Abstract: A PV system composed of sub-arrays, each having a group of PV cells that are electrically connected to each other. A power management circuit for each sub-array has a communications interface and serves to connect or disconnect the sub-array to a programmable power grid. The power grid has bus rows and bus columns. A bus management circuit is positioned at a respective junction of a bus column and a bus row and is programmable through its communication interface to connect or disconnect a power path in the grid. As a result, selected sub-arrays are connected by selected power paths to be in parallel so as to produce a low system voltage, and, alternately in series so as to produce a high system voltage that is greater than the low voltage by at least a factor of ten.

Abstract: A receiver for a solar radiation-based electrical power generation system comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells, with the cells being arranged in modules, with each module comprising one or more than one cell, and with the modules being arranged in subarrays, with each subarray comprising a plurality of modules. The receiver also comprises a support framework for the subarrays.

Abstract: Solar cell contact structures formed from metal paste and methods of forming solar cell contact structures from metal paste are described. In a first example, a solar cell includes a substrate. A semiconductor region is disposed in or above the substrate. A contact structure is disposed on the semiconductor region and includes a conductive layer in contact with the semiconductor region. The conductive layer includes a matrix binder having aluminum/silicon (Al/Si) particles and an inert filler material dispersed therein. In a second example, a solar cell includes a substrate. A semiconductor region is disposed in or above the substrate. A contact structure is disposed on the semiconductor region and includes a conductive layer in contact with the semiconductor region. The conductive layer includes an agent for increasing a hydrophobic characteristic of the conductive layer.

Abstract: A portable self-contained solar energy generation platform for tracking a source of solar energy and automatically maintaining optimum solar collection panel positioning for maximum energy output during operation. The solar tracking platform comprises a folding solar panel support stand on a power turntable with a solar tracker control actuation device in communication therewith.

Abstract: A gas sensor control device for controlling a gas sensor, the gas sensor including a gas sensor element that includes a cell including a pair of electrodes and a solid electrolyte, the gas sensor control device including a circuit board connectable to the gas sensor. The circuit board has mounted thereon a voltage control unit mounted on the circuit board and configured to control a voltage developed across a pair of electrodes of the cell to a constant voltage; a temperature detecting unit mounted on the circuit board and configured to detect a temperature of the circuit board; and a voltage correcting unit mounted on the circuit board and configured to apply a correction voltage to the voltage control unit compensating for a temperature-dependent variation in the constant voltage based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes an electrochemical sensor incorporating a silver/silver chloride reference electrode, wherein a capacity of the reference electrode is controlled.

Abstract: Electron-deficient fluorous porphyrin molecules may have dual functions of light harvesting and electron accepting or donating and may be ideally suited for use in organic solar cells. Methods of making electron-deficient fluorous porphyrin molecules are described.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a solar cell. The solar cell includes a photovoltaic structure and a front-side metal grid situated above the photovoltaic structure. The front-side metal grid also includes one or more electroplated metal layers. The front-side metal grid includes one or more finger lines, and each end of a respective finger line is coupled to a corresponding end of an adjacent finger line via an additional metal line, thus ensuring that the respective finger line has no open end.

Abstract: A gas sensor control apparatus for controlling a gas sensor element, the gas sensor element including first and second measuring chambers and the gas sensor control apparatus including first chamber control unit for controlling an oxygen concentration in the first chamber; second chamber control unit for applying a second chamber pump voltage to disassociate an oxygen-containing specific gas contained in the second chamber and thereby generate a concentration-dependent current; current detecting unit; voltage changing unit for changing the second chamber pump voltage; and deterioration determination unit for determining the deterioration state of the gas sensor element based on a transient response of the concentration-dependent current.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cells each comprising a substrate, an emitter region placed at the substrate, an anti-reflection region placed on the emitter region, first electrodes placed on the substrate, first bus bars placed on the substrate and connected to the first electrodes, second electrodes placed on the substrate, and second bus bars placed on the substrate and connected to the second electrodes. The anti-reflection region includes a first opening region through which part of the emitter region is exposed and one or more second opening regions through which part of the emitter region is exposed. The first electrode is connected to the exposed emitter region of the first opening region through the anti-reflection region by metal plating and the first bus bar is connected to the exposed emitter region of one or more second opening regions through the anti-reflection region by metal plating.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a solar module. The solar module includes a front-side cover, a back-side cover, and a plurality of solar cells situated between the front- and back-side covers. A respective solar cell includes a multi-layer semiconductor structure, a front-side electrode situated above the multi-layer semiconductor structure, and a back-side electrode situated below the multi-layer semiconductor structure. Each of the front-side and the back-side electrodes comprises a metal grid. A respective metal grid comprises a plurality of finger lines and a single busbar coupled to the finger lines. The single busbar is configured to collect current from the finger lines.

