US Patent Applications filed in 2007 in the area of DSC
A. US PATENTS ISSUED IN 2007
United States Patent 7202412
Photovoltaic cell including porous semiconductor layer, method of manufacturing the same and solar cell
Inventors: Yamanaka, Ryohsuke (Gojo, JP), Koide, Naoki (Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP)
Han, Liyuan (Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP), Chiba, Yasuo (Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP)
Imai, Hisako (Kashihara, JP), Mitate, Takehito (Yamatotakada, JP)
Application Number: 10/339,410
Filing Date: 01/10/2003
Publication Date: 04/10/2007
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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Patent number: 7196264
Dye sensitized solar cell and method for manufacturing dye sensitized solar cell
Filing Date: 12/23/2002
Publication Date: 03/27/2007
Inventors:
Murai, Shinji (Yokohama, JP), Mikoshiba, Satoshi (Yamato, JP), Sumino, Hiroyasu (Tokyo, JP), Hayase, Shuji (Kitakyushu, JP)
Abstract
The present invention provides a dye sensitized solar cell comprising an n-type semiconductor electrode containing a dye, an opposed electrode, and a gel electrolyte arranged between the n-type semiconductor and the opposed electrode and containing a gelling agent and an electrolyte that contains iodine, wherein the gelling agent contains a compound including an N-containing group and at least one atomic group selected from a group consisting of a sulfonic group and a carboxylic group.
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United States Patent 7193237
Organic semiconductor material and organic electronic device
Inventors:
Aramaki, Shinji (Kanagawa, JP), Ono, Noboru (Ehime, JP)
Application Number: 10/396,512
Filing Date: 03/26/2003
Publication Date:03/20/2007
An organic semiconductor material comprising a compound which has a generalized porphyrin skeleton and which has a molecular structure such that the distance from the generalized porphyrin ring plane to the center of each atom forming the generalized porphyrin skeleton, is not more than 1 .ANG..
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Patent number: 7179988
Dye sensitized solar cells having foil electrodes
Filing date: Dec 11, 2002
Issue date: Feb 20, 2007
Inventors: James L. Spivack, John Yupeng Gui, Reed Roeder Corderman
Assignee: General Electric Company
Abstract
A solar cell having foil electrodes. Specifically, a metal foil is implemented to form electrodes providing a reduced electron path from a dye-sensitized semiconductor material to the electrodes. In one embodiment, nanowires extending from the substrate on which the solar cell is formed are provided. In another embodiment, cavities are formed in a sheet of conductive foil by oxidation, thereby forming a semiconductive material. The semiconductive material is sensitized with a dye and an electrolyte solution is disposed in the cavities, thereby forming an array of dye-sensitized solar cells.
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Patent number: 7157788
Metal oxide dispersion for dye-sensitized solar cells, photoactive electrode and dye-sensitized ...
Filing date: Feb 20, 2002
Issue date: Jan 2, 2007
Inventors: Katsumi Murofushi, Kunio Kondo, Ryusuke Sato
Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
Abstract
(1) A metal oxide dispersion for a dye-sensitized solar cell, which contains metal oxide fine particles, a binder composed of a polymer compound having an action to bind to the fine particles and a solvent; (2) a method for producing a photoactive electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell by coating a dispersion containing the above-mentioned binder and metal oxide fine particles on a sheet-shaped electrode; (3) a photoactive electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell, obtained by the method, which electrode has metal oxide containing the above-mentioned binder and metal oxide fine particles; and (4) a dye-sensitized solar cell with the above-mentioned photoactive electrode. According to the present invention, a porous metal oxide film can be formed without performing sintering at high temperatures, so that a flexible, inexpensive dye-sensitized solar cell can be obtained in which a resin material which has high transparency, is inexpensive and light in weight and has freedom...
