Abstract: A flexible photovoltaic (PV) cell having enhanced properties of mechanical impact absorption, includes: a semiconductor wafer that is freestanding and carrier-less; having a thickness, and having a first surface, and a having second surface that is opposite to that first surface; a set of non-transcending gaps within the semiconductor wafer. Each non-transcending gap penetrates from the first surface towards the second surface but reaches to a depth of between 80 to 99 percent of the thickness of the semiconductor wafer, and does not reach said second surface. Each non-transcending gap does not entirely penetrate through an entirety of the thickness of the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer maintains at least 1 percent of the thickness of the semiconductor wafer as an intact and non-penetrated thin layer of semiconductor wafer that remains intact and non-penetrated by the non-transcending gaps. The intact and non-penetrated thin layer of semiconductor wafer absorbs and dissipates mechanical forces.

Abstract: The expandable sheath and methods of use disclosed herein are used to deliver a prosthetic device through a patient's vasculature. The sheath is constructed to be expandable in the circumferential direction, while maintaining sufficient stiffness in the longitudinal direction to withstand pushing and resist kinking. The sheath includes a plurality of curved arms extending outwardly from a longitudinally extending spine. The curved arms move away from the longitudinal axis of the sheath when pushed radially outwardly by a passing prosthetic device, and move back toward the longitudinal axis once the prosthetic device has passed.

Abstract: Rubber molded articles that integrally incorporate an operable photovoltaic device, and method and system for producing such articles. An apparatus includes a rubber body, formed of one or more solidified, compacted, previously-heated rubber materials, selected from the group consisting of: virgin unused rubber material, recycled rubber, scrap rubber, rubber pellets, rubber granules, rubber lumps, rubber strips. The apparatus also includes an operable photovoltaic device, that is configured to generate electricity from light via the photovoltaic effect; and which is optionally flexible and rollable. The operable photovoltaic device is integrally held on top of the rubber body, via a molded connection and holding mechanism which molds together the rubber body and the operable photovoltaic device.

Abstract: Injection molded, blow molded, and rotational molded articles that integrally incorporate an operable photovoltaic device, and method and system for producing such articles. A method includes: placing an operable photovoltaic device at an inner-side of a mold cavity of a mold; performing injection molding or reaction injection molding or blow molding or rotational molding, of raw plastic materials or raw polymeric materials; and forming a single or singular, monolithic, unified or uniform, molded article that integrally incorporates and fixedly holds and tightly secures, therein or thereon, the operable photovoltaic device, directly and securely and tightly via the solidified molded plastic or the solidified molded polymer that are adjacent to it.

Abstract: A flexible and mechanically-resilient Photovoltaic (PV) cell is formed of a single semiconductor wafer. It includes non-transcending craters or bling gaps, that penetrate upwardly from a dark-side surface towards a sunny-side surface but do not reach the sunny-side surface. The craters segment the wafer into miniature sub-regions, and provide mechanical resilience and mechanical shock absorption. A set of conducting wires are located on each side of the PV cell; one set collects the negative electric charge, and the other set collects the positive electric charge. The conducting wires are embedded in an adhesive transparent flexible plastic foil. Optionally, a bi-facial PV cell is similarly provided, as well as methods and systems for producing such PV cells.

Abstract: A hybrid photovoltaic (PV) device includes: a rigid PV segment, having one or more PV cells that convert light to electricity, wherein the rigid PV segment is non-foldable and non-bendable; a co-located flexible PV segment, wherein the flexible PV segment is foldable or bendable without being damaged; electric connectors, that connect between (i) electric current or voltage generated by the rigid PV segment, and (ii) electric current or voltage generated by the flexible PV segment; a unified encapsulation layer, encapsulating together both the rigid PV segment and the co-located flexible PV segment. The rigid PV segment, the co-located flexible PV segment, the electric connectors, and the unified encapsulation layer, form together the hybrid PV device as a single stand-alone PV device that converts light to electricity, and has at least one rigid region corresponding to the rigid PV segment and at least one flexible region corresponding to the co-located flexible PV segment.

