Full spectrum electro-magnetic energy system.

(54) Title: FULL SPECTRUM ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY SYSTEM.

(54) Title: FULL SPECTRUM ELECTRO-MAGNETIC ENERGY SYSTEM.

(57) Summary

Electromagnetic (EM) energy captured in three dimensions, in layers, allows multiple planes to operate operationally with optimized bandgap structures, whereby three-dimensional and overlapping integrated variant electromagnetic films allow systems to capture energy across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, and to take advantage of the present systems that use direct and indirect light. The EM-CS captures and contains more energy from EMR than conventional systems meeting global energy needs.

(57) Abstract

Electro-magnetic (EM) energy collected in three dimensions, in layers allows for multiple plans to function operatively with optimized band gap structures whereby integrated variant and overlapping three-dimensional electro-magnetic films permit systems to collect energy across the entire electro-magnetic spectrum , and present systems utilizing both direct and indirect light to be leveraged. The EM-CS captures and contains more energy from EMR than conventional systems addressing global energy needs.

FULL SPECTRUM ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY SYSTEM

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS

This application claims the priority of, and benefit from, United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 002,122, filed May 22, 2014, and United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 024,305, filed on July 14, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and devices for capturing energy from electromagnetic radiation and providing that energy for consumption.

BACKGROUND

Human suffering is a consequence of the prevailing but old-fashioned approach to energy. When people want to drive cars, read at night, or power factories, the recurring theme in supplying energy to meet that demand is taking some form of reduced carbon from the Earth and burning it. Since hydrocarbons such as oil and coal are not evenly distributed, this strategy causes geopolitical instability and violence. Given the scarcity of hydrocarbons, these tensions will escalate if no alternatives are found. Even if those geopolitical tensions could be resolved, that basic paradigm of energy supply is based on a one-way stoichiometry, in which hydrocarbons are burned to produce carbon dioxide. According to reports from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, each year more than 9 trillion metric tons of carbon are released into the atmosphere.

Alternative energies such as solar could help if those sources could meet demand. With the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry's revenue approaching $ 100 billion annually, photovoltaic technology requires a massive capital investment that pays off slowly, at best. the cases. Existing photovoltaic cells are deployed as flat panels of material that, at best, produce approximately 0.2 kW per square meter. On a sunny day, a solar cell the size of a card table could keep six bulbs on while the sun is shining. For some background on photovoltaic cells, see US Patent No. 8,093,492 to Hering and US Patent No. 6,689,949 to Ortabasi.

SHORT DESCRIPTION

The invention provides a cell that captures energy from electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and can provide that energy in the form of electricity. The cell captures energy from a broader EMR spectrum than conventional systems, that is, the EV range that extends from the ultraviolet to beyond the infrared. The cell includes a composition of material that interacts with EMR through three dimensions of space, taking advantage of the understanding of EMR that exerts energy through three independent dimensions - a first dimension defined by a direction of change of a magnetic field B , a second dimension of alternating electric field E, and a third dimension which is the direction of a propagation of the EMR. Thanks to the use of internal reflectors, the cell captures the EMR internally. By using a 3D medium, the cell maximizes its potential interactions with, and potential to capture energy from, EMR. The cell includes a composition of materials characterized by multiple forbidden bands. The internal EMR of a broad electromagnetic spectrum excites the electrons in these materials from the valence bands to the conduction bands, which can be harvested as electrical current using the included electrodes.

By including a curved top surface geometry with an absorbent surface and prismatic focus, one cell captures EMR energy for a long duration every day, even when there is strictly no daylight, the 5 cell captures all forms of light , indirect, reflected, diffuse, refracted and prismatic. By means of the characteristics and phenomena described, the cells of the invention maximize the EMR spectrum from which energy is captured, and the efficiency of capturing that energy, and the duration of capture per day. For at least these reasons, the cells of the invention exhibit very high efficiency and in fact can provide at least about 2.9 kWh of power per m² of or more.

Due to the high efficiency and energy output provided by the cells of the invention, people's energy demands can be met without producing stoichiometric amounts of carbon dioxide and without exacerbating geopolitical tensions surrounding the uneven distribution of hydrocarbon fuels. Therefore, the systems and methods of the invention provide tools to meet global energy demand without contributing to human suffering. Using systems and methods of the invention, people can read at night, travel, run their businesses and continue to live in a way that is enjoyable and sustainable.

It is respectfully stated that modular technology to address solar photovoltaic problems has to date been limited by a two-dimensional (Euclidean) approach, which has prevented the use of the full electromagnetic spectrum of available energy. In summary, the use of the x and y axes to define limits and frontiers of solar photovoltaic energy harvesting is inherently limiting.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide methodologies, systems and processes that take advantage of dense packaging (tape technology) that facilitates high kW / hr and maximum energy harvest per square meter.