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B. PATENT APPLICATIONS FILED/PUBLISHED IN 2007
United States Patent 20070095391
Tandem photovoltaic devices based on a novel block copolymer
Inventors:
Sun, Sam-Shajing (Chesapeake, VA, US)
Application Number: 636067
Filing Date: 12/08/2006
Publication Date: 05/03/2007
A -donor(D)-bridge(B)-acceptor(A)-bridge(B)- or derivative type block copolymer system used in a tandem device of multiple sub-cells, where donor (D) is an organic conjugated donor (p-type) block, acceptor (A) is an organic conjugated acceptor (n-type) block, and bridge (B) is a non-conjugated and flexible chain, has been designed and preliminarily tested for potential lightweight, flexible shape, cost-effective and high efficiency "plastic" thin film solar cell or photo detector applications. A `tertiary supramolecular nanophase separated structure` derived from this -DBAB- block copolymer is expected to improve opto-electronic (photovoltaic) power conversion efficiency significantly in comparison to all existing reported organic or polymeric donor/acceptor binary photovoltaic systems due to the reduction of "exciton loss," the "carrier loss," as well as the "photon loss" via three-dimensional space (morphology) and energy level optimizations. The tandem stacking of block copolymer sub-cells further enables optical excitation energy gap grading to improve photon capture of solar spectrum and device efficiency.
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United States Patent 20070095390
Solar cell and manufacturing method thereof
Inventors:
Ahn, Kwang-Soon (Yongin-si, KR), Lee, Ji-Won (Yongin-si, KR)
Kang, Moon-Sung (Yongin-si, KR), Lee, Wha-Sup (Yongin-si, KR)
Choi, Jae-Man (Yongin-si, KR), Shin, Byong-Cheol (Yongin-si, KR)
Lee, Jae-Kwan (Yongin-si, KR), Park, Joung-Won (Yongin-si, KR)
Kwon, Moon-Seok (Yongin-si, KR), Moon, Soo-Jin (Yongin-si, KR)
Application Number: 591453
Filing Date: 11/02/2006
Publication Date: 05/03/2007
A solar cell includes an electrode and a porous film formed on the electrode and containing metallic oxide particles. The metallic oxide particles have a mean particle diameter of 5 nm-14 nm.
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US20070095389
Transparent electrode for solar cells, manufacturing method thereof, and semiconductor electrode comprising the same
Inventors:
Cho, Sung Hen (Seoul, KR), Song, Ki Yong (Seoul, KR)
Noh, Chang Ho (Suwon-Si, KR), Kim, Jin Young (Suwon-Si, KR)
Application Number: 454527
Filing Date: 06/16/2006
Publication Date: 05/03/2007
Disclosed herein is a transparent electrode for solar cells, comprising a transparent electrode, a photocatalytic layer formed on the transparent electrode and comprising a photocatalytic compound, a metal mesh layer formed on the photocatalytic layer, and an electrically conductive layer formed of an electrically conductive material coated on the metal mesh layer. Disclosed herein too is a manufacturing method thereof and a semiconductor electrode comprising the same. The disclosed transparent electrode includes a metal mesh layer formed in an existing transparent electrode for solar cells, and thus has low resistance without a reduction in transmittance. Accordingly, a solar cell that utilizes the disclosed transparent electrode has high-efficiency characteristics.
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United States Patent 20070089784
Solar cell-driven display device and method of manufacturing thereof
Inventors:
Noh, Chang Ho (Suwon-Si, KR), Cho, Sung Hen (Seoul, KR)
Song, Ki Yong (Seoul, KR), Kim, Jin Young (Suwon-Si, KR). Kim, Jong Min (Suwon-Si, KR)
Application Number: 447245
Filing Date: 06/05/2006
Publication Date 04/26/2007
Disclosed herein are a solar cell-driven display device wherein a dye-sensitized solar cell, which comprises a light-absorbing layer that comprises a semiconductor electrode including a transparent electrode formed on a substrate and nanocrystals adsorbed with a photosensitive dye on the transparent electrode, and a hole transport layer and a counter electrode, is formed so as to exhibit a display device function using a quantum dot light-emitting layer, as well as a manufacturing method thereof. The solar cell-driven display device exhibits the display device function using only solar light, without needing a separate power supply device, and thus can be applied to advertising displays in isolated areas or as other outdoor advertising displays.
