Abstract: A visibly transparent luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) is disclosed. The LSC includes a transparent substrate having at least one edge surface. A dye layer is coupled to the substrate, the dye layer having a peak absorption wavelength outside the visible band, the dye layer being configured to re-emit light at a peak emission wavelength outside the visible band, at least a portion of the re-emitted light being waveguided to the edge surface of the substrate. A photovoltaic device is coupled to the edge surface of the transparent substrate, the photovoltaic device being configured to absorb light at the peak emission wavelength and generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A visibly transparent luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) is disclosed. The LSC includes a transparent substrate having at least one edge surface. A dye layer is coupled to the substrate, the dye layer having a peak absorption wavelength outside the visible band, the dye layer being configured to re-emit light at a peak emission wavelength outside the visible band, at least a portion of the re-emitted light being waveguided to the edge surface of the substrate. A photovoltaic device is coupled to the edge surface of the transparent substrate, the photovoltaic device being configured to absorb light at the peak emission wavelength and generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A transparent photovoltaic cell and method of making are disclosed. The photovoltaic cell may include a transparent substrate and a first active material overlying the substrate. The first active material may have a first absorption peak at a wavelength greater than about 650 nanometers. A second active material is disposed overlying the substrate, the second active material having a second absorption peak at a wavelength outside of the visible light spectrum. The photovoltaic cell may also include a transparent cathode and a transparent anode.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to composition and methods for downconverting light. In some embodiments, the composition and methods comprise an organic material, a nanocrystal, and a ligand capable of facilitating energy transfer between the organic material and the nanocrystal. In certain embodiments, the nanocrystal has a first excited energy state with an energy less than a triplet energy state of the organic material. The organic material, in some embodiments, may be aromatic and/or include one or more pi-conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds. In some cases, incident light may be absorbed by the organic material to produce two triplet excitons. The triplet excitons may then transfer to the nanocrystal via the ligand, where they can undergo recombination, resulting in the formation low energy photons.

Abstract: A light emitting device can include a light source, a first electrode, a second electrode, a first barrier layer, a second barrier layer, and an emitter layer between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer. A method of controllably generating light can comprise two states: An ON state, wherein an emitter layer of a device (which includes a photoluminescent pixel) is illuminated with a light source in the absence of an electric field, and the emitter layer generates light through photoluminescence; and an OFF state, wherein an emitter layer of a device (which includes a photoluminescent pixel) is illuminated with a light source in the presence of a static or time-varying electric field, and the electric field or induced current results in quenching of the emitter photoluminescence.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide functionalized carbon nanostructures for use in various devices, including photovoltaic devices (e.g., solar cells). In some cases, the carbon nanostructures are fullerenes substituted with one or more isobenzofulvene species and/or indane species. Devices including such materials may exhibit increased efficiency, increased open circuit potential, high electron/hole mobility, and/or low electrical resistance.

Abstract: A transparent photovoltaic cell and method of making are disclosed. The photovoltaic cell may include a transparent substrate and a first active material overlying the substrate. The first active material may have a first absorption peak at a wavelength greater than about 650 nanometers. A second active material is disposed overlying the substrate, the second active material having a second absorption peak at a wavelength outside of the visible light spectrum. The photovoltaic cell may also include a transparent cathode and a transparent anode.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and apparatus for release-assisted microcontact printing of MEMS. Specifically, the principles disclosed herein enable patterning diaphragms and conductive membranes on a substrate having articulations of desired shapes and sizes. Such diaphragms deflect under applied pressure or force (e.g., electrostatic, electromagnetic, acoustic, pneumatic, mechanical, etc.) generating a responsive signal. Alternatively, the diaphragm can be made to deflect in response to an external bias to measure the external bias/phenomenon. The disclosed principles enable transferring diaphragms and/or thin membranes without rupturing.

Abstract: Light-emitting devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices may emit light when a tunneling current is generated within the device.

Abstract: Disclosed are vapor transport deposition systems and methods for alternating sequential vapor transport deposition of multi-component perovskite thin-films. The systems include multiple vaporizing sources that are mechanically or digitally controlled for high throughput deposition. Alternating sequential deposition provides faster sequential deposition, and allows for reduced material degradation due to different vapor temperatures.

