Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell module and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell module includes a substrate, a solar cell panel located on the substrate and including a plurality of solar cells, a buffer sheet on the solar cell panel, and a bus bar connected to one of the solar cells while passing through the buffer sheet. The method of fabricating a solar cell module includes forming a solar cell panel including a plurality of solar cells on a substrate, forming a buffer sheet including a bus bar connected to one of the solar cells, and locating the buffer sheet including the bus bar on the solar cell panel. The bus bar passes through the buffer sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoelectric conversion material having a low thermal conductivity and having an improved figure of merit, and a method for producing it. The thermoelectric conversion material has, as formed on a substrate having a nano-level microporous nanostructure, a thermoelectric semiconductor layer prepared by forming a thermoelectric semiconductor material into a film, wherein the substrate is a block copolymer substrate formed of a block copolymer that comprises a polymethyl methacrylate unit and a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-containing polymethacrylate unit, and the thermoelectric semiconductor material is a p-type bismuth telluride or an n-type bismuth telluride. The production method comprises a substrate formation step of forming the nanostructure-having block copolymer substrate, and a film formation step of forming a p-type bismuth telluride or an n-type bismuth telluride into a film to thereby provide a thermoelectric semiconductor layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a nonaqueous electrolyte battery. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. An Li-atom abundance ratio ALi, Ti-atom abundance ratio ATi, and C-atom abundance ratio AC of a surface of the negative electrode satisfy inequalities 2?AC/ATi?10, and 1.0?ALi/AC?1.5. The positive electrode includes a nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide represented by a composition formula Li1?aNixCoyMnzO2. Subscripts x, y, and z satisfy an inequality 0.1?x/(y+z)?1.3, and subscript a satisfies an inequality 0?a?1. A ratio p/n of a capacity p of the positive electrode to a capacity n of the negative electrode is within a range of 1.2 to 2.

Abstract: A method of operating a hydrogen generator includes: a step (a) of generating a hydrogen-containing gas by a hydrogen generation unit by using a raw material in the hydrogen generation unit; a step (b) of removing a sulfur compound from the raw material by a hydrodesulfurizer which is heated by heat transferred from the hydrogen generation unit; and a step (c) of performing an operation of supplying the raw material to the hydrogen generation unit after stopping the generating of the hydrogen-containing gas by the hydrogen generation unit. The step (c) is not performed unless, at least, a temperature of the hydrodesulfurizer is such a temperature at which carbon deposition from the raw material is suppressed.

Abstract: A bus bar module includes an output terminal that has a male screw, a tab for preventing a wiring terminal from being rotated subserviently, and a terminal connecting portion with which a terminal of a battery element in a battery pack is connected, and a module main body from which a portion of a terminal installation portion to which the output terminal is installed is protruded. The terminal installation portion has an engagement tab that elastically deforms during an installation of the output terminal and recovers after the installation to engage the output terminal with the terminal installation portion. The tab is located so as to prevent a tool from contacting with the engagement tab when connecting the terminal connecting portion with the terminal of the battery element. According to the module, the output terminal can be prevented from dropping off even during its installation to the battery pack.

Abstract: There is disclosed methods utilizing organic vapor phase deposition for growing bulk organic crystalline layers for organic photosensitive devices, heterojunctions and films made by such methods, and devices using such heterojunctions. There is also disclosed new methods for manufacturing heterojunctions and organic photosensitive devices, and the heterojunctions and devices manufactured thereby.

Abstract: A solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment includes a support substrate including a plurality of patterns; a back electrode layer on the support substrate; a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer; a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer; and a front electrode layer on the buffer layer, wherein the patterns are formed in an undercut structure including a first inner side surface, a second inner side surface and a bottom surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for interconnecting photovoltaic cells having contacts on their back side, comprising at least one layer of a woven produced from electrically insulating fibers, comprising at least one thread or tape section made of an electrically conductive material woven with said fibers and arranged so as to be flush with the surface of at least one region of the woven in order to form an electrical contact region intended to be connected to a contact pad located on the back side of a cell. The invention also relates to a module of interconnected photovoltaic cells having contacts on the back side, comprising an interconnecting device arranged along the back side of the cells, and a process for manufacturing such a module.

Abstract: Provided are novel building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) modules that are mechanically and electrically interconnectable. According to various embodiments, the modules include channels and protrusion members. A channel of one module snugly fits over a protrusion member of an adjacent module to provide a moisture seal and, in certain embodiments, to collect water in between two modules and direct it downward. In certain embodiments, a channel is configured to interlock with a protrusion member in one or more directions. The channel is positioned along one edge of the module, while the protrusion member is positioned along the opposite edge, so that BIP modules can form a continuous interconnected row. The channel and protrusion member include electrical connectors having conductive elements. Inserting a protrusion member into a channel and, in certain embodiments, sliding one with respect to another also electrically interconnects the conductive elements.