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United States Patent 20070089783
Semiconductor electrode, fabrication method thereof and solar cell comprising the same
Inventors:
Jung, Won Cheol (Seoul, KR), Nam, Jung Gyu (Yongin-Si, KR)
Park, Sang Cheol (Seoul, KR).Sohn, Byung Hee (Yongin-Si, KR)
Application Number: 435539
Filing Date: 05/17/2006
Publication Date: 04/26/2007
A semiconductor electrode, a fabrication method thereof and a solar cell including the semiconductor electrode each include a metal oxide layer of metal oxide nanoparticles having dye molecules adsorbed thereon. In the semiconductor electrode of the present invention, the surface of the metal oxide layer is treated with an aromatic or heteroaromatic organic material having an electron-donating group. Thus, since the semiconductor electrode can provide an effect of improving photoelectric efficiency by virtue of an increase in short-circuit photocurrent density and open-circuit voltage, it can be applied to a high efficiency solar cell.
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United States Patent 20070089779
Photovoltaic cells integrated with bypass diode
Inventors:
Balasubramanian, Srini (Westford, MA, US)
Berke, Howard (Hollis, NH, US), Coakley, Kevin (Andover, MA, US).Scharber, Markus (Linz, AT)
Application Number: 515418
Filing Date: 09/01/2006
Publication Date: 04/26/2007
Photovoltaic cells integrated with a bypass diode, as well as related systems, components, and methods, are disclosed.
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US20070079870
Photoelectrochemical cell with bipolar dye-sensitized electrodes for electron transfer
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US20070028958
Multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition and method, solar energy harvesting buckyball, inductive coupling device; vehicle chassis; atmospheric intake hydrogen motor; electrical energy generating tire; and mechanical energy harvesting device
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US20070039682
Method for forming dye sublimation images in solid substrates
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US20070000537
FORMATION OF SOLAR CELLS WITH CONDUCTIVE BARRIER LAYERS AND FOIL SUBSTRATES
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US20070039814
Solar photocatalysis using transition-metal oxides combining d0 and d6 electron configurations
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US20070089779
Photovoltaic cells integrated with bypass diode
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United States Patent 20070085051
Novel hole transporting material and solid electrolyte and photovoltaic device using same
Inventors: Sohn, Byung Hee (Yongin-Si, KR), Park, Sang Cheol (Seoul, KR), Nam, Jung Gyu (Yongin-Si, KR)
Application Number: 447322
Filing Date: 06/06/2006
Publication Date: 04/19/2007
Disclosed herein is a material, and a solid electrolyte and a photovoltaic device using the same. When the material is used as a hole transporting layer material of the photovoltaic device, the reduction of an electrolytic layer resulting from leakage or volatilization of an electrolytic solution is prevented, thus the battery characteristics, long-term stability, and reliability of the photovoltaic device are improved.
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United States Patent 20070084507
Dye-sensitized photovoltaic cell and method for producing electrode substrate for the photovoltaic cell
Inventors: Noh, Chang Ho (Suwon-si, KR), Kim, Jin Young (Suwon-si, KR)
Song, Ki Yong (Seoul, KR), Cho, Sung Hen (Seoul, KR)
Application Number: 385127
Filing Date: 03/21/2006
Publication Date: 04/19/2007
A dye-sensitized photovoltaic cell including a first electrode, a semiconductor layer formed on the first electrode, a dye formed on a surface of the semiconductor layer, a second electrode arranged opposite to the first electrode and an electrolyte disposed between the first and second electrodes. The second electrode includes a transparent substrate, a photocatalytic layer formed on the transparent substrate, and a metal catalyst layer formed on the photocatalytic layer.
