Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible transparent electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell and a manufacturing method for same, and more specifically, to a flexible Ti—In—Zn—O transparent electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell and a manufacturing method for same, and to a metal-inserted three-layer transparent electrode with high conductivity using the flexible transparent electrode and a manufacturing method for same, wherein compared with the conventional fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and indium-tin oxide (ITO) transparent electrodes with a high deposition temperature, the flexible transparent electrode, despite being deposited at room or low temperature, has low surface resistance, high conductivity and transmittance, superior resistance against external bending, improved surface characteristics and better surface roughness performance.

Abstract: The invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell including: a translucent tube-shaped vessel having sealing portions at both ends thereof, a photoelectrode, a collective electrode, and a counter electrode, the photoelectrode, the collective electrode, and the counter electrode being provided in the interior of the tube-shaped vessel; external leads electrically connected respectively to the collective electrode and the counter electrode, and electrolytic solution filled in the interior of the tube-shaped vessel, wherein remaining of air bubbles cause by evaporation of the electrolytic solution when hermetically sealing the tube-shaped vessel after having filled with the electrolytic solution is avoided, whereby preferable power generation efficiency is achieved. At least one of the external leads is formed of a metallic tube, the metallic tube is sealed by the sealing portion, and a projecting end portion of the metallic tube is hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A radiation conversion device is presented comprising at least one radiation conversion cell. The radiation conversion cell comprises a photo-absorber unit having a predetermined absorption spectrum for absorbing radiation of a certain wavelength range thereby converting the absorbed radiation into charge carriers, and at least partially reflective layer structure configured to be substantially reflective for said certain wavelength range.

Abstract: A layered compound-metal particle composite 3 is obtained by the addition, to an organically modified layered compound 1 formed by the intercalation of organic ions between layers of a layered compound, of both an aqueous colloidal metal solution 2 in which metal particles are dispersed as a metal colloid in water, and a nonaqueous solvent which is a poor solvent for the metal colloid and has an excellent ability to swell the organically modified layered compound 1.

Abstract: A flexible dye-sensitized solar cell includes: a fiber layer formed of nanofibers; a conductive electrode layer formed on one side of the fiber layer; a photoelectrode layer formed on the conductive electrode layer; a counter electrode layer formed on the other side of the fiber layer; a sealing member for enclosing the fiber layer, the conductive electrode layer, the counter electrode layer and the photoelectrode layer therein so as to seal said layers from the outside; and an electrolyte infiltrated into the fiber layer. A cell body in which an electrode and a photoelectrode are formed on one surface of the fiber that contains an electrolyte therein and a counter electrode is formed on the other side of the fiber is sealed with a polymer film, thus forming a flexible solar cell having an excellent sealing structure for preventing the electrolyte from leaking out of the cell even when pressure is externally applied.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic system is described. The thermophotovoltaic system includes a chamber body, an emitter, a filter and a photovoltaic cell. The chamber body has an ellipsoid chamber including a first focus and a second focus. The emitter is disposed on the first focus, and the emitter is suitable for emitting a plurality of electromagnetic waves. The filter is surrounding the emitter to filter the electromagnetic waves and to pass the electromagnetic waves with a predetermined wavelength band. The photovoltaic cell is disposed on the second focus and is suitable for receiving the electromagnetic waves with the predetermined wavelength band.

Abstract: A radiation-emitting polymer composition includes a polysiloxane polymer including tritium and a wavelength-shifter chemically bonded as a side chain to the polysiloxane polymer or chemically bonded as a side chain to a siloxane carrier dispersed within the polysiloxane polymer. The wavelength-shifter includes a plurality of cyclic chemical moieties and emits electromagnetic radiation in response to radiation emitted by the tritium.

