Abstract: In various embodiments, energy is harvested from a plurality of photons of received light, each photon having energy below an activation energy threshold of a photon activated process. The harvested energy from one or more of the photons is aggregated until the aggregated energy exceeds the activation energy level. The aggregated energy is then outputted, to e.g. a photolytic power source, a photovoltaic power source or a laser gain media.

Abstract: A solar cell and a method for producing a solar cell are described, comprising at least one photovoltaic layer region (1) which at least partially absorbs photons (6) incident therein, whose photon energy is greater than a minimum photon energy Emin, and releases electrical charge carriers in the form of electron-hole pairs, which are spatially separable within the photovoltaic layer region (1) and can be tapped via at least two electrodes (2), which are electrically connected to the photovoltaic layer region (1), to implement an electrical voltage, and comprising at least one interaction layer (3 and/or 4), which at least partially overlaps the photovoltaic layer region, in which at least a part of the incident photons (6) are subject to an interaction with emission of photons of higher or lower photon energy than that of the incident photons.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, apparatuses and systems for fabricating photovoltaic cells and modules. In certain embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems involve coating ferromagnetic substrates with thin film solar cell materials and using magnetic force to constrain, move or otherwise manipulate partially fabricated cells or modules. According to various embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide magnetically actuated handling throughout a photovoltaic cell or module fabrication process, from forming photovoltaic cell layers on a substrate to packaging the module for transport and installation. The magnetically manipulated processing provides advantages over conventional photovoltaic module processing operations, including fewer mechanical components, greater control over placement and tolerances, and ease of handling. As a result, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide highly efficient, low maintenance photovoltaic module fabrication processes.

Abstract: A multilayer structure comprises a base, a first film, a second film including a plurality of first structure units, and a third film including a plurality of second structure units. The first film is disposed between the second film and the third film. The second film is disposed between the base and the first film. The first film is chemically bonded to one of at least one first structure units out of the plurality of first structure units and at least one second structure units out of the plurality of second structure units. Electron transfer occurs between the second film and the third film in response to energy applied.

Abstract: A bi-functional photovoltaic device is provided. The bi-functional photovoltaic device includes at least one solar cell and a control device. Each of the solar cell includes a multilayer semiconductor layer of group III-V compound semiconductor, a first electrode disposed on the back of the multilayer semiconductor layer, and a second electrode disposed on the front of the multilayer semiconductor layer. The control device connects with the at least one solar cell in order to control them functioning as solar cell or light emitting diode.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell structure includes a substrate, a metal layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, a high resistivity layer, an assistant electrode layer, and a transparent conductive layer. The metal layer is formed on the substrate, and comprises a plurality of p-type electrode units separated from each other. The p-type semiconductor layer is formed on the metal layer. The n-type semiconductor is formed on the p-type semiconductor layer, thereby forming a p-n junction. The high resistivity layer is formed on the n-type semiconductor layer. The assistant electrode layer is formed on the high resistivity layer and the p-type electrode units. The transparent conductive layer is formed on the assistant electrode layer, the high resistivity layer and the p-type electrode units. Accordingly, at least one cell is formed on each of the p-type electrode units. The assistant electrode layer and the transparent conductive layer are connected to the cells in series.

