Abstract: Methods of making a solid-state electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions are provided that include applying a liquid metal composition comprising gallium to a first major surface of either a solid-state electrolyte or a solid electrode (e.g., lithium metal) in the presence of an oxidant and in an environment substantially free of water to reduce surface tension of the liquid metal composition so that it forms a continuous layer over the first major surface. The first major surface having the continuous layer of liquid metal composition is contacted with a second major surface to form a continuous interfacial layer between the solid-state electrolyte and the solid electrode. Solid-state electrochemical cells formed by such methods are also provided, where the metal composition comprising gallium is a liquid in a temperature range of greater than or equal to about 20° C. to less than or equal to about 30° C.

Abstract: An insulated heat transfer substrate includes a heat transfer layer formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a conductive layer provided on one surface side of the heat transfer layer, and a glass layer formed between the conductive layer and the heat transfer layer, in which the conductive layer is formed of a sintered body of silver, and a thickness of the glass layer is in a range of 5 ?m or larger and 50 ?m or smaller.

Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method implementing the following steps: a) observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker (1) substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker (1), depending on the observed cloud coverage; (c) predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; d) calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; e) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker (1) according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle. The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an all-solid-state lithium ion secondary battery being excellent in cycle characteristics. The all-solid-state lithium ion secondary battery may be an all-solid-state lithium ion secondary battery, wherein an anode comprises an anode active material, an electroconductive material and a solid electrolyte; wherein the anode active material comprises at least one active material selected from the group consisting of a metal that is able to form an alloy with Li, an oxide of the metal, and an alloy of the metal and Li; and wherein a bulk density of the solid electrolyte is 0.3 g/cm3 or more and 0.6 g/cm3 or less.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a solar cell having high durability against deterioration due to moisture ingress from the side surfaces. The solar cell 10 of the present invention includes: first and second electrodes 12 and 17; a perovskite layer 14 provided between the first and second electrodes 12 and 17 and containing an organic-inorganic perovskite compound (A) represented by the formula RMX3 where R is an organic molecule, M is a metal atom, and X is a halogen atom; and a side-surface-protecting layer 15 provided on a peripheral side of the perovskite layer 14 to coat at least part of a side surface of the perovskite layer 14, the side-surface-protecting layer 15 containing at least one selected from the group consisting of a metal halide (B1) and an organometal halide (B2) or containing an organohalide (C).

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion material consists of a non-doped sintered body of a magnesium-based compound, in which an electric resistance value is 1.0×10?4 ?·m or less. The magnesium-based compound is preferably one or more selected from a MgSi-based compound, a MgSn-based compound, a MgSiSn-based compound, and a MgSiGe-based compound.

Abstract: A new class of thermoelectric and energy conversion apparatus, that enhances the efficiency of converting one form of energy to another using a wide range of energy conversion materials. The new method of stimulating greater electrical conversion using polymers and thermoelectric composite materials that have unique properties similar to commercial superconductors. The invention entails processes that create and interconnect the superconducting polymer layers through an assembly lowering internal resistance, impeding phonon conduction and stimulating increase in electron flow through the device with increased electrical power. The invention includes the use of dopants that are mixed with a polymer solution to build superconducting polymer connections between the thermoelectric device layers.

Abstract: An electrochemical device has a laminated body including: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and a solid electrolyte sandwiched between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the laminated body contains water, a content of the water contained in the laminated body is 0.001 mass % or more and less than 0.3 mass % with respect to the laminated body, a part of the water is a bound water bonding with a constituent of the laminated body, and a ratio of the bound water in the water is 50% or more and 90% or less.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a negative electrode mixture layer which contains a first region located in a flat part of an electrode body and second regions located in a pair of curved parts of the electrode body, the ratio (B/A) of the packing density (B) in each of the second regions to the packing density (A) in the first region being 0.75 or more and 0.95 or less. Further, in a section passing through the center in the axial direction of the electrode body and being perpendicular to the axial direction, the ratio (SB/SA) of the sectional area (SB) of the pair of curved parts to the sectional area (SA) of the flat part is 0.28 or more and 0.32 or less.

Abstract: System and method for controlling a photovoltaic installation (1), comprising a plurality of solar trackers (8), comprising a plurality of PV panels (9), rotatable around a rotation axis (5), arranged in several parallel rows at a given distance. Each solar tracker (8) has two antennas (2, 3) and at least one tracker controller. An external control unit (4) is connected to the solar trackers (8) of a central head-tracker row (20), which then communicates through a wireless bidirectional network (7), with the sub-tracker rows (30) using only one of the antennas (2, 3). A processing unit in each tracker controller executes an algorithm to determine which antenna (2, 3) is in an optimal position to transmit data or receive orders, requiring data of at least: an angular position and a strength and quality measurement of a radiofrequency signal, of each antenna for each solar tracker (8).

Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of photovoltaic module technology, and provide a photovoltaic frame, a photovoltaic module and a method for manufacturing the photovoltaic frame. The photovoltaic frame comprises: a top support portion, a bottom support portion and a transverse edge portion. The top support portion and the transverse edge portion enclose a holding slot, and the top support portion has a bearing surface facing the holding slot. The bottom support portion is arranged opposite to the top support portion, and the transverse edge portion is located at one side of the top support portion away from the bottom support portion. The photovoltaic frame is molded by a carbon steel sheet material after processing.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes: an electrode; a double layer stacked on a thermoelectric pellet; and a solder layer interposed between the double layer and the electrode to bond the double layer to the electrode, the solder layer containing a Sn—Cu-based alloy. The solder layer is formed to have an interface with one of the double layer and the electrode and has at least one ? layer having an ? phase (Cu3Sn).

Abstract: A silicon based micro-structured material and methods are shown. In one example, the silicon based micro-structured material includes a carbon coating. In one example, the silicon based micro-structured material is used as an electrode in a battery, such as a lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte material comprises Li, T, X and A wherein T is at least one of P, As, Si, Ge, Al, and B; X is one or more halogens or N; A is one or more of S and Se. The solid electrolyte material has peaks at 17.8°±0.75° and 19.2°±0.75° in X-ray diffraction measurement with Cu-K?(1,2)=1.5418 ? and may include glass ceramic and/or mixed crystalline phases.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes an N-type thermoelectric material and a P-type thermoelectric material disposed so as to be spaced apart from the N-type thermoelectric material. A flexible electrode is electrically connected to the N-type thermoelectric material and the P-type thermoelectric material. The flexible electrode is configured to bend to match a curvature of an object, e.g., a steering wheel of a vehicle.

Abstract: A solar panel comprises a double-glass photovoltaic module mounted in a frame. The double-glass photovoltaic module comprises a plurality of solar cells embedded between a front glass sheet and a rear glass sheet. The rear glass sheet exhibits a larger extension than the front glass sheet, in at least two spatial directions, as measured in the rear glass sheet plane. The frame comprises a clamping element clamping only the rear glass sheet and not the front glass sheet of the double-glass photovoltaic module. The front glass sheet is either flush with a plane defined by inner edges of a front face of the frame or protrudes beyond the front face of the frame.

Abstract: Intermittent energy sources, including solar and wind, require scalable, low-cost, multi-hour energy storage solutions to be effectively incorporated into the grid. Redox-flow batteries offer a solution, but suffer from rapid capacity fade and low Coulombic efficiency due to the high permeability of redox-active species across the battery's membrane. Here we show that active-species crossover can be arrested by scaling the membrane's pore size to molecular dimensions and in turn increasing the size of the active material to be above the membrane's pore-size exclusion limit. When oligomeric redox-active organic molecules were paired with microporous polymer membranes, the rate of active-material crossover was either completely blocked or slowed more than 9,000-fold compared to traditional separators at minimal cost to ionic conductivity. In the case of the latter, this corresponds to an absolute rate of ROM crossover of less than 3 ?mol cm?2 day?1 (for a 1.

Abstract: A heliostat includes an optical member (e.g., a mirror), a mounting frame under the optical member, a support stand and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly allows the optical member to pivot about two orthogonal directions relative to the support stand. A drive mechanism adjusts one or both of an elevation angle and a roll angle of the optical member.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a rechargeable battery cell having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte, which comprises a conducting salt, and a separator, which is arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The negative electrode and the positive electrode are each an insertion electrode. The electrolyte is based on SO2. The separator comprises a separator layer which is an organic polymer separator layer. The thickness of the organic polymer separator layer, relative to the loading of the positive insertion electrode with active material per unit area, is less than 0.25 mm3/mg.

Abstract: A positive electrode mix, a positive electrode, and a lithium secondary battery, each including the positive electrode mix, are provided. Specifically, the positive electrode mix includes lithium peroxide (Li2O2) and platinum (Pt), thereby effectively counterbalancing an irreversible capacity imbalance between both electrodes and further increasing the initial charge capacity of the positive electrode.