Abstract: This solar cell production method involves productively forming an antireflection film comprising silicon nitride, said antireflection film having an excellent passivation effect. In an embodiment, a remote plasma CVD is used to form a first silicon nitride film on a semiconductor substrate (102) using the plasma flow from a first plasma chamber (111), then to form a second silicon nitride film, which has a different composition than the first silicon nitride film, using the plasma flow from a second plasma chamber (112), into which ammonia gas and silane gas have been introduced at a different flow ratio than that of the first plasma chamber (111). The plasma chambers (111, 112) have excitation parts (111a, 112a) that excite the ammonia gas, and activation reaction parts (111b, 112b) and a flow controller (113).

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell having a silicon monocrystal substrate surface with a textured structure and, near the surface of said substrate, a damage layer reflecting the slice processing history from the time of manufacture of the silicon monocrystal substrate. The damage layer near the surface of the silicon monocrystal substrate is derived from the slice processing history at the time of manufacture of the substrate and functions as a gettering site, contributing to a longer lifetime of the substrate minority carriers. Thanks to this effect, the solar cell characteristics are dramatically increased. Further, new damage need be inflicted, and no additional work is required because damage from the slicing is used.

Abstract: Disclosed in a method that is for producing a solar cell and that is characterized by performing an annealing step on a semiconductor substrate before an electrode-forming step. By means of performing annealing in the above manner, it is possible to improve the electrical characteristics of the solar cell without negatively impacting reliability or outward appearance. As a result, the method can be widely used in methods for producing solar cells having high reliability and electrical characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, which is characterized in that a radically polymerizable monomer is graft-polymerized to a resin without using a photopolymerization initiator by bringing the radically polymerizable monomer into contact with the resin after irradiating the resin with ultraviolet light. The electrolyte membrane for fuel cells obtained by ultraviolet irradiation graft polymerization has both excellent oxidation resistance and excellent mechanical characteristics. By using such an electrolyte membrane, there can be obtained a fuel cell exhibiting extremely high performance.

Abstract: A solar cell has: an emitter layer formed on a light-receiving-surface side of a crystalline silicon substrate, with a dopant of the opposite conductivity type from the silicon substrate added to the emitter layer, a passivation film formed on the surface of the silicon substrate, an extraction electrode and a collector electrode. The extraction electrode extracts photogenerated charge from the silicon substrate and the collector electrode collects the charge collected at the extraction electrode. The extraction electrode contains a first electrode that consists of a sintered conductive paste. The first electrode, at least, is formed so as to pass through the passivation layer. The collection electrode contains a second electrode that has a higher conductivity than the first electrode. This solar cell reduces contact-resistance losses between the silicon and the electrodes, resistance losses due to electrode resistance, and optical and electrical losses in the emitter layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell having a silicon monocrystal substrate surface with a textured structure and, near the surface of said substrate, a damage layer reflecting the slice processing history from the time of manufacture of the silicon monocrystal substrate. The damage layer near the surface of the silicon monocrystal substrate is derived from the slice processing history at the time of manufacture of the substrate and functions as a gettering site, contributing to a longer lifetime of the substrate minority carriers. Thanks to this effect, the solar cell characteristics are dramatically increased. Further, new damage need be inflicted, and no additional work is required because damage from the slicing is used.

Abstract: Disclosed in a method that is for producing a solar cell and that is characterized by performing an annealing step on a semiconductor substrate before an electrode-forming step. By means of performing annealing in the above manner, it is possible to improve the electrical characteristics of the solar cell without negatively impacting reliability or outward appearance. As a result, the method can be widely used in methods for producing solar cells having high reliability and electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A curable resin composition comprising (a) a compound having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group and at least one ion conductive group, (b) a compound having at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups, (c) an organosilicon compound having at least two SiH groups, (d) a platinum group catalyst, and (e) a solvent is dried and cured by heating into a cured film having excellent ionic conduction and serving as electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane and an electrolyte membrane/electrode assembly satisfy fuel cell-related properties including ionic conduction and film strength as well as productivity.

