Abstract: A solar concentrator module (80) employs a luminescent concentrator material (82) between photovoltaic cells (86) having their charge-carrier separation junctions (90) parallel to front surfaces (88) of photovoltaic material 84 of the photovoltaic cells (86). Intercell areas (78) covered by the luminescent concentrator material (82) occupy from 2 to 50% of the total surface area of the solar concentrator modules (80). The luminescent concentrator material (82) preferably employs quantum dot heterostructures, and the photovoltaic cells (86) preferably employ low-cost high-efficiency photovoltaic materials (84), such as silicon-based photovoltaic materials.

Abstract: A solar concentrator module (80) employs a luminescent concentrator material (82) between photovoltaic cells (86) having their charge-carrier separation junctions (90) parallel to front surfaces (88) of photovoltaic material 84 of the photovoltaic cells (86). Intercell areas (78) covered by the luminescent concentrator material (82) occupy from 2 to 50% of the total surface area of the solar concentrator modules (80). The luminescent concentrator material (82) preferably employs quantum dot heterostructures, and the photovoltaic cells (86) preferably employ low-cost high-efficiency photovoltaic materials (84), such as silicon-based photovoltaic materials.

Abstract: A solar concentrator module (80) employs a luminescent concentrator material (82) between photovoltaic cells (86) having their charge-carrier separation junctions (90) parallel to front surfaces (88) of photovoltaic material 84 of the photovoltaic cells (86). Intercell areas (78) covered by the luminescent concentrator material (82) occupy from 2 to 50% of the total surface area of the solar concentrator modules (80). The luminescent concentrator material (82) preferably employs quantum dot heterostructures, and the photovoltaic cells (86) preferably employ low-cost high-efficiency photovoltaic materials (84), such as silicon-based photovoltaic materials.

Abstract: Lighting apparatus including a light emitting diode and a plurality of semiconductor structures. Each semiconductor structure includes a quantum dot comprising a nanocrystalline core comprising a first semiconductor material and a nanocrystalline shell comprising a second, different, semiconductor material at least partially surrounding the nanocrystalline core, the quantum dot having a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of at least 90%. An insulator layer encapsulates the quantum dot.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a nanocrystalline core of a first semiconductor material, a nanocrystalline shell of a second, different, semiconductor material at least partially surrounding the nanocrystalline core, and an insulator layer encapsulating the nanocrystalline shell and core, wherein an outer surface of the insulator layer is ligand-functionalized.

Abstract: Lighting apparatus including a light emitting diode and a plurality of semiconductor structures. Each semiconductor structure includes a quantum dot comprising a nanocrystalline core comprising a first semiconductor material and a nanocrystalline shell comprising a second, different, semiconductor material at least partially surrounding the nanocrystalline core, the quantum dot having a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of at least 90%. An insulator layer encapsulates the quantum dot.

Abstract: Photovoltaic cells (22) of different materials may be integrated at the network (20) or panel level to optimize independent and cooperative efficiencies and manufacturing techniques of the different materials. The sizes and numbers of the photovoltaic cells (22) in the separate photovoltaic networks (20) may differ. Separate fabrication of the different photovoltaic networks (20) permits optimization of an interlayer material (110), which can be insulating or noninsulating and can include one or more of light-scattering or light-emitting particles, photonic crystals, metallic materials, an optical grating, or a refractive index grading. For example, adaptations of increased emitter layer thickness, lower sheet resistance, increased gridline spacing, smoother photovoltaic material surface, and/or increased AR coating thickness are made to a multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell (20) for optimization as a bottom network (20b) of a tandem solar module.

Abstract: The light conversion efficiency of a solar cell (10) is enhanced by using an optical downshifting layer (30) in cooperation with a photovoltaic material (22). The optical downshifting layer converts photons (50) having wavelengths in a supplemental light absorption spectrum into photons (52) having a wavelength in the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic material. The cost effectiveness and efficiency of solar cells platforms (20) can be increased by relaxing the range of the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic material. The optical downshifting layer can be applied as a low cost solution processed film composed of highly absorbing and emissive quantum dot heterostructure nanomaterial embedded in an inert matrix to improve the short wavelength response of the photovoltaic material. The enhanced efficiency provided by the optical downshifting layer permits advantageous modifications to the solar cell platform that enhances its efficiency as well.

Abstract: A solar concentrator module (80) employs a luminescent concentrator material (82) between photovoltaic cells (86) having their charge-carrier separation junctions (90) parallel to front surfaces (88) of photovoltaic material 84 of the photovoltaic cells (86). Intercell areas (78) covered by the luminescent concentrator material (82) occupy from 2 to 50% of the total surface area of the solar concentrator modules (80). The luminescent concentrator material (82) preferably employs quantum dot heterostructures, and the photovoltaic cells (86) preferably employ low-cost high-efficiency photovoltaic materials (84), such as silicon-based photovoltaic materials.

Abstract: The light conversion efficiency of a solar cell (10) is enhanced by using an optical downshifting layer (30) in cooperation with a photovoltaic material (22). The optical downshifting layer converts photons (50) having wavelengths in a supplemental light absorption spectrum into photons (52) having a wavelength in the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic material. The cost effectiveness and efficiency of solar cells platforms (20) can be increased by relaxing the range of the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic material. The optical downshifting layer can be applied as a low cost solution processed film composed of highly absorbing and emissive quantum dot heterostructure nanomaterial embedded in an inert matrix to improve the short wavelength response of the photovoltaic material. The enhanced efficiency provided by the optical downshifting layer permits advantageous modifications to the solar cell platform that enhances its efficiency as well.

Abstract: Patterned single crystals and related devices are facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, organic semiconducting single-crystals are manufactured using a plurality of surface regions on a substrate. The diffusivity and/or the rate of desorption is controlled at each surface region and at the substrate to grow at least one organic semiconducting single crystal at each surface region from a vapor-phase organic material. This control is effected, for example, before and/or during the introduction of vapor-phase organic material to the surface regions. In some embodiments, the surface regions include an organic film such as octadecyltriethoxysilane (OTS), and in other embodiments, the surface regions include carbon nanotube bundles, either of which can be implemented to exhibit a surface roughness and/or other characteristics that facilitate selective crystal nucleation.