In short, electromagnetic energy (EM) 15 captured in three dimensions, in layers, allows multiple planes to operate operationally with optimized bandgap structures, so that overlapping and three-dimensional integrated variant electromagnetic films allow systems to capture energy across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, and to take advantage of the present systems that use direct and indirect light. Aspects of the invention provide an electromagnetic energy collection cell that includes a body of material with an upper surface layer and a lower surface layer 25. The upper surface layer receives electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the material, the upper and lower surface layers reflect the inner (EMR) back into the material, and the material spans essentially three-dimensional space between the upper surface and the surface bottom so that the internal EMR interacts with the material in all three dimensions. A composition of the material defines a plurality of bandgaps such that internal EMR wavelengths outside the visible spectrum excite electrons from a valence band to a conduction band.

The cell includes at least one electrode in contact with the material. In a preferred embodiment, the lower surface layer defines a parabolic curve that has a focus within the material. The upper surface layer may be curved so that, for example, when the cell is outdoors on a clear day, direct sunlight defines a perpendicular to the curved surface from sunrise to sunset. The material can include multiple films comprising a plurality of semiconductors. Preferably, the films define a non-planar geometry. The films can be formed by a process that uses argon gas to make the films resist delamination. Technicians understand that the semantics involved in the thick / thin terminology is a historical artifact and not a technical distinction.

The cell may further include a first electrode and a second electrode that are in contact with the material and that define a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact accessible from an exterior of the cell. Exposure of the upper surface to EMR comprising infrared wavelengths produces a voltage across the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

According to the modalities, the cell converts a broad spectrum of the EMR into electricity, the EMR includes the forms from the ultraviolet to beyond the infrared. The cell can be operable to use UV, .visible and invisible EMR to produce power. The cells of the invention cover a spectrum of 200-5000 EV. It can be seen that the exposure of the upper surface to the EMR produces at least 2 kW per m².

In certain embodiments, a cell includes an angled silver apical prism to absorb energy from indirect EM radiation. The cell can include multiple argon EM films, which can be transparent, stable, and capable of absorbing 200 to 5000 ev. Preferably, an angled silver apical prism absorbs the energy of indirect EM radiation. The cell can absorb the full EMR spectrum with less than 10% of the refracted EMR. The prismatic focus can increase the surface area by two times.

The cell can include assemblies comprising one or more internal reflected parabolic reflectors. The cell can include dual parabolic reflective bases (eg, to promote internal reflection and multiple photon passages of the EMR through the material). The cell can also include an internal lining that breaks down EMR and increases absorption by acting as a semi-permeable membrane allowing radiation to enter, but inhibiting its exit. In some embodiments, any given photon in the internal EMR interacts with electrons at least 7 times. In some embodiments, the photons of the internal EMR interact with the electrons on average more than 30 times. The cell may comprise a parabolic mirror surface on the bottom surface that forces the EMR to pass back through the material so that the photons from the EMR, on average, pass through the material at least 7 times and at least some of the EMR photons pass through the material at least 37 times.

Thanks to the above characteristics, chemistry and structure, the cells of the invention harvest energy from a full spectrum of EMR, from UV to beyond IR.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a cell (101) of the invention.

Figures 2A-2C show a central element (201) of the cell (101).

Figure 3 shows an end element (301) of the cell (101).

Figures 4A-4C show views of an exemplary outer assembly structure section (401) in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Figures 5A-5C show views of an exemplary outer base assembly structure section (501) in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Figures 6A-6C show an end member 15 (601) of a cell of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a graphical representation of the efficiency of the present invention.

Figure 8A gives a perspective view of the flower petal embodiment.

Figure 8B gives a side view of the flower petal embodiment.

Figure 8C gives a top view of the flower petal embodiment.

Figure 8D is a sectional view along line ΑΆ of Figure 8C.

Figure 9 is an algorithm showing how the acquisition is carried out in the modalities according to the teachings of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a schematic flow diagram of the steps in accordance with the procedure for optimizing the harvesting of energy from the electromagnetic spectrum.

Figure 11 schematically illustrates recirculation of internal EMR for multiple passes through material in a cell, as demonstrated by the present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electromagnetic energy collection cell including a body of material with an upper surface layer and a lower surface layer is disclosed herein. The material may include a glass or other such material with a chemical composition and an internal shape exhibiting the above properties. At least the bottom surface can provide the parabolic focus as described. The cell preferably has an upper surface layer that receives electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on the material, the upper and lower surfaces reflect the interior (EMR) back into the material, and the material spans essentially three-dimensional space between the surface. upper and lower surface so that the internal EMR interacts with the material in all three dimensions. A composition of the material, for example, in the form of films according to the process of the invention (for example, manufactured by means of an argon purge process) defines a plurality of forbidden bands such that the wavelengths of the EMR Internal outside the visible spectrum excite electrons from a valence band to a conduction band. The cell has an internal structure or geometry with an overlap formation, that is, a ribbon technology or placement energy density that generates more power than conventional photovoltaic arrays, as shown by the data herein.

The present invention has configured an Electromagnetic Radiation Capture System that takes advantage of the entire spectrum of such irradiated energy to generate power.

The represented electromagnetic radiation collection system (EM-CS) covers a broader spectrum, 200-5000EV, while the current standard photovoltaic covers a smaller range, 80020 1100 EV. The EM-CS uses a more dynamic argon film compared to the current standard thin film.

