John Matthew Argo

US Patent:

8344241, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

Aug 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/466416

Inventors:

Ruxandra Vidu - Citrus Heights CA, US
Brian Argo - Hortonville WI, US
John Argo - West Sacramento CA, US
Pieter Stroeve - Davis CA, US

Assignee:

Q1 Nanosystems Corporation - Davis CA
The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/042
H01L 31/00
H01L 21/00
H02N 6/00

US Classification:

136252, 136244, 136260, 136261, 136262, 136263, 136264, 136265, 438 57, 438 73, 438 77, 438 94, 438 96

Abstract:

Nanostructures and photovoltaic structures are disclosed. A nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of nanocables extending from a substrate, the nanocables in the array being characterized as having a spacing and surface texture defined by inner surfaces of voids of a template; an electrically insulating layer extending along the substrate; and at least one layer overlaying the nanocables. A nanostructure according to another embodiment includes a substrate; a portion of a template extending along the substrate, the template being electrically insulative; an array of nanocables extending from the template, portions of the nanocables protruding from the template being characterized as having a spacing, shape and surface texture defined by previously-present inner surfaces of voids of the template; and at least one layer overlaying the nanocables.

US Patent:

20100078055, Apr 1, 2010

Filed:

Aug 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/466411

Inventors:

Ruxandra Vidu - Citrus Heights CA, US
Brian Argo - Hortonville WI, US
John Argo - West Sacramento CA, US
Pieter Stroeve - Davis CA, US
Saif Islam - Davis CA, US
Michael Chen - Cupertino CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/042
H01L 31/00
H01L 21/20
H01L 31/18
H01L 31/0248

US Classification:

136244, 136252, 136261, 438 57, 438 73, 257 9, 257E31002, 257E2109, 977762, 977954

Abstract:

A photovoltaic nanostructure according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrically conductive nanocable coupled to a first electrode, a second electrode extending along at least two sides of the nanocable, and a photovoltaically active p-n junction formed between the nanocable and the second electrode. A photovoltaic array according to one embodiment includes a plurality of photovoltaic nanostructures as recited above. Methods for forming nanostructures are also presented.

US Patent:

20100112748, May 6, 2010

Filed:

Jul 24, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/508815

Inventors:

Ruxandra Vidu - Citrus Heights CA, US
Brian Argo - Hortonville WI, US
John Argo - West Sacramento CA, US
Pieter Stroeve - Davis CA, US
Saif Islam - Davis CA, US
Michael Chen - Cupertino CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/0296
H01L 31/18
H01L 31/0352

US Classification:

438 94, 438 98, 438 57, 257E3111, 257E31038, 257E31015, 977762

Abstract:

A method for forming a nanostructure according to one embodiment includes creating a hole in an insulating layer positioned over an electrically conductive layer; and forming a nanocable in the hole such that the nanocable extends through the hole in the insulating layer and protrudes therefrom, the nanocable being in communication with the electrically conductive layer. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

US Patent:

20100319759, Dec 23, 2010

Filed:

Jun 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/820842

Inventors:

John Fisher - Folsom CA, US
Larry Bawden - El Dorado Hills CA, US
Vincent Evelsizer - Folsom CA, US
Brian Argo - Greenville WI, US
John Argo - West Sacramento CA, US
Ruxandra Vidu - Citrus Heights CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/02
H01L 31/18

US Classification:

136252, 438 64, 977762, 257E31033

Abstract:

Nanostructures and photovoltaic structures are disclosed. Method for creating nanostructures are also presented. A method according to one embodiment includes adding a template to a substrate; depositing conductive material in the template thereby forming an array of conductive nanocables on the substrate; removing at least part of the template; and depositing at least one layer of photovoltaic material on exposed portions of the conductive nanocables. A nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of nanocables extending from a substrate, the array of nanocables having physical characteristics of having been formed using an at least partially removed template; an insulating layer extending along the substrate; and at least one layer of photovoltaic material overlaying portions of the nanocables.

US Patent:

20110036395, Feb 17, 2011

Filed:

Oct 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/911657

Inventors:

Brian Argo - Hortonville WI, US
Ruxandra Vidu - Citrus Heights CA, US
Pieter Stroeve - Davis CA, US
John Argo - West Sacramento CA, US
Saif Islam - Davis CA, US
Michael Chen - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents Of The University Of California - Oakland CA
Q1 Nanosystems, Inc. - Sacramento CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/0236
C23C 28/00
C23C 14/34
B32B 3/00
H01L 31/04
C30B 25/00
C30B 11/00
C25F 3/00
C23F 1/00

US Classification:

136255, 205188, 2041921, 428687, 428400, 136252, 117 87, 117 11, 205640, 216 24

Abstract:

A method for creating a nanostructure according to one embodiment includes depositing material in a template for forming an array of nanocables; removing only a portion of the template such that the template forms an insulating layer between the nanocables; and forming at least one layer over the nanocables. A nanostructure according to one embodiment includes a nanocable having a roughened outer surface and a solid core. A nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of nanocables each having a roughened outer surface and a solid core, the roughened outer surface including reflective cavities; and at least one layer formed over the roughened outer surfaces of the nanocables, the at least one layer creating a photovoltaically active p-n junction. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

US Patent:

20130186452, Jul 25, 2013

Filed:

Dec 19, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/720142

Inventors:

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - OAKLAND CA, US
Pieter STROEVE - Davis CA, US
John ARGO - West Sacramento CA, US

Assignee:

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - OAKLAND CA
Q1 NANOSYSTEMS, INC. - Sacramento CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/0352

US Classification:

136249

Abstract:

Nanostructures and photovoltaic structures are disclosed. A nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of nanocables extending from a substrate, the nanocables in the array being characterized as having a spacing and surface texture defined by inner surfaces of voids of a template; an electrically insulating layer extending along the substrate; and at least one layer overlaying the nanocables. A nanostructure according to another embodiment includes a substrate; a portion of a template extending along the substrate, the template being electrically insulative; an array of nanocables extending from the template, portions of the nanocables protruding from the template being characterized as having a spacing, shape, and surface texture defined by previously-present inner surface of voids of the template; and at least one layer overlaying the nanocables.

US Patent:

20130189810, Jul 25, 2013

Filed:

Dec 19, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/720168

Inventors:

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - OAKLAND CA, US
Pieter STROEVE - Davis CA, US
John ARGO - West Sacramento CA, US

Assignee:

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - OAKLAND CA
Q1 NANOSYSTEMS, INC. - Sacramento CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/18

US Classification:

438 80, 977762, 977891, 977948

Abstract:

Nanostructures and photovoltaic structures are disclosed. A nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of nanocables extending from a substrate, the nanocables in the array being characterized as having a spacing and surface texture defined by inner surfaces of voids of a template; an electrically insulating layer extending along the substrate; and at least one layer overlaying the nanocables. A nanostructure according to another embodiment includes a substrate; a portion of a template extending along the substrate, the template being electrically insulative; an array of nanocables extending from the template, portions of the nanocables protruding from the template being characterized as having a spacing, shape, and surface texture defined by previously-present inner surface of voids of the template; and at least one layer overlaying the nanocables.