Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130269747 | PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM FREE OF BYPASS DIODES - A photovoltaic power generation system that includes a solar panel that is free of bypass diodes is described herein. The solar panel includes a plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules, wherein at least two of photovoltaic sub-modules in the plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules are electrically connected in parallel. A photovoltaic sub-module includes a plurality of groups of electrically connected photovoltaic cells, wherein at least two of the groups are electrically connected in series. A photovoltaic group includes a plurality of strings of photovoltaic cells, wherein a string of photovoltaic cells comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series. The strings of photovoltaic cells are electrically connected in parallel, and the photovoltaic cells are microsystem-enabled photovoltaic cells. | 10-17-2013 |
20140048123 | SEPARATING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES FROM SUBSTRATE BY ETCHING GRADED COMPOSITION RELEASE LAYER DISPOSED BETWEEN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND SUBSTRATE INCLUDING FORMING PROTUBERANCES THAT REDUCE STICTION - A method includes etching a release layer that is coupled between a plurality of semiconductor devices and a substrate with an etch. The etching includes etching the release layer between the semiconductor devices and the substrate until the semiconductor devices are at least substantially released from the substrate. The etching also includes etching a protuberance in the release layer between each of the semiconductor devices and the substrate. The etch is stopped while the protuberances remain between each of the semiconductor devices and the substrate. The method also includes separating the semiconductor devices from the substrate. Other methods and apparatus are also disclosed. | 02-20-2014 |
20140060616 | DYNAMICALLY RECONFIGURABLE PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM - A PV system composed of sub-arrays, each having a group of PV cells that are electrically connected to each other. A power management circuit for each sub-array has a communications interface and serves to connect or disconnect the sub-array to a programmable power grid. The power grid has bus rows and bus columns. A bus management circuit is positioned at a respective junction of a bus column and a bus row and is programmable through its communication interface to connect or disconnect a power path in the grid. As a result, selected sub-arrays are connected by selected power paths to be in parallel so as to produce a low system voltage, and, alternately in series so as to produce a high system voltage that is greater than the low voltage by at least a factor of ten. | 03-06-2014 |
20140084450 | PROCESSES FOR MULTI-LAYER DEVICES UTILIZING LAYER TRANSFER - A method includes forming a release layer over a donor substrate. A plurality of devices made of a first semiconductor material are formed over the release layer. A first dielectric layer is formed over the plurality of devices such that all exposed surfaces of the plurality of devices are covered by the first dielectric layer. The plurality of devices are chemically attached to a receiving device made of a second semiconductor material different than the first semiconductor material, the receiving device having a receiving substrate attached to a surface of the receiving device opposite the plurality of devices. The release layer is etched to release the donor substrate from the plurality of devices. A second dielectric layer is applied over the plurality of devices and the receiving device to mechanically attach the plurality of devices to the receiving device. | 03-27-2014 |
20140102520 | TRANSPARENT CONTACTS FOR STACKED COMPOUND PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS - A microsystems-enabled multi-junction photovoltaic (MEM-PV) cell includes a first photovoltaic cell having a first junction, the first photovoltaic cell including a first semiconductor material employed to form the first junction, the first semiconductor material having a first bandgap. The MEM-PV cell also includes a second photovoltaic cell comprising a second junction. The second photovoltaic cell comprises a second semiconductor material employed to form the second junction, the second semiconductor material having a second bandgap that is less than the first bandgap, the second photovoltaic cell further comprising a first contact layer disposed between the first junction of the first photovoltaic cell and the second junction of the second photovoltaic cell, the first contact layer composed of a third semiconductor material having a third bandgap, the third bandgap being greater than or equal to the first bandgap. | 04-17-2014 |
20140259633 | PRINTED CRYSTALLINE MICROELECTRONIC DEVICES - A method, system and apparatus, the method including positioning a microelectronic device on a carrier substrate; coupling the microelectronic device to a roller assembly; and rotating the roller assembly to transport the microelectronic device from the carrier substrate to a receiving substrate. The system including a carrier substrate configured to support a microelectronic device; a roller assembly configured to receive and transport the microelectronic device; and a receiving substrate dimensioned to receive the microelectronic device from the roller assembly. An apparatus for parallel assembly of microelectronic devices on a module including a laterally translatable carrier substrate configured to move a plurality of microelectronic devices in a first direction; a rotatable cylindrical body having a plurality of device openings dimensioned to receive the microelectronic devices; and a laterally translatable receiving substrate configured to move in a second direction. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261613 | PHOTOELECTROCHEMICALLY DRIVEN SELF-ASSEMBLY - Various technologies described herein pertain to assembling electronic devices into a microsystem. The electronic devices are disposed in a solution. Light can be applied to the electronic devices in the solution. The electronic devices can generate currents responsive to the light applied to the electronic devices in the solution, and the currents can cause electrochemical reactions that functionalize regions on surfaces of the electronic devices. Additionally or alternatively, the light applied to the electronic devices in the solution can cause the electronic devices to generate electric fields, which can orient the electronic devices and/or induce movement of the electronic devices with respect to a receiving substrate. Further, electrodes on a receiving substrate can be biased to attract and form connections with the electronic devices having the functionalized regions on the surfaces. The microsystem can include the receiving substrate and the electronic devices connected to the receiving substrate. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261616 | SPREADING DEVICES INTO A 2-D MODULE LAYOUT - An apparatus, method, and system, the apparatus including a receiving member dimensioned to receive an array of microelectronic devices; and a linkage member coupled to the receiving member, the linkage member configured to move the receiving member in at least two dimensions so as to modify a spacing between the electronic devices within the array of microelectronic devices received by the receiving member. The method including coupling an array of microelectronic devices to an expansion assembly; and expanding the expansion assembly so as to expand the array of microelectronic devices in at least two directions within a single plane. The system including a support member; an expansion assembly coupled to the support member, the expansion assembly having a plurality of receiving members configured to move in at least two dimensions within a single plane; and a plurality of microelectronic devices coupled to each of the plurality of receiving members. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261624 | CUSTOMIZED COLOR PATTERNING OF PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS - Photovoltaic cells and photovoltaic modules, as well as methods of making and using such photovoltaic cells and photovoltaic modules, are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the photovoltaic cells selectively reflect visible light to provide the photovoltaic cells with a colorized appearance. Photovoltaic modules combining colorized photovoltaic cells may be used to harvest solar energy while providing a customized appearance, e.g., an image or pattern. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261637 | SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM - Solar tracking systems, as well as methods of using such solar tracking systems, are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the solar tracking systems include lateral supports horizontally positioned between uprights to support photovoltaic modules. The lateral supports may be raised and lowered along the uprights or translated to cause the photovoltaic modules to track the moving sun. | 09-18-2014 |
20140264770 | METHOD OF FORMING THROUGH SUBSTRATE VIAS (TSVS) AND SINGULATING AND RELEASING DIE HAVING THE TSVS FROM A MECHANICAL SUPPORT SUBSTRATE - Accessing a workpiece object in semiconductor processing is disclosed. The workpiece object includes a mechanical support substrate, a release layer over the mechanical support substrate, and an integrated circuit substrate coupled over the release layer. The integrated circuit substrate includes a device layer having semiconductor devices. The method also includes etching through-substrate via (TSV) openings through the integrated circuit substrate that have buried ends at or within the release layer including using the release layer as an etch stop. TSVs are formed by introducing one or more conductive materials into the TSV openings. A die singulation trench is etched at least substantially through the integrated circuit substrate around a perimeter of an integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit die is at least substantially released from the mechanical support substrate. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265998 | POWER TRANSFER FOR MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Described herein are various technologies pertaining to provision of energy to a rechargeable battery of a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device has an array of photovoltaic cells embedded therein or affixed thereto. The array of photovoltaic cells is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery of the mobile electronic device. A charging pad includes an array of optical emitters, which are configured to emit light when the mobile electronic device rests on or adjacent to the charging pad. A remotely situated light source acts as a luminaire and emits a directed beam of light towards the mobile electronic device to provide energy to the rechargeable battery. | 09-18-2014 |
20150068584 | PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM WITH MICRO-CONCENTRATOR ARRAY - A photovoltaic system is described herein. The photovoltaic system includes an array of micro-concentrators. Each micro-concentrator includes an exterior lens, an interior lens, and a transparent layer that is between the exterior lens and the interior lens. The array of micro-concentrators is optically aligned with an array of photovoltaic cells. | 03-12-2015 |