Abstract: A semiconductor wafer treating apparatus comprising a housing, holding means rotatably disposed within the housing, rotating means for rotating the holding means, and cleaning means for cleaning a semiconductor wafer held on the holding means. Irradiation means for irradiating the semiconductor wafer held on the holding means with short wavelength ultraviolet radiation is further disposed in the semiconductor wafer treating apparatus.

Abstract: A full coverage fluidic oscillator (2) includes a fluidic circuit member preferably having an oscillation inducing internal chamber, at least one inlet (8) or source of fluid under pressure, at least a pair of output nozzles (14, 16) connected to the source of fluid for projecting at least first and second impinging fluid jets into free space, where the first and second impinging jets collide or impinge upon one another at a selected jet angle to generate a substantially omni-directional sheet jet having selected thickness. The first and second jets are aimed at a pre-selected intersection point in free space where impingement is to occur. The sheet jet's thickness ?y is determined by the time-varying path or oscillation of each of the first and second impinging jets. The first and second impinging jets can be made to oscillate or pulsate by use of vortex generating amplifier structures (68, 70, 72, 149) within the internal chamber's fluid flow paths.

Abstract: A cleaning-in-place system for use with an easily cleanable flexible belt. A sprocket is provided with a body having a first opening formed between adjacent pairs of teeth. The opening extends toward the center of the sprocket to provide access to the underside of the belt, when the belt engages with the sprocket, for application of cleaning medium.

Abstract: The umbrella is constructed with a frame that allows one rib to be manually lifted in order to open the umbrella and allows a manually applied force to be placed on the cover between two adjacent ribs in order to close the umbrella. Mechanical cranks and the like are eliminated. In one embodiment, rods are added to the struts to weight and maintain the lower movable yoke in the open condition of the umbrella. In another embodiment, the tension in the cover maintains the upper movable yoke in the open condition of the umbrella.

Abstract: There is provided a standing aid comprising a leg engaging means and a handle and wherein the standing aid is adapted such that, in use, a user can brace the leg engaging means against a leg and pull on the handle so that the user is aided to move from a seated position to a standing position. Also provided is a method of using the aid.

Abstract: An accessory to provide a user with hands-free placement of a cane includes a hook with a curved body to be mounted on the cane and below a cane handle, and a tip adapted to be received in a pocket or a pouch affiliated with the user to provide hands-free operation; and a cane interface pad positioned between the curved body and the cane.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive sensor data measurements associated with usage of a mobility aid device and extract sensor feature parameters from the sensor data measurements. The computer readable storage medium further includes executable instructions to derive a usage state corresponding to the usage of the mobility aid device, based on the sensor feature parameters.

Abstract: There is provided an electric telescopic stick of which length can be easily adjusted quickly if needed by using only one hand by providing a multiple thread screw and providing a switch on an anterior portion of a grip portion including an electric motor which rotates the multiple thread screw in the forward and reverse directions. Further, in the electric telescopic stick, since a clutch is formed between the electric motor and the multiple thread screw, overload is not applied to the motor because the clutch idles when the movable stick portion is completely elongated. Further, a user can recognize the idling state from hitting sounds generated when steel balls are hit against holes when the clutch idles.

Abstract: There is provided a standing aid comprising a leg engaging means and a handle and wherein the standing aid is adapted such that, in use, a user can brace the leg engaging means against a leg and pull on the handle so that the user is aided to move from a seated position to a standing position. Also provided is a method of using the aid.

Abstract: A bike multi-functional rainproof assembly comprises a foldable frame having a foldable tube; a front end of the foldable tube being installed with a joint for connecting with a quick connecting rotary seat; a box having a front end combed with a rear retaining frame; the rear retaining frame for connecting to a rear side of a bike seat; the box having a lock and a ring; releasing the ring, a box bottom can be opened; the box bottom being installed with a telescopic rod set; and the telescopic rod set including a main frame, a movable rotary seat, a quick connecting rotary seat, a telescopic frame, and a sub-telescopic frame; the sub-telescopic frame being installed with a waterproof cloth; after the interior components of the telescopic rod set is expanded and fixed, the waterproof cloth having the effect of waterproof.

Abstract: A bed tent for use in connection with an article of bedding is disclosed herein. In accordance with one embodiment, a bed tent comprises a panel, an article of bedding, and at least an attachment means for attaching at least a portion of the panel to an article of bedding.

