Abstract: A device for characterising at least one liquid material includes an analysis head and a rotating mechanical mixer. The mixer includes a central part having an internal cavity which forms an analysis chamber, a first end connected to the analysis head, and a plurality of stirring blades which are connected to a second end that is hollow so as to ensure fluid communication between the internal cavity and the liquid bath. The mechanical stirring blades are intended to be totally submerged, the central part comprises one or more openings intended to be partially submerged, and each mechanical stirring blade comprises at least one stirring flange oriented at a non-zero angle of orientation.

Abstract: A method for thermally activating a passivation layer disposed on a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell includes a first face, a second face opposite to the first face, and side surfaces connecting the first and second faces. The passivation layer covers at least one of the side surfaces of the photovoltaic cell. The method includes exposing the first face to electromagnetic radiation emitted by a radiation source. The electromagnetic radiation is applied to the first face along a line. The line sweeps at least part of the first face and is oriented relative to the first face so as to provide an overheating zone encompassing at least part of the passivation layer.

Abstract: A device for characterising at least one liquid material includes an analysis head and a rotating mechanical mixer. The mixer includes a central part having an internal cavity which forms an analysis chamber, a first end connected to the analysis head, and a plurality of stirring blades which are connected to a second end that is hollow so as to ensure fluid communication between the internal cavity and the liquid bath. The mechanical stirring blades are intended to be totally submerged, the central part comprises one or more openings intended to be partially submerged, and each mechanical stirring blade comprises at least one stirring flange oriented at a non-zero angle of orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method comprising a step of emitting at least one first gas flow (12), a step of sweeping the free surface of the material (15) by means of said first flow (12), followed by a step of discharging the first flow via at least one discharge area. Along with the step of emitting the first flow (12), a step of emitting at least one second gas flow (13) is implemented, said second gas flow forming a protective cover over the free surface of the material (15), at a distance from said free surface. The second gas flow (13) is discharged via an upper part of the discharge area of the container (10), while the first flow (12) is discharged through a lower part of the discharge area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method comprising a step of emitting at least one first gas flow (12), a step of sweeping the free surface of the material (15) by means of said first flow (12), followed by a step of discharging the first flow via at least one discharge area. Along with the step of emitting the first flow (12), a step of emitting at least one second gas flow (13) is implemented, said second gas flow forming a protective cover over the free surface of the material (15), at a distance from said free surface. The second gas flow (13) is discharged via an upper part of the discharge area of the container (10), while the first flow (12) is discharged through a lower part of the discharge area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying silicon, comprising at least the following steps: c) providing a container (1) that comprises silicon (10) in molten state, the container (1) having a longitudinal axis (X) and the silicon (10) in molten state defining a free surface (11) on the side opposite the bottom (4) of the container (1); d) imposing on the silicon (10) in molten state conditions that are favourable for the solidification thereof, the mean temporal velocity for the duration of step b) of propagating the solidification front (13) of the silicon, measured along the longitudinal axis (X) of the container (1), being no lower than 5 ?m/s, preferably 10 ?m/s; said method being characterised in that at least one stirring system (30) imposes, during all or part of step b), a flow of silicon (10) in molten state with a Reynolds number comprised between 3 104 and 3 106, preferably between 105 and 106.

Abstract: Thermal device comprising a thermal part (20) comprising a multitude of heat-transfer tubes (21) for the passage of a heat-transfer fluid, characterized in that it comprises a light guide (10) placed above the thermal part (20), this light guide (10) having an optical property allowing an incident light ray to be guided in various exit directions depending or the angle of incidence of the incident light ray, so as to orient most of the incident light onto the heat-transfer tubes (21) at low incidence, such as in winter, and to beside these heat-transfer tubes (21) at high incidence, such as in summer.