Abstract: A solar cell comprises a layer (12) of p/n-doped semiconductor nanowires (22), at least one polymer layer (10), wherein the layer (12) of p/n-doped semiconductor nanowires (22) is at least partially embedded in the polymer layer (10), and the polymer layer (10) has a first surface (32) and a second surface (34), wherein, in a state of operation, the first surface (32) is closer to incident light (20) at a location of incidence than the second surface (34), and wherein an area of the first surface (32) is larger than an area of the second surface (34).

Abstract: An appearance-modifying device for modifying the visual appearance of a surface covered thereby, the device comprising a first substrate, a second substrate, a spacer structure spacing apart the first and second substrates in such a way that a space between the first and second-substrates is divided into a plurality of cells wherein in each cell, an optically transparent fluid having a plurality of particles is dispersed therein, wherein each of the cells is configured such that a distribution state of the particles is controllable in a first distribution state and an appearance of the surface covered by the appearance-modifying device is determined by optical properties of the particles and a second distribution state in which the particles are concentrated onto one of a first particle concentration site and a second particle concentration site.

Abstract: A luminescent solar concentrator, comprising: at least one luminescent device (12) for converting incident light (16) in at least one operating mode, wherein the luminescent device (12) has at least one nanostructured layer (34) and at least one luminescent member (14), and wherein the nanostructured layer (34) is in close proximity to the luminescent member (14); and at least one light guide (18) that is designed to guide light in a direction by total internal reflection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a luminescent solar concentrator for a solar cell, comprising a collector with a luminescent substrate, and a wavelength selective filter, wherein the wavelength selective filter is arranged above the surface of the collector, wherein the luminescent substrate has an absorption edge which corresponds to a wavelength ?ex and emits radiation around a wavelength ?em, wherein the selective filter has a refractive-index contrast ?n with a negative or zero dispersion, and wherein the wavelength selective filter is designed to keep the emitted radiation inside the collector while shifting the reflection band of the incident radiation to angles ?25° and/or to narrow the reflection band to a range of ?10°.

Abstract: It is disclosed an appearance-modifying device (10), for modifying the visual appearance of a surface covered thereby. The appearance-modifying device (10) comprises two oppositely arranged substrates (11, 12), which are spaced apart by a spacer structure (13). The spacer structure (13) spaces apart the two substrates (11, 12) in such a way that a space between the two substrates (11, 12) is divided into a plurality of cells (15, 16), the shapes of the individual cells (15, 16) being such that an aperiodic cell pattern (14) is formed by the cells (15, 16). Each cell (15, 16) may comprise an optically transparent fluid having a plurality of particles dispersed therein. The particles are moveable in the fluid through application of an electric field. An appliance at least partly covered by the appearance-modifying device (10) is also disclosed. Furthermore, it is disclosed a method for manufacturing the appearance-modifying device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light output device (10) comprising a plurality of light source units (18) arranged in a laminated glass structure. The light output device is characterized by a plurality of switchable liquid crystal-based (24) devices arranged to alter the beam shapes of light emitted by the light source units when in a beam shape altering mode. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a light output device.

Abstract: An appearance-modifying device (10; 30), for modifying the visual appearance of a surface covered thereby, comprising: first (11) and second (12) oppositely arranged optically transparent substrates; a spacer structure (13; 32) spacing apart the first (11) and second (12) substrates in such a way that a space between the first (11) and second (12) substrates is divided into a plurality of cells (15, 16; 31a-c).

Abstract: The invention provides a light collector (1) comprising a luminescent material element (20), a discontinuous semi-transparent layer (40) adjacent to a first side of the luminescent material element (20), wherein due to the discontinuity of the semi-transparent layer (40) at least one first portion (21) of the luminescent material element covered by the semi-transparent layer and at least one second portion (21) of the luminescent material element not covered by the semi-transparent layer (40) are formed, and a light generating means (10) arranged at a second side of the luminescent material element (20).

Abstract: A 2D-3D switchable autostereoscopic display device has an imaging arrangement (109) electrically switchable between a 2D mode and a 3D mode, which comprises in-plane switching electrodes comprising coplanar parallel electrode lines. The electrode lines are arranged as a plurality of sets of parallel lines, each set defining a lenticular lens area. Each set comprises first electrode lines at the opposite boundaries between the lens area and adjacent lens areas, and at least a first pair of electrode lines disposed between the opposite boundaries and symmetrical about the centre of the lens area, wherein each set comprises at most six electrode lines between the opposite boundaries. This provides an electrode layout which is simple to manufacture and yet has been found to provide good optical lens quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photovoltaic cell device with combined energy conversion and lighting option and a method a controlling such a device. It comprises a responsive element, a reflector or a light source for changing light absorption and thus appearance of photovoltaic cells (e.g. solar panel). It is also possible to combine the responsive element or the reflector with light source(s) providing extra illumination. When combined with a sensor and control unit, ambient intelligent solar panels and ambient intelligent lighting systems can be obtained. A combination of a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) and light-emitting device is also possible, where an energy storage device is charged by a photovoltaic cell upon irradiation. The energy storage powers one or more light sources which are coupled to the sides of the luminescent plate. The light emitted by the light sources is coupled into the plate and (partly) converted by the luminescent plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an converter material for solar cells using Sm2+.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a luminescent solar concentrator for a solar cell, comprising a collector with a luminescent substrate, and a wavelength selective filter, wherein the wavelength selective filter is arranged above the surface of the collector, wherein the luminescent substrate has an absorption edge which corresponds to a wavelength ?ex and emits radiation around a wavelength ?em, wherein the selective filter h a refractive-index contrast ?n with a negative or zero dispersion, and wherein the wavelength selective filter is designed to keep the emitted radiation inside the collector while shifting the reflection band of the incident radiation to angles ?25° and/or to narrow the reflection band to a range of ?10°.

