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: 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: Described herein are microstructured wavelength conversion films for enhanced solar harvesting efficiency of photovoltaic devices or solar cells. The microstructured wavelength conversion film comprises a luminescent medium that is provided with a microstructured surface, where the luminescent medium and the microstructured surface can be combined into a single layer or made up of two or more separate layers. A photovoltaic module which utilizes the medium to improve the performance of photovoltaic devices or solar cells is also provided, along with a method of improving a solar cell or photovoltaic device by utilizing the microstructured wavelength conversion film.

Abstract: Compounds derived from aromatic tetracarboxyl bisbenzoimidazoles are disclosed. These compounds are capable of forming liquid crystal systems that can produce optically isotropic or anisotropic films with desirable optical properties. Formulae (I) or (II), or a salt thereof; wherein y is an integer in the range from 0 to about 4.

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: Described herein are compositions that are photorefractive upon irradiation by multiple laser wavelengths across the visible light spectrum. Embodiments of the photorefractive composition comprise a polymer, a chromophore, and a sensitizer, wherein the polymer comprises a repeating unit including at least a moiety selected from the group consisting of the formulae (Ia), (Ib) and (Ic), as defined herein. The photorefractive composition can be used in optical devices.

Abstract: Compounds derived from aromatic tetracarboxyl bisbenzoimidazoles are disclosed. These compounds are capable of forming liquid crystal systems that can produce optically isotropic or anisotropic films with desirable optical properties. Formulae (I) or (II), or a salt thereof; wherein y is an integer in the range from 0 to about 4.

Abstract: A family of bisacenaphthopyrazinoquinoxaline derivatives of formula (I) and (II) is disclosed. These compounds are capable of forming liquid crystal systems that can produce optically isotropic or anisotropic films with desirable optical properties: (I), (II) wherein Ri, R2, Rs, R4, R5 and R& are each independently selected from —H, —SO3M, —OH, —NH2, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO2, —F, —CF3, —CN, —COOH, —CONH2, alkyl, aryl, alkynyl, alkenyl, alkoxyl, alkylamino, phenoxyl, and phenylamino groups; M is one or more counter ions; j is the number of counter ions associated with the compound; and n is an integer in the range of 1 to S.

Abstract: Lyotropic chromophoric compounds comprised of a naphthalimide derivative, a perylene-3,4-dicarboxylic imide derivative, or a perylenetetracarboxylic diimide derivative are described. The compounds can be used to form liquid crystal systems possessing high quality optical properties. The resulting liquid crystal systems are readily applied onto a substrate to obtain optically isotropic or anisotropic, at least partially crystalline films applicable in various fields.