Abstract: The present invention describes a method of producing a photovoltaic solar cell with stoichiometric p-type copper indium gallium diselenide (CuInxGa1-xSe2) (abbreviated CIGS) as its absorber layer and II-IV semiconductor layers as the n-type layers with electrodeposition of all these layers. The method comprises a sequence of novel procedures and electrodeposition conditions with an ionic liquid approach to overcome the technical challenges in the field for low-cost and large-area production of CIGS solar cells with the following innovative advantages over the prior art: (a) low-cost and large-area electrodeposition of CIGS in one pot with no requirement of post-deposition thermal sintering or selenization; (b) low-cost and large-area electrodeposition of n-type II-VI semiconductors for the completion of the CIGS solar cell production; and (c) low-cost and large-area deposition of a buffer layer of CdS or other compounds with a simple chemical bath method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid solar energy conversion system in which a working fluid is made to flow between an internal photovoltaic array and a transparent top layer, where the working fluid is disinfected by a photocatalytic disinfectant layer provided on a light transmitting surface contacting the working fluid. The working fluid is further contacted with the photovoltaic array for the absorption of heat, and the absorbed heat is extracted via an external heat extraction device such as a water tank or a heat exchanger. Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved solar energy conversion system providing both electrical and thermal power, and further utilizing a portion of the solar spectrum for the photocatalytic disinfection of the working fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus of distributing data in portioned databases operating on a shared-nothing architecture. The invention provides two independent streams of data, where a first stream sends table data, and the second stream sends LOB data, to a receiving partition. The receiving partition re-couples the LOB data with the table data. Using two independent streams to distribute LOB data can increase data redistribution since large amounts of input/output is not performed to handle the sending of LOB data in a coupled fashion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus of distributing data in portioned databases operating on a shared-nothing architecture. The invention provides two independent streams of data, where a first stream sends table data, and the second stream sends LOB data, to a receiving partition. The receiving partition re-couples the LOB data with the table data. Using two independent streams to distribute LOB data can increase data redistribution since large amounts of input/output is not performed to handle the sending of LOB data in a coupled fashion.

Abstract: A scanning probe based method to selectively remove self-assembled organic molecules from their self-assembled monolayer (SAM) prepared on a conducting/semiconducting substrate having a hydrophilic surface. This technique involves the use of a conductive probe tip scanning a SAM with a thickness of not more than a few nanometers under an electric field applied by the scanning tip with a field strength of about 109 V/m between the tip and the surface of the conducting/semiconducting substrate. The patterned SAM can be used a device mould for the development of a nano-lithography technology or a device element in the fabrication of a nano-device. The present invention accommodates the trend of ever-decreasing size of devices.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and an article of manufacture for transferring structured data between different data stores. Data stores include a type identifier with every instance of a structured data type. A typeID-typeName map within each data store includes the mapping between the type identifiers and the type names of the structured data types. The typeID-typeName map is sent as metadata while transferring data from a source database to a target database. An application replaces the type identifiers of the source database with the corresponding type identifiers of the target database.

Abstract: A transactional database server is accessible by applications. Applications indicate whether access is made using an online protocol. Where the database server determines that a request received from an application is made using the online protocol, the server will return one of a set of defined error codes upon identified system resources being determined to be scarce. Applications monitor responses from the database server for the defined error codes. On receipt of one of the defined error codes an application will issue a commit to the database server to attempt to release system resources for use by applications.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and an article of manufacture for transferring structured data between different data stores. Data stores include a type identifier with every instance of a structured data type. A typeID-typeName map within each data store includes the mapping between the type identifiers and the type names of the structured data types. The typeID-typeName map is sent as metadata while transferring data from a source database to a target database. An application replaces the type identifiers of the source database with the corresponding type identifiers of the target database.