Abstract: A failure diagnosis device for a solar battery string includes a plurality of solar battery modules having solar power generation parts and conductive frames, wherein the plurality of solar battery modules are electrically connected in series, and the frames of the plurality of solar battery modules electrically have common connection. The failure diagnosis device includes: a voltage supply part applying DC voltage between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the plurality of solar battery modules connected in series; a measurement part measuring potential, generated by applying the DC voltage, between the positive electrode or the negative electrode of the plurality of solar battery modules connected in series and each of the frames; and a failure determination part determining a position of a faulty solar battery module in the solar battery string based on the potential measured by the measurement part.

Abstract: A time required to manufacture a self-luminous body for a display apparatus is shortened. A self-luminous body for a display apparatus includes a backplane and a plurality of stacks. The plurality of stacks are arranged on a backplane. Each stack includes a plurality of integrated self-luminous elements. The plurality of self-luminous elements in each stack include at least two self-luminous elements that are arranged at a first pitch and emit light of the same color. The plurality of stacks include a first stack and a second stack adjacent to each other. The self-luminous element of the first stack and the self-luminous element of the second stack that emits light of the same color as a color of light emitted by the self-luminous element of the first stack are arranged at a second pitch larger than the first pitch.

Abstract: The present disclosure has an object to hinder reduction of a yield due to a failure in an LED element or a mounting failure in a self light emitting apparatus. In a self light emitting apparatus, each pixel includes one basic cell and at least one redundant cell as a subpixel. The redundant cell includes an LED element that emits light of a color the same as at least one LED element out of LED elements included in the basic cell. A plurality of subpixels included in each pixel are configured as a subpixel group being an assembly that includes a plurality of LED elements being integrated. An array pitch of the subpixels in the subpixel group is smaller than an array pitch of the subpixels in adjacent ones of a plurality of subpixel groups.

Abstract: A time required to manufacture a self-luminous body for a display apparatus is shortened. A self-luminous body for a display apparatus includes a backplane and a plurality of stacks. The plurality of stacks are arranged on a backplane. Each stack includes a plurality of integrated self-luminous elements. The plurality of selfluminous elements in each stack include at least two self-luminous elements that are arranged at a first pitch and emit light of the same color. The plurality of stacks include a first stack and a second stack adjacent to each other. The self-luminous element of the first stack and the self-luminous element of the second stack that emits light of the same color as a color of light emitted by the self-luminous element of the first stack are arranged at a second pitch larger than the first pitch.

Abstract: A deterioration diagnosis device for a solar cell string and a photovoltaic power generation system includes an impedance measuring instrument to measure a frequency characteristic of a first impedance between solar power generation units connected in the solar cell string and to measure a frequency characteristic of a second impedance, an analysis unit to calculate a first increment from an initial value of a series resistance component, and to calculate a second increment from an initial value of a resistance component between the first end of the plurality of solar power generation units connected in series and the frames in the solar cell string based on the frequency characteristic of the second impedance, and a deterioration determining unit to determine a position of a solar cell module having an increased resistance in the solar cell string based on the first increment and the second increment calculated by the analysis unit.

Abstract: A rectenna controller connected to a rectenna that receives radio frequency power and converts the radio frequency power into direct current power, the rectenna controller controlling the direct current power received from the rectenna and supplying the controlled direct current power to a load, the rectenna controller including: an input terminal receiving the direct current power converted by the rectenna; an output terminal supplying the controlled direct current power to the load; a first switching element disposed in a current path connecting the input terminal to the output terminal; and a controller controlling the first switching element, wherein when the controller does not operate, the first switching element becomes conducting to render the current path conductive.

Abstract: A rectenna controller connected to a rectenna that receives radio frequency power and converts the radio frequency power into direct current power, the rectenna controller controlling the direct current power received from the rectenna and supplying the controlled direct current power to a load, the rectenna controller including: an input terminal receiving the direct current power converted by the rectenna; an output terminal supplying the controlled direct current power to the load; a first switching element disposed in a current path connecting the input terminal to the output terminal; and a controller controlling the first switching element, wherein when the controller does not operate, the first switching element becomes conducting to render the current path conductive.

Abstract: A technique that ensures proper failure diagnosis of a solar cell string. A failure diagnostic method and a failure diagnostic device of the solar cell string include an impedance measure, an analyzer, and a determination processor. The analyzer obtains the inductance of the solar cell string based on a relational expression containing an impedance, an inductance, and a frequency in a predetermined equivalent circuit of the solar cell string, and the frequency characteristic of the first impedance measured by the impedance measure. The determination processor conducts failure diagnose for the solar cell string based on the inductance obtained by the analyzer.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module includes a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements formed on a first main surface of an inner tube, and a plurality of projections formed on a second main surface of an outer tube. The thermoelectric conversion element includes an interconnection, and an electrode formed at a first distance from the second main surface in a second direction. When the thermoelectric conversion module is seen from a first direction, the projections include a first projection and a second projection formed at a spacing therebetween in a third direction. A shortest distance between a first lateral surface and a top portion of the first projection and a shortest distance between a second lateral surface and a top portion of the second projection are smaller than the first distance.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes an emitter electrode disposed on a semiconductor substrate and through which a main current flows, a conductive layer that is disposed on the emitter electrode and is not a sintered compact, and a sintered metal layer that is disposed on the conductive layer and is a sintered compact. The sintered metal layer has a size to cover all the emitter electrode in plan view, and has higher heat conductivity than the conductive layer. The power semiconductor device can improve heat dissipation performance and adhesion.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module includes a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements formed on a first main surface of an inner tube, and a plurality of projections formed on a second main surface of an outer tube. The thermoelectric conversion element includes an interconnection, and an electrode formed at a first distance from the second main surface in a second direction. When the thermoelectric conversion module is seen from a first direction, the projections include a first projection and a second projection formed at a spacing therebetween in a third direction. A shortest distance between a first lateral surface and a top portion of the first projection and a shortest distance between a second lateral surface and a top portion of the second projection are smaller than the first distance.

