Abstract: Organic semiconductor formulations are disclosed. One of the formulations comprises a single or mixture of non-halogenated, hydrocarbon solvent, a conjugated polymer donor and a fullerene or small molecular acceptor, wherein the conjugated polymer contains branched alkyl chains with 21 or more carbon atoms. In addition, organic semiconductor film forming methods and applications using of the above-mentioned formulations are disclosed.

Abstract: A process of growth in the thickness of at least one facet of a colloidal inorganic sheet. By sheet is meant a structure having at least one dimension, the thickness, of nanometric size and lateral dimensions great compared to the thickness, typically more than 5 times the thickness. By homostructured is meant a material of homogeneous composition in the thickness and by heterostructured is meant a material of heterogeneous composition in the thickness. The process allows the deposition of at least one monolayer of atoms on at least one inorganic colloidal sheet, this monolayer being constituted of atoms of the type of those contained or not in the sheet. Homostructured and heterostructured materials resulting from such process as well as the applications of the materials are also described.

Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes forming a doped layer on a crystalline substrate, the doped layer having an opposite dopant conductivity as the substrate. A non-crystalline transparent conductive electrode (TCE) layer is formed on the doped layer at a temperature less than 150 degrees Celsius. The TCE layer is flash annealed to crystallize material of the TCE layer at a temperature above about 150 degrees Celsius for less than 10 seconds.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes, the active layer having perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor region positioned at a front surface or a back surface of the semiconductor substrate and doped with impurities of a first conductive type, a first electrode on the first semiconductor region, a second electrode on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a second semiconductor region positioned between the semiconductor substrate and the second electrode and doped with impurities of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type, wherein the second electrode is formed of a metal foil, and an air gap is formed between the second electrode formed of the metal foil and the back surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: In the solar cell module, a first solar cell and a second solar cell are stacked together with an electroconductive member interposed therebetween, such that a cleaved surface-side periphery on a light-receiving surface of the first solar cell overlaps a periphery on a back surface of the second solar cell. The first solar cell and the second solar cell each have: photoelectric conversion section including a crystalline silicon substrate; collecting electrode; and back electrode. At a section where the first solar cell and the second solar cell are stacked, the collecting electrode of the first solar cell and the back electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected to each other by coming into contact with the electroconductive member. An insulating member is provided on a part of the cleaved surface-side periphery on the light-receiving surface of the first solar cell, where the collecting electrode is not provided.

Abstract: Electronic devices involving contact structures, and related components, systems and methods associated therewith are described. The contact structures are particularly suitable for use in a variety of light-emitting devices, including LEDs.

Abstract: The present invention provides quantum dots-integrated inorganic-organic hybrid nanorods and the method to make such nanohybrids. It also provides a method to assemble light transmission controlling devices using the nanohybrids provided in this invention. In this invention, the developed nanohybrids for particular light controlling devices, more specifically SPDs have been disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell including a semiconductor substrate, a first conductive area disposed on one surface of the semiconductor substrate, the first conductive area being of a first conductive type, a second conductive area of a second conductive type opposite to the first conductive type, a first electrode connected to the first conductive area, and a second electrode connected to the second conductive area. At least one of the first conductive area and the second conductive area is formed of a metal compound layer.

Abstract: Optically sensitive devices include a device comprising a first contact and a second contact, each having a work function, and an optically sensitive material between the first contact and the second contact. The optically sensitive material comprises a p-type semiconductor, and the optically sensitive material has a work function. Circuitry applies a bias voltage between the first contact and the second contact. The optically sensitive material has an electron lifetime that is greater than the electron transit time from the first contact to the second contact when the bias is applied between the first contact and the second contact. The first contact provides injection of electrons and blocking the extraction of holes. The interface between the first contact and the optically sensitive material provides a surface recombination velocity less than 1 cm/s.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of fabricating solar cells. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming an amorphous dielectric layer on the back surface of a substrate opposite a light-receiving surface of the substrate. The method also includes forming a microcrystalline silicon layer on the amorphous dielectric layer by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The method also includes forming an amorphous silicon layer on the microcrystalline silicon layer by PECVD. The method also includes annealing the microcrystalline silicon layer and the amorphous silicon layer to form a homogeneous polycrystalline silicon layer from the microcrystalline silicon layer and the amorphous silicon layer. The method also includes forming an emitter region from the homogeneous polycrystalline silicon layer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device and a photovoltaic module are provided that suppressing diffusion of boron and thereby improving conversion efficiency. A photovoltaic device 10 includes: a semiconductor substrate 1; an intrinsic amorphous semiconductor layer 3 provided on the semiconductor substrate 1; n-type amorphous semiconductor strips 4 containing phosphorus as a dopant; and p-type amorphous semiconductor strips 5 containing boron as a dopant, the n- and p-type amorphous semiconductor strips 4 and 5 being provided alternately on the intrinsic amorphous semiconductor layer 3 as viewed along an in-plane direction. Each n-type amorphous semiconductor strip 4 includes a reduced-thickness region TD(n) on a face thereof adjacent to one of the p-type amorphous semiconductor strips 5. Each p-type amorphous semiconductor strip 5 includes a reduced-thickness region TD(p) on a face thereof adjacent to one of the n-type amorphous semiconductor strips 4.