Abstract: A power generating film is disposed on a substrate, a transparent conductive film is disposed on the power generating film in an overlapping manner, a first insulating film having a thickness of greater than or equal to 1 ?m is disposed on the transparent conductive film, and the substrate is formed into a predetermined shape by irradiating the substrate with laser light which is condensed thereto and by spraying gas onto the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for the industrial wiring and final testing of photovoltaic concentrator modules, consisting of a module frame, a lens disc, a sensor carrier disc and an electrical line routing arrangement, comprising the following features: a) a laser contact-making device for the contactless connection of connecting lines between the individual sensors and of connecting elements and of collective contact plates, wherein the line routing arrangement on the sensor carrier disc as basic structure has, in each case, five CPV sensors connected in parallel, and these parallel circuits are connected in series, b) a device for testing electrical properties, wherein a specific voltage is applied to CPV sensors themselves, and the light emitted by them via the lenses is detected and assessed, c) a device for testing tightness of finished concentrator modules, wherein compressed air is applied to the modules in the interior and the emission of compressed air is checked.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silver paste composition for forming an electrode, and a silicon solar cell using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a silver paste composition for forming an electrode, which includes carbon black having specific parameter characteristics to improve rheological properties of the paste and printability, thereby achieving a high aspect ratio and improving electrical characteristics, and a silicon solar cell using the same.

Abstract: A hybrid solar cells integrated glassblock structure, includes, at least one glass shell (0) having at least a light transparent surface (2, 9, 13) intended to be exposed to solar radiations, a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSC) device (3, 8) associated to the surface (2, 9, 13) so as to receive solar radiations passing through the surface, the device having electric contacts, at least one hole (7, 11, 15, 17) allowing passage to an external area of the glassblock of electrical connections leading to the device contacts; and a prestressed and dry assembled glassblock panel for the construction of translucent building envelope even in high-rise buildings, which may also provide high performance related to energy production and saving.

Abstract: The disclosed relates to a thermoelectric device for generating electrical currents exploiting the Seebeck effect, more specifically a structural thermoelectric device which can replace a structural component of a body. The structural thermoelectric device can include a first conductor layer, a second conductor layer and located therebetween a polymer thermocouple layer having a reinforcement formed from a structural support, wherein the internal surface of the support includes at least one layer of at least one conducting polymer. The reinforcement can be is porous material with a plurality of voids, wherein the internal surfaces of the voids are coated with a conducting polymer, which is capable of providing the Peltier effect.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a hybrid system of which overall efficiency is improved. [Solution] A hybrid system of the invention includes: a fuel cell device; and a thermoacoustic cooler. The thermoacoustic cooler 14 includes: a thermoacoustic energy generating section 20 in which thermoacoustic energy is generated by a temperature gradient between a high-temperature side and a low-temperature side; and a cooling section 21 in which a function of cooling is performed in the low-temperature side using the temperature gradient between the high-temperature side and the low-temperature side which is produced when the thermoacoustic energy transmitted from the thermoacoustic energy generating section 20 is converted into energy. The system is configured to cause exhaust gas emitted from the fuel cell device to flow through the high-temperature side of the thermoacoustic energy generating section 20. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the hybrid system of which overall efficiency is improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoelectric conversion material of which the structure is controlled to have nano-order microscopic pores and which has a low thermal conductivity and has an improved thermoelectric performance index. In the thermoelectric conversion material having a thermoelectric semiconductor layer formed on a block copolymer substrate that comprises a block copolymer having microscopic pores, wherein the block copolymer comprises a polymer unit (A) formed of a monomer capable of forming a homopolymer having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher, and a polymer unit (B) formed of a conjugated dienic polymer.

Abstract: A battery includes a case accommodating an electrode assembly, the case including an opening at one end and including at least one sidewall, the sidewall having a coupling portion adjacent to the opening, a cap plate that closes the opening, the cap plate having an upper surface, the coupling portion of the sidewall connecting the cap plate to the case, the coupling portion including a top surface of the sidewall, the cap plate overlying a first portion of the top surface of the sidewall, such that the upper surface of the cap plate is entirely above top surface of the sidewall, and a welding bead contacting the cap plate and a second portion of the top surface of the sidewall, the second portion of the top surface being between the first portion and an outer surface of the sidewall.

Abstract: In a configuration to join thermoelectric elements with an electrode in a thermoelectric module, reduction in junction reliability between the thermoelectric elements and the electrode is suppressed in a high-temperature environment and in an environment in which vibration and shock are imposed as load, to efficiently transmit the outer-circumferential temperature to the thermoelectric elements. In a thermoelectric module in which a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric element are alternately arranged by aligning the surfaces thereof on the high-temperature side and the surfaces thereof on the low-temperature side, to electrically connect the thermoelectric elements in series to each other; the p-type thermoelectric elements and the n-type thermoelectric element are joined via an intermediate layer with a deformable stress relaxation electrode, to thereby absorb stress taking place during the module assembling process and the module operation by the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoelectric conversion element and a method for manufacturing the same and relates to suppression of breakage and deterioration of the thermoelectric conversion element due to partial pressurization from the vertical direction. This thermoelectric conversion element has: at least one n-type semiconductor body; at least one p-type semiconductor body; a first connecting electrode; a first out-put electrode for n-side output; and a second output electrode for p-side output, wherein areas of respective joint sections of the n-type semiconductor body with the first connecting electrode, the first output electrode, and the second output electrode and of the p-type semiconductor body with the first connecting electrode, the first output electrode, and the second output electrode are greater than respective cross-sectional areas in other positions, in an axial direction, of the n-type semiconductor body and the p-type semiconductor body.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell apparatus. The solar cell apparatus includes: a substrate; a first cell group on the substrate; a second cell group on the substrate; a first diode connected in parallel to the first cell group; and a second diode connected in parallel to the second cell group.