Abstract: A thermoelectric converter includes a substrate and two thermoelectric elements that may include a flat portion and a concave portion. The thermoelectric elements each include one end that contacts with the thermoelectric element and an other end that contacts with thermoelectric element at a bottom surface of the concave portion. The thermoelectric elements are each positioned to be suspended across a space defined by the concave portion. The thermoelectric converter can be manufactured through photolithographic process, and can be incorporated into an exhaust gas recirculation device.

Abstract: A technique that ensures proper failure diagnosis of a solar cell string. A failure diagnostic method and a failure diagnostic device of the solar cell string include an impedance measure, an analyzer, and a determination processor. The analyzer obtains the inductance of the solar cell string based on a relational expression containing an impedance, an inductance, and a frequency in a predetermined equivalent circuit of the solar cell string, and the frequency characteristic of the first impedance measured by the impedance measure. The determination processor conducts failure diagnose for the solar cell string based on the inductance obtained by the analyzer.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes an emitter electrode disposed on a semiconductor substrate and through which a main current flows, a conductive layer that is disposed on the emitter electrode and is not a sintered compact, and a sintered metal layer that is disposed on the conductive layer and is a sintered compact. The sintered metal layer has a size to cover all the emitter electrode in plan view, and has higher heat conductivity than the conductive layer. The power semiconductor device can improve heat dissipation performance and adhesion.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer, a collecting electrode formed on the n-type semiconductor layer, and a collecting electrode formed on the p-type semiconductor layer, on a back surface opposite to a light receiving surface of an n-type crystalline silicon substrate, and an n-type semiconductor region on a surface on a light receiving surface side of the n-type crystalline silicon substrate, wherein in the n-type semiconductor region, an n-type semiconductor region that is opposed to the n-type semiconductor layer with the n-type crystalline silicon substrate therebetween and an n-type semiconductor region that is opposed to the p-type semiconductor layer with the n-type crystalline silicon substrate therebetween have different average impurity concentrations.

Abstract: To provide a solar cell that reduces occurrence of a defect and has high photoelectric conversion efficiency. The solar cell includes a silicon substrate such as an n-type single-crystal silicon substrate single crystal with pyramid-shaped irregularities P formed thereon, and an amorphous or microcrystal semiconductor layer formed on the single-crystal silicon substrate. A flat part F is formed in a valley portion of the pyramid-shaped irregularities P provided on a surface of the single-crystal silicon substrate. With this configuration, a steep angle of 70° to 85° of a concave portion formed by a substantially (111) surface can be widened to between 115° and 135°. Accordingly, a change of atomic step morphology attributable to a rounded shape can be eliminated, thereby enabling to reduce epitaxial growth and defects in the amorphous or microcrystal semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A thin-film photoelectric converter in which a first electrode layer formed of a transparent conductive material, a photoelectric conversion layer for photoelectric conversion, and a second electrode layer formed of a conductive material that reflects light are stacked in that order on an insulating light-transmitting substrate. The photoelectric conversion layer and the second electrode layer are divided by dividing grooves into islands that form a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells separated from each other, adjacent ones of the plurality of photoelectric conversion cells separated by the dividing grooves being electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A thermoelectric converter includes a substrate and two thermoelectric elements that may include a flat portion and a concave portion. The thermoelectric elements each include one end that contacts with the thermoelectric element and an other end that contacts with thermoelectric element at a bottom surface of the concave portion. The thermoelectric elements are each positioned to be suspended across a space defined by the concave portion. The thermoelectric converter can be manufactured through photolithographic process, and can be incorporated into an exhaust gas recirculation device.

Abstract: A back contact heterojunction photoelectric conversion device, that obtain junctions that are nearly ohmic contacts by integrally forming a transparent conductive film including an electrode directly on a p-type amorphous silicon film and a transparent conductive oxide directly on an n-type amorphous silicon film. A method of manufacturing the device includes: integrally forming an oxide electrode layer on the n-type amorphous silicon film and the p-type amorphous silicon film; and applying plasma, under a condition that a mask is disposed on the transparent conductive film covering either the n-type amorphous silicon film or the p-type amorphous silicon film, to exposed portions of transparent conductive film.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a p-type monocrystalline silicon substrate having first and second principal surfaces, an n-type diffusion layer formed on the first principal surface of the p-type monocrystalline silicon substrate, a plurality of grid electrodes formed on the n-type diffusion layer, a first collector electrode including a bus electrode that connects the grid electrodes to establish connection to the outside, and a second collector electrode formed on the second principal surface. The n-type diffusion layer has a lower impurity concentration in a first region surrounding the bus electrode than a second region away from the bus electrode.