Abstract: Disclosed is a photoelectric conversion element including a cell. The cell includes an electrode substrate, a counter substrate, an oxide semiconductor layer provided on the electrode substrate, an electrolyte provided between the electrode substrate and the counter substrate, and an annular sealing portion joining the electrode substrate and the counter substrate. The layer includes a main body portion provided inside the sealing portion and on the electrode substrate and extending straight from the electrode substrate toward the counter substrate, and a protruding portion which protrudes from the main body portion toward the sealing portion and does not come into contact with the electrode substrate. A width of a second surface of the layer facing the counter substrate is longer than a width of a first surface which is a boundary surface between the layer and the electrode substrate in a cross section along a thickness direction of the layer.

Abstract: A drive shaft includes an extruded internal tube having teeth formed thereon. The drive shaft also includes an extruded external tube having teeth formed therein and coaxially receiving the internal tube. The teeth of the internal tube engaging the teeth of the external tube, wherein the internal tube and the external tube are aluminum.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thin film type solar cell which prevents short circuit from occurring between a first electrode and a second electrode due to a burr produced in a separation part, thereby preventing an output from being reduced. The thin film type solar cell includes a substrate, a first electrode disposed over the substrate and being apart from an adjacent first electrode by a first separation part, a semiconductor layer disposed over the first electrode and being apart from an adjacent semiconductor layer by a contact part and a second separation part, and a second electrode disposed over the semiconductor layer and being apart from an adjacent second electrode by the second separation part. The semiconductor layer contacts the substrate through the first separation part, and the second electrode contacts the first electrode through the contact part. A height of a burr produced in the second separation part is lower than a height between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A formaldehyde electrochemical sensor employing a formaldehyde sensitive assembly of formaldehyde dehydrogenase attached to graphene in fluid communication with a source of NAD+, and a method of measuring formaldehyde utilizing the sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides interconnect elements and methods of using interconnect elements. In one embodiment, the interconnect element includes: a first end including at least three members, each member having a pair of parallel gap apertures for mounting an adjoining first component; a second opposing end including at least two members, each member having a pair of parallel gap apertures for mounting an adjoining second component; and one or more interconnect connecting portions to attach the first end of the interconnect element to the second end of the interconnect element.

Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly comprising; (a) at least two photovoltaic components that are adjacent to each other in a first direction, each photovoltaic component comprising (i) a partial recess in communication with the partial recess in an adjacent photovoltaic component and (ii) one or more connector receptors aligned in a second direction which is non-parallel to the first direction; (b) a connector located at feast partially in the partial recess of the photovoltaic component and at least partially in the partial recess of the adjacent photovoltaic component so that the connector connects the photovoltaic component to the adjacent photovoltaic component, the connector comprising: (i) a flexible housing having a first end and a second end; (ii) one or more connection ports at the first end; (iii) one or more connection ports at the second end; and (iv) one more flexible electrical conductors that extend from the one or more connection ports at the first end to the one or more connection ports at the second en

Abstract: The present invention is a solar concentrator composed of a generally V-shaped trough of reflective Fresnel steps. The Fresnel reflective steps concentrate the sunlight entering the mouth of the V-shaped trough and parallel to its central axis into a central focal area. By disposing a solar energy receiving element at the central focal area of sunlight concentration a preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector is realized. Various types of solar energy receiving structures are shown that serve to convert the concentrated sunlight into other forms of useful energy to realize the preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector.

Abstract: A solar cell assembly comprises a first assembly of at least one photovoltaic cell and a protective glass positioned on the active face of the first assembly, the area of the protective glass covering more than the entirety of the active face of the first assembly, and comprises a second assembly of at least one portion of the protective glass extending from the active face of the first assembly, the second assembly comprises an optically reflective surface.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module is provided, and a cell set thereof includes a first cell, a second cell, and a conductive connection element. In the first cell, a first semiconductor stack has a first surface, a second surface, and a first side surface. A first electrode is disposed on the first surface. A second electrode is disposed on the second surface. In the second cell, a second semiconductor stack has a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second side surface. A third electrode is disposed on the third surface. A fourth electrode is disposed on the fourth surface. The conductive connection element connects the first electrode with a part of a first insulation layer on the second surface, and connects the third electrode with a part of a second insulation layer on the fourth surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed Kirigami-inspired structures for use in solar tracking applications. When coupled with thin-film active materials, the disclosed microstructures can track solar position and maximize solar power generation. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a photovoltaic system comprising a single-axis, or multi-axis solar tracking structure comprising a support structure made of a flexible material having a defined unit cell structure, and a flexible photovoltaic cell disposed on the support structure. There is also disclosed methods of making such structures in which the photovoltaic cell is mounted to the support structure by a direct-attachment bonding processes such as cold-welding.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell assembly for streamlined bodies are provided. The solar cell assembly may be prepared on an assembly fixture. The solar cell assembly may then be removed from the assembly fixture and positioned on a top surface of the streamlined body. In examples, the solar cell assembly comprises a first film, an array of solar cells on top of the first film, and a second silicone film deposited over the solar cells.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for reducing entropy of a polyelectrolyte before the polyelectrolyte moves through a nanopore. A free-standing membrane has the nanopore formed through the membrane. An agarose gel is formed onto either and/or both sides of the nanopore in the membrane. The agarose gel is a porous material. The polyelectrolyte is uncoiled by driving the polyelectrolyte through the porous material of the agarose gel via an electric field. Driving the polyelectrolyte, having been uncoiled and linearized by the agarose gel, into the nanopore is for sequencing.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for reducing entropy of a polyelectrolyte before the polyelectrolyte moves through a nanopore. A free-standing membrane has the nanopore formed through the membrane. An agarose gel is formed onto either and/or both sides of the nanopore in the membrane. The agarose gel is a porous material. The polyelectrolyte is uncoiled by driving the polyelectrolyte through the porous material of the agarose gel via an electric field. Driving the polyelectrolyte, having been uncoiled and linearized by the agarose gel, into the nanopore is for sequencing.