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United States Patent 20070079870
Photoelectrochemical cell with bipolar dye-sensitized electrodes for electron transfer
Inventors: Park, Jong Hyeok (Austin, TX, US), Bard, Allen J. (Austin, TX, US)
Application Number: 546591
Filing Date: 10/12/2006
Publication Date: 04/12/2007
The present invention is a monolithic photoelectrochemical cell for photoelectrical-induction of a chemical reaction and a method capable of vectorial electron transfer apparatus including one or more semiconductor electrodes and one or more dye sensitized electrodes positioned in communication with an electrolyte whereby the electrode is capable of vectorial electron transfer upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
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United States Patent 20070079867
Photovoltaic fibers
Inventors:
Chittibabu, Kethinni (Nashua, NH, US), Eckert, Robert (Lexington, MA, US)
Gaudiana, Russell (Merrimack, NH, US), Li, Lian (North Chelmsford, MA, US)
Montello, Alan (West Newbury, MA, US), Montello, Edmund (Rockport, MA, US)
Wormser, Paul (Harvard, MA, US)
Application Number: 248829
Filing Date: 10/12/2005
Publication Date:04/12/2007
Photovoltaic materials and methods of photovoltaic cell fabrication provide a photovoltaic cell in the form of a fiber. These fibers may be formed into a flexible fabric or textile.
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United States Patent 20070073052
Organic dye used in dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventors: Velusamy, Marappan (Taipei, TW), Justin Thomas, Koilpitchai R. (Taipei, TW)
Lin, Jiann T'suen (Taipei, TW), Ho, Kuo-Chuan (Taipei, TW), Hsu, Ying-Chan (Taipei, TW)
Application Number: 236935
Filing Date: 09/27/2005
Publication Date:03/29/2007
An organic dye used in a dye-sensitized solar cell is described, having general formula (1):D-Sp1-Ch-Sp2-Acc-Y (1)wherein the groups D, Ch, Acc and Y are conjugate with each other, the group D is a donor group, the group Ch is a chromophore rendering low HOMO-LUMO gap or a polyaromatic chromophore, the group Acc is an acceptor group, the group Y is an anchoring group, and each of Sp1 and Sp2 represents a single bond or a spacer group allowing conjugation between the groups D and Ch or between the groups Ch and Acc.
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United States Patent 20070069338
Metal oxide dispersion for dye-sensitized solar cells, photoactive electrode and dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventors: Murofushi, Katsumi (Kanagawa, JP), Kondo, Kunio (Kanagawa, JP), Sato, Ryusuke (Kanagawa, JP)
Application Number: 604761
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Publication Date:03/29/2007
(1) A metal oxide dispersion for a dye-sensitized solar cell, which contains metal oxide fine particles, a binder composed of a polymer compound having an action to bind to the fine particles and a solvent; (2) a method for producing a photoactive electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell by coating a dispersion containing the above-mentioned binder and metal oxide fine particles on a sheet-shaped electrode; (3) a photoactive electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell, obtained by the method, which electrode has metal oxide containing the above-mentioned binder and metal oxide fine particles; and (4) a dye-sensitized solar cell with the above-mentioned photoactive electrode. According to the present invention, a porous metal oxide film can be formed without performing sintering at high temperatures, so that a flexible, inexpensive dye-sensitized solar cell can be obtained in which a resin material which has high transparency, is inexpensive and light in weight and has freedom in shape can be used as a sheet-shaped electrode substrate.
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United States Patent 20070066778
Pn-semiconductor inorganic/organic hybrid material, its method of production and photovoltaic cell comprising said material
Inventors: Belleville, Philippe (Tours, FR), Sanchez, Clement (Yuelte, FR)
Buvat, Pierrick (Dontrazon, FR), Prene, Philippe (Tours, FR)
Application Number: 579226
Filing Date: 11/16/2004
Publication Date: 03/22/2007
The invention relates to a pn-semiconductor material that can be obtained by a method comprising in succession the following steps: a step in which a substrate made of a porous oxide ceramic is functionalized by chemical grafting of one or more compounds containing at least one group that can be polymerized with one or more precursors of an electrically conducting polymer and at least one group able to be chemically grafted onto said substrate; a step in which said substrate thus functionalized is impregnated with a solution containing said precursor(s); and a step in which said precursor or precursors are polymerized. Application of these materials to photovoltaic cells.
