Abstract: The present invention provides a solar tile and method for fabricating the same. The solar tile includes a flexible circuit having at least one electrically conductive path laminated between two insulating sheets. The flexible circuit includes a plurality of openings that are completely through the flexible circuit and define contact locations with the electrically conductive path. The solar tile also includes a plurality of coplanar photovoltaic solar cells that are secured to the flexible circuit so that the contacts are aligned with the openings in the flexible circuit. Further, the solar tile includes a plurality of electrically conductive solder connections located within the openings in the flexible circuit to electrically connect the solar cell contacts and the electrically conductive path. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the solar tile includes a single coverslide situated adjacent and covering the plurality of solar cells opposite the flexible circuit.

Abstract: The solar panel for space satellites has a plane surface including a plurality of photovoltaic cells (CE) disposed side-by-side and substantially forming a grid, the cells (CE) being electrically connected into at least one serpentine (SE1), each serpentine made up of cells (CE) connected in series two-by-two forming parallel cell segments (SG), two successive segments (SG) of a serpentine being electrically connected at their ends, and each serpentine having positive terminals (+) and negative terminals (?), the positive (+) and negative (?) terminals being distributed along each serpentine (SE1) and over the surface of the panel so that the positive terminals are far away from the negative terminals, to reduce the risk of electrical arcing between two terminals. With this arrangement, the risk of electrical arcing is reduced without increasing the fabrication cost of the panel.

Abstract: A solar concentrator module comprising a front lens on its front face, a receiver cell on its rear face and a reflector between the front lens and the receiver cell, said reflector having inclined sidewalls along at least two opposite sides of the receiver cell characterised in that the reflectors are truncated and in that the sidewalls of the reflectors are inclined in such a way that, for a 0[deg] off-pointing, solar rays are reflected on the inclined side walls of the reflectors before impinging on the receiver cell, to produce a relatively uniform illumination on the receiver cell for a range of off pointing acceptance angle superior to zero degree.

Abstract: A fuel reforming system comprises a fuel reformer and a thermoelectric device positioned in thermal communication with the fuel reformer. A method of generating electrical energy is also disclosed.

Abstract: Replacing liquid electrolytes with solid or quasi-solid electrolytes facilitates the production of photovoltaic cells using continuous manufacturing processes, such as roll-to-roll or web processes, thus creating inexpensive, lightweight photovoltaic cells using flexible plastic substrates.

Abstract: In an AC module, if an interconnection relay is provided in an inverter, the inverter increases in size, and disconnection status between the AC module and a system upon occurrence of abnormal condition cannot be easily checked by a user. Accordingly, a plug is connected to an outlet, thereby an output of the inverter is supplied to the system or a load via a coupler. If leakage of direct current, ground fault of a solar cell or the like, a fault or abnormal condition of the inverter, or an abnormal condition of the system is detected, the inverter outputs a signal to separate the plug from the coupler.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module with a simple structure with less breakage by thermal stress is provided. For this purpose, the thermoelectric module includes p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements (13, 14) which are alternately placed, and outer electrodes (15) and inner electrodes (16), which are alternately placed between the thermoelectric elements (13, 14), and at least part of at least either one of the outer electrode (15) or the inner electrode (16) has a shape approximately along an object which exchanges heat with the electrodes (15, 16). The inner electrodes (16) surround an object which exchanges heat with the electrodes (15, 16).

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and methods for performing active, multi-step molecular and biological sample preparation and diagnostic analyses employing immunochemical techniques. It relates generally to bioparticle separation, bioparticle enrichment, and electric field-mediated immunochemical detection on active electronic matrix devices utilizing AC and DC electric fields. More specifically, the invention relates to devices and methods for sample preparation/manipulation, immunoimmobilization, and immunoassays, all of which can be conducted on one or more active electronic chip devices within a single system. These manipulations are useful in a variety of applications, including, for example, detection of pathogenic bacteria and biological warfare agents, point-of-care diagnostics, food or medical product quality control assays, and other biological assays.

Abstract: A photothermal power generation device designed to heat an emitter receives a supply of fuel and air, burns the fuel to produce combustion gas, and converts light emitted from the emitter into electric power by means of a photoelectric conversion element. The device is provided with a flow resistance adjusting unit for adjusting a flow resistance of the combustion gas in the emitter in accordance with a state of combustion gas, a combustor fire vent adjusting unit for adjusting the shapes of, or a number of, fire vents formed in the combustor in accordance with a required output, or a discharge state adjusting unit for adjusting a discharge state of exhaust gas in accordance with a state of the combustion gas. This photothermal power generation device provides uniform light-emitting intensity and enhances power generation efficiency.

Abstract: A solar-battery array comprising a plurality of solar batteries, which is characterized by satisfying the relationship of V2<0 and V1+V2>0, where V1 is the voltage to ground of the positive-pole terminal at the time of maximum output of the solar-battery array, and V2 is the voltage to ground of the negative-pole terminal at the time of maximum output of the same and a photovoltaic power generation system having such an array are disclosed, whereby the effects of an electric shock on the human body can lessen even when you touch any electric circuit of the solar-battery arrays.

