Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an electricity generator, a casing, and a terminal. The electricity generator includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer. The negative electrode active material layer includes a first portion including a silicon layer on a surface of the negative electrode current collector and a first carbon material layer on a surface of the silicon layer, and a second portion including a second carbon material layer on the surface of the negative electrode current collector and continuous with the first carbon material layer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems. Divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems include a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell connected in parallel. Both electrochemical cells include a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have different performance properties from the second electrochemical cell. For example, the first electrochemical cell can have a high energy density while the second electrochemical cell can have a high power density. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have a battery chemistry, thickness, or any other physical/chemical property different from those properties of the second electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems. Divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems include a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell connected in parallel. Both electrochemical cells include a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have different performance properties from the second electrochemical cell. For example, the first electrochemical cell can have a high energy density while the second electrochemical cell can have a high power density. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have a battery chemistry, thickness, or any other physical/chemical property different from those properties of the second electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to apparatuses and processes for forming semi-solid electrodes having high active solids loading by removing excess electrolyte. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be formed by mixing an active material and, optionally, a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte to form a suspension. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be disposed onto a current collector to form an intermediate electrode. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can have a first composition in which the ratio of electrolyte to active material is between about 10:1 and about 1:1. In some embodiments, a method for converting the semi-solid electrode material from the first composition into the second composition includes removing a portion of the electrolyte from the semi-solid electrode material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to apparatuses and processes for forming semi-solid electrodes having high active solids loading by removing excess electrolyte. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be formed by mixing an active material and, optionally, a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte to form a suspension. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be disposed onto a current collector to form an intermediate electrode. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can have a first composition in which the ratio of electrolyte to active material is between about 10:1 and about 1:1. In some embodiments, a method for converting the semi-solid electrode material from the first composition into the second composition includes removing a portion of the electrolyte from the semi-solid electrode material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems. Divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems include a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell connected in parallel. Both electrochemical cells include a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have different performance properties from the second electrochemical cell. For example, the first electrochemical cell can have a high energy density while the second electrochemical cell can have a high power density. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have a battery chemistry, thickness, or any other physical/chemical property different from those properties of the second electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to apparatuses and processes for forming semi-solid electrodes having high active solids loading by removing excess electrolyte. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be formed by mixing an active material and, optionally, a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte to form a suspension. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be disposed onto a current collector to form an intermediate electrode. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can have a first composition in which the ratio of electrolyte to active material is between about 10:1 and about 1:1. In some embodiments, a method for converting the semi-solid electrode material from the first composition into the second composition includes removing a portion of the electrolyte from the semi-solid electrode material.

Abstract: A solar cell includes elements, a connecting portion, and a transparent portion. The elements include first and second elements arrayed in a first direction. The transparent portion is located between the connecting portion and the second element. Each of the elements includes first and second electrode layers and a semiconductor layer interposed between the first and second electrode layers. Between the first element and the second element, their first electrode layers sandwich a first gap and their second electrode layers sandwich a second gap shifted in the first direction from the first gap. The connecting portion electrically connects the second electrode layer of the first element to the first electrode layer of the second element. The transparent portion is located between the second electrode layer of the first element and the first electrode layer of the second element at a position shifted in the first direction from the connecting portion.

Abstract: The solar cell element includes a semiconductor substrate with first and second surfaces, a passivation layer located on the second surface, a protective layer located on the passivation layer, and a back-surface electrode located on the protective layer. The back-surface electrode is electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate via one or more hole portions penetrating the protective layer and the passivation layer. The protective layer includes a first region showing a tendency to increase in thickness as a distance from an inner edge portion of the hole portion and a second region surrounding the first region. A distance between a position of the first region farthest from the inner edge portion and the inner edge portion is larger than a thickness in the second region. The back-surface electrode shows a tendency to decrease in thickness on the first region as a distance from the inner edge portion.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes first and second plates, a solar cell section positioned in a gap between the first plate and the second plate, and a plurality of wiring materials electrically connected to the solar cell section. The first plate has a first face, and a second face opposite the first face. The second plate has a third face opposed to the second face, and a fourth face opposite the third face. At least one of the first and second plates has a light-transmitting property. At least one wiring material of the plurality of wiring materials is positioned from the inside of the gap to the outside of the gap, along a cutout part that is cut out in a part along one side of the second plate with the first plate as a reference, in plan view of the second plate part.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes first and second plate parts, a solar cell section, a wiring material, and first and second sealing materials. The second plate part is facing the first plate part. The solar cell section is positioned in a gap between the first and second plate parts. The wiring material is electrically connected to the solar cell section and is positioned from an inside of the gap to an outside of the gap via a through hole of the first plate part. The first sealing material is positioned in a region covering the solar cell section in the gap. The second sealing material with a higher water barrier property than the first sealing material is filled in an annular region that is closer to the through hole than the first sealing material in the gap and surrounds the through hole in plan perspective view.

