Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer-free nano-composite structure containing nanostructured carbon and nanoparticles. Also disclosed are methods of making the polymer-free nano-composite structures. The present invention also relates to a lithium ion battery, a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a battery/capacitor, or a fuel cell containing the polymer-free nano-composite structures of the present invention.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes one or more structures, an array of at least one of quantum dots and quantum dashes, at least one groove, and at least one conductor. Each of the structures comprises an intrinsic layer on one of an n type layer and a p type layer and the other one of the n type layer and the p type layer on the intrinsic layer. The array of at least one of quantum dots and quantum dashes is located in the intrinsic layer in at least one of the structures. The groove extends into at least one of the structures and the conductor is located along at least a portion of the groove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to freestanding carbon nanotube paper comprising purified carbon nanotubes, where the purified carbon nanotubes form the freestanding carbon nanotube paper and carbon microparticles embedded in and/or present on a surface of the carbon nanotube paper. The invention also relates to a lithium ion battery, capacitor, supercapacitor, battery/capacitor, and fuel cell containing the freestanding carbon nanotube paper as an electrode. Also disclosed is a method of making a freestanding carbon nanotube paper. This method involves providing purified carbon nanotubes, contacting the purified carbon nanotubes with an organic solvent under conditions effective to form a dispersion comprising the purified carbon nanotubes. The dispersion is formed into a carbon nanotube paper and carbon microparticles are incorporated with the purified carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure may include a polycrystalline substrate comprising a metal, the polycrystalline substrate having substantially randomly oriented grains, as well as a buffer layer disposed thereover. The buffer layer may comprise a plurality of islands having an average island spacing therebetween. A polycrystalline semiconductor layer is disposed over the buffer layer.

Abstract: A power source and methods thereof includes a structure comprising one or more p type layers, one or more n type layers, and one or more intrinsic layers and at least one source of radiation is disposed on at least a portion of the structure. Each of the p type layers is separated from each of the n type layers by one of the intrinsic layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispersions of nanostructured carbon in organic solvents containing alkyl amide compounds and/or diamide compounds. The invention also relates to methods of dispersing nanostructured carbon in organic solvents and methods of mobilizing nanostructured carbon. Also disclosed are methods of determining the purity of nanostructured carbon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispersions of nanostructured carbon in organic solvents containing alkyl amide compounds and/or diamide compounds. The invention also relates to methods of dispersing nanostructured carbon in organic solvents and methods of mobilizing nanostructured carbon. Also disclosed are methods of determining the purity of nanostructured carbon.

Abstract: An alpha voltaic battery includes at least one layer of a semiconductor material comprising at least one p/n junction, at least one absorption and conversion layer on the at least one layer of semiconductor layer, and at least one alpha particle emitter. The absorption and conversion layer prevents at least a portion of alpha particles from the alpha particle emitter from damaging the p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material. The absorption and conversion layer also converts at least a portion of energy from the alpha particles into electron-hole pairs for collection by the one p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material.

Abstract: An alpha voltaic battery includes at least one layer of a semiconductor material comprising at least one p/n junction, at least one absorption and conversion layer on the at least one layer of semiconductor layer, and at least one alpha particle emitter. The absorption and conversion layer prevents at least a portion of alpha particles from the alpha particle emitter from damaging the p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material. The absorption and conversion layer also converts at least a portion of energy from the alpha particles into electron-hole pairs for collection by the one p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to freestanding carbon nanotube paper comprising purified carbon nanotubes, where the purified carbon nanotubes form the freestanding carbon nanotube paper and carbon microparticles embedded in and/or present on a surface of the carbon nanotube paper. The invention also relates to a lithium ion battery, capacitor, supercapacitor, battery/capacitor, and fuel cell containing the freestanding carbon nanotube paper as an electrode. Also disclosed is a method of making a freestanding carbon nanotube paper. This method involves providing purified carbon nanotubes, contacting the purified carbon nanotubes with an organic solvent under conditions effective to form a dispersion comprising the purified carbon nanotubes. The dispersion is formed into a carbon nanotube paper and carbon microparticles are incorporated with the purified carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: An alpha voltaic battery includes at least one layer of a semiconductor material comprising at least one p/n junction, at least one absorption and conversion layer on the at least one layer of semiconductor layer, and at least one alpha particle emitter. The absorption and conversion layer prevents at least a portion of alpha particles from the alpha particle emitter from damaging the p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material. The absorption and conversion layer also converts at least a portion of energy from the alpha particles into electron-hole pairs for collection by the one p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispersions of nanostructured carbon in organic solvents containing alkyl amide compounds and/or diamide compounds. The invention also relates to methods of dispersing nanostructured carbon in organic solvents and methods of mobilizing nanostructured carbon. Also disclosed are methods of determining the purity of nanostructured carbon.

Abstract: An alpha voltaic battery includes at least one layer of a semiconductor material comprising at least one p/n junction, at least one absorption and conversion layer on the at least one layer of semiconductor layer, and at least one alpha particle emitter. The absorption and conversion layer prevents at least a portion of alpha particles from the alpha particle emitter from damaging the p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material. The absorption and conversion layer also converts at least a portion of energy from the alpha particles into electron-hole pairs for collection by the one p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material.

Abstract: An alpha voltaic battery includes at least one layer of a semiconductor material comprising at least one p/n junction, at least one absorption and conversion layer on the at least one layer of semiconductor layer, and at least one alpha particle emitter. The absorption and conversion layer prevents at least a portion of alpha particles from the alpha particle emitter from damaging the p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material. The absorption and conversion layer also converts at least a portion of energy from the alpha particles into electron-hole pairs for collection by the one p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nano-composite structure containing nanostructured carbon and nanoparticles. Also disclosed are methods of making the nano-composite structures. The present invention also relates to a lithium ion battery, a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a battery/capacitor, or a fuel cell containing the nano-composite structures of the present invention.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes three or more solar cells which are layered on top of each other, at least one of quantum dots and quantum dashes, and first and second conductors. The quantum dots or quantum dashes are incorporated in at least one of the solar cells which is between the other solar cells. The first conductor is coupled to one of the solar cells and the second conductor is coupled to another one of the solar cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a carbon nanotube (SWNT)-polymer composite actuator and method to make such actuator. A series of uniform composites was prepared by dispersing purified single wall nanotubes with varying weight percents into a polymer matrix, followed by solution casting. The resulting nanotube-polymer composite was then successfully used to form a nanotube polymer actuator.