Abstract: A grounding clamp is provided. The grounding clamp comprises a body portion having first and second sides, first and second fingers extending from the first side of the body portion, a first set of teeth extending from the first side of the body portion, the first set of teeth positioned between the first and second fingers, and a second set of teeth extending from the second side of the body portion.

Abstract: A mounting system 10 for a solar panel 11 includes a base plate 14 having a mounting channel 16 defined by an elongated base member 17, two oppositely disposed elongated channel walls 18 having clamping tangs 19, and a support wall 20. The mounting system also includes an I-beam 24 having a lower member 25, an upper member 26 and a spanning member 27. A C-shaped bracket 30 is slidably coupled to the upper member and has a mounting post with a staggered clamp 36 having a contact ledge 37. A nut 38 is threadably coupled to the mounting post 32 to force the contact ledge downwardly against the peripheral margin of the solar panel, thus locking the position of the solar panel. The mounting system includes a weld harness or weld harness strip 39 and anti-creep strips 44 which are coupled to the base member.

Abstract: A mounting system 110 for a solar panel 11 includes a base plate 114 having an elongated mounting slot 116, a spacer beam 124 with a slot 128, a first T-shaped fastener 131 having a mounting plate 132 with a width slightly smaller than the size of the slot and a length larger than the size of the slot, so that the mounting plate may be passed through the slot and then rotated so that it then cannot pass back through the slot. A second T-shaped fastener 137 having the same configuration couples the solar panel to the spacer. The system optionally has a ballast system 145 which includes a ballast tray 146 and third T-shaped fastener 155 of the same configuration for coupling the tray to the base plate. An anti-creep strip 161 is coupled to the base member through fourth T-shaped fasteners 162 of the same configuration.

Abstract: A method of operating an active matrix electro-wetting on dielectric (AM-EWOD) device provides for enhanced mutual capacitance sensing using integrated impedance sensing circuitry. Array element circuitry of each array element includes actuation circuitry configured to apply actuation voltages to the array element electrode for actuating the array element, and impedance sensor circuitry integrated into the array element circuitry and configured to sense impedance at the array element electrode. The method of operating includes the steps of: perturbing a voltage applied to the array element electrode of a first array element; coupling the voltage perturbation to the array element electrode of a second array element different from the first array element; and measuring the output current from the sensor readout transistor of the second array element for sensing in response to the voltage perturbation.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to lanthanide nanocrystals as ultraviolet downconverters.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module is specified, comprising: a cylindrical light-transmissive tube enclosing an interior and having a main extension direction and a curved inner surface facing the interior, and a mechanically flexible photovoltaic component comprising a solar cell arrangement applied on a carrier film, wherein the photovoltaic component is arranged in the interior, the solar cell arrangement has a curvature, wherein the curvature follows the curved course of the inner surface of the tube at least in places and the solar cell arrangement at least partly covers the inner surface, wherein the covered inner surface forms a light passage surface of the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A thermal control system includes a component having a surface. A plurality of thermal generating devices include a first conductive plate, second and third conductive plates, a first semiconductor device arranged between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate, and a second semiconductor device arranged between the first conductive plate and the third conductive plate. The first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device have different types of doping. First ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices are arranged with the first conductive plate located adjacent to the surface of the component. Second ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices are arranged with the second and third conductive plates located adjacent to the surface of the component. The first ones and the second ones of plurality of thermal generating devices perform heating and cooling of the surface, respectively.

Abstract: A portable multiple configuration solar photovoltaic assembly is disclosed. The assembly contains a plurality of photovoltaic modules that collect solar energy and convert the solar energy into electricity.

Abstract: An AM-EWOD device includes a plurality of array elements arranged in an array of rows and columns; each column including a column addressing line that applies control signals to a corresponding column of array elements, and each row including a row addressing line that applies control signals to a corresponding row of array elements; each array element including an element electrode for receiving an actuation voltage and a switch transistor, wherein the switch transistor is electrically connected between the column addressing line and the element electrode and is switched by the row addressing line; and a column detection circuit comprising an addressing circuit that applies an electrical perturbation during a sensing operation to the column addressing line of an array element being sensed, and a measuring circuit that measures an output signal from one of the column addressing lines, wherein the output signal varies based upon a capacitance present at the element electrode.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion device including a plurality of first electrodes; a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements, each having one end electrically connected to each of the first electrodes; a plurality of second electrodes, to which another end of each of the thermoelectric conversion elements is electrically connected; a hot-side heat exchanger connected to the first electrodes; and a cold-side heat exchanger connected to the second electrodes. Multiple springs are disposed in an interior of one of the hot-side heat exchanger and the cold-side heat exchanger at portions connected to either the first electrodes or the second electrodes, such that one spring is disposed so as to bias one thermoelectric conversion element. The one exchanger is provided with a transfer portion capable of transmitting to one thermoelectric conversion element a biasing force of one spring at a portion connected to the first electrode or the second electrode.

