Abstract: A rotation speed measuring system includes a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, an end detecting unit, and a calculating unit. The magnetic sensor measures earth magnetism in at least one axis direction. The acceleration sensor measures acceleration in at least one axis direction. The end detecting unit detects a time point of a switch at which an acceleration variation is switched to a large-variation state after a small-variation state, wherein the small-variation state corresponds to a state in which the acceleration variation is equal to or below a predetermined first threshold value and the large-variation state corresponds to a state in which the acceleration variation is equal to or above a predetermined second threshold value. The calculating unit calculates the rotation speed of the ball moving in midair by analyzing a frequency of measurement data on the earth magnetism acquired by the magnetic sensor until the end time point.

Abstract: A magnetic field detecting device which comprises a magnetic impedance sensor including a magnetic impedance element 1 in which a detecting coil 11 wound around an amorphous wire 10 for detecting and outputting the external magnetic field around the amorphous wire at a rise time and a fall time of the pulse current in case of the pulse current is applied to the amorphous wire and a signal processing device 3 includes two sample-hold circuit 31, 32 for respectively sample-holding the alternate current damped oscillation voltage at the rise time and the fall time of the applied pulse current, wherein the output signal in response to the external magnetic field around the amorphous wire is output based on the detected two alternate current damped oscillation voltages output at the rise time and the fall time of the pulse current.

Abstract: There is provided a fluid bearing including: a sleeve having a bearing hole; a shaft being inserted into the bearing hole to be rotatable with respect to the sleeve; a thrust portion that is fixed to the sleeve and covers one end portion of the bearing hole; and a liquid filled in a gap between the sleeve and the shaft. The bearing hole is configured to have a first portion having a first diameter; a second portion that is located at an end portion that is closer to the thrust portion than the first portion, the second portion having a second diameter that is substantially the dame with the first diameter; and a groove that is located at a position between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A magnetic impedance sensor comprises an amorphous wire 1 of a magneto-sensitive material as the magneto-impedance element, a pulse oscillator means 2 that alternately reverses and outputs a basic pulse current and a compensating pulse current with polarity opposite to the basic pulse current in predetermined periods, and a signal processing means 3 that converts an alternate current voltage generated in response to a magnetic field intensity around the amorphous wire by a magnetic impedance effect of the amorphous wire according to the pulse current into a magnetic signal voltage in response to the magnetic field intensity, and outputs the magnetic signal voltage. Since the amorphous wire 1 is repeatedly reversely magnetized in the u and v circumferential directions, due to compensating the negative pulse current, the magnetic sensor with excellent linear characteristics are obtained.

Abstract: Described herein are transparent solar energy collection systems that comprise at least one holographic optical element, a transparent waveguide concentrator, and at least one solar energy conversion device.

Abstract: This invention relates to an encapsulation structure comprising a luminescent wavelength conversion material for at least one solar cell or photovoltaic device which acts to enhance the solar harvesting efficiency of the solar cell device. The luminescent wavelength conversion material comprises at least one chromophore and an optically transparent polymer matrix. Application of the encapsulation structure, as disclosed herein, to solar harvesting devices, including solar cells, solar panels, and photovoltaic devices, improves the solar harvesting efficiency of the device by widening the spectrum of incoming sunlight that can be effectively converted into electricity by the device.

Abstract: Described herein are wavelength conversion films that are easy-to-apply to solar cells, solar panels, or photovoltaic devices using an adhesive layer. The wavelength conversion films include a wavelength conversion layer with a photostable chromophore and are useful for improving the solar harvesting efficiency of solar cells, solar panels, and photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: The invention provides highly fluorescent materials comprising a single (n=0) or a series (n=1, 2, etc.) of benzo heterocyclic systems. The photo-stable highly luminescent chromophores are useful in various applications, including in wavelength conversion films. Wavelength conversion films have the potential to significantly enhance the solar harvesting efficiency of photovoltaic or solar cell devices.

Abstract: A method for etching an organic film 1 having a surface selectively protected by a hard mask layer 2, includes a partial etching process of etching the organic film 1 partly in a thickness direction of the organic film 1 by using a mixed gas containing a gas that anisotropically etches a silicon oxide film and a gas that isotropically etches the organic film without etching the silicon oxide film; and a deposition process of depositing a protective film 3 made of the silicon oxide film on side surfaces 12 and a bottom surface 11 of a recess 10 formed in the organic film in the partial etching process. The partial etching process and the deposition process is alternately performed multiple times.

Abstract: Described herein are wavelength conversion films which utilize photostable organic chromophores. In some embodiments, wavelength conversion films and chromophores exhibit improved photostability. In some embodiments, a wavelength conversion film comprising luminescent compounds is useful for improving the solar harvesting efficiency of solar cells, solar panels, or photovoltaic devices. In some embodiments, a wavelength conversion film comprising multiple luminescent compounds is useful for greenhouse roofs. Some embodiments provide an improved solar light wavelength profile for improved plant nutrition and/or growth.