Abstract: A portable shelter includes a canopy and a frame assembly that supports the canopy. The frame assembly includes a lower portion that defines an area and a resiliently flexible canopy support member extending over the area and supporting the canopy over the area. The frame assembly further includes a collapsible coupling with a first end operably coupled to the lower portion and a second end operably coupled to the canopy support member. A distance between the first end and the second end is variable.

Abstract: A heat recovery system for a hot rolling line where a metallic material is heated and rolled, the system includes a thermoelectric converter converting heat generated by processing of the metallic material at the hot rolling line to electricity, and an electricity storage storing the electricity converted by the thermoelectric converter.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module is formed by bonding a P-type thermoelectric conversion material and an N-type thermoelectric conversion material together with an insulating material including spherical ceramic grains having an index of grain size dispersion, 3CV, of about 20% or less interposed therebetween. The P-type thermoelectric conversion material and the N-type thermoelectric conversion material are electrically connected to each other in a region other than a region in which the P-type thermoelectric conversion material and the N-type thermoelectric conversion material are bonded together with the insulating material interposed therebetween. The spherical ceramic grains have an average grain size of about 0.05 mm to about 0.6 mm, and the insulating material is an insulating glass material.

Abstract: Provided are novel junction boxes for solar modules. The junction boxes or J-boxes can be rotated or otherwise moved to change the module's electrical connection state. According to various embodiments, the J-boxes are movable between two or more orientations each associated with an electrical connection configuration. In particular embodiments, the configurations include two or more of an on position, an off position, an on series configuration, an on series-parallel configuration, and a bypass configuration. A J-box according to certain embodiments includes a replaceable insert. The insert may include one or more bypass diodes, an inverter or a DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A thin film type solar cell with a plurality of unit cells connected in series is disclosed, wherein uniform energy conversion efficiency is maintained in all of the unit cells by improving the energy conversion efficiency in the unit cell with the relatively-low energy conversion efficiency, to thereby realize the improved energy conversion efficiency, the thin film type solar cell comprising the plurality of unit cells, each unit cell including a front electrode, a semiconductor layer, and a rear electrode sequentially deposited on a substrate, wherein the thin film type solar cell includes a first unit cell set including at least one first unit cell with a first cell width, and a second unit cell set including at least one second unit cell with a second cell width which is different from the first cell width, wherein the first unit cell set occupies 80 to 95% of an entire area of the unit cells, and the second unit cell set occupies 5 to 20% of the entire area of the unit cells.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell and a mobile device including the same are disclosed. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a first transparent substrate, which allows sunlight incident to pass through, a second substrate, which is formed apart from the first substrate, and a plurality of cells, which includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a light absorption layer and an electrolyte. Here, the first electrode and the second electrode are interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the first electrode is disposed on a rear surface of the first substrate, the second electrode is disposed on a front surface of the second substrate, the light absorption layer is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and includes metal oxide and a dye absorbed in the metal oxide, and the electrolyte is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A multicolor photovoltaic electrochromic apparatus is provided, including a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate opposite to the first transparent substrate, a photovoltaic electrochromic device on the first transparent substrate, and a chromogenic device between the first and the second transparent substrates. The photovoltaic electrochromic device includes thin-film solar cells and an electrochromic material on the thin-film solar cells. The thin-film solar cells have different potential differences, and each of the thin-film solar cells includes an anode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a cathode. The chromogenic device includes two electrodes and a chromogenic material thereon. The cathodes of the thin-film solar cells, which have distinct potential differences, are connected to the first electrode and the second electrode of the chromogenic device respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structural element for a solar panel, comprising at least one layer of dielectric material, characterized in that it comprises conductive means, which are in contact with said layer of dielectric material, and an electrical connection means for connecting the conductive means to the earth of said structure.

Abstract: Provided are a solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of manufacturing the solar cell includes stacking a solar cell device layer containing GaN on a sacrificial substrate, etching the solar cell device layer to expose the sacrificial substrate, thereby forming one or more solar cell devices comprising the solar cell device layer, anisotropically etching the exposed sacrificial substrate, contacting the solar cell devices to a stamping processor to remove the solar cell devices from the sacrificial substrate, and transferring the solar cell devices onto a receiving substrate. A high temperature semiconductor process may be performed on a substrate such as a silicon substrate to transfer the solar cell devices onto the substrate, thereby manufacturing flexible solar cells. Also, a large number of solar cells may be excellently aligned on a large area. In addition, economical solar cells may be manufactured.