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United States Patent 20070062576
Tandem dye-sensitised solar cell and method of its production
Inventors: Duerr, Michael (Esslingen, DE, US), Nelles, Gabriele (Stuttgart, DE, US), Yasuda, Akio (Esslingen, DE, US)
Application Number: 570206
Filing Date: 06/04/2004
Publication Date: 03/22/2007
The present invention relates to two-compartment or multi-compartment photovoltaic cells, their uses and methods of their production.
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United States Patent 20070059940
Photosensitizer, semiconductor electrode, and photoelectric conversion device
Inventors:
Islam, Ashraful (Ikoma-shi, JP), Koide, Naoki (Kashihara-shi, JP)
Kakutani, Kayo (Kashihara-shi, JP), Han, Liyuan (Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP)
Application Number: 483189
Filing Date: 07/10/2006
Publication Date: 03/15/2007
A photosensitizer containing guanidine derivative expressed in General Formula (a) as and a photosensitizer expressed in General Formula (X) as D.sup.(m+m')-(A.sup.+).sub.m(A.sup.'+).sub.m' or in General Formula (Y) as D.sup.(m+m'+n)-(A.sup.+).sub.m(A.sup.'+).sub.m'(B.sup.+).sub.n (where D has a molecular structure capable of absorbing visible light or infrared ray, A and A' represent the guanidine derivative, and B represents an ion other than the guanidine derivative), and a semiconductor electrode and a photoelectric conversion device employing the photosensitizer are provided. A photosensitizer having a novel structure as well as a semiconductor electrode and a photoelectric conversion device employing the photosensitizer are thus provided.
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United States Patent 20070056628
Photovoltaic cell comprising carbon nanotubes formed by electrophoretic deposition and method for fabricating the same
Inventors: Park, Young Jun (Suwon-Si, KR), Nam, Jung Gyu (Yongin-Si, KR), Kim, Jin Young (Suwon-Si, KR)
Application Number: 393310
Filing Date: 03/30/2006
Publication Date: 03/15/2007
A photovoltaic cell includes carbon nanotubes formed by electrophoretic deposition. A separate carbon nanotube layer is stacked on a semiconductor layer by electrophoretic deposition, or a mixed layer of carbon nanotubes and a constituent material of a semiconductor layer is formed by electrophoretic deposition, thereby preventing damage to the carbon nanotubes. A method for fabricating the photovoltaic cell is also provided. Since superior electrical conductivity of the carbon nanotubes is maintained unchanged, the photovoltaic cell exhibits improved electron transfer performance and inhibits accumulation of electrons and occurrence of recombination reactions.
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United States Patent 20070051941
Carbon nanotubes based solar cells
Inventors:
Duerr, Michael (Esslingen, DE, US), Nelles, Gabriele (Stuttgart, DE, US), Yasuda, Akio (Esslingen, DE, US)
Application Number: 567929
Filing Date: 07/20/2004
Publication Date: 03/08/2007
The invention relates to a photovoltaic device, uses of the photovoltaic device, combinations of this photovoltaic device with circuits and to a method of generating electricity from light using this photovoltaic device.
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United States Patent 20070051403
Photoelectric Converter and Dye Sensitized Solar Cell
Inventors: ITAMI, Akihiko (Tokyo, JP)
Application Number: 425617
Filing Date: 06/21/2006
Publication Date: 03/08/2007
A photoelectric converter containing a conductive substrate having thereon a dye sensitized semiconductor electrode, a charge transport layer and a counter electrode, wherein the charge transport layer contains a charge transport material and an antioxidant.