The EM radiation capture system (EM-CS) is a new technology that captures and converts a wide spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, including from ultraviolet forms of light to beyond forms of infrared light (C) in the field. of heat capture.

The ability of technologies to capture a wider daily range of electromagnetic radiation as such is not equivalent to solar. This increased span, coupled with increased system efficiency, offers higher panel capacity for longer periods of time, resulting in lower cost per watt and higher overall performance.

The larger capacity of the panels requires a significantly smaller surface area, allowing the installation of panels even when space is limited and / or expensive.

Containment or catchment technology (used coextensively for this application) generates significant cost savings compared to current residential / commercial / utility installations due to less footprint and reduced number of panels requiring much less floor space, hand of work for the installation, and auxiliary equipment.

EM-CS technology combined with battery storage can serve as the first legitimate base load renewable energy solution.

Suitable for both grid-tie 25 and grid-independent systems, the present systems provide full spectrum EM power usage free of constraints.

According to the modalities, the panels of the present inventions are designed to contain / capture and convert a wider range of radiation, up to 2.9 kW / m², unlike all other panels on the market since, according to the present invention, the panels use the UV, visible and invisible spectra of light.

In accordance with the embodiments, multiple argon EM films (clear, stable and capable of absorbing 200ev to 5000ev) are disclosed. Similarly, the proprietary glass formulations are designed to absorb the full spectrum of EM radiation (with minimal light refraction - 6-8%, of any kind), the addition of silver and angled apical prisms further increases. plus the ability to absorb energy from indirect EM radiation.

Depending on the modalities, the dual parabolic reflective bases direct and capture sunlight to maximize system efficiency.

The technology allows up to 800 percent more EM radiation, giving more total kW / day absorbed, depending on the solstice and the area.

According to the modalities, the inner coating breaks down EM radiation, increasing absorption by acting as a semi-permeable membrane that allows radiation to enter, but inhibits its exit.

The new technology increases total radiation up to 66% more than film alone. That is why this is an EM system and not just another solar panel, as disclosed in the state of the art.

In addition, it has the ability to absorb energy: direct, indirect, reflected, prismatic and even diffuse.

The internal design increases the electron pitch at least about 7-37 times.

Unlike conventional systems, where EM panels only use part of the EM spectrum. (Current panels use only the visible spectrum, up to 20%, of 0.6 kW / m²) .

The present system is the result of a system design that used ALL available electromagnetic radiation energy that far exceeds the small range of an average solar panel and even exceeds the massive ranges available from UV to IR. This system is designed to absorb much wider spectra of radiation.

Existing solar panels only use wavelengths from 800 to 1100, while the present teachings use Spread Spectrum Technology that uses much longer wavelengths, 200 to 5000.

Current panels bounce back sunlight, while newer EM panels capture energy from the sun, and / or contain much larger aliquots of it.

Radiation rotation design increases radiation exposure up to nearly 70% more than traditional models.

This design uses the angle of sunlight, the rotation of the earth, the relationship between increased forward line time and increased absorption to decrease reflected / refracted light and increase the amount of light radiation entering the capture cell (Snell's Law).

In addition, the glass composition allows it to absorb indirect light.

Additional useful information can be found at 15 Takamoto, 2009, Status of multijunction solar cells and future development, CS MANTECH CONFERENCE, MANTECH CS (Status of multijunction solar cells and future development) CONFERENCE, May 18-21, Tampa, FL, EE. .UU. (4 pages); US Patent 8,093,492 to Hering; US Patent 6,335,480 to Bach; and US Pat. 6,689,949 to Ortabasi, each of which is expressly incorporated by reference, as if fully disclosed herein, for all purposes.

The technology disclosed herein relates to 25 systems and methods for generating energy from sources such as the sun. The modalities of the disclosed technology are configured to be able to capture a wide spectrum of electromagnetic energy and efficiently convert that energy into electricity for a variety of uses. A variety of features can be included to allow efficient harvesting of electromagnetic energy to increase the efficiency of the solar power generation system. For example, unique shapes and compositions of glass can be used to enhance the entry and collection of light 10 into the system, a parabolic or other reflector can be used to capture energy, such as solar energy from the sun (or other source of electromagnetic energy) from various angles, and multiple layers of photovoltaic materials can be combined in a variety of different bandgaps 15 to capture a broad spectrum of electromagnetic energy within and beyond the visible light spectrum.

An early prototype of the system includes a box made of glass or other transparent material, a power conversion cell created using one or more solar converter materials (i.e., photovoltaic materials) that have different bandgaps (bandgap materials), and a reflector that can be configured to redirect sunlight (or other electromagnetic energy from the sun) to the glass box that would not otherwise strike the box, so that the reflected light can be captured by the glass box and directed towards the photovoltaic materials. These and other features and aspects of the technology described can be used and combined in various combinations to create an efficient power generation system. Various aspects of these features are described in this document by way of example. In various embodiments, the glass used to coat the photovoltaic materials can be formulated to increase or maximize the total amount of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that reaches, and can be captured by, the photovoltaic materials.

