Abstract: An organic semiconductor compound and a method for manufacturing the same is provided. The method for manufacturing the organic semiconductor compound may include stirring a solated organic semiconductor and a solated organometallic precursor. Herein, the manufacturing the organic semiconductor compound includes: forming a three-dimensional organic semiconductor compound by allowing the solated organic semiconductor to orthogonally penetrate one or more gaps in a lattice structure of a gelated organometallic precursor formed by stirring the solated organometallic precursor.

Abstract: Electrical energy storage device for powering portable devices such as vehicles or consumer electronics includes barriers to minimize migration of thermal energy and propagation of combustion in the rare event that electrical energy storage cells fail, burst and ignite. A burst structure is provided to vent gas from the device in a desired direction in the event pressure within the device exceeds a maximum value. Biased vents permit gases emanating from a portable electrical energy storage cell within an electrical energy storage module to escape and isolate other electrical energy storage cells from the gases.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode material for secondary batteries, including a porous carbon material being derived from a plant and having an average particle size of less than 4 ?m.

Abstract: Techniques for achieving band gap grading in CZTS/Se absorber materials are provided. In one aspect, a method for creating band gap grading in a CZTS/Se absorber layer includes the steps of: providing a reservoir material containing Si or Ge; forming the CZTS/Se absorber layer on the reservoir material; and annealing the reservoir material and the CZTS/Se absorber layer under conditions sufficient to diffuse Si or Ge atoms from the reservoir material into the CZTS/Se absorber layer with a concentration gradient to create band gap grading in the CZTS/Se absorber layer. A photovoltaic device and method of forming the photovoltaic device are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic power cell memory back-up battery is disclosed. The electronic power cell memory back-up battery utilizes stored light photons to produce usable energy, and can be used to replace batteries or other power sources in electronic devices. The electronic power cell memory back-up battery disclosed includes a light source and a photovoltaic device in optical communication with the light source. The photovoltaic device creates electrical power in response to receiving light from the light source. A portion of the electrical power generated by the photovoltaic device is used to power the light source. In some embodiments power input contacts are included for use in providing initial start-up power to the light source. In some embodiments the light source comprises a light-emitting device and a photoluminescent material optically coupled to the light-emitting device, where the photoluminescent material emits light in response to receiving light from the light-emitting device.

Abstract: A solar cell can include a substrate and a semiconductor region disposed in or above the substrate. Selective firing of a conductive paste can be used to form a conductive contact for a solar cell. The solar cell can also include a conductive contact disposed on the semiconductor region with the conductive contact including a conductive paste that has a top and bottom portion with the top portion having particles coalesced together.

Abstract: Solar cell fabrication using laser patterning of ion-implanted etch-resistant layers, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a back contact solar cell includes a maximum concentration of the approximately Gaussian distribution of P-type dopants approximately in the center of each of segmented P-type emitter regions between first and second sides of each of the segmented P-type emitter regions.

Abstract: Techniques for increasing grain size in AZTSSe absorber materials are provided. In one aspect, a method for forming an absorber film on a substrate includes: contacting the substrate with an Ag source, a Zn source, a Sn source, and an S source and/or an Se source under conditions sufficient to form the absorber film on the substrate having a target composition of: AgXZnYSn(S,Se)Z, wherein 1.7<x<2.2, 0.9<y<1.3, and 3.5<z<4.5, and including an amount of the Ag source that is from about 10% to about 30% greater than is needed to achieve the target composition; annealing the absorber film; and removing excess Ag from the absorber film. A solar cell and method for fabrication thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A solar tracker apparatus includes an adjustable hanger assembly that has a clam shell hanger assembly. The clam shell hanger assembly may hold a torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end. A center of mass of the solar tracker apparatus may be aligned with a center of rotation of the torque tubes, in order to reduce a load of a drive device operably coupled to the torque tube. Solar modules may be coupled to the torque tubes. The solar tracker includes an energy system that includes solar panel, a DC to DC converter, a battery, and a micro-controller. The energy system may facilitate full operation movement of the tracker apparatus without any external power lines.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module according to the present invention includes a first support substrate including a principal surface that includes a first region and a second region that is adjacent to the first region; a second support substrate including a principal surface that faces the first region; a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged between the first region and the principal surface of the second support substrate; and a temperature detection element mounted in the second region. The temperature detection element and the second support substrate are thermally connected to each other by a thermally conductive member.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a crystalline substrate having a first dopant conductivity, an interdigitated back contact and a front surface field structure. The front surface field structure includes a crystalline layer formed on the substrate and a noncrystalline layer formed on the crystalline layer. The crystalline layer and the noncrystalline layer are doped with dopants having a same dopant conductivity as the substrate. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Solar cell conductor formulations made are from two silver powders having different particle size distributions, an aluminum powder, and two frit glass compositions having softening points in the range of 250-700° C. and whose softening points differ by at least 10° C.

Abstract: A solar cell device and a method of fabricating the same are described. The method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a photovoltaic substructure including a substrate, back contact, absorber and buffer, forming a transparent cover separate from the photovoltaic substructure including a transparent layer and a plasmonic nanostructured layer in contact with the transparent layer, and adhering the transparent cover on top of the photovoltaic substructure. The plasmonic nanostructured layer can include metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: A wasted heat harvesting device for harvesting electricity including a switching device configured to convey a magnetic field from a first region to at least a second region when the temperature of the switching device crosses a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thin film solar cell including a substrate, a first electrode, a light absorbing layer, a buffer layer, a window layer, and a second electrode, wherein a compound layer of MxSy or MxSey (here, M is metal, and x and y each are a natural number) is present in an interface between the first electrode and the light absorbing layer, the thickness of the compound layer of MxSy or MxSey being 150 nm or less.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to micro-hybrid battery modules that include at least one battery cell having a titanate-based oxide anode active material with spinel structure and a high voltage spinel (LiMn2?xMxO4) cathode active material. The battery module may be configured to couple to an energy storage unit to enable the module to be used in start-stop applications.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module can include an encapsulant having an alignment portion configured to maintain alignment of solar cells during manufacture of the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A solar cell module comprises: a solar cell panel; a terminal box mounted to the back surface of the solar cell panel, which is one surface thereof; a frame mounted to the edges of the solar cell panel; and a metallic first cover composed of a base section for covering the back surface of the terminal box, which is one surface thereof, and of an affixation section affixed to a frame which composes the frame.

Abstract: An integrated gas management device (GMD) for a fuel cell comprises a gas-to-gas humidifier for transferring water from a second gas to a first gas; a heat exchanger attached to a first end of the humidifier core for cooling the first gas; and/or a water separator attached to a second end of the humidifier core for removing liquid water from the second gas. The GMD may optionally comprise a thermal isolation plate between the heat exchanger and the first end of the humidifier core. The GMD further comprises a bypass line to allow the first gas to bypass the humidifier. The first gas may comprise cathode charge air and the second gas may comprise cathode exhaust.

Abstract: A holding frame includes a main frame member extending along a first side of the light-receiving surface, and a sub-frame member extending along a second side adjacent to the first side, wherein the main frame member includes a main outer wall extending along the first side, main holding units formed on the main outer wall to hold the solar cell panel from the first-side side, and a main bottom piece formed on the main outer wall protruding towards inside of the holding frame. The sub-frame member includes a sub-outer wall extending along the second side, sub-holding units formed on the sub-outer wall to hold the solar cell panel from the second-side side, and a cylindrical part formed to include the sub-outer wall, extending along the second side on the back surface side of the solar cell panel.