Abstract: Methods and systems using magnetism to securely hold detachable spray-extension straws to aerosol cans to prevent their misplacement or loss are presented. Created from inexpensive magnetic plastic material: one is a magnetized straw that alone will securely attach to a spray can, and others are a variety of magnetized devices that will affix the straw on the surface of spray cans by magnetic attraction forces. Each device variation is designed to grasp and hold a conventional plastic straw while magnetically attached to an aerosol can.

Abstract: Methods and systems using magnetism to securely hold detachable spray-extension straws to aerosol cans to prevent their misplacement or loss are presented. Created from inexpensive magnetic plastic material: one is a magnetized straw that alone will securely attach to a spray can, and others are a variety of magnetized devices that will affix the straw on the surface of spray cans by magnetic attraction forces. Each device variation is designed to grasp and hold a conventional plastic straw while magnetically attached to an aerosol can.

Abstract: A vertical multi junction (VMJ) photovoltaic cell comprising a plurality of layers of PN junctions, wherein at least one of the layers is reversed relative to the other layers so that the VMJ cell will inherently limit reverse current flow through the cell and thermal effects attendant to such reverse current flow.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided for assembling and utilizing parabolic reflectors in a solar concentrator. Parabolic reflectors assembly starts with a low-cost, flat reflective material that is bent into a parabolic or trough shape via a set of support ribs that are affixed in a support beam. The parabolic reflectors are mounted on a support frame in various panels or arrays to form a parabolic solar concentrator. Each parabolic reflector focuses light in a line segment pattern. Light beam pattern focused onto a receiver via the parabolic solar concentrator can be optimized. The receiver is attached to the support frame, opposite the parabolic reflector arrays, and includes a photovoltaic (PV) module and a heat harvesting element that enable dual-mode energy conversion operation. To increase performance of the parabolic solar concentrator, the PV module can be configured to advantageously exploit a light beam pattern optimization regardless irregularities in the pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods that employ a vertical multi junction (VMJ) photovoltaic cell, to provide electrolysis for water and generate hydrogen and oxygen. Electrical current generated by the VMJ flows through the electrolyte (e.g., salt water) for a decomposition thereof (e.g., hydrogen and oxygen)—whenever threshold voltage of electrolysis operation is reached (e.g., 1.6 volts for water electrolysis).

Abstract: Systems and methods that employ a vertical multi junction (VMJ) photovoltaic cell, to provide electrolysis for water and generate hydrogen and oxygen. Electrical current generated by the VMJ flows through the electrolyte (e.g., salt water) for a decomposition thereof (e.g., hydrogen and oxygen)—whenever threshold voltage of electrolysis operation is reached (e.g., 1.6 volts for water electrolysis).

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide a barrier for protection of active layers associated with a vertical multi junction (VMJ) photovoltaic cell. Buffer zone(s) in form of an inactive layer(s) arrangement safe guard the active layers against induced stress or strain resulting from external forces/thermal factors (e.g., welding). The buffer zone can be in form of a rim on a surface of an end layer of a cell unit, to act as a protective boundary for such active layer, and to further partially frame the VMJ cell for ease of handling and transportation.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide a barrier for protection of active layers associated with a vertical multi junction (VMJ) photovoltaic cell. Buffer zone(s) in form of an inactive layer(s) arrangement safe guard the active layers against induced stress or strain resulting from external forces/thermal factors (e.g., welding). The buffer zone can be in form of a rim on a surface of an end layer of a cell unit, to act as a protective boundary for such active layer, and to further partially frame the VMJ cell for ease of handling and transportation.

Abstract: Systems and methods that employ a vertical multi junction (VMJ) photovoltaic cell, to provide electrolysis for water and generate hydrogen and oxygen. Electrical current generated by the VMJ flows through the electrolyte (e.g., salt water) for a decomposition thereof (e.g., hydrogen and oxygen)—whenever threshold voltage of electrolysis operation is reached (e.g., 1.6 volts for water electrolysis).

