inside of the electrolytic solution containing portion under the action of the centrifugal force. The minimum width of the inside of the electrolytic solution containing portion is, for example, in the range of 20 to 120 .mu.m.
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Hybrid solar cells with thermal deposited semiconductive oxide layer
United States Application 20040168718
Method for producing a hybrid organic solar cell having the general structureSubstrate+EM/HTM/dye/SOL/EM, orSubstrate+EM/SOL/dye/HTM/EM, orSubstrate+EM/HTM/SOL/EM, in whichEM is the electrode material that may be a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) or metal, with at least one of the EM layer(s) of the cell being a TCO,HTM is the hole transport material,SOL is a semiconducting oxide layer,"dye" is a suitable dye, and the SOL layer is vapor deposited.
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Photoelectric conversion element sensitized with coloring matter
United States Application 20040187918
A photoelectric conversion device using a semiconductor fine material such as a semiconductor fine particle sensitized with a dye carried thereon, characterized in that the dye is a methine type dye having a specific partial structure, for example, a methine type dye having a specific carboxyl-substituted hetero ring on one side of a methine group and an aromatic residue substituted with a dialkylamino group or an organic metal complex residue on the other side of the methine group, or a methine type dye having a carboxyl-substituted aromatic ring on one side of a methane group and a heteroaromatic ring having a dialkylamino group or an organic metal complex residue on the other side of the methine group; and a solar cell using the photoelectric conversion element. The photoelectric conversion element exhibits a conversion efficiency comparable or superior to that of a conventionally known photoelectric conversion element sensitized with a methine type dye.
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Polymer formation in room temperature inonic liquids
United States Application 20040158009
Methods and compositions for polymerization in ionic medium liquid at room temperature provide the benefit of allowing polymerization reactions to be carried out cheaply, and relatively quickly. The replacement of VOCs by these environmentally benign solvents has the further advantage of increased safety for chemical workers.
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Photovoltaic device and a manufacturing method thereof
United States Application 20040103938
The invention provides a photovoltaic device, comprising a photovoltaic conversion layer formed from photoactive material. A first electrode is arranged on a first surface of the photovoltaic conversion layer and a second electrode comprising one or more conductive tracks is arranged on the opposite second surface of the photovoltaic conversion layer to receive generated photoelectrons from the photovoltaic conversion layer. A light concentrator is provided adjacent to the second electrode wherein the one or more conductive tracks are arranged in registration with the light concentrator such that incident light is guided substantially through gaps between the one or more conductive tracks. High conductivity of the second electrode is achieved without loss of active area of the device.
see related
A photovoltaic device and a manufacturing method thereof
European Patent EP1427025
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Co-sensitizers for dye sensitized solar cells
United States Application 20030188777
Co-sensitizers that co-adsorb with a sensitizing dye to the surface of an interconnected semiconductor oxide nanoparticle material increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells by improving their charge transfer efficiency and reducing the back transfer of electrons from the interconnected semiconductor oxide nanoparticle material to the sensitizing dye.
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Flexible photovoltaic cells and modules formed using foils
United States Application 20030192584
The invention, in various embodiments, is directed to photovoltaic cells, modules and methods for making the same, wherein a plurality of discrete portions of metal foil having an interconnected nanoparticle material formed thereon are disposed, preferably as strips having a controlled size and relative spacing, between first and second flexible substrates.
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Photovoltaic cells incorporating rigid substrates
United States Application 20030192585
The invention, in one aspect, provides a photovoltaic cell including a charge carrier material and a photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material including nanoparticles linked by a polymeric linking agent, both disposed between first and second rigid, significantly light-transmitting substrates. In one embodiment, the charge carrier material and the photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material are disposed between a first and second flexible, significantly light-transmitting substrate that are themselves disposed between the first and second rigid, significantly light-transmitting substrates.
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Photovoltaic powered multimedia greeting cards and smart cards
United States Application 20030188776
A flexible photovoltaic cell integrated onto an active card, such as a greeting card or "smart" card, may be fabricated separately and then integrated with additional electronics on the active card. Alternatively, the photovoltaic cell may be fabricated on the active card itself, constituting, if desired, part or all of its surface design.
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Dye-sensitized photoelectric transducer
United States Application 20030183271
The present invention aims at developing a low-cost photoelectric conversion device having favorable conversion efficiency and a solar cell and, accordingly, relates to a photoelectric conversion device of a semiconductor fine particles, being sensitized with an organic dye, which absorbs thereon a specified azo dye expressed by the general formula 1wherein Ar 1 represents an aromatic group having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic acid group, a hydroxyl group, a phosphoric acid group, a phosphoric acid ester group and a mercapto group either directly or via a cross-linking group; and Ar 2 represents an aromatic group having at least one electron-donating group as a substituent, and also to a solar cell using the photoelectric conversion device.
