Abstract: A light receiving or light emitting modular sheet having a plurality of spherical elements arranged in matrix. It is constituted only of acceptable spherical elements and photoelectric conversion efficiency thereof is enhanced. The light receiving modular sheet (1) comprises a plurality of spherical solar cell elements (2) arranged in matrix, a meshed member (3), and a sheet member (4). Each solar cell element (2) comprises a spherical pn junction (13), and positive and negative electrodes (14, 15) formed oppositely while sandwiching the center of the solar cell element (2) and being connected with respective electrodes of the pn junction (13).

Abstract: In a semiconductor module, twenty five semiconductor devices having light receiving properties, for example, are arranged in five by five matrices using a conductor mechanism formed from six lead frames Each column of semiconductor devices is connected in series and each row of semiconductor devices is connected in parallel. These are embedded in a light transmitting member formed from a transparent synthetic resin, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal are disposed. The semiconductor devices are formed with first and second flat surfaces, and negative electrodes and positive electrodes are disposed.

Abstract: A drop tube type particulate crystalline body producing device is a device for creating a substantially spherical crystalline body by solidifying a particulate melt of an inorganic material while allowing it to free-fall inside a drop tube. This device 1 has a melt formation device 2, drop tube 3, gas flow formation means for forming inside the drop tube 3 a gas flow of cooling gas, and recovery mechanism 5 for recovering a crystalline body 25a from the lower end of the drop tube 3. The drop tube 3 comprises an introducing tube 30, cooling tube 31, and solidification tube 32, where the cooling tube 31 is configured such that the cross sectional area thereof becomes smaller toward the bottom such that the cooling gas flow speed becomes substantially equal to the free fall speed of the particulate melt, and the solidification tube 32 is connected to the lower end of the cooling tube 31 and has a cross sectional area enlarged discontinuously from the lower end of the cooling tube 31.

Abstract: A power generating system 1 comprises a power generator 2 generating DC power, and an inverter circuit 3 for converting DC power into AC power; the power generator 2 comprises a plurality of power generating modules 21-28 each comprising a plurality of power generating units 30 and at least one electric storage means connected to each of the plurality of power generating modules 21-28.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector. The detector includes an insulating substrate, a thin-film layer made of semiconductor or insulator formed on the surface of the substrate, at least a pair of electrodes provided on the thin-film layer, voltage applying means for applying a voltage across the electrodes and current detection means for detecting current taken from the electrodes, wherein radiation is detected using the fact that conductance of the thin-film layer changes linearly with respect to radiation intensity due to irradiation with radiation. Preferably, the thin-film layer comprises a metallic oxide. The metallic oxide comprises either one or any combination of two or more selected from titanium oxide, aluminum oxide (alumina), zirconium oxide, iron oxide, zinc oxide, yttrium oxide, manganese oxide, neodymium oxide, ceric oxide, tin oxide, or strontium titanate.

Abstract: With a solar ball 10 serving as a light-receiving semiconductor apparatus, the outer surface of a spherical solar cell 1 is covered with a light-transmitting outer shell member 11, and electrode members 14, 15 are connected to electrodes 6, 7 of the solar cell 1. The outer shell member 11 comprises a capsule 12 produced by bonding together two halves, and a filler 13 that is packed inside this capsule and cured. A solar panel can be configured such that a plurality of the solar balls 10 are arrayed in a matrix and connected in parallel and in series, or a solar panel can be configured such that a multiplicity of spherical solar cells 1 are arrayed in a matrix and covered with a transparent outer shell member. A solar string in the form of a rod or cord can be configured such that a plurality of the solar cells 1 are arrayed in columns and connected in parallel, and then covered with a transparent outer shell member.

Abstract: A light receiving or light emitting modular sheet having a plurality of spherical elements arranged in matrix. It is constituted only of acceptable spherical elements and photoelectric conversion efficiency therof is enhanced. The light receiving modular sheet (1) comprises a plurality of spherical solar cell elements (2) arranged in matrix, a meshed member (3), and a sheet member (4). Each solar cell element (2) comprises a spherical pn junction (13), and positive and negative electrodes (14, 15) formed oppositely while sandwiching the center of the solar cell element (2) and being connected with respective electrodes of the pn junction (13).

