Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic photoelectric conversion device comprising a layer comprising a fullerene derivative represented by formula (1).

Abstract: There is provided a solar cell comprising: a substrate; a rear electrode layer disposed on the substrate; a light absorption layer disposed on the rear electrode layer; and a window layer disposed on the light absorption layer, wherein the window layer includes a plurality of conductive particles. The conductive particles improve the optical and electrical properties of the window layer.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising a hybrid composite. The hybrid composite can comprise tubular carbon and graphene produced via pyrolysis of a milled solid carbon source under an unoxidizing environment. When analyzed via X-ray diffraction, the hybrid composite can generate peaks at two theta values of approximately 26.5 degrees, approximately 42.5 degrees, and/or approximately 54.5 degrees.

Abstract: A solar cell with improved photoelectric conversion efficiency is disclosed. The cell solar cell includes a substrate, along with a reflection electrode layer, a light absorption layer, and a transparent layer sequentially laminated on the substrate. The reflection electrode layer includes a first electrode layer contacting the substrate, nanoparticles on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer on the first electrode layer and covering the nanoparticles. The second electrode layer has a first surface-roughness of nanometer (nm) scale.

Abstract: A composite cathode active material, a cathode and a lithium battery that include the composite cathode active material, and a method of preparing the composite cathode active material, the composite cathode active material including a compound having an olivine crystal structure; and an inorganic material, the inorganic material including at least one selected from the group of a metal carbonitride and a carbonitride.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery anode for a lithium ion battery is provided. The lithium ion battery anode includes a number of anode material particles. The lithium ion battery anode also includes a number of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are entangled with each other. The carbon nanotubes form a net structure.

Abstract: A method for making a lithium ion battery cathode is provided. A carbon nanotube source including a plurality of carbon nanotubes is made. A cathode active material including a plurality of cathode active material particles and a solvent is provided. The carbon nanotube source and the cathode active material are added into the solvent, and the solvent with the carbon nanotube source and the cathode active material is shaken using ultrasonic waves. The carbon nanotube source and the cathode active material are then separated from the solvent to obtain a lithium ion battery cathode.

Abstract: A method of making a battery electrode includes the steps of dispersing an active electrode material and a conductive additive in water with at least one dispersant to create a mixed dispersion; treating a surface of a current collector to raise the surface energy of the surface to at least the surface tension of the mixed dispersion; depositing the dispersed active electrode material and conductive additive on a current collector; and heating the coated surface to remove water from the coating.

Abstract: Nanostructure array optoelectronic devices are disclosed. The optoelectronic device may be a multi junction solar cell. The optoelectronic device may have a bi-layer electrical interconnect that is physically and electrically connected to sidewalls of the array of nanostructures. The optoelectronic device may be operated as a multi junction solar cell, wherein each junction is associated with one portion of the device. The bi-layer electrical interconnect allows current to pass from one portion to the next. Thus, the bi-layer electrical interconnect may serve as a replacement for a tunnel junction, which is used in some conventional multi junction solar cells.

Abstract: Improved photovoltaic devices and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor layer and a light-responsive layer (which can be made, for example, of a semiconductor material) which form a junction, such as a p-n junction. The light-responsive layer can include a plurality of carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes, located therein. In many cases, the carbon nanostructures can provide a conductive pathway within the light-responsive layer. In another embodiment, an exemplary photovoltaic device can include a light-responsive layer made of a semiconductor material in which is embedded a plurality of semiconducting carbon nanostructures (such as p-type single-wall carbon nanotubes). The interfaces between the semiconductor material and the semiconducting carbon nanostructures can form p-n junctions.

Abstract: A variety of methods, devices, systems and arrangements are implemented involving nanowire meshes. One such method is implemented to include synthesizing metal nanowires in a solution containing a structure-directing agent. The metal nanowires are deposited on a substrate to form a sheet of nanowires. The deposited metal nanowires are heated to a temperature less than about 200 degrees Celsius and for a period of time of about 10 minutes to 60 minutes, thereby removing the structure-directing agent and modifying the electrical conductivity and optical transmittance of the sheet of nanowires.

