Abstract: A versatile solar deployment system may provide one or more scalable solar deployment units. A solar deployment unit may include a chassis, a panel support provided by the chassis, and one or more solar panels coupled to the panel support, wherein the solar panels are folded together in an undeployed position, and the solar panels are unfolded in a deployed position. Alternatively, a solar deployment unit may include a rolling mechanism providing a rotating shaft and a flexible panel. One end of the flexible panel is secured to the rotating shaft, the flexible panel is rolled around the rotating shaft to retract the flexible panel into an undeployed position, and the flexible panel is unrolled to deploy the flexible panel into a deployed position.

Abstract: A method of producing polymer/nanotube composites where the density and position of the nanotubes within the composite can be controlled. Carbon nanotubes are grown from organometallic micropatterns. These periodic nanotube arrays are then incorporated into a polymer matrix by depositing a curable polymer film on the as-grown tubes. This controlled method of producing free-standing nanotube/polymer composite films may be used to form nanosensors which provide information regarding a physical condition of a material, such as an airplane chassis or wing, in contact with the nanosensor.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a novel photovoltaic solar cell system from photovoltaic modules that are vertically arrayed in a stack format using thin film semiconductors selected from among organic and inorganic thin film semiconductors. The stack cells may be cells that are produced in a planar manner, then vertically oriented in an angular form, also termed herein tilted, to maximize the light capturing aspects. The use of a stack configuration system as described herein allows for the use of a variety of electrode materials, such as transparent materials or semitransparent metals. Light concentration can be achieved by using fresnel lens, parabolic mirrors or derivatives of such structures. The light capturing can be controlled by being reflected back and forth in the photovoltaic system until significant quantities of the resonant light is absorbed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, optoelectronic devices are described herein. The optoelectronic device may include an optoelectronic cell arranged so as to wrap around a central axis wherein the cell includes a first conductive layer, a semi-conductive layer disposed over and in electrical communication with the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer disposed over and in electrical communication with the semi-conductive layer. In various embodiments, methods for making optoelectronic devices are described herein. The methods may include forming an optoelectronic cell while flat and wrapping the optoelectronic cell around a central axis. The optoelectronic devices may be photovoltaic devices. Alternatively, the optoelectronic devices may be organic light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising a photovoltaic cell and at least one layer, the photovoltaic ceil and at least one layer wrapped from the inside out to form the photovoltaic device having a vertical geometry is provided. The photovoltaic device can be a variety of shapes. These shapes include a cylinder, square, oval, rope, ribbon, oblong and rectangular. Generally, the photovoltaic cell has at least on semiconductor, a hirfi work-function electrode and a low work-function electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes composite materials containing a polymer material and a nanoscale material dispersed in the polymer material. The nanoscale materials may be biologically synthesized, such as tellurium nanorods synthesized by Bacillus selenitireducens. Composite materials of the present disclosure may have optical limiting properties and find use in optical limiting devices.

Abstract: The present invention comprises nanotube structures comprising nanotubes covalently bonded via chemically reactive groups on the outer walls of the nanotubes and methods for forming the covalently bonded nanotube structures. The present invention also comprises materials comprising the functionalized nanotubes covalently bonded to organic based monomers and/or polymers, and methods for their formation.

Abstract: A method of producing polymer/nanotube composites where the density and position of the nanotubes (11) within the composite ca be controlled. Carbon nanotubes (11) are grown from organometallic micropatterns. These periodic nanotube arrays are then incorporated into a polymer matrix (7) by deposing a curable polymer film on the as-grown tubes. This controlled method of producing free-standing nanotube/polymer composite films may be used to form nanosensor (3) which provide information regarding a physical condition of a material (20), such as an airplane chassis or wing, in contact with the nanosensor (3).

Abstract: In various embodiments, fiber photovoltaic devices are described in the present disclosure. The fiber photovoltaic devices include an optical filament, a first electrode coating the optical filament, a continuous semiconductive layer deposited above the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer deposited above the continuous semiconductive layer. The first electrode layer is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The continuous semiconductive layer is in electrical contact with the first electrode layer. The continuous semiconductive layer absorbs electromagnetic radiation and turns the electromagnetic radiation into an electrical signal. The continuous semiconductive layer includes at least two semiconductive materials that are substantially unmixed and are located in separate regions along the longitudinal axis of the fiber photovoltaic device. The second electrode layer is in electrical contact with the continuous semiconductive layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organic optoelectronic devices and, in particular, to organic photovoltaic devices having a fiber structure. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic device comprises a first electrode comprising an indium tin oxide fiber, at least one photosensitive organic layer surrounding the first electrode and electrically connected to the first electrode, and a second electrode surrounding the organic layer and electrically connected to the organic layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes antennas based on a conductive polymer composite as replacements for metallic antennas. The antennas include a non-conductive support structure and a conductive composite layer deposited on the non-conductive support structure. The conductive composite includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes and a polymer. Each of the plurality of carbon nanotubes is in contact with at least one other of the plurality of carbon nanotubes. The conductive composite layer is operable to receive at least one electromagnetic signal. Other various embodiments of the antennas include a hybrid antenna structure wherein a metallic antenna underbody replaces the non-conductive support structure. In the hybrid antennas, the conductive composite layer acts as an amplifier for the metallic antenna underbody. Methods for producing the antennas and hybrid antennas are also disclosed. Radios, cellular telephones and wireless network cards including the antennas and hybrid antennas are also described.

Abstract: Enhanced band bending materials for use in rectifying contacts comprising metal nanoparticles and a semiconducting polymer that is soluble in common organic solvents including, for example, a gold-polymeric nanocomposite comprising gold nanoparticles in poly(m-phenylenevinylene-co-2,5-dioctoxy-p-phenlenevinylene((“PmPV”). The nanocomposite material provides for enhanced Schottky barriers.

Abstract: Enhanced band bending materials for use in rectifying contacts comprising metal nanoparticles and a semiconducting polymer that is soluble in common organic solvents including, for example, a gold-polymeric nanocomposite comprising gold nanoparticles in poly(m-phenylenevinylene-co-2,5-dioctoxy-p-phenlenevinylene( (“PmPV”). The nanocomposite material provides for enhanced Schottky barriers.

Abstract: An organic photovoltaic conversion device, such as a solar cell includes a matrix material, such as a polymer matrix material, carbon nanotubes dispersed in the matrix material, and photovoltaic organic molecules, such as organic dye molecules, attached to defect sites on the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A non-linear optical active material for a non-linear optical device includes a matrix material, such as a polymer matrix material, carbon nanotubes dispersed in the matrix material, and chromophores having non-linear optical properties, such as organic dye molecules, attached to defect sites on the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to derivatized, well-dispersed CNTs that have enhanced miscibility with organic agents. Composite materials may be made using such CNTs. The composite materials, in turn, may be used in optical and electronic applications.

Abstract: The present invention comprises nanotube structures comprising nanotubes covalently bonded via chemically reactive groups on the outer walls of the nanotubes and methods for forming the covalently bonded nanotube structures. The present invention also comprises materials comprising the functionalized nanotubes covalently bonded to organic based monomers and/or polymers, and methods for their formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for purification of nanotube soot in a non-destructive and efficient method using a polymer having a coiling structure to extract nanotubes from their accompanying material without damage to their structure and with a high mass yield. Nanotube soot is added to a solvent which including a coiling polymer to form a solution. The solution is mixed with a nanotube composite suspension is formed with extraneous solid material such as amorphous carbon settling at the bottom of the solution. The nanotube composite suspension is decanted from the settled solid.