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United States Patent 20070044836
Organic Photosensitive Optoelectronic Devices With Transparent Electrodes
Inventors: Forrest, Stephen R. (Princeton, NJ, US), Bulovic, Vladimir (Lexington, MA, US)
Application Number: 539337
Filing Date: 10/06/2006
Publication Date: 03/01/2007
A system comprising a plurality of organic photovoltaic cells arranged in a stack disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode, and a resistive load electrically connected across the first electrode and the second electrode. Each cell comprises a rectifying junction at an interface of organic semiconductor materials. There is metal or metal substitute disposed in the stack between each of the cells. At least a first cell and a second cell of the plurality of organic photovoltaic cells have different absorption characteristics. Photocurrent from the plurality of organic photovoltaic cells energizes the resistive load.
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United States Patent 20070044835
Semiconductor electrode, dye sensitized solar cells and manufacturing method of the same
Inventors: Yoshimoto, Naoki (Hitachi, JP), Itabashi, Takeyuki (Hitachi, JP)
Application Number: 511294
Filing Date: 08/29/2006
Publication Date: 03/01/2007
A semiconductor electrode comprises a substrate having optical transparency, a transparent conductive layer provided on a photo-receptive surface of the substrate, and a porous semiconductor made of a metal oxide provided on the transparent conductive layer. The porous semiconductor has at least dye and a thiophene-ring-containing organic compound adsorbed thereon.
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United States Patent 20070044831
Electrolyte composition and dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventors: Hayase, Shuzi (Kitakyushu-Shi, JP), Kadono, Shinichi (Fukuyam a-shi, JP)
Application Number: 372350
Filing Date: 03/10/2006
Publication Date: 03/01/2007
The present invention provides an electrolyte composition that can simultaneously realize solidification of the electrolyte layer and alleviation of a reduction in photoelectric conversion rate caused by the solidification of electrolyte layers, and a dye-sensitized solar cell having a solid electrolyte layer comprising the electrolyte composition. The electrolyte composition includes nanoparticles with an ammonium group or a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group bound thereto; or a porous inorganic film with an ammonium group or a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group bound thereto. The nanoparticles and the porous inorganic film each are formed of a metal oxide. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group is an imidazolium group, a pyridinium group, a triazolium group or a guanidinium group, and the counter anion group is F.sup.-, Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.- or the like. The ammonium group or the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group chemically modifies the nanoparticles or the porous inorganic film. The electrolyte layer of the dye-sensitized solar cell includes the electrolyte composition.
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United States Patent 20070040496
Organic electronic device and a process for forming the same
Inventors: Yu, Gang (US), Truong, Nugent (Ventura, CA, US)
Application Number: 447211
Filing Date: 06/05/2006
Publication Date: 02/22/2007
A method of fabricating an organic electronic device includes forming a first electrode layer, forming an organic resistive layer on the first electrode, selectively exposing the organic resistive layer to an ultraviolet light, forming an organic active layer on the selectively exposed organic resistive layer, and forming a second electrode on the organic active layer. An organic electronic device includes a first electrode layer, an organic resistive layer, an organic active layer and a second electrode layer. The organic resistive layer defines at least three regions. Each of the three regions is characterized by one of a plurality of resistances that are different from one another. Within each of the three regions, the resistance of the organic resistive layer at a first surface is different than the resistance of the organic resistive layer at a second surface.
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United States Patent 20070034863
Metal complexes
Inventors:
Fortte, Rocco (Frankfurt, DE, US), Stossel, Philipp (Frankfurt, DE, US)
Gerhard, Anja (Darmstadt, DE, US), Vestweber, Horst (Gilserberg-Winterscheid, DE, US)
Application Number: 573931
Filing Date: 09/28/2004
Publication Date: 02/15/2007
The present invention describes new types of metal complexes. Such compounds can be used as functional materials in a series of different types of applications which can be classified within the electronics industry in the widest sense. The inventive compounds are described by the formulae (1) and (4).
