Abstract: A solar cell comprising an epitaxial sequence of layers of semiconductor material thrilling at least a first and second solar subcells; a semiconductor contact layer disposed on the bottom surface of the second solar subcell; a reflective metal layer disposed below the semiconductor contact layer such that the reflectivity of the reflective metal layer is greater than 80% in the wavelength range 850 to 2000 nm, for reflecting light back into the second solar subcell.

Abstract: A solar cell comprising an epitaxial sequence of layers of semiconductor material thrilling at least a first and second solar subcells; a semiconductor contact layer disposed on the bottom surface of the second solar subcell; a reflective metal layer disposed below the semiconductor contact layer such that the reflectivity of the reflective metal layer is greater than 80% in the wavelength range 850 to 2000 nm, for reflecting light back into the second solar subcell.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell comprising: providing a growth substrate depositing on the growth substrate an epitaxial sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming at least a first and second solar subcells depositing a semiconductor contact layer on top of the second solar subcell depositing a reflective metal layer over said semiconductor contact layer such that the reflectivity of the reflective metal layer is greater than 80% in the wavelength range 850 to 2000 nm depositing a contact metal layer composed on said reflective metal layer mounting and bonding a supporting substrate on top of the contact metal layer and removing the growth substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfibrous fuel cell sub-bundle structures, fuel cell bundles and fuel cell assemblies formed by such fuel cell sub-bundles and bundles. Specifically, a fuel cell sub-bundle is provided, which comprises multiple microfibrous fuel cells. Each microfibrous fuel cell comprises: (a) a hollow microfibrous membrane separator comprising an electrolyte medium, (b) an inner electrocatalyst layer in contact with an inner surface of such membrane separator, (c) an outer electrocatalyst layer in contact with an outer surface of such membrane separator, and (d) an individual current collector in electrical contact with the inner surface of such membrane separator. Each of such multiple microfibrous fuel cells is in electrical contact with a common current collector at the outer surface of its membrane separator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas storage and dispensing system, which comprising a carrier material for a target gas and multiple microtubular elements in contact with such carrier material. Each microtubular element comprises a tubular wall that defines a bore side and a shell side that are sealed from each other, preferably by one or more potting members. The carrier material is either at the bore sides or at the shell sides of the microtubular elements, and it can be either a solid sorbent material for the target gas, or a liquid carrier therefor. Such gas storage and dispensing system is particular useful for hydrogen storage, when the carrier material can be a hydrogen-sorbent that contains hydrogen gas, or liquefied hydrogen, or an organic hydrogen solution, or a metal hydride solution capable of generating hydrogen gas. Such microtubular elements can further be designed as microfibrous fuel cells, while each microfibrous fuel cell comprises a carrier material at its bore side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfibrous fuel cell sub-bundle structures, fuel cell bundles and fuel cell assemblies formed by such fuel cell sub-bundles and bundles. Specifically, a fuel cell sub-bundle is provided, which comprises multiple microfibrous fuel cells. Each microfibrous fuel cell comprises: (a) a hollow microfibrous membrane separator comprising an electrolyte medium, (b) an inner electrocatalyst layer in contact with an inner surface of such membrane separator, (c) an outer electrocatalyst layer in contact with an outer surface of such membrane separator, and (d) an individual current collector in electrical contact with the inner surface of such membrane separator. Each of such multiple microfibrous fuel cells is in electrical contact with a common current collector at the outer surface of its membrane separator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas storage and dispensing system, which comprising a carrier material for a target gas and multiple microtubular elements in contact with such carrier material. Each microtubular element comprises a tubular wall that defines a bore side and a shell side that are sealed from each other, preferably by one or more potting members. The carrier material is either at the bore sides or at the shell sides of the microtubular elements, and it can be either a solid sorbent material for the target gas, or a liquid carrier therefor. Such gas storage and dispensing system is particular useful for hydrogen storage, when the carrier material can be a hydrogen-sorbent that contains hydrogen gas, or liquefied hydrogen, or an organic hydrogen solution, or a metal hydride solution capable of generating hydrogen gas. Such microtubular elements can further be designed as microfibrous fuel cells, while each microfibrous fuel cell comprises a carrier material at its bore side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfibrous fuel cell sub-bundle structures, fuel cell bundles and fuel cell assemblies formed by such fuel cell sub-bundles and bundles. Specifically, a fuel cell sub-bundle is provided, which comprises multiple microfibrous fuel cells. Each microfibrous fuel cell comprises: (a) a hollow microfibrous membrane separator comprising an electrolyte medium, (b) an inner electrocatalyst layer in contact with an inner surface of such membrane separator, (c) an outer electrocatalyst layer in contact with an outer surface of such membrane separator, and (d) an individual current collector in electrical contact with the inner surface of such membrane separator. Each of such multiple microfibrous fuel cells is in electrical contact with a common current collector at the outer surface of its membrane separator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a microfibrous fuel cell having at least one high quality electrocatalyst layer of a dual-layer structure, i.e., a catalyst layer comprising a catalytic material, and an interfacial composition layer comprising a mixture of catalytic material and electrolyte medium. Said high quality electrocatalyst layer can be formed by various catalyzation methods, including diffusion catalyzation, ion-exchange catalyzation, electrodeposition catalyzation, impregnation catalyzation, chemical deposition catalyzation, and alternating catalyst/electrolyte addition catalyzation. The present invention also relates to a fuel cell assembly comprising multiple such microfibrous fuel cells bundled together, and methods for in situ catalyzation of such fuel cell assembly to form high quality electrocatalyst layers of such dual-layer structure.

