Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100319759 | NANOSTRUCTURE AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Nanostructures and photovoltaic structures are disclosed. Method for creating nanostructures are also presented. A method according to one embodiment includes adding a template to a substrate; depositing conductive material in the template thereby forming an array of conductive nanocables on the substrate; removing at least part of the template; and depositing at least one layer of photovoltaic material on exposed portions of the conductive nanocables. A nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of nanocables extending from a substrate, the array of nanocables having physical characteristics of having been formed using an at least partially removed template; an insulating layer extending along the substrate; and at least one layer of photovoltaic material overlaying portions of the nanocables. | 12-23-2010 |
20110214709 | NANOSTRUCTURE AND PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL IMPLEMENTING SAME - Nanostructures and photovoltaic structures are disclosed. Methods for creating nanostructures are also presented. | 09-08-2011 |
20130112236 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MICROSTRUCTURE AND PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE IMPLEMENTING SAME - A photovoltaic device according to one embodiment includes an array of photovoltaically active microstructures each having a generally cylindrical outer periphery, each microstructure comprising a first photovoltaic layer over a core, and a second photovoltaic layer over the first photovoltaic layer thereby forming a photovoltaically active junction, wherein an outer conductive layer is positioned over the second photovoltaic layer, wherein an index of refraction of the outer conductive layer is less than an index of refraction of the second photovoltaic layer, wherein the index of refraction of the second photovoltaic layer is less than an index of refraction of the first photovoltaic layer, each of the microstructures being characterized as absorbing at least 70% of light passing an inner surface of an outer layer thereof. Additional embodiments are also presented. | 05-09-2013 |
20130112243 | PHOTOVOLTAIC MICROSTRUCTURE AND PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE IMPLEMENTING SAME - A photovoltaic device according to one embodiment includes an array of photovoltaically active microstructures each having a generally cylindrical outer periphery and a dome-shaped tip, each of the microstructures being characterized as absorbing at least 70% of light passing through an outer layer thereof. Additional embodiments are also presented. | 05-09-2013 |
20140261612 | METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THREE-DIMENSIONAL METAMATERIAL DEVICES WITH PHOTOVOLTAIC BRISTLES - A metamaterial of an array of photovoltaic bristles may enable each photovoltaic bristle to have a high probability of photon absorption. The high probability of photon absorption may lead to increased efficiency and more power generation from an array of photovoltaic bristles. A completed photovoltaic device may benefit from further total efficiency gains by implementing a corrugated structure in the metamaterial and/or an assembled solar panel of metamaterials. Various methods to manufacture these metamaterial devices may include utilize stamping methods, photolithographic techniques, etching techniques, deposition techniques, as well as the creation of vias to form arrays of photovoltaic bristles for the metamaterial photovoltaic devices. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261648 | METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THREE-DIMENSIONAL METAMATERIAL DEVICES WITH PHOTOVOLTAIC BRISTLES - A metamaterial of an array of photovoltaic bristles may enable each photovoltaic bristle to have a high probability of photon absorption. The high probability of photon absorption may lead to increased efficiency and more power generation from an array of photovoltaic bristles. A completed photovoltaic device may benefit from further total efficiency gains by implementing a corrugated structure in the metamaterial and/or an assembled solar panel of metamaterials. Various methods to manufacture these metamaterial devices may include utilize stamping methods, photolithographic techniques, etching techniques, deposition techniques, as well as the creation of vias to form arrays of photovoltaic bristles for the metamaterial photovoltaic devices. | 09-18-2014 |
20140264998 | METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THREE-DIMENSIONAL METAMATERIAL DEVICES WITH PHOTOVOLTAIC BRISTLES - Various stamping methods may reduce defects and increase throughput for manufacturing metamaterial devices. Metamaterial devices with an array of photovoltaic bristles, and/or vias, may enable each photovoltaic bristle to have a high probability of photon absorption. The high probability of photon absorption may lead to increased efficiency and more power generation from an array of photovoltaic bristles. Reduced defects in the metamaterial device may decrease manufacturing cost, increase reliability of the metamaterial device, and increase the probability of photon absorption for a metamaterial device. The increase in manufacturing throughput and reduced defects may reduce manufacturing costs to enable the embodiment metamaterial devices to reach grid parity. | 09-18-2014 |
