Abstract: Photovoltaic cells and methods for manufacturing photovoltaic cells. An example photovoltaic cell may include an electron conductor, a hole conductor and an active region situated therebetween. The electron conductor may include a nanowire array and a sheath disposed over the nanowire array. The nanowire array may include a material having an electron mobility that is greater than the electron mobility of the sheath. The sheath may have a density of states that is greater than the density of states of the nanowire array.

Abstract: Thin-film photovoltaic cells and methods for manufacturing thin-film photovoltaic cells. An example method for manufacturing a thin-film photovoltaic cell includes providing a substrate, forming an imprinted surface on the substrate, and depositing one or more thin-film photovoltaic layers on the imprinted surface. An example thin-film photovoltaic cell may include a substrate layer having an imprinted surface, with a one or more thin-film photovoltaic layers disposed on the imprinted surface. A filler layer may be provided on the thin-film photovoltaic layer.

Abstract: A solar cell includes an electron conductor, a plurality of quantum dots on a surface of the electron conductor forming a quantum dot layer, and a supplemental light-absorbing material in one or more gaps in the quantum dot layer. The supplemental light-absorbing material is capable of absorbing light that passes through the one or more gaps in the quantum dot layer and converting the absorbed light into holes and electrons. The supplemental light-absorbing material may also inhibit a hole conductor from coming into contact with the electron conductor. The supplemental light-absorbing material could include one or more polymers, semiconductors, fluorophores, metal particles, nanowires, nanotubes, and nanoparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed are solar cells and methods for making solar cells. An example solar cell may include an electron conductor layer. The solar cell may also include a hole conductor layer. An insulating layer may be disposed between the electron conductor layer and the hole conductor layer. The insulating layer may have a plurality of pores. Absorber material may be disposed at least partially within at least some of the plurality of pores.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that promote the remediation of contaminated materials that are produced during industrial processes. These systems and methods include heating a material, transferring heat from the material to an industrial process. During this transfer, contaminants may be introduced into the material. These methods may remove the contaminant by treating the material with a surface modified nanoceramic through nanofiltration and/or active sites adsorption/reaction. The surface modified nanoceramic may remove at least part of the contaminant in the material. No cooling required prior to removing the contaminant from the material, which can lead to great energy saving and pollution reduction.

Abstract: A solar cell may including a quantum dot, an electron conductor and a bridge molecule disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The bridge molecule may include a quantum dot anchor that bonds to the quantum dot and an electron conductor anchor that bonds to the electron conductor. The quantum dot anchor may be an electron-rich anchor group that includes a Group 5A element. The solar cell may also include a hole conductor that is configured to reduce the quantum dot once the quantum dot absorbs a photon and ejects an electron through the bridge molecule and into the electron conductor.

Abstract: A solar cell including a quantum dot, an electron conductor, and a rigid bridge molecule disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The rigid bridge molecule may include a first anchor group that bonds to the quantum dot and a second anchor group that bonds to the electron conductor. The solar cell may include a hole conductor that is configured to reduce the quantum dot once the quantum dot absorbs a photon and ejects an electron through the rigid bridge molecule and into the electron conductor.

Abstract: A solar cell including a quantum dot, an electron conductor, and a conjugated bridge molecule disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The conjugated bridge molecule may include a quantum dot anchor that bonds to the quantum dot and an electron conductor anchor that bonds to the electron conductor. In some instances, the quantum dot anchor and/or the electron conductor anchor may independently include two anchoring moieties that can form ring structures with the quantum dot and/or the electron conductor. The solar cell may further include a hole conductor that is configured to reduce the quantum dot once the quantum dot absorbs a photon and ejects an electron through the conjugated bridge molecule and into the electron conductor.