Abstract: A composite electrolyte comprises an inorganic clay material and a dielectric solution having a dielectric constant ranging from about 50 to about 85. The composite electrolyte has an ion transference number ranging from about 0.80 to about 1.00. An electrode comprises a component selected from the group consisting of an inorganic clay filler, a polymer, and mixtures thereof. Batteries and electrochemical cells comprising the above composite electrolytes and electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite electrolyte comprises an inorganic clay material and a dielectric solution having a dielectric constant ranging from about 50 to about 85. The composite electrolyte has an ion transference number ranging from about 0.80 to about 1.00. An electrode comprises a component selected from the group consisting of an inorganic clay filler, a polymer, and mixtures thereof. Batteries and electrochemical cells comprising the above composite electrolytes and electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved material handling and storage system for receiving articles in the form of long rolls or boxes and for storing them in predetermined bin areas. The system includes novel support and transfer assemblies for moving the articles and also transfer loading and packaging stations for respectively initially receiving the articles and loading them on the transfer assemblies prior to storage and for packaging the articles following their removal from their storage bin area.

Abstract: A pressure vent for an explosion proof container. The vent allows a high flow rate of gases to pass from the container while arresting flames and cooling exiting hot gases therein. This precludes the build-up of high peak pressures inside the container. Structurally the vent has a protective cover mounted to the container by a knife hinge on one side and closed by imbedded magnets on the opposite side. In addition, the vent has multilayered material mounted in the same container opening near the interior of the container. A layer of porous stainless steel foam with multiple layers of stainless steel screen is used for this vital multilayered material. The optimum embodiment is obtained by preselecting a relationship between the free space volume inside the enclosed container, the number of layers in the prefilter section of the vent, and the cross sectional area of the vent.

Abstract: A vent device for relieving pressure buildup inside an electrical enclosure due to an internal explosion of gases. A mass of stainless steel foam covers an opening in the enclosure and stops any flames or particles from escaping but provides a large equivalent cross section opening to permit the gases to escape and vent the pressure buildup. An outer cover protects the foam mass from impact damage and shields it from high pressure water spray used in cleaning. The cover is vertically hung from a knife-edge and held closed by means of a permanent magnet. A predetermined pressure differential is sufficient to overcome the attractive force of the magnet and allow the protective cover to be pushed open.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch including a clutch plate member rotatably mounted in the clutch housing, and serving as a rotatable wall dividing the chamber within the housing into an annular working chamber adjacent one face thereof and an annular reservoir chamber adjacent the other face thereof, with inlet and outlet ports formed in the clutch plate and a radially extending, resilient, flexible valve member mounted on the reservoir chamber face thereof for controlling the flow of fluid medium from the reservoir chamber to the working chamber through the inlet port, in response to the action of a temperature-responsive power unit mounted on the housing.