20160043250 | Three-Dimensional Photovoltaic Devices Including Non-Conductive Cores and Methods of Manufacture - Various stamping methods may reduce defects and increase throughput for manufacturing metamaterial devices. Metamaterial devices with an array of photovoltaic bristles, and/or vias, may enable each photovoltaic bristle to have a high probability of photon absorption. The high probability of photon absorption may lead to increased efficiency and more power generation from an array of photovoltaic bristles. Reduced defects in the metamaterial device may decrease manufacturing cost, increase reliability of the metamaterial device, and increase the probability of photon absorption for a metamaterial device. The increase in manufacturing throughput and reduced defects may reduce manufacturing costs to enable the embodiment metamaterial devices to reach grid parity. | 02-11-2016 |
20160043251 | Three-Dimensional Photovoltaic Devices Including Cavity-containing Cores and Methods of Manufacture - Various stamping methods may reduce defects and increase throughput for manufacturing metamaterial devices. Metamaterial devices with an array of photovoltaic bristles, and/or vias, may enable each photovoltaic bristle to have a high probability of photon absorption. The high probability of photon absorption may lead to increased efficiency and more power generation from an array of photovoltaic bristles. Reduced defects in the metamaterial device may decrease manufacturing cost, increase reliability of the metamaterial device, and increase the probability of photon absorption for a metamaterial device. The increase in manufacturing throughput and reduced defects may reduce manufacturing costs to enable the embodiment metamaterial devices to reach grid parity. | 02-11-2016 |
20160064583 | Three-Dimensional Metamaterial Devices with Photovoltaic Bristles - A metamaterial of an array of photovoltaic bristles may enable each photovoltaic bristle to have a high probability of photon absorption. The high probability of photon absorption may lead to increased efficiency and more power generation from an array of photovoltaic bristles. A completed photovoltaic device may benefit from further total efficiency gains by implementing a corrugated structure in the metamaterial and/or an assembled solar panel of metamaterials. Various methods to manufacture these metamaterial devices may include utilize stamping methods, photolithographic techniques, etching techniques, deposition techniques, as well as the creation of vias to form arrays of photovoltaic bristles for the metamaterial photovoltaic devices. | 03-03-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080261774 | Seat for cardio-fitness equipment - One embodiment of the present invention discloses a cardio-fitness equipment with a seat that features height adjustment, proximity to handlebars adjustment, and easy removal of the seat for the purpose of exchange with a different user-selected model or for cleaning. | 10-23-2008 |
20090118099 | CLOSED-LOOP POWER DISSIPATION CONTROL FOR CARDIO-FITNESS EQUIPMENT - Various embodiments of the present invention provide (a) an inexpensive apparatus enabling the measurement of power dissipated by the rider of a cardio-fitness station (or any other stationary bicycle) that does not depend on manufacturing tolerances or machine condition variations, and (b) a method of using the data measured by such an apparatus to improve the accuracy of exercise condition settings by implementing the invented apparatus into a closed-loop control system which improves the quality of the exercise experience and enhances the adoption of exercise on a cardio-fitness station employing this as a community activity. | 05-07-2009 |
20100022354 | EXERCISE EQUIPMENT WITH MOVABLE HANDLE BARS TO SIMULATE STEERING MOTION IN A SIMULATED ENVIRONMENT AND METHODS THEREFOR - An apparatus of exercise equipment with movable handle bars to simulate steering motion in a virtual environment and methods therefor are disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus includes, exercise equipment having a display unit and a computing unit, a foot actuator mounted on a frame of the exercise equipment, a seat assembly coupled to a rail mounted on the frame of the exercise equipment, and/or a handle bar coupled to the seat assembly on one side. The handle bar can be programmable or reprogrammable to cause a leftwards steering motion or a rightwards steering motion to be simulated in the virtual environment in response to rotation in a given direction. | 01-28-2010 |
20100035726 | CARDIO-FITNESS STATION WITH VIRTUAL-REALITY CAPABILITY - In one embodiment, a stationary exercise station is provided. The stationary exercise station includes a computer which may run a computer program. The computer program simulates the motion of a first virtual bicycle and a second virtual bicycle. The first virtual bicycle and the second virtual bicycle riding through a predetermined landscape. The computer program simulates moving images seen by the virtual rider of the first virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined landscape. | 02-11-2010 |
20100077564 | HINGE APPARATUS TO FACILITATE POSITION ADJUSTMENT OF EQUIPMENT - A hinge apparatus to facilitate equipment position adjustment is disclosed. One embodiment of a system includes, a hinge apparatus having a through-hole, a rotate-able portion and a body portion. The system further includes, equipment having a first portion coupled to the rotate-able portion of the hinge apparatus, a second portion coupled to the body portion of the hinge apparatus, and an electrical wire that facilitates function of the equipment. The electrical wire is disposed in the hinge extending through the through-hole. The hinge apparatus is operatively configured such that the electrical wire remains intact during when the rotate-able portion of the hinge rotates. | 04-01-2010 |