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Imidazolium salts and their use of these ionic liquids as a solvent
United States Application 20040026666
New 1,2,3- or 1,2,3,4- or 1,2,3,4,5- substituted imidazolium salts and their uses as solvent in catalyzed organic reactions, as well as compositions containing them and a transition metal compound. They can be used in the following reactions: the telomerisation of conjugated dienes, dimerisation of olefins, the oligomerisation of olefins, polymerization of olefins, alkylation of olefins, hydrogenation of olefins, olefin metathesis, hydroformylation of olefins, ring-closing metathesis of olefins, ring-opening metathesis polymerisation of olefins, symetric or asymetric epoxidation of olefins (including heteroatom substituted olefins) and the cyclopropanation of olefins, condensation reaction, hydrogenation reaction, isomerization reaction, Suzuki cross-coupling reactions, amination reaction, partial oxidation of alkancs, kinetic resolution of racemic mixtures, hydrogenation of imines, hydrogenation of ketones, transfer hydrogenation and hydroxylation of aromatic organic compounds.
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Photovoltaic cells
United States Application 20020182310
Improved photovoltaic cells utilizing for a semiconductor layer, titanium dioxide powders, consisting of porous particles, ranging in size from 0.1 to 10 microns (10-6 meters), and possess relatively high bulk density combined with high surface area.
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Solar cells incorporating light harvesting arrays
United States Application 20020185173
A solar cell incorporates a light harvesting array that comprises: (a) a first substrate comprising a first electrode; and (b) a layer of light harvesting rods electrically coupled to the first electrode, each of the light harvesting rods comprising a polymer of Formula I: 1 X 1 -- ( X m + 1 ) m ( I )wherein m is at least 1, and may be from two, three or four to 20 or more; X.sup.1 is a charge separation group (and preferably a porphyrinic macrocycle, which may be one ligand of a double-decker sandwich compound) having an excited-state of energy equal to or lower than that of X.sup.2; and X.sup.2 through X.sup.m+1 are chromophores (and again are preferably porphyrinic macrocycles).
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High performance lithium or lithium ion cell
United States Application 20030003369
Graphite sheeting having a thickness of less than 250 micrometers and in-plane conductivity of at least 100 S/cm when employed as a cathode current collector in a lithium or lithium ion cell containing a fluorinated lithium imide or methide electrolyte salt imparts high thermal resistance, excellent electrochemical stability, and surprisingly high capacity retention at high rates of discharge.
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Process for preparing ambient temperature ionic liquids
United States Application 20030080312
A process for preparing an ionic liquid or salt, preferably in which the cation comprises an N-alkylated base and the anion is a carboxylate, formed by reaction between an organic base and an alkylating agent, wherein the alkylating agent is a fluorinated ester or an alkyl sulfonate, is described. Suitable organic bases include imizadoles, substituted imidazoles, pyridines and substituted pyridines. The so-formed products can be subsequently transformed into different ionic liquids or salts by metathesis.
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Photocatalytic film of iron oxide, electrode with such a photocatalytic film, method of producing such films, photoelectrochemical cell with the electrode and photoelectrochemical system with the cell, for the cleavage of water into hydrogen and oxygen
United States Application 20030121543
The Photocatalytic film of semiconducting iron oxide (Fe.sub.2O.sub.3), contains an n-dopant, or a mixture of n-dopants, or a p-dopant or a mixture of p-dopants. Electrode consists of a substrate, with one or more films or photocatalytic arrangements of film of semiconducting n-doped or p-doped iron oxide (Fe.sub.2O.sub.3) e.g. on the surface of one side of the substrate or on the surface of different sides. The photoelectrochemical cell comprises electrodes with a film or with films of the n-doped or p-doped semiconducting iron oxide (Fe.sub.2O.sub.3). The semiconducting iron oxide (Fe.sub.2O.sub.3) film can be manufactured with a spray pyrolysis process or a sol gel process. The system for the direct cleavage of water with visible light, into hydrogen and oxygen the system comprises one or more of the photoelectrochemical cells with photocatalytic films. The system can be a tandem cell system, comprising the photoelectrochemical cell with the doped iron oxide (Fe.sub.2O.sub.3) film.
