Abstract: Approaches for the foil-based metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions in or above a substrate. The method also involves forming a paste between adjacent ones of the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also involves curing the paste to form non-conductive material regions in alignment with locations between the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also involves adhering a metal foil to the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also involves laser ablating through the metal foil in alignment with the locations between the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions to isolate regions of remaining metal foil in alignment with the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.

Abstract: Approaches for fabricating wire-based metallization for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a back surface and an opposing light-receiving surface. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the back surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of metal wires. Each metal wire of the plurality of metal wires is parallel along a first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of a metallization layer for the solar cell.

Abstract: Thermocompression bonding approaches for foil-based metallization of non-metal surfaces of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a solar cell includes a substrate and a plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contact structures is electrically connected to the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. Each conductive contact structure includes a metal foil portion disposed in direct contact with a corresponding one of the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.

Abstract: Thermocompression bonding approaches for foil-based metallization of non-metal surfaces of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a solar cell includes a substrate and a plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contact structures is electrically connected to the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. Each conductive contact structure includes a metal foil portion disposed in direct contact with a corresponding one of the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.

Abstract: Provided are products of manufacture and methods for the removal of gaseous methane and carbon dioxide, for example, for the removal of environmental or atmospheric or anthropogenically produced gaseous methane and carbon dioxide. Products of manufacture as provided herein comprise living emission abolish filters (LEAFs) for the removal of methane and carbon dioxide, where the “living” component of the “emission abolish filter”, or biofilter, comprises a methane-capturing bioagent, optionally comprising halophilic methanotroph bacterium. Products of manufacture as provided herein are manufactured as arrays, sheets, microfibers and/or microbeads comprising immobilized living, active methane-capturing bioagents, optionally comprising halophilic methanotroph bacterium. In alternative embodiments, the methane-capturing bioagents are enclosed or immobilized in or onto a crystal gel matrix or a nanoshell.

Abstract: A muzzle loader AR upper receiver can include a muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver configured to be coupled with an AR pattern lower receiver. The muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver includes a body with a barrel opening. A muzzle loader barrel is coupled to the barrel opening of the muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver. A muzzle loader AR rifle can include the muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver and the AR pattern lower receiver coupled to the muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver. A method of forming a muzzle loader rifle can include: providing a muzzle loader AR upper receiver; and coupling the muzzle loader AR upper receiver to an AR pattern lower receiver. A muzzle loader kit can include the muzzle loader AR pattern upper receiver and any other component, such as a ramrod, barrel, or AR pattern lower receiver.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for providing personalized wellness recommendations. Epigenetic data is obtained for a person, and wellness goals can be identified for the person. Based on the person's epigenetic data and wellness goals, one or more wellness recommendations can be determined. An indication of the wellness recommendations can then be provided to the person or a third-party.

Abstract: A bolt action AR rifle can be prepared using a standard AR lower assembly and coupling it to a bolt action upper assembly. The bolt action upper assembly has a bolt action receiver containing a bolt. The method of forming a bolt action AR rifle can include: providing the bolt action upper receiver assembly; providing the standard AR lower AR receiver assembly having a pivot pin and takedown pin; inserting the pivot pin into the pivot pin receiver hole; pivoting the bolt action upper receiver assembly at the pivot pin until the takedown pin is aligned with the takedown pin receiver hole; and inserting the takedown pin into the takedown pin receiver hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for freezing a flow of aqueous material in liquid form and moving the aqueous material through at least one tube from an inlet of the tube to an outlet of the tube so as to form a breakable or cuttable frozen extrusion without bursting the tube. The process creates an extruded material that comprises liquid aqueous material entrapped between frozen aqueous material to self-lubricate the extrusion as it moves through the tube. An apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.

Abstract: A body support structure includes a structural lattice structure having a first stiffness, and a compressive lattice structure supported by the structural lattice structure and having a second stiffness less than the first stiffness. A skin lattice structure is supported by the compressive lattice structure, wherein the skin lattice structure is resistant to shear deformation in response to a normal force and is expandable in a direction transverse to the normal force.