Abstract: A photovoltaic solar module inclueing at least one photovoltaic cell and terminals for connection to an electrical network, means of deactivating the module arranged to establish a shunt at the connection terminals of the module and disable the module, a body that moves in a housing cavity according to at least one degree of freedom between a first position in which the body does not interact with the deactivation means and a second position in which the body interacts with the deactivation means so as to establish a shunt at the connection terminals of the module, and a means of blocking the body in the second position.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module (110) is disclosed, which is suited for conversion of incident electromagnetic radiation (112) into electric energy. The photovoltaic module (110) comprises in order: a transparent cover sheet (114); and—at least one photovoltaic cell (116), wherein the at least one photovoltaic cell (116) is adapted to convert electromagnetic radiation (112) passing through the transparent cover sheet (114) into electric energy and wherein the photovoltaic cell (116) is accommodated within at least one encapsulation element (118) providing protection from environmental influence. The encapsulation element (118) comprises at least one luminescence downshifting material, which is adapted for at least partially absorbing the incident radiation (112) and for re-emitting radiation (112) at a longer wavelength.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel form of titanium oxide. The titanium oxide is characterized in that it has the crystallographic structure of rutile with an orthorhombic lattice and a Pnmm space group, it has a platelet morphology, the platelets being of rectangular shape with a length between 3 and 10 nm, a width between 3 and 10 nm and a thickness of less than 1 nm and it has a specific surface area, determined by nitrogen adsorption/desorption, of 100 to 200 m2/g. Applications: self-cleaning glazing, photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for a magnetically induced photovoltaic solar cell device and the process for creating the magnetic and/or electromagnetic field(s) utilizing a basal underlying structure consisting of the body of any and all types of photovoltaic solar cell devices within which a magnetic and/or electromagnetic field will be created and/or generated through the overlayment of the previously mentioned photovoltaic device structure with a magnetic inducement layer and/or coating which is comprised of a carrier/binding medium and magnetic particle inclusions. The addition of the magnetic inducement layer serves the specific purpose of creating and/or generating greater photon and electron excitement, retention and absorption within the crystalline matrix of the underlying photovoltaic solar cell device.

Abstract: Described is a component with a sharp-edgedly structured layer comprising at least one highly fluid low-viscosity medium (20) having a given solids content on a carrier substrate (10), wherein a boundary layer (14) defining the outside contour of the structured layer is provided on the carrier substrate (10) and the at least one low-viscosity highly fluid medium (20) is provided at the inside surface (18) of the carrier substrate (10), which inside surface is defined by the boundary layer (14).

Abstract: A thin film lithium battery is provided which can realize a high yield by solving various problems caused by a pin hole formed in a solid electrolyte layer. A thin film lithium battery according to the present invention is a thin film lithium battery in which a positive electrode layer 20, a negative electrode layer 50, a solid electrolyte layer 40 provided therebetween, and a collector 10 electrically connected to at least one of the positive electrode layer 20 and the negative electrode layer 50 are laminated to each other. When this battery is viewed in plan along the lamination direction of the above individual layers, the positive electrode layer 20 and the negative electrode layer 50 are disposed at positions so as not to be overlapped with each other. By the structure as described above, even if a pin hole is formed in the solid electrolyte layer 40, short-circuiting between the two electrode layers 20 and 50, which is caused by this pin hole, can be prevented.

Abstract: A method and a multijunction solar device having a high band gap heterojunction middle solar cell are disclosed. In one embodiment, a triple-junction solar device includes bottom, middle, and top cells. The bottom cell has a germanium (Ge) substrate and a buffer layer, wherein the buffer layer is disposed over the Ge substrate. The middle cell contains a heterojunction structure, which further includes an emitter layer and a base layer that are disposed over the bottom cell. The top cell contains an emitter layer and a base layer disposed over the middle cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to different methods used in the formation of an ink, as well as being directed to the formation of layers used in the fabrication of a solar cell, particularly the absorber layer. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to formulating an ink comprising Cu-rich particles and solid Ga—In particles, wherein the step of formulating is carried out at a temperature such that no liquid phase is present within the solid Ga-In particles. In another embodiment, the specific steps taken during the formulation of the ink are described. In yet another embodiment, the process of using the formulated ink to obtain a precursor layer are described.

Abstract: An electro magnet having a nuclear core that emits radiation and is surrounded by a ceramic phosphor material having a structural defect such that the ceramic material within the ceramic phosphor material is used to shield and absorb radiation emitted by the nuclear core. The phosphors are excited by the radiation causing them to produce energy in the form of photons. Surrounding the ceramic phosphor material is a photovoltaic layer that transforms the photons into a flow of electrons to create an energy source in the form of a single sphere. An electromagnetic material sandwiches a plurality of spheres therebetween to harness the electron flow created by the photovoltaic layers of the spheres to create a super-electro magnet.