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Electrochromic or photoelectrochromic device
United States Application 20020181068
An electrochromic or photoelectrochromic device possessing the property of changing color under the effect of an electric voltage and/or of a variation in the intensity of a light radiation, this device comprising at least one cathode and one anode, at least one of these electrodes being constituted at least in part of a transparent or translucent substrate bearing an electrically conductive coating, and an electrolyte arranged between these electrodes, and an electric circuit connecting said cathode and anode, characterized in that at least one of these electrodes carries a coating constituted of at least one nanocrystalline layer of at least one semiconductive material, having a roughness factor equal to at least 20, and a monolayer of electrically active molecules or of an electrically active polymer, said monolayer being absorbed on the surface of this coating, and in that the device contains at least one auxiliary electrically active compound, possibly dissolved in the electrolyte, having the property of being capable of being oxidized or reduced in a reversible manner.
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Convergent synthesis of multiporphyrin light-harvesting rods
United States Application 20030111108
The present invention provides a convergent method for the synthesis of light harvesting rods. The rods are oligomers of the formula A.sup.1(A.sup.b+1).sub.b, wherein b is at least 1, A.sup.1 through A.sup.b+1 are covalently coupled rod segments, and each rod segment A.sup.1 through A.sup.1+b comprises a compound of the formula X.sup.1(X.sup.m+1).sub.m wherein m is at least 1 and X.sup.1 through X.sup.m+1 are covalently coupled porphyrinic macrocycles. Light harvesting arrays and solar cells containing such light harvesting rods are also described, along with intermediates useful in such methods and rods produced by such methods.
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Photovoltaic cell including porous semiconductor layer, method of manufacturing the same and solar cell
United States Application 20030140963
A photovoltaic cell comprises: an anode electrode including a conductive support and a porous semiconductor layer; a photosensitive dye; a charge transport layer; and a counter electrode support, wherein the anode electrode has the property of causing cathode luminescence having a luminous peak wavelength in a visible region and shows a haze rate H of 60% or more at a wavelength in the visible region.
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Photovoltaic cell interconnection
United States Application 20030140959
In one aspect, the invention provides photovoltaic modules. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells, at least two of which include a photosensitized nanomatrix layer and a charge carrier media. Preferably, the cells further include a catalytic media layer. The photovoltaic cells are disposed between a first electrical connection layer and a second electrical connection layer. In one embodiment, the cells are interconnected in series and the electrical connections layers each include conductive and insulative regions.
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Dye-sensitized solar cells including polymer electrolyte gel containing poly (vinylidene fluoride)
United States Application 20030145885
A dye-sensitized solar cell including a polymer electrolyte gel having a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer is provided. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a semiconductor electrode, an opposed electrode, and a polymer electrolyte gel interposed between the semiconductor electrode and the opposed electrode while including poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer or the copolymer thereof. Here, the polymer electrolyte gel is formed of a N-methy-2-pyrrolidone solvent or a 3-methoxypropionitrile (MP) solvent and the PVDF polymer or the copolymer thereof which is dissolved in the solvent to a predetermined amount.
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Dye-sensitized photoelectric transducer
United States Application 20030152827
The present invention relates to an organic dye-sensitized semiconductor device and to a solar cell using it and, particularly, to a photoelectric conversion device using semiconductor fine particles sensitized with a dye having an acrylic acid part and a solar cell using it. According to the present invention, a low-cost photoelectric conversion device having favorable conversion efficiency and a solar cell can be obtained.
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United States Application 20020117201
Hybrid solar cells with thermal deposited semiconductive oxide layer
Method for producing a hybrid organic solar cell having the general structureSubstrate+EM/HTM/dye/SOL/EM, orSubstrate+EM/SOL/dye/HTM/EM, orSubstrate+EM/HTM/SOL/EM, in whichEM is the electrode material that may be a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) or metal, with at least one of the EM layer(s) of the cell being a TCO,HTM is the hole transport material,SOL is a semiconducting oxide layer,"dye" is a suitable dye, and the SOL layer is vapor deposited.
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United States Application 20010005495
Process for Preparing a Nanocrystallne Material
A process for preparing a nanocrystalline material comprising at least a first ion and at least a second ion different from the first ion, and wherein at least the first ion is a metal ion, is described. The process comprises contacting a metal complex comprising the first ion and the second ion with a dispersing medium suitable to form the nanocrystalline material and wherein the dispersing medium is at a temperature to allow formation by pyrolysis of the nanocrystalline material when contacted with the metal complex.
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