Nano photovoltaic/solar cells

• US 20040003839A1
• Filed: 02/04/2003
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lawrence F. Curtin
• Original Assignee: Lawrence F. Curtin
• Inventors: Curtin, Lawrence F.
• Application Number:
  US10/357,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20040003839A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/250
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0352 characterised by their shape or by the shapes, relative sizes or disposition of the semiconductor regions
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/035281 Shape of the body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0392 including thin films deposited on metallic or insulating substrates ; characterised by specific substrate materials or substrate features or by the presence of intermediate layers, e.g. barrier layers, on the substrate textured substrates H01L31/02366
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/048 Encapsulation of modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0504 specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

Nano photovoltaic/solar cells each include a layer of plastic, conductive paint on the layer of plastic, dielectric adhesive colloid film on the conductive paint, nano photovoltaic/solar elements in the dielectric adhesive colloid film and contacting the conductive paint, clear conductive coating on the nano photovoltaic/solar elements, and a contact transfer release sheet on the clear conductive coating. The nano photovoltaic/solar elements each include a conductive bottom, a P type layer on the conductive bottom, an N type layer on the P type layer, and a clear conductive top on the N type layer. The nano photovoltaic/solar elements may include more than one P and N junction between the conductive bottom and clear conductive top.

Claims

1. A nano photovoltaic/solar cell comprising:

a substrate;

a conductive coating on the substrate;

a dielectric adhesive colloid film on the conductive coating;

nano photovoltaic/solar elements on the dielectric adhesive colloid film;

a clear conductive coating on the nano photovoltaic/solar elements; and

a sheet on the clear conductive coating.

2. The nano photovoltaic/solar cell according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is a plastic sheet.

3. The nano photovoltaic/solar cell according to claim 1, wherein said nano photovoltaic/solar elements each comprise:

a conductive bottom;

a clear conductive top; and

at least one P and N junction between said conductive bottom and said clear conductive top, wherein a P type layer contacts said conductive bottom and an N type layer contacts said clear conductive top.

4. The nano photovoltaic/solar cell according to claim 3, wherein said conductive bottom is selected from the group consisting of copper, brass, aluminum, and molybdenum.

5. The nano photovoltaic/solar cell according to claim 3, wherein said P type layer is material selected from the group consisting of cadmium selenium, P doped silicon, and P doped gallium.

6. The nano photovoltaic/solar cell according to claim 3, wherein said N type layer is material selected from the group consisting of cadmium sulfate, N doped silicon, and N doped gallium.

7. The nano photovoltaic/solar cell according to claim 3, wherein said clear conductive top is zinc oxide doped with aluminum.

8. The nano photovoltaic/solar cell according to claim 1, wherein said sheet on said clear conductive coating is a contact transfer release sheet.

9. The nano photovoltaic/solar cell according to claim 1, wherein said sheet on said clear conductive coating is a clear plastic sheet.

10. A method for producing a nano photovoltaic/solar cell, the method comprising:

providing a substrate;

spraying the substrate with a conductive coating;

providing a dielectric adhesive colloid spray with a nozzle;

providing a DC power source;

interconnecting a terminal of the DC power source having one polarity to the nozzle of the dielectric adhesive colloid spray;

interconnecting a terminal of the DC power source having a polarity opposite the one polarity to a conductive element near the conductive coating;

spraying the conductive coating with a film of dielectric adhesive colloid including nano photovoltaic/solar elements from the dielectric adhesive colloid spray;

contacting and aligning nano photovoltaic/solar elements in the dielectric colloid film, with one end making contact in the conductive coating, and the opposite end extending in a direction toward the nozzle of dielectric adhesive colloid spray;

spraying the nano photovoltaic/solar elements with a clear conductive coating;

bonding another sheet on the clear conductive coating; and

cutting the sheet of plastic after the bonding step into individual nano photovoltaic/solar cells.

11. The method for producing a nano photovoltaic/solar cell according to claim 10, wherein said bonding step further comprises providing a contact transfer sheet as said another sheet.

12. The method for producing a nano photovoltaic/solar cell according to claim 10, wherein said bonding step further comprises providing a clear plastic sheet as said another sheet.

13. An apparatus for manufacturing a nano photovoltaic/solar cell, said apparatus comprising:

a die with openings defined therein;

a load roll of plastic sheet;

a plurality of shields;

a first conductive paint spray configured to spray conductive paint;

a DC power source;

a dielectric adhesive colloid spray configured to spray dielectric adhesive colloid spray including nano photovoltaic/solar elements, the spray having a nozzle interconnected with the DC power source at a first polarity;

a metal plate positioned a distance away from the nozzle of the dielectric adhesive colloid spray, the metal plate being interconnected with the DC power source at a polarity opposite the first polarity;

a first plurality of heat lamps;

a second conductive paint spray configured to spray clear conductive paint;

a second plurality of heat lamps;

a contact roll configured to bond a transfer release sheet to plastic sheet from said load roll; and

a cutter configured to cut plastic sheet from said load roll.

14. The apparatus for manufacturing a nano photovoltaic/solar cell according to claim 13, wherein said die has openings defined therein that are each configured in a form of a cone having a rounded bottom and a side that ends at an opening on a surface of said die.