Abstract: The invention relates generally to perovskite materials, and in particular, to perovskite thin films having large crystalline grains. Methods of forming the perovskite thin films are disclosed herein. The perovskite thin films find particular use in photovoltaic applications.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprising: a supportive substrate; a transparent layer formed on the supportive substrate, and the transparent layer comprising conductive metal oxide material; a light-emitting stacked layer comprising an active layer formed on the transparent layer; and an etching-stop layer formed between the light-emitting stacked layer and the supportive substrate and contacting the transparent layer, wherein a thickness of the etching-stop layer is thicker than that of the transparent layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic device includes forming a first source layer including a trench, forming a first sacrificial layer in the trench, forming a first structure over the first source layer, wherein the first structure includes first material layers and second material layers which are alternately stacked over the each other, forming first openings passing through the first structure and extending to the first sacrificial layer, forming first channel layers in the first openings, forming a slit passing through the first structure and extending to the first sacrificial layer, forming a second opening by removing the first sacrificial layer through the slit, and forming a second source layer in the second opening, wherein the second source layer is coupled to the first channel layers.

Abstract: A method for producing a solar cell, including: an electrolyte-supplying step of supplying an electrolyte onto a plate-shaped first electrode at a region thereof positioned between a pair of first sealing portions respectively provided along two opposing lateral sides of the plate-shaped first electrode; an electrodes-laminating step of superposing a second electrode on the first electrode gradually from one end side toward the other end side as viewed in a direction along the lateral sides of the first electrode while bonding the second electrode to the first electrode at the first sealing portions, the second electrode including a flexible plate-shaped substrate having a hole penetrating through the substrate in a thicknesswise direction thereof and capable of discharging the electrolyte therethrough; and a sealing step of bonding the first electrode and the second electrode at a pair of second sealing portions.

Abstract: Conductive contacts for solar cells and methods of forming conductive contacts for solar cells are described. For example, a solar cell includes a substrate. A conductive contact is disposed on the substrate. The conductive contact includes a layer composed of a first metal species having a plurality of pores. The conductive contact also includes a second metal species disposed in the plurality of pores. Portions of both the first and second metal species are in contact with the substrate.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes an encapsulating member and a sealing layer for sealing a solar cell, and further includes a solar cell having a transparent conductive layer on its front surface. The solar cell includes a coating layer formed over the transparent conductive layer and having a plurality of openings, and a collecting electrode positioned in the openings of the coating layer and including a primary conductive layer containing copper. An undercoat layer is provided between the primary conductive layer of the collecting electrode and the transparent conductive layer. The coating layer and the undercoat layer are both composed of a resin.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an organic photovoltaic device. The method includes providing a first electrode which by applying a layer of conductive material onto a transparent substrate. The conductive material forms the first electrode. The method also includes placing an active layer of organic photovoltaic material on top of the first electrode. The active layer is configured to convert photonic energy into electrical energy. Placing an active layer of organic photovoltaic material includes placing an active layer of organic photovoltaic material having ferroelectric dipoles dispersed therein. The method further includes applying a second electrode on top of the active layer of organic photovoltaic material.

Abstract: A method for producing at least one electric contact by electrochemical deposition of an electrically conducting material on a face of a photovoltaic cell, the contact being formed by first and second lines connected to one another, the second line presenting a larger width than the width of the first line, the method including, before electrochemical deposition, a formation step of at least one area presenting a lower electric conductivity than the electric conductivity of the electrically conducting material, on a part of the face of the photovoltaic cell designed to be electrically connected with the second line, at the level of its intersection with the first line.

Abstract: A process for preparing a passivated emitter rear contact solar cell, which includes the steps as follows: removing the damaged layer on the surface of the silicon wafer and at the same time polishing both surfaces, texturing, forming PN junction, etching, removing the glass impurity, depositing a passivation film on the back surface, depositing a passivating antireflective layer on the front surface, making local openings on the back surface, screen printing of metal paste on both the front surface and the back surface and sintering, in which the texturing step employs a catalytic metal etching approach, and the textured structure is a nanometer-level textured structure. The present invention has combined removing the damaged layer on the surface of the silicon wafer and polishing both the front and back surfaces into one single step, and thus has simplified the production process and reduced the production cost.

