Abstract: Improved high work function back contacts for solar cells are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a completed solar cell having a substrate coated with an electrically conductive material, an absorber disposed on the electrically conductive material, a buffer layer disposed on the absorber, a transparent front contact disposed on the buffer layer, and a metal grid disposed on the transparent front contact; removing the substrate and the electrically conductive material using exfoliation, exposing a backside surface of the solar cell; depositing a high work function material onto the back side surface of the solar cell; and depositing a back contact onto the high work function material. A solar cell formed by the present techniques is also provided. Yield of the exfoliated device can be improved by removing bubbles from adhesive used for exfoliation and/or forming contact pads to access the metal grid.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided where fluid, such as a blood sample, is entered into a microfluidic channel in a microchip where the microfluidic channel possesses a micro/nanopillar array for sorting molecules by size. When the fluid passes through the micro/nanopillar array it is separated into particles of interest or particles not of interest or both. When particles of interest are lit by a light source via a first waveguide in the microchip connecting the light source to the microfluidic channel, then lighted particles of interest can be detected by an optical detector via a second waveguide in the microchip connecting the optical detector to the microfluidic channel. The information from the optical detector can be analyzed further by connecting the microchip to a mobile computing device with its own processing abilities or abilities via the internet or cloud.

Abstract: Parallel dipole line (PDL) trap seismometer and vibration sensors are provided. In one aspect of the invention, a seismometer is provided. The seismometer includes: at least one PDL trap having a pair of dipole line magnets, and a diamagnetic object levitating above the dipole line magnets; and a sensing system (passive or active sensing) for determining a position of the diamagnetic object relative to the dipole line magnets and to yield the seismic signal in terms of displacement or acceleration. Methods for sensing vibrations using the present PDL trap seismometer and vibration sensors are also provided.

Abstract: A technique relates to a magnetic device and a diamagnetic material positioned to levitate at a three-dimensional minimum of a potential well generated by a magnetic field of the magnetic device.

Abstract: Magnetic levitation transport using a parallel dipole line track system is provided. In one aspect, a magnetic levitation transport system includes: a dipole line track system having: i) multiple segments joined together, each of the multiple segments having at least two diametric magnets, and ii) at least one diamagnetic object levitating above the at least two diametric magnets. A method for operating a magnetic levitation transport system is also provided.

Abstract: Low-voltage rechargeable microbatteries having a vanadium-based cathode are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a battery is provided. The method includes the steps of: forming a first contact on a substrate; forming a cathode on the first contact, wherein the cathode is formed from a vanadium-containing material; forming a solid electrolyte on the cathode; forming an anode on the solid electrolyte; and forming a second contact on the anode. A battery having a vanadium-based cathode is also provided.

Abstract: A dimensionality analysis method, system, and computer program product, include defining a set of symbols along with a grammatical rule that define a syntax of a valid expression having a valid physical dimensionality relationship.

Abstract: A lithium rechargeable lithium battery including a conductive substrate, a cathode material layer disposed over the conductive substrate, a solid electrolyte material layer disposed over the cathode material layer, an anode material layer disposed over the solid electrolyte material layer, and a conductive layer disposed over the anode material layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that facilitate high-sensitivity, carrier-resolved photo-Hall effect measurements. Majority and minority carrier properties can be measured and determined simultaneously. In one aspect, a system and method determine majority carrier type, density and mobility and, with modulated illumination, minority carrier mobility and photocarrier density. In another aspect, a system and method can determine hole and electron mobility, photocarrier density, absorbed photon density, recombination lifetime and diffusion length for hole, electron and ambipolar transport.

Abstract: Magnetic levitation transport using a parallel dipole line track system is provided. In one aspect, a magnetic levitation transport system includes: a dipole line track system having: i) multiple segments joined together, each of the multiple segments having at least two diametric magnets, and ii) at least one diamagnetic object levitating above the at least two diametric magnets. A method for operating a magnetic levitation transport system is also provided.

Abstract: Techniques regarding operating one or more parallel dipole line traps are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a system, which can comprise a parallel dipole line trap comprising a diamagnetic object positioned between a plurality of dipole line magnets. The system can also comprise a split photodetector sensor positioned adjacent to the parallel dipole line trap. The split photodetector sensor can detect a displacement of the diamagnetic object.