Abstract: A method and a device for converting energy uses chemical reactions in close proximity to or on a surface to convert a substantial fraction of the available chemical energy of the shorter lived energized products, such as vibrationally excited chemicals and hot electrons, directly into a useful form, such as longer lived charge carriers in a semiconductor. The carriers store the excitation energy in a form that may be converted into other useful forms, such as electricity, nearly monochromatic electromagnetic radiation or carriers for stimulating other surface reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode body for a solar cell, which is capable of being used as a component of both an organic thin-film solar cell and a dye-sensitized solar cell, and has excellent heat resistance. This electrode body for a solar cell is provided with a substrate with a conductive part at least on the surface and a conductive polymer layer located on the conductive part of the substrate, in which the conductive polymer layer includes: a polymer derived from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of 3,4-disubstituted thiophenes; and an anion as a dopant to the polymer generated from at least one organic non-sulfonate compound having an anion with the molecular weight of 200 or more. Additionally, the density of the conductive polymer layer is in the range of 1.15 to 1.80 g/cm3. The dense conductive polymer layer including the anion as a dopant exhibits excellent heat resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode body for a solar cell, which is capable of being used as a component of both an organic thin-film solar cell and a dye-sensitized solar cell, and has excellent heat resistance. This electrode body for a solar cell is provided with a substrate with a conductive part at least on the surface and a conductive polymer layer located on the conductive part of the substrate, in which the conductive polymer layer includes: a polymer which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer selected from the group consisting of 3,4-disubstituted thiophenes; and an anion as a dopant to the polymer generated from at least one organic non-sulfonate compound having an anion with the molecular weight of 200 or more. Since the anion of the organic non-sulfonate compound is included as a dopant in the conductive polymer layer, the heat resistance of the conductive polymer layer is improved.

Abstract: A DSSC photovoltaic device comprising at least one photoelectrochemical cell interposed between a first substrate and a second substrate. Each substrate having a relevant first face and a relevant second face, opposed to the first face. The first face of the first substrate is faced toward the first face of the second substrate. The device also comprises an integrated bypass means on the substrates comprising a bypass diode for an photoelectrochemical cell. The bypass diode is provided on one edge of the photovoltaic device, wherein the edge is defined by at least a portion of both substrates and by an encapsulating material interposed between the two portions. Two conductive tracks connecting the anode and cathode of the bypass diode to the negative and positive electrode of the cell, respectively, and a UV filtering means to at least partially filter UV radiation, applied on at least a face of said substrates are also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating epitaxial semiconductor devices includes: (a) forming an etch limiting film that includes a sacrificial layer on an epitaxial substrate; (b) growing epitaxially layers of a semiconductor structure on the sacrificial layer; (c) forming on the semiconductor structure a layer of a device substrate that can be magnetized, and a patterned passage unit that extends from the device substrate to a depth as deep as the sacrificial layer such that a plurality of semiconductor units are defined in the semiconductor structure and the device substrate; and (d) separating the semiconductor units from the epitaxial substrate by etching laterally the sacrificial layer through the patterned passage unit while a magnetic attraction force is applied to the device substrate.

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy collector and sensor use enhanced fields to emit electrons for energy collection. The collector and sensor collect energy from visible light, infrared radiation and ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation. The collector and sensor include a waveguide with a geometry selected to enhance the electric field along a conductor to create a high, localized electric field, which causes electron emission across a gap to a return plane.

Abstract: An electrode includes carbon black, a fibrous carbon material and an organic binder. The carbon black (A) and the fibrous carbon material (B) are in a mass ratio (B/A) within the range of from 10/90 to 50/50.

Abstract: There is provided a hybrid nanostructure including Au nanoparticles, a photoelectrode for a solar cell having the hybrid nanostructure, and a solar cell including the photoelectrode.

Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion device in which the conductivity after hydrogen-plasma exposure is set within an appropriate range, thereby suppressing the leakage current and improving the conversion efficiency. A photoelectric conversion device includes, on a substrate, a photoelectric conversion layer having at least two power generation cell layers, and an intermediate contact layer provided between the power generation cell layers. The intermediate contact layer mainly contains a compound represented by Zn1-xMgxO (0.096?x?0.183).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrode material for a battery includes a tungsten oxide powder or a tungsten oxide composite powder provided with a coating unit containing at least one selected from a metal oxide, silicon oxide, a metal nitride, and silicon nitride.

Abstract: A conducting substrate made of a nickel coating on paper that can be used in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC or DSC). Zinc oxide is the preferred wide-band semiconductor deposited as a nanoparticle layer on the nickel-coated paper to form a photoanode once a dye is deposited on the nanoparticles. A method of constructing the nickel-coated paper substrate is also contemplated.

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical solar cells (PECs) have been constructed and studied, the cells comprising a photoanode prepared by direct deposition of independently synthesized nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) onto a nanocrystalline metal oxide film, aqueous electrolyte and a counter electrode. It has been shown that the light harvesting efficiency (LHE) of the NQD/metal oxide photoanode is significantly enhanced when the NQD surface passivation is changed to a smaller ligand (e.g. butylamine (BA)). In the PEC the use of NQDs with a shorter passivating ligand leads to a significant enhancement in both the electron injection efficiency at the NQD/metal oxide interface and charge collection efficiency at the NQD/electrolyte interface.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices and methods of making the same are disclosed herein. The cell comprises: a first electrically conductive layer; at least one photoelectrochemical layer comprising metal-oxide particles, an electrolyte solution, an asphaltene dye, and a second electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A wavelength conversion structure includes a light guide formed of a light-transmissive member having a laser light incident port that allows the laser light to be introduced and a phosphor-containing layer that covers at least part of the surface of the light guide. The light guide has a light diffusing structure having asperities and a light reflecting film. The asperities are formed over the surface of the light guide except a laser light incident surface having the laser light incident port. The light reflecting film is formed over the surface of the light guide along the asperities except the laser light incident port and the portion covered with the phosphor-containing layer.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes a battery element, a film-form casing member, and a resin protective layer. The battery element includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The film-form casing member contains the battery element and an electrolyte in an enclosed space thereof. The resin protective layer is formed along the surface of the film-form casing member and has a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized photoelectric converter with enhanced light absorptance and photoelectric conversion efficiency is provided. The dye-sensitized photoelectric converter includes a transparent substrate (e.g., glass), a (negative) electrode composed of a transparent conductive layer such as FTO (fluorine-doped tin(IV) oxide SnO2), a semiconductor layer holding multiple types of photosensitizing dyes, an electrolyte layer, a counter (positive) electrode, a counter substrate, and a sealing medium (not illustrated). In some embodiments, the multiple types of photosensitizing dyes have minimum excitation energies that are different from one another. In some embodiments, the multiple types of dyes have steric configurations that are different relative to one another.

Abstract: Provided are diodes and photovoltaic devices incorporating a single-crystalline ferroelectric or pyroelectric with remnant electric polarization sandwiched with transparent or semitransparent electrodes.

Abstract: A method for converting heat to electricity by exploiting changes in spontaneous polarization that occur in electrically polarizable materials is described. The method uses an internally generated field to achieve poling during cycling. The internal poling field is produced by retaining residual free charges on the electrodes at the appropriate point of each cycle. The method obviates the need for applying a DC voltage during cycling and permits the use of the electrical energy that occurs during poling rather than an external poling voltage which detracts from the net energy produced per cycle. The method is not limited to a specific thermodynamic cycle and can be used with any thermodynamic cycle for converting heat to electricity by thermally cycling electrically polarizable materials. The electrical energy generated can be used in various applications or stored for later use. An apparatus for converting heat to electricity is also described.