Glass is tempered to improve its resistance to breakage, and is desirable for its broad wavelength transmission spectrum. For example, in various embodiments, MgF phosphate and sapphire tempered glass can be provided with a transmission spectrum that provides about 80 to 90% of the transmission over a wavelength of about 400 to 2750 nm. In some embodiments, the glass can achieve a high percentage transmission through a spectrum of approximately 200 to 5000 nm. The glass can be doped with a phosphorous chemical (eg, 20% or less, although other doping percentages can be used) to alter the absorption of electromagnetic energy as well as the refractive index of the glass. Doping is performed in order to increase the effective angle of acceptance of the glass so that more energy from the sun is accepted into the glass and less is reflected from the glass surface, compared to undoped crystals.

In addition, the glass housing is treated, including anti-reflective coating (AR) on the outer surface of the glass and an oxide coating on the inner surface of the glass, among others. The anti-reflective coating can be added to reduce the amount of light reflected from the exterior surface compared to uncoated glass. The oxide coating on the inner surface can be provided to perform various functions. For example, the oxide coating can be provided to prismatically divide the light into its constitutive spectral components. This allows the incoming light to be divided into spectral components and the spectral components to be directed in different directions from the inner surface of the glass.

The oxide coating can also act as a semi-permeable membrane, allowing radiation to enter, but inhibiting its exit. This can facilitate the reuse of photons that are not absorbed or converted in their first pass through materials. With the appropriate doping and other characteristics such as those described, 25 modalities can be implemented that manage to deliver 58.86% of the direct light incident on the glass to the bandgap materials, and deliver to bandgap materials up to 30% of the indirect light incident on the glass. This can be achieved because light striking the glass at a shallow angle can be captured rather than reflected, and can then be refracted towards band gap photovoltaic materials located within the central region of the glass housing.

According to the present teachings, light incident on the glass at a shallow angle can be captured rather than reflected. A simple example of this is illustrated in Figure 2, where incoming light rays at surface angles are accepted and refracted towards the stack of photovoltaic energy converting materials. The shape of the glass housing is important for increasing the efficiency of the system and the range of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be captured by the system. The shape is not limited to that shown in the Figures. However, in some embodiments various glass box shapes can be used, a rounded shape is used to present a more direct angle to the source of electromagnetic energy (for example, the sun, a lamp or other energy source) and to facilitate the refraction of light towards photovoltaic materials.

In one aspect, the invention provides an improved high efficiency electromagnetic energy harvesting system (EMCS). The EM-CS includes a cell (101).

Figure 1 shows a cell (101) of the invention. Cell (101) includes a central element (201) and one or more end elements (301).

Figures 2A-2C show a central element (201) of the cell (101). Figure 2A gives a perspective view of the central element (201). Figure 2B gives a sectional view in profile of the element (201). Figure 2C shows an electrode array in the central element (201). The central element (101) includes, in combination, at least one body of material with an upper and lower surface layer, wherein the upper surface layer receives electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the material and the upper and lower surface layers reflect the Internal EMR back to material. The surface layer preferably includes glass doped, for example, with MgF₂ or other suitable metal halide or such material (proprietary glass). The body extends in three dimensions of space between the upper surface layers and the lower surface layers, whereby the internal EMR interacts with the material in these dimensions. The body captures the EMR traveling in it by means of dense packed tape technology defined by a plurality of forbidden bands, whereby the wavelength of the internal EMR excites electrons from a valence band to a band of driving. The tightly packed tape technology includes an innermost film (205), a second film (206), a third film (207), and an outermost film (208). In a preferred embodiment, at least about 3 to 7 films are included. In one embodiment, each film includes one selected separately from GaAs, Ge, Si, and GalnP2. Each film can include 10 separately the materials listed in Table 1. In other modalities materials such as GaS, GIP, GIA, InGa, CdTe, CIGS, CdTe / CdS, CulnSe can be used₂, GIN, ZMT and / or CdS. Figure 2C illustrates the electrodes in contact with the body films. A so-called upper surface in the present proprietary glass of the body of material can be provided by means of a glass doped with a metal halide, preferably MgF₂, to maximize retention of EM radiation in cell (101). The top doped surface may be the outermost film (208) or is preferably a cover layer on top of the body of material.

Figure 3 shows an end element (301) of the cell (101). The end member (301) includes a frame section (401) that abuts the end member (601) and is supported by the base section (501). The figure

4Α shows a perspective view of the frame section (401). Figure 4B shows an end view of frame section (401). Figure 4C shows a top view of frame section (401). Figure 5A shows a perspective view of the base section (501). Figure 5B shows an end view of the base section (501). Figure 5C shows a top view of the base section (501). Figure 6A shows a perspective view of the end member (601). Figure 6B shows an end view of the end member (601). Figure 6A shows a top view of the end member (601).

Figure 7 shows the efficiency of an EM-CS capture module, such as cell (101). A collection module of the invention includes a collection cell with a body having a lower surface and a curved upper surface, both extending from one end to the other, where the curved upper surface may be profiled to provide a surface approximately perpendicular to the rays of the sun as they travel through the sky, from sunrise to sunset.