Abstract: Relative GPS antenna alignment uses a phase shifter electrically connected to a first GPS antenna. A combiner is electrically connected to the phase shifter, the second GPS antenna and to a GPS receiver. A GPS reception signal (Sig1) emitted by the first GPS antenna is phase-shifted by the phase shifter by a phase shift (?) that can be set by way of a controller and is added by the combiner to a second GPS reception signal (Sig2) emitted by the second GPS antenna. The composite signal (Sum) thus produced is determined for at least three different phase shifts (?). On the basis of these data, the profile of the composite signal (Sum) and the relative alignment of the two GPS antennas in relation to one another is determined.

Abstract: A solar cell front side silver paste doped with modified graphene and its preparation method are disclosed. The solar cell front side silver paste doped with modified graphene comprises by weight 0.1-5 parts of modified graphene, 88-91 parts of silver powder, 5-15 parts of organic binder, 1-5 parts of organic solvent, 1-3 parts of glass powder, wherein the modified graphene is a surface modified graphene. A solar cell front side silver paste is developed, which is screen printed on a crystalline silicon wafer, sintered at a high temperature, penetrates the SiNx passivation layer in the crystalline silicon wafer, and thus forms a good ohmic contact.

Abstract: A radar attached laterally to airplane fuselage to detect obstacles on a collision course with a portion of the airplane facing the radar. The radar includes an emission antennal channel and reception antennal channels in the same plane. The radar Establishing in a radar coordinate system a first distance/Doppler map allowing echoes to be separated into distance and Doppler resolution cells in reception antennal channels; Establishing a second distance/Doppler map of smaller size by selecting a subset of distance/Doppler resolution cells corresponding to possible positions of targets liable to collide with the airplane; Establishing new distance/Doppler maps by forming beams computationally from the subsets of distance resolution cells; and Temporal integration, in each beam, of successive distance/Doppler maps.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first i-type semiconductor film provided on a part of one of surfaces of the semiconductor substrate; a first semiconductor region including a first-conductivity-type semiconductor film provided on the first i-type semiconductor film; a first electrode layer provided on the first semiconductor region; a first conductive film interposed at least at a site between the first semiconductor region and the first electrode layer.

Abstract: A holographic radar reflector includes a surface with a plurality of substantially microwave wavelength scale patterns along one or more portions of the surface. The holographic radar reflector can be a non-specular reflector, where the plurality of substantially microwave wavelength scale patterns have varying reflectivity. The holographic radar reflector can reflect electromagnetic radiation emitted from a fixed feed point in varying directions depending on the portion of the surface reflecting the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides dual-function photovoltaic (PV) devices that generate electric current and have a colored surface or colored appearance. The PV devices may be angle insensitive and polarization independent. Such a dual-function PV device may have an ultra-thin photoactive layer (e.g., comprising an undoped amorphous silicon) with a thickness of ? about 50 nm. The PV device is configured to filter (transmit or reflect) a portion of an electromagnetic spectrum, providing a controllable and tunable color appearance. Such nanometer a-Si/organic hybrid cells are designed to transmit or reflect angle insensitive colors, electrically powering up to 2% to 3% or higher by efficient absorbed photon to charge conversion. In certain variations, the present disclosure further provides decorative power generating panels creating angle insensitive transmissive or reflective colors.

Abstract: A design is described for solar panel that allows for modular installation and efficient removal of panels irrespective of the panel's relative location in an array arrangement. A system is provided that includes a plurality of modular panels (such as solar power panels). These panels are rimmed by frames featuring one or more exterior-facing, grooved channels. A first channel—which may be used to mount the panel, and which replaces traditional railing installation systems—and a second channel that is configured to allow movement of one or more panel splices used to secure the panels together. Integrated electrical connection interfaces are provided on opposite side surfaces of the frames to couple with the electrical connection interfaces of adjacent panels to establish an electrical path between them.