Abstract: The invention is directed to a thermoelectric module that utilizes a glass-ceramic material in place of the alumina and aluminum nitride that are commonly used in such modules. The glass-ceramic has a coefficient of thermal expansion of <10×10?7/° C. The p- and n-type thermoelectric materials can be any type of such materials that can withstand an operating environment of up to 1000° C., and they should have a CTE comparable to that of the glass-ceramic. The module of the invention is used to convert the energy wasted in the exhaust heat of hydrocarbon fueled engines to electrical power.

Abstract: An electrode paste for a solar cell, a solar cell electrode using the paste, a solar cell having such an electrode, and a fabrication method of the solar cell are described. The paste for a solar cell electrode comprises a first component that includes silver (Ag) or a metal alloy containing the silver (Ag); a second component that includes zinc (Zn), and at least one selected from a group consisting of silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), bismuth (Bi), phosphorous (P), boron (B), barium (Ba), and palladium (Pd); a leaded or lead-free glass frit; and a resin binder that is dispersed in an organic medium.

Abstract: A battery case including: first case body having a main wall and opposing side walls; a second case body including a second main wall and opposing side walls. The first and second side walls include coupling parts to be coupled together when the first and second case bodies are pressed together to form a space to receive a bare cell. The battery case can also include clips to couple the first and second side walls.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a fuel gas supply unit for supplying a fuel gas to the fuel cell, an oxygen containing gas supply unit, which has a heat exchanger for heating an oxygen-containing gas, for supplying the oxygen-containing gas heated by the heat exchanger to the fuel cell, an exhaust gas discharge unit for supplying an exhaust gas used in a generating reaction and discharged from the fuel cell, as a heating medium for heating the oxygen-containing gas to the heat exchanger, and a combustion gas supply unit, which has a combustor disposed out of a passageway of the exhaust gas discharge unit for generating a combustion gas by combusting a raw fuel with an oxygen-containing gas supplied thereto, for supplying the combustion gas, together with the exhaust gas, to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Multiple semiconductor elements in a semiconductor module in which multiple spherical light receiving or emitting semiconductor elements are installed can easily be retrieved, reused, or repaired. In a semiconductor module 60, two segment modules 61 are serially arranged in a storage casing 62. The segment modules 61 are each formed by molding solar battery cells 10 arranged in a matrix of multiple rows and columns, and a conductive connection mechanism serially-connecting the solar battery cells 10 in each column and parallel-connecting the solar battery cells 10 in each row in a synthetic resin with connection conductors 67 protruding at the ends. Conductive corrugated springs 70 and external terminals 76 are provided at the ends of the storage casing 62. The mechanical pressing force of the conductive corrugated springs 70 ensures that the two segment modules 61 are serially connected.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly in which ends on one side of the cells forming gas passages are gas-tightly fixed to a holding means. Between the peripheries of the ends on one side of the cells and the holding means, there are arranged a fixing member for fixing the cells to the holding means and a sealing member for accomplishing a gas-tight sealing between the ends on one side of the cells and the holding means. The fixing member has a softening temperature of not lower than 1000° C. and the sealing member has a softening temperature of from 700 to 1000° C.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing liquid concentrates of additives for incorporation in polymers, particularly polymers prepared in solution or slurry phase polymerization media. Additive concentrates according to the invention are characterized by a finer dispersion than would result from the direct addition of particulate or granular additives to the same liquid solvent.

Abstract: A thin film solar cell including a Group IBIIIAVIA absorber layer on a defect free base including a stainless steel substrate is provided. The stainless steel substrate of the base is surface treated to reduce the surface roughness such as protrusions that cause shunts. In one embodiment, the surface roughness is reduced by coating surface with a thin silicon dioxide which fills the cavities and recesses around the protrusions and thereby reducing the surface roughness. After the silicon dioxide film is formed, a contact layer is formed over the ruthenium layer and the exposed portions of the substrate to complete the base.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery including a discharge unit capable of delaying or preventing a battery explosion. The lithium secondary battery includes a discharge unit disposed parallel to a battery body. The discharge unit includes a first electrode connected to a positive electrode of the battery body, a second electrode connected to a negative electrode of the battery body, and a discharge material film, disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, inducing a abrupt discharge above a predetermined temperature. The discharge material film, e.g., a abrupt metal-insulator transition (MIT) material film can induce a abrupt discharge, thereby preventing or delaying a battery explosion.

