Abstract: A method of producing nanoscale materials comprising the steps of entraining liquid droplets containing at least one nanoparticle precursor within a gaseous stream, and passing said gaseous stream containing said liquid droplets through a non-thermal equilibrium plasma whereby said plasma interacts with said at least one nanoparticle precursor to produce nanoparticles within said droplets without substantial evaporation of the droplets and conveying the thus produced nanoparticles within said gaseous stream downstream of said plasma.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device (10) comprising a photoactive body between two electrodes (contact 1, contact 2). The body comprises semiconductor particles (24) embedded in a semiconductor matrix (22). The particles and matrix are electronically or optically coupled so that charge carriers generated in the particles are transferred directly or indirectly to the matrix. The matrix transports positive charge carriers to one of the electrodes and negative charge carriers to the other electrode. The particles are configured so that they do not form a charge carrier transport network to either of the electrodes and so perform the function of charge carrier generation but not charge carrier transport.

Abstract: A method of producing nanoscale materials comprising the steps of entraining liquid droplets containing at least one nanoparticle precursor within a gaseous stream, and passing said gaseous stream containing said liquid droplets through a non-thermal equilibrium plasma whereby said plasma interacts with said at least one nanoparticle precursor to produce nanoparticles within said droplets without substantial evaporation of the droplets and conveying the thus produced nanoparticles within said gaseous stream downstream of said plasma.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device (10) comprising a photoactive body between two electrodes (contact 1, contact 2). The body comprises semiconductor particles (24) embedded in a semiconductor matrix (22). The particles and matrix are electronically or optically coupled so that charge carriers generated in the particles are transferred directly or indirectly to the matrix. The matrix transports positive charge carriers to one of the electrodes and negative charge carriers to the other electrode. The particles are configured so that they do not form a charge carrier transport network to either of the electrodes and so perform the function of charge carrier generation but not charge carrier transport.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating, with satisfactory adhesion, a thin film of a metal or a metallic-compound, such as a metal oxide or nitride, on a substrate made of a high-melting-point material such as silicon or ceramics by using a metal or metallic-compound target as the primary raw material so as to eliminate the necessity of using harmful gases such as organometallic gas, and by using an atmospheric-pressure plasma generated under atmospheric pressure as a reaction field and also as a heat source. Additionally provided is an apparatus for fabricating the thin film.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating, with satisfactory adhesion, a thin film of a metal or a metallic-compound, such as a metal oxide or nitride, on a substrate made of a high-melting-point material such as silicon or ceramics by using a metal or metallic-compound target as the primary raw material so as to eliminate the necessity of using harmful gases such as organometallic gas, and by using an atmospheric-pressure plasma generated under atmospheric pressure as a reaction field and also as a heat source. Additionally provided is an apparatus for fabricating the thin film.