Abstract: The present specification relates to a conductive laminate and a transparent electrode including the same.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, in particular a solar cell is formed on the basis of a hybrid deposition strategy using MOCVD and MBE in order to provide lattice matched semiconductor compounds. To this end, the MBE may be applied for providing a nitrogen-containing semiconductor compound that allows a desired low band gap energy and a lattice matched configuration with respect to gallium arsenide substrates.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell includes: providing an insulating layer on a semiconductor layer provided on at least a part of a principle surface of a semiconductor substrate; providing a mask layer on the insulating layer; removing a part of the mask layer by laser irradiation so as to form a first opening through which the insulating layer is exposed; and removing, by an etching agent, the insulating layer exposed through the first opening so as to form a second opening through which the semiconductor layer is exposed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photovoltaic element comprising one front electrode and one further electrode comprising respectively one glass substrate and one electrically conductive electrode layer which is disposed on the glass substrate, at least two porous carrier layers which are disposed between the two electrodes, the two electrodes being connected to the adjacent porous carrier layers without a spatial interval, a plurality of glass solder webs disposed between the two electrodes for fixing the at least two porous carrier layers, and at least one photovoltaically active material which is introduced into the at least two porous carrier layers and has a concentration gradient.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element, having a photoconductor layer containing semiconductor fine particles carrying a metal complex dye of Formula (I); a metal complex dye, a dye solution, a dye-adsorbed electrode, a dye-sensitized solar cell, and a method for producing the solar cell: M(LA)(LD)(LX)mX·(CI)mY??Formula (I) M represents a metal ion, LA represents a ligand of Formula (AL), LD represents a bidentate or tridentate ligand, at least one of coordinating atoms being an anion; LX represents a monodentate ligand; CI represents a counter ion; mX is 0 or 1; mY is 0 to 3; Rings A to C represent a heterocycle; Z1 and Z2 represent a carbon or nitrogen atom; Anc1 to Anc3 represent an acidic group; X1 to X3 represent a single bond or linking group; R1 to R3 represent a substituent; l1, l3, l2, m1, m3, m2, n1, n2, and n3 each are an integer.

Abstract: There is provided an illumination device (100, 150, 200, 300) comprising: a periodic plasmonic antenna array (114), comprising a plurality of individual antenna elements (106) arranged in an antenna array plane, the plasmonic antenna array being configured to support surface lattice resonances at a first wavelength, arising from diffractive coupling of localized surface plasmon resonances in the individual antenna elements; a photon emitter (152) configured to emit photons at the first wavelength, the photon emitter being arranged in close proximity of the plasmonic antenna array such that at least a portion of the emitted photons are emitted by a coupled system comprising said photon emitter and said plasmonic antenna array, wherein the plasmonic antenna array is configured to comprise plasmon resonance modes being out-of plane asymmetric, such that light emitted from the plasmonic antenna array has an anisotropic angle distribution.

Abstract: A method of producing graphene sheets from coke or coal powder, comprising: (a) forming an intercalated coke or coal compound by electrochemical intercalation conducted in an intercalation reactor, which contains (i) a liquid solution electrolyte comprising an intercalating agent; (ii) a working electrode that contains the powder in ionic contact with the liquid electrolyte, wherein the coke or coal powder is selected from petroleum coke, coal-derived coke, meso-phase coke, synthetic coke, leonardite, lignite coal, or natural coal mineral powder; and (iii) a counter electrode in ionic contact with the electrolyte, and wherein a current is imposed upon the working electrode and the counter electrode for effecting electrochemical intercalation of the intercalating agent into the powder; and (b) exfoliating and separating graphene planes from the intercalated coke or coal compound using an ultrasonication, thermal shock exposure, mechanical shearing treatment, or a combination thereof to produce isolated graphen