Abstract: The solar cell element includes a semiconductor substrate with first and second surfaces, a passivation layer located on the second surface, a protective layer located on the passivation layer, and a back-surface electrode located on the protective layer. The back-surface electrode is electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate via one or more hole portions penetrating the protective layer and the passivation layer. The protective layer includes a first region showing a tendency to increase in thickness as a distance from an inner edge portion of the hole portion and a second region surrounding the first region. A distance between a position of the first region farthest from the inner edge portion and the inner edge portion is larger than a thickness in the second region. The back-surface electrode shows a tendency to decrease in thickness on the first region as a distance from the inner edge portion.

Abstract: A solar cell includes elements, a connecting portion, and a transparent portion. The elements include first and second elements arrayed in a first direction. The transparent portion is located between the connecting portion and the second element. Each of the elements includes first and second electrode layers and a semiconductor layer interposed between the first and second electrode layers. Between the first element and the second element, their first electrode layers sandwich a first gap and their second electrode layers sandwich a second gap shifted in the first direction from the first gap. The connecting portion electrically connects the second electrode layer of the first element to the first electrode layer of the second element. The transparent portion is located between the second electrode layer of the first element and the first electrode layer of the second element at a position shifted in the first direction from the connecting portion.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode layer, a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and an intermediate layer. The first semiconductor layer is located over the electrode layer. The first semiconductor layer has p-type or i-type conductivity and includes primarily a chalcopyrite-type compound or a perovskite-type compound. The second semiconductor layer has n-type conductivity and located over the first semiconductor layer. The intermediate layer is located at an interface between the electrode layer and the first semiconductor layer. The intermediate layer includes primarily a semiconductor having p-type conductivity and having a crystal structure different from a crystal structure of the first semiconductor layer. The intermediate layer has a carrier concentration greater than a carrier concentration of the first semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes an electrode layer, a first semiconductor layer located on a main surface of the electrode layer, a plurality of insulating light scattering substances scattered in the first semiconductor layer or scattered at an interface between the first semiconductor layer and the electrode layer, and a second semiconductor layer making a pn junction with the first semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer to be located on an opposite side of the electrode layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device, comprising: a first step of forming a buffer layer on a light absorption layer containing a group I-III-VI compound or a group I-II-IV-VI compound; and a second step of bringing a surface of the buffer layer into contact with a first solution containing sulfide ions or hydrogen sulfide ions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photoelectric converter, comprising: forming a first buffer layer comprising a metal sulfide on a light-absorbing layer comprising a Group I-III-VI compound or a Group I-II-IV-VI compound; and contacting a surface of the first buffer layer with a first solution comprising an alkali metal compound.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device, comprising: a first step of forming a buffer layer on a light absorption layer containing a group I-III-VI compound or a group I-II-IV-VI compound; and a second step of bringing a surface of the buffer layer into contact with a first solution containing sulfide ions or hydrogen sulfide ions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photoelectric converter (11), comprising: a first step of forming a first buffer layer (4) comprising a metal sulfide on a light-absorbing layer (3) comprising a Group I-III-VI compound or a Group I-II-IV-VI compound; and a second step of contacting a surface of the first buffer layer (4) with a first solution comprising an alkali metal compound.

Abstract: A multi-layer photoelectric conversion device and technology is disclosed. A first photoelectric converter is separated from a second photoelectric converter by an insulative layer. The photoelectric converters may be of a variety of types, and the insulative layer provides protection to reduce pinhole faults in the multi-layer photoelectric conversion device.