Abstract: A neuromorphic device includes a first electrode layer arranged on a substrate, and an electrolyte layer arranged on the first electrode layer. The electrolyte layer includes a solid electrolyte material. The neuromorphic device further includes an ion permeable, electrically conductive membrane arranged on the electrolyte layer and an ion intercalation layer arranged on the ion permeable, electrically conductive membrane. The neuromorphic device includes a second electrode layer arranged on the ion intercalation layer.

Abstract: Zinc oxide compositions and methods for applying anti-reflective coating on oxide particles for sunscreen applications are provided herein. A composition includes multiple zinc oxide particles suspended within a medium forming sunscreen composition, and two or more coating materials applied to each of the multiple zinc oxide particles in distinct layers via a gradation based on refractive index, wherein each of the coating materials has a refractive index that is between the refractive index of air and the refractive index of zinc oxide, and wherein the two or more coating materials comprise one or more fluoropolymers and aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device with increased efficiency and a method for making the same. The present invention provides a photovoltaic device including: a transparent substrate; a transparent conductive electrode layer disposed on the transparent substrate; an n-type layer disposed on the transparent conductive electrode layer; a chalcogen absorber layer disposed on the n-type layer; a p-type molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) interlayer disposed on the chalcogen absorber layer; and a conductive layer disposed on the interlayer. A photovoltaic device having a superstrate configuration with the order of the layers reversed is also provided. The present invention further provides methods for making the photovoltaic devices according to the present invention.

Abstract: Variable-resistance devices and methods of forming the same include a variable-resistance layer, formed between a first terminal and a second terminal, that varies in resistance based on an oxygen concentration in the variable-resistance layer. An electrolyte layer that is stable at room temperature and that conducts oxygen ions in accordance with an applied voltage is positioned over the variable-resistance layer. A gate layer is configured to apply a voltage on the electrolyte layer and the variable-resistance layer and is positioned over the electrolyte layer.

Abstract: A neuromorphic device includes a first electrode layer arranged on a substrate, and an electrolyte layer arranged on the first electrode layer. The electrolyte layer includes a solid electrolyte material. The neuromorphic device further includes an ion permeable, electrically conductive membrane arranged on the electrolyte layer and an ion intercalation layer arranged on the ion permeable, electrically conductive membrane. The neuromorphic device includes a second electrode layer arranged on the ion intercalation layer.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for fabricating and using a neuromorphic computing device including biological neurons. For example, a method for fabricating a neuromorphic computing device includes forming a channel in a first substrate and forming at least one sensor in a second substrate. At least a portion of the channel in the first substrate is seeded with a biological neuron growth material. The second substrate is attached to the first substrate such that the at least one sensor is proximate to the biological neuron growth material and growth of the seeded biological neuron growth material is stimulated to grow a neuron in the at least a portion of the channel.

Abstract: Silver-containing absorbers for photovoltaic devices and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming an ink includes: mixing a silver halide and a solvent to form a first solution; mixing a metal, sulfur, and the solvent to form a second solution; combining the first solution and the second solution to form a precursor solution; and adding constituent components for an absorber material to the precursor solution to form the ink. Methods of forming an absorber film, a photovoltaic device, and the resulting photovoltaic device are also provided.

Abstract: Zinc oxide compositions and methods for applying anti-reflective coating on oxide particles for sunscreen applications are provided herein. A composition includes multiple zinc oxide particles suspended within a medium forming sunscreen composition, and two or more coating materials applied to each of the multiple zinc oxide particles in distinct layers via a gradation based on refractive index, wherein each of the coating materials has a refractive index that is between the refractive index of air and the refractive index of zinc oxide.

Abstract: Low-voltage rechargeable microbatteries having a vanadium-based cathode are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a battery is provided. The method includes the steps of: forming a first contact on a substrate; forming a cathode on the first contact, wherein the cathode is formed from a vanadium-containing material; forming a solid electrolyte on the cathode; forming an anode on the solid electrolyte; and forming a second contact on the anode. A battery having a vanadium-based cathode is also provided.

Abstract: An interfacial additive layer for decreasing the interfacial resistance/impedance of a silicon based electrode-containing device such as, for example, an energy storage device or a micro-resistor, is disclosed. The interfacial additive, which is composed of evaporated lithium fluoride, is formed between a silicon based electrode and a solid polymer electrolyte layer of the device. The evaporated lithium fluoride serves as ion conductive layer. The presence of such an interfacial additive layer increases the ion and electron mobile dependent performances at the silicon based electrode interface due to significant decrease in the resistance/impedance that is observed at the respective interface as well as the impedance observed in the bulk of the device.