Abstract: A low pressure current interrupt device (CID) activates at a minimal threshold internal gauge pressure in a range of, for example, between about 4 kg/cm2 and about 9 kg/cm2. Preferably, the CID includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate in electrical communication with the first conductive plate, the electrical communication between the first and the second conductive plates being interrupted at the minimal threshold internal gauge pressure. More preferably, the first conductive plate includes a frustum having a first end and a second end, a base extending radially from a perimeter of the first end of the frustum, and an essentially planar cap sealing the second end of the frustum. The first end has a broader diameter than the second end. More preferably, the second conductive plate is in electrical contact with the essentially planar cap through a weld. A battery, preferably a lithium-ion battery, comprises a CID as described above.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel ionic liquid gel electrolyte having high photoelectric conversion efficiency. Also disclosed are a novel dye-sensitized photoelectric conversion device using such an ionic liquid gel electrolyte, and a solar cell composed of such a dye-sensitized photoelectric conversion device. Specifically disclosed is an ionic liquid gel electrolyte obtained by gelling a liquid electrolyte by using an ionic organic oligomer gelling agent represented by the general formulae (1) and (2) below. Also specifically disclosed are a dye-sensitized photoelectric conversion device, wherein the ionic liquid gel electrolyte is arranged between a counter electrode and a dye-absorbed semiconductor substrate which is arranged in contact with a transparent conductive substrate, and a solar cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a molded part which comprises a base part consisting of a plurality of layers and a thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material bonded therewith, the bond of the base part with the thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material being formed such that the thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material is deformed under a pressure to become flowable, or that it is introduced already liquefied under pressure and forms a bond with the base part. According to the invention, the production of the base part and the production of the bond of the thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material with the base part is carried out in the same die.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte solution is provided that realizes a large capacity, exhibits high storage characteristics and cycle characteristics, and is capable of inhibiting gas generation.

Abstract: Disclosed are a plate assembly for a battery, a core and a lithium ion battery. The plate assembly comprises a plate, a conductive terminal and a membrane bag, the plate is encapsulated in the membrane bag, an encapsulation line is formed when the membrane bag is encapsulated, and the conductive terminal is disposed at one end of the plate and protruded out of the membrane bag, wherein the encapsulation line has at least two loops around the periphery of the plate. The core comprises the plate assembly of the present invention. The lithium ion battery comprises the core of the present invention.

Abstract: A green tire disposed on a toroidal support is introduced into a vulcanisation mold. The mold is closed through axial approaching of a pair of sidewall plates acting against the sidewalls of the tire. Circumferential sectors set to operate against the tire tread band are maintained spaced apart from the tread band itself during admission of a working fluid designed to press the tire against the toroidal support. Subsequently, the sectors are centripetally approached for penetration into the tread band concurrently with a step of full molding and vulcanisation of the tire carried out through admission of steam under pressure into the tire itself.

Abstract: A DMFC is provided in which the structure is simplified and the thickness is reduced without impairing diffusibility of fuel, air and generated products. An anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer sandwich an electrolyte membrane. Liquid fuel stored in a fuel chamber is directly supplied to the anode catalyst layer. Current collectors are respectively provided adjacent to the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. Each of the current collectors is formed of a flat conductive sheet in which a plurality of fine pores are provided to extend through the current collector in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for photovoltaic roofing systems are provided. The system includes a back sheet including a length, L, a width, W, and a thickness, T, the back sheet including an overlap portion extending along length L having a width, WO and an active portion extending along length L having a width, WA. The system also includes a photovoltaic cell formed on a surface of the active portion, the photovoltaic cell including a photovoltaic member electrically responsive to an absorption of photons, a negative electrode coupled to a surface of the photovoltaic member, and a positive electrode coupled to the surface of the photovoltaic member, wherein the thickness T is selected such that thickness T plus a thickness of the photoelectric cell substantially match a thickness of a proximate non-photovoltaic roofing member when the photovoltaic roofing system is installed.

Abstract: Improved photovoltaic devices and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor layer and a light-responsive layer (which can be made, for example, of a semiconductor material) which form a junction, such as a p-n junction. The light-responsive layer can include a plurality of carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes, located therein. In many cases, the carbon nanostructures can provide a conductive pathway within the light-responsive layer. In other embodiments, exemplary photovoltaic devices include semiconductor nanostructures, which can take a variety of forms, in addition to the carbon nanostructures. Further embodiments include a wide variety of other configurations and features. Methods of fabricating photovoltaic devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solar panel cleaning device includes a solar panel having a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged in rows and embedded in the solar panel with space between the rows. A transparent dielectric overlay is affixed to the solar panel. A plurality of electrode pairs each of which includes an upper and a lower electrode are arranged on opposite sides of the transparent dielectric and are affixed thereto. The electrodes may be transparent electrodes which may be arranged without concern for blocking sunlight to the solar panel. The solar panel may be a dielectric and its dielectric properties may be continuously and spatially variable. Alternatively the dielectric used may have dielectric segments which produce different electrical field and which affects the wind “generated.

Abstract: A lithium ion rechargeable cell that is constructed by the steps of forming a cell unit (1) by packing an electrode group (10), in which plate-like positive and negative electrodes (12 and 14) and a plate-like separator (16) are superposed in layers, in a cell case (20) and sealing the electrode group together with an electrolyte; and forming a module by aligning and packing a plurality of cell units in a module case. The cell case is made of a laminated film (22). A porous spacer (30) made of insulating material is interposed in between the entire circumferential surface or partial surface of the electrode group and the laminated film.