Abstract: Disclosed is a passivated perovskite structure containing a perovskite layer; and a hindered urea bond-based Lewis acid-base containing layer adjacent the perovskite layer. Also disclosed are solar cells containing the passivated perovskite structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of bonding two copper structures involving compressing a first copper structure with a second copper structure under a stress from 0.1 MPa to 50 MPa and under a temperature of 250° C. or less so that a bonding surface of the first copper structure is bonded to the bonding surface of the second copper structure. At least one of the bonding surface of the first copper structure and the bonding surface of the second copper structure have a layer of nanograins of copper having an average grain size of 5 nm to 500 nm. The layer of the nanograins of copper having a thickness of 10 nm to 10 ?m.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of bonding two copper structures involving compressing a first copper structure with a second copper structure under a stress from 0.1 MPa to 50 MPa and under a temperature of 250° C. or less so that a bonding surface of the first copper structure is bonded to a bonding surface of the second copper structure; at least one of the bonding surface of the first copper structure and the bonding surface of the second copper structure have a layer of nanograins of copper having an average grain size of 5 nm to 500 nm, the layer of the nanograins of copper having a thickness of 10 nm to 10 ?m.

Abstract: An ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) hydrogel that converts heat into electricity based on the Soret effect, and devices and methods incorporating the ionic thermoelectric hydrogel. The ionic thermoelectric hydrogel includes poly(acrylamide) crosslinked with an alginate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and a poly glycol.

Abstract: Devices that convert heat into electricity, and methods for a fabrication of the same are provided. The asymmetric thermo-electrochemical capacitor uses a GO-based positive electrode and a battery-type negative electrode to open up the operating voltage window and enhance the electrical discharge capacity for converting low-grade heat into electricity with excellent efficiency, fast thermo-charging time, and stable cycles. The thermo-electrochemical device includes a carbon-based positive electrode, a conductive polymer or a metal-organic framework as negative electrode, a current collector, and a porous separator.

Abstract: A nano-twinned crystal film and a method thereof are disclosed. The method of fabricating a nano-twinned crystal film includes utilizing an electrolyte solution including copper salt, acid, and a water or alcohol-soluble organic additive, and performing electrodeposition, under conditions of a current density of 20˜100 mA/cm2, a voltage of 0.2˜1.0V, and a cathode-anode distance of 10˜300 mm, to form the nano-twinned crystal film on a surface at the cathode. The nano-twinned crystal film formed by the method includes a plurality of nano-twinned copper grains and a region of random crystal phases between some of adjacent nano-twinned copper grains, wherein at least some of the nano-twinned copper grains have a pillar cap configuration with a wide top and a narrow bottom.

Abstract: Intelligent control of solar transmission through windows promises to reduce energy consumption for thermal comfort in buildings. However, the ability of current smart windows to regulate solar gain based on tunable extinction of phase-change materials is not optimum. A thin-film thermochromic device based on tunable light scattering of hydrogel microparticles of prescribed diameters is reported. In the study, poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-2-Aminoethylmethacrylate hydrochloride (pNIPAm-AEMA) microparticles are synthesized, with low phase transition temperature ˜32° C. Notably, the average size of pNIPAm-AEMA particles can vary from 1388 nm at 25° C. to 546 nm at 35° C., leading to unprecedented infrared transmittance modulation of 75.6%, in agreement with the numerical simulation based on Mie theory. A high luminous transmittance of 87.2% is accomplished.

Abstract: Devices that convert heat into electricity, and methods for a fabrication of the same are provided. The asymmetric thermo-electrochemical capacitor uses a GO-based positive electrode and a battery-type negative electrode to open up the operating voltage window and enhance the electrical discharge capacity for converting low-grade heat into electricity with excellent efficiency, fast thermo-charging time, and stable cycles. The thermo-electrochemical device includes a carbon-based positive electrode, a conductive polymer or a metal-organic framework as negative electrode, a current collector, and a porous separator.

Abstract: An ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) hydrogel that converts heat into electricity based on the Soret effect, and devices and methods incorporating the ionic thermoelectric hydrogel. The ionic thermoelectric hydrogel includes poly(acrylamide) crosslinked with an alginate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and a poly glycol.

Abstract: A nano-twinned crystal film and a method thereof are disclosed. The method of fabricating a nano-twinned crystal film includes utilizing an electrolyte solution including copper salt, acid, and a water or alcohol-soluble organic additive, and performing electrodeposition, under conditions of a current density of 20˜100 mA/cm2, a voltage of 0.2˜1.0V, and a cathode-anode distance of 10˜300 mm, to form the nano-twinned crystal film on a surface at the cathode. The nano-twinned crystal film formed by the method includes a plurality of nano-twinned copper grains and a region of random crystal phases between some of adjacent nano-twinned copper grains, wherein at least some of the nano-twinned copper grains have a pillar cap configuration with a wide top and a narrow bottom.