Abstract: Improved high work function back contacts for solar cells are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell includes: forming a completed solar cell having a substrate coated with an electrically conductive material, an absorber disposed on the electrically conductive material, a buffer layer disposed on the absorber, a transparent front contact disposed on the buffer layer, and a metal grid disposed on the transparent front contact; removing the substrate and the electrically conductive material using exfoliation, exposing a backside surface of the solar cell; depositing a high work function material onto the back side surface of the solar cell; and depositing a back contact onto the high work function material. A solar cell formed by the present techniques is also provided. Yield of the exfoliated device can be improved by removing bubbles from adhesive used for exfoliation and/or forming contact pads to access the metal grid.

Abstract: Parallel dipole line (PDL) trap seismometer and vibration sensors are provided. In one aspect of the invention, a seismometer is provided. The seismometer includes: at least one PDL trap having a pair of dipole line magnets, and a diamagnetic object levitating above the dipole line magnets; and a sensing system (passive or active sensing) for determining a position of the diamagnetic object relative to the dipole line magnets and to yield the seismic signal in terms of displacement or acceleration. Methods for sensing vibrations using the present PDL trap seismometer and vibration sensors are also provided.

Abstract: A dimensionality analysis method, system, and computer program product, include conducting a search that determines which valid expressions in a data set satisfies a defined free-form grammar that describes the data set.

Abstract: Techniques for gas analysis using a parallel dipole line (PDL) trap viscometer are provided. In one aspect, a gas analysis system is provided which includes: a PDL trap including: a pair of diametric cylindrical magnets, and a diamagnetic rod levitating above the magnets; and a motion detector for capturing motion of the diamagnetic rod. The motion detector can include a digital video camera positioned facing a top of the PDL trap so as to permit capturing video images of the diamagnetic rod and the system can include a computer for receiving and analyzing video images from the video camera. Methods for measuring gas viscosity and pressure using the PDL trap system are also provided.

Abstract: A highly sensitive gravimeter using a magnetic parallel dipole line (PDL) trap system is provided. In one aspect, a gravimeter includes: a vacuum enclosure; a PDL trap within the vacuum enclosure, the PDL trap having a pair of dipole line magnets, and a diamagnetic rod levitating in between the dipole line magnets; and a heater and temperature sensor within the vacuum enclosure configured to maintain a constant temperature within the vacuum enclosure that is greater than a temperature outside of the vacuum enclosure and precision frequency measurement system. The frequency of the oscillation of the trapped diamagnetic rod will yield the local gravitational acceleration. Methods for measuring a local gravitational field using the present gravimeter are also provided.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes an absorber layer having a back contact formed on the absorber layer, the back contact having an exposed surface free from a substrate. It further includes a top contact formed in contact with a transparent conductive layer opposite the back contact and a stressor layer forming a superstrate on the absorber layer opposite the back contact.

Abstract: A dimensionality analysis method, system, and computer program product, include defining a grammar that describes an admissible relationship between quantities in a data set, discovering symbolic expressions that intrinsically account for a dimensionality analysis based on the grammar, conducting a search that determines which valid expression in the data set satisfy the grammar, and selecting the expression that fits the dataset and minimizes a measure of a complexity of the expression.

Abstract: A motor-actuator device using a PDL trap system is provided. In one aspect, a motor-actuator device includes: a PDL trap having a pair of diametric magnets, and a levitated diamagnetic rotor in between the diametric magnets, wherein at least a portion of the diamagnetic rotor has a rectangular shape; and an electrode shell having at least one pair of semicircular electrodes which surround, but are in a non-contact position with the levitated diamagnetic rotor and each other. A system including the motor-actuator device and an electrode driver circuit is also provided, as is a method of operating the motor-actuator device.

Abstract: Techniques for gas analysis using a parallel dipole line (PDL) trap viscometer are provided. In one aspect, a gas analysis system is provided which includes: a PDL trap including: a pair of diametric cylindrical magnets, and a diamagnetic rod levitating above the magnets; and a motion detector for capturing motion of the diamagnetic rod. The motion detector can include a digital video camera positioned facing a top of the PDL trap so as to permit capturing video images of the diamagnetic rod and the system can include a computer for receiving and analyzing video images from the video camera. Methods for measuring gas viscosity and pressure using the PDL trap system are also provided.