Abstract: A nuclear-cored battery having a spherical core that emits radiation and is surrounded by a ceramic phosphor material having a structural defect such that the ceramic material within the ceramic phosphor material is used to shield and absorb the radiation emitted by the nuclear core while the phosphors are excited by the radiation causing them to produce energy in the form of photons. Surrounding the ceramic phosphor material is a photovoltaic layer that transforms the photons into a flow of electrons to create an energy source in the form of a sphere. A P and N layer sandwiches a plurality of spheres therebetween to harness the electron flow created by the photovoltaic layers of the spheres.

Abstract: This invention relates to a transparent flat body including two transparent cover layers (1, 2) that confine between them an active layer (3) whose transparency varies in an electric field and disposed between two electrode layers (6, 7) optionally subdivided into sections, and a photovoltaic element that is connected to two electrode layers (6, 8), preferably via a control stage (11), and that includes a photoactive layer (4) between the two electrode layers (6, 8) of the photovoltaic element (5), characterized in that the photoactive layer (4) is made of two transparent molecular components in a manner known per se, one of the two electrode layers (6, 7) of the active layer (3) is simultaneously one of the two electrode layers (6, 8) of the photovoltaic element (5), and the two transparent cover layers (1, 2) confine between them both the photovoltaic element (5) and the active layer (3).

Abstract: A method and apparatus that converts energy provided by a chemical reaction into energy for charging a quantum well device. The disclosed apparatus comprises a catalyst layer that catalyzes a chemical reaction and captures hot electrons and hot phonons generated by the chemical reaction, and an interface layer placed between the catalyst layer and a quantum well. The interface layer facilitates the transfer of hot electrons and hot phonons from the catalyst layer into the quantum well layer. The interface layer can also convert hot electrons into hot phonons, and vice versa, depending upon the needs of the particular quantum well device. Because the hot electrons and the hot phonons are unstable and readily degrade into heat energy, the dimensions of the catalyst layer and the interface layer are very small. To improve the efficiency of the transfer of hot electrons and hot phonons to the quantum well, other interface layers, such as a catalyst interlayer and a catalyst interface, may be utilized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting energy is provided. In one aspect the method includes using chemical reactions to generate vibrationally excited molecules, such as high-quantum-number-vibrationally-excited gas molecules in a region. The vibration energy in the vibrationally excited molecules is converted into hot electrons when the excited molecules contact a conductor. A geometry is provided so that the excited molecules may travel, diffuse or wander into a conductor before loosing a useful fraction of the vibrational energy. Optionally, the generating and the converting process may be thermally separated, at least in part. The short lived hot electrons are converted into longer lived entities such as carriers and potentials in a semiconductor, where the energy is converted into a useful form.

Abstract: A magnetic field enhanced photovoltaic device includes a photoelectric conversion layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, a ferro-antiferromagnetic exchange coupling layer and an applied magnetic field. The first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on two surfaces of the photoelectric conversion layer to collect electrons and holes generated by the photoelectric conversion layer. The first electrode is pervious to light. The incident light reaches the photoelectric conversion layer through the first electrode. The applied magnetic field polarizes the spin state of electrons. The ferro-antiferromagnetic exchange coupling layer adjoins the photoelectric conversion layer and pins the spin state of electrons.

Abstract: An independent power bank system and intended use therefor, comprising an electromagnetic field generator and a power bank comprising one or more light bulbs, the light bulbs being filled with a gas capable of being lighted when subjected to a generated electromagnetic field; a system for producing usable voltage by producing a photovoltaic effect, said system being in a juxtaposition relationship to the one or more light bulbs; and a secondary antenna connected at one end to each end of the one or more light bulbs and another end being located near an edge of the generated electromagnetic field. The invention typically may be adapted to have a plurality of power banks arranged in a desired configuration to suit the intended use.