Abstract: Patterning planar photo-absorbing materials into arrays of nanowires is demonstrated as a method for increasing the total photon absorption in a given thickness of absorbing material. Such a method can provide faster, cheaper, and more efficient photo-detectors and solar cells. A thin nanowire can absorb many more photons than expected from the size of the nanowire. The reason for this effect is that such nanowires support cylindrical particle resonances which can collect photons from an area larger than the physical cross-section of the wire. These resonances are sometimes referred to as Mie resonances or Leaky Mode Resonances (LMRs). The nanowires can have various cross section shapes, such as square, circle, rectangle, triangle, etc.

Abstract: Solar cells are provided which comprise an electron transporting layer and a light sensitizing layer of perovskite disposed over the surface of the electron transporting layer. The perovskite may have a formula selected from the group consisting of A2MX6, Z2MX6 or YMX6, wherein A is an alkali metal, M is a metal or a metalloid, X is a halide, Z is selected from the group consisting of a primary ammonium, an iminium, a secondary ammonium, a tertiary ammonium, and a quaternary ammonium, and Y has formula Mb(L)3, wherein Mb is a transition metal in the 2+ oxidation state L is an N—N neutral chelating ligand. Methods of making the solar cells are also provided, including methods based on electrospray deposition.

Abstract: A solar cell includes negative metal contact fingers and positive metal contact fingers. The negative metal contact fingers are interdigitated with the positive metal contact fingers. The metal contact fingers, both positive and negative, have a radial design where they radially extend to surround at least 25% of a perimeter of a corresponding contact pad. The metal contact fingers have bend points, which collectively form a radial pattern with a center point within the contact pad. Exactly two metal contact pads merge into a single leading metal contact pad that is wider than either of the exactly two metal contact pads.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a support substrate; a back electrode layer on the a support substrate; a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer; a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer; a front electrode layer on the buffer layer; and a fourth through hole formed through the back electrode layer, the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer and the front electrode layer, wherein at least a portion of the fourth through hole is inclined with respect to a top surface of the support substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a compound on a substrate is provided. The method includes depositing a composition onto a surface of a substrate; illuminating the composition and the substrate with pulsed energy; melting the substrate and decomposing the composition simultaneously; and forming a compound on the substrate. A first component of the compound is derived from the substrate and a second component of the compound is derived from the composition.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting system includes a substrate and at least one solar chip. The substrate includes a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of lateral surfaces, wherein the first surface faces the second surface, the lateral surfaces are adjacent to the first and second surfaces, and a first micro structure is formed on the first or the second surface. The solar chip is near one of the lateral surfaces. Solar light penetrates the first and the second surface and is refracted or reflected by the first micro structure to leave the substrate via the lateral surface and be absorbed by the solar chip.

Abstract: A method of managing a battery system using a battery management system. The method includes receiving, measured characteristics of one or more battery cells from one or more sensors, receiving, estimated parameters of the battery cells, estimating, one or more states of the battery cells by applying a battery model based on the measured characteristics and the estimated parameters of the battery cells, updating, at least a portion of the estimated parameters based at least in part on the estimation of the states of the battery cells by applying two or more separate battery models, updating, the one or more states of the battery cells based at least in part on the updated estimated parameters of the battery cells, and regulating charging or discharging of the battery based on the updated estimation of the states of the battery cells.

Abstract: A semiconductor photocatalyst includes first and second layers made of first and second materials, respectively. Band gaps of the first and second materials are equal to or smaller than 1.5 eV and 2.5 eV, respectively. A lower electric potential of a conduction band of the second material is disposed on a positive side from the first material. An upper electric potential of a valence band of the second material is disposed on a positive side from the first material and from an oxidation electric potential of water when the first and second layers are bonded to each other in the hetero junction manner. The lower electric potential of the conduction band of the first layer is disposed on a negative side from a reduction electric potential of hydrogen when the first and second layers are bonded to each other in the hetero junction manner.

Abstract: A polyimide polymer represented by the following formula 1 is provided. In formula 1, Ar is Ar? is A is and 0<X<0.38.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element, a photoelectric conversion element, a dye-sensitized solar cell and a dye solution, having an electrically conductive support, a photoconductor layer containing an electrolyte, a charge transfer layer containing an electrolyte, and a counter electrode, wherein the photoconductor layer contains semiconductor fine particles carrying a metal complex dye; and wherein the metal complex dye has at least a carboxyl group and a salt of the carboxyl group, the salt being selected from the group consisting of a potassium salt, a lithium salt, and a cesium salt, and the ratio ? of the number of the salt of the carboxyl group divided by the total number of the carboxyl group and the salt of the carboxyl group to be found in one molecule of the metal complex dye, lying in the range of 0.1 to 0.9.

