Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a layer from a fluid mixture on a web are provided. The system includes a fluid delivery apparatus for delivering the fluid mixture onto the web. The fluid delivery apparatus includes a cascade device and a chemical dispenser device. The system also includes a fluid stirring apparatus comprising at least one fan positioned over the web and configured to generate a flow pattern that stirs the fluid mixture on the web while the layer is being formed, without the at least one fan contacting the fluid mixture. The system further includes a fluid removal apparatus having a rinsing device and a suction device. The rinsing device is configured to dispense a rinsing fluid onto the web. The suction device is configured to remove by suction the rinsing fluid and a remaining portion of the fluid mixture remaining on the web after formation of the layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for processing a web. The web (402) has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and includes a magnetic material. An example system includes a processing bed (202) configured to support the web while the first surface of the web undergoes one or more processing steps. The system also includes magnets (300) positioned relative to the processing bed so as to exert a magnetic force on the web that pulls the center of the web (403) toward the processing bed. The system further includes a conveyor belt (404) configured to move the web over the processing bed (202). The conveyor belt has a first contact surface and a second contact surface opposite the first contact surface. The first contact surface is configured to contact the second surface of the web, and the second contact surface is configured to contact the processing bed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a layer from a fluid mixture on a web are provided. The system includes a fluid delivery apparatus for delivering the fluid mixture onto the web. The fluid delivery apparatus includes a cascade device and a chemical dispenser device. The system also includes a fluid stirring apparatus comprising at least one fan positioned over the web and configured to generate a flow pattern that stirs the fluid mixture on the web while the layer is being formed, without the at least one fan contacting the fluid mixture. The system further includes a fluid removal apparatus having a rinsing device and a suction device. The rinsing device is configured to dispense a rinsing fluid onto the web. The suction device is configured to remove by suction the rinsing fluid and a remaining portion of the fluid mixture remaining on the web after formation of the layer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes a first photovoltaic cell, a second photovoltaic cell, and a collector-connector which is configured to collect current from the first photovoltaic cell and to electrically connect the first photovoltaic cell with the second photovoltaic cell. The collector-connector may include an electrically insulating carrier and at least one electrical conductor which electrically connects the first photovoltaic cell to the second photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly automated method of interconnecting flexible solar cells to form solar modules having a wide variety of sizes and electrical characteristics. The method is fast and economical, providing many attributes of a “pseudo monolithic integration” scheme that has previously been attainable only on rigid substrates.

Abstract: A magnetically enhanced roller for handling of magnetically attractable substrates comprises a rotatably fixed shaft and a sleeve circumscribing the rotatably fixed shaft. The sleeve configured to rotate around the shaft. The roller further includes an array of magnets adjacent to the shaft. Individual magnets of the array of magnets are oriented to provide magnetic field lines along a direction orthogonal to the rotatably fixed bearing shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly automated method of interconnecting flexible solar cells to form solar modules having a wide variety of sizes and electrical characteristics. The method is fast and economical, providing many attributes of a “pseudo monolithic integration” scheme that has previously been attainable only on rigid substrates.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a first electrode located over a substrate, at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer located over the first electrode, the p-type semiconductor absorber layer comprising a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material, an n-type semiconductor layer located over the p-type semiconductor absorber layer, an insulating aluminum zinc oxide layer located over the n-type semiconductor layer, the insulating aluminum zinc oxide having an aluminum content of 100 ppm to 5000 ppm and a second electrode over the insulating aluminum layer, the second electrode being transparent and electrically conductive. The insulating aluminum zinc oxide having an aluminum content of 100 ppm to 5000 ppm, may be deposited by pulsed DC, non-pulsed DC, or AC sputtering from an aluminum doped zinc oxide having an aluminum content of 100 ppm to 5000 ppm.