Abstract: One embodiment may include a method of making nanoparticles comprising elemental metals or metalloids and/or alloys thereof. The method may include reducing a metal halide or a metalloid halide with an alkali metal to produce a reaction product comprising particles of the desired metal or metalloid and a halide salt. One embodiment may include introducing reactants to each other in the presence of a non-reactive solvent and/or inducing cavitation in the reactants and/or the non-reactive solvent when present. Certain metals or metalloids such as tin, aluminum, silicon, antimony, indium or bismuth may be useful in electrochemical cells such as lithium-ion cells when produced by these illustrative methods. One embodiment of a battery electrode may include nanoparticles that may be produced by these or other methods.

Abstract: An electroconductive paste composition, particularly for solar cells, contains silver particles, glass frit, an organic vehicle, and a nanoparticle additive. The additive contains electrically conductive metal, metal alloy, and/or metal silicide nanoparticles, such as nickel, chromium, cobalt, titanium, or alloys, silicides, and mixtures thereof. When used to form an electrical contact on a solar cell, such a paste provides for decreased contact resistance between the paste and the substrate and improved efficiency of the solar cell.

Abstract: Solar cells and methods for manufacturing solar cells and/or components or layers thereof are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a multi-bandgap quantum dot layer for use in a solar cell may include providing a first precursor compound, providing a second precursor compound, and combining a portion of the first precursor compound with a portion of the second precursor compound to form a multi-bandgap quantum dot layer that includes a plurality of quantum dots that differ in bandgap.

Abstract: Photovoltaic structures for the conversion of solar irradiance into electrical free energy. In a particular implementation, a photovoltaic cell includes a granular semiconductor and oxide layer with nanometer-size absorber semiconductor grains surrounded by a matrix of oxide. The semiconductor and oxide layer is disposed between electron and hole conducting layers. In some implementations, multiple semiconductor and oxide layers can be deposited.

Abstract: Solar cells are provided. The solar cell may include a substrate, a first electrode, a light absorption layer, a second electrode. Additionally, an intrinsic layer and a buffer layer may further be disposed between the light absorption layer and the second electrode. Here, the first and second electrodes may consist of carbon nanotubes of which polarities may be controlled. Thus, a flexible solar cell of low costs and high efficiency may be realized.

Abstract: A composite powder in which highly dispersed metal oxide nanoparticle precursors are supported on carbon is rapidly heated under nitrogen atmosphere, crystallization of metal oxide is allowed to progress, and highly dispersed metal oxide nanoparticles are supported by carbon. The metal oxide nanoparticle precursors and carbon nanoparticles supporting said precursors are prepared by a mechanochemical reaction that applies sheer stress and centrifugal force to a reactant in a rotating reactor. The rapid heating treatment in said nitrogen atmosphere is desirably heating to 400° C.-1000° C. By further crushing the heated composite, its aggregation is eliminated and the dispersity of metal oxide nanoparticles is made more uniform. Examples of a metal oxide that can be used are manganese oxide, lithium iron phosphate, and lithium titanate. Carbons that can be used are carbon nanofiber and Ketjen Black.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention relates to an asymmetric MIM type absorbent nanometric structure (1, 1?) intended to receive a wide-band incident light wave the absorption of which is to be optimised within a given spectral band, comprising an absorbent dielectric layer (10) in said spectral band, of subwavelength thickness, arranged between a metal array (11) of subwavelength period and a metal reflector (12).

Abstract: A photovoltaic device is provided that includes a periodic array having a unit cell with a first electrode protrusion of a height H, characteristic width W, and period L. An absorber of nominal thickness T has a volume with a first component between the electrode element protrusions and a second component completely covering the electrode protrusions, H, W, and L for a given T allow carrier collection from the majority of points within the volume and simultaneously to enhance the photon density distribution within the absorber resulting from path length, photonic and plasmonic effects produced by the topology and morphology created by the electrode shapes and the volume distribution between the first and the second components.