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode for water-splitting reaction that is capable of increasing conductive path between a photocatalyst layer and a current collecting layer without inhibiting light absorption by photocatalyst, which comprises: a photocatalyst layer 10; a current collecting layer 30; and a contact layer 20 that contains semiconductor or good conductor and is provided between the photocatalyst layer 10 and the current collecting layer 30, wherein the contact layer 20 is provided along the surface shape of the photocatalyst layer 10 at the current collecting layer 30 side of the photocatalyst layer 10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for patterning a metal nanowire-based transparent conductive film through surface treatment and, more particularly, to a method wherein the refractive index is adjusted by adding an optical functional layer prior to a patterning process, the surface of a metal nanowire transparent conductive film is oxidized using a surface treatment agent composition or a salt compound is generated, thereby changing the color and insulating the surface, and a film having excellent visibility is patterned.

Abstract: A driving support apparatus according the embodiment includes: a determination unit that determines driving support control having a driving support resource amount that is capable of assuring required resources with respect to a resource amount that is capable of being assured by a level of a vehicle driver's concentration on driving, the required resources being assumed to be required for safe driving; and a driving support unit that changes the driving support control to be performed to driving support control that is determined by the determination unit to be capable of assuring the required resources.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate, an active layer with at least one organic material, and a pair of electrodes supported by the substrate. The active layer includes a first surface that receives light and a second surface that is supported by the substrate. The second surface is opposite to the first surface. Surfaces of the electrodes that contact surfaces of the active layer are perpendicular to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of recycling a solar cell module includes an enclosing layer that encloses a solar cell therein, a light-receiving surface layer laminated on one surface of the enclosing layer, and a back sheet laminated on the other surface of the enclosing layer, the method including: a first removing step of mechanically removing the back sheet; a second removing step of mechanically removing from a side on which the back sheet is removed the entire solar cell and the enclosing layer to such a depth that a part of the enclosing layer having a predetermined thickness remains on the light-receiving surface layer, after the first removing step; and a third removing step of removing the part of the enclosing layer remaining on the light-receiving surface layer by immersion in a solution that causes swelling of the enclosing layer, after the second removing step, thereby improving an overall efficiency.

Abstract: Transistor structures having channel regions comprising alternating layers of compressively and tensilely strained epitaxial materials are provided. The alternating epitaxial layers can form channel regions in single and multigate transistor structures. In alternate embodiments, one of the two alternating layers is selectively etched away to form nanoribbons or nanowires of the remaining material. The resulting strained nanoribbons or nanowires form the channel regions of transistor structures. Also provided are computing devices comprising transistors comprising channel regions comprised of alternating compressively and tensilely strained epitaxial layers and computing devices comprising transistors comprising channel regions comprised of strained nanoribbons or nanowires.

Abstract: There is provided a metal-based particle assembly comprising 30 or more metal-based particles separated from each other and disposed in two dimensions, the metal-based particles having an average particle diameter in a range of from 200 to 1600 nm, an average height in a range of from 55 to 500 nm, and an aspect ratio, as defined by a ratio of the average particle diameter to the average height, in a range of from 1 to 8, wherein the metal-based particles are disposed such that an average distance between adjacent metal-based particles may be in a range of from 1 to 150 nm. This metal-based particle assembly presents significantly intense plasmon resonance and also allows plasmon resonance to have an effect over a range extended to a significantly large distance.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus including a layer stack. A first granular metal layer overlies the layer stack, wherein the first granular metal layer includes first metal grains separated by voids. A first granular non-metal layer overlies the first granular metal layer, wherein the first granular non-metal layer includes first non-metal grains separated by a first segregant. A second granular non-metal layer overlies the first granular non-metal layer, wherein the second granular non-metal layer includes second non-metal grains separated by a second segregant. A second granular metal layer overlies the second granular non-metal layer, wherein the second granular metal layer includes second metal grains separated by a third segregant.

Abstract: A method for making a polymer solar cell includes placing a carbon nanotube array into a polymer solution. The carbon nanotube array includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The polymer solution is cured to form a polymer layer. The polymer layer includes a first polymer surface and a second polymer surface opposite to the first polymer surface. Each of the plurality of carbon nanotubes includes a first carbon nanotube portion and a second carbon nanotube portion, the first carbon nanotube portion is embedded in the polymer layer, and the second carbon nanotube portion is exposed from the polymer layer. The second carbon nanotube portion is tilted on the first polymer surface to form a carbon nanotube layer. A cathode electrode is formed on a surface of the carbon nanotube layer away from the polymer layer. An anode electrode is formed on the second polymer surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the surface cleaning and passivation of PV absorbers, such as CdTe substrates usable in solar cells, and devices made by such methods. In some embodiments, the method involves an anode layer ion source (ALIS) plasma discharge process to clean and oxidize a CdTe surface to produce a thin oxide layer between the CdTe layer and subsequent back contact layer(s).