Abstract: A bolt action AR rifle can be prepared using a standard AR lower assembly and coupling it to a bolt action upper assembly. The bolt action upper assembly has a bolt action receiver containing a bolt. The method of forming a bolt action AR rifle can include: providing the bolt action upper receiver assembly; providing the standard AR lower AR receiver assembly having a pivot pin and takedown pin; inserting the pivot pin into the pivot pin receiver hole; pivoting the bolt action upper receiver assembly at the pivot pin until the takedown pin is aligned with the takedown pin receiver hole; and inserting the takedown pin into the takedown pin receiver hole.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are approaches to fabricating solar cells, solar cell strings and solar modules using roll-to-roll foil-based metallization approaches. Methods disclosed herein can comprise the steps of providing at least one solar cell wafer on a first roll unit and conveying a metal foil to the first roll unit. The metal foil can be coupled to the solar cell wafer on the first roll unit to produce a unified pairing of the metal foil and the solar cell wafer. We disclose solar energy collection devices and manufacturing methods thereof enabling reduction of manufacturing costs due to simplification of the manufacturing process by a high throughput foil metallization process.

Abstract: Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.

Abstract: Described are methods and materials for the genetic modification of plants by specific gene targeting and precise editing of nucleic acid sequences in a plant. The methods and materials provided herein enable one to edit the plant genome by design to control the expression of endogenous genes and/or control the transmission and expression of transgenic traits. Provided are also methods of producing plants having a desirable agronomic trait by crossing a transgenic plant expressing a gRNA with a plant expressing a Cas enzyme, and selecting a progeny plant having the desirable agronomic trait or a seed thereof.

Abstract: Approaches for the metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a barrier layer on a semiconductor region disposed in or above a substrate. The semiconductor region includes monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. The method also involves forming a conductive paste layer on the barrier layer. The method also involves forming a conductive layer from the conductive paste layer. The method also involves forming a contact structure for the semiconductor region of the solar cell, the contact structure including at least the conductive layer.

Abstract: Approaches for the metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a barrier layer on a semiconductor region disposed in or above a substrate. The semiconductor region includes monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. The method also involves forming a conductive paste layer on the barrier layer. The method also involves forming a conductive layer from the conductive paste layer. The method also involves forming a contact structure for the semiconductor region of the solar cell, the contact structure including at least the conductive layer.

Abstract: Described are methods and materials for the genetic modification of plants by specific gene targeting and precise editing of nucleic acid sequences in a plant. The methods and materials provided herein enable one to edit the plant genome by design to control the expression of endogenous genes and/or control the transmission and expression of transgenic traits. Provided are also methods of producing plants having a desirable agronomic trait by crossing a transgenic plant expressing a gRNA with a plant expressing a Cas enzyme, and selecting a progeny plant having the desirable agronomic trait or a seed thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are approaches to fabricating solar cells, solar cell strings and solar modules using roll-to-roll foil-based metallization approaches. Methods disclosed herein can comprise the steps of providing at least one solar cell wafer on a first roll unit and conveying a metal foil to the first roll unit. The metal foil can be coupled to the solar cell wafer on the first roll unit to produce a unified pairing of the metal foil and the solar cell wafer. We disclose solar energy collection devices and manufacturing methods thereof enabling reduction of manufacturing costs due to simplification of the manufacturing process by a high throughput foil metallization process.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell, and system for electrically coupling solar cells, are described. In an example, the methods for fabricating a solar cell can include placing conductive wires in a wire guide, where conductive wires are placed over a first semiconductor substrate having first doped regions and second doped regions. The method can include aligning the conductive wires over the first and second doped regions, where the wire guide aligns the conductive wires substantially parallel to the first and second doped regions. The method can include bonding the conductive wires to the first and second doped regions. The bonding can include applying a mechanical force to the semiconductor substrate via a roller or bonding head of the wire guide, where the wire guide inhibits lateral movement of the conductive wires during the bonding.