Abstract: A chalcopyrite semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell. This cell comprises a metal substrate. A conductive layer is present between the metal substrate and a chalcopyrite semiconductor. The conductive layer has a crystal structure fitting to the crystal structure of the chalcopyrite semiconductor. Also disclosed is a coated metal substrate, in particular a metal strip for producing the individual metal substrates of a solar cell, as well as a manufacturing method thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing a metal-oxygen compound wherein carbon acts as a reducing agent. The method includes in a first reaction stage, passing CO gas into a reaction chamber containing the metal-oxygen compound, under conditions such that CO is converted to solid carbon and carbon dioxide thereby introducing the solid carbon so formed to said metal-oxygen compound, and in a second reaction stage, causing the carbon, introduced to the metal-oxygen compound in the first reaction stage, to reduce the metal-oxygen compound. There is present, at least in the second reaction stage, a first promoter material effective to promote the reduction of the metal-oxygen compound. The first promoter material includes a first promoter metal and/or a compound of a first promoter metal. Also disclosed is an apparatus for carrying out the reduction of a metal-oxygen compound wherein carbon acts as a reducing agent.

Abstract: Metallurgical vessel for iron and steel making including a bottom portion, a sidewall and a lance arrangement of at least two lances for supplying oxygen containing gas to the interior of the vessel in operation. Each lance includes an end portion for emitting oxygen containing gas. The lance arrangement is configured so as to achieve in operation a substantially downwardly directed flow of post-combusted gases at the side wall of the vessel and a substantially upwardly directed flow of post-combusted gases in the center of the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing a metal slab or billet, in which the slab or billet is passed between a set of rotating rolls of a rolling mill stand to roll the slab. According to the invention, the rolls of the rolling mill stand have a different peripheral velocity, the difference in peripheral velocity amounting to at least 10% and at most 100%, and the thickness of the slab being reduced by at most 15% for each pass or the diameter of the billet in the plane of the rolls being reduced by at most 15%. The invention also relates to a plate or billet produced using the method, and to the use of this plate or billet.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a substrate using physical vapour deposition, including a vacuum chamber wherein a coil is placed for keeping an amount of conductive material in levitation and for heating and evaporating that material, using a varying electric current in the coil. Isolating member are placed in the coil to isolate the coil from the levitated material. The isolating member is part of a container made of non-conductive material. The container has one or more openings for guiding evaporated conductive material to the substrate to be coated. A method for coating a substrate using physical vapour deposition is also presented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing a continuously cast metal slab or strip, in which the slab or strip is passed between a set of rotating rolls of a rolling mill stand in order to roll the slab or strip. According to the invention, the rolls of the rolling mill stand have different peripheral velocities, and the difference in peripheral velocity is at least 5% and at most 100%, and the thickness of the slab or strip is reduced by at most 15% for each pass. The invention also relates to metal plate or strip produced using this method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating a substrate with a layer of a material, such as a metal, in which a quantity of electrically conductive material is vaporized in a space with a low background pressure and energy is supplied to the material which is to be vaporized in order to vaporize this material. According to the invention, the material which is to be vaporized, while it is being vaporized, is kept floating, without support, in the space and is enclosed in an alternating electromagnetic field, the alternating electromagnetic field being generated with the aid of a high-frequency alternating current. The invention also relates to a device for coating a substrate and to a substrate.

Abstract: Method of cooling an at most partially solidified molten metal during fractional crystallization wherein metal crystals formed have a purer composition than that of the molten metal. Salt in solid form is used to cool the at most partially solidified molten metal.