Abstract: A solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment includes the steps of a support substrate; a back electrode layer on the support substrate; a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer; a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer; and a front electrode layer on the buffer layer, wherein the back electrode layer comprises: a first electrode part having a first thickness; and a second electrode part adjacent to the first electrode part and having a second thickness less than the first thickness. A method for fabricating a solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment includes the steps of forming a back electrode layer on a substrate; etching the back electrode layer; forming a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer; forming a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer; and forming a front electrode layer on the buffer layer.

Abstract: In order to provide a CIGS compound solar cell with a high conversion efficiency, a CIGS compound solar cell including a rear electrode layer, a CIGS light absorbing layer, a buffer layer, and a transparent electrode layer in this order over a substrate is configured such that the buffer layer comprises a mixed crystal of a Group IIa metal and zinc oxide, and characteristics of the mixed crystal as shown by X-ray diffraction satisfy the following formula (1): 0.5?A/(A+B+C)<1??(1) (where none of A, B, C are 0) A: peak intensity at plane (002) B: peak intensity at plane (100) C: peak intensity at plane (101).

Abstract: A conductive paste includes a conductive powder, a metallic glass having a glass transition temperature of less than or equal to about 600° C. and a supercooled liquid region of greater than or equal to 0 K, and an organic vehicle, and an electronic device and a solar cell include an electrode formed using the conductive paste.

Abstract: Approaches for the metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a plurality of alternating N-type and P-type regions in or above a substrate. The method also involves forming a metal seed layer on the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type regions. The method also involves patterning at least a portion of the metal seed layer at regions in alignment with locations between the alternating N-type and P-type regions. The method also involves, subsequent to the patterning, etching to form trenches at the locations between the alternating N-type and P-type regions, isolating the alternating N-type and P-type regions from one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell including a semiconductor substrate, a first conductive area formed on one surface of the semiconductor substrate, a second conductive area formed on a remaining surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first electrode connected to the first conductive area, and a second electrode connected to the second conductive area. The second electrode includes a pad portion and an electrode portion that include different conductive materials as main components. The pad portion includes at least one pad extending in a given direction, the wire being attached to the pad. The electrode portion and the pad are spaced apart from each other in the given direction so as to form a spacer therebetween.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell according to an embodiment includes a supporting substrate; a transparent electrode layer on the supporting substrate; a buffer layer on the transparent electrode layer; a light absorption layer on the buffer layer; a backside electrode layer on the light absorption layer; and a plurality of recesses formed on a top surface of the transparent electrode layer and having a first slope and a second slope.

Abstract: A method for processing a perovskite photoactive layer. The method comprises depositing a lead salt precursor onto a substrate to form a lead salt thin film, depositing a second salt precursor onto the lead salt thin film, annealing the substrate to form a perovskite material.

Abstract: A solar cell according to the embodiment includes a substrate; a first electrode layer on a substrate; a light absorbing layer on the first electrode layer; a second electrode layer including a transmissive conductive material on the light absorbing layer; and a grid electrode including a transmissive conductive material on the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device of an embodiment has a substrate, a bottom electrode comprising an electrode layer on the substrate and an intermediate interface layer, a light absorbing layer on the intermediate interface layer. The electrode layer comprises Mo or W. The intermediate interface layer is a compound thin film of a compound comprising Mo or W and at least one element X selected from the group consisting of S, Se, and Te. The intermediate interface layer has a crystal phase and an amorphous phase with which the crystal phase is covered.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a photoelectric conversion element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a first layer. The second electrode includes a base member and a first material portion. The base member includes a plurality of structure bodies including carbon. The first material portion includes a carrier transport material and is provided between the structure bodies. The photoelectric conversion layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The photoelectric conversion layer includes a material having a perovskite structure. The first layer is provided between the photoelectric conversion layer and the second electrode. The first layer includes the carrier transport material.

