Abstract: In general, the invention relates to electro-conductive pastes comprising a glass which comprises molybdenum and lead as a constituent of a solar cell paste, and the use of such in the preparation of photovoltaic solar cells. More specifically, the invention relates to electroconductive pastes, precursors, processes for preparation of solar cells, solar cells and solar modules. The invention relates to an electro-conductive paste at least comprising as paste constituents: a) metallic particles; b) a glass; c) an organic vehicle; and d) an additive; wherein the glass comprises the following: i) Pb in the range from about 1 to about 94 wt. %; ii) Mo in the range from about 2 to about 30 wt. %; iii) O in the range from about 1 to about 50 wt. %; with the wt. % in each case being based on the total weight of the glass.

Abstract: A hematocrit (HCT) measurement system and measurement method using the same are disclosed. The hematocrit (HCT) measurement system comprises a test strip and a measurement apparatus comprising: a connector transmitting an initial signal generated from a blood sample to the measurement apparatus, a capacitive reactance adjustor disposed between the test strip and the measurement apparatus, a calculation unit for calculating concentration and HCT value of the blood sample, an A/D convertor transforming the corresponding initial signal to a digital signal, and a signal processor processing the digital reacted signal and showing measured results on a display, wherein the HCT value is calculated by voltage partition to prevent the signal waveform voltage being saturated or cutoff, thereby resulting in measured signal distortion.

Abstract: Systems methods and/or apparatus for the conversion of various types of energy into thermal energy that may be stored and/or then converted into electrical energy. The electrical energy may be available on demand and/or at a user's desired power requirements (e.g., power level and/or type). For example, the energy may be available at a particular voltage and either as direct current (DC) energy or alternating current (AC) energy. The electrical energy may be easily transported and therefore available at a user's desired location. For example, the systems, methods and/or devices may eliminate or reduce the need for electricity transmission, at least for certain applications. In exemplary embodiments, the system may include an organic phase change material for storing the thermal energy.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, a separator, and a sealing member. The sealing member is provided on a separator surface and includes a base seal portion, a protruding seal portion, a first recessed portion, and a second recessed portion. The protruding seal portion protrudes from the base seal portion in a stacking direction so as to block leakage of at least one of a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, and a coolant which flow along the separator surface. The first recessed portion is disposed on a first side of the protruding seal portion. The second recessed portion is disposed on a second side of the protruding seal portion opposite to the first recessed portion. The first recessed portion and the second recessed portion have a height in the stacking direction smaller than a height of the base seal portion in the stacking direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoelectric device, comprising pipes (8), called hot pipes, through which a first fluid can flow, and elements (3p, 3n), called thermoelectric elements, that can be used to generate an electric current in the presence of a temperature gradient. According to the invention, it comprises fins (5p, 5n) that can be configured in a heat exchange relationship with pipes (9), called cold pipes, through which a second fluid can flow at a temperature lower than that of the first fluid, and in that the thermoelectric elements (3p, 3n) are in contact, on the one hand, with the hot pipes (8) and, on the other hand, with the fins (5p, 5n), such that said thermoelectric elements (3p, 3n) generate said current.

Abstract: An organic-inorganic composite layer for a lithium battery includes an organic polymer and a plurality of composite inorganic particles. The weight ratio of the organic polymer to the composite inorganic particles is 10:90 to 95:5, wherein the composite inorganic particles have at least two structural configurations stacked in staggered configuration.

Abstract: A solar cell system includes a bifacial solar cell module which is to be installed tilted relative to a horizontal plane with one edge in an upper position and another edge in a lower position, the solar cell module including: a solar panel which has a solar cell array region in which a plurality of solar cells are disposed; and a frame which includes portions surrounding a periphery of the solar panel, wherein the solar cell array region is formed in such a manner that a first distance between the solar cell array region and the portion of the frame along the other edge of the solar cell module is greater than a second distance between the solar cell array region and the portion of the frame along the one edge of the solar cell module.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermoelectric device that includes a plurality of thermoelectric couples positioned between a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein each thermoelectric couple comprises n-type and p-type element assemblies electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel. When the device is used for electrical power generation, the efficiency is increased by using semiconductor materials with a high Seebeck coefficient, increasing the distance between the n-type and p-type element assemblies, increasing the length of the electrical conductors/thermal distance between the top and bottom plates, and/or using an insulation plate spaced from the top plate. When the device is used for heating/cooling, the coefficients of performance are increased by using semiconductor materials with a high Seebeck coefficient and/or optimizing the length of the electrical conductors/thermal distance between the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to contact grids for use in photovoltaic cells, wherein a cross-section of the contact grid fingers is shaped as a trapezoid, as well as a method of making photovoltaic cells comprising these contact grids. The contact grids of the instant disclosure are cost effective and, due to their thick metal grids, exhibit minimum resistance. Despite having thick metal grids, the unique shape of the contact grid fingers of the instant disclosure allow the photovoltaic cells in which they are employed to retain more solar energy than traditional solar cells by reflecting incoming solar energy back onto the surface of the solar cell instead of reflecting this energy away from the cell.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device having three dimensional (3D) charge separation and collection, where charge separation occurs in 3D depletion regions formed between a p-type doped group III-nitride material in the photovoltaic device and intrinsic structural imperfections extending through the material. The p-type group III-nitride alloy is compositionally graded to straddle the Fermi level pinning by the intrinsic structural imperfections in the material at different locations in the group III-nitride alloy. A field close to the surfaces of the intrinsic defects separates photoexcited electron-hole pairs and drives the separated electrons to accumulate at the surfaces of the intrinsic defects. The intrinsic defects function as n-type conductors and transport the accumulated electrons to the material surface for collection. The compositional grading also creates a potential that drives the accumulated separated electrons toward an n-type group III-nitride layer for collection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method pertaining to a perpetual energy harvester. The harvester absorbs ambient infrared radiation and provides continual power regardless of the environment. The device seeks to harvest the largely overlooked blackbody radiation through use of a semiconductor thermal harvester.