Abstract: A method for converting heat to electricity is described. The method can be used to efficiently and economically generate electricity from thermal energy directly through ferroelectric or other polarizable materials without the need for first converting thermal energy to mechanical energy or to any other form of energy or work. The method can involve subjecting a polarizable material to a thermodynamic cycle having two isothermal steps and two steps that occur at constant polarization. In an ideal implementation, this thermodynamic cycle allows the conversion of heat to electricity at the ultimate Carnot limit. The ferroelectric material can be continuously cycled in and out of its ferroelectric phase while heat is continuously converted to electricity at high voltage. The electrical energy so generated can be used in a virtually unlimited range of different applications or be stored for later use. An apparatus for converting heat to electricity is also described.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell module that comprises a solar cell assembly. The solar cell assembly is encapsulated by a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant and contains a silver component that is at least partially in contact with the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. The poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant comprises poly(vinyl butyral), about 15 to about 45 wt % of one or more plasticizers, and about 0.1 to about 2 wt % of one or more unsaturated heterocyclic compounds, based on the total weight of the poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant. Further provided are an assembly for preparing the solar cell module; a process for preventing or reducing the discoloration of a poly(vinyl butyral) encapsulant in contact with a silver component in the solar cell module; and the use of the solar cell module to convert solar energy to electricity.

Abstract: A photoelectric converting device comprises: a first electrode layer having conductivity; a metal filled dielectric layer formed on said first electrode layer and comprising a dielectric base material in which a plurality of micropores are formed, and a plurality of conductive fine metal bodies made of a metal material which fills said plurality of micropores formed in said dielectric base material; a photoelectric converting layer that is formed on said metal filled dielectric layer and is made of a photoelectric converting material; and a second electrode layer having conductivity that is formed on said photoelectric converting layer; each of said fine metal bodies including a protruding unit that protrudes from said dielectric base material to within said photoelectric converting layer, and being electrically connected to said first electrode layer; said photoelectric converting layer covering said protruding unit of each of said fine metal bodies.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte for photoelectric conversion elements, and a photoelectric conversion element and a dye-sensitized solar cell using the electrolyte, wherein high energy conversion efficiency can be achieved while substantially not including iodine. The electrolyte for a photoelectric conversion element of the present invention includes an ionic liquid (A) and a carbon material (B). The carbon material (B) is a carbon material (B1) displaying a pH, measured by a pH measuring method specified in Japanese Industry Standard (JIS) Z8802, of from 2 to 6 and/or a boron-modified acetylene black (B2). A content of the carbon material (B) is from 10 to 50 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the ionic liquid (A).

Abstract: The present invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), and a method for manufacturing the same. In the present invention, the DSSC comprises: a dye-sensitized semiconductor electrode, a counter electrode opposite to the dye-sensitized semiconductor electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the dye-sensitized semiconductor electrode and the counter electrode. Herein, the dye-sensitized semiconductor electrode comprises: an anode; a TiO2 layer disposed on the anode; and a dye absorbed to the TiO2 layer. In addition, the counter electrode comprises: a first transparent substrate with a first transparent electrode formed thereon; and a Pt film disposed on the first transparent electrode, wherein the Pt film is formed with plural Pt nanoparticles, the diameters of the Pt nanoparticles are 1-8 nm, and the thickness of the Pt film is 0.5-3 nm.

Abstract: Aggregate particles comprising titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes, methods for making the aggregate particles, photoelectrodes for solar cells including aggregate particles of nanomaterials, methods for making the photoelectrodes, and solar cells that include the photoelectrodes.

