Abstract: Improved high work function back contacts for solar cells are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a completed solar cell having a substrate coated with an electrically conductive material, an absorber disposed on the electrically conductive material, a buffer layer disposed on the absorber, a transparent front contact disposed on the buffer layer, and a metal grid disposed on the transparent front contact; removing the substrate and the electrically conductive material using exfoliation, exposing a backside surface of the solar cell; depositing a high work function material onto the back side surface of the solar cell; and depositing a back contact onto the high work function material. A solar cell formed by the present techniques is also provided. Yield of the exfoliated device can be improved by removing bubbles from adhesive used for exfoliation and/or forming contact pads to access the metal grid.

Abstract: Semitransparent chalcogen solar cells and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a first transparent contact on a substrate; depositing an n-type layer on the first transparent contact; depositing a p-type chalcogen absorber layer on the n-type layer, wherein a p-n junction is formed between the p-type chalcogen absorber layer and the n-type layer; depositing a protective interlayer onto the p-type chalcogen absorber layer, wherein the protective interlayer fully covers the p-type chalcogen absorber layer; and forming a second transparent contact on the interlayer, wherein the interlayer being disposed between the p-type chalcogen absorber layer and the second transparent contact serves to protect the p-n junction during the forming of the second transparent contact. Solar cells and other methods for formation thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Selenium-fullerene heterojunction solar cells and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a front contact on a substrate; depositing an n-type semiconducting layer on the front contact, wherein the n-type semiconducting layer comprises a fullerene or fullerene derivative; forming a p-type chalcogen absorber layer on the n-type semiconducting layer; depositing a high workfunction material onto the p-type chalcogen absorber layer, wherein the high workfunction material has a workfunction of greater than about 5.2 electron volts; and forming a back contact on the high workfunction material. Solar cells and other methods for formation thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Variable-resistance devices and methods of forming the same include a variable-resistance layer, formed between a first terminal and a second terminal, that varies in resistance based on an oxygen concentration in the variable-resistance layer. An electrolyte layer that is stable at room temperature and that conducts oxygen ions in accordance with an applied voltage is positioned over the variable-resistance layer. A gate layer is configured to apply a voltage on the electrolyte layer and the variable-resistance layer and is positioned over the electrolyte layer.

Abstract: Improved high work function back contacts for solar cells are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a completed solar cell having a substrate coated with an electrically conductive material, an absorber disposed on the electrically conductive material, a buffer layer disposed on the absorber, a transparent front contact disposed on the buffer layer, and a metal grid disposed on the transparent front contact; removing the substrate and the electrically conductive material using exfoliation, exposing a backside surface of the solar cell; depositing a high work function material onto the back side surface of the solar cell; and depositing a back contact onto the high work function material. A solar cell formed by the present techniques is also provided. Yield of the exfoliated device can be improved by removing bubbles from adhesive used for exfoliation and/or forming contact pads to access the metal grid.

Abstract: A neuromorphic device includes a first electrode layer arranged on a substrate, and an electrolyte layer arranged on the first electrode layer. The electrolyte layer includes a solid electrolyte material. The neuromorphic device further includes an ion permeable, electrically conductive membrane arranged on the electrolyte layer and an ion intercalation layer arranged on the ion permeable, electrically conductive membrane. The neuromorphic device includes a second electrode layer arranged on the ion intercalation layer.

Abstract: A neuromorphic device includes a first electrode layer arranged on a substrate, and an electrolyte layer arranged on the first electrode layer. The electrolyte layer includes a solid electrolyte material. The neuromorphic device further includes an ion permeable, electrically conductive membrane arranged on the electrolyte layer and an ion intercalation layer arranged on the ion permeable, electrically conductive membrane. The neuromorphic device includes a second electrode layer arranged on the ion intercalation layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a photovoltaic device includes performing fabrication operations to form the photovoltaic device. The fabrication operations include replacing a portion of selenium with sulfur in a copper zinc tin sulfur selenium alloy (CZTSSe) material arranged on a substrate to form a sulfur enriched CZTSSe material to alter a band gap of the CZTSSe material. The fabrication operations include removing surface secondary phases or degraded portions of the sulfur enriched CZTSSe material to form a single phase sulfur enriched CZTSSe material. The fabrication operations further include replacing the substrate in contact with the single phase sulfur enriched CZTSSe material with a different contact material to form an exfoliated sulfur enriched CZTSSe device.