Geometries like this can provide an increase of up to about 66% in sun exposure compared to conventional, flat, or box-type solar cells. Remember that because the size of the box is very small relative to the earth, the sun generally does not travel in a constant arc relative to the box. In some embodiments, the glass housing can be configured to have a smaller radius of curvature on 2 faces compared to the top of the glass housing. In other words, the housing is configured to have a more or less flower-shaped configuration.

This can be useful in providing direct light harvesting during sunrise and sunset times when the sun's energy strikes the glass at low tilt angles relative to the earth. In other embodiments, the glass housing is configured in the shape of flower petals to present a surface perpendicular to the sun's rays when the sun moves across the sky during the day.

Figures 8A-8D illustrate a complex shape for a flower petal element for use within a thick film / multiple film cell according to certain embodiments. Figure 8A gives a perspective view of the flower petal embodiment. Figure 8B gives a side view of the flower petal embodiment. Figure 8C gives a top view of the flower petal embodiment. Figure 8D is a sectional view along the line AA of Figure 8C. The morphology depicted in Figure 8A can be derived through application of the algorithm illustrated in Figure 9 to transform vectors of incoming broad spectrum EM radiation from multiple different times during a day, into orientations for film-like layers. coarse produced by sputtering, selenization, annealing and rolling. One or more of the petal elements can be used in combination with each other or with another element described herein with a broad spectrum MS-CS cell. In one embodiment, the invention provides an EM radiation capture cell that includes at least one and preferably at least about 3 to 7 elements, as shown in Figure 8, each element comprising a thick film defining at least about 1 to many bandgaps by means of included semiconductor materials, as listed elsewhere herein.

Complex partially spherical shapes can, but do not have to be used, and indeed, in various embodiments, the box can be shaped to present a more direct angle to the sun based on the ephemeris of the sun for a given latitude and longitude or region. geographical application. Natural lighting models and other techniques can be used to optimize the shape and profile of the glass box to capture the maximum amount of energy.

Figure 9 shows a result of combining the lens constructor equation and Snell's law to show that it is possible to refract, focus (and not reflect) 3.5 suns of energy in the EM-CS, with the outer layer schematically directing light, as shown by the vectors illustrated in the lower panel.

Figure 9 illustrates the use of a transformation formula to guide the design of surface geometries for a cell of the invention. Where (X, Y, Z) are the coordinates of a 3D point in world coordinate space, (u, v) are the coordinates of the projection point in pixels. A is called the intrinsic parameter matrix, (c_x, c_and) is a main point (which is usually in the center of an image), and f_x, f_and are the focal lengths expressed in units related to pixels. Therefore, if the scale of an image within the unit is modified by some factor, the scales of all these parameters must be modified (multiplied / divided, respectively) by the same factor. The intrinsic parameter matrix does not depend on the incoming light and, once estimated, can be reused (as long as the focal length is fixed). The joint rotation-translation matrix [R | t] is called the extrinsic parameter matrix. It is used to describe the movement of the light source relative to the cell. That is, [R | t] translates the coordinates of a point (X, Y, Z) into some fixed coordinate system with respect to the cell. The cell surface may have some distortion, mainly radial distortion and slight tangential distortion. Thus, the previous model is extended as shown in Figure 9. In Figure 9, k_l, k_2, k_3, k_4, 5 k 5, k 6 are coefficients of radial distortion, p 1, p 2 are coefficients of tangential distortion. Higher order coefficients are not considered. In the functions shown, the coefficients are passed or returned as a vector (k_l, k_2, p_l, p_2 [, k_3 [, k_4, k_5, k_6]]). That is, if the 10 vector contains 4 elements, then k_3 = 0. The distortion coefficients do not depend on the outside light, so they also belong to the intrinsic parameters of the cell. The extended model shown in Figure 9 can be used to project 3D points onto the image plane given the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters; calculate extrinsic parameters given the intrinsic parameters, some 3D points and their projections; estimating intrinsic and extrinsic optical parameters of the cell from various views of a known calibration standard (ie, for the design of the cell surface morphology); and estimating the relative position and orientation of the thick films and calculating the rectification transformation that optimizes the capture of the EM radiation.

The collection cell may further comprise an internal mirror or silver or other reflective coating on the lower surface and at least a portion of the upper surface, for example, along the sides of the upper surface. In various exemplary embodiments, the entire bottom surface, as well as about two-thirds of the side surface, may comprise a reflective coating or mirroring. Internal mirroring creates a photonic (ionic or electron) reflective chamber, where electromagnetic radiation entering the collection cell is reflected off the mirror and bounces around the collection cell, creating almost or full internal reflection, or a large number of reflections to contain the photons that have entered the system. This has the effect of increasing the probability that the captured photons will fall on the photovoltaic material distributed within the capture cell.

Since the mirror in this example is limited to the lower surface and the lower parts of the side surface of the box, it does not affect the penetration, diffraction, refraction or reflection of external light; its only effect is to capture the photons once they have penetrated the cell. When a photon goes uncaptured, it eventually turns into heat, and heats up the photovoltaic material. This increases the flow of electrons collected from the photons (sometimes called the Delta-K effect, increasing the range of particles).