Abstract: A device to generate electricity from solar rays is provided. A photovoltaic solar cell unit comprises a first cover and a second cover. The second cover is generally parallel to the first cover and the second cover is spaced from the first cover. The first and the second cover have a longitudinal axis. The photovoltaic solar cell unit also includes a solar cell disposed between the first cover and the second cover with the solar cell being disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module cord plate is disclosed. The cord plate has a base and channel.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to reduce safety risks associated with photovoltaic systems by providing a safety switch on a photovoltaic panel. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic panel includes: at least one photovoltaic cell; a connector to output energy from the photovoltaic panel; and a switch coupled between the at least one photovoltaic cell and the connector. The switch is configured to disconnect the at least one photovoltaic cell from the connector during installation of the photovoltaic panel, and to connect the at least one photovoltaic cell with the connector after installation of the photovoltaic panel.

Abstract: A plasticizer-containing film of polyvinyl acetal having a softening temperature Tg of less than 74° C. contains at least one cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid ester as a plasticizer. The plasticizer-containing films have a low tendency for sweating of the plasticizer, and are useful in producing laminate safety glasses and photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: Provided is a thin film photoelectric conversion device with maximized output characteristic, by improving an uneven current value of a photoelectric conversion cell caused by an uneven film thickness and an uneven film quality of a photoelectric conversion semiconductor layer, which may be generated in scaling up an integrated-type thin film photoelectric conversion device. The thin film photoelectric conversion device includes: a substrate, a transparent electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a back electrode layer. An increasing rate ?Zt of the film thickness Zt of the transparent electrode layer along X and an increasing rate ?Zs of the film thickness Zs of the photoelectric conversion unit along X have different signs, whereas one line segment in a parallel direction to a main surface of the substrate is taken as X?.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic device. The method comprising: forming a first electrode on a substrate; forming a first unit cell on the first electrode, the first unit cell comprising an intrinsic semiconductor layer; forming an intermediate reflector on the first unit cell, the intermediate reflector comprises a plurality of sub-layers stacked alternately by modulating applied voltages in accordance with time, the applied voltages exciting plasma and having mutually different frequencies; forming a second unit cell on the intermediate reflector, the second unit cell comprising an intrinsic semiconductor layer; and forming a second electrode on the second unit cell.

Abstract: Provided are a solar cell apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, a high efficiency, inexpensive and large-area solar cell apparatus using a microlens, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The solar cell apparatus includes a plate on which a plurality of lenses are arranged on one surface, and a plurality of solar cells receiving light concentrated by the lenses.

Abstract: A Cassegrain-type concentrating solar collector cell includes primary and secondary mirrors disposed on opposing convex and concave surfaces of a light-transparent (e.g., glass) optical element. Light enters an aperture surface surrounding the secondary mirror, and is reflected by the primary mirror toward the secondary mirror, which re-reflects the light onto a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell is mounted on a central portion of heat spreader that extends over the primary mirror. The heat spreader transmits waste heat from the photovoltaic cell in a manner that evenly distributes the heat over the optical element, thereby maximizing the radiation of heat from the aperture surface into space. The heat spreader includes a thick copper layer formed on a flexible substrate (e.g., polyimide film) that is patterned with radial arms that facilitate mounting onto the convex surface of the optical element.

Abstract: A solar electricity generation system including a solar energy-to-electricity converter having a solar energy receiving surface including at least an electricity-generating solar energy receiving surface and a plurality of reflectors arranged to reflect solar energy directly onto the solar energy receiving surface, each of the plurality of reflectors having a reflecting surface which is configured and located and aligned with respect to the solar energy receiving surface to reflect specular solar radiation with a high degree of uniformity onto the solar energy receiving surface, the configuration, location and alignment of each of the reflectors being such that the geometrical projection of each reflecting surface is substantially coextensive with the electricity-generating solar energy receiving surface.

Abstract: This invention provides a layered product which is high in light reflectance, provided with a white color, and is small in thermal deformation and excellent in heat resistance, and further, is difficult to hydrolyze and excellent in weatherability even when used outside for a long time, difficult to crack and excellent in flexibility even in a form of film, good in processability, productivity and handleability, and prevented from curling. The layered product comprises a resin layer (B) as a base layer, a resin layer (A) layered on one side of the layer (B), and a resin layer (C) layered on the other side of the resin layer (B), wherein a thickness (HA) of the resin layer (A), a thickness (HB) of the resin layer (B) and a thickness (HC) of the resin layer (C) satisfy the following expressions (1) and (2), and a dimensional change when left at 150° C. for 30 minutes is between ±1%, and a reflectance of a light with a wavelength of 400-1400 nm is not less than 50%: 0.5?HA/HC?1.3??(1), 0.4?(HA+HC)/HB?2.