Abstract: A self light-emitting device 1 has spherical photo-electric converting elements 2 that have a substantially spherical acceptance surface, respectively; a light emitting diode 3 that emits light using electric power generated by the spherical photo-electric converting elements 2; a control circuit 5; and a sealing member 4 that integrates the spherical photo-electric converting elements 2, the light emitting diode 3 and the control circuit 5. The control circuit 5 is equipped with a light emitting control circuit where a photo-detecting sensor 23 is incorporated, a charge control circuit and a condenser. Since the acceptance surface of the spherical photo-electric converting elements 2 is substantially spherical, electric power is generated due to incidental light from any angle. Since the sealing member 4 integrates the constructional elements, so the device is difficult to damage.

Abstract: A light-receiving device incorporating particulate semiconductor devices (solar cells) having a light-to-electricity transducing function or a light-emitting device incorporating particulate semiconductor devices (light-emitting diodes) having an electricity-to-light transducing function. In a solar cell panel shown, solar cells are arrayed on the same plane in rows. Each row of solar cells are parallel interconnected through positive electrode wires and negative electrode wires, and solar cells of adjoining rows are interconnected in series through a connection part. These solar cells connected in parallel and in series are covered with a transparent covering member, thus forming a panel. These solar cells each have externally exposed positive and negative electrode terminals, and therefore the solar cells can be interconnected in parallel, in series, or in parallel and series. When the conductive wires and the covering member are flexible, the device can be deformable.

Abstract: A drop tube type particulate crystalline body producing device is a device for creating a substantially spherical crystalline body by solidifying a particulate melt of an inorganic material while allowing it to free-fall inside a drop tube. This device 1 has a melt formation device 2, drop tube 3, gas flow formation means for forming inside the drop tube 3 a gas flow of cooling gas, and recovery mechanism 5 for recovering a crystalline body 25a from the lower end of the drop tube 3. The drop tube 3 comprises an introducing tube 30, cooling tube 31, and solidification tube 32, where the cooling tube 31 is configured such that the cross sectional area thereof becomes smaller toward the bottom such that the cooling gas flow speed becomes substantially equal to the free fall speed of the particulate melt, and the solidification tube 32 is connected to the lower end of the cooling tube 31 and has a cross sectional area enlarged discontinuously from the lower end of the cooling tube 31.

Abstract: A light receiving panel provided with a plurality of particulate semiconductor elements (solar cells) or a light emitting panel provided with a plurality of particulate semiconductor elements (light emitting diodes) is disclosed. In the solar cell panel, a printed wiring sheet is constructed by forming printed wiring and retaining holes in the form of a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns in a printed wiring sheet material made of a thin transparent synthetic resin; a plurality of solar cells are respectively mounted in the plurality of retaining holes, these cells are resin-sealed by a transparent synthetic resin material, a positive pole terminal and negative pole terminal exposed to the outside are formed, and a plurality of solar cell panels are constructed so that series connection, parallel connection or series-parallel connection is possible.

Abstract: A solar module 20 comprises first and second sheets 21 and 22, a plurality of rows (a plurality of groups) of spherical solar cells 11 incorporated in between these sheets 21 and 22 in a state in which the conduction direction is perpendicular to the surface of the sheets, a mechanism for the parallel connection of each group of spherical solar cells 11, a mechanism for the serial connection of each group of spherical solar cells 11 with the spherical solar cells 11 in adjacent groups, a positive electrode terminal 23, and a negative electrode terminal 24. A positive electrode is formed on the bottom and a negative electrode on top in the odd-numbered rows of spherical solar cells 11 from the left end, while a positive electrode is formed on top and a negative electrode on the bottom in the even-numbered rows of spherical solar cells 11.

Abstract: With a solar ball 10 serving as a light-receiving semiconductor apparatus, the outer surface of a spherical solar cell 1 is covered with a light-transmitting outer shell member 11, and electrode members 14, 15 are connected to electrodes 6, 7 of the solar cell 1. The outer shell member 11 comprises a capsule 12 produced by bonding together two halves, and a filler 13 that is packed inside this capsule and cured. A solar panel can be configured such that a plurality of the solar balls 10 are arrayed in a matrix and connected in parallel and in series, or a solar panel can be configured such that a multiplicity of spherical solar cells 1 are arrayed in a matrix and covered with a transparent outer shell member. A solar string in the form of a rod or cord can be configured such that a plurality of the solar cells 1 are arrayed in columns and connected in parallel, and then covered with a transparent outer shell member.