Abstract: A method and a device for converting energy uses chemical reactions in close proximity to or on a surface to convert a substantial fraction of the available chemical energy of the shorter lived energized products, such as vibrationally excited chemicals and hot electrons, directly into a useful form, such as longer lived charge carriers in a semiconductor. The carriers store the excitation energy in a form that may be converted into other useful forms, such as electricity, nearly monochromatic electromagnetic radiation or carriers for stimulating other surface reactions.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element has a structure in which an electrolyte layer composed of a porous film containing an electrolyte solution is provided between a porous photoelectrode and a counter electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar cell sealing film having enhanced transparency. A composition for a solar cell sealing film contains an ethylene-polar monomer copolymer, a crosslinker and a compound having an alkyleneoxy group. Thereby a solar cell sealing film having excellent all light beam transmittance and enhanced transparency can be formed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cable for use in a concentrating photovoltaic module. The cable includes at least one strand wrapped with an optically pervious or reflective sheath. The pervious sheath is made of a material that exhibits a penetration rate of 90% and survives a temperature of at least 140 degrees Celsius. The reflective sheath is made of a material that exhibits a reflection rate of 95% and survives a temperature of at least 140 degrees Celsius. The cable is used to connect an anode of the concentrating photovoltaic module to a cathode of the same. The material of the reflective sheath may be isolating.

Abstract: An aerospace platform includes a structure having a cavity and a light-transmissive portion that exposes the cavity to sunlight. The aerospace platform further includes a fluid heating system. The fluid heating system includes a fluid-carrying, thermally absorptive structure within the cavity, and a solar collector for collecting light transmitted through the light-transmissive portion and focusing the collected light onto the absorptive structure. The thermally absorptive structure has a high surface absorptivity that retains thermal energy when exposed to solar irradiance and heats fluid contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrolytes comprising tetracyanoborate and an organic cation as components of electrolytes in electrochemical and/or optoelectronic devices, in particular solar cells. This ionic liquid has low viscosity and can be used as electrolyte in the absence of a solvent. Importantly, the ionic liquid remains stable in solar cells even after prolonged thermal stress at 80° C. for 1000 hours. Photovoltaic conversion efficiency remained stable and keeping more than 90% of the initial value.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate, a protective layer located over a first surface of the substrate, a first electrode located over a second surface of the substrate, at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer located over the first electrode, an n-type semiconductor layer located over the p-type semiconductor absorber layer, and a second electrode over the n-type semiconductor layer. The p-type semiconductor absorber layer includes a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material, and the second electrode is transparent and electrically conductive. The protective layer has an emissivity greater than 0.25 at a wavelength of 2 ?m, has a reactivity with a selenium-containing gas lower than that of the substrate, and may differ from the first electrode in at least one of composition, thickness, density, emissivity, conductivity or stress state. The emissivity profile of the protective layer may be uniform or non-uniform.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate, a protective layer located over a first surface of the substrate, a first electrode located over a second surface of the substrate, at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer located over the first electrode, an n-type semiconductor layer located over the p-type semiconductor absorber layer, and a second electrode over the n-type semiconductor layer. The p-type semiconductor absorber layer includes a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material, and the second electrode is transparent and electrically conductive. The protective layer has an emissivity greater than 0.25 at a wavelength of 2 ?m, has a reactivity with a selenium-containing gas lower than that of the substrate, and may differ from the first electrode in at least one of composition, thickness, density, emissivity, conductivity or stress state. The emissivity profile of the protective layer may be uniform or non-uniform.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel dyes for dye sensitized photovoltaic conversion devices. The dyes contain novel anchoring ligands, which have a vinyl or phenylethenyl moiety incorporated in the anchoring bipyridine. Such dyes exhibit an increased molar extinction coefficient and enhanced red response in the visible regions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte for photoelectric conversion elements, and a photoelectric conversion element and a dye-sensitized solar cell using the electrolyte, wherein high energy conversion efficiency can be achieved while substantially not including iodine. The electrolyte for a photoelectric conversion element of the present invention includes an ionic liquid (A) and a carbon material (B). The carbon material (B) is a carbon material (B1) displaying a pH, measured by a pH measuring method specified in Japanese Industry Standard (JIS) Z8802, of from 2 to 6 and/or a boron-modified acetylene black (B2). A content of the carbon material (B) is from 10 to 50 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the ionic liquid (A).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method and apparatus for converting heat to electric energy. The invention exploits the rapid changes in spontaneous polarization that occur in ferroelectric materials during phase change. The invention permits robust and economical generation of electric energy from thermal energy, and it can be used in many different applications.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte for photoelectric conversion elements, and a photoelectric conversion element and a dye-sensitized solar cell using the electrolyte, wherein high energy conversion efficiency can be achieved while substantially not including iodine. The electrolyte for a photoelectric conversion element of the present invention includes an ionic liquid (A) and a carbon material (B) having a specific surface area of from 1,000 to 3,500 m2/g, wherein a content of the carbon material (B) is from 10 to 50 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the ionic liquid (A).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method and apparatus for converting heat to electric energy. The invention exploits the rapid changes in spontaneous polarization that occur in ferroelectric materials during phase change. The invention permits robust and economical generation of electric energy from thermal energy, and it can be used in many different applications.