Abstract: A flexible photovoltaic (PV) cell having enhanced properties of mechanical impact absorption, includes: a semiconductor wafer that is freestanding and carrier-less; having a thickness, and having a first surface, and a having second surface that is opposite to that first surface; a set of non-transcending gaps within the semiconductor wafer. Each non-transcending gap penetrates from the first surface towards the second surface but reaches to a depth of between 80 to 99 percent of the thickness of the semiconductor wafer, and does not reach said second surface. Each non-transcending gap does not entirely penetrate through an entirety of the thickness of the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer maintains at least 1 percent of the thickness of the semiconductor wafer as an intact and non-penetrated thin layer of semiconductor wafer that remains intact and non-penetrated by the non-transcending gaps. The intact and non-penetrated thin layer of semiconductor wafer absorbs and dissipates mechanical forces.

Abstract: Semiconductor substrates and semiconductor devices produced from such substrates, such as photovoltaic (PV) cells, may exhibit toughened physical characteristics making them more suitable for use in mechanically challenging or stressful environments. Semiconductor substrates and semiconductor devices produced from such substrates, such as photovoltaic (PV) cells, may exhibit toughened thermal characteristics making them more suitable for use in environmentally challenging applications. Semiconductor substrates and semiconductor devices produced from such substrates, such as photovoltaic (PV) cells, may exhibit sufficiently toughened characteristics and increase impact resistance to permit packaging in non-rigid and light weight encapsulating layer(s). Semiconductor substrates and semiconductor devices produced from such substrates may exhibit sufficient flexibility to permit for rolling up during shipment and or for non-destructive deformation during deployment over uneven surfaces.

Abstract: Semiconductor substrates and semiconductor devices produced from such substrates, such as photovoltaic (PV) cells, may exhibit toughened physical characteristics making them more suitable for use in mechanically challenging or stressful environments. Semiconductor substrates and semiconductor devices produced from such substrates, such as photovoltaic (PV) cells, may exhibit toughened thermal characteristics making them more suitable for use in environmentally challenging applications. Semiconductor substrates and semiconductor devices produced from such substrates, such as photovoltaic (PV) cells, may exhibit sufficiently toughened characteristics and increase impact resistance to permit packaging in non-rigid and light weight encapsulating layer(s). Semiconductor substrates and semiconductor devices produced from such substrates may exhibit sufficient flexibility to permit for rolling up during shipment and or for non-destructive deformation during deployment over uneven surfaces.

Abstract: A method for use in producing an electrode arrangement is described. The method comprises providing a first patterned structure, said first patterned structure having a first layer comprising a first electrically conducting material on one face thereof and a layer of an electrically insulating material on one other face thereof. Said first patterned structure comprises a plurality of perforations forming said pattern. Applying a second layer comprising a second electrically conducting material on said electrically insulating material of the first patterned structure thereby covering a face of said first patterned structure. Thus, a pattern is formed of said first and second electrically conducting materials, being insulated between them and exposed to the environment on a second face of said electrode arrangement.

Abstract: An optically active medium and an electrode arrangement are provided, for use in providing a photovoltaic device. The optically active medium comprises a liquid carrier comprising: suspended colloidal structures comprising nucleation assisting particles and optically-active semiconducting structures; and at least one soluble material selected such that when said medium is applied on a surface and the liquid carrier is allowed to evaporate, said at least one soluble material interacts with said colloidal structures to form a continuous polycrystalline film of said optically-active semiconducting structures. The electrode arrangement is configured for collection of charge carriers from a medium interacting with said electrodes. The electrode arrangement comprising at least one pair of first and second electrode elements configured as spaced apart patterned electrode elements installable on and extendable along a surface and being configured for selectively collecting electrons and holes respectively.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement and plurality of micro-structures are presented configured for use in conversion of a surface to photovoltaic cell. The electrode arrangements comprising at least two sets of conducting wires comprising wires with coatings configured to allow selective transmission of charge carriers. The wires are configured for charge collection from a medium in surroundings thereof. The sets of conducting wires are arranged in the form of a grid such that the different wires overlay about one another defining a region of charge collection, and are insulated from one another in said region of charge collection.