Abstract: Devices comprising at least two electrodes with a layer disposed therebetween are disclosed. In some embodiments, the layer disposed therebetween may be an insulator. In some embodiments, the layer may be capable of being deformed. Deforming the layer may cause a change in one or more materials properties of the device, such as the electrical properties and/or the optical properties of the device.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method used to provide power or photovoltaic functionality to a display or device containing a display without impacting the visual perception of the display. The wavelength-selective photovoltaic (WPV) element is visibly transparent, in that it absorbs selectively around the visible emission (or reflection) peaks generated by the display. The photovoltaic material is able to cover a portion or the entire surface area of the display, without substantially blocking or perceptually impacting the emission (or reflection) of content from the display. The incident light that is absorbed by the photovoltaic element is then converted into electrical energy to provide power to the device, for example.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for micro-contact printing of micro-electromechanical systems (“MEMS”) in a solvent-free environment. The disclosed embodiments enable forming a composite membrane over a parylene layer and transferring the composite structure to a receiving structure to form one or more microcavities covered by the composite membrane. The parylene film may have a thickness in the range of about 100 nm-2 microns; 100 nm-1 micron, 200-300 nm, 300-500 nm, 500 nm to 1 micron and 1-30 microns. Next, one or more secondary layers are formed over the parylene to create a composite membrane. The composite membrane may have a thickness of about 100 nm to 700 nm to several microns. The composite membrane's deflection in response to external forces can be measured to provide a contact-less detector. Conversely, the composite membrane may be actuated using an external bias to cause deflection commensurate with the applied bias.

Abstract: A method includes encapsulating structures disposed on or over a surface of a substrate in an encapsulant. The method also includes separating the encapsulant from the substrate. An apparatus includes a composite film having structures embedded in an encapsulant. The composite film has a surface with a surface roughness of less than one nm. An apparatus includes an encapsulant film having a surface with indentations formed therein. The surface has a surface roughness apart from the indentations of less than one nm.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes a semiconductor nanocrystal in a layer. The layer can be a monolayer of semiconductor nanocrystals. The monolayer can form a pattern on a substrate.

Abstract: An electro-optical device can include a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals. In some circumstances, the device can omit an electron transporting layer.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a headphone device, comprises at least one ear muff comprising a structure to hold the at least one ear muff against an ear of a user, and at least one driver disposed in the at least one ear muff An earbud comprises an earbud housing having a protrusion to fit into an external acoustic meatus or ear canal of a user, and a driver disposed in the earbud housing. The driver comprises an electrostatic acoustic transducer comprising a substrate comprising a first material to function as a first electrode, a dielectric layer coupled with the first material, wherein the dielectric layer has one or more cavities formed therein, and a membrane coupled with the dielectric layer to cover the one or more cavities and to function as a second electrode.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a hearing aid comprises a housing and an audio processing system disposed in the housing, the audio processing system comprising at least one amplifier, an earbud formed as part of the housing or coupled to the housing to fit into an external acoustic meatus or ear canal of a user, one or more microphones coupled to an input of the amplifier, and one or more drivers coupled to an output of the amplifier to reproduce an amplified version of an input acoustic wave impinging on the one or more microphones. The audio processing system including a processor coupled between the microphone and the driver, wherein the processor is to provide one or more hearing correction functions. At least one of the one or more drivers or the one or more microphones, or a combination thereof, comprises an electrostatic acoustic transducer.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, an electrostatic acoustic transducer comprises a substrate comprising a first material to function as a first electrode, a dielectric layer coupled with the first material, wherein the dielectric layer has one or more cavities formed therein, and a membrane coupled with the dielectric layer to cover one or more of the one or more cavities and to function as a second electrode. The electrostatic acoustic transducer generates an acoustic wave in response to an electrical signal applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the applied electrical signal comprises a direct-current (dc) bias voltage and one or more time-varying electrical signals.

Abstract: Devices comprising at least two electrodes with a layer disposed therebetween are disclosed. In some embodiments, the layer disposed therebetween may be an insulator. In some embodiments, the layer may be capable of being deformed. Deforming the layer may cause a change in one or more materials properties of the device, such as the electrical properties and/or the optical properties of the device.