Abstract: Thermoelectric generator elements and associated circuit elements are simultaneously formed using a common semiconductor device fabrication process to provide an integrated circuit including a dynamically reconfigurable thermoelectric generator array on a common chip or die substrate. A switch logic circuit formed together with the thermoelectric generator elements is configured to control series and parallel connections of the thermoelectric generator elements is the array in response to changes in circuit demand or changes in the available ambient energy source. In an example implementation, the number of generators connected in series may be varied dynamically to provide a stable voltage source, and the number of generators connected in parallel may be varied dynamically to provide a stable current source.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for converting heat dissipated from a pipe of a refrigeration cycle into electric power. The pipe has an outer surface from which heat dissipates. The apparatus comprises at least one TEG receptacle for installing a thermoelectric generator therein, the TEG receptacle comprising a cold side and a hot side. The apparatus further comprises at least one conductive body in thermal contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the pipe and adapted to conduct the heat from the outer surface of the pipe to the hot side of at least one TEG receptacle. The apparatus further comprises one heat sink for each one of the at least one TEG receptacle, in thermal contact with the cold side thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic-photothermal reaction complementary full-spectrum solar utilization system, comprising: a waveband thermal reactor having a reactant flow channel and a reaction chamber therein, a photovoltaic cell attached to a surface of the waveband thermal reactor, and a full spectrum concentrator configured to concentrate full spectrum sunlight onto a surface of the photovoltaic cell, wherein the full spectrum concentrating device concentrates the full spectrum sunlight onto a upper surface of the opaque or transmissive photovoltaic cell, wherein a portion of the sunlight is converted into electric energy and another portion of the sunlight is converted into thermal energy, and wherein the thermal energy is utilized by the waveband thermal reactor to preheat reactant(s) in the reaction chamber and to make a portion of the reactant(s) to undergo an endothermic chemical reaction such that the thermal energy is stored as chemical energy.

Abstract: Lateral multi-junction photovoltaic cells, devices, and methods of fabrication are provided. The photovoltaic cells include a plurality of photovoltaic subcells mechanically stacked together in a stack. Each photovoltaic subcell includes a subcell substrate, and a light absorption structure associated with the substrate. Each light absorption structure is optimized for a respective defined spectral range of incoming radiation, with the light absorption structures of multiple subcells of the plurality of photovoltaic subcells being optimized for different spectral ranges, and being offset in the stack relative to an optical axis to avoid overlap. The photovoltaic cell further includes a spectrally-dispersive optical element, with the photovoltaic subcells in the stack being respectively located and aligned relative to the optical element based, at least in part, on the respective spectral ranges of the subcells' light absorption structures.

Abstract: A light-heat gathering solar energy device belonging to the energy device, which is a device for decreasing the area occupied by the solar energy device and increasing the light-heat absorbing efficiency of the sun light, comprising: a bracket structure, which is a structural member having a hollow body; at least one solar energy absorbing device disposed within the hollow body of said bracket structure, the hollow body is formed by the container wall having a geometry structure of upper-wide lower-narrow shape, and at least one cup-shaped bottom structure is disposed therein, said container wall is composed of an outer wall and an inner wall, said outer wall is made of a light-heat absorbing material, said inner wall is made of a light reflecting material, allowing invisible light to penetrate, inward and downward reflection is enabled in the energy absorbing device through the inner wall when the sun light irradiates from the top to the bottom such that the light-heat energy gathering effect is produced wit

Abstract: In a known method in which a cooling pipe that is fixed and rigid is used, variation in a distance from the center of an exhaust heat pipe to the outer surface of a thermoelectric conversion module, variation in the radius of curvature of the curved surface of a cooling pipe, and other factors produce a gap between the outer surface of the thermoelectric conversion module and the inside surface of the cooling pipe. The gap prevents the achievement of desired cooling performance and the improvement of power generation efficiency. A thermoelectric conversion module of the present invention includes two flexible substrates each made of a thin resin film and having mounting lands formed thereon, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements mounted on the mounting lands at high density, wherein one of the two flexible substrate has a plurality of slits to make the module easy to bend.

Abstract: A solar cell and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The solar cell includes a substrate, an emitter layer at a front surface of the substrate, a first anti-reflection layer on the emitter layer, a back surface field layer at a back surface of the substrate, and a second anti-reflection layer on the back surface field layer. The first anti-reflection layer and the second anti-reflection layer overlap may each other.

Abstract: A rapidly deployed photovoltaic (PV) apparatus (2) providing a PV array (10) housed within an easily transportable standardized container. The PV array (10) is movable between a stowed position in a V-shape configuration and a fully deployed flat position. Dual function hydraulic cylinders are provided for movement of the array (10) in the fully deployed position and movement of the container when the array (10) is in the stowed position. Solar tracking of the array (10) is facilitated by linear compensation translators which are attachable to the hydraulic cylinders upon full deployment. A retractable roof structure is provided which allows trickle charging to occur when the array (10) is in the V-shaped stowed position.

