Abstract: Dynamic windows with adjustable tint give users greater control over flow of light and heat. Reversible metal electrodeposition dynamic windows include (i) a transparent or translucent conductive electrode; (ii) an electrolyte solution in contact with the electrode, the electrolyte solution comprising metal cations that are reversibly electrodeposited onto the transparent electrode upon application of a cathodic potential; and (iii) a counter electrode. The electrolyte solution advantageously includes a small amount of an additive (e.g., an inhibitor, an accelerator, a leveler, or an organic or inorganic molecule that similarly serves to enhance the surface morphology of the metal cations during reversible metal electrodeposition onto the transparent electrode). Such enhancement of surface morphology during the reversible electrodeposition of the metal tinting layer over the electrode enhances one or more of color neutrality, transmittance characteristics of visible wavelengths (e.g.

Abstract: Dynamic windows with adjustable tint give users greater control over flow of light and heat. Reversible metal electrodeposition dynamic windows include (i) a transparent or translucent conductive electrode; (ii) an electrolyte solution in contact with the electrode, the electrolyte solution comprising metal cations that are reversibly electrodeposited onto the transparent electrode upon application of a cathodic potential; and (iii) a counter electrode. The electrolyte solution advantageously includes a small amount of an additive (e.g., an inhibitor, an accelerator, a leveler, or an organic or inorganic molecule that similarly serves to enhance the surface morphology of the metal cations during reversible metal electrodeposition onto the transparent electrode). Such enhancement of surface morphology during the reversible electrodeposition of the metal tinting layer over the electrode enhances one or more of color neutrality, transmittance characteristics of visible wavelengths (e.g.

Abstract: Dynamic windows with adjustable tint give users greater control over flow of light and heat. Reversible metal electrodeposition dynamic windows include (i) a transparent or translucent conductive electrode; (ii) an electrolyte solution in contact with the electrode, the electrolyte solution comprising metal cations that are reversibly electrodeposited onto the transparent electrode upon application of a cathodic potential; and (iii) a counter electrode. The electrolyte solution advantageously includes a small amount of an additive (e.g., an inhibitor, an accelerator, a leveler, or an organic or inorganic molecule that similarly serves to enhance the surface morphology of the metal cations during reversible metal electrodeposition onto the transparent electrode). Such enhancement of surface morphology during the reversible electrodeposition of the metal tinting layer over the electrode enhances one or more of color neutrality, transmittance characteristics of visible wavelengths (e.g.

Abstract: Dynamic windows with adjustable tint give users greater control over flow of light and heat. Reversible metal electrodeposition dynamic windows include (i) a transparent or translucent conductive electrode; (ii) an electrolyte solution in contact with the electrode, the electrolyte solution comprising metal cations that are reversibly electrodeposited onto the transparent electrode upon application of a cathodic potential; and (iii) a counter electrode. The electrolyte solution advantageously includes a small amount of an additive (e.g., an inhibitor, an accelerator, a leveler, or an organic or inorganic molecule that similarly serves to enhance the surface morphology of the metal cations during reversible metal electrodeposition onto the transparent electrode). Such enhancement of surface morphology during the reversible electrodeposition of the metal tinting layer over the electrode enhances one or more of color neutrality, transmittance characteristics of visible wavelengths (e.g.

Abstract: Electrochromic “smart” windows allow control of solar and heat flux through the window without sacrificing the view. Despite such appeal, traditional technologies lack the inability to simultaneously achieve fast switching with color neutral tinting and a wide optical dynamic range at low cost. Reversible metal electrodeposition (RME) addresses the drawbacks of existing metal-oxide electrochromic technologies. Several possible RME electrolytes at various pHs with different supporting anions were studied (NO3?, SO42?, ClO4, Cl?, Br?). Acidic perchlorate electrolytes work particularly well, permitting fully reversible metal electrodeposition without harming the substrate or introducing irreversible side reactions. The perchlorate electrolyte shows promising long-term durability in terms of both cycle life and shelf-life, demonstrating 10,000 stable cycles with no evidence of electrode etching.

Abstract: Design of transparent mesh counter electrodes for use in dynamic window articles capable of reversible metal electrodeposition (RME). Such an RME window may include a transparent conductive electrode, an electrolyte in contact with the electrode, where the electrolyte includes metal cations that can be reversibly electrodeposited onto the electrode, and a mesh counter electrode. The mesh counter electrode includes an electrochemically inert core with a thin metal coating thereover. The thin metal coating can be of the material that is involved in electrodeposition (e.g., a combination of copper and bismuth). The mesh counter electrode is substantially transparent (e.g., transparency of at least about 70%). Such a mesh counter electrode can provide a high capacity (1.5 C/cm2) that provides good durability over numerous tinting and bleaching cycles, with minimal change in coloration efficiency, reflection profile, and electrodeposition metal concentration (e.g., [Cu2+]) in the electrolyte.