Abstract: A self-supporting carbon electrode can include, or consist essentially of, nanostructured carbon, for example, oxygen-functionalized nanostructured carbon.

Abstract: Back reflector arrays are applied to the surface distal to the incident light receiving surface of a thin film solar cell to increase its efficiency by altering the reflected light path and thereby increasing the path length of light through the active layer of the solar cell. The back reflector is an array of features of micrometer proportions. The feature may be concave or convex features such as hemispheres, hemi-ellipsoids, partial-spheres, partial-ellipsoids, or combinations thereof The feature may be pyramidal. A method of forming the back reflector array is by forming an array of features from a photocurable resin, subsequent curing the resin and metalizing the cured resin to render the surface reflective. The photocurable resin can be applied by inkjet printing or rolling or stamping with a mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell electrode, and a method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) using the same. The fuel cell electrode is formed by adding carbon nanotubes to reinforce the mechanical strength of the electrode, cerium-zirconium oxide particles to prevent corrosion of a polymer electrolyte membrane, and an alloy catalyst prepared by alloying a second metal (such as Ir, Pd, Cu, Co, Cr, Ni, Mn, Mo, Au, Ag, V, etc.) with platinum to prevent the dissolution, migration, and agglomeration of platinum.

Abstract: A negative active material and a lithium battery including the negative active material. The negative active material includes primary particles, each including: a crystalline carbonaceous core having a surface on which silicon-based nanowires are disposed; and an amorphous carbonaceous coating layer that is coated on the crystalline carbonaceous core so as not to expose at least a portion of the silicon-based nanowires. Due to the inclusion of the primary particles, an expansion ratio is controlled and conductivity is provided and thus, a formed lithium battery including the negative active material may have improved charge-discharge efficiency and cycle lifespan characteristics.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a conductive material includes a carbon substance and a metallic substance mixed with and/or laminated to the carbon substance. The carbon substance has at least one dimension of 200 nm or less. The carbon substance includes a graphene selected from single-layered graphene and multi-layered graphene, a part of carbon atoms constituting the graphene is substituted with a nitrogen atom. The metallic substance includes at least one of a metallic particle and a metallic wire.

Abstract: Provided is a power storage device in which charge/discharge capacity is high, charge/discharge can be performed at high speed, and deterioration in battery characteristics due to charge/discharge is small. The power storage device includes a negative electrode including an active material including a plurality of prism-like protrusions. A cross section of each of the plurality of prism-like protrusions, which is perpendicular to the axis of each protrusion, is a polygonal shape or a polygonal shape including a curve, such as a cross shape, an H shape, an L shape, an I shape, a T shape, a U shape, or a Z shape. The active material including the plurality of prism-like protrusions may be covered with graphene.

Abstract: The conductivity of an active material layer provided in an electrode of a secondary battery is sufficiently increased and active material powders in a slurry containing active materials each have a certain size. Secondary particles are manufactured through the following steps: mixing at least active material powders and oxidized conductive material powders to form a slurry; drying the slurry to form a dried substance; grinding the dried substance to form a powder mixture; and reducing the powder mixture. Further, an electrode of a power storage device is manufactured through the following steps: forming a slurry containing at least the secondary particles; applying the slurry to a current collector; and drying the slurry over the current collector.

Abstract: A low-cost method is provided for forming a photovoltaic device, which is a high-performance nanostructured multijunction cell. The multiple P-N junctions or P-I-N junctions are contiguously joined to form a single contiguous P-N junction or a single contiguous P-I-N junction. The photovoltaic device integrates vertically-aligned semiconductor nanowires including a doped semiconductor material with a thin silicon layer having an opposite type of doping. This novel hybrid cell can provide a higher efficiency than conventional photovoltaic devices through the combination of the enhanced photon absorptance, reduced contact resistance, and short carrier transport paths in the nanowires. Room temperature processes or low temperature processes such as plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and electrochemical processes can be employed for fabrication of this photovoltaic device in a low-cost, scalable, and energy-efficient manner.