Abstract: A solar cell is provided including a substrate having a front and back side, a metallization pattern deposited on the front side, the metallization pattern including a plurality of front side bus bars each including fingers extending therefrom, and a plurality of back side bus bars deposited on the back side. On the front side, one front side bus bar is formed along an edge of the front side of the substrate, and a remainder of the front side bus bars are unequally spaced across the substrate. On the back side of the substrate, only one back side bus bar is formed along an edge of the back side of the substrate, and a remainder of the back side bus bars are unequally spaced across the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided that includes a contact structure containing a gouged upper surface embedded in at least a middle-of-the-line (MOL) dielectric material, wherein the contact structure contacts an underlying doped semiconductor material structure. A first metallization structure containing a gouged upper surface is in contact with the gouged upper surface of the contact structure and embedded in a first interconnect dielectric material. A second metallization structure is in contact with the gouged upper surface of the first metallization structure and embedded at least within a second interconnect dielectric material.

Abstract: Novel structures of photovoltaic cells are provided. The cells are based on nanometer or micrometer-scaled wires, tubes, and/or rods, which are made of electronic materials covering semiconductors, insulators, and may be metallic in structure. These photovoltaic cells have large power generation capability per unit physical area over the conventional cells. These cells will have enormous applications such as in space, commercial, residential and industrial applications.

Abstract: A solar cell is provided including a substrate having a front and back side, a metallization pattern deposited on the front side, the metallization pattern including a plurality of front side bus bars each including fingers extending therefrom, and a plurality of back side bus bars deposited on the back side. On the front side, one front side bus bar is formed along an edge of the front side of the substrate, and a remainder of the front side bus bars are unequally spaced across the substrate. On the back side of the substrate, only one back side bus bar is formed along an edge of the back side of the substrate, and a remainder of the back side bus bars are unequally spaced across the substrate.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) device having a quantum dot sensitized interface includes a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer. At least one of the conductor layers is transparent to solar radiation. A quantum dot (nanoparticle) sensitized photo-harvesting interface comprises a photo-absorber layer, a quantum dot layer and a buffer layer, placed between the two conductors. The absorber layer is a p-type material and the buffer layer is an n-type material. The quantum dot layer has a tunable bandgap to cover infrared (IR), visible light and ultraviolet (UV) bands of solar spectrum.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a nano-particle matrix in a 3D NVM RRAM device. The RRAM device utilizes a material that may be deposited into high aspect ratio channels, has good cycle ability, short erase and write times, and write/erase voltages that are compatible with CMOS. The RRAM material is disposed between two electrodes of the device and includes conductive nano-particles that are distributed within an insulating matrix. The particles are distributed below the percolation threshold.

Abstract: An optical member includes a base material and an antireflective layer on the base material wherein the antireflective layer includes a plurality of fine protrusions on a surface thereof and a support layer for supporting the protrusions, and the support layer contains boron in an amount of 7×1019 atoms/cm3 or more and 2.5×1020 atoms/cm3 or less.

Abstract: A solar antenna array may comprise an array of randomly placed carbon nanotube antennas that may capture and convert sunlight into electrical power. Methods for constructing the solar antenna array may use a mold and self aligning processing steps to minimize cost. Designs may be optimized for capturing a broad spectrum of non-polarized light. Alternatively, the array may generate light, and when connected in to an array of independently controllable sections may operate as either a reflective or light transmitting display.

Abstract: Nanoscale metal halide perovskites are provided. The nanoscale metal halide perovskites may have a 2D structure, a quasi-2D structure, or a 3D structure. Methods also are provided for making the nanoscale metal halide perovskites. The color emitted by the nanoscale metal halide perovskites may be tuned.

Abstract: A thin-film optoelectronic module device (100) and design method comprising at least three monolithically-interconnected cells (104, 106, 108) where at least one monolithically-interconnecting line (250) depicts a spatial periodic or quasi-periodic wave and wherein the optoelectronic surface of said thin-film optoelectronic module device (100) presents at least one set of at least three zones (210, 220, 230) having curves of substantially parallel monolithic interconnect lines. Border zones (210, 230) have a lower front-contact sheet resistance than that of internal zone (220). Said curves of substantially parallel interconnecting lines may comprise peaks of triangular or rounded shape, additional spatial periods that are smaller than a baseline period, and mappings from one curve to the adjacent curve such as in the case of non-rectangular module devices (100).

Abstract: A solar cell stack having multiple semiconductor solar cells, each semiconductor solar cell having a first solar subcell with a top and a bottom and a first semiconductor solar cell, and wherein the first semiconductor solar cell has a first lattice constant, and the solar cell stack has a second solar subcell with a top and a bottom and a second semiconductor solar cell, and wherein the second semiconductor solar cell has a second lattice constant, and wherein the first solar subcell is arranged in a frictional manner with its bottom on the top of the second solar subcell, and wherein an abrupt difference is formed between the first lattice constant and the second lattice constant and the difference between the first lattice constant and the second lattice constant is at least 0.5% or an amorphous layer is formed.

