Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making interconnected solar cells, including: a) providing a continuous layer stack on a substrate, including a top electrode layer, a bottom electrode layer adjacent to the substrate, a photovoltaic active layer and a barrier layer adjacent to the bottom electrode layer between the top and bottom electrode layers; b) selectively removing the top electrode layer and the photo-voltaic layer for obtaining a first trench exposing the barrier layer using a first laser beam with a first wavelength; c) selectively removing the barrier layer and the bottom electrode layer within the first trench for obtaining a second trench exposing the substrate using a second laser beam with a second wavelength, d) filling the first trench and the second trench with electrical insulating member. The first wavelength of the first laser beam is larger than a wavelength corresponding with a bandgap energy of the photo-voltaic layer.

Abstract: A process for altering the composition of a feed gas containing H2S equivalents is disclosed. The process comprises (a) contacting the feed gas with a solid adsorbent at a temperature of 250-500° C., to obtain a loaded adsorbent, (b) purging the loaded adsorbent with a purge gas comprising steam, thus producing a product stream which typically contains substantially equal levels of CO2 and H2S. The process further comprises a step (c) of regenerating the purged adsorbent by removal of water. The adsorbent comprises alumina and one or more alkali metals, such as potassium oxides, hydroxide or the like.

Abstract: Method of making an array of interconnected solar cells, including a) providing a continuous layer stack (1) of a prescribed thickness on a substrate (8), the layer stack (1) including an upper (2) and a lower (3) conductive layer having a photoactive layer (4) and a semiconducting electron transport layer (6) interposed there between; b) selectively removing the upper conductive layer (2) and the photoactive layer (4) for obtaining a contact hole (10) exposing the semiconducting electron transport layer (6); c) selectively heating the layer stack (1) to a first depth (d1) for obtaining a first heat affected zone (12) at a first center-to-center distance (s1) from the contact hole (10), the first heat affected zone (12) being transformed into a substantially insulating region with substantially the first depth (d1) in the layer stack, thereby locally providing an increased electrical resistivity to the layer stack (1).

Abstract: A thermo-acoustic device for transferring energy by an acoustic wave, includes a resonator; a source for generating the acoustic wave; a thermodynamic section that forms an acoustic network and includes a compliance volume, a thermo-acoustic core and a fluidic inertia. The thermodynamic section is situated between the resonator and the source. The thermo-acoustic core is within the thermodynamic section and includes a cold terminal, a hot terminal and a regenerator. The regenerator is positioned between the hot and cold terminals. The source includes a piston compressor. The compressor is arranged as a mechanical double acting reciprocating piston compressor with a first outlet for a pressure wave generated on one side of the piston and a second outlet for a pressure wave generated on the other side of the piston. The first outlet is coupled with a first thermodynamic section, and the second outlet coupled with a second thermodynamic section.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a concentration of a gas component in a gas includes a flow generating device, a first conduit, a second conduit, and an electrochemical detector configured for sensing the gas component concentration in the gas. The first and second conduits are arranged in parallel, and the flow generating device is connected with an inlet of the first conduit and an inlet of the second conduit. The flow generating device is arranged for generating a gas flow in each of the conduits. The measuring device is arranged to alternately couple either an outlet of the first conduit or an outlet of the second conduit to an inlet of the detector, wherein the first conduit is provided with a reactant for absorbing or stripping the gas component.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a front floating emitter type solar cell includes providing a silicon substrate of a first or second conductivity type with a front surface and a rear surface; creating a tunneling oxide layer on the rear surface of the silicon substrate; depositing a polysilicon layer on at least the rear surface; creating a doped area of the first conductivity type in an area part of the polysilicon layer on the rear surface; forming in or on the front surface a doped layer of the second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. In the area part of the polysilicon layer on the rear surface, a concentration of the impurity of the first conductivity type is larger than a concentration of the impurity of the second conductivity type, and the area part of the polysilicon layer on the rear surface has conductivity of the first conductivity type.