Abstract: In the solar cell module, a first solar cell and a second solar cell are stacked together with an electroconductive member interposed therebetween, such that a cleaved surface-side periphery on a light-receiving surface of the first solar cell overlaps a periphery on a back surface of the second solar cell. The first solar cell and the second solar cell each have: photoelectric conversion section including a crystalline silicon substrate; collecting electrode; and back electrode. At a section where the first solar cell and the second solar cell are stacked, the collecting electrode of the first solar cell and the back electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected to each other by coming into contact with the electroconductive member. An insulating member is provided on a part of the cleaved surface-side periphery on the light-receiving surface of the first solar cell, where the collecting electrode is not provided.

Abstract: Provided are a light emitting device having a nitride quantum dot and a method of manufacturing the same. The light emitting device may include: a substrate; a nitride-based buffer layer arranged on the substrate; a plurality of nanorod layers arranged on the nitride-based buffer layer in a vertical direction and spaced apart from each other; a nitride quantum dot arranged on each of the plurality of nanorod layers; and a top contact layer covering the plurality of nanorod layers and the nitride quantum dots. A pyramid-shaped material layer may be further included between each of the plurality of nanorod layers and each of the nitride quantum dots. One or the plurality of nitride quantum dots may be arranged on each of the nanorod layers.

Abstract: A fiber-shaped electric energy harvesting and storage device includes a substrate having a fiber shape, a lithium ion storage unit disposed to surround the substrate, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion units disposed to surround the lithium ion storage unit.

Abstract: A QLED device and manufacturing method thereof, a QLED display panel and a QLED display device are disclosed which improve the surface and internal structure of the quantum dot layer in the QLED devices. The method for manufacturing a QLED device includes forming a first electrode layer; forming a quantum dot layer on the first electrode layer; infiltrating a mixed solvent containing a bifunctional molecule into the quantum dot layer so as to improve the structure of the quantum dot layer; and forming a second electrode layer on the quantum dot layer.

Abstract: A hybrid organic-inorganic thin film is provided. The hybrid organic-inorganic thin film comprising: an organic-phase comprising a porous organic nanostructure comprised of an interpenetrating network having at least one dimension between 0.1 and 100 nm; and an inorganic phase at least partially distributed within the porosity of the organic phase. In a first aspect, the organic phase has a first band gap and the inorganic phase has a second band gap different from the first band gap. A method of producing an organic-inorganic energy harvesting device and a device therefrom comprising the hybrid organic-inorganic thin film is provided.

Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) cell structures are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a PV cell includes an emitter layer, a base layer adjacent to the emitter layer, and a back surface field (BSF) layer adjacent to the base layer. The BSF layer includes a first layer, and a second layer adjacent to the first layer. The first layer includes a first material and the second layer includes a second material different than the first material.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes. The active layer may have perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.

Abstract: The composition for forming a p-type diffusion layer in accordance with the present invention contains an acceptor element-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium. A p-type diffusion layer and a photovoltaic cell having a p-type diffusion layer are prepared by applying the composition for forming a p-type diffusion layer, followed by a thermal diffusion treatment.

Abstract: A solar cell is provided comprising a substrate, a first insulating layer on a first surface of the substrate, the first insulating layer having a plurality of first openings that expose portions of the substrate, and a plurality of first electrodes electrically connected to the substrate through the first openings, wherein one or more of the first electrodes are configured so that a width of an upper portion located on the first insulating layer is wider than a width of a lower portion located in a corresponding first opening.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) structure for generating electrical power from light, the structure including an enhancing layer for increasing the absorption of the light into the structure, the enhancing layer including: a wrinkled graphene layer configured to trap the light in the PV structure; and aluminum nanoparticles configured to scatter the light into the PV structure.

Abstract: A method for producing a carbon particle by a detonation method includes two steps. The first step is a step of disposing an explosive substance in the periphery of a raw material substance. The explosive substance has a detonation velocity of 6,300 m/s or more. The raw material substance contains an aromatic compound having not more than 2 nitro groups. The second step is a step of allowing the explosive substance to detonate.

