California Institute of Technology

Wen-Hui Cheng

Harry A Atwater

Sisir Yalamanchili

Michael D Kelzenberg

Phillip R Jahelka

Rebecca D Glaudell

Kelly McKenzie

Rebecca Saive

Matthias H Richter

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) technology for the conversion of solar energy into chemicals may require cost-effective photoelectrodes to efficiently and stably drive anodic and/or cathodic half-reactions to complete the overall reactions for storing solar energy in chemical bonds. Apparatus and systems incorporating effectively transparent metal catalysts enable the design and/or implementation of PEC devices for light harvesting. Triple-junction photocathodes with the triangular catalyst grids are provided to improve the efficiency of the photocathodes to generate renewable fuel from sunlight.

Apparatus and systems for incorporating effective transparent catalyst for photoelectrochemical application

Photovoltaics configured to be manufactured without epitaxial processes and methods for such manufacture are provided. Methods utilize bulk semiconducting crystal substrates, such as, for example, GaAs and InP such that epitaxy processes are not required. Nanowire etch and exfoliation processes are used allowing the manufacture of large numbers of photovoltaic cells per substrate wafer (e.g., greater than 100). Photovoltaic cells incorporate electron and hole selective contacts such that epitaxial heterojunctions are avoided during manufacture.

Epitaxy-free nanowire cell process for the manufacture of photovoltaics

Growing community of inventors

Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Wen-Hui Cheng