Abstract: Example apparatus, systems and methods to desalt a sample are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a substrate and a sensor disposed on the substrate. The sensor has a surface functionalized with a binding agent to interact with an analyte in a liquid sample when the liquid sample is in contact with the sensor surface. The example apparatus further includes an electrode disposed on the substrate to create an electric potential and move ions in the sample away from the surface of the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating particles and/or toxins from a sample fluid. A method according to one embodiment comprises simultaneously passing a sample fluid and a buffer fluid through a chamber such that a fluidic interface is formed between the sample fluid and the buffer fluid as the fluids pass through the chamber, the sample fluid having particles of interest therein; applying a force to the fluids for urging the particles of interest to pass through the interface into the buffer fluid; and substantially separating the buffer fluid from the sample fluid.

Abstract: A front sheet of solar cell, a method of manufacturing the same and a photovoltaic module are provided. The front sheet of solar cell can effectively block infrared rays (IRs) by forming an IR blocking layer including a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material on a substrate. Thus, an increase in temperature of a cell can be suppressed so that the power generation efficiency of the cell can be improved. Also, the multi-layered sheet can be configured so that a UV blocking layer including a fluorine-based polymer and a wavelength conversion material can be formed on the IR blocking layer. Thus, wavelengths of a UV region can be converted into wavelengths of a VR region so that the power generation efficiency of the cell can be improved, and discoloration and deformation caused by UVs can be prevented so that the weather resistance can be improved.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, a photoactive layer between the first electrode and the second electrode and including an electron donor and an electron acceptor, and a partially oxidized metal thin film between the first electrode and the photoactive layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrode strip, a sensor strip and a system thereof. The electrode strip includes a substrate, an electrode layer, an insulation layer and a cover. The electrode layer is disposed on the substrate. The electrode layer includes a first electrode set and a second electrode set. The insulation layer includes a groove, a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first protrusion and the second protrusion divide the groove into two reactive areas such as a first reactive area and a second reactive area. The cover includes a vent-hole connecting to the groove, and the cover is disposed on the insulation layer.

Abstract: A system includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is arranged to be thermally coupled to a first surface and the second plate is arranged to be thermally coupled to an environment. The environment has a temperature that is different than the first surface. The system also includes a thermoelectric device that includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric device includes a third plate coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric elements and thermally coupled to the first plate. The thermoelectric device also includes a fourth plate coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric elements and thermally coupled to the second plate. The system also includes a dielectric fluid arranged between the first plate and the second plate. The thermoelectric elements are submersed in the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a solar cell. The solar cell includes a photovoltaic structure and a front-side metal grid situated above the photovoltaic structure. The front-side metal grid also includes one or more electroplated metal layers. The front-side metal grid includes one or more finger lines, and each end of a respective finger line is coupled to a corresponding end of an adjacent finger line via an additional metal line, thus ensuring that the respective finger line has no open end.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to focusing luminescent concentrators wherein directional emission, obtained by placing an absorber/emitter within a microcavity or photonic crystal, may be oriented by a macroscopic concentrator and focused to a point or line for 3D or 2D concentration, respectively. The focusing luminescent concentrators disclosed herein may provide high concentration ratios without the need for tracking, and may reduce re-absorption losses associated with conventional concentrators. The present disclosure further relates to photovoltaic cells and/or optical detector devices comprising a focusing luminescent concentrator. The devices and methods presently disclosed are also useful, for example, in solar, thermal and thermophotovolatic applications.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion element includes a magnetic body and an electromotive component. The magnetic body has a pipe shape. The electromotive component is arranged to at least one of an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inside of the magnetic body. The electromotive component contains a material having a spin orbit coupling. The magnetic body is magnetized in an axial direction and has a temperature gradient in a radial direction. The electromotive component is spirally arranged around the magnetic body along a circumferential direction.