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United States Patent 20070034254
Photoelectrode substrate of dye sensitizing solar cell, and method for producing same
Inventors: Miyoshi, Kozo (Kitamoto-shi, JP)
Application Number: 500021
Filing Date: 08/07/2006
Publication Date: 02/15/2007
In a dye sensitizing solar cell 1 wherein an electrolyte 4 is filled in a space between a photoelectrode substrate 2 and a counter electrode of a counter electrode substrate 3, a composite film 7 comprising metal portions 7a of titanium or the like and oxide portions 7b thereof is formed on a transparent electrode film 6 formed on the surface of a substrate member 5, and a porous semiconductor electrode film 8 adsorbing or carrying sensitizing dyes 8a thereon is formed on the composite film 7, the metal portions 7a of the composite film 7 contacting the porous semiconductor electrode film 8, and the oxide portions 7b of the composite film 7 contacting the electrolyte 4 without contacting the porous semiconductor electrode film 8.
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United States Patent 20070028961
Organic dye compositions and use thereof in photovoltaic cells
Inventors: Zhang, Ruzhou (Shanghai, CN), Gui, John Yupeng (Niskayuna, NY, US)
Xia, Zijun (Shanghai, CN), Lei, Hui (Shanghai, CN), Spivack, James Lawrence (Cobleskill, NY, US)
Application Number: 197207
Filing Date: 08/04/2005
Publication Date: 02/08/2007
The present invention provides in one aspect a composition having at least one croconine derivative. This composition may be disposed on a semiconductor layer which is further disposed on an electrically conductive surface to provide a dye-sensitized electrode. The dye-sensitized electrode can be assembled together with a counter electrode and a redox electrolyte to provide a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell may be used as a single cell or in tandem with other cells.
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United States Patent 20070028959
Electrode for photoelectric conversion device containing metal element and dye-sensitized solar cell using the same
Inventors: Lee, Wha-Sup (Suwon-si, KR), Lee, Ji-Won (Suwon-si, KR)
Ahn, Kwong-Soon (Suwon-si, KR), Choi, Jae-Man (Suwon-si, KR)
Shin, Byong-Chaol (Suwon-si, KR), Park, Joung-Won (Suwon-si, KR)
Application Number: 497332
Filing Date: 08/02/2006
Publication Date: 02/08/2007
An electrode for a photoelectric conversion device includes a transparent substrate and a transparent conductive film, in which the transparent conductive film contains an added metal element on at least one surface thereof, and the surface resistance of the transparent substrate is reduced in order to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency. A dye-sensitized solar cell includes the electrode.
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United States Patent 20070025139
Nano-structured photovoltaic solar cell and related methods
Inventors: Parsons, Gregory (Raleigh, NC, US)
Application Number: 394560
Filing Date: 03/31/2006
Publication Date: 02/01/2007
A solar cell includes a substrate having a horizontal surface, and an electrode layer on the substrate. The electrode has a plurality of vertical surfaces substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface, and light-harvesting rods are coupled to the vertical surface of the electrode.
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United States Patent 20070017569
Metal complex compositions and use thereof in dye sensitized solar cells
Inventors:
Gui, John Yupeng (Niskayuna, NY, US), Siclovan, Oltea Puica (Rexford, NY, US)
Thelakkat, Mukundan (Bayreuth, DE, US), Spivack, James Lawrence (Cobleskill, NY, US)
Application Number: 188575
Filing Date: 07/25/2005
Publication Date: 01/25/2007
The present invention provides in one aspect a composition having at least one metal complex, such that the metal complex comprises at least one metal atom, at least one first organic ligand comprising at least one triarylamine group, at least one second ligand comprising at least one acidic group, and at least one thiocyanate or isothiocyanate ligand. This composition may be disposed on a semiconductor layer which is further disposed on an electrically conductive surface to provide a dye-sensitized electrode. The dye-sensitized electrode can be assembled together with a counter electrode and a redox electrolyte to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell.