Abstract: A method for selective metallization includes: selectively adsorbing catalytic nanoparticles onto an imprint mold to form a selectively adsorbed catalytic nanoparticle (SACN) mold; using the SACN mold in an imprinting process to synchronously transfer a pattern and the catalytic nanoparticles onto a film; separating the film from the SACN mold; and selectively depositing metal onto the film based on the pattern transferred to the film.

Abstract: A method for selective metallization includes: selectively adsorbing catalytic nanoparticles onto an imprint mold to form a selectively adsorbed catalytic nanoparticle (SACN) mold; using the SACN mold in an imprinting process to synchronously transfer a pattern and the catalytic nanoparticles onto a film; separating the film from the SACN mold; and selectively depositing metal onto the film based on the pattern transferred to the film.

Abstract: A one-pot synthesis of Nb5+-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with low cost and high efficiency for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is disclosed in the present invention. The Nb5+-doped TiO2 NPs with Nb dopants of 0˜5 mol % are prepared by directly mixing TiO2 slurry with Nb2O5 gel obtained by UV treatment of a mixture of NbCl5 powder, ethanol and water in a certain ratio, following by heat treatment without using hydrothermal method. The as-prepared NPs exhibit well-crystallized pure anatase TiO2 phase with uniform particle distribution. The incorporation of Nb5+ leads to a stronger and broader light absorption in visible light range and a decrease of band gap with increasing Nb dopant content, which enhances the efficiencies of light-harvesting and electron injection and suppresses the charge recombination. The present method provides a simple and cost-effective mass-production route to synthesize n-type metallic ion doped TiO2 nanoparticles as excellent photoanode materials.

Abstract: A one-pot synthesis of Nb5+-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with low cost and high efficiency for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is disclosed in the present invention. The Nb5+-doped TiO2 NPs with Nb dopants of 0˜5 mol % are prepared by directly mixing TiO2 slurry with Nb2O5 gel obtained by UV treatment of a mixture of NbCl5 powder, ethanol and water in a certain ratio, following by heat treatment without using hydrothermal method. The as-prepared NPs exhibit well-crystallized pure anatase TiO2 phase with uniform particle distribution. The incorporation of Nb5+ leads to a stronger and broader light absorption in visible light range and a decrease of band gap with increasing Nb dopant content, which enhances the efficiencies of light-harvesting and electron injection and suppresses the charge recombination. The present method provides a simple and cost-effective mass-production route to synthesize n-type metallic ion doped TiO2 nanoparticles as excellent photoanode materials.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode having an electrochemical catalyst layer is disclosed, which comprises providing a substrate with a conductive layer formed on the surface of a substrate, conditioning the surface of the substrate, immersing the substrate in a solution containing polymer-capped noble metal nanoclusters dispersed therein to form a polymer-protected electrochemical catalyst layer on the conditioned surface of the substrate, and thermally treating the polymer-protected electrochemical catalyst layer at a temperature approximately below 300° C.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode having an electrochemical catalyst layer is disclosed. The method includes etching a surface of a substrate, followed by immersing the substrate in a solution containing surfactants to form a conditioner layer on the surface of the substrate, and immersing the substrate in a solution containing polymer-capped noble metal nanoclusters dispersed therein to form a polymer-protected electrochemical catalyst layer on the conditioner layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode including an electrochemical catalyst layer is disclosed, which comprises forming a graphitized porous conductive fabric layer, optionally conditioning the graphitized porous conductive fabric layer, and dipping the graphitized porous conductive fabric layer into a solution containing a plurality of polymer-capped noble metal nanoclusters dispersed therein. The polymer-capped noble metal nanoclusters as an electrochemical catalyst layer are adsorbed onto the graphitized porous conductive fabric layer. An electrochemical device with the electrode made thereby is also contemplated.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode having an electrochemical catalyst layer is disclosed. The method includes etching a surface of a substrate, followed by immersing the substrate in a solution containing surfactants to form a conditioner layer on the surface of the substrate, and immersing the substrate in a solution containing polymer-capped noble metal nanoclusters dispersed therein to form a polymer-protected electrochemical catalyst layer on the conditioner layer.

Abstract: A packaging structure with a box for containing at least a portable electronic device is provided. The box has plates, which are connected to one another and surrounded to form an opening for the portable electronic device passing through, and a lid selectively covering or exposing the opening. First solar cells each fastened on an inner surface of each plate in the box. At least a cable electrically connects the first solar cells and is operated for electrically connecting the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dye-sensitized solar cell. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a semiconductor electrode with a dye adsorbed thereon; a counter electrode; and an electrolyte composition provided between the semiconductor electrode and the counter electrode; wherein the electrolyte composition comprises an oxidation-reduction mediator and a eutectic ionic liquid including a choline halide or derivatives thereof mixed with alcohols or urea.