Abstract: A catholyte-like material including a cathode material and an interfacial additive layer for providing a lithium ion energy storage device having low impedance is disclosed. The interfacial additive layer, which is composed of vapor deposited iodine, is present between the cathode material and an electrolyte layer of the device. The presence of such an interfacial additive layer increases the ion and electron mobile dependent performances at the cathode material interface due to significant decrease in the resistance/impedance that is observed at the respective interface as well as the impedance observed in the bulk of the device. The catholyte-like material of the present application can be used to provide a lithium ion energy storage device having high charge/discharge rates and/or high capacity.

Abstract: A lithium rechargeable lithium battery including a conductive substrate, a cathode material layer disposed over the conductive substrate, a solid electrolyte material layer disposed over the cathode material layer, an anode material layer disposed over the solid electrolyte material layer, and a conductive layer disposed over the anode material layer.

Abstract: A device such as, for example, an energy storage device or a micro-resistor, is disclosed which includes a silicon based electrode in which decreased interfacial resistance/impedance throughout the charge-mobile region of the device is provided. The decreased interfacial resistance/impedance is provided by forming an interfacial additive composite layer composed of a molten lithium containing salt layer and a layer of a Li-salt containing conductive polymeric adhesive material between the silicon based electrode and a solid polymer electrolyte layer. The presence of such an interfacial additive composite layer increases the ion and electron mobile dependent performances at the silicon based electrode interface due to significant decrease in the resistance/impedance that is observed at the respective interface as well as the impedance observed in the bulk of the device.

Abstract: An interfacial additive layer for decreasing the interfacial resistance/impedance of a silicon based electrode-containing device such as, for example, an energy storage device or a micro-resistor, is disclosed. The interfacial additive layer, which is composed of a molten lithium containing salt, is formed between a silicon based electrode and a solid polymer electrolyte layer of the device. The presence of such an interfacial additive layer increases the ion and electron mobile dependent performances at the silicon based electrode interface due to significant decrease in the resistance/impedance that is observed at the respective interface as well as the impedance observed in the bulk of the device.

Abstract: Kesterite photovoltaic devices having a back surface field layer are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a photovoltaic device includes: forming a complete photovoltaic device having a substrate, an electrically conductive layer on the substrate, an absorber layer on the electrically conductive layer, a buffer layer on the absorber layer, and a transparent front contact on the buffer layer; removing the substrate and the electrically conductive layer from the complete photovoltaic device to expose a backside surface of the absorber layer; forming a passivating layer on the backside surface of the absorber layer; and forming a high work function back contact on the passivating layer. A photovoltaic device having a passivating layer is also provided.

Abstract: Zinc oxide compositions and methods for applying anti-reflective coating on oxide particles for sunscreen applications are provided herein. A method includes selecting one or more coating materials to be applied to zinc oxide particles in a sunscreen composition, wherein said selecting is based on optical properties of the coating materials, wherein the optical properties comprises at least the refractive index of each of the coating materials, and applying the selected coating materials to the zinc oxide particles to create the sunscreen composition. A composition includes multiple zinc oxide particles suspended within a medium forming sunscreen composition, and one or more coating materials applied to each of the zinc oxide particles, wherein each of the coating materials has a refractive index that is between the refractive index of air and the refractive index of zinc oxide, and wherein at least one of the coating materials incorporates a textured surface.

Abstract: Three-terminal solid state Cu-ion actuated analog switching devices are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a switching device includes: depositing a channel layer on a substrate; forming a source contact and a drain contact on opposite ends of the channel layer; forming a solid electrolyte on the channel layer over the source contact and the drain contact; and depositing a gate onto the solid electrolyte, wherein the source contact, the drain contact, and the gate are three terminals of the switching device. A switching device and a method of operating a switching device are also provided.

Abstract: Copper ionic conductor films and method of making the same are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a crystalline ionic conductor film includes: depositing a mixture of sources for components of the crystalline ionic conductor film onto a substrate, the components including: i) Cu, ii) a component A selected from: Rb, Cs, K, Na and/or Li, and iii) a component B selected from: F, Cl, Br and/or I; and annealing the mixture under conditions sufficient to form the crystalline ionic conductor film on the substrate having a formula: CuxAyBz, wherein 0<x<20, 0<y<10, and 0<z<30. A device having a crystalline ionic conductor film as an electrolyte and method of forming the device are also provided.

Abstract: A neuromorphic semiconductor device includes a copper-based intercalation channel disposed on an insulative layer, a source contact and a drain contact of a substrate. A copper-based electrolyte layer is disposed on the copper-based intercalation channel and a copper-based gate electrode is disposed on the copper-based electrolyte layer.

Abstract: Zinc oxide compositions and methods for applying anti-reflective coating on oxide particles for sunscreen applications are provided herein. A method includes selecting one or more coating materials to be applied to zinc oxide particles in a sunscreen composition, wherein selecting is based on optical properties of the coating materials, wherein the optical properties comprises at least the refractive index of each of the coating materials, and applying the selected coating materials to the zinc oxide particles to create the sunscreen composition.