Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrically conductive adhesives (ECA) comprising: (a) organic binder, (b) electrically conductive powders comprised of silver particles and surface coated copper particles, and optional (c) solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrically conductive adhesive compositions and their use in solar cell modules, wherein the electrically conductive adhesives comprise one or more olefinic carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: An optical element has a plano-plano body formed of a first material having a greater refraction index n1 and a second material having a lesser refraction index n2. Both indices are greater than one. The absolute value of the index contrast, log10 (n1/n2), is in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.17, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.05. The materials have an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4, preferably less than or equal to about 0.2. The materials are arranged such that an interface with at least one cusp is defined therebetween. The cusp has an apex pointed toward the material having the greater index of refraction. The cusp is operative to produce a region of increased light intensity on one surface of the optical element in response to light incident on the other surface of the optical element.

Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly includes an optical element comprising a body having opposed planar major surfaces with a plurality of open-mouthed inclusions (grooves) formed on the light output surface. Each groove has a closed apex with an included apex angle. The body is formed from a material having an index of refraction of at least 1.3 and an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4. The optical element is attached to a photovoltaic cell using an adhesive having an index of refraction in the range from about 1.34 to 1.50. The apex angle is selected such that light incident upon the body is conveyed the light output surface by the mechanism of total internal reflection from the boundary walls of the grooves and/or without retro-reflection toward the incident surface. The thickness of the adhesive layer and the dimension of the mouth of the grooves are selected such that light incident on the surface of the photovoltaic cell is not obscured by conductor lines on the cell's surface.

Abstract: A moisture vapor permeable metalized composite sheet is formed by coating a moisture vapor permeable sheet with at least one metal layer and at least one outer organic coating layer. The moisture vapor permeability of the composite sheet is at least about 80% of the moisture vapor permeability of the starting sheet. The composite sheet provides a barrier to air and liquid water infiltration while having high moisture vapor permeability and good thermal barrier properties. The composite sheet material is suitable for use as a building construction wrap such as roof lining and house wrap.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film that is useful as a light capture front sheet in solar modules, and more broadly as an antireflection layer. The present invention further discloses a glass shaped article having a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film disposed upon the surface thereof. The shaped article is useful in applications where it is desirable to reduce reflection of incident light.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a body having opposed planar major surfaces with a plurality of open-mouthed inclusions (grooves) formed on its light output surface. Each groove has a closed apex with an included apex angle. The body is formed from a material having an index of refraction of at least 1.3 and an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4. The apex angle is selected such that light incident upon the body is conveyed the light output surface by the mechanism of total internal reflection from the boundary walls of the grooves and/or without retro-reflection toward the incident surface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses photovoltaic modules with a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film wherein the reflectance spectrum of the multi-layer fluoropolymeric film exhibits at least one minimum in the wavelength between 400 and 1100 nm. The film is useful as a light capture front sheet in solar modules, and more broadly as an antireflection layer. The invention further discloses photovoltaic arrays formed from such modules.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of Formula (I): The invention further relates to liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I); compositions further comprising one or more chiral compounds; and polymer networks derived from the polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions. Another embodiment relates to processes for providing compounds of Formula (I).

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from the group: H, F, Cl and CH3; n1 and n2 are each independently integers 3 to 20; q and r are each independently integers 0, 1 or 2, with the proviso that q+r is ?1; D is a divalent chiral radical selected from the group: wherein R3 is a C1 to C6 straight or branched chain alkyl group; and each B1 and B2 is a divalent radical independently selected from the group: R4-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R4 is H, —CH3 or —OCH3; 2,6-naphthyl; and 4,4?-biphenyl; with the provisos that when q+r=3, at least one of B1 and B2 is R4-substituted-1,4-phenyl; and when q+r=4, at least two of B1 and B2 are R4-substituted-1,4-phenyl. The invention further relates to liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds of formula (I) and polymer networks derived from the polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions.

Abstract: An optical element has a plano-plano body formed of a first material having a greater refraction index n1 and a second material having a lesser refraction index n2. Both indices are greater than one. The absolute value of the index contrast, log10(n1/n2), is in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.17, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.05. The materials have an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4, preferably less than or equal to about 0.2. The materials are arranged such that an interface with at least one cusp is defined therebetween. The cusp has an apex pointed toward the material having the greater index of refraction. The cusp is operative to produce a region of decreased light intensity on one surface of the optical element in response to light incident on the other surface of the optical element.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a body having opposed planar major surfaces with a plurality of open-mouthed inclusions (grooves) formed on its light output surface. Each groove has a closed apex with an included apex angle. The body is formed from a material having an index of refraction of at least 1.3 and an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4. The apex angle is selected such that light incident upon the body is conveyed the light output surface by the mechanism of total internal reflection from the boundary walls of the grooves and/or without retro-reflection toward the incident surface.