Abstract: Systems and methods that mitigate bulk recombination losses in a vertical multi junction (VMJ) cell via a texturing on a light receiving surface. The textures can be in form of cavity shaped grooves, and a plane containing repetitive cross section configurations thereof is substantially perpendicular to the direction of stacking the unit cells that form the VMJ. Incident light can be refracted in the plane that includes the cross section configurations and away from the p+ and n+ diffused doped regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide a barrier for protection of active layers associated with a vertical multi junction (VMJ) photovoltaic cell. Buffer zone(s) in form of an inactive layer(s) arrangement safe guard the active layers against induced stress or strain resulting from external forces/thermal factors (e.g., welding). The buffer zone can be in form of a rim on a surface of an end layer of a cell unit, to act as a protective boundary for such active layer, and to further partially frame the VMJ cell for ease of handling and transportation.

Abstract: Photovoltaic cells and processes that mitigate recombination losses of photogenerated carriers are provided. To reduce recombination losses, diffuse doping layers in active photovoltaic (PV) elements are coated with patterns of dielectric material(s) that reduce contact between metal contacts and the active PV element. Various patterns can be utilized, and one or more surfaces of the PV element can be coated with one or more dielectrics. Vertical Multi-Junction photovoltaic cells can be produced with patterned PV elements, or unit cells. While patterned PV elements can increase series resistance of VMJ photovoltaic cells, and patterning one or more surfaces in the PV element can add complexity to a process utilized to produce VMJ photovoltaic cells, reduction of carrier losses at diffuse doping layers in a PV element increases efficiency of photovoltaic cells, and thus provide with PV operational advantages that outweigh increased manufacturing complexity.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided for assembling and utilizing parabolic reflectors in a solar concentrator. Parabolic reflectors assembly starts with a low-cost, flat reflective material that is bent into a parabolic or through shape via a set of support ribs that are affixed in a support beam. The parabolic reflectors are mounted on a support frame in various panels or arrays to form a parabolic solar concentrator. Each parabolic reflector focuses light in a line segment pattern. Light beam pattern focused onto a receiver via the parabolic solar concentrator can be optimized. The receiver is attached to the support frame, opposite the parabolic reflector arrays, and includes a photovoltaic (PV) module and a heat harvesting element that enable dual-mode energy conversion operation. To increase performance of the parabolic solar concentrator, the PV module can be configured to advantageously exploit a light beam pattern optimization regardless irregularities in the pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high intensity edge illuminated solar cell is provided which comprises the following steps. A semiconductor substrate is formed having first, second and third essentially parallel layers having impurity doped semiconductor material and arranged in that order with the first and third layers terminating in opposing essentially parallel first and second major surfaces. The second layer is of a first type conductivity and the first layer is an opposite second type conductivity so as to define a PN junction between the first and second layers and which junction is essentially parallel to the first and second major surfaces. The third layer is of the first type conductivity but is of greater impurity concentration than that of the second layer for providing a built-in electrostatic drift field to enhance minority carrier movement toward the PN junction. The junction of the second and third layers is essentially parallel to the PN junction.

Abstract: A high intensity solar cell is comprised of a plurality of semiconductor bodies each having adjacent regions of opposite conductivity type defining a P-N junction therebetween. The adjacent bodies have a layer of aluminum material therebetween. The first and last bodies have electrical contacts connected to their exposed surfaces so that electrical energy may be obtained therebetween in response to receipt of light rays in a direction substantially parallel to the P-N junctions of the bodies.

Abstract: This invention discloses: (1) A high intensity solar cell; (2) A method of making an array of high intensity solar cells in an economical manner, and (3) A lens system for concentrating incident radiation on to the most responsive region of its structure.

Abstract: A method for cold welding metal joints. In order to remove the contamination layer on the surface of the metal, an ion beam generator is used in a vacuum environment. A gas, such as xenon or argon, is ionized and accelerated toward the metal surface. The beam of gas effectively sputters away the surface oxides and contamination layer so that clean underlying metal is exposed in the area to be welded. The use of this method allows cold welding with minimal deformation. Both similar and dissimilar metals can be cold welded with this method.