Abstract: Thin film devices such as solar cells are typically patterned on substrates as thin films requiring that the devices be electrically isolated when arrays are formed and/or be mechanically separated for packaging. With the development of thin film processes based upon perovskite inks then large area substrates can be implemented. Further, such perovskite inks and their low temperature processing allow them to employ low temperature flexible and/or conformal substrates such as polymeric substrates for example. Accordingly, a requirement exists for electrical isolating and/or mechanically isolating thin film devices with different physical layer structures, different geometries etc. on a wide range of substrates.

Abstract: Nanoparticles have applications across medicine, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, agriculture, optics, electronics, renewable energy, textiles etc. Whilst several methods for creating nanoparticles, including inert gas condensation, attrition, chemical precipitation, ion implantation, radiolysis, pyrolysis and hydrothermal synthesis, exist these exhibit limitations. These limitations are exacerbated when considering coating processes of nanoparticles to generate core-shell nanoparticles. Accordingly, the invention provides a manufacturing methodology suitable for production of nanoparticles at a high yield whilst facilitating core-shell nanoparticles, core-shell nanoparticles with organic cores etc. and their related colloidal solutions and inks.

Abstract: Organic-inorganic halide perovskite (OIHP) materials through their promising material properties, simple solution processability, low material cost, high photon absorption, carrier mobilities, and tunable band gap are suitable for large area coatings in the fabrication of optical displays, LEDs, photovoltaic cells and photodetectors. However, OIHP stability and shelf life have been limited to date as exposed perovskite films do not survive long in ambient air causing further issues for large scale OIHP based device production and deployment. Accordingly, the inventors have established three-cation material system variants using an innovative single solution thiocyanate (SCN) doped three cation material system allowing tailoring of perovskite grain size and microstructure to minimize degradation from exposure to atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: A method and a system for film deposition, the system comprising a substrate and a negatively biased target, the target being mounted on a magnetron sputtering cathode and located at a distance from the substrate, wherein a laser beam from a pulsed laser is focused on the target, thereby triggering a magnetron plasma or ejecting vaporized and ionized material from the target in an existing magnetron plasma, the magnetron plasma sputtering material from the target depositing on the substrate.

Abstract: A solar cell comprising a semiconductor solar cell of a first band gap; a buffer layer formed on a surface of the semiconductor solar cell; and at least one layer of a multiferroic or a ferroelectric material formed on the buffer layer; wherein the at least one layer of a multiferroic or a ferroelectric material has a second bang gap, the first band gap being smaller than the second band gap.