Abstract: A flexible printed wiring board includes a first strip-shaped member and a second strip-shaped member each including a conductive part and an insulating part covering the conductive part; and a first connecting member including a conductive part and an insulating part covering the conductive part, the first connecting member connecting a first end of the first strip-shaped member and a first end of the second strip-shaped member to each other. The conductive parts of the first strip-shaped member, the second strip-shaped member, and the first connecting member are continuous with each other. The first strip-shaped member and the second strip-shaped member are capable of being linearly arranged when the first connecting member is bent and the first end of the first strip-shaped member and the first end of the second strip-shaped member face each other.

Abstract: The disclosure describes multi-junction solar cell structures that include two or more graded interlayers.

Abstract: A hydrogen purifier includes: a CO remover configured to reduce carbon monoxide in a hydrogen-containing gas through an oxidation reaction, the hydrogen-containing gas containing ammonia and carbon monoxide; and an ammonia remover provided upstream from the CO remover, the ammonia remover being configured to cause a reaction between ammonia in the hydrogen-containing gas and oxygen by using a catalyst to decompose the ammonia.

Abstract: A single-step wet etch process is provided to isolate multijunction solar cells on semiconductor substrates, wherein the wet etch chemistry removes semiconductor materials nonselectively without a major difference in etch rate between different heteroepitaxial layers. The solar cells thus formed comprise multiple heterogeneous semiconductor layers epitaxially grown on the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for suppressing welding faults caused in sealing a case of a sealed battery by laser welding. A step for manufacturing a sealed battery having a case sealed by a sealing plug and a sealing plate, which includes a sealing step for fitting the sealing plug into a pouring hole formed in a recess of a lid portion and inserting the sealing plate into the recess, and a welding step for joining the sealing plate to the recess by laser welding. In the sealing step, a heat-insulating member is provided in a minute space defined by the recess, the sealing plug and the sealing plate so as to block at least a part of the boundary portion between the sealing plate and the recess. In the welding step, welding is completed at a position where the heat-insulating member is present in the boundary portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium and high-temperature carbon-air cell, which include a solid oxide fuel cell, a CO2 separation membrane and a carbon fuel. The solid oxide fuel cell is a tubular solid oxide fuel cell with one end closed, the carbon fuel is placed inside the tubular solid oxide fuel cell, and the CO2 separation membrane is sealed at the open end of the solid oxide fuel cell. In the carbon-air cell, with carbon as fuel and oxygen in the air as an oxidizing gas, electrochemical reactions occur. The carbon-air cell of the present invention has a novel structural design, and can achieve electricity generation with the solid oxide fuel cell without externally charging a gas, and at the same time, CO2 generated inside the solid oxide fuel cell can be discharged from the system through the CO2 separation membrane in time.

Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a substrate and a dielectric layer formed over the substrate. A plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements may be disposed within the dielectric layer. The p-type thermoelectric elements and the n-type thermoelectric elements may be connected in series while alternating between the p-type and the n-type thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: Provided is a polymer solar cell. The polymer solar cell includes a photoactive layer having a network-structured electron donor layer and a silica thin film layer surrounding the electron donor layer. By mixing of electron donor polymers, electron acceptor polymers, and block copolymers, the electron donor polymers form polymer grains through a self-assembly process. In addition, during a heat treatment process, silica precursors included in the block copolymers cross-link to each other to form the silica thin film. Electrons generated in the electron donor layer tunnel through the silica thin film, and holes are blocked by the silica thin film. Accordingly, electron-hole recombination in the electron acceptor layer is prevented.

Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a substrate and a dielectric layer formed over the substrate. A plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements may be disposed within the dielectric layer. The p-type thermoelectric elements and the n-type thermoelectric elements may be connected in series while alternating between the p-type and the n-type thermoelectric elements.