Abstract: A solar panel can include at least one solar cell having a first surface and a second surface facing in mutually opposing directions; a first substrate disposed on the first surface of the at least one solar cell; a first encapsulant disposed between the first substrate and the at least one solar cell; a second substrate disposed on the second surface; and a second encapsulant disposed between the second substrate and the at least one solar cell, in which the second substrate includes a steel plate or fiber reinforced plastic.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a multifunctional composite panel is disclosed. The method can include forming a plurality of structural layers, and forming a plurality of photovoltaic layers adjacent the plurality of structural layers. Forming the plurality of structural layers can include forming alternating layers of a conductive organic material and an inorganic material. Forming the alternating layers can include forming a first layer from the conductive organic material, and forming a second layer adjacent the first layer from the inorganic material. The multifunctional composite panel can have a thickness of from about 1 mm to about 30 mm.

Abstract: A solar power system includes a plurality of solar power cells mounted on an outer surface of a spherical frame, the spherical frame including an inner surface that defines an interior volume; at least one magnet mounted adjacent the outer surface of the spherical frame or within the interior volume of the spherical frame and configured to generate a magnetic field within the interior volume; and a magnetized heat transfer fluid disposed and flowable within the interior volume of the spherical frame based, at least in part, on an amount of heat transferred from the outer surface of the spherical frame into the magnetized heat transfer fluid and the magnetic field.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell including a semiconductor substrate, a protective-film layer on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, a polycrystalline semiconductor layer over the protective-film layer, a first conductive area formed by selectively doping the semiconductor layer with a first conductive dopant, a second conductive area doped with a second conductive dopant and located between neighboring portions of the first conductive area, an undoped barrier area located between the first conductive area and the second conductive area, a first electrode connected to the first conductive area, and a second electrode connected to the second conductive area. Each of the first conductive area and the second conductive area includes a second crystalline area having a crystalline structure different from that of the barrier area, and the second crystalline areas of the first and second conductive areas include a second polycrystalline area and a fourth crystalline area having different depths.

Abstract: An attachment member attaches a bicycle battery pack to a frame of a bicycle. The attachment member includes a coupling member and a lock. The coupling member restricts movement of the bicycle battery pack relative to the frame while the attachment member is in an attachment state in which the battery pack is attached to the frame. The coupling member extends through a first frame portion of the frame and coupled to a first housing portion of the housing while the attachment member is in the attachment state. The lock is provided on the coupling member and switchable between a restriction state that restricts movement of the coupling member relative to the housing and the frame, and a release state that permits movement of the coupling member relative to the housing and the frame while the attachment member is in the attachment state.

Abstract: In one aspect, semiconductor structures are described herein. A semiconductor structure, in some implementations, comprises a first semiconductor layer having a first bandgap and a first lattice constant and a second semiconductor layer having a second bandgap and a second lattice constant. The second lattice constant is lower than the first lattice constant. Additionally, a transparent metamorphic buffer layer is disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The buffer layer has a constant or substantially constant bandgap and a varying lattice constant. The varying lattice constant is matched to the first lattice constant adjacent the first semiconductor layer and matched to the second lattice constant adjacent the second semiconductor layer. The buffer layer comprises a first portion comprising AlyGazIn(1-y-z)As and a second portion comprising GaxIn(1-x)P.

Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell having a first subcell made of an InGaAs compound. The first subcell has a first lattice constant and A second subcell has a second lattice constant. The first lattice constant is at least 0.008 ? greater than the second lattice constant. A metamorphic buffer is formed between the first subcell and the second subcell and has a sequence of at least three layers and a lattice constant increases from layer to layer in the sequence in the direction toward the first subcell. The lattice constants of the layers of the buffer are greater than the second lattice constant, and a layer of the metamorphic buffer has a third lattice constant that is greater than the first lattice constant. A number N of compensation layers for compensating the residual stress of the metamorphic buffer is formed between the metamorphic buffer and the first subcell.

Abstract: A plurality of finger electrodes are disposed on a surface of a photoelectric conversion layer 60 and extend in a first direction. The plurality of finger electrodes are arranged in a second direction in which an inter-cell wiring member adapted to be disposed on the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer extends. A height of each of those of the plurality of finger electrodes disposed toward ends in the second direction from a part of the photoelectric conversion layer where the inter-cell wiring member is adapted to be disposed is larger than a height of the finger electrode disposed at a center in the second direction from the part of the photoelectric conversion layer where the inter-cell wiring member is adapted to be disposed.

Abstract: A measuring method of measuring a concentration of a target ingredient in a sample by using a sensor including an interdigitated array electrode that includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and a reagent layer on the interdigitated array electrode, the measuring method includes: applying a voltage to between the first electrode and the second electrode; measuring a first current value of an electric current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode; measuring a second current value of the current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode; calculating the concentration of the target ingredient in the sample, based on a third current value; calculating a correction value, based on the first current value and the second current value; and a step of correcting the concentration of the target ingredient in the sample, based on the correction value.

Abstract: An electrochemical probe comprises a wire bundle including two or more wire electrodes made of conducting material arranged alongside each other, and insulating material surrounding the electrodes. An impedance reducing layer of metal or metal oxide nano-structures is deposited on tips of the wire electrodes at a first end of the bundle. A functionalization layer is deposited on the impedance reducing layer at the first end of the bundle. Such a probe is particularly useful for electrochemical sensing applications such as neuronal scanning.

