Abstract: A fuel cell is provided that includes an anode, a cathode, a solid electrolyte layer, a barrier layer, and an intermediate layer. The solid electrolyte layer includes zirconium and is provided between the anode and the cathode. The barrier layer includes cerium and is provided between the solid electrolyte layer and the cathode. The intermediate layer includes zirconium and cerium, and has a first surface facing the solid electrolyte layer, a second surface facing the barrier layer, and pores. The pore ratio of the intermediate layer is higher than the pore ratio of the barrier layer.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery, including a lithium salt, an organic solvent, lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB), and at least one kind of tris(trialkylsilyl)borate represented by following Chemical Formula 1. In the above Chemical Formula 1, R1 to R9 are the same as described in the detailed description.

Abstract: A nonaqueous lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode capable of intercalating and releasing lithium ions and a separator. The negative electrode includes a collector and a negative electrode mixture layer formed on the collector. The negative electrode mixture layer includes at least a negative electrode active material and a binder. Nonconductive particles are buried in a top layer of the negative electrode mixture layer. The nonconductive particles and the negative electrode active material exist as a mixture in the top layer with a depth ranging from 1 to 20 ?m. A volume ratio of nonconductive particles having a diameter equal to or less than 20 ?m to a total volume of all the nonconductive particles and the negative electrode active material existing in the top layer of the negative electrode mixture layer ranges from 20 to 80%.

Abstract: The membrane electrode assembly includes an anode including a catalyst and a solid polymer electrolyte; a cathode including a catalyst and a solid polymer electrolyte; a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode; an anode gas diffusion layer; and a cathode gas diffusion layer, a set composed of the anode, the cathode and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane being interposed between the anode gas diffusion layer and the cathode gas diffusion layer, wherein the cathode gas diffusion layer contains an oxidation catalyst and a water-repellent resin.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The photovoltaic device includes: a substrate; a first conductive layer formed on the substrate; P layers and N layers alternately formed along a first direction on the first conductive layer; and I layers covering the P layers and the N layers on the first conductive layer, wherein the P layers and the N layers are separated from each other by a first interval, the I layers are formed between the P layers and the N layers that are separated by the first interval, and the P layers, the I layers, and the N layers formed along the first direction form unit cells.

Abstract: A back contact single heterojunction solar cell and associated fabrication process are provided. A first semiconductor substrate is provided, lightly doped with a first dopant type. The substrate has a first energy bandgap. A second semiconductor is formed over a region of the substrate backside. The second semiconductor has a second energy bandgap, larger than the first energy bandgap. A third semiconductor layer is formed over the first semiconductor substrate topside, moderately doped with the first dopant and textured. An emitter is formed in the substrate backside, heavily doped with a second dopant type, opposite of the first dopant type, and a base is formed in the substrate backside, heavily doped with the first dopant type. Electrical contacts are made to the base and emitter. Either the emitter or base is formed in the second semiconductor.

Abstract: The invention provides for a thermoelectric system comprising a substrate comprising a first complex oxide, wherein the substrate is optionally embedded with a second complex oxide. The thermoelectric system can be used for thermoelectric power generation or thermoelectric cooling.

Abstract: A device for producing energy and power utilizing incoming solar radiation to invoke a thermal differential inside the device to produce an electric current utilizing a phenomenon more commonly known as the Seebeck effect, which produces energy by heating the junction between two dissimilar metals to create an electric current stemming from both their other ends.

Abstract: A multi-junction photovoltaic device includes a silicon substrate and a dielectric layer formed on the silicon substrate. A germanium layer is formed on the dielectric layer. The germanium includes a crystalline structure that is substantially similar to the crystalline structure of the silicon substrate. A first photovoltaic sub-cell includes a first plurality of doped semiconductor layers formed on the germanium layer. At least a second photovoltaic sub-cell includes a second plurality of doped semiconductor layers formed on the first photovoltaic sub-cell that is on the germanium layer that is on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: High efficiency conversion of heat energy to electrical energy is achieved using a ring of metallic components and anodically sliced, reduced barriers, high purity n-type and p-type semiconductor wafers. Energy produced by heating one set of fins and cooling another set is extracted from a ring of bismuth telluride based n-type wafers and antimony telluride based p-type wafers using make-before-break control of MOSfet switch banks. Standard AC frequencies and DC output result from rectification of make-before-break high frequency switched very high currents in the ring and a DC to AC converter. Solar energy stored in porcelain fragments extends the time that solar energy can be used as the heat source for the thermoelectric generator device.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes a first substrate, a second substrate having a second surface which is apart from and faces a first surface of the first substrate, a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged on the first and the second surfaces, a plurality of electrodes on the first and second surfaces each electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, and a ground electrode on at least the first surface. The plurality of electrodes on at least the first surface comprises a plurality of columns each of which comprises two or more electrodes aligned in a longitudinal direction, and the ground electrode is between two adjacent columns among the plurality of columns.

