Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layer material comprising an assembly of layers, called “front layers”, capable of forming a front photovoltaic cell, and an assembly of layers, called “rear layers”, capable of forming a rear photovoltaic cell, wherein the front layer assembly and the rear layer assembly are electrically insulated by an insulating layer of epitaxial material.

Abstract: Tools and methods for producing organic acids using strains of Monascus which are tolerant to high organic acid concentrations at low pH.

Abstract: An improved tapping sleeve assembly (114) comprising a sleeve (115) configured to clamp a main fluid conduit (116) oriented about a longitudinal axis (x-x), the sleeve having a first member (134), a second member (140) separate from the first member, and a connection assembly (121) between the first member and the second member, the first member having a branch aperture (123) configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit (129), the connection assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second members to the main fluid conduit, a gasket (132) disposed between the first member and the main fluid conduit, the gasket comprising a flexible sheet (133) and a thickened aperture seal (122) configured to extend around the branch aperture between the sleeve and the main fluid conduit, the gasket comprising an inwardly protruding circumferential seal bead (137a) extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis and intersecting an inwardly protruding portion of the aperture seal, the

Abstract: A wellbore (1) surrounded by a formation has a horizontal section provided with a non-cemented perforated liner (3), thereby forming an annular space (4) between the liner and the formation. The annular space is divided into zones (zone 1, zone 2, zone 3) isolated from each other by means of respective external packers (6, 7, 8) arranged externally on the liner. Selective access to the zones is provided by means of an internal pipe (9) arranged inside the liner and provided with internal packers (10, 11, 12) corresponding to the respective external packers. For each of the zones, the internal pipe is provided with a valve (14, 15, 16) providing access between the inside of the internal pipe and the corresponding zone. Stimulation of the near-wellbore is performed by pumping acid or the like reactive fluid through the internal pipe into the wellbore and is performed simultaneously in adjacent zones of the annular space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining present-day horizontal stresses in geological formations. The method comprises dividing the received well data in a plurality of contiguous sets of data i, a set of data For each set of data i in the plurality of sets of data, determining, at least parameters Pi, a pressure in subsoil i, bi, a Biot coefficient i, ?i, a Poisson's ratio i, ??i, a vertical constraints in subsoil i, Ei, a Young's modulus i, ?i, a thermal expansion coefficient, and Ti, and a subsoil temperature. The method further comprises, i, computing and outputting the horizontal constraints.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to a unit for chemical looping oxidation-reduction combustion of a hydrocarbon feed, wherein heat exchanges are controlled through a level variation of a dense fluidized bed of active mass particles in an external heat exchanger (E1, E2), positioned on a transport line carrying particles circulating between a reduction zone (210) and an oxidation zone (200) for the particles in the chemical loop. The bed level variation is allowed through controlled application of a pressure drop on a fluidization gas outlet in the heat exchanger, said pressure drop being compensated by the level variation of an active mass particle bed in a reservoir zone provided on the particle circuit in the chemical loop.

Abstract: An active charge control (ACC) in an air conditioner has a first portion of refrigerant passing into a compressor and a second portion held within the ACC. The first portion is substantially vapor and the second portion substantially liquid. Lubricant is included in both portions for lubricating the compressor. A lubricant mechanism includes a heat exchanger having a primary pathway thermally connected with the compressor and a secondary pathway operable between the ACC and the compressor. The secondary pathway transfers the refrigerant second portion to the compressor. The fluid inlet of the compressor retains liquid refrigerant. The secondary pathway delivers the refrigerant and the lubricant from the ACC to the compressor such that heat energy from the primary pathway is transmitted to the liquid refrigerant and lubricant in the secondary pathway evaporating the refrigerant in the secondary pathway such that refrigerant vapor and lubricant are sent to the compressor.

Abstract: A photocathode for a photoelectrolysis device, including: a substrate; a layer of a metal conductor arranged on the substrate; at least one first layer of a first, p-type semiconductor arranged on the layer of metal conductor; at least one second layer of a second p-type semiconductor arranged on the first layer of the first, p-type semiconductor; and at least one third layer of a third, n-type semiconductor forming a protective layer and arranged on the second layer of the second, p-type semiconductor, the third layer of the third, n-type semiconductor being stable in aqueous media to prevent contact between an aqueous electrolyte and the first and second layers of the first and second, p-type semiconductors and including a material of ABO3 material, wherein A is selected from Ca, Sr and Ba and B is selected from Ti, Fe.