Abstract: Electrical energy generation apparatuses, in which a solar battery device and a piezoelectric device are combined in a single body by using a plurality of nano wires formed of a semiconductor material having piezoelectric properties.

Abstract: An activated, porous carbon has a specific BET surface area of between 1400 and 1900 m2/g, with at least 80% of all of the pores, and preferably all of the pores, of the carbon having an average diameter of between 0.3 and 0.9 nm. The novel carbon is particularly suitable for use as an electrode in a double-layer capacitor. The carbon is obtained by a process that includes the following steps: a) producing a mixture of a green coke, a base, and a hydrophilic polymer which is chemically inert towards the base, b) pressing the mixture produced in step a), to form a compact, and c) activating the compact produced in step b).

Abstract: A nano-composite, including: a plurality of secondary particles, each secondary particle including a mixture of nano-size primary particles, wherein the mixture of nano-size primary particles includes particles including a nickel oxide or a copper oxide, and particles including zirconia doped with a trivalent metal element or ceria doped with a trivalent metal element, and wherein the nano-size primary particles define a plurality of nano-pores.

Abstract: Design and use of photo-switching, fullerene-based dyads of the design x-D-y-A or D-y-A-x as interfacial layers (IFL) for organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices are described herein. The fullerene-based dyads and triads of the present invention contain electron-donating substituents such as porphyrins or phthalocyanines that exhibit charge separation states with long lifetimes upon irradiation, resulting in rejection of electrons reaching the electrode and concurrently promoting the conduction of holes. This phenomenon has a strong rectifying effect on the whole device, not just the interfaces, resulting in improved charge extraction from the interior of the photo-active layer. The invention further describes anchoring an IFL to the ITO surface as a monolayer, bilayer, or greater multilayers. One OPV design embodiment of the present invention embodiment involves the formation of covalent bonds via silane groups (—SiR3) as the anchor (x), to form siloxane bonds.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell comprises a first electrode that includes a first transparent conductive substrate, a first layer having a plurality of first semiconductor nanofibers, and a second layer having a plurality of second semiconductor super-fine fibers, the first semiconductor nanofibers having an average diameter smaller than an average diameter of the second semiconductor super-fine fibers, a light absorbing material adsorbed to at least some of the first semiconductor nanofibers and second semiconductor super-fine fibers, a second electrode includes a second transparent conductive substrate, and electrolytes dispersed in the first and second layers.

Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing a zinc oxide nanostructure electrode and a method of preparing a dye-sensitized solar cell using the same. According to the present invention, the method of preparing a zinc oxide nanostructure electrode may include sequentially forming a superhydrophobic self-assembled layer and a zinc layer on a carrier substrate having a stamp pattern included therein, disposing the zinc layer on the carrier to face a first substrate and performing a stamp method to form at least one zinc pattern on the first substrate, oxidizing the zinc pattern to form zinc oxide seeds, and growing at least one zinc oxide nanostructure from the zinc oxide seeds by using a hydrothermal synthesis method to form a zinc oxide nanostructure electrode composed of the at least one zinc oxide nanostructure.

Abstract: An example of a carbon nanotube capacitor may include (i) a carbon nanotube film having carbon nanotubes and voids with dielectric material, (ii) conductive contacts and (iii) a dielectric layer. The carbon nanotube film may switch from a conductive state to a non-conductive state when a voltage is applied by creating an electrical break within the carbon nanotube film and providing a first conductive region and a second conductive region within the carbon nanotube film. The electrical break may separate the first conductive region from the second conductive region. The first and second conductive regions may store charge. An integrated device may include one or more transistors and one or more carbon nanotube capacitors. A method of making a carbon nanotube capacitor is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing hydrogen. One embodiment of such a method comprises providing a storage apparatus having a substrate and a nanostructure mat on at least a portion of a side of the substrate. The nanostructure mat comprises a plurality of nanostructures having a surface ionization state which causes more than one layer of hydrogen to adsorb onto the nanostructures. The method can also include exposing the nanostructure mat to hydrogen such that more than one layer of hydrogen adsorbs onto the nanostructures.

