Abstract: Thin film photovoltaic devices that include a transparent substrate; a transparent conductive oxide layer on the transparent substrate; a n-type window layer on the transparent conductive oxide layer; a p-type absorber layer on the n-type window layer; and, a back contact on the p-type absorber layer are provided. The p-type absorber layer comprises cadmium telluride, and forms a photovoltaic junction with the n-type window layer. Generally, the p-type absorber layer defines a plurality of finger structures protruding from the p-type absorber layer into the back contact. The finger structures can have an aspect ratio of about 1 or greater and/or can have a height that is about 20% to about 200% of the thickness of the p-type absorber layer. Methods of forming such finger structures protruding from a back surface of the p-type absorber layer are also provided.

Abstract: An electro-optic device has a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, an active layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an interfacial layer in contact with the active layer. The interfacial layer is a blend of a metal oxide and a second material that at least one of reduces a work function or increases an electrical conductivity of the interfacial layer according to an embodiment of this invention. A composition for electro-optic devices is a blend of at least one metal oxide and at least one salt in a ratio, by volume, of at least 1:0.1 and less than 1:1.2.

Abstract: A system and method of capturing solar energy, and related method of manufacturing, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a first lens array having a plurality of lenses, and a first waveguide component adjacent to the lens array, where the waveguide component receives light, and where the waveguide component includes an array of prism/mirrored facets arranged along at least one surface of the waveguide component. The system further includes at least one photovoltaic cell positioned so as to receive at least a portion of the light that is directed out of the waveguide. A least some of the light passing into the waveguide component is restricted from leaving the waveguide component upon being reflected by at least one of the prism/mirrored facets, hereby the at least some light restricted from leaving the waveguide component is directed by the waveguide toward the at least one photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material has a Heusler alloy type crystal structure and is based on an Fe2VAl basic structure having a total number of valence electrons of 24 per chemical formula. The thermoelectric material has a structure expressed by General Formula Fe2V1?ZAl1+Z, where 0.03?z?0.12, or General Formula Fe2V1?ZAl1+Z, where ?0.12?z??0.03, by controlling its chemical compositional ratio. The former acts as a p-type material and has a Seebeck coefficient whose absolute value reaches a peak at a temperature of 400 K or higher; and the latter acts as an n-type material and has a Seebeck coefficient whose absolute value reaches a peak at a temperature of 310 K or higher.

Abstract: A solar cell includes semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; first semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type; second semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type; first electrode; second electrode; and insulating layer. First semiconductor layer and second semiconductor layer are formed on rear surface. When one end portion of insulating layer which is formed on first semiconductor layer and which is on a side close to first electrode is defined as first insulating-layer end portion and another end portion of insulating layer on a side close to second electrode is defined as second insulating-layer end portion in arrangement direction x, a distance from end point of second-semiconductor-layer end portion in contact with rear surface to second insulating-layer end portion in arrangement direction x is shorter than a distance from end point to first insulating-layer end portion in arrangement direction x.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity using an optical fiber cable light source and for directing the electricity to an electrical circuit configured to be coupled with an electric utility's electric grid. The apparatus includes an enclosure having an input configured to be coupled with the light source for directing light into the enclosure. The apparatus further includes a photovoltaic module contained within the enclosure and configured to generate electricity from the light. The apparatus further includes an electrical output cable coupled with the photovoltaic module and configured to be coupled with the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a front electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer formed of a semiconductor material, a transparent conductive layer formed of a transparent conductive oxide, a back electrode formed of a metal material, and a conductive layer formed of a semiconductor material primarily of silicon and having a refractive index higher than the transparent conductive layer contactually sandwiched between the transparent conductive layer and the back electrode. The photoelectric conversion device exhibits a high photoelectric conversion efficiency by keeping low the electrical resistance between the semiconductor layer and the back electrode and by increasing reflectance for light having passed though the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Thermoelectric devices with interface materials and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. A thermoelectric device can include at least one shunt, at least one thermoelectric element in thermal and electrical communication with the at least one shunt, and at least one interface material between the at least one shunt and the at least one thermoelectric element. The at least one interface material can comprise a plurality of regions comprising a core material with each region separated from one another and surrounded by a shell material. The interface material can be configured to undergo deformation under (i) a normal load between the at least one shunt and the at least one thermoelectric element or (ii) a shear load between the at least one shunt and the at least one thermoelectric element. The deformation can reduce interface stress between the at least one shunt and the at least one thermoelectric element.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module includes: a first substrate having water permeability and thermal conductivity; a thermoelectric conversion element provided on the first substrate; a heat insulator having water permeability provided around the thermoelectric conversion element on the first substrate; and a second substrate disposed on the thermoelectric conversion element and the heat insulator and having water permeability and thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Solar cells and methods of manufacturing the solar cells are provided. The solar cell may be formed on a substrate having a plurality of concave portions. A plurality of nanostructures may be formed on a surface of the substrate, in which the plurality of concave portions are formed. A photoactive layer may be formed to cover the plurality of nanostructures. The nanostructures may include an inorganic material, and the photoactive layer may include an organic material.

