Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter describes a new sealing process of a specific type of photovoltaic cells named dye-sensitized solar cells. Currently, the sealing of these cells is made by means of a polymer, which connects the two electrode substrates made of glass, isolating the cell's inner content from the outside. The glass-based sealing method has the advantage of enhancing the cell's lifetime. However, glass sealing should not lead to the heating of the whole cell, which may cause its degradation. The process here unveiled employs a string of a glass precursor, a powder or a paste, that bounds the cell's entire external perimeter. The glass precursor string is then heated to its melting point with a laser beam, allowing the two substrates of the cell to stick together.

Abstract: This invention concerns a novel method for surface derivatization of electrode materials for Li-ion batteries. The derivatization is based on adsorption of a composite assembly consisting of amphiphilic redox active molecule attached to single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). Its role consists in the enhancement of electronic conductivity of electrode materials, such as phosphate olivines, without requesting any significant increase of the electrode volume and mass. The SWCNT is linked to the redox molecule via non-covalent or covalent interaction with the hydrophobic part of the molecule or electrostatic interaction. The hydrophilic part of the molecule serves as the anchoring site for surface modification of the electrode active material. The redox potential of the molecule is close to the redox potential of the electrode active material. The adsorbed assembly of redox-molecule & SWCNT thus improves the charge transfer from a current collector to the electrode active material.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter describes a new sealing process of a specific type of photovoltaic cells named dye-sensitized solar cells. Currently, the sealing of these cells is made by means of a polymer, which connects the two electrode substrates made of glass, isolating the cell's inner content from the outside. The glass-based sealing method has the advantage of enhancing the cell's lifetime. However, glass sealing should not lead to the heating of the whole cell, which may cause its degradation. The process here unveiled employs a string of a glass precursor, a powder or a paste, that bounds the cell's entire external perimeter. The glass precursor string is then heated to its melting point with a laser beam, allowing the two substrates of the cell to stick together.

Abstract: This invention concerns a novel method for surface derivatization of electrode materials for Li-ion batteries. The derivatization is based on adsorption of a composite assembly consisting of amphiphilic redox active molecule attached to single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). Its role consists in the enhancement of electronic conductivity of electrode materials, such as phosphate olivines, without requesting any significant increase of the electrode volume and mass. The SWCNT is linked to the redox molecule via non-covalent or covalent interaction with the hydrophobic part of the molecule or electrostatic interaction. The hydrophilic part of the molecule serves as the anchoring site for surface modification of the electrode active material. The redox potential of the molecule is close to the redox potential of the electrode active material. The adsorbed assembly of redox-molecule & SWCNT thus improves the charge transfer from a current collector to the electrode active material.

Abstract: This invention concerns a lithium rechargeable electrochemical cell containing electrochemical redox active compounds in the electrolyte. The cell is composed of two compartments, where the cathodic compartment comprises a cathodic lithium insertion material and one or more of p-type redox active compound(s) in the electrolyte; the anodic compartment comprises an anodic lithium insertion material and one or more of n-type redox active compound(s) in the electrolyte. These two compartments are separated by a separator and the redox active compounds are confined only in each compartment. Such a rechargeable electrochemical cell is suitable for high energy density applications. The present invention also concerns the general use of redox active compounds and electrochemically addressable electrode systems containing similar components which are suitable for use in the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: This invention concerns a lithium rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising an electrochemically addressable electrode system. The electrodes are composed of a cathodic lithium insertion material (2) incorporating a p-type conductive compound (4), and an anodic lithium insertion material (3) incorporating an n-type conductive compound (5). Such a rechargeable electrochemical cell is suitable for high energy density applications. The present invention also concerns the general use of conductive compounds and electrochemically addressable electrode systems comprising similar components which are suitable for use in the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The Photocatalytic film of semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3), contains an n-dopant, or a mixture of n-dopants, or a p-dopant or a mixture of p-dopants. Electrode consists of a substrate, with one or more films or photocatalytic arrangements of film of semiconducting n-doped or p-doped iron oxide (Fe2O3) e.g. on the surface of one side of the substrate or on the surface of different sides. The photoelectrochemical cell comprises electrodes with a film or with films of the n-doped or p-doped semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3). The semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3) film can be manufactured with a spray pyrolysis process or a sol gel process. The system for the direct cleavage of water with visible light, into hydrogen and oxygen the system comprises one or more of the photoelectrochemical cells with photocatalytic films. The system can be a tandem cell system, comprising the photoelectrochemical cell with the doped iron oxide (Fe2O3) film.

Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.

Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to human or animal bone, said implant having a surface made from a selected metal or a selected metal alloy or a ceramic, whereby said resp, metal alloy is selected from chromium, niobium, tantalum, vanadium, zirconium, aluminium, cobalt, nickel, stainless steels or an alloy thereof, said surface having a smooth or rough texture, characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable organic compound carrying at least one phosphonic acid group or a derivative thereof preferably acceptable salt or ester or amid thereof and method for producing said implant.