Abstract: A power storage device which has high charge/discharge capacity and less deterioration in battery characteristics due to charge/discharge and can perform charge/discharge at high speed is provided. A power storage device includes a negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a current collector and an active material layer provided over the current collector. The active material layer includes a plurality of protrusions protruding from the current collector and a graphene provided over the plurality of protrusions. Axes of the plurality of protrusions are oriented in the same direction. A common portion may be provided between the current collector and the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: Nanowire-based photovoltaic energy conversion devices and related fabrication methods therefor are described. A plurality of photovoltaic (PV) nanowires extend outwardly from a surface layer of a substrate, each PV nanowire having a root end near the substrate surface layer and a tip end opposite the root end. For one preferred embodiment, a canopy-style tip-side electrode layer contacts the tip ends of the PV nanowires and is separated from the substrate surface layer by an air gap layer, the PV nanowires being disposed within the air gap layer. For another preferred embodiment, a tip-side electrode layer is disposed upon a layer of optically transparent, electrically insulating solid filler material that laterally surrounds the PV nanowires along a portion of their lengths, wherein an air gap is disposed between the solid filler layer and the substrate surface layer. Methods for fabricating the nanowire-based photovoltaic energy conversion devices are also described.

Abstract: A composite cathode active material including an overlithiated metal oxide having a layered structure, a material having an olivine structure, and one or more of: an inorganic material, and nitrogen atoms doped in the material having an olivine structure. The inorganic material includes a nitride or carbide of a non-transition metal. The composite cathode active material may be included in a cathode, and the cathode may be included in a lithium battery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode for an energy storage and a method for manufacturing the same and provides a useful effect of improving resistance characteristics of an electrode for an energy storage by forming a trench of predetermined dimensions on a surface of a current collector, forming a conductive layer, which includes a conductive agent as much as possible, on the surface of the current collector, and forming an electrode layer including an electrode active material, a conductive agent, and a binder on the conductive layer.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, a nano-architectured carbon structure is fabricated by forming a unit (e.g., a film) of a liquid carbon-containing starting material and at least one dopant. A surface of the unit is nano-molded using a durable mold that is pre-formed with a pattern of nano-concavities corresponding to a desired pattern of nano-features to be formed by the mold on the surface of the unit. After nano-molding the surface of the unit, the first unit is stabilized to render the unit and its formed nano-structures capable of surviving downstream steps. The mold is removed from the first surface to form a nano-molded surface of a carbonization precursor. The precursor is carbonized in an inert-gas atmosphere at a suitable high temperature to form a corresponding nano-architectured carbon structure. A principal use of the nano-architectured carbon structure is a carbon electrode used in, e.g., Li-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and battery-supercapacitor hybrid devices.

Abstract: Electrochemical capacitors and methods for producing such electrochemical capacitors. The electrochemical capacitor can have an initial charged state and a cycled charged state and can include an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The anode can include a first mixture having a first plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a first average porosity. The cathode can include a second mixture having a second plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a second average porosity greater than said first average porosity. The electrolyte can be physically and electrically contacting said anode and said cathode, and the first mixture in the cycled charged state can be substantially free of lithium metal particles and can further include a plurality of lithium ions intercalating the first plurality of carbon comprising particles. The mass ratio of the cathode and the electrolyte can be less than 1.

Abstract: The electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention has an electrode mixture layer containing carbon nanotubes as a conductive auxiliary agent and deoxyribonucleic acid as a dispersant for the carbon nanotubes, and the content of the carbon nanotubes in the electrode mixture layer is 0.001 to 5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of active material particles. The lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention has the electrode of the invention as its positive electrode and/or negative electrode. The electrode of the invention can be produced by a producing method of the invention of forming the electrode mixture layer from an electrode mixture-containing composition prepared using a dispersion including carbon nanotubes and deoxyribonucleic acid.