Abstract: An infrared subwavelength metasurface lens implements slit width modulation focusing of infrared light into a subwavelength region located within a silicon substrate. The lens includes a metasurface deposited on a surface of the silicon substrate, where the metasurface has multiple discrete copper elements separated by uniformly distributed slits of different widths. The device may also implement refractive index modulation by filling different slits with silicon or air. The infrared subwavelength metasurface lens may be coupled with a thermoelectric generator to form a thermoelectric infrared harvesting device.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes a plurality of finger electrodes, which extend in a first direction, and are aligned with a first interval in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and an identification mark arranged so that a second interval, which is greater than the first interval, separates the identification mark from the plurality of finger electrodes in the second direction.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving configuration input for a solar structure; the configuration input comprising (i) a geographical location, (ii) module configuration input, and (iii) reflector configuration input; identifying the position of the sun; determining an angle between the solar reflector and the solar module corresponding to a predetermined power gain for the solar module, wherein the determining comprises (i) identifying the corresponding area of the solar module that is illuminated by the solar reflector and (ii) totaling the contributions from each of the solar reflectors to calculate an irradiance for each solar cell; adjusting the angles of at least some of the solar reflectors with respect to the solar module to angles determined to correspond to the predetermined power gain using at least one actuator; and dynamically changing how the solar cells are electrically connected together to form a plurality of strings.

Abstract: Materials, methods and system for transparent photovoltaic devices are disclosed, such as those are transparent to visible light but absorb near-infrared light and/or ultraviolet light. The photovoltaic devices make use of transparent electrodes and visibly transparent UV acceptor molecules and structurally related visibly transparent photoactive compounds, which may be useful as photoactive materials, optical materials, and/or buffer materials.

Abstract: A thermoelectric composition is provided that includes a nanocomposite comprising a copper selenide (Cu2Se) matrix having a plurality of nanoinclusions comprising copper metal selenide (CuMSe2) distributed therein. M may be selected from the group consisting of: indium (In), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), and combinations thereof. The thermoelectric composition has an average figure of merit (ZT) of greater than or equal to about 1.5 at a temperature of less than or equal to about 850K (about 577° C.). Methods of making such a thermoelectric nanocomposite material by a sequential solid-state transformation of a CuSe2 precursor are also provided.

Abstract: A control apparatus mounted on a diesel vehicle including an oxidation catalyst, a selective reduction catalyst, and a gas sensor includes an activation determination section, a concentration computation section, and a deterioration determination section. The concentration computation section computes the concentration of flammable gas from a sensor output in a period during which the activation determination section determines that the oxidation catalyst is not in the activated state and computes the concentration of ammonia gas from the sensor output in a period during which the activation determination section determines that the oxidation catalyst is in the activated state. The deterioration determination section determines whether or not the oxidation catalyst has deteriorated, on the basis of the concentration of the flammable gas computed by the concentration computation section.

Abstract: A method is provided that integrates an autonomous energy harvesting capacity in buildings in an aesthetically neutral manner. A unique set of structural features combine to implement a hidden energy harvesting system on a surface of the building to provide electrical power to the building, and/or to electrically-powered devices in the building. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below.

Abstract: The flexible solar panel includes a polymer matrix and a plant extract incorporated in the polymer matrix. The plant extract can be an extract of chard (B. vulgaris subsp. cicla) including an organic dye. The plant extract can include chloroplasts. The polymer matrix may be formed from either poly(vinyl alcohol) or polystyrene. The flexible solar panel can be green.

Abstract: A system is provided that integrates an autonomous energy harvesting capacity in buildings in an aesthetically neutral manner. A unique set of structural features combine to implement a hidden energy harvesting system on a surface of the building to provide electrical power to the building, and/or to electrically-powered devices in the building. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a conductive area including first and second conductive areas on one surface of a semiconductor substrate, a passivation film having opening and an electrode including a first electrode connected to the first conductive area and a second electrode connected to the second conductive area, the electrode including an adhesive layer on the semiconductor substrate or the conductive area, an electrode layer on the adhesive layer and including a metal, and a barrier layer disposed on the electrode layer and including a metal that is different from the metal of the electrode layer, the electrode layer having a thickness greater than a thickness of each of the adhesive layer and the barrier layer, a width of the electrode layer being larger than a width of the opening, and the barrier layer having a higher melting point than a melting point of the electrode layer.