Abstract: Dynamic windows with adjustable tint give users greater control over flow of light and heat. Reversible metal electrodeposition dynamic windows include (i) a transparent or translucent conductive electrode; (ii) an electrolyte solution in contact with the electrode, the electrolyte solution comprising metal cations that are reversibly electrodeposited onto the transparent electrode upon application of a cathodic potential; and (iii) a counter electrode. The electrolyte solution advantageously includes a small amount of an additive (e.g., an inhibitor, an accelerator, a leveler, or an organic or inorganic molecule that similarly serves to enhance the surface morphology of the metal cations during reversible metal electrodeposition onto the transparent electrode). Such enhancement of surface morphology during the reversible electrodeposition of the metal tinting layer over the electrode enhances one or more of color neutrality, transmittance characteristics of visible wavelengths (e.g.

Abstract: Improved electron acceptor materials for organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells are provided. More specifically, electron acceptor materials for OPVs can include vinylimide, vinylthioimide, alkynylimide and/or alkynylthioimide moieties. Experimental work with members of this class of material has demonstrated record solar cell power conversion efficiency (3.36%) for non-fullerene acceptors.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a front surface of a donor substrate is placed upon a surface of an acceptor substrate, with the front surface having donor material formed thereupon. A portion of the donor material is transferred from the donor substrate to a target surface region of the acceptor substrate, by applying a localized-force to a back surface of the donor substrate that is opposite the donor material in the region being transferred. The force is applied in such a way that, if or when the donor and acceptor substrates are physically separated, a portion of the donor material remains on the acceptor substrate in the region(s) the force was applied.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses and methods involving nanowires having junctions therebetween. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes first and second sets of nanowires, in which the second set overlaps the first set. The apparatus further includes a plurality of nanowire joining recrystallization junctions, each junction including material from a nanowire of the first set that is recrystallized into an overlapping nanowire of the second set.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses and methods involving nanowires having junctions therebetween. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes first and second sets of nanowires, in which the second set overlaps the first set. The apparatus further includes a plurality of nanowire joining recrystallization junctions, each junction including material from a nanowire of the first set that is recrystallized into an overlapping nanowire of the second set.

Abstract: Improved electron acceptor materials for organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells are provided. More specifically, electron acceptor materials for OPVs can include vinylimide, vinylthioimide, alkynylimide and/or alkynylthioimide moieties. Experimental work with members of this class of material has demonstrated record solar cell power conversion efficiency (3.36%) for non-fullerene acceptors.

Abstract: A solar cell having increased near-infrared (NIR) light harvesting is provided that includes a container comprising an optically transparent top surface and a bottom surface, where a cavity is disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface, a first electrode connected to the top surface, a second electrode connected to the bottom surface, and an NIR dye cosensitized with a metal complex sensitizing dye (SD) disposed in the cavity that absorbs NIR light, where the NIR light undergoes energy transfer to the metal complex dyes that separates the charges and produces photocurrent.

Abstract: Improved efficiency for dye-sensitized solar cells is provided using a combination of dyes that have distinct roles—a sensitizing dye and an energy relay dye. The sensitizing dye is disposed on the surface of a photo-electrode, and is capable of absorbing incident radiation and of transferring charge at the photo-electrode surface. The energy relay dye is disposed in the electrolyte of the solar cell. The energy relay dye is capable of absorbing incident radiation and is capable of non-radiative energy transfer to the sensitizing dye. The energy relay dye need not be capable of direct charge transfer at the photo-electrode surface. We have found that the presence of such an energy relay dye can significantly increase solar cell efficiency compared to conventional dye-sensitized solar cell approaches having the dye (or dyes) all adsorbed to the photo-electrode surface.

Abstract: An optical imaging system having an optical source located between the object being imaged and the sensor is provided. Such positioning of the source enables provision of compact optical imaging systems. In particular, such systems can have image widths significantly larger than the object to sensor separation. The arrangement of source, imaging assembly and sensor is such that an image of the source is not formed at the sensor. Therefore, the effect of this source positioning on the image of the object at the sensor is a reduction of intensity, as opposed to more objectionable imaging artifacts, such as spurious shadows and/or bright spots. Thus compact optical imaging systems having good image quality are provided, which enables high-fidelity imaging of object to sensor for a wide variety of applications.