Abstract: An optical element has a plano-piano body formed of a first material having a greater refraction index n1 and a second material having a lesser refraction index n2. Both indices are greater than one. The absolute value of the index contrast, log10 (n1/n2), is in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.17, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.05. The materials have an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4, preferably less than or equal to about 0.2. The materials are arranged such that an interface with at least one cusp is defined therebetween. The cusp has an apex pointed toward the material having the greater index of refraction. The cusp is operative to produce a region of increased light intensity on one surface of the optical element in response to light incident on the other surface of the optical element.

Abstract: Various photovoltaic apparatus such as an optical coupling arrangement, an integrated photovoltaic cell assembly, a photovoltaic module or a concentrating photovoltaic system each include an optical element having a plano-piano body formed of a first material having a greater refraction index n1 and a second material having a lesser refraction index n2. Both indices are greater than one. The absolute value of the index contrast, log10 (n1/n2), is in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.17, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.05. The materials have an induced absorbance rate ?Abs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4, preferably less than or equal to about 0.2. The materials are arranged such that an interface with at least one cusp is defined therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from the group: H, F, Cl and CH3; n1 and n2 are each independently integers 3 to 20; q and r are each independently integers 0, 1 or 2, with the proviso that q+r is ?1; D is a divalent chiral radical selected from the group: wherein R3 is a C1 to C6 straight or branched chain alkyl group; and each B1 and B2 is a divalent radical independently selected from the group: R4-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R4 is H, —CH3 or —OCH3; 2,6-naphthyl; and 4,4?-biphenyl; with the provisos that when q+r=3, at least one of B1 and B2 is R4-substituted-1,4-phenyl; and when q+r=4, at least two of B1 and B2 are R4-substituted-1,4-phenyl. The invention further relates to liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds of formula (I) and polymer networks derived from the polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions.

Abstract: Light concentrating articles capable of concentrating about 1.02 to about 2000 sun equivalents of solar energy onto a solar cell comprise a thermoplastic composition, preferably an ionomer composition. The light concentrating articles may be made by a variety of processes, which are provided herein, such as for example an injection molding process, an injection overmolding process, an extrusion process, a cast film or sheet process, a blown film or sheet process, a vacuum forming process, a compression molding process, a transfer molding process, or a profile extrusion process. Secondary forming processes, such as bending, stamping, embossing, machining, laminating, adhering, metallizing, and the like may also be used in forming the light concentrating articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of Formula (I): The invention further relates to liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I); compositions further comprising one or more chiral compounds; and polymer networks derived from the polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions. Another embodiment relates to processes for providing compounds of Formula (I).

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from the group: H, F, Cl and CH3; n1 and n2 are each independently integers 3 to 20; q and r are each independently integers 0, 1 or 2, with the proviso that q+r is ?1; D is a divalent chiral radical selected from the group: wherein R3 is a C1 to C6 straight or branched chain alkyl group; and each B1 and B2 is a divalent radical independently selected from the group: R4-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R4 is H, —CH3 or —OCH3; 2,6-naphthyl; and 4,4?-biphenyl; with the provisos that when q+r=3, at least one of B1 and B2 is R4-substituted-1,4-phenyl; and when q+r=4, at least two of B1 and B2 are R4-substituted-1,4-phenyl. The invention further relates to liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds of formula (I) and polymer networks derived from the polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of Formula (I): The invention further relates to liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I); compositions further comprising one or more chiral compounds; and polymer networks derived from the polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions. Another embodiment relates to processes for providing compounds of Formula (I).

Abstract: A moisture vapor permeable metalized composite sheet is formed by coating a moisture vapor permeable sheet with at least one metal layer and at least one outer organic coating layer. The moisture vapor permeability of the composite sheet is at least about 80% of the moisture vapor permeability of the starting sheet. The composite sheet provides a barrier to air and liquid water infiltration while having high moisture vapor permeability and good thermal barrier properties. The composite sheet material is suitable for use as a building construction wrap such as roof lining and house wrap.