Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flowmeter comprising a piezoelectric sensor. The flowmeter is configured so that fluid flow through a channel, typically either a fluid conduit or a housing in which the sensor is oriented, produces oscillating stresses in a piezoelectric material. The oscillating stresses produce an electric signal. Characteristics of the electric signal, such as the magnitude of the signal at particular frequencies, can be measured and used to determine the rate of fluid flow through the channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of inserting lithium into an electrochromic device after completion. In the disclosed methods, an ideal amount of lithium can be added post-fabrication to maximize or tailor the free lithium ion density of a layer or the coloration range of a device. Embodiments are directed towards a method to insert lithium into the main device layers of an electrochromic device as a post-processing step after the device has been manufactured. In an embodiment, the methods described are designed to maximize the coloration range while compensating for blind charge loss.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for combining two or more thin-film electronic devices use a hot-press method. Two or more thin-film batteries, electrochromic devices, and/or a fuel cells may be combined. A thin-film conductive substrate is positioned between the thin-film electronic device. Sufficient heat is applied to the thin film conductive substrate and/or the connecting surface of the one or more devices to cause a material, such as lithium, to flow and bind the thin-film electronic devices together.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spirometer comprising a piezoelectric sensor and the use of the spirometer in measuring a user's lung performance and/or tracking a user's lung performance over a period of time. The spirometer is configured so that fluid flow through a housing produces oscillating stresses in a piezoelectric material. The oscillating stresses produce an electric signal. Characteristics of the electric signal, such as the magnitude of the signal at particular frequencies, can be measured and used to determine the rate of fluid flow through the housing during inhalation or exhalation. The fluid flow characteristics may then be displayed on a variety of devices, such as a smartphone, a personal computer, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flowmeter comprising a piezoelectric sensor. The flowmeter is configured so that fluid flow through a channel, typically either a fluid conduit or a housing in which the sensor is oriented, produces oscillating stresses in a piezoelectric material. The oscillating stresses produce an electric signal. Characteristics of the electric signal, such as the magnitude of the signal at particular frequencies, can be measured and used to determine the rate of fluid flow through the channel.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for creating monolithically integrated electrochromic devices which may be a flexible electrochromic device. Monolithic integration of thin film electrochromic devices may involve the electrical interconnection of multiple individual electrochromic devices through the creation of specific structures such as conductive pathway or insulating isolation trenches.

Abstract: A method for forming a reduced conductive area in transparent conductive. The method includes providing a transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material. A reducing atmosphere is provided and concentrated electromagnetic energy from an energy source is directed toward a portion of the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material to form a reduced conductive area. The reduced conductive area has greater electrical conductivity than the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material. A thin film article and photovoltaic module are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a reduced conductive area in transparent conductive. The method includes providing a transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material. A reducing atmosphere is provided and concentrated electromagnetic energy from an energy source is directed toward a portion of the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material to form a reduced conductive area. The reduced conductive area has greater electrical conductivity than the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material. A thin film article and photovoltaic module are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are generally provided of reducing speckle of a laser beam from a laser source guided through an optical waveguide. The method includes vibrating an optical waveguide at a first point along the optical waveguide at a first frequency (e.g., having a range of about 20 kHz to about 20 GHz) for a certain distance (e.g., a distance of about 0.1 mm to about 5 cm), and directing the laser beam out of the optical waveguide from the laser source to a target. Such methods are particularly useful for scribing a thin film layer on a photovoltaic module (e.g., a cadmium telluride-based thin film photovoltaic device). Fiber optic laser systems are also generally provided for reducing speckle of a laser beam from a laser source guided through an optical waveguide.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of inserting lithium into an electrochromic device after completion. In the disclosed methods, an ideal amount of lithium can be added post-fabrication to maximize or tailor the free lithium ion density of a layer or the coloration range of a device. Embodiments are directed towards a method to insert lithium into the main device layers of an electrochromic device as a post-processing step after the device has been manufactured. In an embodiment, the methods described are designed to maximize the coloration range while compensating for blind charge loss.

Abstract: A cadmium telluride thin film photovoltaic device is provided having a thin film interlayer positioned between a cadmium sulfide layer and a cadmium telluride layer. The thin film interlayer can be an oxide thin film layer (e.g., an amorphous silica layer, a cadmium stannate layer, a zinc stannate layer, etc.) or a nitride film, and can act as a chemical barrier at the p-n junction to inhibit ion diffusion between the layers. The device can include a transparent conductive layer on a glass superstrate, a cadmium sulfide layer on the transparent conductive layer, a thin film interlayer on the cadmium sulfide layer, a cadmium telluride layer on the thin film interlayer, and a back contact on the cadmium telluride layer. Methods are also provided of manufacturing such devices.