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United States Patent 20070017568
Methods of transferring photovoltaic cells
Inventors: Berke, Howard (Hollis, NH, US)
Application Number: 483501
Filing Date: 07/10/2006
Publication Date: 01/25/2007
Methods of preparing electrodes, as well as related components, systems, and methods, are disclosed.
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United States Patent 20070017566
Flexible photovoltaic modules
Inventors: Gaudiana, Russell (Merrimack, NH, US), McGahn, Daniel Patrick (Boston, MA, US)
Application Number: 451873
Filing Date: 06/13/2006
Publication Date: 01/25/2007
Flexible photovoltaic modules, as well as related systems, methods, and components are disclosed.
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United States Patent 20070012355
Nanostructured material comprising semiconductor nanocrystal complexes for use in solar cell and method of making a solar cell comprising nanostructured material
Inventors: LoCascio, Michael (Clifton Park, NY, US), Hines, Margaret (Troy, NY, US)
Application Number: 484778
Filing Date: 07/12/2006
Publication Date: 01/18/2007
A solar cell includes a semiconductor base layer, a semiconductor nanocrystal complex over the semiconductor base layer, and a semiconductor emitter layer formed over the semiconductor nanocrystal complex. The semiconductor nanocrystal complex includes nanocrystal cores dispersed in an inorganic matrix material. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
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United States Patent 20070014916
Organic and inorganic light active devices and methods for making the same
Inventors: Daniels, John James (Higganum, CT, US)
Application Number: 453627
Filing Date: 06/14/2006
Publication Date: 01/18/2007
A light active device includes a semiconductor particulate dispersed within a carrier material. A first contact layer is provided so on application of an electric field charge carriers having a polarity are injected into the semiconductor particulate through the carrier material. A second contact layer is provided so on application of the electric field to the second contact layer charge carriers having an opposite polarity are injected into the semiconductor particulate through the carrier material. The semiconductor particulate comprises at least one of an organic and an inorganic semiconductor. The semiconductor particulate may comprise an organic light active particulate. When constructed as a light emitting device, an electric field applied to the semiconductor particulate through the carrier causes charge carriers of opposite polarity to be injected into the semiconductor particulate. The charge carriers combine to form carrier pairs which decay and give off light.
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United States Patent 20070006917
Dye-sensitized solar cell
Inventors: Gonda, Ichiro (Aichi, JP), Okuyama, Yasuo (Aichi, JP)
Application Number: 558028
Filing Date: 10/04/2004
Publication Date: 01/11/2007
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising: a first base member having a light-transmitting substrate, a light-transmitting conductive layer formed on a surface of the light-transmitting substrate and a semiconductor electrode formed on a surface of the light-transmitting conductive layer and containing a sensitizing dye; a second base member having a ceramic substrate and a catalyst layer formed on a surface of the ceramic substrate in such a manner that the catalyst layer faces the semiconductor electrode; and an electrolyte layer formed between the semiconductor electrode and the catalyst layer. The dye-sensitized solar cell of the first aspect of the present invention shows a sufficient power generation efficiency and excellent durability.
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United States Patent 20070000539
Compositions and use thereof in dye sensitized solar cells
Inventors: Gui, John Yupeng (Niskayuna, NY, US), Siclovan, Oltea Puica (Rexford, NY, US)
Spivack, James Lawrence (Cobleskill, NY, US), Li, Fuyou (Shanghai, CN)
Li, Xianghong (Shanghai, CN), Zhang, Men (Shanghai, CN)
Application Number: 171713
Filing Date: 06/30/2005
Publication Date: 01/04/2007
The present invention provides in one aspect a composition having at least one metal complex, such that the metal complex comprises at least one metal atom, a phenanthroline-based first ligand and a second ligand comprising at least one acidic group, and at least two coordinative nitrogen atoms capable of simultaneous binding to the metal atom. This composition may be disposed on a semiconductor layer which is further disposed on an electrically conductive surface to provide a dye-sensitized electrode. The dye-sensitized electrode can be assembled together with a counter electrode and a redox electrolyte to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell.
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