Abstract: A curable resin composition for fuel cell electrolyte films characterized by comprising (1) 100 parts by mass of a monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group per molecule and having, per molecule, either at least one, tonically conductive group or at least one precursor group capable of giving an tonically conductive group through a chemical reaction, (2) 10-400 parts by mass of an oligomer which has, per molecule, at least two reactive groups copolymerizable with the ethylenically unsaturated group of the ingredient (1) and has a number-average molecular weight of 400 or higher, (3) 10-400 parts by mass of a fluororesin, and (4) 0-2,000 parts by mass of a solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, which is characterized by: irradiating a fluorine-containing resin or a hydrocarbon resin with a radioactive ray to co-graft-polymerize both of a radical-polymerizable monomer having an ion-exchangeable functional group or capable of introducing an ion-exchangeable functional group and a radical-polymerizable monomer having a hydroxysilyl group or an alkoxysilyl group to the resin; introducing the ion-exchangeable functional group when a radical-polymerizable monomer capable of introducing the ion-exchangeable functional group is used; and impregnating the resin with a monomer having a hydroxysilyl group or an alkoxysilyl group and containing a phosphorus atom. By using the electrolyte membrane, it becomes possible to produce a fuel cell having extremely high performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, which is characterized in that a radically polymerizable monomer is graft-polymerized to a resin without using a photopolymerization initiator by bringing the radically polymerizable monomer into contact with the resin after irradiating the resin with ultraviolet light. The electrolyte membrane for fuel cells obtained by ultraviolet irradiation graft polymerization has both excellent oxidation resistance and excellent mechanical characteristics. By using such an electrolyte membrane, there can be obtained a fuel cell exhibiting extremely high performance.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for fuel cells is prepared by irradiating with radiation a composition comprising a radiation-curable liquid compound having proton conductivity for curing the liquid compound to form a cured film. The methods of the invention are successful in producing an electrolyte membrane and an electrolyte membrane/electrode assembly for fuel cells while satisfying both the requirements of productivity and cell-related properties including proton conduction and membrane strength.

Abstract: A curable resin composition for fuel cell electrolyte films characterized by comprising (1) 100 parts by mass of a monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group per molecule and having, per molecule, either at least one, tonically conductive group or at least one precursor group capable of giving an tonically conductive group through a chemical reaction, (2) 10-400 parts by mass of an oligomer which has, per molecule, at least two reactive groups copolymerizable with the ethylenically unsaturated group of the ingredient (1) and has a number-average molecular weight of 400 or higher, (3) 10-400 parts by mass of a fluororesin, and (4) 0-2,000 parts by mass of a solvent.

Abstract: A curable resin composition comprising (a) a compound having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group and at least one ion conductive group, (b) a compound having at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups, (c) an organosilicon compound having at least two SiH groups, (d) a platinum group catalyst, and (e) a solvent is dried and cured by heating into a cured film having excellent ionic conduction and serving as electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane and an electrolyte membrane/electrode assembly satisfy fuel cell-related properties including ionic conduction and film strength as well as productivity.

Abstract: A liquid curable resin composition comprising a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group and an ion conductive group and optionally, an oligomer having at least two reactive groups is cured by heat and/or UV or EB irradiation to form an electrolyte membrane having excellent ionic conduction. The composition has a viscosity of 100-100,000 mPa·s at 25° C. so that it is readily applicable. The electrolyte membrane and an electrolyte membrane/electrode assembly for use in fuel cells satisfy cell-related properties including ionic conduction and film strength as well as productivity.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for fuel cells is prepared by irradiating with radiation a composition comprising a radiation-curable liquid compound having proton conductivity for curing the liquid compound to form a cured film. The methods of the invention are successful in producing an electrolyte membrane and an electrolyte membrane/electrode assembly for fuel cells while satisfying both the requirements of productivity and cell-related properties including proton conduction and membrane strength.