Abstract: A process for forming functionalized nanorods. The process includes providing a substrate, modifying the substrate by depositing a self-assembled monolayer of a bi-functional molecule on the substrate, wherein the monolayer is chosen such that one side of the bi-functional molecule binds to the substrate surface and the other side shows an independent affinity for binding to a nanocrystal surface, so as to form a modified substrate. The process further includes contacting the modified substrate with a solution containing nanocrystal colloids, forming a bound monolayer of nanocrystals on the substrate surface, depositing a polymer layer over the monolayer of nanocrystals to partially cover the monolayer of nanocrystals, so as to leave a layer of exposed nanocrystals, functionalizing the exposed nanocrystals, to form functionalized nanocrystals, and then releasing the functionalized nanocrystals from the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for preparing an antimicrobial plastic body, said processes comprising molding a precursor and being characterized in that prior to molding at least one component of the precursor is treated with a metal colloid.

Abstract: Formulations and methods of making solar cells are disclosed. In general, the invention provides a solar cell comprising a contact made from a mixture wherein, prior to firing, the mixture comprises at least one aluminum source, at least one boron source, and about 0.1 to about 10 wt % of a glass component. Within the mixture, the overall content of aluminum is about 50 wt % to about 85 wt % of the mixture, and the overall content of boron is about 0.05 to about 20 wt % of the mixture.

Abstract: A panel structure and a method of forming the panel structure are disclosed. The panel structure typically includes at least one panel associated with a material. The panel structure has been found particularly advantageous for use as an interior panel of an airplane.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode including an active material absorbing and desorbing lithium ions, a negative electrode including an active material absorbing and desorbing lithium ions, a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The separator includes a material containing a substituent group with electron-withdrawing property. The non-aqueous electrolyte includes a non-aqueous solvent and a solute dissolved therein, and the non-aqueous solvent includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-containing aromatic solvent, a fluorine-containing cyclic carbonic acid ester, and a fluorine-containing cyclic carboxylic acid ester.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising at least a negative electrode having a current collector provided thereon with convex portions and columnar bodies formed on the convex portions, each of the columnar bodies comprising n stages (where n?2) of overlaid columnar body portions alternately tilted to different orientations along a longitudinal direction of the current collector, a positive electrode having a positive electrode current collector provided on both surfaces thereof with a positive electrode mixture layer containing a positive electrode active material capable of inserting and extracting lithium ions reversibly, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode in a confronting manner, wherein tip portions of the columnar body portions at the uppermost stage of the columnar bodies on the negative electrode are tilted toward a trailing end of winding direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell device comprising: a fuel cartridge to accumulate a fuel therein; and a fuel cell device main body to generate electric power by using the fuel accumulated in the fuel cartridge, wherein the fuel cell device main body is provided with a cartridge conveying body, the fuel cartridge being attached to and detached from the cartridge conveying body, and the cartridge conveying body is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the fuel cell device main body.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module which prevents enlargement of the dimensions of a photovoltaic submodule by reducing ineffective parts which do not contribute to power generation. The photovoltaic module includes a photovoltaic submodule including a plurality of solar cells interposed between two light-transmitting substrates through the intermediary of an encapsulant, and a connecting lead extending from an edge between the two light-transmitting substrates for outputting generated electric current, a terminal box 30 attached near to the edge of the photovoltaic submodule housing a connecting part between the connecting lead and a cable for outputting generated electric current to the outside, and an outer frame set around the outer circumference of the photovoltaic submodule. An opening 28 through which the connecting lead and the terminal box are inserted is provided to the outer frame at a position which receives at least the terminal box.

Abstract: Color photovoltaic (PV) devices formed using interferometric stacks tuned to reflect color covering the front side or back side of a PV cell, device, panel, or array are disclosed. Interferometric stacks covering PV devices include interferometric modulators (IMODs), or dichroic pair stacks. Such devices can be configured to reflect enough light of select wavelengths so as to impart a color, while transmitting enough light to the PV active material so as to generate useful electricity.