Abstract: A solar power system includes a plurality of solar power cells mounted on an outer surface of a spherical frame, the spherical frame including an inner surface that defines an interior volume; a heat sink that includes a hollow housing mounted within the interior volume of the spherical frame; and a phase change material positioned in the hollow housing of the heat sink, the phase change material thermally coupled to the inner surface of the spherical frame to receive heat from the outer surface of the spherical frame.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device that includes an upper cell that absorbs a first range of wavelengths of light and a bottom cell that absorbs a second range of wavelengths of light. The bottom cell includes a heterojunction comprising a crystalline germanium containing (Ge) layer. At least one surface of the crystalline germanium (Ge) containing layer is in contact with a silicon (Si) containing layer having a larger band gap than the crystalline (Ge) containing layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a reagent composition having higher storage stability; a sensor involving the reagent composition; and others. According to the present invention, a specific heterocyclic compound is added to a reagent composition to improve the storage stability of the reagent composition and reduce the degree of fluctuation in current values in a sensor that utilizes reagent composition.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a novel photovoltaic solar cell system from photovoltaic modules that are vertically arrayed in a stack format using thin film semiconductors selected from among organic and inorganic thin film semiconductors. The stack cells may be cells that are produced in a planar manner, then vertically oriented in an angular form, also termed herein tilted, to maximize the light capturing aspects. The use of a stack configuration system as described herein allows for the use of a variety of electrode materials, such as transparent materials or semitransparent metals. Light concentration can be achieved by using fresnel lens, parabolic mirrors or derivatives of such structures. The light capturing can be controlled by being reflected back and forth in the photovoltaic system until significant quantities of the resonant light is absorbed.

Abstract: A system for supplying power to a portable battery pack including a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin using at least one solar panel is disclosed, wherein the pouch or skin can be provided in different colors and/or patterns. Further, the pouch or skin can be MOLLE-compatible. The battery comprises a battery element housed between a battery cover and a back plate, wherein the battery element, battery cover, and back plate have a slight curvature or contour. Further, the battery comprises flexible leads.

Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion element including a first electrode, a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, a first hole transport layer, and a second electrode, wherein the first hole transport layer includes at least one of basic compounds represented by general formula (1a) and general formula (1b) below: where in the formula (1a) or (1b), R1 and R2 represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or aromatic hydrocarbon group and may be identical or different, and R1 and R2 may bind with each other to form a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom.

Abstract: Provided is a nickel-containing composite hydroxide that is a precursor of a positive-electrode active material with which a nonaqueous-electrolyte secondary battery having a low irreversible capacity and a high energy density can be configured. An aqueous alkaline aqueous solution and a complexing agent are added to an mixed aqueous solution including at least nickel and cobalt to regulate the pH (measured at a reference liquid temperature of 25° C.) of this mixed aqueous solution to 11.0 to 13.0, the ammonium concentration to 4 to 15 g/L, and the reaction temperature to 20° C. to 45° C. Using stirring blades having an inclination angle of 20° to 60° with respect to a horizontal plane, the mixture is stirred to conduct a crystallization reaction under such conditions that when the nickel-containing composite hydroxide to be obtained is roasted in air at 800° C. for 2 hours, the roasted composite hydroxide has a BET value of 12 to 50 m2/g.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a reagent composition having higher storage stability; a sensor involving the reagent composition; and others. According to the present invention, a specific heterocyclic compound is added to a reagent composition to improve the storage stability of the reagent composition and reduce the degree of fluctuation in current values in a sensor that utilizes reagent composition.

Abstract: A solar cell stack having a first semiconductor solar cell that has a p-n junction of a first material with a first lattice constant, and having a second semiconductor solar cell that has a p-n junction of a second material with a second lattice constant. The first lattice constant is smaller than the second lattice constant. The solar cell stack has a metamorphic buffer that includes a sequence of a first, lower AlInGaAs or AlInGaP layer and a second, center AlInGaAs or AlInGaP layer, and a third, upper AlInGaAs or AlInGaP layer, and the metamorphic buffer is formed between the first semiconductor solar cell and the second semiconductor solar cell. The lattice constant in the metamorphic buffer changes along the thickness dimension of the metamorphic buffer, and the lattice constant and the In content increase and the Al content decreases between at least two layers of the metamorphic buffer.

Abstract: An electrolytic copper plating solution analyzer comprises an analysis container for accommodating a part of an electrolytic copper plating solution containing additives including a promoter, an inhibitor and a leveler, a working electrode immersed in the electrolytic copper plating solution accommodated in the analysis container, a reference electrode immersed in the electrolytic copper plating solution and used as a reference when a potential of the working electrode is determined, a counter electrode immersed in the electrolytic copper plating solution, a rotation drive unit for rotating the working electrode at a given speed, a current generation unit passing an electric current with a given current density between the working electrode and the counter electrode, a potential measurement unit for measuring the potential between the working electrode and the reference electrode, and an analysis unit for analyzing the relationship between an elapsed time after the current passage and the potential.