Abstract: The invention provides a membrane suitable for dewatering acidic mixtures, comprising a bridged organosilica directly applied on a macroporous support in the absence of an intermediate mesoporous or finer layer. The bridged organic silica comprises divalent C1-C9 organic groups A2 and/or trivalent C1-C9 organic groups A3 directly bound to the silicon atoms of the organosilica. In particular, the membrane comprises bis-silylmethane or bis-silylethane groups. The membranes effectively separate water from acidic mixtures at high temperatures and without decrease in performance for at least several months.

Abstract: Rotor blade for a wind turbine, including a main blade part (4) with a blade tip (8). The blade tip (8) results in a blade tip vortex downstream of the rotor blade (1) during operation. The blade tip (8) includes a vortex de-stabilizer (7) which is configured to de-stabilize the blade tip vortex during operation of the rotor blade (1). Furthermore, a wind turbine field including a plurality of wind turbines positioned in a grid. One or more wind turbines on a boundary of the predetermined grid (e.g. a front row of the grid) are provided with at least one such rotor blade (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process and system for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from a feedstock comprising H2 and COx, wherein x=1-2. The process according to the invention comprises (a) subjecting the gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas originating from step (c) to DME synthesis by contacting it with a catalyst capable of converting synthesis gas to DME to obtain a gaseous mixture comprising DME; (b) subjecting a gaseous mixture comprising the gaseous mixture originating from step (a) to a separation-enhanced reverse water gas shift reaction; and (c) subjecting the gaseous mixture originating from step (b) to DME/synthesis gas separation to obtain DME and a gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas, which is recycled to step (a). Herein, the feedstock is introduced in step (a) or step (b) and the molar ratio of H2 to COx in the gaseous mixture which is subjected to step (b) is at least (x+0.8). Also a system for performing the reaction according to the invention is disclosed.

Abstract: A tandem solar cell includes a top solar cell and a bottom solar cell. The top solar cell and the bottom solar cell each have a respective front surface and a rear surface, with the respective front surfaces being adapted for facing a radiation source during use. The top solar cell is arranged with its rear surface overlying the front surface of the bottom solar cell. The top solar cell includes a photovoltaic absorber layer with a bandgap greater than that of crystalline silicon. The bottom solar cell includes a crystalline silicon substrate. On at least a portion of the front surface of the bottom solar cell a passivating layer stack is disposed which includes a thin dielectric film and a secondary layer of either selective carrier extracting material or polysilicon. The thin dielectric film is arranged between the silicon substrate and the secondary layer.

Abstract: Photovoltaic module with a negative terminal (5) and a positive terminal (6), and a parallel connection (3, 4) of m sub-modules (2) connected to the negative and the positive terminal (5, 6) of the photovoltaic module (1). Each of the m sub-modules (2) has a string of n series-connected back-contact cells (9), wherein the n cells (9) of each sub-module (2) are arranged in an array. The parallel connection (3, 4) and connections (8) for each string of n series-connected back contact cells (9) are provided in a back conductive sheet, and the back conductive sheet comprises designated areas (7) for the parallel connection (3, 4), corresponding to edge parts of each corresponding sub-module (2).