The collection cell can have an optically active and non-reflective exterior (for example, using a specific formulation of a combination of soda-lime, borosilicate or phosphate glass) that allows a high level of photon penetration while minimizing diffraction , refraction or reflection that can be produced by the angle of penetration or / of the curvature of the Earth / Sun. This design allows to attenuate the solar radiation of the atmospheric dispersion and increases the absorption of the solar radiation available in a given place. Today's photovoltaic systems typically use thin film photovoltaic cells, which have a very low efficiency, use only a fraction of the total available photons, and are affected by delamination. Various embodiments of the technology described herein utilize thick film technology for photovoltaic materials in some embodiments, these thick films can be from 0.03 nm to 5.0 microns thick.

Furthermore, as described, the semantics of thin or thick films are such that technicians understand which versions can be implemented to allow the application of multiple layers or multiple bandgap material in one or more passes, as required, such as explained herein. For example, Kapton / clear molybdenum (or other necessary polyamides are available from DuPont, Wilmington, DE, USA, such as UPILEX). A multilevel, translucent, multiple bandgap material can be provided, preferably a thick film-like material (or a multi-layer bandgap grating (MTFBG) such as films (205), (206), ...) can be provided as the photovoltaic material. In various embodiments, the material can be an integrated multi-junction photovoltaic cell with multiple pn junctions made of different semiconductor materials, each having a different band gap. In other embodiments, the multiple bandgap material may be made from a plurality of individual thick films, each having a photovoltaic material with a designated bandgap. Ideally, the stack is made such that each pn junction has a different bandgap energy and produces current in response to a different wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum falling on the device. This increases the conversion efficiency of the device by using more of the available electromagnetic spectrum.

Providing multiple materials with multiple bandgaps allows the unit to respond to multiple different wavelengths of the spectrum. In some embodiments, the photovoltaic cell includes 2 to 4 layers of bandgap materials, each of which has a different bandgap energy. In other embodiments, other numbers of layers of bandgap materials may be provided, including a single layer stack or one of more than 4 layers. Marginal performances may decrease as the number of layers increases, depending on a number of factors including, for example, the spectrum of electromagnetic energy available, the transparency, and the absorption efficiency of the various materials in the stack, the amount of internal reflection that can be achieved to contain / capture photons, and so on. During operation, the outer bandgap material of the photovoltaic cell captures the photons it can at the wavelength associated with its bandgap energy and converts them into electrical current.

Photons not captured by the first layer pass through subsequent layers until they are captured, absorbed, reflected from the surface of a next layer, or they pass through the stack and are reflected by the reflective surfaces of the glass box. A portion of the reflected photons reaches the photovoltaic cell again, providing the opportunity for these photons, which would otherwise be lost, to be captured and converted into electrical current. The thick film with multiple multiple bandgaps can be flexible and can incorporate different materials having different bandgaps optimized for different wavelengths of light present in white light (including, for example, ultraviolet and infrared light), and for different wavelengths of light that occur at different times. For example, during sunrise and sunset, the light spectrum is different from midday, so different materials can be provided with different bandgaps to capture as much energy as possible from different types of light. In an exemplary embodiment, the different materials can comprise GaAs, Ge, Si, and GalnPs, for example. In other embodiments, materials such as GaS, GIP, GIA, InGa, CdTe, CIGS, CdTe / CdS, CulnSez, GIN, ZMT and / or CdS can be used. In some embodiments, the forbidden bands of the materials are selected such that there are overlapping bands to achieve the energy conversion of the densest regions of the spectrum. In some embodiments, the chemical compositions of the materials can be varied to adjust the gap bands of the joints.

Table 1 illustrates another example of different materials that can be used in conjunction with their respective bandgaps, and the estimated conversion efficiencies when using 2 or more layers. Technicians understand that the exemplary numbers are reduced in this example due to overlap.

Table 1

<td>InN (ZnS; ZnSe)</td><td>3.6 eV</td><td> 8.00%</td>

<td>CIGS (CdS; InGaAs)</td><td>2.4 eV</td><td> 19.01%</td>

<td>InGaAsP (GaP; InGaP)</td><td>1.84 eV</td><td> 15.02%</td>

<td>CdTe (GaAs)</td><td>1.44 eV</td><td> 16.06%</td>

<td>c-So (GaAs; InGaAs)</td><td>1.12 eV</td><td> 18.78%</td>

<td>InGaAs (a-Si: H; GalnP)</td><td>0.92 eV</td><td> 9.05%</td>

<td>Gw (InAs; GaSb; InSb)</td><td>0.70 eV</td><td> 6.02%</td>

In various exemplary embodiments, two, three, four, or five single thick film layers (300) can be provided that can capture photons from each side of the film, each of which can vary in certain embodiments from about 0.03 to 5.0 microns in thickness. (eg, those shown as movies (205), (206), ... in Figure 2B). The films can have the appropriate length and width dimensions depending on the available dimensions and the volume of the box. The length and width can also be chosen based on the way the films are laminated within the box. For example, in some embodiments, the films can be overlaid in a planar or flat (or essentially flat) configuration within the box. In other embodiments, the films may be curved or rolled or wrapped, and laminated within the box in a coaxial or essentially coaxial manner. For example, flexible layers with sufficient elasticity can be used so that when inserted into the box they conform to the interior profile of the box. Accordingly, the films can be configured to take the shape of the box. Traditionally, design problems have been seen to limit the width of the film, but tape-like lengths of film can be wound (eg, helically) one inside the other within the case. The translucent multilayer photovoltaic cell can be electrically connected to a positive charge for ion capture. The multilayer translucent photovoltaic cell may be at least partially surrounded by an internal mirror, as previously described with respect to Figures 1, 2 and 3. This single film technology allows for a two-way photovoltaic pathway (i.e. energy conversion from top to bottom and from bottom to top).