Abstract: A chalcopyrite semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell. This cell comprises a metal substrate. A conductive layer is present between the metal substrate and a chalcopyrite semiconductor. The conductive layer has a crystal structure fitting to the crystal structure of the chalcopyrite semiconductor. Also disclosed is a coated metal substrate, in particular a metal strip for producing the individual metal substrates of a solar cell, as well as a manufacturing method thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for applying a coating to a substrate wherein the coating is formed of at least two components or elements. In a preferred embodiment, the coating is formed of at least two metals. In accordance with the invention, the coating is applied by vapor deposition under choking conditions.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the composition of a bath comprising liquid metal, in which a laser beam is directed onto a surface of the bath and in which at least part of the metal forms a sample which is analyzed. In the method, at least at the location where the laser beam meets the bath, impurities at the surface of the bath are removed by purging with a stream of a purge gas. A device for analyzing the composition of a bath comprising liquid metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fractional crystallisation of an at most partially solidified molten metal. According to the invention a layer of at most partially solidified molten metal to be crystallised is cooled by a layer of cooling liquid, which is present above and/or below the layer of at most partially solidified molten metal so as to crystallise the molten metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a separator plate for a fuel cell, which separator plate has a number of projecting sections. According to the invention, the projecting sections in the separator plate are formed by a metal plate being pressed onto a die having a number of recessed sections with the aid of a pressurized fluid or by the die being pressed onto the metal plate supported by pressurized fluid, the recessed sections in the die corresponding to the projecting sections which are to be formed in the metal plate, in order to obtain the separator plate having the projecting sections. The invention also relates to a separator plate produced using the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brazing sheet product including a core sheet, on at least one side of the core sheet a clad layer of an aluminum alloy including silicon in an amount in the range of 4 to 14% by weight, and further including on at least one outersurface of the clad layer a plated layer of nickel-tin alloy, such that the clad layer and all layers exterior thereto form a metal filler for a brazing operation and have a composition with the proviso that the mol-ratio of Ni:Sn is in the range of 10:(0.5 to 9).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fractional crystallisation of an at most partially solidified molten metal, in which a layer of at most partially solidified molten metal having an upper surface and a lower surface is divided into a series of compartments communicating with each other, in which the metal is stirred in at least some of the compartments, and in which crystals formed and/or existing in the layer of metal are selectively transported in a predetermined direction and molten metal is selectively transported in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Method for the electrolytic coating of a metal strip, in which the strip forms a cathode and is moved in its longitudinal direction relative to an anode, an electrolyte flowing at least between the strip and the anode, characterized in that the flow of the electrolyte is influenced by holding a body between the strip and the anode. A device for the electrolytic coating of a metal strip is also enclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite product including a plastic body and a covering layer formed from a metal blank which at least over part of its surface is stuck to the plastic body, wherein—the metal blank is placed in a die, which die includes a blank holder, a mandrel which can move with respect to the blank holder, and a support die,—the die is closed, so the support die and the mandrel are located on either side of the metal blank, and the metal blank is supported in the vicinity of its edge with the aid of the blank holder,—a liquid plastic is injected into the die, the liquid plastic being brought into contact with the metal blank,—the liquid plastic being converted into a solid plastic body stuck to the metal blank to produce the composite product,—the composite product is removed from the die.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous or semi-continuous casting of molten aluminium to form an ingot in the mould (8) of a casting machine, including a launder (4), a casting mould and feed means (2) which is coupled to the launder and extends into the casting mould. The feed means is connected to the underside of a tundish (3), and the tundish is provided with an inlet member (10) for admitting molten aluminium from the launder (4) into the tundish. The tundish is also provided with pressure-reducing means (5) for lowering the absolute gas pressure in the part of the tundish which is above the molten aluminium admitted into the tundish.

Abstract: A method for at least locally providing an article coated with an organic coating with a layer of readily deformable sealing material (so-called compound), which involves a layer of an intermediate of the compound being applied to the coating layer, after which the article is temporarily kept at an elevated temperature in order to form the compound from its intermediate, wherein the coating layer of the article comprises a polyethylene terephthalate and the compound is chosen from the group consisting of urethanes, amides, mixtures thereof and heteropolymers thereof, and in that the free surface of the coating layer prior to the application of the intermediate of the compound, at least at the location where this intermediate is applied, is briefly subjected to a processing operation from the group of equivalent processing operations comprising a flame treatment in the course of which the coating layer does not melt.

Abstract: A process for producing a component for reducing the effect of an external mechanical impact, of the type which comprises an essentially tubular metal element which has a jump in its cross section which is such that under the influence of an axial load it can be turned at least partially inside-out as a result of plastic deformation, by means of which process the tubular element is formed by hydroforming from a piece of tube which has a cross section which is constant along its length, during which process part of the length of the cross section is increased in size, and the transitions in the cross section cover a short distance, and during the hydroforming an axial pressure on the piece of tube which is being deformed is set to be such that the transitions in cross section adapt to an S-shape.