Abstract: Solar modules in which the front side is composed of transparent polyurethane are made by RIM, injection molding and casting processes and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of reducing the photoelectric device leakage current caused by residual metal ions in conjugated polymer. A chelating agent is added to a conjugated polymer material, thereby the conductivity and mobility of metal ions under an electric field are reduced due to the chelation of metal ions by the chelating agent; therefore, the leakage current is reduced and the stability of devices is improved. Furthermore, the activity of metal ions is reduced after the metal ions are chelated by the chelating agent, improving the stability of the material and the devices. A conjugated polymer composition is also provided.

Abstract: The use of newly discovered chemical reaction products, created when reactants combine to form products on the surface of a catalyst, to generate electricity, beams of radiation or mechanical motion. The invention also provides methods to convert the products into electricity or motion. The electric generator consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate consisting of a semiconductor diode, and a semiconductor diode on the surface of the substrate near the catalyst. The device to generate mechanical motion consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate, and a hydraulic fluid in contact with the non-reaction side of the substrate, with the surfaces of both the catalyst and substrate mechanically formed to enhance the unidirectional forces on the fluid. Both devices use a fuel-oxidizer mixture brought in contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: A solar cell has an active structure including a paint voltage source having a first paint layer structure comprising p-type pigment particles dispersed in a first-layer binder, and a second paint layer structure comprising n-type pigment particles dispersed in a second-layer binder. The second paint layer structure is in electrical contact with the first paint layer structure. The active structure further includes an electrically conductive contact structure having a first electrically conductive contact to the first paint layer structure, and a second electrically conductive contact to the second paint layer structure. At least one of the first electrically conductive contact and the second electrically conductive contact permits light to pass therethrough to the paint voltage source. A capacitive paint layer may be included to store electrical charge produced by the active structure. The active structure may be affixed to a support.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting energy is provided. In one aspect the method includes using chemical reactions to generate vibrationally excited molecules, such as high-quantum-number-vibrationally-excited gas molecules in a region. The vibration energy in the vibrationally excited molecules is converted into hot electrons when the excited molecules contact a conductor. A geometry is provided so that the excited molecules may travel, diffuse or wander into a conductor before loosing a useful fraction of the vibrational energy. Optionally, the generating and the converting process may be thermally separated, at least in part. The short lived hot electrons are converted into longer lived entities such as carriers and potentials in a semiconductor, where the energy is converted into a useful form.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition which is excellent in durability and charge transport performance, and an electrochemical battery in which deterioration of the charge transport performance with time is minimized, the electrolyte composition including therein a salt which comprises an anion which contains a mesogen group, and an alkyl or alkenyl group having 6 carbons or more in the structure of the anion, and an organic or inorganic cation.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a transparent, conductive film on a semiconductor layer formed on a substrate, by sputtering, wherein voltages are applied independently of each other to both a target and the substrate, respectively, and a bias voltage appearing in the substrate is controlled so as to form the transparent, conductive film on only a portion except for a defective region of the semiconductor layer, thereby restraining shunting of the transparent, conductive film and achieving excellent appearance thereof. Also provided are a defective region compensation method of a semiconductor layer, a photovoltaic element, and a method of producing the photovoltaic element.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing microminiature thermionic converters (MTCs) having high energy-conversion efficiencies and variable operating temperatures using MEMS manufacturing techniques including chemical vapor deposition. The MTCs made using the methods of the invention incorporate cathode to anode spacing of about 1 micron or less and use cathode and anode materials having work functions ranging from about 1 eV to about 3 eV. The MTCs also exhibit maximum efficiencies of just under 30%, and thousands of the devices can be fabricated at modest costs.