Abstract: A non-imaging lens includes a transparent member, a conical protrusion and a plurality of annular protrusions. The transparent member includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are planar. The conical protrusion is defined on the first surface. The annular protrusions are concentrically defined on the first surface around the conical protrusion. Each of cross-sections of the annular protrusions approximately forms a right-angled triangle. The triangle includes a first angle, a second angle, a bottom surface, a first surface and a second surface. The first angle exceeds the second angle. The first angle is less than or equal to 90°. The bottom surfaces of the triangles increase in turn outwards from the conical protrusion.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell is disclosed. The dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a first substrate including a first electrode, a photo-absorption layer positioned on the first substrate, and a second substrate positioned on the photo-absorption layer and including a second electrode, the photo-absorption layer including a first scattering layer positioned in an area close to the second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrode layer comprising a porous film made of oxide semiconductor fine particles sensitized with certain methin dyes. Moreover the present invention pertains to a photoelectric conversion device comprising said electrode layer, a dye sensitized solar cell comprising said photoelectric conversion device and to novel methin dyes.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell module, a photovoltaic array including at least two modules, and a method of forming the module are provided. The photovoltaic cell module includes a substrate and a tie layer disposed on the substrate. The tie layer has a depth of penetration of from 1.1 to 100 mm and a tack value of less than ?0.6 g·sec. The photovoltaic cell module also includes a photovoltaic cell disposed on the tie layer. The method of forming the photovoltaic cell module includes the steps of disposing the tie layer on the substrate and disposing the photovoltaic cell on the tie layer to form the photovoltaic cell module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic device. The method comprising: forming a first electrode on a substrate; forming a first unit cell comprising an intrinsic semiconductor layer on the first electrode; forming an intermediate reflector on the first unit cell, and the intermediate reflector comprising a plurality of sub-layers stacked alternately by changing a flow rate of non-silicon based source gas; forming a second unit cell comprising an intrinsic semiconductor layer on the intermediate reflector; and forming a second electrode on the second unit cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high efficiency solar cell with a novel architecture. In one embodiment, the solar cell is comprised of a high energy gap cell stack and a dichroic mirror. The high energy gap cell stack is exposed to solar light before there is any splitting of the solar light into spectral components. Each cell in the high energy gap cell stack absorbs the light with photons of energy greater than or equal to its energy gap, i.e., the blue-green to ultraviolet portion of the solar light. Each cell in the high energy gap cell stack is transparent to and transmits light with photons of energy less than its energy gap. Spectral splitting is then performed by means of the dichroic mirror on the remaining light, i.e., the light transmitted by the high energy gap cell stack.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell is disclosed. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a first substrate, being transparent, a first electrode, formed on a rear surface of the first substrate, a second electrode, formed apart from the first electrode, a catalytic layer, formed on a rear surface of the first electrode, a light absorption layer, which is formed on a front surface of the second electrode and includes a dye absorbed into metal oxide such that the dye forms a specific pattern with the metal oxide, an electrolyte, interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, a base layer, which is formed on a rear surface of the second electrode and forms a background against the pattern formed by the dye such that the pattern can be identified when viewed from the outside, and a second substrate, formed on a rear surface of the base layer.

Abstract: Provided is a protective film having high transparency, high ultraviolet absorption ability, high weatherability and flexibility, and not being peeled from its coating layers from a plastic film even if irradiated with ultraviolet. the protective film. The protective film comprises a plastic film and a coating layer on the surface of the plastic film, wherein the coating layer comprises a binder and core-shell type zinc oxide particles dispersed in the binder, the core-shell type zinc oxide particles have an average particle size of 50 nm or less and comprises a shell having a thickness of 1.5 nm to 20 nm.

Abstract: Provided are a solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes implanting impurities of a second conductivity type opposite to a first conductivity type on the entire surface of a semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type to form an emitter layer, forming a first anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on the emitter layer, patterning a portion of the first anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer where a front electrode will be formed, forming a second anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on the first anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer and the emitter layer, and forming the front electrode and a rear electrode on front and rear surfaces of the semiconductor substrate. In this method, a double structure of two anti-reflective coating (ARC) layers with different thicknesses may be formed to make electrode patterns distinct, thereby facilitating alignment of electrodes.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device including a rear electrode which may also function as a rear reflector. In certain example embodiments, the rear electrode comprises a reflective film (e.g., of Mo or the like) including one or more layers provided on an interior surface of a rear glass substrate of the photovoltaic device. In certain example embodiments, the interior surface(s) of the rear glass substrate and/or reflective film is/are textured so as to provide desirable electrical and reflective characteristics. The rear glass substrate and textured rear electrode/reflector are used in a photovoltaic device (e.g., CIS or CIGS solar cell) where an active semiconductor film is provided between the rear electrode/reflector and a front electrode(s).

