Abstract: A functional device includes plural substrates, an encapsulant arranged between the plurality of substrates, and a functional material arranged between the plural of substrates and encapsulated with the encapsulant. The functional device further includes an insulating spacer arranged in an entire region where the encapsulant lies, wherein the insulating spacer bonds with the plural substrates through the encapsulant. The encapsulant and the insulating spacer of the functional device allow avoiding a short circuit by providing a constant separation distance between the plural substrates of the functional device and electrodes adjacent to the plural substrates. The insulating spacer is made of a material that is inert to the functional material.

Abstract: In a dye-sensitized photovoltaic device including a semiconductor fine particle layer 2 on which a sensitizing dye is adsorbed, a counter electrode 3, and an electrolyte layer 4 between the electrodes, a molecule having a plurality of acid functional groups for adsorption onto the semiconductor electrode is used as a molecule of the sensitizing dye, and part of the acid functional groups is neutralized with an alkaline compound which is a hydroxide of at least one metal or compound selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, tetrapropylammonium, tetrabutylammonium, an imidazolium compound, and a pyridinium compound. In this manner, a dye-sensitized photovoltaic device that can achieve high photoelectric conversion efficiency even in the cases where a dye containing readily aggregating acid functional groups, such as carboxylic acid, as the adsorbing groups is used. A method for making the device is also provided.

Abstract: In a dye-sensitized photovoltaic device including a semiconductor fine particle layer 2 on which a sensitizing dye is adsorbed, a counter electrode 3, and an electrolyte layer 4 between the electrodes, a molecule having a plurality of acid functional groups for adsorption onto the semiconductor electrode is used as a molecule of the sensitizing dye, and part of the acid functional groups is neutralized with an alkaline compound which is a hydroxide of at least one metal or compound selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, tetramethylammonium, tetraethyl ammonium, tetrapropyl ammonium, tetrabutyl ammonium, an imidazolium compound, and a pyridinium compound. In this manner, a dye-sensitized photovoltaic device that can achieve high photoelectric conversion efficiency even in the cases where a dye containing readily aggregating acid functional groups, such as carboxylic acid, as the adsorbing groups is used. A method for making the device is also provided.

Abstract: A functional device includes plural substrates, an encapsulant arranged between the plurality of substrates, and a functional material arranged between the plural of substrates and encapsulated with the encapsulant. The functional device further includes an insulating spacer arranged in an entire region where the encapsulant lies, and the insulating spacer bonds with the plural substrates through the encapsulant.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus is provided. The photoelectric conversion apparatus includes an electrolyte layer interposed between a semiconductor layer and a counter electrode. The electrolyte layer includes an electrolyte solution retained in a fibrous inorganic matrix in a gel state.

Abstract: A wet-type photoelectric conversion device is provided with an electrolytic solution containing portion of which a portion is opened. An electrolytic solution is dropped to the opened portion of the electrolytic solution containing portion, and the wet-type photoelectric conversion device is rotated to generate a centrifugal force, whereby the electrolytic solution is injected into the inside of the electrolytic solution containing portion under the action of the centrifugal force. The minimum width of the inside of the electrolytic solution containing portion is, for example, in the range of 20 to 120 &mgr;m.