Abstract: Provided are FeS2 based photovoltaic battery devices comprising a transparent substrate, an active layer disposed over the transparent substrate, the active layer comprising a porous film of FeS2 nanocrystals and a halide ionic liquid infiltrating the porous film, and an electrode disposed over the active layer. The device may be configured such that under exposure to light, photons incident on the active layer are absorbed by the FeS2 nanocrystals, generating a current and a voltage, whereby a separation of charge within the active layer is created, which is discharged in the absence of the light.

Abstract: A template battery comprises one or more layers that fill into a dead space on a substrate. The substrate comprises one or more components. The one or more layers of the template battery are arranged as a mirror image of the topography of the one or more components on the substrate. A template battery is coupled to a charge controller. The charge controller is coupled to the main battery.

Abstract: A semiconductor epitaxial structure is provided. The semiconductor epitaxial structure includes a substrate, a doped semiconductor epitaxial layer, and a carbon nanotube layer. The doped semiconductor epitaxial layer is located on the substrate. The carbon nanotube layer is located between the substrate and the doped semiconductor epitaxial layer. The carbon nanotube layer can be a carbon nanotube film drawn from a carbon nanotube array and including a number of successive and oriented carbon nanotubes joined end-to-end by van der Waals attractive force therebetween.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a solar cell can include forming a dielectric region on a silicon substrate. The method can also include forming an emitter region over the dielectric region and forming a dopant region on a surface of the silicon substrate. In an embodiment, the method can include heating the silicon substrate at a temperature above 900 degrees Celsius to getter impurities to the emitter region and drive dopants from the dopant region to a portion of the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a rear-side contact system for a silicon thin-film solar cell having a pn junction formed from a silicon absorber layer and an emitter layer includes applying an organic insulation layer to the emitter layer; producing contact holes in the insulation layer as far as the absorber layer and the emitter layer; subsequently insulating the contact holes; subsequently applying a low-melting metal layer to form n and p contacts in the contact holes; separating the metal layer into n-contacting and p-contacting regions by laser-cutting; before applying the organic insulation layer to the emitter layer, applying a TCO layer; producing holes for contacts for the silicon absorber layer in the organic insulation; and subsequently selectively doping the produced holes for the contacts as far as the silicon absorber layer.

Abstract: A composition for solar cell electrodes and electrodes fabricated using the same. The composition includes silver powder; fumed silica; a glass frit; and an organic vehicle. The composition has improved contact efficiency between electrodes and a silicon wafer by introducing specific fumed silica. Solar cell electrodes fabricated using the composition exhibit minimized serial resistance, thereby providing excellent fill factor and conversion efficiency.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode grid positioned at least on a first surface of a photovoltaic structure. The electrode grid can include a number of finger lines and an edge busbar positioned at an edge of the photovoltaic structure. The edge busbar can include one or more paste-alignment structures configured to facilitate confinement of conductive paste used for bonding the edge busbar to an opposite edge busbar of an adjacent photovoltaic structure.

Abstract: A method for improving the lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) film (such as films in thin film batteries) morphology includes using oxygen (O2) and argon (Ar) gases during sputtering deposition of the LiCoO2 film. This may allow for the manufacturing of thicker LiCoO2 films. Such a method may also significantly reduce or eliminate cracking and obvious columnar structures within the resulting LiCoO2 film layer. Sputtering using a mixture of O2 and Ar also may produce a LiCoO2 film layer that requires lower annealing temperatures to reach good utilization and has higher lithium diffusion rates.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device comprising a substrate having a first and a second series of grooves and a channel therebetween. Each groove of the first and second series of grooves has a first and a second face and a cavity therebetween. The cavity is at least partially filled with a first semiconductor material. The first face is coated with a conductor material and the second face coated with a second semiconductor material. The channel transects the grooves of the first and second series of grooves. Also a method of producing an optoelectronic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device in accordance with some embodiments. The semiconductor device includes a first transition metal dichalcogenide film on a substrate; a second transition metal dichalcogenide film on the first transition metal dichalcogenide film; source and drain features formed over the second transition metal dichalcogenide film; and a first gate stack formed over the second transition metal dichalcogenide film and interposed between the source and drain feature.