Abstract: A neuromorphic device includes a first electrode layer arranged on a substrate, and an electrolyte layer arranged on the first electrode layer. The electrolyte layer includes a solid electrolyte material. The neuromorphic device further includes an ion permeable, electrically conductive membrane arranged on the electrolyte layer and an ion intercalation layer arranged on the ion permeable, electrically conductive membrane. The neuromorphic device includes a second electrode layer arranged on the ion intercalation layer.

Abstract: Techniques for integrating photovoltaics into wearables, such as eyewear, are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a lens for photovoltaic eyewear includes: forming a semitransparent photovoltaic film on at least a portion of a viewable area of the lens, wherein the semitransparent photovoltaic film includes an inorganic absorber material having a band gap of from about 1.4 eV to about 2.2 eV, and ranges therebetween. The semitransparent photovoltaic film can be configured to block greater than about 99.9% UVA, UVB, and UVC light rays, and from about 95% to about 99%, and ranges therebetween, of HEV light rays from passing therethrough. Photovoltaic eyewear formed by the present techniques is also provided.

Abstract: Semitransparent chalcogen solar cells and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a first transparent contact on a substrate; depositing an n-type layer on the first transparent contact; depositing a p-type chalcogen absorber layer on the n-type layer, wherein a p-n junction is formed between the p-type chalcogen absorber layer and the n-type layer; depositing a protective interlayer onto the p-type chalcogen absorber layer, wherein the protective interlayer fully covers the p-type chalcogen absorber layer; and forming a second transparent contact on the interlayer, wherein the interlayer being disposed between the p-type chalcogen absorber layer and the second transparent contact serves to protect the p-n junction during the forming of the second transparent contact. Solar cells and other methods for formation thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for integrating photovoltaics into wearables, such as eyewear, are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a lens for photovoltaic eyewear includes: forming a semitransparent photovoltaic film on at least a portion of a viewable area of the lens, wherein the semitransparent photovoltaic film includes an inorganic absorber material having a band gap of from about 1.4 eV to about 2.2 eV, and ranges therebetween. The semitransparent photovoltaic film can be configured to block greater than about 99.9% UVA, UVB, and UVC light rays, and from about 95% to about 99%, and ranges therebetween, of HEV light rays from passing therethrough. Photovoltaic eyewear formed by the present techniques is also provided.

Abstract: Selenium-fullerene heterojunction solar cells and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a front contact on a substrate; depositing an n-type semiconducting layer on the front contact, wherein the n-type semiconducting layer comprises a fullerene or fullerene derivative; forming a p-type chalcogen absorber layer on the n-type semiconducting layer; depositing a high workfunction material onto the p-type chalcogen absorber layer, wherein the high workfunction material has a workfunction of greater than about 5.2 electron volts; and forming a back contact on the high workfunction material. Solar cells and other methods for formation thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Improved high work function back contacts for solar cells are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a completed solar cell having a substrate coated with an electrically conductive material, an absorber disposed on the electrically conductive material, a buffer layer disposed on the absorber, a transparent front contact disposed on the buffer layer, and a metal grid disposed on the transparent front contact; removing the substrate and the electrically conductive material using exfoliation, exposing a backside surface of the solar cell; depositing a high work function material onto the back side surface of the solar cell; and depositing a back contact onto the high work function material. A solar cell formed by the present techniques is also provided. Yield of the exfoliated device can be improved by removing bubbles from adhesive used for exfoliation and/or forming contact pads to access the metal grid.