Abstract: One photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and at least one device selected from a sensor, a data storage device and an indicator. Another photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a flexible circuit configured to act as an antenna for electromagnetic radiation. Methods of using such photovoltaic modules are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a first electrode located over a substrate, at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer located over the first electrode, the p-type semiconductor absorber layer comprising a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material, an n-type semiconductor layer located over the p-type semiconductor absorber layer, an insulating aluminum zinc oxide layer located over the n-type semiconductor layer, the insulating aluminum zinc oxide having an aluminum content of 100 ppm to 5000 ppm and a second electrode over the insulating aluminum layer, the second electrode being transparent and electrically conductive. The insulating aluminum zinc oxide having an aluminum content of 100 ppm to 5000 ppm, may be deposited by pulsed DC, non-pulsed DC, or AC sputtering from an aluminum doped zinc oxide having an aluminum content of 100 ppm to 5000 ppm.

Abstract: A power-loss-inhibiting current-collector. The power-loss-inhibiting current-collector includes a trace for collecting current from a solar cell. The power-loss-inhibiting current-collector further includes a current-limiting portion of the power-loss-inhibiting current-collector. The current-limiting portion of the power-loss-inhibiting current-collector is coupled to the trace. The current-limiting portion of the power-loss-inhibiting current-collector is configured to regulate current flow through the power-loss-inhibiting current-collector.

Abstract: One photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and at least one device selected from a sensor, a data storage device and an indicator. Another photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a flexible circuit configured to act as an antenna for electromagnetic radiation. Methods of using such photovoltaic modules are also disclosed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module includes a plurality of PV cells and a plurality of reconfigurable interconnects which electrically interconnect the plurality of PV cells.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously processing two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. Disks are positioned in pairs, with one surface of one disk positioned adjacent one surface of the second disk, with the disk surfaces touching or with a slight separation between them. In this back-to-back orientation, the disk pairs may be processed using conventional double-sided disk processing equipment and techniques. However, each disk will not have two active surfaces. Because of the positioning of the disks during processing, only one surface of each disk will be subjected to full processing. Therefore, each disk will only have one active side.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes a first photovoltaic cell, a second photovoltaic cell, and a collector-connector which is configured to collect current from the first photovoltaic cell and to electrically connect the first photovoltaic cell with the second photovoltaic cell. The collector-connector may include an electrically insulating carrier and at least one electrical conductor which electrically connects the first photovoltaic cell to the second photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes a first photovoltaic cell, a second photovoltaic cell, and an interconnect comprising an electrically insulating carrier and at least one electrical conductor which electrically connects the first photovoltaic cell to the second photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A container for disks has an improved latching mechanism. The container comprises a cassette with sidewalls with slots for holding disks in an axial arrangement, two opposite end walls each have a U-shaped recess extending downwardly from the open top, a top cover with a rectangular top portion and two end portions extend downwardly to cover the U-shaped recess. The top cover latches to the cassette by way of a latching mechanism which includes a living hinge, an extension portion, and a hook portion all on each end portion. The hook portion cooperates and engages with a cooperative catch member on the cassette. The extension member is under tension to secure the top cover in place. In an alternate embodiment, recesses on the extension portion connect to nubs on the cassettes or on the bottom cover to secure the top cover in place.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for positioning and handling single-sided hard memory disks. A disk carrier is provided with ribs formed on the inside surface of opposing side walls. The ribs form disk receiving grooves or channels. The ribs further comprise an alternating pattern of large and small ribs. The large ribs separate pairs of disks from other pairs, the small ribs separate and maintain spacing of the two disks comprising each pair of disks.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for positioning and handling single-sided hard memory disks. A disk carrier is provided with ribs formed on the inside surface of opposing side walls. The ribs form disk receiving grooves or channels. The ribs further comprise an alternating pattern of large and small ribs. The large ribs separate pairs of disks from other pairs, the small ribs separate and maintain spacing of the two disks comprising each pair of disks.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously processing two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. Disks are positioned in pairs, with one surface of one disk positioned adjacent one surface of the second disk, with the disk surfaces touching or with a slight separation between them. In this back-to-back orientation, the disk pairs may be processed using conventional double-sided disk processing equipment and techniques. However, each disk will not have two active surfaces. Because of the positioning of the disks during processing, only one surface of each disk will be subjected to full processing. Therefore, each disk will only have one active side.