Abstract: A cell for using solar radiation to generate electrical power comprises a direct band gap (or high absorption coefficient) substrate which is formed with at least one hole that extends from one side of the substrate to the other side of the substrate. A p-n junction formed with an emitter and a base is joined to one side of the substrate with the hole allowing means to make electrical contact with the base. A metallic layer is extended through the hole into electrical contact with the base to establish a low resistance path between the base of the p-n junction and the back side of the substrate.

Abstract: A photothermophotovoltaic energy conversion system converts solar energy to electrical energy and includes a radiator and a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell receives incoming energy, including solar energy, and converts a first portion of the incoming energy to electrical energy. The photovoltaic cell includes a reflector for reflecting a second portion of the incoming energy to the radiator to heat it. The heated radiator in turn radiates energy back to the photovoltaic cell for subsequent energy conversion therein of a first portion thereof. A second portion is reflected to the radiator, conserving heat.

Abstract: A superlattice quantum well device comprising a first set of conductive layers and a second set of conductive layers having discrete electronic energy levels different from those of the first set of layers, separated by relatively nonconductive insulation layers.

Abstract: A hot-wire anemometer includes a graphite fiber hot wire forming one arm of a resistance bridge. Graphite fibers have high tensile strengths, relatively high temperature coefficients of resistance and other thermal and electrical properties which make them particularly suitable for use as anemometer hot wires. The graphite fibers may be doped or intercalated with chemical species that adjust their thermal and electrical properties.

Abstract: To thermally stabilize superconductors that are potted in a polymeric material, such as is common in superconducting coils, materials having extremely high heat capacities at the superconducting temperatures are incorporated into the potting material. The heat-absorbing material may have an extremely high heat capacity at superconducting temperatures due to magnetic orderings it undergoes at superconducting temperatures or may be a heavy fermion material having electrons with effective masses greatly exceeding the bare electron mass.

Abstract: Heavy fermion materials are used for thermally stabilizing systems which operate below about 10.degree. K., particularly superconducting systems. These materials have extremely high heat capacities below 10.degree. K., and furthermore, their heat capacities are substantially unaffected by magnetic field intensity, making them especially useful for thermally stabilizing superconducting magnet windings. In a particular application, a superconductor includes superconducting filaments surrounded by a metal stabilizer and heavy fermion material is incorporated in insolubilized form in the stabilizer.

Abstract: Multi-ply cookware having inner and outer plies of aluminum or stainless steel encasing an intermediate ply of a graphite material. The graphite material, which has thermally anisotropic properties, is oriented so that its thermal conductivity is higher in the plane parallel to the surface of the cookware than in the direction perpendicular to the surface. Accordingly, when the cookware is placed over a localized heat source, the intermediate graphite ply effectively conducts and distributes the heat provided by the burner throughout the plane parallel to the surface of the cookware before the heat propagates in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the cookware, thus minimizing hot spots on the inner surface.