As noted above, in various embodiments, the multiple layers of bandgap materials can be manufactured either as an integrated device or as individual sheets, using thick film technology. In the examples, polyamides, a thick film substrate such as

Mylar, KAPTON, or any other polyimide film (available from DuPont, Wilmington, DE, USA) or other film, such materials are available in varying degrees of transparency. The substrate sheet can be passed through a deposition device (eg, using chemical vapor deposition or CVD) or other similar device in which the layers of the device are deposited onto the substrate. In addition to chemical vapor deposition, other techniques such as, for example, Positive Extrusion Printing, VPD, Sputtering and the like can be used to lay the various layers.

For example, in such a process, the electrode layers and the semiconductor layers can be deposited on the substrate to produce the thick film photovoltaic material. The manufacturing device can be maintained at a positive pressure using an inert gas such as, for example, argon, to keep the chamber relatively free or completely free of oxygen. This can avoid the damaging effects of oxidation of materials. When making bandgap materials in individual sheets, a single bonding device can be made on a given substrate.

On the other hand, if a heterojunction device is desired, multiple bandgap materials can be deposited onto a single substrate. When desired, indium tin oxide, graphene, or other similar materials can be used to create transparent electrodes. The various aspects of the disclosed technology can be used individually or in various combinations, including in complete energy conversion systems comprising: a capture cell (in which photons can be more fully retained, leading to a higher degree of energy absorption and conversion); a multi-layer photovoltaic system, a unique thick film processing technology; the use of multi-band forbidden material for greater access to the light spectrum (hence greater exposure to and greater absorption of photons); and with a multidimensional core for use with nanotechnology (points, reticle) GPS and various sensors, storage uses and ozone creation. In addition, the ability to capture indirect lighting at an angle, as well as the type of glass formulations increase the total energy power of the system. The use of pickup cells with multiple levels of pickup film 300 can incorporate all of the aforementioned technologies to create a multi-layer, multi-band gap, bi-directional photovoltaic film core. The capture cell can work with the thick film, increasing the amount of light exposure that can provide photon absorption and increasing the number of photon passes through the bandgap material.

The thick film avoids the problems of thin film technology; it is more stable and still allows transparency for photons to pass through multiple absorption layers with multiple bandgap materials. The present photovoltaic system can be used to generate a flow of electrons (an electrical current) where there is sunlight or other source of radiation or electromagnetic waves. The current photovoltaic system can be used on or inside houses, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, automobiles, or any other form of transportation. The system can be portable as it is very efficient and can be used anywhere power is needed. A material's gap is the energy required to excite an atom of that material enough to move one of its electrons from a certain energy state, or band, to a higher energy state or band.

Only photons with energy levels higher than that of the forbidden band can excite electrons to move from the valence band to the conduction band, where they can flow and create electricity. For materials with lower bandgaps, a greater range of light frequencies will have energies high enough to excite electrons in those materials to move from the valence band to the conduction band (this helps determine the material of the bandgap). Valencia). In addition, there are several adjustable materials, such as InGap or CIGS. Therefore, the smaller the band gap of a material, the more easily the light that hits the material can be converted into electricity. But when the forbidden band is too small, the negatively charged electrons in the conduction band recombine too easily with the positively charged atoms that they left behind (i.e., holes), so as to maintain a flow of electrons (i.e. electric current) becomes difficult.

Because different frequencies of light carry different levels of energy, materials with different bandgaps can be provided to capture the different frequencies of light within a spectrum to optimize the total amount of energy obtainable from the spectrum. Forbidden bands are selected that are not only efficient with a certain wavelength, but also capture a greater number of total electrons, taking into account that higher frequency light carries more energy. Some examples of bandgaps are: Silicon bandgap is 1.11-1.12 eV; Selenium is 1.5-1.6 eV; GaAs Gallium / Arsenic is 1.3-1.4 eV; CuO Oxide

Copper is 2.0 eV; GaTe is 1.4 eV; of AIAs Aluminum / Arsenic is 2.3 eV The light also has specific unique wavelengths.