Abstract: A stacked organic photosensitive optoelectronic device optimized to enhance desired characteristics such as external quantum efficiency and voltage is described. The photosensitive optoelectronic device has a plurality of photosensitive optoelectronic subcells electrically configured in series. The substrate may be the bottom electrode or there may be a bottom electrode distinct from the substrate. Each subcell comprises one or more organic photoconductive layers between electrode layers or charge transfer layers. In one embodiment the top electrode is transparent. In other embodiments two or more electrodes are transparent. In other embodiments photosensitive optoelectronic devices with multilayer photoconductive structures and photosensitive optoelectronic devices with a reflective layer or a reflective substrate are disclosed.

Abstract: The use of newly discovered chemical reaction products, created when reactants combine to form products on the surface of a catalyst, to generate electricity, beams of radiation or mechanical motion. The invention also provides methods to convert the products into electricity or motion. The electric generator consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate consisting of a semiconductor diode, and a semiconductor diode on the surface of the substrate near the catalyst. The device to generate mechanical motion consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate, and a hydraulic fluid in contact with the non-reaction side of the substrate, with the surfaces of both the catalyst and substrate mechanically formed to enhance the unidirectional forces on the fluid. Both devices use a fuel-oxidizer mixture brought in contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: The use of newly discovered chemical reaction products, created when reactants combine to form products on the surface of a catalyst, to generate electricity, beams of radiation or mechanical motion. The invention also provides methods to convert the products into electricity or motion. The electric generator consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate consisting of a semiconductor diode, and a semiconductor diode on the surface of the substrate near the catalyst. The device to generate mechanical motion consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate, and a hydraulic fluid in contact with the non-reaction side of the substrate, with the surfaces of both the catalyst and substrate mechanically formed to enhance the unidirectional forces on the fluid. Both devices use a fuel-oxidizer mixture brought in contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: The use of newly discovered chemical reaction products, created when reactants combine to form products on the surface of a catalyst, to generate electricity, beams of radiation or mechanical motion. The invention also provides methods to convert the products into electricity or motion. The electric generator consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate consisting of a semiconductor diode, and a semiconductor diode on the surface of the substrate near the catalyst. The device to generate mechanical motion consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate, and a hydraulic fluid in contact with the non-reaction side of the substrate, with the surfaces of both the catalyst and substrate mechanically formed to enhance the unidirectional forces on the fluid. Both devices use a fuel-oxidizer mixture brought in contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: The use of newly discovered chemical reaction products, created when reactants combine to form products on the surface of a catalyst, to generate electricity, beams of radiation or mechanical motion. The invention also provides methods to convert the products into electricity or motion. The electric generator consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate consisting of a semiconductor diode, and a semiconductor diode on the surface of the substrate near the catalyst. The device to generate mechanical motion consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate, and a hydraulic fluid in contact with the non-reaction side of the substrate, with the surfaces of both the catalyst and substrate mechanically formed to enhance the unidirectional forces on the fluid. Both devices use a fuel-oxidizer mixture brought in contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: A close spaced planar vacuum diode is constructed with a photoemissive first electrode and a low work function second electrode. As a result of photon flux on said photoemissive first electrode, electrons are emitted into the vacuum space and travel to said second electrode. This electron current may then flow through an external load, powering said external load.