Abstract: A multi junction solar cell is provided and includes multiple semiconducting layers and an interface layer disposed between the multiple semiconducting layers. The interface layer is made from an interface bonding material that has a refractive index such that a ratio of a refractive index of each of the multiple semiconducting layers to the refractive index of the interface bonding material is less than or equal to 1.5.

Abstract: In order to produce silicon wafers, liquid ultra-pure silicon is solidified on a silicon monocrystalline seed arranged in the bottom area of a crucible and having a seed surface comprising a {110}-crystal orientation and an edge surface having a {100}-crystal orientation starting from the bottom of the crucible, thus forming a silicon block on the seed surface of the silicon monocrystalline seed which largely takes over the {110}-crystal orientation. Subsequently, the silicon block is divided into wafers with a wafer surface having a {100}-crystal orientation.

Abstract: A photoactive component has an electrode and an opposing electrode. The electrodes have at least one organic layer system arranged between them, also having at least two photoactive layer systems and, between the photoactive layer systems, at least two different transport layer systems have the same charge carrier type. In this case, one transport layer system matches one of the two photoactive layer systems in energy terms, while the other transport layer system is of transparent design.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a flexible photovoltaic film cell with an iron diffusion barrier layer. The method includes: providing a foil substrate including iron; forming an iron diffusion barrier layer on the foil substrate, where the iron diffusion barrier layer prevents the iron from diffusing; forming an electrode layer on the iron diffusion barrier layer; and forming at least one light absorber layer on the electrode layer. A flexible photovoltaic film cell is also provided, which cell includes: a foil substrate including iron; an iron diffusion barrier layer formed on the foil substrate to prevent the iron from diffusing; an electrode layer formed on the iron diffusion barrier layer; and at least one light absorber layer formed on the electrode layer.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material having a high performance index and a thermoelectric module and a thermoelectric device including the thermoelectric material, and more particularly, to a thermoelectric material having a high Seebeck coefficient, high electrical conductivity, and low thermal conductivity and a thermoelectric module and a thermoelectric device including the thermoelectric material.

Abstract: Methods to etch a workpiece are described. In one embodiment, a workpiece is disposed within an etchant solution having a composition comprising a dilute acid and a non-ionic surfactant. An electric field is generated within the etchant solution to cause an anisotropic etch pattern to form on a surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion element, a thermoelectric conversion module, and a method for producing a thermoelectric conversion element are provided, each of the element and the module having a low contact resistance between a p-type thermoelectric conversion material and an n-type thermoelectric conversion material and being capable of being used at high temperatures without deterioration due to oxidation. A p-type oxide thermoelectric conversion material is primarily made of a substance having a layered perovskite structure represented by the formula: A2BO4, wherein A includes at least La, and B represents at least one element including at least Cu. An n-type oxide thermoelectric conversion material is primarily made of a substance having a layered perovskite structure represented by the formula: D2EO4, wherein D includes at least one of Pr, Nd, Sm, and Gd, and E represents at least one element including at least Cu.

Abstract: Provided is a laminate which includes a transparent conductive film layer that is composed of an oxide thin film mainly composed of titanium oxide and contains an additional element such as niobium, and also contains an anatase phase having more excellent crystallinity and further has high refractive index and low resistivity by forming an optimal buffer layer on the substrate. Also provided are: a semiconductor light emitting element which comprises the laminate; and a functional element such as a solar cell, which includes the laminate.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell for the production from solar radiation of electrical energy includes a reservoir adapted to contain a quantity of photoionizable solution, a solar powered plasma generator in fluid communication with the reservoir, a solar powered ionization chamber in fluid communication with the plasma generator, an electrode baffle in fluid communication with the ionization chamber and a return fluid communication path from the electrode baffle to the reservoir. As arranged, the reservoir, the plasma generator, the ionization chamber and the electrode baffle form a closed fluid loop in order from the reservoir to the plasma generator to the ionization chamber to the electrode baffle and back to the reservoir.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention a binder composition for treating particulate material to form a solid aggregate matrix is prepared by providing a urea formaldehyde precondensate; a polar solvent; additional urea; an acid or salt thereof, the acid or salt thereof being selected such as to render the pH of the binder composition to a value from 2.0 to 5.3; providing a sugar; providing a binding promoter for enhancing the binding between the binder composition and the particulate material; and mixing the above so as to form a binder composition. The binder composition is mixed with particulate material and allowed to set into a solid aggregate matrix over a period of longer than 30 minutes from being mixed with the said particulate material.