Abstract: The present application discloses a thin film transistor including a base substrate and an active layer on the base substrate having a first portion corresponding to a channel region, a second portion corresponding to a source electrode contact region, and a third portion corresponding to a drain electrode contact region. The second portion and the third portion include a three-dimensional nanocomposite material having a semiconductor material matrix and a plurality of nanopillars in the semiconductor material matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a TiO2 thin film on a substrate by using an atmospheric pressure CVD method, in which a raw material gas contains titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) and a chloride of a metal M vaporizable in a temperature range of 100 to 400° C. and the amount of the chloride of the metal M is from 0.01 to 0.18 as a concentration ratio to the titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) (chloride of metal M (mol %)/TTIP (mol %)).

Abstract: A Schottky-barrier-reducing layer is provided between a p-doped semiconductor layer and a transparent conductive material layer of a photovoltaic device. The Schottky-barrier-reducing layer can be a conductive material layer having a work function that is greater than the work function of the transparent conductive material layer. The conductive material layer can be a carbon-material layer such as a carbon nanotube layer or a graphene layer. Alternately, the conductive material layer can be another transparent conductive material layer having a greater work function than the transparent conductive material layer. The reduction of the Schottky barrier reduces the contact resistance across the transparent material layer and the p-doped semiconductor layer, thereby reducing the series resistance and increasing the efficiency of the photovoltaic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electromagnetic energy detector. The detector can include a substrate having a first refractive index; a metal layer; an absorber layer having a second refractive index and disposed between the substrate and the metal layer; a coupling structure to convert incident radiation to a surface plasma wave; additional conducting layers to provide for electrical contact to the electromagnetic energy detector, each conducting layer characterized by a conductivity and a refractive index; and a surface plasma wave (“SPW”) mode-confining layer having a third refractive index that is higher than the second refractive index disposed between the substrate and the metal layer.

Abstract: Provided is a battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte that contains particles, a resin, and an electrolytic solution. The shape of the particles includes a plane, a plane rate of the particles is greater than 40% and equal to or less than 100%, and a refractive index of the particles is equal to or greater than 1.3 and less than 2.4.

Abstract: A method for producing a solar cell having good photoelectric conversion characteristics with high productivity, including the steps of: forming a first electrode on a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate; applying an insulator film precursor to cover at least part of the first electrode; temporarily curing the insulator film precursor; applying a conductive paste to at least the insulator film precursor; curing the conductive paste to form a second electrode; and completely curing the insulator film precursor to form an insulator film, the method in which the step of applying the conductive paste so as to be electrically insulated from the first electrode is performed after the step of temporarily curing the insulator film precursor and at least part of the steps of curing the conductive paste to form the second electrode and completely curing the insulator film precursor to form the insulator film are concurrently performed.

Abstract: An electrically conducting support for an electrochromic device and its manufacture; the electrically conducting support including, in this order: a substrate, an optional underlayer, a first inorganic layer on the optional underlayer or on the substrate, partially or completely structured in thickness with traversing holes or cavities, an electrode, made of metal grid with strands which exhibit, along their length, a rough central region between less rough lateral regions which are flush with the top surface, an electrically conducting coating made of inorganic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hot-carrier photoelectric conversion method. The method includes a hot-carrier photoelectric conversion device having a P-type semiconductor layer, an N-type semiconductor layer, and an inorganic conducting light-absorbing layer. The inorganic conducting light-absorbing layer is formed between the P-type semiconductor layer and the N-type semiconductor layer, and an electric field is formed between the P-type semiconductor layer and the N-type semiconductor layer. Moreover, photons are absorbed by the inorganic conducting light-absorbing layer to create electrons and holes. The electrons and holes are respectively shifted by the electric field or diffusion effect to the N-type semiconductor layer and the P-type semiconductor layer, so that the electrons and the holes are respectively conducted outside to create electric energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solar cell device comprising; a support substrate; a rear electrode layer on the substrate; a light absorption layer on the rear electrode layer; a front electrode layer on the light absorption layer; and wherein a first through-hole is defined in the rear electrode layer; wherein at least one protrusion is formed on an exposed top face of the substrate via the first through-hole.

Abstract: There is provided a thermoplastic resin film which is high in tear resistance. The thermoplastic resin film according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of first thermoplastic resin layers each containing a thermoplastic resin and a plurality of second thermoplastic resin layers each containing a thermoplastic resin, and has a multilayer structure in which the first and second thermoplastic resin layers are laminated in the thickness direction, the number of laminations in total of the first and second thermoplastic resin layers in the thickness direction is greater than or equal to 5, the ratio of the total thickness of the first thermoplastic resin layers to the total thickness of the second thermoplastic resin layers is greater than 1, the tensile modulus of elasticity of the respective first thermoplastic resin layers is less than or equal to 30 MPa, and the tensile modulus of elasticity of the respective first thermoplastic resin layers is greater than or equal to 280 MPa.