Abstract: Methods for laser scribing a film stack including a plurality of thin film layers on a substrate are provided. A pulse of a laser beam is applied to the film stack, where the laser beam has a power that varies as a function of time during the pulse according to a predetermined power cycle. For example, the pulse can have a pulse lasting about 0.1 nanoseconds to about 500 nanoseconds. This pulse of the laser beam can be repeated across the film stack to form a scribe line through at least one of the thin film layers on the substrate. Such methods are particularly useful in laser scribing a cadmium telluride thin-film based photovoltaic device.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of scribing a multilayer panel. The method comprises (a) providing a multilayer panel comprising a substrate layer, a transparent conductive layer disposed thereupon, a first semiconducting layer disposed upon the transparent conductive layer; (b) configuring the multilayer panel relative to a laser machining device, the machining device comprising a laser head and an optical sensor; (c) inducing a motion of the laser head relative to the multilayer panel such that a laser beam contacts the panel along a transverse line across the panel, the laser beam incident upon the panel having sufficient energy to ablate one or more layers of the multilayer panel within a zone irradiated by the laser beam irradiated to provide a scribed panel; (d) simultaneously irradiating the scribed panel with a first light source; and (e) detecting the light emerging from the scribed panel at the optical sensor in real time. Also provided is a system for scribing a multilayer panel.

Abstract: Methods are generally provided of reducing speckle of a laser beam from a laser source guided through an optical waveguide. The method includes vibrating an optical waveguide at a first point along the optical waveguide at a first frequency (e.g., having a range of about 20 kHz to about 20 GHz) for a certain distance (e.g., a distance of about 0.1 mm to about 5 cm), and directing the laser beam out of the optical waveguide from the laser source to a target. Such methods are particularly useful for scribing a thin film layer on a photovoltaic module (e.g., a cadmium telluride-based thin film photovoltaic device). Fiber optic laser systems are also generally provided for reducing speckle of a laser beam from a laser source guided through an optical waveguide.

Abstract: Methods for laser scribing a film stack including a plurality of thin film layers on a substrate are provided. A pulse of a laser beam is applied to the film stack, where the laser beam has a power that varies as a function of time during the pulse according to a predetermined power cycle. For example, the pulse can have a pulse lasting about 0.1 nanoseconds to about 500 nanoseconds. This pulse of the laser beam can be repeated across the film stack to form a scribe line through at least one of the thin film layers on the substrate. Such methods are particularly useful in laser scribing a cadmium telluride thin-film based photovoltaic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photovoltaic cell, a method of forming the photovoltaic cell, and a system for forming the photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell includes a plurality of layers, at least one scribe disposed within the plurality of layers, and sidewalls delineating the scribe from the plurality of layers. At least a portion of the sidewalls includes material properties substantially consistent with the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A method for forming a reduced conductive area in transparent conductive. The method includes providing a transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material. A reducing atmosphere is provided and concentrated electromagnetic energy from an energy source is directed toward a portion of the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material to form a reduced conductive area. The reduced conductive area has greater electrical conductivity than the transparent, electrically conductive, chemically reducible material. A thin film article and photovoltaic module are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a transparent electrically conductive layer. The method includes providing a layer comprising cadmium, tin, and oxygen. Concentrated electromagnetic energy is directed from an energy source to at least one portion of the layer to locally heat the at least a portion of the layer. The layer is crystallized to a cadmium-tin oxide ceramic. A photovoltaic cell having the laser crystallized cadmium-tin oxide ceramic and a composition of matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cadmium telluride thin film photovoltaic device is provided having a thin film interlayer positioned between a cadmium sulfide layer and a cadmium telluride layer. The thin film interlayer can be an oxide thin film layer (e.g., an amorphous silica layer, a cadmium stannate layer, a zinc stannate layer, etc.) or a nitride film, and can act as a chemical barrier at the p-n junction to inhibit ion diffusion between the layers. The device can include a transparent conductive layer on a glass superstrate, a cadmium sulfide layer on the transparent conductive layer, a thin film interlayer on the cadmium sulfide layer, a cadmium telluride layer on the thin film interlayer, and a back contact on the cadmium telluride layer. Methods are also provided of manufacturing such devices.