Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell based on a new chemistry for a flow battery for large scale, e.g., grid-scale, electrical energy storage. Electrical energy is stored chemically at an electrochemical electrode by the protonation of small organic molecules called quinones to hydroquinones. The proton is provided by a complementary electrochemical reaction at the other electrode. These reactions are reversed to deliver electrical energy. A flow battery based on this concept can operate as a closed system. The flow battery architecture has scaling advantages over solid electrode batteries for large scale energy storage.

Abstract: Method for making thin crystalline or polycrystalline layers. The method includes electrochemically etching a crystalline silicon template to form a porous double layer thereon, the double layer including a highly porous deeper layer and a less porous shallower layer. The shallower layer is irradiated with a short laser pulse selected to recrystallize the shallower layer resulting in a crystalline layer. Silicon is deposited on the recrystallized shallower layer and the silicon is irradiated with a short laser pulse selected to crystalize the silicon leaving a layer of crystallized silicon on the template. Thereafter, the layer of crystallized silicon is separated from the template. The process of the invention can be used to make optoelectronic devices.

Abstract: A manufacture having an electrical response to incident photons includes a semiconductor substrate; a chalcogen-doped semiconductor active layer on a first side of the substrate; a first contact in electrical contact with the active layer; and a second contact in electrical contact with the substrate; wherein, photons incident upon the active layer cause a variation in current between the first and second contacts.

Abstract: Method for making thin crystalline or polycrystalline layers. The method includes electrochemically etching a crystalline silicon template to form a porous double layer thereon, the double layer including a highly porous deeper layer and a less porous shallower layer. The shallower layer is irradiated with a short laser pulse selected to recrystallize the shallower layer resulting in a crystalline layer. Silicon is deposited on the recrystallized shallower layer and the silicon is irradiated with a short laser pulse selected to crystalize the silicon leaving a layer of crystallized silicon on the template. Thereafter, the layer of crystallized silicon is separated from the template. The process of the invention can be used to make optoelectronic devices.

Abstract: A catalytic electrode may include a complex oxide deposited on a substrate. The complex oxide maybe an oxide of an alloy of ruthenium and another less expensive metal, including without limitation cobalt and manganese. The percentage of ruthenium in the complex oxide can be reduced to about 20 percent or less, while still allowing the electrode to maintain adequate electrocatalytic activity during redox reactions at the electrode. Electrodes can be synthesized using RuCo oxides with ruthenium content reduced to about 5%, or using RuMn oxides having ruthenium content reduced to about 10%, while maintaining good catalytic activity. These electrodes may be used in electrochemical cells including without limitation fuel cells, flow batteries and regenerative fuel cells such as halogen fuel cells or hydrogen-halogen fuel cells. These electrodes may also be used in electrolytic cells.

Abstract: A manufacture having an electrical response to incident photons includes a semiconductor substrate; a chalcogen-doped semiconductor active layer on a first side of the substrate; a first contact in electrical contact with the active layer; and a second contact in electrical contact with the substrate; wherein, photons incident upon the active layer cause a variation in current between the first and second contacts.

Abstract: Processes for capturing carbon dioxide are described. The carbon dioxide may be captured from the atmosphere and/or from the waste stream of a carbon dioxide point source (e.g., power plants, chemical plants, natural gas fields, oil fields, industrial sites, etc.). The processes can involve capturing carbon dioxide using alkaline solutions (e.g., NaOH). In some processes, the carbon dioxide may react with the alkaline solution to form a product (e.g., NaHCO3). The alkaline solution may be made a number of different ways. In some of the processes, products produced during processing may be used to add value beyond carbon dioxide capture.

Abstract: Processes for capturing carbon dioxide are described. The carbon dioxide may be captured from the atmosphere and/or from the waste stream of a carbon dioxide point source (e.g., power plants, chemical plants, natural gas fields, oil fields, industrial sites, etc.). The processes can involve capturing carbon dioxide using alkaline solutions (e.g., NaOH). In some processes, the carbon dioxide may react with the alkaline solution to form a product (e.g., NaHCO3). The alkaline solution may be made a number of different ways. In some of the processes, products produced during processing may be used to add value beyond carbon dioxide capture.

Abstract: A solid state structure having a surface is provided and exposed to a flux, F, of incident ions under conditions that are selected based on: ∂ ∂ t ⁢ C ⁡ ( r , t ) = F ⁢   ⁢ Y 1 + D ⁢ ∇ 2 ⁢ C - C τ trap - F ⁢   ⁢ C ⁢   ⁢ &sigm

Abstract: A solid state structure having a surface is provided and is exposed to a flux, F, of incident ions.