Abstract: The disclosure relates to photovoltaic modules comprising one or more photovoltaic cells embedded in a fiber-reinforced composite thermosetting material, wherein at a front side of the photovoltaic cells, the fiber-reinforced composite material comprises a substantially transparent resin, and substantially transparent fibers, and wherein the refractive indices of the resin and the glass fibers are substantially the same. In particular, the fibers can be glass fibers treated with aminosilane coupling agents and the resin can be an epoxy resin. Further disclosed are methods of manufacture of photovoltaic modules comprising one or more crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells comprising: providing a mold, one or more photovoltaic cells in the mold, and reinforcement fibers in the mold and positioning a bag surrounding the mold cavity. Then a vacuum is created in the bag substantially gradually, and the resin is infused with the mold due to the created vacuum.

Abstract: A device for polymerizing lactams in molds includes a hopper for storing solid lactam and a lactam feeding component that includes a plasticizing screw so as the lactam to be melted and simultaneously taken in a dosed manner to a mixing chamber. The device further includes a first dosing component to feed a liquid initiator, and a second dosing component to feed a liquid activator. The mixing chamber is configured to receive in a dosed manner the lactam, the initiator, and the activator from the feeding and dosing components. The mixing chamber has three separate inlets to receive, separately, the lactam, the initiator, and the activator, to allow them to flow into the mixing chamber coming into contact with one another for the first time, at the moment immediately prior to entering into a mold located adjacent the chamber and arranged for the polymerization reaction to take place inside the mold.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to photovoltaic modules comprising one or more photovoltaic cells embedded in a fiber-reinforced composite thermosetting material, wherein at a front side of the photovoltaic cells, the fiber-reinforced composite material comprises a substantially transparent resin, and substantially transparent fibers, and wherein the refractive indices of the resin and the glass fibers are substantially the same. In particular, the fibers can be glass fibers treated with aminosilane coupling agents and the resin can be an epoxy resin. Further disclosed are methods of manufacture of photovoltaic modules comprising one or more crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells comprising: providing a mold, one or more photovoltaic cells in the mold, and reinforcement fibers in the mold and positioning a bag surrounding the mold cavity. Then a vacuum is created in the bag substantially gradually, and the resin is infused with the mold due to the created vacuum.

Abstract: A device for polymerizing lactams in molds, comprising: a reservoir for storing lactam, wherein said reservoir is kept at a temperature which varies in the range of 135-150° C. for melting the lactam and keeping it in melted state; lactam feeding means comprising dosing pipes for feeding the lactam from the reservoir, first dosing means for feeding an initiator; second dosing means for feeding an activator; a mixing head configured to receive the lactam, the initiator and the activator from respectively said lactam feeding means, said first dosing means and said second dosing means. The initiator and activator are liquid, and the cited reservoir and lactam feeding means are located within a heater configured to maintain the temperature of the lactam at a substantially constant value until it reaches the mixing head.

Abstract: A device for polymerizing lactams in molds includes a hopper for storing solid lactam and a lactam feeding component that includes a plasticizing screw so as the lactam to be melted and simultaneously taken in a dosed manner to a mixing chamber. The device further includes a first dosing component to feed a liquid initiator, and a second dosing component to feed a liquid activator. The mixing chamber is configured to receive in a dosed manner the lactam, the initiator, and the activator from the feeding and dosing components. The mixing chamber has three separate inlets to receive, separately, the lactam, the initiator, and the activator, to allow them to flow into the mixing chamber coming into contact with one another for the first time, at the moment immediately prior to entering into a mold located adjacent the chamber and arranged for the polymerization reaction to take place inside the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and device for polymerizing lactams in molds wherein the monomer, catalyst and initiator are independently fed to a mixing head feeding a mold. The system in turn comprises a series of feeding and recirculation conduits and reservoirs the temperature of which is regulated to perform the polymerization in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A device for polymerizing lactams in molds, comprising: a reservoir for storing lactam, wherein said reservoir is kept at a temperature which varies in the range of 135-150° C. for melting the lactam and keeping it in melted state; lactam feeding means comprising dosing pipes for feeding the lactam from the reservoir, first dosing means for feeding an initiator; second dosing means for feeding an activator; a mixing head configured to receive the lactam, the initiator and the activator from respectively said lactam feeding means, said first dosing means and said second dosing means. The initiator and activator are liquid, and the cited reservoir and lactam feeding means are located within a heater configured to maintain the temperature of the lactam at a substantially constant value until it reaches the mixing head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and device for polymerizing lactams in molds wherein the monomer, catalyst and initiator are independently fed to a mixing head feeding a mold. The system in turn comprises a series of feeding and recirculation conduits and reservoirs the temperature of which is regulated to perform the polymerization in a controlled manner.