Abstract: Solar cells made of crystalline are metal coated. Combined front side and rear side metal coating based on a thick-film process is proposed, in which even very fine thick-film conductor track structures are sufficiently reinforced by photo-induced currentless deposition of a metal. Well adhering improved conductor track structures for the front side metal coating can be produced using the simplified process.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting light energy into electric energy and storing the same, which comprises a photoelectric conversion unit having an element that generates an electromotive force by irradiation of light and a unit for storing electric energy generated by the photoelectric conversion unit. The element comprises a ferroelectric crystal having a bulk photovoltaic effect such as BaTiO.sub.3, lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) or the like. Light energy is converted into electric energy having a voltage ranging from 10 V to several kV with high reliability to be efficiently stored.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing microporous crystalline silicon which has a band-gap substantially increased relative to that of normal crystalline silicon. This process involves the preparation of quantum wires of silicon by means of a chemical attack method carried out on silicon that has been doped such that it conducts electricity substantially via the effective transport of electric charge by means of so-called holes. The microporous crystalline silicon thus produced is in the form of a discrete mass having a bulk-like, interconnected crystalline silicon structure of quantum wires whose band-gap is greater than normal crystalline silicon. Because of this increased band-gap this microporous crystalline silicon may be used as an active element in applications such as tandem solar cells.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell and the method of manufacturing the same. The cell includes a substrate of, e.g., of aluminum, having a layer of sulfur-stabilized cesium fluoride-like material with the outer surface thereof containing a P+ boron doped outer layer. A substantially transparent electrically conductive coating is applied over the surface of said cesium fluoride-like material and appropriate electrical contacts are made to the conductive layer for protective purposes.

Abstract: The method and device of the instant invention is a detector of pulsed laser radiation which utilizes the electromotive force generated by the plasma formed when such radiation is focused onto a surface (1). Measurements are made with a 10.6 .mu.m CO.sub.2 laser capable of producing peak intensities of 10.sup.13 W/cm.sup.2 when directed through a converging lens (2). Evacuated detector response to such laser intensity is 1 kV signal peak amplitude and subnanosecond risetimes into a 50.OMEGA. load (3). Detector performance is found to be greatly altered with the introduction of a background gas (4). For example, with one atmosphere of air, the detector produces prompt signals of the order of 1 V with subnanosecond response for pulse trains lasting 100 ns. With argon, krypton, or zenon at pressures of the order of 10 torr, the detector generates "trigger pulses" of about 250 V amplitude and 0.2 ns risetimes.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell and the method of manufacturing the same. The cell includes a substrate of, e.g., aluminum, having a layer of cesium fluoride-like material with the outer surface thereof containing a p+ boron doped outer layer. A substantially transparent electrically conductive coating is applied over the surface of said cesium fluoride-like material and appropriate electrical contacts are made to the conductive layer for protective purposes.

Abstract: A very thin insulator having a dipole structure such as a dielectric material having ferroelectric, pyroelectric and or thermodielectric properties, is used as the insulator insulating an electrode of an electrode pair from a semiconductor body sandwiched between said electrode pair forming a MIS structure. Radiation and solar energy conversion systems based on establishment of an inversion layer by the thermally released bound charges of a polarizable dielectric layer or an electret and irradation of the semiconductor to separate the electron-hole pairs and subsequent collection of mobile carriers. Since there is no metalurgical junction, the generated carriers are not junction limited therefore the generated voltage could be higher than in an ordinary junction solar cell and could also be, an alternating current voltage which can be transformed or rectified.

Abstract: A solar photocell comprising permanent magnets, polarization and frequency filters and especially prepared alloys increases the photocell current and thereby the efficiency of an electrical generating system containing the photocell and a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: The reliability of a high intensity laser radiation surface ionization detector is increased by providing a target material for the high intensity laser radiation having a target material comprising a metal having a melting point below that of aluminum. The laser radiation detector has a linear response with respect to the incident laser radiation intensity when operated in the range 10.sup.6 -10.sup.7 W/cm.sup.2 and the distance between the target material and the walls of the evacuated chamber in which the target material is placed is less than the Debye length of the electrons in the plasma which was generated when the laser radiation strikes the target metal.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation is converted to usable power in the form of electrical current by means of a plurality of transducing cavities having a wall structure that is inclined inwardly to receive impinging radiation and includes potential barrier strips each having different conduction electron densities which are also different from the conduction electron density of the material constituting the wall structure of each cavity; each potential barrier strip extends from the mouth of the cavity to the base thereof and, at the mouth, is connected to a conductor having a preselected conduction electron density whereby radiation impinging on a cavity will induce current flow which will be rectified across the potential barriers; the cavities are connected in parallel so that current can be delivered to a load connected across the conductors.