Abstract: Fabrication of a solar cell using a printed contact mask. The contact mask may include dots formed by inkjet printing. The dots may be formed in openings between dielectric layers (e.g., polyimide). Intersections of overlapping dots may form gaps that define contact regions. The spacing of the gaps may be dictated by the alignment of nozzles that dispense the dots. Using the dots as a contact mask, an underlying dielectric layer may be etched to form the contact regions through the underlying dielectric layer. Metal contact fingers may be formed over the wafer to form electrical connections to corresponding diffusion regions through the contact regions.

Abstract: A solar cell is shown. The solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductive type; a first amorphous semiconductor layer including a crystalline portion; a first electrode portion on the semiconductor substrate; and a second electrode portion on the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to use chemical additives to increase the rate of deposition processes for the amorphous silicon film (?Si:H) and/or the microcrystalline silicon film (?CSi:H), and improve the electrical current generating capability of the deposited films for photoconductive films used in the manufacturing of Thin Film based Photovoltaic (TFPV) devices.

Abstract: The method for forming nano size turfs on a surface of a transparent polymer film used in a solar cell is disclosed, which comprises a first step for attaching a transparent polymer film on a glass, a second step for installing the glass prepared in the first step on an upper side of the electrodes provided in the interior of a chamber and forming either a vacuum environment or an atmospheric environment, and a third step for supplying an electric power to the electrodes under the environment formed in the second step, etching the transparent polymer film attached on the surface of the glass and forming nano size turfs in circular cone shapes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crosslinkable ethylene copolymer composition which is superior in transparency, heat resistance, adhesive property, flexibility, moldability, durability, and the like, as well as in insulating property, and which shows less decrease in adhesive property with time and can maintain the adhesive property for a long period, and a crosslinkable sheet composed of said composition, and an encapsulating sheet for solar cell and a solar cell module. More in detail, the present invention relates to a crosslinkable ethylene copolymer composition comprising a dialkoxysilane having a double bond in a ratio of 3 parts by weight or less to 100 parts by weight of ethylene copolymer, and a crosslinked sheet of said composition, and further to an encapsulating sheet for solar cell composed of said composition and a solar cell module using the sheet.

Abstract: A method to preparing Cadmium telluride surface before forming metal back contact is disclosed. The method can include removing carbon from Cadmium telluride surface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses thin film photovoltaic devices comprising Group II-VI semiconductor layers with a substrate configuration having an interface layer between the back electrode and the absorber layer capable of creating an ohmic contact in the device. The present invention discloses thin film photovoltaic devices comprising Group II-VI semiconductor layers with a superstrate configuration having an interface layer between the back electrode and the absorber layer capable of creating an ohmic contact in the device where the interface layer comprises nanoparticles or nanoparticles that are sintered.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting a bulk solid biomass fuel. The biomass transport system comprises a remote storage bin (RSB), a biomass transfer system, and a vacuum source. The RSB contains a quantity of fuel and a controllable dispensing valve configured to dispense a controlled rate of the fuel into a first pipe. The vacuum source provides a stream of air through a second pipe. The biomass transfer system comprises a register and a hod. The register is coupled to a support surface, a first opening be fluidly coupled to the first pipe, and a second opening fluidly coupled to the second pipe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of producing gaseous and liquid component streams from at least two multi-phase streams in at least two pipelines, the method comprising at least the steps of: (a) passing a first multi-phase stream along a first pipeline and through a first slugcatcher system; (b) passing a second multi-phase stream through a second pipeline and a second slugcatcher system; (c) passing a first pig down the first pipeline to create a first pig-slug mass in the first pipeline; and (d) passing at least a fraction of the first multi-phase stream upstream of the first pig-slug mass to the second pipeline along a crossover line.

Abstract: A fueling control system for providing fuel from a vehicle to an aircraft, and a method of providing fuel from a fuel vehicle to an aircraft are disclosed herein. The fueling control system includes a pressure transducer for sensing back pressure in a fluid path to a fuel tank of an aircraft, and a digital controller coupled to the pressure transducer for receiving the back pressure in the fluid path and controlling fuel flow in the fluid path to the aircraft. The method includes the steps of sensing back pressure in a fluid path from the aircraft; receiving the sensed back pressure by a digital controller; and controlling fuel flow to the aircraft in the fluid path based on the sensed back pressure.