Abstract: Sunlight is localized at a solar cell by means of a lens in conjunction with a solar energy trap with very low losses. The lens is a standard magnifying lens which concentrates the sunlight to a spot which is a small percentage of the total area of the lens. The lens is fixed at a tilt angle which is in accordance with the latitude of the site of the solar collection. The daily arc of the sun across the face of the lens produces a smooth arc path of the spot in three dimensional spaces. At or near the smooth arc in space, a guide which may be a secondary mirror surface or an opening guides the light into a solar trap. The solar trap is a fully mirrored enclosed space which permits light to enter but not leave the trap. The light in the trap is guided to a solar cell within the trap with reflected and scattered light being absorbed by the solar cell.

Abstract: Nanocomposite photovoltaic devices are provided that generally include semiconductor nanocrystals as at least a portion of a photoactive layer. Photovoltaic devices and other layered devices that comprise core-shell nanostructures and/or two populations of nanostructures, where the nanostructures are not necessarily part of a nanocomposite, are also features of the invention. Varied architectures for such devices are also provided including flexible and rigid architectures, planar and non-planar architectures and the like, as are systems incorporating such devices, and methods and systems for fabricating such devices. Compositions comprising two populations of nanostructures of different materials are also a feature of the invention.

Abstract: A photovoltaic roofing system includes front surface electrical connections and can be installed utilizing conventional tools and techniques. The system includes particularly configured photovoltaic power generating roofing shingles which provide for linearly aligned electrical terminals when installed. The system may be used in conjunction with a protective cap which shields the connections.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator comprising a plurality of semi-conductor elements of type n an type p alternatingly disposed and connected at the ends thereof to form a plurality of thermocouples on two opposite faces of the generator, said elements being thin polycrystalline semi-conductor ceramic layers deposited on a microporous support by means of serigraphy and fixed to said support by sintering.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for charging an electronic device using solar energy are disclosed. In one form, a portable storage apparatus operable to charge a battery associated with an electronic device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first material configured to provide a storage space for storing articles. The storage space includes an interior portion and an exterior portion. The apparatus further includes a first flexible solar panel coupled to an exterior portion of the portable storage apparatus and integrated as a part of the first material. A second positional solar panel is also provided and coupled to an interior portion of the portable storage apparatus. The apparatus further includes a universal 12-volt charge port coupled to the first and second solar panels and operable to receive a charge conductor for charging the electronic device.

Abstract: A solar battery cell of a serial stacked structure, increasing scattering of light, exhibiting good power-generating efficiency per unit area, and ensuring high reliability and a large yield in the manufacturing process, is provided. The solar battery cell includes a plurality of power-generating regions connected in series, each having insulative transparent semiconductor, front electrode, intermediate transparent conductive film, photoelectric conversion layer formed of stacked semiconductor films, and back electrode, and a contact line electrically connecting the front electrode and the back electrode of the neighboring respective power-generating regions. One power-generating region has at least two photoelectric conversion layers with the intermediate transparent conductive films sandwiched therebetween. At least one member of nonconductor and/or semiconductor is provided between the intermediate transparent conductive film and the contact line to prevent direct contact thereof.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module 10 assembled by automated processes. PV module 10 comprises solar cells electrically connected in a linear string 24. Encapsulant 26 surrounds solar cell string 24. Dielectric 30 is positioned between solar cell string 24 and a layer of encapsulant 26?. A glass layer is placed atop encapsulant 26. A terminal bar 19 is in electrical continuity with the electrical output of the solar cell at each end of solar cell string 24. Circuit connector 20 is in electrical continuity with terminal bar 19 and is used for electrical connection of one module to another in the field. Solar cell string 24 is mounted in a box-like structure comprised of an upper pan 14 and lower pan 16. Lower pan 16 defines a conduit for the flow of air beneath solar cell string 24. Module 10 is rotatably mountable in sunlight tracking array 100.

Abstract: A fluidic channel patterned with a series of thin-film electrodes makes it possible to move and concentrate DNA in a fluid passing through the fluidic channel. The DNA has an inherent negative charge and by applying a voltage between adjacent electrodes the DNA is caused to move. By using a series of electrodes, when one electrode voltage or charge is made negative with respect to adjacent electrodes, the DNA is repelled away from this electrode and attached to a positive charged electrode of the series. By sequentially making the next electrode of the series negative, the DNA can be moved to and concentrated over the remaining positive electrodes.

Abstract: A photoelectric cell that includes a first insulating base, having on its surface a first electrode layer, which has on its surface a metal oxide semiconductor film, which includes anatase titanium oxide particles, on which a photosensitizer is absorbed and a second insulating base having on its surface a second electrode layer and an electrolyte sealed between the metal oxide semiconductor film and the second electrode layer. The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are arranged opposite from each other. At least one of the first and second insulating bases with an electrode layer is transparent.

Abstract: A solar cell having a multijunction solar cell structure with a bypass diode is disclosed. The bypass diode provides a reverse bias protection for the multijunction solar cell structure. In one embodiment, the multifunction solar cell structure includes a substrate, a bottom cell, a middle cell, a top cell, a bypass diode, a lateral conduction layer, and a shunt. The lateral conduction layer is deposited over the top cell. The bypass diode is deposited over the lateral conduction layer. One side of the shunt is connected to the substrate and another side of the shunt is connected to the lateral conduction layer. In another embodiment, the bypass diode contains an i-layer to enhance the diode performance.