Abstract: Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via pairs or left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors having spring latch assemblies. The left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors have orientation projections that couple with and extend into the interior body of the torque tube. The orientation projections on the spring latch assemblies of each pair of left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connector allow for the photovoltaic array connectors to fit over and settle on a torque tube, and thereby support and mount a photovoltaic module as part of a solar tracker array.

Abstract: An integrated circuit has thermoelectric cooling devices integrated into bondpads. A method for operating the integrated circuit includes turning a thermal switch to a thermoelectric cooler operate position when the integrated circuit is powered up, turning the thermal switch to a thermoelectric cooler operate position to allow the thermoelectric cooler to operate when the integrated circuit powers down, and turning the thermal switch to a thermoelectric cooler off position when a predetermined integrated circuit chip temperature is reached.

Abstract: On a projected plane in parallel to the main surface of the solar cell module 100, an output interconnection 10 includes: a first output interconnection section 10a arranged along an conductive member 4 in a power non-generating field; and a second output interconnection section 10b leading to the first output interconnection section 10a in a power generating section X.

Abstract: Double groove diffraction gratings are used in combination with various types of photoelectrodes including dye-sensitized and organic photoelectrodes to increase absorption efficiency as well as to provide one or more of a variety of functions including transparency and reflectivity.

Abstract: A fluid cooled photovoltaic module in which a polymer heat exchanger transfers heat from the photovoltaic module to a circulated fluid. The photovoltaic module is maintained at a cool temperature enabling increased power output while the heat transferred to the circulated fluid can be useful for applications that require heat. A polymer heat exchanger is specifically utilized to achieve a robust design that is cost effective; high performance; easily adaptable to various photovoltaic module types and sizes; compatible with conventional photovoltaic module balance of systems; light weight; resistant to water sanitizers and other chemicals; resistant to lime-scale buildup and heat exchanger fouling; corrosion resistant; easily transported, assembled, installed, and maintained; and leverages high production manufacturing methods.

Abstract: A solar panel array assembly is provided that is adapted to transition between a stowed condition in which at least two solar panels are stacked and a deployed condition in which the solar panels are unstacked relative to the stowed condition and that exhibits a low-profile when in the stowed condition. In one embodiment, the assembly includes at least two solar panels, a flexible hinge connecting and extending between the panels that allows relative rotation of the panels to one another, a torsion bar for providing the force for causing the rotation of the panels for the transition between the stowed and deployed conditions, and a truss structure that transitions from a relatively flat, inoperative state when the panels are stowed to an operative state for use with deployed panels.

Abstract: The present specification relates to a heterocyclic compound and an organic solar cell including the same.

Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) cell structures are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a PV cell includes an emitter layer, a base layer adjacent to the emitter layer, and a back surface field (BSF) layer adjacent to the base layer. The BSF layer includes a first layer, and a second layer adjacent to the first layer. The first layer includes a first material and the second layer includes a second material different than the first material.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to the use of graphene as a transparent conductive coating (TCC). In certain example embodiments, graphene thin films grown on large areas hetero-epitaxially, e.g., on a catalyst thin film, from a hydrocarbon gas (such as, for example, C2H2, CH4, or the like). The graphene thin films of certain example embodiments may be doped or undoped. In certain example embodiments, graphene thin films, once formed, may be lifted off of their carrier substrates and transferred to receiving substrates, e.g., for inclusion in an intermediate or final product. Graphene grown, lifted, and transferred in this way may exhibit low sheet resistances (e.g., less than 150 ohms/square and lower when doped) and high transmission values (e.g., at least in the visible and infrared spectra).

Abstract: A solar electricity generator including an array of photovoltaic power generating elements, and a single continuous smooth solar reflecting surface, the surface being arranged to reflect light from the sun onto the array of photovoltaic power generating elements, wherein the flux per area at a point of minimum flux per area on the array is approximately 75% of the flux per area at a point of maximum flux per area, the intercept factor of the array is at least 70%, and the optical fill factor of the array is at least 60%.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The thermoelectric device includes a middle substrate, electrodes, N-type thermopiles, and P-type thermopiles, in which the N-type thermopile and the P-type thermopile are electrically connected to each other by the electrodes in series. The thermoelectric device includes further includes an upper substrate bonded to an upper surface of the middle substrate and a lower substrate bonded to a lower surface of the substrate, such that a temperature difference is provided between opposite sides of each of the N-type thermopiles and the P-type thermopiles.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for injection of analytes into a separation channel for resolution and detection. Samples can be preconditioned and concentrated by isotachophoresis (ITP) before the injection is triggered by a detected voltage event. Separation of analytes from other sample constituents can be enhanced using skewing channel ITP.