Abstract: A luminescent concentrator for solar light is provided. The luminescent concentrator comprises a wavelength-selective filter, an energy concentrating area, and a luminescent material. The wavelength-selective filter is adapted to pass the solar light and to reflect light emitted by the luminescent material. Further, a method for concentrating solar light is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) passing incident solar light through a wavelength-selective filter and an energy concentrating area onto a luminescent material, and (b) converting the incident solar light in the luminescent material to light having a wave-length reflectable by the wavelength-selective filter. The method further comprises a step (c) of concentrating the converted light in a pre-determined area arranged between the wavelength-selective filter and the luminescent material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a luminescent photovoltaic generator (1) and a waveguide for use in such a photovoltaic generator. The photovoltaic generator comprises a photovoltaic cell (4) and a waveguide comprising a transparent matrix (2) having particles of an inorganic luminescent material dispersed therein and/or an inorganic luminescent material disposed at least one side thereof (6). The waveguide is associated with the photovoltaic cell (4), such that, in use, at least some of the light emitted from the luminescent material passes into the photovoltaic cell (4) to generate a voltage in the cell. In preferred embodiments, the inorganic luminescent material is a line emitter and the emission is due to a forbidden electronic transition within the material. The inorganic luminescent material may be selected from an inorganic phosphor, an inorganic fluorescent material and quantum dots, quantum rods and quantum core/shell systems.

Abstract: A light output device comprises at least one discrete light source device (4) integrated into the structure of a substrate arrangement (1,2,5) and an electrophoretic switchable light control device (40,42; 50; 60,62; 80,82), comprising a controllable region or regions associated with the at least one light source device (4), the electrophoretic switchable light control device (40,42; 50; 60,62; 80,82) being stacked with the substrate arrangement. The electrophoretic device can be used to alter the light output of the light source array, for example providing focusing and/or redirection. This enables the structure of the light source array to be kept simple. The light source array can essentially function as the backlight for the electrophoretic control device.

Abstract: To provide a rear projection system, which offers a high transparency and a high efficiency of projection, a rear projection system is proposed, comprising: a projector (18), and a projection screen (16) being switchable between a transparent mode and a diffractive mode, wherein the projector (18) is located with respect to the projection screen (16) such that light from the projector (18) is incident at an inclined angle at the rear side of the projection screen (16), the projection screen (16) is adapted to deflect in its diffractive mode the incident light into a limited angle range with respect to the front surface normal of the screen (16).

Abstract: An appearance-modifying device (10; 30; 80; 100), for modifying the visual appearance of a surface covered thereby, comprising a first substrate (11) having a first electrode (17a, 18a; 33) arranged on a first side thereof; a second substrate (12) arranged opposite the first side of the first substrate (11), the second substrate (12) having a second electrode (18a, 18b; 35) arranged on a side thereof facing the first substrate (11); a spacer structure (13; 32) spacing apart the first (11) and second (12) substrates in such a way that a space between the first (11) and second (12) substrates is divided into a plurality of cells (15, 16; 31a-c; 81a-c; 101).

Abstract: An appearance-modifying device (10; 30), for modifying the visual appearance of a surface covered thereby, comprising: first (11) and second (12) oppositely arranged optically transparent substrates; a spacer structure (13; 32) spacing apart en the first (11) and second (12) substrates in such a way that a space between the first (11) and second (12) substrates is divided into a plurality of cells (15, 16; 31a-c).

Abstract: A switchable optical component (10) includes a substrate (18) forming a cavity (14). The substrate (18) is configured with a structured surface (24, 26) adjacent to the cavity, and the substrate has a first index of refraction. A fluid (16) contacts the structured surface. Particles (12) are selectively dispersible in the fluid such that a first concentration of particles in the fluid enables the structured surface to provide an optical effect, and a second concentration of particles in the fluid disables the optical effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light output device (10) comprising a plurality of light source units (18) arranged in a laminated glass structure. The light output device is characterized by a plurality of switchable liquid crystal-based (24) devices arranged to alter the beam shapes of light emitted by the light source units when in a beam shape altering mode. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a light output device.