Abstract: This invention is related to novel perylene diester derivatives represented by the general formula (I) or general formula (II) as described herein. The derivatives are useful in various applications, such as luminescent dyes for optical light collection systems, fluorescence-based solar collectors, fluorescence-activated displays, and/or single-molecule spectroscopy. The invention also relates to a luminescent medium, such as a luminescent film, that can significantly enhance the solar harvesting efficiency of thin film CdS/CdTe or CIGS solar cells. The luminescent medium comprises an optically transparent polymer matrix and at least one luminescent dye that comprises a perylene diester derivative. Over 16% of an efficiency enhancement to a CdS/CdTe solar cell and over 12% of an efficiency enhancement to a CIGS solar cell can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention provides highly fluorescent materials comprising a single (i=0) or a series (i=1, 2, etc.) of heterocyclic systems. The chromophores are particularly useful for absorption and emission of photons in the visible and near infrared wavelength range. The photo-stable highly luminescent chromophores are useful in various applications, including in wavelength conversion films. Wavelength conversion films have the potential to significantly enhance the solar harvesting efficiency of photovoltaic or solar cell devices.

Abstract: There is provided a fluid bearing including: a sleeve having a bearing hole; a shaft being inserted into the bearing hole to be rotatable with respect to the sleeve; a thrust portion that is fixed to the sleeve and covers one end portion of the bearing hole; and a liquid filled in a gap between the sleeve and the shaft. The bearing hole is configured to have a first portion having a first diameter; a second portion that is located at an end portion that is closer to the thrust portion than the first portion, the second portion having a second diameter that is substantially the dame with the first diameter; and a groove that is located at a position between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A method for etching an organic film 1 having a surface selectively protected by a hard mask layer 2, includes a partial etching process of etching the organic film 1 partly in a thickness direction of the organic film 1 by using a mixed gas containing a gas that anisotropically etches a silicon oxide film and a gas that isotropically etches the organic film without etching the silicon oxide film; and a deposition process of depositing a protective film 3 made of the silicon oxide film on side surfaces 12 and a bottom surface 11 of a recess 10 formed in the organic film in the partial etching process. The partial etching process and the deposition process is alternately performed multiple times.

Abstract: A magnetic field detecting device which comprises a magnetic impedance sensor including a magnetic impedance element 1 in which a detecting coil 11 wound around an amorphous wire 10 for detecting and outputting the external magnetic field around the amorphous wire at a rise time and a fall time of the pulse current in case of the pulse current is applied to the amorphous wire and a signal processing device 3 includes two sample-hold circuit 31, 32 for respectively sample-holding the alternate current damped oscillation voltage at the rise time and the fall time of the applied pulse current, wherein the output signal in response to the external magnetic field around the amorphous wire is output based on the detected two alternate current damped oscillation voltages output at the rise time and the fall time of the pulse current.

Abstract: A magnetic field detecting device which comprises a magnetic impedance sensor including a magnetic impedance element 1 in which a pulse electrical current or a high frequency electrical current is applied from an oscillator 2 to an amorphous wire 10 and an alternate current or AC damped oscillation voltage, which is induced in a detecting coil 11 wound around the amorphous wire 10 and has a magnitude corresponding to an external magnetic field, is output, and an arbitrary magnetic field is applied to the amorphous wire by means of the magnetic field generated on the detecting coil 11 energized by connecting the detecting coil 11 to a voltage source or to a current source E through an impedance network 3 comprising of a resistor R or a coil L or a condenser C or comprising a combination of the resistor R, the coil L, and the condenser C.

Abstract: Described herein are packaged luminescent solar concentrator panels. Some embodiments comprise a photovoltaic device (e.g a solar cell), a luminescent solar concentrator, and a rigid base. The packaged luminescent solar concentrator forms a rigid structure. A frame may be used to engage the at least one photovoltaic device. The luminescent solar concentrator device can comprise a planar layer that acts to absorb photons. The packaged luminescent solar concentrator panel collects both direct and diffuse light and provides highly efficient and low cost solar harvesting solutions by using a minimal amount of expensive solar cells. The packaged luminescent solar concentrator panel is well suited for building integrated photovoltaics such as sunroofs, skylights, windows, and facades of commercial and residential buildings.

Abstract: Described herein are wavelength converting devices comprising a glass plate and a wavelength conversion layer over a glass plate that can be applied to solar cells, solar panels, or photovoltaic devices to enhance solar harvesting efficiency of those devices. The wavelength conversion layer of the wavelength converting device comprises a polymer matrix and one, or multiple, luminescent dyes that convert photons of a particular wavelength to a more desirable wavelength.

Abstract: Described herein are pressure sensitive adhesive type of wavelength conversion tapes that are easy-to-apply to a solar harvesting device using an adhesive layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive type of wavelength conversion tape comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises one, or multiple, luminescent dyes that convert photons of a particular wavelength to a different more desirable wavelength. The adhesive layer is designed to adhere to the light incident surface of a solar harvesting device such as a solar cell, solar panel, or photovoltaic device, to improve the efficiency of the device.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes a solar cell element, a protective member disposed at one side in a thickness direction of the solar cell element, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer interposed between the solar cell element and the protective member and attached to the protective member, and a support layer formed on the other surface in the thickness direction of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and having an elastic modulus at 25° C. measured in a tensile test of 1 MPa to 9×103 MPa.