Energy conversion and energy storage devices and methods for making same
AssigneeSynkera Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDmitri Routkevitch, Rikard A. Wind
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Energy devices such as energy conversion devices and energy storage devices and methods for the manufacture of such devices. The devices include a support member having an array of pore channels having a small average pore channel diameter and having a pore channel length. Material layers that may include energy conversion materials and conductive materials are coaxially disposed within the pore channels to form material rods having a relatively small cross-section and a relatively long length. By varying the structure of the materials in the pore channels, various energy devices can be fabricated, such as photovoltaic (PV) devices, radiation detectors, capacitors, batteries and the like.
Claims30
An energy conversion device, comprising:
- a support member comprising an array of pore channels, the pore channels having an average pore channel diameter of not greater than about 10 μm and having a pore channel length;
- and
- a plurality of material layers coaxially disposed along the length of the pore channels, the material layers comprising:
- a first conductor layer;
- a second conductor layer;
- and
- an energy conversion layer, wherein the first conductor layer is coaxially disposed within a shell of the energy conversion layer and the energy conversion layer is disposed within a shell of the second conductor layer.
An energy storage device, comprising:
- an insulating support member comprising an array of pore channels having an average pore channel diameter of not greater than about 10 μm and having a pore channel length;
- and
- a plurality of material layers coaxially disposed along the length of the pore channels, the material layers comprising:
- a first electrical conductor layer;
- a second electrical conductor layer;
- and
- a separation layer comprising a material selected from a dielectric material and an electrolyte, wherein the first conductor layer is coaxially disposed within a shell of the separation layer and the separation layer is disposed within a shell of the second conductor layer.
24-32. (canceled)
An energy conversion device, comprising:
- an insulating support member comprising an array of pore channels having an average pore diameter of not greater than about 10 μm and having a pore channel length;
- and
- a plurality of material layers coaxially disposed within the pore channels, the material layers comprising at least a first energy conversion layer, where a material property of the first energy conversion layer varies in a controlled manner along the pore channel length.
34-42. (canceled)
A photocatalysis device, comprising:
- an insulating support member comprising an array of pore channels having an average pore diameter of not greater than about 10 μm and having a pore channel length;
- and
- a plurality of material layers coaxially disposed within the pore channels, the material layers comprising:
- a photoelectrochemical layer, the photoelectrochemical layer forming an exposed tube for the receipt of a reactant;
- at least a first energy conversion layer, where the photoelectrochemical layer is coaxially disposed within a shell of the first energy conversion layer;
- and
- a conductor layer comprising an optically transparent conductor, wherein the energy conversion layer is coaxially disposed within a shell of the conductor layer.
44-47. (canceled)
A method for the fabrication of an energy conversion device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a support member comprising an array of pore channels, the pore channels having an average pore diameter of not greater than about 10 μm and having a pore channel length;
- depositing at least a first material layer within the pore channels to coat an interior surface of the pore channels and form a first material layer within the pore channels, wherein the first material layer comprises a first conductive material;
- depositing a second material layer within the first material layer, wherein the second material layer is coaxially disposed within the first material layer, and wherein the second material layer comprises at least a first energy conversion material;
- and
- depositing a third material layer within the second material layer, wherein the third material layer is coaxially disposed within the second material layer, and wherein the third material layer comprises a second conductive material.
49-58. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.