Abstract: Solar cell arrangement of a thin film solar cell array on a substrate; each solar cell being layered with a bottom electrode, a photovoltaic active layer, a top electrode and an insulating layer. A first trench and a second trench parallel to the first trench at a first side, separate a first solar cell and an adjacent second solar cell. The first and second trenches are filled with insulating material. The first trench extends to the substrate. The second trench extends into the photovoltaic active layer below the top electrode. A third trench extending to the bottom electrode is between the first and second trench. A fourth trench extending to the top electrode is at a second side of the first trench. The third and fourth trench are filled with conductive material. A conductive bridge connects the third trench and the fourth trench across the first trench.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a process for fractionating lignocellulosic biomass for the purpose of reducing processing costs, increasing delignification, reducing side-reactions, in particular reducing hemicelluloses degradation, improving cellulose hydrolysis and increasing the nativity of the obtained lignin, by performing organosolv fractionation of the biomass with a treatment liquid at a temperature below 170° C., wherein the treatment liquid comprises a non-hydroxylic organic solvent, in particular a ketone, water and some acid, and optionally subjecting the cellulose-enriched product stream to enzymatic hydrolysis.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing apparatus and method for producing an object layer by layer. The apparatus has a slurry applicator (5) for providing a layer of slurry (3) with a predetermined thickness (d1). The slurry (3) is a suspension containing a liquid and particles eventually forming the object, and has between 10 and 70 volume % of particle content. A particle connection unit (7) is operative on the layer of slurry (3) to execute a single step particle connection process before applying a new layer of the slurry (3).

Abstract: Back side connection layer for a photo-voltaic module with a plurality of PV-cells. The PV-cells are of a type having a plurality of back side contacts. A by-pass diode connection path is formed in the back side connection layer along an edge direction of two adjacent cells with a straight or meandering pattern around outer contacts of the plurality of back side contacts of the two adjacent cells.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing apparatus for providing a three dimensional object, and method for additive manufacturing of a three dimensional object (5). An exposure unit (11) is arranged to cure a layer of slurry onto an object (5) being formed, and a substrate (2) is arranged to receive a predetermined amount of slurry (4) and to position the predetermined amount of slurry (4) to an exposure position associated with the exposure unit (11). The substrate (2) comprises a slurry repellant layer (3) on a surface of the substrate (2). An object holder is provided for holding the object (5) being formed, and the object holder is arranged to press the object (5) being formed towards the substrate (2) into the predetermined amount of slurry (4) until a desired thickness of the layer for a next additive manufacturing step is reached.

Abstract: The aerodynamic element has a cross section in an airflow direction with a trailing edge (10c). The aerodynamic element (10) further includes a non-symmetrical swallow tail shaped cavity body (1, 2) attached to the trailing edge (10c) of the aerodynamic element (10). The aerodynamic element (10) is e.g. applied in a rotor blade for a wind turbine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for separating lignin and monomeric sugars from a liquor comprising lignin and monomeric sugars in a solvent mixture of water and at least one organic solvent, which employs membrane filtration techniques such as nanofiltration and selective water removal, preferably by permeation through a membrane which is selective for water molecules. The invention further relates to a modular system for executing the process according to the invention. The process and system according to the invention are particularly suitable to be incorporated with pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass, in particular by organosolv fractionation or solvolysis.

Abstract: Known photovoltaic cells with wrap through connections have output terminals of both polarities on its back surface, one of which is coupled to the front surface via the wrap through connections. The invented solar cell is manufactured by creating an emitter layer on the back surface. Electrode material is applied in mutually separate first and second areas on the back surface. The electrode material in the first area contacts the emitter. The second area covers a surrounding of a hole that provides for the connection on the back surface. The electrode material in the second area lies on the emitter and around the second area the emitter is interrupted by a trench. On the front surface a further area of electrode material is applied over the hole. If necessary the electrode material in the second area on the back surface is applied on a supporting surface that is substantially electrically isolated from current flowing laterally through the emitter layer underneath the first area.

Abstract: Solar cell arrangement of a thin film solar cell array on a substrate; each solar cell being layered with a bottom electrode, a photovoltaic active layer, a top electrode and an insulating layer. A first trench and a second trench parallel to the first trench at a first side, separate a first solar cell and an adjacent second solar cell. The first and second trenches are filled with insulating material. The first trench extends to the substrate. The second trench extends into the photovoltaic active layer below the top electrode. A third trench extending to the bottom electrode is between the first and second trench. A fourth trench extending to the top electrode is at a second side of the first trench. The third and fourth trench are filled with conductive material. A conductive bridge connects the third trench and the fourth trench across the first trench.