Abstract: The Photocatalytic film of semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3), contains an n-dopant, or a mixture of n-dopants, or a p-dopant or a mixture of p-dopants. Electrode consists of a substrate, with one or more films or photocatalytic arrangements of film of semiconducting n-doped or p-doped iron oxide (Fe2O3) e.g. on the surface of one side of the substrate or on the surface of different sides. The photoelectrochemical cell comprises electrodes with a film or with films of the n-doped or p-doped semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3). The semiconducting iron oxide (Fe2O3) film can be manufactured with a spray pyrolysis process or a sol gel process. The system for the direct cleavage of water with visible light, into hydrogen and oxygen the system comprises one or more of the photoelectrochemical cells with photocatalytic films. The system can be a tandem cell system, comprising the photoelectrochemical cell with the doped iron oxide (Fe2O3) film.

Abstract: An electrochromic or photoelectrochromic device possessing the property of changing color under the effect of an electric voltage and/or of a variation in the intensity of a light radiation, this device comprising at least one cathode and one anode, at least one of these electrodes being constituted at least in part of a transparent or translucent substrate bearing an electrically conductive coating, and an electrolyte arranged between these electrodes, and an electric circuit connecting said cathode and anode, characterized in that at least one of these electrodes carries a coating constituted of at least one nanocrystalline layer of at least one semiconductive material, having a roughness factor equal to at least 20, and a monolayer of electrically active molecules or of an electrically active polymer, said monolayer being absorbed on the surface of this coating, and in that the device contains at least one auxiliary electrically active compound, possibly dissolved in the electrolyte, having the property of

Abstract: Electrochromic and photoelectrochromic devices using nanocrystalline semiconductor electrodes with a high specific surface area and surface-absorbed electrochromic molecules are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention aims at improving the catalytic activity of the metallic platinum deposited on the substrate of the counterelectrode (i.e., the cathode), so as to obtain a high value of the catalytic activity on the reduction reaction of triiodide to iodide essentially independent of the nature of the solvent used in the electrolyte. To that effect, the manufacturing process according to the invention is characterized in that said metallic platinum is deposited in the form of a plurality of spheroidal microcrystallite clusters each having a size of less than about 100 nanometers, dispersed over the surface of said substrate, and in that said deposited metallic platinum is submitted to a thermal treatment, carried out at a temperature in the range of about 375.degree. to 400 C., so as to enhance the catalytic properties of the platinum on the oxido-reduction of iodine and triiodide 3I.sub.2 +2e.fwdarw.2I.sub.3 in the redox system iodine/iodide.

Abstract: A compound in metal-free or metal complex form of formula (1) to (3) in which R is hydrogen or C.sub.1-30 alkyl; X is hydrogen, halogen (preferably Cl or Br) or C.sub.1-30 alkyl.

Abstract: A cell including a photoanode consisting of at least one polycrystalline titanium dioxide layer on a conductive substrate, a counter-electrode and an electrolyte positioned between these electrodes, at least one of said electrodes being transparent or translucent. The electrolyte includes an oxidation-reduction system which is liquid at room temperature. The first species of the pair making up the oxidation-reduction system advantageously consists of an electrochemically active salt having a melting point below room temperature, and optionally being dissolved in at least one electrochemically inactive salt also having a melting point below room temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic cell (1) comprising a substrate (2) having a support face (4) having a first electrode (6) thereon and a second electrode (10) spaced from the first electrode (6) by a plurality of layers (14, 16; 14, 24, 16) including at least one layer (14) of a semiconducting material with an active junction (J) interface thereat, said active junction (J) having a developed surface area greater than its projected surface area.

Abstract: A regenerating photoelectrochemical cell (1) is disclosed having a first transparent substrate (2) which has thereon a first transparent electrode (6), a second transparent substrate (4) which has thereon a second transparent electrode (8) on which is deposited a first layer (10) of a photoelectrochemically active semiconductor oxide in the form of a porous nanostructure of sintered colloidal particles, the substrates (2, 4) being so disposed in relation to one another as to define a space filled with electrolyte (16), said electrolyte (16) impregnating the said porous structure in a manner such that it is in contact on the one hand with the first transparent electrode (6) disposed on the first transparent substrate (2) and on the other hand with the second transparent electrode (8) disposed on the second transparent substrate (4), and said second transparent substrate also having a second compact continuous semiconductor oxide layer (20) extending between the second transparent electrode (8) and the first se

Abstract: Mono, bis and tris(substituted 2,2'-bipyridine) complexes of iron, ruthenium, osmium or vanadium are described wherein the bipyridine is substituted by a hydroxy or alkoxy group, or a primary, secondary or tertiary amine group.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the amount of a component in solution is disclosed. The sensor has a measuring electrode with at least one current collector, electrically connected to one of the electrical contacts and coated with a mixture comprising at least one oxidation-reduction enzyme specific to said component and at least one mediator transferring the electrons between said enzyme and said current collector wherein the mediator is a transition metal complex with at least one bipyridine, terpyridine or phenanthroline ligand substituted by at least one electron donor group. This sensor is particularly useful in the detection of glucose.

Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.