Abstract: A photoelectrode for a dye sensitized solar cell, a method of preparing the same, and a dye sensitized solar cell using the photoelectrode. The photoelectrode includes mesoporous titanium dioxide particles with an average particle diameter in a range of about 100 to about 2000 nm and a specific surface area in a range of about 150 to about 300 m2/g, wherein the mesopores of the mesoporous titanium dioxide particles have an average pore diameter in a range of about 2 to about 7 nm.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a photoelectric conversion substrate, a first electrode on one surface of the substrate, a second electrode on the other surface of the substrate, and a third electrode on the other surface of the substrate. The third electrode extracts electric power from the second electrode, and overlaps the second electrode at the periphery in the in-plane direction of the photoelectric conversion substrate. The thickness of the second electrode is larger than that of the third electrode, and the difference between the thickness of the second electrode and that of the third electrode is not less than 10 micrometers and not more than 30 micrometers.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell using an ion-bound oligomer complex is provided. The dye-sensitized solar cell comprises an electrolyte, comprising a first oligomer having a C5-30 heteroaryl group containing a nitrogen heteroatom as a basic functional group at both ends of the molecule, mixed with a second oligomer having an acidic functional group selected from among carboxylic acid, phosphoric acid, and sulfonic acid, at both ends of the molecule, to thus form a salt, which then leads to an ion-bound oligomer complex that constitutes the electrolyte. The solar cell exhibits excellent mechanical properties, can be manufactured conveniently, and can have a high energy conversion efficiency.

Abstract: Photovoltaic materials and methods of photovoltaic cell fabrication provide a photovoltaic cell in the form of a fiber. These fibers may be formed into a flexible fabric or textile.

Abstract: A silicon-based photovoltaic cell is disclosed having a red light conversion layer that absorbs ultraviolet rays, blue-purple or yellow-green light of the Sun's solar radiation and converts the absorption into a red, dark red and near infrared subband radiation. The maximum value of the solar radiation absorbed by the red light conversion layer is ?=470˜490 nm, and the maximum value of the photoluminescent spectrum of the red light conversion layer is within the photosensitive spectral zone of said single-crystal silicon substrate ?=700˜900 nm, i.e., in conformity with the optimal sensitivity area of silicon-based solar cells. The red light conversion layer has filled therein an ethyl acetoacetate or polycarbonate-based light-transmissive polymer that has evenly distributed therein a phosphor composed of ?-Al2O3—Ti2O3, having a quantum efficiency of 90%.

Abstract: Provided is a dye-sensitized solar cell having a sealing means which is not impaired by electrolyte or sunlight because a gasket can be fixed to a photoelectrode or a counter electrode without using an adhesive so that long term reliability of the sealed state is ensured, wherein the dye-sensitized solar cell has a sealing means for sealing an electrolyte layer between a photoelectrode and a counter electrode, and the sealing means is a lip-shaped gasket made of an elastic material, sandwiched between the photoelectrode and the counter electrode, and fixed by a retaining means formed in the photoelectrode or the counter electrode so as to seal the electrolyte layer.