Abstract: Provided is a positive electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery including a positive active material including a lithium phosphate compound particle and fiber-type carbon attached inside the lithium phosphate compound particle, a method of preparing the same, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrocarbon composite electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, which is formed of an inexpensive hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane to ensure mechanical and thermochemical stability. The present invention provides a hydrocarbon composite electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, the hydrocarbon composite electrolyte membrane including at least one composite electrolyte membrane layer having a structure in which graphene nanostructures are impregnated into a hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes: a crystalline carbon core including pores; an amorphous carbon shell positioned on the core surface; metal nanoparticles dispersed inside the pores; and amorphous carbon inside the pores, wherein a first particle diameter difference (D50?D10) of the nanoparticles is from about 70 to about 150 nm and the second particle diameter difference (D90?D50) of the nanoparticles is from about 440 to about 520 nm.

Abstract: A mixed solvent is prepared by dissolving acetic acid and lithium acetate in a mixture of isopropanol and water. This mixed solvent together with titanium alkoxide and carbon nanofiber (CNF) were introduced into a rotary reactor, the inner tube was rotated at a centrifugal force of 66,000 N (kgms?2) for 5 minutes to form a thin film of the reactant on the inner wall of the outer tube, and sheer stress and centrifugal force were applied to the reactant to allow promotion of chemical reaction, yielding CNF on which highly dispersed lithium titanate nanoparticle precursors are supported. The obtained composite powder was heated under nitrogen atmosphere at 900° C. for 3 minutes, yielding a composite powder in which highly dispersed lithium titanate nanoparticles are supported on CNF, wherein crystallization of lithium titanate was allowed to progress.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic capacitor, having a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of substantially titanium dioxide dielectric layers, wherein each respective titanium dioxide dielectric layer is substantially free of porosity, wherein each respective substantially titanium dioxide dielectric layer is positioned between two respective electrode layers, wherein each respective substantially titanium dioxide dielectric layer has an average grain size of between about 200 and about 400 nanometers, wherein each respective substantially titanium dioxide dielectric layer has maximum particle size of less than about 500 nanometers. Typically, each respective substantially titanium dioxide dielectric layer further includes at least one dopant selected from the group including P, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, and combinations thereof, and the included dopant is typically present in amounts of less than about 0.01 atomic percent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal current collector including a metal substrate having grooves on a surface thereof, a carbon buffer layer formed on the metal substrate, and a conductive layer formed on the carbon buffer layer, a method for preparing the same, and electrochemical capacitors comprising the same. According to the present invention, a metal current collector including a metal substrate having grooves on a surface thereof, a carbon buffer layer formed on the metal substrate, and a conductive layer formed on the carbon buffer layer has a large surface area and low electrical resistance. This metal current collector can be effectively used in electrochemical capacitors with high capacity and high output characteristics by improving contact characteristics with an active material layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a core-shell structured electrocatalyst for a fuel cell. The method includes uniformly supporting nano-sized core particles on a support to obtain a core support, and selectively forming a shell layer only on the surface of the core particles of the core support. According to the method, the core and the shell layer can be formed without the need for a post-treatment process, such as chemical treatment and heat treatment. Further disclosed is a core-shell structured electrocatalyst for a fuel cell produced by the method. The core-shell structured electrocatalyst has a large amount of supported catalyst and exhibits superior catalytic activity and excellent electrochemical properties. Further disclosed is a fuel cell including the core-shell structured electrocatalyst.

Abstract: Provided are an electrode including a nanostructure and a method of preparing the same, and more particularly, an electrode including a substrate, and a plurality of metal nanocups or nanorings spaced apart from one another and disposed on the substrate, and openings thereof are aligned above the substrate, and a method of preparing the electrode. An electrode of the present invention includes catalytic metal having a structure of the plurality of nanocups or nanorings and thus, an area, in which a reactant participating in an oxidation or reduction reaction is able to be in contact with catalytic metal, may become wider in comparison to that of a typical electrode having catalytic metal in the shape of a flat thin film. Accordingly, an efficiency of the oxidation or reduction reaction may be improved due to catalytic metal and eventually, a power generation efficiency of a cell may be improved.