Abstract: The invention pertains to a solar cell module comprising a solar cell and an encapsulant, wherein the solar cell module has a current connection area which is connected through an electroconductive connection with an external current carrier, wherein the electroconductive connection is provided with a housing which is bonded to the encapsulant via a laser-welded bond. It has been found that bonding the housing to the encapsulant layer through a laser welded bond makes for a bond which is strong and has good insulating properties.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a solar cell foil comprising the steps of: providing an etchable temporary substrate applying a front electrode of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) onto the temporary substrate applying a photovoltaic layer onto the TCO layer applying a back electrode layer applying a permanent carrier ensuring that the front electrode and the back electrode are electrically connected in an interconnect to establish a series connection, the front and the back electrode each being interrupted by front and back groove, respectively, at different sides of the interconnect in any one of the preceding steps providing an etch resist on the non-TCO side of the temporary substrate at least at the location of the interconnect, and at least not at the entire location of the front groove selectively removing the temporary substrate where it is not covered with etch resist.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a photovoltaic (PV) module comprising a plurality of cells, each cell containing a substrate, a transparent conductor layer, a photovoltaic layer, and a back-electrode layer, wherein the photovoltaic layer comprises at least one p-i-n or n-i-p silicon layer, characterized in that said silicon layer comprises 10 to 1000 conducting spots of recrystallized silicon per cm2, each having independently a surface or 10 to 2500 ?m. The PV module can be obtained by a method wherein the p-i-n or n-i-p silicon layer is locally heated whereby said silicon is transformed at these spots, after which the silicon at these spots is allowed to solidify in a transformed state.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic foil provided with solar cells connected in series, which method comprises the following steps: a) providing a temporary substrate b) applying a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) c) applying a photovoltaic (PV) layer on the TCO d) if so desired, applying one or two insulating strips onto the PV layer e) applying a back electrode onto the PV layer and, if they are present, onto the insulating strips f) if so desired, repairing shunts in the back electrode g) providing a groove in the back electrode down to the PV layer, or if it is present, down to an insulating strip h) if so desired, providing a permanent carrier i) removing the temporary substrates j) providing a groove from the side of the side of the TCO through the TCO and, optionally, through the PV layer down to the back electrode, or if it is present, down to an insulating strip if so desired, applying an encapsulant onto the TCO layer, in which process a conductive connection through

Abstract: Device and method for recording the visual properties of a surface, comprising an imaging device for recording light interaction (reflection or transmission) with a surface, a light source, and a sample area for positioning a sample with a surface to be examined. The imaging device, the light source, and the sample area are arranged in such a way that in one image at least one of the surface properties is recordable as a function of a continuous range of angles between the illumination direction and the observation direction. The imaging device is a CCD camera. The device and method are suitable for imaging and evaluating visual properties which are dependent on the optical geometry, such as flop behavior and gloss.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic foil provided with solar cells connected in series, which method comprises the following steps: a) providing a temporary substrate b) applying a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) c) applying a photovoltaic (PV) layer on the TCO d) if so desired, applying one or two insulating strips onto the PV layer e) applying a back electrode onto the PV layer and, if they are present, onto the insulating strips f) if so desired, repairing shunts in the back electrode g) providing a groove in the back electrode down to the PV layer, or if it is present, down to an insulating strip h) if so desired, providing a permanent carrier i) removing the temporary substrates j) providing a groove from the side of the side of the TCO through the TCO and, optionally, through the PV layer down to the back electrode, or if it is present, down to an insulating strip if so desired, applying an encapsulant onto the TCO layer, in which process a conductive connection through

Abstract: Device and method for recording the visual properties of a surface, comprising an imaging device for recording light interaction (reflection or transmission) with a surface, a light source, and a sample area for positioning a sample with a surface to be examined. The imaging device, the light source, and the sample area are arranged in such a way that in one image at least one of the surface properties is recordable as a function of a continuous range of angles between the illumination direction and the observation direction. The imaging device is a CCD camera. The device and method are suitable for imaging and evaluating visual properties which are dependent on the optical geometry, such as flop behavior and gloss.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of optical recording media, and is directed to an optical recording medium which comprises the following layers;a) a grooved transparent substrate (1), superposed byb) a recording layer comprising a partial mirror (2) of a material having a high complex index of refraction which is not within the pentagon defined by the vertices 7.15 - i3.93, 7.15 - i5.85, 8.96 - 6.28, 9.56 - i5.90, and 8.14 - i3.77 in the n,k plane, superposed by a buffer layer (3) comprising a nonliquid-crystalline high-molecular weight material and optionally a dye, superposed by a thick reflective layer (4), together forming a Fabry-Perot wherein the thickness (d) of the buffer layer within the grooves is set so that the reflection of the medium is in the high reflective state, optionally superposed byc) a protective coating (5).By virtue of the partial mirror, the buffer layer, and the thick reflective layer a Fabry-Perot etalon is created.

Abstract: In a recordable/replayable optical recording medium having a thin metal recording layer and an optical recording method therefor, the optical recording medium includes a substrate, a thin metal film formed on the substrate, a reflective layer arranged on the thin metal film, a buffering layer interposed between the thin metal film deformed by heat, and a protecting layer for protecting the deposited layers. Recording is facilitated by adopting a buffering layer and compatibility with conventional CD players is possible. Since expensive organic dyes are not necessary, manufacturing costs can be reduced and productivity can be greatly improved.