US4197142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photochemical device for conversion of visible light to electricity
Assignee: National Research Council Canada
•
Filing: 1979-03-07
•
Granted: 1980-04-08
•
Expires: 1999-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A photochemical device for conversion of visible light to electricity comprising one or more monolayers of dye material such as chlorophyll, an electron acceptor monolayer of saturated fatty acid between suitable electrode layers, all formed or mounted on a suitable substrate sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Bolton
- 👤 Abram F. Janzen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:08
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10K; H10K10/00; H10K10/701; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; B82Y30/00; H10F; H10F10/00; H10K30/00; H10K30/451; H10K85/00; H10K85/701; H10K30/50; H10K85/30; H10K85/341; H10K85/344; H10K85/60; H10K85/761; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/549
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A photochemical device for converting light energy to electrical energy comprising: (a) a substrate sheet, (b) a layer of conducting electrode material formed on the substrate, (c) a monolayer of an electron acceptor material formed on the electrode layer, said electrode layer forming a Schottky barrier between it and the acceptor monolayer, (d) at least one monolayer of a dye material formed on the acceptor layer, (e) a counter electrode of a material that is a good source of electrons, contacting the dye layers, either the substrate sheet and its associated electrode layer or the counter electrode being transparent such that light may enter the monolayers, and (f) means for taking electric current from the electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A photochemical device for converting light energy to electrical energy comprising: (a) a substrate sheet, (b) a layer of conducting electrode material formed on the substrate, (c) a monolayer of an electron acceptor material formed on the electrode layer, said electrode layer forming a Schottky barrier between it and the acceptor monolayer, (d) at least one monolayer of a dye material formed on the acceptor layer, (e) a counter electrode of a material that is a good source of electrons, contacting the dye layers, either the substrate sheet and its associated electrode layer or the counter electrode being transparent such that light may enter the monolayers, and (f) means for taking electric current from the electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A photochemical device as in claim 1 wherein the acceptor monolayer is a saturated fatty acid containing about 10 mole % of one of plastoquinone, ubiquinone, squalene, or an unsaturated fatty acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A photochemical device as in claim 1 wherein the at least one dye monolayer is chlorophyll.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A photochemical device as in claim 3 wherein the electrode layer is a semitransparent tin oxide semi-conductor layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A photochemical device as in claim 1 wherein the at least one dye monolayer is a material chosen from the groups: dioctadecyl ester of Tris (2-2' bipyridyl) Ruthenium II + , porphyrin, acridine dyes, and Azo dyes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A photochemical device as in claim 1 wherein the electrode layer is a semitransparent aluminum film and the substrate sheet is glass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A photochemical device as in claim 1 wherein the number of dye monolayers is four.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A photochemical device as in claim 1 wherein the counter electrode is mercury.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photochemical device as in claim 1 wherein a buffer layer of stearic acid is positioned between the counter electrode and the at least one monolayer of dye material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3057947A
Cited
US4105470A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-08 | 1983-10-08 | 1984-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-08 | 1987-10-08 | 1988-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-08 | 1991-10-08 | 1992-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |