Patent · US Active

Apparatus and methods for solar energy conversion using nanocoax structures

US7754964B2 · kind B2 · utility

22Cited by
162References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 10, 2006
Grant dateJul 13, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 9, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/50
  • WIPO fieldMicro-structural and nano-technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An apparatus and method for solar conversion using nanocoax structures are disclosed herein. A nano-optics apparatus for use as a solar cell comprising a plurality of nano-coaxial structures comprising an internal conductor surrounded by a semiconducting material coated with an outer conductor; a film having the plurality of nano-coaxial structures; and a protruding portion of the an internal conductor extending beyond a surface of the film. A method of fabricating a solar cell comprising: coating a substrate with a catalytic material; growing a plurality of carbon nanotubes as internal cores of nanocoax units on the substrate; oxidizing the substrate; coating with a semiconducting film; and filling with a metallic medium that wets the semiconducting film of the nanocoax units.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.