Abstract: A method for preparing a solid bitumen material at ambient temperature, said method comprising at least the steps of: a) preparing an emulsion of bitumen drops in a water phase; b) preparing a silica sol or silica gel from a silicon oxide precursor that has a pH of 4 to 8; c) bringing the emulsion of bitumen drops from step a) into contact with the silica sol or silica gel from step b); d) subjecting the bitumen suspension from step c) to an atomization treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of modelling channel ways. In particular, this method comprises steps for determining a set of stochastic channelway trajectories as a function of a local directional component and of a trigonometric component and for providing the determined trajectory of the channel way which complies with a certain number of constraints. A point of one of the trajectories belongs to an entry constraint. Finally, the set of trajectory constraints is complied with by the determined set of trajectories.

Abstract: A solar cell can include a substrate and a semiconductor region disposed in or above the substrate. The solar cell can also include a conductive contact disposed on the semiconductor region with the conductive contact including a conductive foil bonded to the semiconductor region.

Abstract: Laser foil trim approaches for foil-based metallization of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes attaching a metal foil sheet to a surface of a wafer to provide a unified pairing of the metal foil sheet and the wafer, wherein the wafer has a perimeter and the metal foil sheet has a portion overhanging the perimeter. The method also includes laser scribing the metal foil sheet along the perimeter of the wafer using a laser beam that overlaps the metal foil sheet outside of the perimeter of the wafer and at the same time overlaps a portion of the unified pairing of the metal foil sheet and the wafer inside the perimeter of the wafer to remove the portion of the metal foil sheet overhanging the perimeter and to provide a metal foil piece coupled to the surface of the wafer.

Abstract: The invention refers to lubricant compositions comprising a specific diester together with a viscosity index improver.

Abstract: A method for preparing a solid bitumen material at ambient temperature, the method comprising at least the steps of: a) preparing a stabilized emulsion of bitumen drops in a water phase that has a pH of 2 to 4; b) preparing a silica sol or silica gel from a first silicon oxide precursor that has a pH of 2 to 4; c) mineralizing the emulsion of bitumen drops from step a) with the silica sol or gel from step b); d) mineralizing the emulsion of bitumen drops from step c) having a maximum pH of 1 with a second silicon oxide precursor; e) separating the material from the water phase.

Abstract: The use of one or more copolymers as a detergent additive in a liquid fuel for internal combustion engines. The copolymer includes at least one repeat unit having an ester of alkyl or alkyl ester function and a repeat unit containing a nitrile group.

Abstract: The invention refers to use of lubricant compositions comprising a specific diester and additives to reduce the fuel consumption of an engine.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes liquid compositions that can be used for marking liquid hydrocarbon-based fuels and combustibles; these compositions include at least one marker, one or more solvents and, optionally, one or more functional additives other than the markers. The disclosure also includes a process for qualitative and quantitative detection of these markers present in a liquid hydrocarbon-based composition.

Abstract: The use of one or more copolymers as a detergent additive in a liquid fuel for internal combustion engines. The copolymer includes at least one repeat unit having an ester of alkyl or alkyl ester function and a repeat unit containing a diazotized hydrocarbon group. Also, specific copolymers including at least one repeat unit having an ester function of alkyl or alkyl ester function and a repeat unit containing a triazotized hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preventing and/or reducing abnormal combustion of fuel in a motor vehicle engine that includes the use of a lubricating composition including at least one base oil and at least one fatty amine.

Abstract: Multi-layer sputtered metal seed for solar cell conductive contacts and methods of forming solar cell conductive contacts are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate. A semiconductor region is disposed in or above the substrate. A conductive contact is disposed on the semiconductor region and includes a seed material stack in contact with the semiconductor region. The seed material stack includes a first aluminum layer having a first crystallinity and disposed on the semiconductor layer, and a second aluminum layer having a second crystallinity and disposed on and having an interface with the first aluminum layer. The first crystallinity is different from the second crystallinity.