Thomas G Russell

US Patent:

6391400, May 21, 2002

Filed:

Apr 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/057077

Inventors:

Thomas A. Russell - Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275
Michael L. Fulton - Redondo Beach CA 90276

International Classification:

B32B 1700

US Classification:

428 34, 428332, 428426, 428430, 428212, 359359, 5278611, 5278612, 296 841, 296 9614

Abstract:

This invention pertains to coated polymer sheets which are useful as visibly transparent heat reflective thermal control films and which are suitable for use in glazing applications. The coated polymer sheets are characterized by a high transmission of visible radiation (i. e. , visibly transparent) and a high reflectance at one or more near infrared radiation center wavelengths (i. e. , heat reflective), and rely primarily on the interference effects of the dielectric layers to achieve these results. More specifically, the present invention pertains to thermal control films comprising (a) a thin flexible polymeric sheet having a first face and an opposite second face and a thickness of from 0. 1 to 100 mils; and, (b) a multilayer coating adhered to said first face, said coating comprising two or more contiguous alternating layers of high and low index of refraction inorganic dielectric material of optical thickness approximately equal to one quarter of an infrared center wavelength, , between 750 and 2000 nm; said thermal control film characterized by an average transmittance of visible radiation of wavelength 380 to 750 nm at 0Â incidence of at least 50%; said thermal control film further characterized an average reflectance of infrared radiation in an infrared radiation band which is at least 100 nm wide and falls within the wavelength band 750 to 2000 nm, at 0Â incidence, of at least 50%.

US Patent:

62907131, Sep 18, 2001

Filed:

Aug 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/379703

Inventors:

Thomas A. Russell - Rancho Palos Verdes CA

International Classification:

A61N 506

US Classification:

607 88

Abstract:

Flexible illuminators for external phototherapy are disclosed each having at least one light generating source, preferably a plurality of light-generating sources, on a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate may be a circuit board, and the light-generating source may be surface mount LEDs. Structures for diffusing light emitted from the discrete light-generating sources and/or for transferring heat away from a skin contact surface are provided. The illuminators may be formed so as to be wrapped around an infant or a limb of an adult, or may be provided in larger configurations, such as a mat. The illuminators may be passively or actively cooled so that the skin contact surface remains below a desired temperature.

US Patent:

20200063487, Feb 27, 2020

Filed:

Aug 21, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/547511

Inventors:

- Pasadena CA, US
Harry A. Atwater - South Pasadena CA, US
Thomas C.R. Russell - Pasadena CA, US
Michael D. Kelzenberg - Glendale CA, US
Lucas J. Myers - Stoughton WI, US

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

E06B 3/67
E06B 9/24
E06B 3/66

Abstract:

Systems and methods for transparent materials implementing effectively transparent conductors in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a window including a first transparent layer of transparent material having a first surface and a second surface, a first plurality of triangular conductors in optical communication with the first transparent layer of glass, wherein each of the first plurality of triangular conductors includes a base side that is parallel to the first surface of the first transparent layer of glass and wherein the first plurality of triangular conductors is configured to redirect a portion of incident light, wherein the portion of incident light travels through both the first surface and the second surface of the first transparent layer of glass.

US Patent:

20200028005, Jan 23, 2020

Filed:

Jan 9, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/243930

Inventors:

- Pasadena CA, US
Thomas Russell - Pasadena CA, US
Harry A. Atwater - South Pasadena CA, US

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/0224
H01L 31/02

Abstract:

Bifacial solar cells have been gaining momentum due to their promise of reducing the price of photovoltaic generated electricity by increasing power output. In addition to front side illumination, bifacial solar cells can also accept photons incident on the rear side. In many embodiments, increased power output values of up to and around 50% can be achieved. In some circumstances, other values can be achieved. For example, 40-70% under cloudy conditions and between 13-35% under sunny conditions, depending on the height of the ground clearance, can be achieved. Other factors such as but not limited to the (spectral) albedo of the surroundings as well as the geometry in which the cells are mounted can strongly influence the power output. As can readily be appreciated, the exact amount of increased power output can vary widely depending on the configuration and operating conditions of the bifacial solar cell.

US Patent:

20190148574, May 16, 2019

Filed:

Nov 15, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/192704

Inventors:

- Pasadena CA, US
Harry A. Atwater - South Pasadena CA, US
Sophia Coplin - Pasadena CA, US
Michael Kelzenberg - Pasadena CA, US
Sisir Yalamanchili - Pasadena CA, US
Colton Bukowsky - Pasadena CA, US
Thomas Russell - Pasadena CA, US

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/0224
H01L 31/0216
H01L 31/18
H01L 31/0236

Abstract:

Superstrates containing ETCs in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be implemented to reduce optical losses by decreasing the thickness of the TCO and by reducing or eliminating shading losses of metal grid fingers. ETC superstrates can include a transparent material with grooves, which can be infilled with reflective, conductive material(s) such as but not limited to silver and aluminum. In further embodiments, the grooves are triangular-shaped. ETC superstrates can enable a significant reduction in the TCO thickness required for current extraction with a high fill factor. By reducing the thickness of the TCO layer in solar cells, the short circuit current density can be enhanced by more than 1 mA/cmdue to decreased parasitic absorption and optimized antireflection properties.

US Patent:

20190074401, Mar 7, 2019

Filed:

Aug 17, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/999264

Inventors:

- Pasadena CA, US
Harry A. Atwater - South Pasadena CA, US
Sisir Yalamanchili - Pasadena CA, US
Colton Bukowsky - Pasadena CA, US
Thomas Russell - Pasadena CA, US

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/18
H01L 31/0224

Abstract:

In conventional solar cells with metal contacts, a non-negligible fraction of the incoming solar power is immediately lost either through absorption or reflection upon interaction with the contacts. Effectively transparent contacts (“ETCs”) for solar cells can be referred to as three-dimensional contacts designed to redirect incoming light onto a photoabsorbing surface of a solar cell. In many embodiments, the ETCs have triangular cross-sections. Such ETCs can be placed on a photoabsorbing surface such that at least one of their sides forms an angle with the photoabsorbing surface. In this configuration, the ETCs can redirect incident light onto the photoabsorbing surface, mitigating or eliminating reflection loss compared to conventional solar cells. When constructed in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, ETCs can be effectively transparent and highly conductive.