Abstract: A solar cell includes a conductive substrate, and an insulating layer, a conducting layer and a semiconductor layer that are disposed on the substrate. A through hole is formed so as to penetrate the insulating layer and the conducting layer, and the through hole is filled with a semiconductor that composes the semiconductor layer. At least one element selected from the elements composing the conductive substrate diffuses into the semiconductor with which the through hole is filled.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a highly-versatile solar cell with excellent yields and productivity are provided. The method includes forming a belt-like first electrode layer on a substrate, forming a belt-like semiconductor layer on the first electrode layer, and forming a belt-like second electrode layer on the semiconductor layer. At least one electrode layer selected from the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is divided by (a) applying a liquid resist so as to form a striped resist pattern, (b) forming the at least one electrode layer so as to cover the resist pattern, and (c) removing both the resist pattern and the at least one electrode layer formed on the resist pattern.

Abstract: A solar cell with good characteristics and high reliability is provided that includes a semiconductor comprising at least one element from each of groups Ib, IIIb, and VIb. A method of manufacturing the same also is provided. The solar cell includes a conductive base, a first insulating layer formed on one principal plane of the base, a second insulating layer formed on a second principal plane of the base, and a light-absorption layer disposed above the first insulating layer. The light-absorption layer is formed of a semiconductor comprising at least one element from each of groups Ib, IIIb, and VIb.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a method for generating vibration and a vibration generating apparatus for allowing a single unit to provide a call signal by way of sound and body-sensible vibration. According to the method for generating vibration of the invention, first and second vibration systems having different resonance frequencies from each other are magnetically coupled to each other and a state of energy externally supplied to the systems is selected thereby causing the first vibration system to vibrate relative to the second vibration system for generating a body-sensible vibration, for example. By changing the state of the energy, the second vibration system is caused to vibrate relative to the first vibration system for generating sound.

Abstract: A casing of sealed alkaline storage battery to be stacked in plural number in one direction, each provided with a safety vent; each casing is made of a polymer alloy which mainly comprises polyphenylene ether, polystyrene and an elastomer; at least one outersurface of the casing has a plurality of vertical protrusion ribs thereby to form vertical ventilation spaces through which a cooling medium passes; the vertical ribs formed on an outer surface of the casing have a protrusion height of 1 to 2 mm, the interval between ribs of 7 to 15 mm, rib width of 3 to 10 mm; thickness of inter-rib portion of casing are 1 to 3 mm, and those at the parts of short side walls 2 to 4 mm.

Abstract: In the module battery, by disposing end plates including a flat plate portion and a rectangular frame portion at each end of a cell group and by binding the cell group by means of binding members and metal studs, the increase of the internal pressure during the charging/discharging cycles and the dimensional change of the module battery due to the expansion of the cell group can be suppressed, while the weight and volume increase caused by the binding members is minimized.