$ASTI Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.: THIS YEAR 3 PATENTS!
Patents by Assignee Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.
Machine and process for continuous, sequential, deposition of semiconductor solar absorbers having variable semiconductor composition deposited in multiple sublayers Patent number: 9601650 Abstract: A method of manufacture of I-III-VI-absorber photovoltaic cells involves sequential deposition of films comprising one or more of silver and copper, with one or more of aluminum indium and gallium, and one or more of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium, as compounds in multiple thin sublayers to form a composite absorber layer. In an embodiment, the method is adapted to roll-to-roll processing of photovoltaic cells. In an embodiment, the method is adapted to preparation of a CIGS absorber layer having graded composition through the layer of substitutions such as tellurium near the base contact and silver near the heterojunction partner layer, or through gradations in indium and gallium content. In a particular embodiment, the graded composition is enriched in gallium at a base of the layer, and silver at the top of the layer. In an embodiment, each sublayer is deposited by co-evaporation of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium, which react in-situ to form CIGS. Type: Grant Filed: March 11, 2013 Date of Patent: March 21, 2017 Assignee: ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Inventors: Lawrence M. Woods, Joseph H. Armstrong, Richard Thomas Treglio, John L. Harrington Multilayer thin-film back contact system for flexible photovoltaic devices on polymer substrates Patent number: 9583657 Abstract: A polymer substrate and back contact structure for a photovoltaic element, and a photovoltaic element include a CIGS photovoltaic structure, a polymer substrate having a device side at which the photovoltaic element can be located and a back side opposite the device side. A layer of dielectric is optionally formed at the back side of the polymer substrate. A metal structure is formed at the device side of the polymer substrate. Type: Grant Filed: November 4, 2015 Date of Patent: February 28, 2017 Assignee: ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Inventors: Lawrence M. Woods, Hobart Stevens, Joseph H. Armstrong, Richard Thomas Treglio System for housing and powering a battery-operated device and associated methods Patent number: 9538671 Abstract: A reversible system for housing a battery-operated device includes a first case member and a second case member. The first case member includes a first alignment member and the second case member includes a second alignment member complimenting the first alignment member such that the orientation of the first case member to the second case member can be altered in at least two orientations. In certain embodiments, the reversible system additionally includes a photovoltaic module for powering the battery-operated device. Type: Grant Filed: March 14, 2013 Date of Patent: January 3, 2017 Assignee: ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Inventors: Joseph H. Armstrong, Robert Meck
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