For example, red is 622-780 nm; orange is 622-597 nm; infrared A is 700-1400 nm; infrared B is 1400-3000 nm; and infrared C is 3000-10000 nm. Therefore, silicon could theoretically convert 100% of photons with a wavelength equivalent to its 11.11.12 eV bandgap, while also converting a lower percentage of photons with a shorter and higher wavelength Energy. However, photons of light that have a wavelength greater than 1.12 eV will not generate electricity in silicon, since these longer wavelength photons have less than the minimum energy level necessary to overcome the silicon gap of 1.11-1.12 eV. In practice, conventional solar cells using silicon have had true conversion efficiencies ranging from about 12% to 14%. That is, only about 12% to 14% of the energy in the photons that fall on conventional silicon solar cells is converted into electricity (the same range as that produced by Hoffman in 1960 or 54 years ago). Using an adjustable PV material i.e InGS (N) (P), CIGS, GaAs, AIGeN, changes this. By moving the formula further up in Se it is possible to both manipulate the band gap and compensate for gaps. So if using Si provides an interval of at least about 1.112800 ev (with the latter leading to more gaps), then it is possible to adjust the other individual layers to cover 8505 600 and 650-315, and so on. cover the highest energy gradient (from IRc-UVb).

Actual efficiency considers the range of energy covered; the efficiency of said converted range; and the duration of the focused energy. What becomes part of that is the reduced reflection / refraction internal mirroring (pickup) angle. The prototypes were tested using combinations of indium, gallium, and nitrogen (Inl-xGaxN), which together convert virtually the entire spectrum of sunlight, including ultraviolet, infrared, and a limited part of the X-ray spectrum. These materials were doped with cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), CdTe / CdS, CulnSe2 (copper indium selenide), indium gallium nitride (GIN); zinc manganese telluride (ZMT); cadmium sulfide (CdS).

Figure 10 shows diagrams of the methods of the invention. The schematic flow diagram of the stages shows the process for optimizing the harvesting of energy from the electromagnetic spectrum.

Figure 11 illustrates the recirculation of the internal EMR 25 for multiple passes through the material of a cell, in the same way the photons from direct, indirect, reflected, prismatic and diffuse energy are housed and energy derived from them is obtained. in accordance with this MS-CS.

Furthermore, the described functions, structures or features of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. One of skill in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and the like. In other cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid complicating aspects of the invention.

Any schematic diagrams and / or flow charts, along with the verbal descriptions of the steps, included herein, are generally set forth as pictorial or linguistic logic flow charts. As such, the order depicted and the steps marked are indicative of one embodiment of the method presented. Other steps and methods are conceivable that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated systems, processes, or methods.

In addition, any formats and / or symbols used to explain the logical steps of related systems, processes and methods, and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various types of arrows and lines may be used in flowcharts, it is understood that they do not limit the scope of the corresponding method. In fact, some arrows or other connectors can be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For example, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between the listed stages of the depicted method. Additionally, the suggested order of a step does not indicate that it should be done before or after another step unless expressly stated.

The following 15 United States Patent Letters and Publications and foreign patents, each of which has been reviewed and distinguished from these teachings, are expressly incorporated herein by reference, as if fully disclosed herein. They are offered here merely to define the state of the art, and are presented contemporaneously as a disclosure statement. United States Patent Letters No. 8,093,492; 6,335,480; and 6,898,949 Previous or historical attempts to address these questions also have some value, in defining the state of the art, and the paucity of improved applications to 'get past the science.

Although methods, devices, compositions, and the like have been described in terms of what are currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it should be understood that the description need not be limited to the described implementations. It is intended to encompass various modifications and similar provisions within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be the subject of the broadest interpretation, to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present description includes any and all implementations of the following claims. It is understood that the term present disclosure, in the context of a description of a component, feature, or step of a particular embodiment of the disclosure, does not imply or mean that all embodiments of the disclosure comprise that particular component, feature, or step.

It should also be understood that various changes can be made without departing from the substance of the disclosure. Such changes are implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that this disclosure is intended to provide a patent covering numerous aspects of the disclosure both independently and as a general system, and in both method and apparatus forms.

Furthermore, each of the various elements of the disclosure and claims may also be obtained in a variety of ways. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, whether it be a variation of an implementation of any apparatus, of a method or process implementation, or even simply a variation of any element of these.

In particular, it should be understood that, as the disclosure refers to the elements of the disclosure, the words for each item may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms, even if the function or result is the same.

Such equivalent, broader or even more generic terms should be considered included in the description of each item or action. Such terms may be substituted at any time to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this disclosure is entitled.

It should be understood that all actions can be expressed as a way of performing that action or as an element that causes that action.

Similarly, each disclosed physical item should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action facilitated by that physical item.

Any patents, publications or other references mentioned in this patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

Insofar as insubstantial substitutes are made, insofar as the applicant did not in fact draft any claim to include a particular application literally, and in. To the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be construed as having any intention or actually giving up such coverage, as the applicant may simply not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; a person skilled in the art should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally included such alternative implementations.

Furthermore, the transition phrase comprising is used herein to keep the claims open, in accordance with the traditional interpretation of claims. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it is to be understood that the term comprises or variations such as comprising or comprising, are intended to imply the inclusion of an indicated element or stage, or group of elements or stages, but not the exclusion of any other element or stage, or group of elements or stages. Such terms must be interpreted in their broadest form in order for the applicant to achieve the broadest coverage legally permissible.