Abstract: The present invention presents a semiconductor device (10) which is adapted to a solar cell, and in which a semiconductor element (1) is produced by forming one flat surface (2) on a spherical or substantially spherical silicon single crystal (1a, 1b). A diffusion layer (3) and a substantially spherical pn junction (4) are formed on this semiconductor element (1), and a diffusion-mask thin film (5) and a positive electrode (6a) are formed on the flat surface (2). A negative electrode 6b is formed at the apex on the opposite side to the positive electrode (6a), and an antireflection film (7) is formed on the surface side of the diffusion layer (3).

Abstract: The present invention is a semiconductor module (20) in which, for example, twenty-five semiconductor devices (10) with a pnotoelectric conversion function are arranged in the form of a five row by five column matrix via an electrically conductive mechanism including of six connecting leads (21 to 26). The semiconductor devices (10) in each column are connected in series, and the semiconductor devices (10) in each row are connected in parallel. Positive and negative terminals, which are embedded in a light transmitting member (28) made of a transparent synthetic resin and which protrude to the outside, are also provided. The semiconductor device (10) comprises a diffusion layer, a pn junction, and one flat surface on the surface of a spherical p-type semiconductor crystal, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector. The detector includes an insulating substrate, a thin-film layer made of semiconductor or insulator formed on the surface of the substrate, at least a pair of electrodes provided on the thin-film layer, voltage applying means for applying a voltage across the electrodes and current detection means for detecting current taken from the electrodes, wherein radiation is detected using the fact that conductance of the thin-film layer changes linearly with respect to radiation intensity due to irradiation with radiation. Preferably, the thin-film layer comprises a metallic oxide. The metallic oxide comprises either one or any combination of two or more selected from titanium oxide, aluminum oxide (alumina), zirconium oxide, iron oxide, zinc oxide, yttrium oxide, manganese oxide, neodymium oxide, ceric oxide, tin oxide, or strontium titanate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device (10) having light-receiving functions can include, for example: a semiconductor element (1) formed from a p-type silicon single crystal: first and second flat surfaces (2, 7); a n-type diffusion layer (3) and a pn junction (4) thereof; a recrystallized layer (8); a reflection prevention film (6a); a negative electrode (9a) and a positive electrode (9b). A cylindrical semiconductor element can be used in place of the semiconductor element (1).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a small spherical solar cell SS (spherical semiconductor) and the manufacturing method for the same, comprising: a spherical core 1; a reflective film 2 formed on the surface of core 1; a semiconductor thin film layer (p type polycrystalline silicon thin film 4a, n+ diffusion layer 7) which is approximately spherical and is formed on the surface of reflective film 2; a n+p junction 8 which is formed on semiconductor thin film layer; passivation film 9; and a surface protective film 10 of titanium dioxide; a pair of electrodes 11a, 11b connected to both sides of n+p junction 8. Other than spherical solar cell SS, the following are also disclosed: a spherical crystal manufacturing device; 2 types of spherical solar cells; 2 types of spherical photocatalytic elements; a spherical light emitting element which emits visible blue light; 2 types of spherical semiconductor device materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a semiconductor device which has one or a plurality of spherical semiconductor elements as its main component. The spherical semiconductor element is a spherical semiconductor crystal with a photovoltaic part and a pair of electrodes. The present invention is also a semiconductor device of a semiconductor photocatalyst, photodiode or solar battery. The present invention is also a semiconductor device which has one or a plurality of spherical semiconductor elements as its main component. This spherical semiconductor element is a spherical semiconductor crystal with a pn junction and a pair of electrodes. Semiconductor devices of light-emitting diodes, various diodes, or display panels are disclosed. Referring to semiconductor photocatalyst 1 of the figure, a p-type diffusion layer 6 and a pn junction 7 is formed on an n-type silicon semiconductor spherical crystal.

Abstract: Partition member 34 is provided, which partitions the interior of glass container 31 into reduction reaction chamber 32 and oxidation reaction chamber 33 and which is made of a polymer electrolyte that conducts hydrogen ions; solar battery modules 35 are mounted on this partition member 34, for example in a matrix arrangement of five rows and three columns; a solar battery module 35 has a photocell array (photoelectromotive force: 2.0-2.4 V) consisting of four spherical solar battery elements (photoelectromotive force: 0.5-0.6 V) connected in series, anode 46, and cathode 48; solar battery modules 35 are mounted on partition member 34 so that anode 46 is in contact with the electrolyte of oxidation reaction chamber 33 and cathode 48 is in contact with the electrolyte of reduction reaction chamber 32; sunlight is shined on solar battery modules 35, and the photoelectromotive force electrolyzes the water and produces hydrogen gas from cathode 48 and oxygen gas from anode 46.