Patent No. 9,293,266

Description:
This patent uses heavy crudes directly as photovoltaic devices and uses components of heavy crudes to construct photovoltaic cells, recycling waste products from oil refining.

Abstract:
Photovoltaic devices and methods of making the same, are disclosed herein. The cell comprises a photovoltaic device that comprises a first electrically conductive layer comprising a photo-sensitized electrode; at least one photoelectrochemical layer comprising metal-oxide particles, an electrolyte solution comprising at least one asphaltene fraction, wherein the metal-oxide particles are optionally dispersed in a surfactant; and a second electrically conductive layer comprising a counter-electrode, wherein the second electrically conductive layer comprises one or more conductive elements comprising carbon, graphite, soot, carbon allotropes or any combinations thereof.


UTEP Docket No: 2009-016