Abstract: This invention provides a rechargeable cell comprising an electrode including: a plurality of porous clusters of silver particles, wherein each cluster includes: (a) a plurality of silver particles, and (b) crystalline particles of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), wherein at least a portion of the crystalline particles of ZrO2 is located in pores formed by a surface of the plurality of silver particles. Electrodes of the present invention catalyze the reduction of oxygen in alkaline solution. When the cell is charged, the silver in the electrodes can be oxidized to Ag2O and further to AgO. Upon discharge, the reduction of the oxidized silver results in additional available energy. This invention provides electrodes for use in rechargeable cells or batteries and methods of making thereof.

Abstract: A catalyst including: a plurality of porous clusters of silver particles, each cluster of the clusters including: (a) a plurality of primary particles of silver, and (b) crystalline particles of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), wherein at least a portion of the crystalline particles of ZrO2 is located in pores formed by a surface of the plurality of primary particles of silver.

Abstract: The invention relates to nickel-cobalt alloys as current collectors and conductive interconnects, and to methods of deposition thereof on transparent conductive oxides. The invention further relates to transparent conductive oxides on which a nickel-cobalt alloy is deposited and to electrodes made of such transparent conductive oxides for photochemical applications, in particular, for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).

Abstract: A catalyst including: a plurality of porous clusters of silver particles, each cluster of the clusters including: (a) a plurality of primary particles of silver, and (b) crystalline particles of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), wherein at least a portion of the crystalline particles of ZrO2 is located in pores formed by a surface of the plurality of primary particles of silver.

Abstract: A catalyst including: a plurality of porous clusters of silver particles, each cluster of the clusters including: (a) a plurality of primary particles of silver, and (b) crystalline particles of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), wherein at least a portion of the crystalline particles of ZrO2 is located in pores formed by a surface of the plurality of primary particles of silver.

Abstract: A solar energy conversion system is presented. The system comprises at least one waveguide arrangement having at least one light input respectively. The waveguide arrangement comprises a core unit for passing input solar radiation therethrough and a cladding material arrangement interfacing with the core therealong. The cladding material arrangement is configured as an array of spaced-apart solar cells arranged along the core unit and having different optical absorption ranges, such that an interface between the waveguide core and the cladding arrangement spectrally splits the photons of the input solar radiation by causing the photons of different wavelengths, while passing through the core unit, to be successively absorbed and thereby converted into electricity by the successive solar cells of said array.

Abstract: A catalyst including: a plurality of porous clusters of silver particles, each cluster of the clusters including: (a) a plurality of primary particles of silver, and (b) crystalline particles of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), wherein at least a portion of the crystalline particles of ZrO2 is located in pores formed by a surface of the plurality of primary particles of silver.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing an aluminum-based anode, including at least one alloying element, prepared using solid solution heat treatment, in addition to plastic deformation, artificial aging, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) having a modified, more specifically, a nanostructured upper surface, and such a TCO when further comprising a layer of a metal or an alloy thereof deposited on said nanostructured upper surface. The latter can be applied in optoelectronic devices such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices; photovoltaic cells such as organic thin film (OPV) solar cells, compound semiconductor thin film solar cells, dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs); and photochemical water splitting devices.

Abstract: A system is presented for collecting and concentrating light from a moving light source (e.g. the Sun). The system comprises at least one anamorphic optical element, defining an optical axis and a projection region and having a predetermined effective aperture which defines primary and secondary axes. The effective aperture is configured for collection of optical radiation arriving from a predetermined solid collection angle defining a first range of angles with respect to a plane spanned by said optical and primary axes. The anamorphic optical element is configured such that light passing through said effective aperture within a predetermined first range of angles within said predetermined solid collection angle is concentrated onto at least a part of said projection region. At least one receiver aperture is defined by at least a part of said projection region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of stable solutions of charged inorganic-organic polymers, in which the hydrolysis-condensation reactions of metal alkoxides in alcoholic solutions are controlled using a condensation inhibitor that forms protons. The invention further relates to substrates coated by sol-gel electrophoretic deposition (EPD) with these solutions, and to metal oxide coated substrates obtained therefrom.

Abstract: A catalyst including: a plurality of porous clusters of silver particles, each cluster including: (a) a plurality of primary particles of silver, and (b) crystalline particles of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), wherein at least a portion of the crystalline particles of ZrO2 is located in pores formed by a surface of the plurality of primary particles of silver.

Abstract: This invention provides a rechargeable cell comprising an electrode including: a plurality of porous clusters of silver particles, wherein each cluster includes: (a) a plurality of silver particles, and (b) crystalline particles of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), wherein at least a portion of the crystalline particles of ZrO2 is located in pores formed by a surface of the plurality of silver particles. Electrodes of the present invention catalyze the reduction of oxygen in alkaline solution. When the cell is charged, the silver in the electrodes can be oxidized to Ag2O and further to AgO. Upon discharge, the reduction of the oxidized silver results in additional available energy. This invention provides electrodes for use in rechargeable cells or batteries and methods of making thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-step method for production of low temperature mechanically stable and electrically efficient nanoporous electrodes, in particular titania nanoporous electrodes, for photoelectrochemical applications. The method of the invention comprises electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of nanosize titania crystals from a stable suspension containing thereof on a conductive substrate, and formation of mechanical and electrical contact between them. The invention further relates to nanoporous electrodes obtained by this method and to dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) fabricated therefrom.

Abstract: A solar energy conversion system is presented. The system comprises at least one waveguide arrangement having at least one light input respectively. The waveguide arrangement comprises a core unit for passing input solar radiation therethrough and a cladding material arrangement interfacing with the core therealong. The cladding material arrangement is configured as an array of spaced-apart solar cells arranged along the core unit and having different optical absorption ranges, such that an interface between the waveguide core and the cladding arrangement spectrally splits the photons of the input solar radiation by causing the photons of different wavelengths, while passing through the core unit, to be successively absorbed and thereby converted into electricity by the successive solar cells of said array.

Abstract: A catalyst including: a plurality of porous clusters of silver particles, each cluster including: (a) a plurality of primary particles of silver, and (b) crystalline particles of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), wherein at least a portion of the crystalline particles of ZrO2 is located in pores formed by a surface of the plurality of primary particles of silver.

Abstract: The invention relates to nickel-cobalt alloys as current collectors and conductive interconnects, and to methods of deposition thereof on transparent conductive oxides. The invention further relates to transparent conductive oxides on which a nickel-cobalt alloy is deposited and to electrodes made of such transparent conductive oxides for photochemical applications, in particular, for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of stable suspensions of metal oxide nanoparticles, in which uncharged metal oxide nanoparticles are first treated with a non-ionic surfactant in a polar organic solvent under certain conditions, and the suspension obtained is then treated with a charging solution. The suspensions of the invention can be used for preparation of high quality metal oxide films by electrophoresis deposition (EPD).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of stable solutions of charged inorganic-organic polymers, in which the hydrolysis-condensation reactions of metal alkoxides in alcoholic solutions are controlled using a condensation inhibitor that forms protons. The invention further relates to substrates coated by sol-gel electrophoretic deposition (EPD) with these solutions, and to metal oxide coated substrates obtained therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-step method for production of low temperature mechanically stable and electrically efficient nanoporous electrodes, in particular titania nanoporous electrodes, for photoelectrochemical applications. The method of the invention comprises electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of nanosize titania crystals from a stable suspension containing thereof on a conductive substrate, and formation of mechanical and electrical contact between them. The invention further relates to nanoporous electrodes obtained by this method and to dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) fabricated therefrom.