Abstract: The present invention discloses a solar cell which can enhance the absorption of the short-wavelength range radiation ?<400 nm of the sun and re-radiate in the wavelength range ?=500˜780 nm to enhance the solar cell's capability in absorbing more long-wavelength radiation and form separate electron-hole pairs so as to increase the output power of the solar cell assembly. Furthermore, the present invention also provides a transparent light conversion film for solar cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a solar cell and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, includes a semiconductor structure combination and a multi-atomic-layer structure formed of at least one oxide. The semiconductor structure combination includes at least one p-n junction and has an illuminated surface. The multi-atomic-layer structure overlays the illuminated surface of the semiconductor structure combination. In particular, the multi-atomic-layer structure serves as a surface passivation layer, a transparent conductive layer, and further as an anti-reflective layer.

Abstract: An organic device, including an organic compound having charge-transporting ability (i.e., transporting holes and/or electrons) and/or including organic light emissive molecules capable of emitting at least one of fluorescent light or phosphorescent light, has a charge transfer complex-contained layer including a charge transfer complex formed upon contact of an organic hole-transporting compound and molybdenum trioxide via a manner of lamination or mixing thereof, so that the organic hole-transporting compound is in a state of radical cation (i.e., positively charged species) in the charge transfer complex-contained layer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell includes a junction, formed from an n-type semiconductor material and a p-type semiconductor material, a trench, opening toward the light-incident side of the junction, for trapping reflected light, and two photon conversion layers. A first photon conversion layer, arranged at the light-incident side of the junction, converts photons from a higher energy to a lower energy suitable for absorption by the semiconductor material, and a second photon conversion layer, arranged at the opposite side of the junction, converts photons from a lower energy to a higher energy suitable for absorption by the semiconductor material.

Abstract: Provided is a fluorescent diamondoid material which when energized, either by an electric field or by high energy radiation, emits light. The light emitted is generally in the visible range. The diamondoid material can be fine tuned by internal or external doping. The fluorescent materials comprised of diamondoids, have applications in several fields. One application is in solar cells where these materials can be used to improve the overall efficiency of the device. A second application is in indoor lighting where the materials can be used to efficiently produce white light. This can be done by either using the material as a fluorescent medium for a UV light source, in an electroluminescence device, or by using the material as part of an organic light emitting diode (OLED).

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell is disclosed to include a monocrystalline silicon wafer, and a transparent light conversion powder which is made in the form of a polymer layer with a transparent phosphor powder filled therein and kept in contact with the outer surface of the monocrystalline silicon wafer to enhance the absorption of the short-wavelength radiation ultraviolet ?<480 nm of the sun and to re-radiate in the wavelength range ?=500˜980 nm, wherein the phosphor powder is formulated as MeIIO.xB2O3:EuCePrTbLi, in which MeII=(Mg+2,Ca+2,Sr+2,Ba+2), 0.1<x<10, preferably in the range of 0.5<x<2. Furthermore, the invention also provides a transparent light conversion powder for photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to easily and inexpensively provide a structure of effectively utilizing a light incident on an invalid area of a solar cell. Moreover, it is another object to improve output characteristics of the solar cell by effectively utilizing the light. The gist of the present invention resides in a solar battery module in which plate-like solar cells are held between a light penetrable sheet member on a light receiving surface side and a sheet member on a back surface side, and internal apertures are filled with a sealing resin, wherein a light diffusion section for diffusely reflecting a light or a light diffusion section of a white color is arranged in an invalid region of each solar cell.

Abstract: Color photovoltaic (PV) devices formed using interferometric stacks tuned to reflect color covering the front side or back side of a PV cell, device, panel, or array are disclosed. Interferometric stacks covering PV devices include interferometric modulators (IMODs), or dichroic pair stacks. Such devices can be configured to reflect enough light of select wavelengths so as to impart a color, while transmitting enough light to the PV active material so as to generate useful electricity.

Abstract: Examples of device structures utilizing layers of rare earth oxides to perform the tasks of strain engineering in transitioning between semiconductor layers of different composition and/or lattice orientation and size are given. A structure comprising a plurality of semiconductor layers separated by transition layer(s) comprising two or more rare earth compounds operable as a sink for structural defects is disclosed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power generation system includes a plurality of power generation panels and a power conditioner. The power generation panels and a radiation source are placed in a solar cell storage room buried typically in the ground. The radiation source includes radioactive waste generated in reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. Each power generation panel has a phosphor member and a moderator member, which are disposed in that order on solar cells placed on a board. Radiation (for example, a gamma ray) emitted from the radiation source is injected on the power generation panel and is moderated by the moderator member. When the gamma ray with the reduced energy (below 100 keV) is injected on the phosphor member, it emits visible light. When the visible light is injected on the solar cells, electric power is generated.

Abstract: Solar concentrators are disclosed that improve the efficiency of PV cells and systems using them. The solar concentrators may be designed such that they include one or more tuned chromophores that emit light substantially in a single direction to a PV cell. Various materials and components of the solar concentrators are also described.

Abstract: The use of rare-earth (RE+O, N, P) based materials to transition between two semiconductor materials is disclosed. Rare earth based oxides, nitrides and phosphides provide a wide range of lattice spacings enabling, compressive, tensile or stress-free lattice matching with Group IV, III-V, and Group II-VI compounds. Disclosed embodiments include tandem solar cells.

Abstract: The use of rare-earth (REO, N, P) based materials to covert long wavelength photons to shorter wavelength photons that can be absorbed in a photovoltaic device (up-conversion) and (REO, N, P) materials which can absorb a short wavelength photon and re-emit one (downshifting) or more longer wavelength photons is disclosed. The wide spectral range of sunlight overlaps with a multitude of energy transitions in rare-earth materials, thus offering multiple up-conversion pathways. The refractive index contrast of rare-earth materials with silicon enables a DBR with >90% peak reflectivity and a stop band greater than 150 nm.

Abstract: The use of rare-earth (RE and O, N, P) based materials to transition between two different semiconductor materials and enable up and/or down conversion of incident radiation is disclosed. Rare earth based oxides, nitrides and phosphides provide a wide range of lattice spacing enabling, compressive, tensile or stress-free lattice matching with Group IV, III-V, and Group II-VI compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a luminescent photovoltaic generator (1) and a waveguide for use in such a photovoltaic generator. The photovoltaic generator comprises a photovoltaic cell (4) and a waveguide comprising a transparent matrix (2) having particles of an inorganic luminescent material dispersed therein and/or an inorganic luminescent material disposed at least one side thereof (6). The waveguide is associated with the photovoltaic cell (4), such that, in use, at least some of the light emitted from the luminescent material passes into the photovoltaic cell (4) to generate a voltage in the cell. In preferred embodiments, the inorganic luminescent material is a line emitter and the emission is due to a forbidden electronic transition within the material. The inorganic luminescent material may be selected from an inorganic phosphor, an inorganic fluorescent material and quantum dots, quantum rods and quantum core/shell systems.

Abstract: Luminescent compositions are described comprising lanthanide-containing nanoclusters comprising lanthanide atoms bonded to at least one semimetal or transition metal via an oxygen or sulfur atom. Novel compositions include an antenna ligand complexed with the nanoclusters. The rare earth-metal nanoclusters are in the size range of 1 to 100 nm. Articles, such as solar cells, are described in which the nanoclusters (with or without antenna ligands) are dispersed in a polymer matrix. Novel methods of making luminescent films are also described.

Abstract: The light conversion efficiency of a solar cell (10) is enhanced by using an optical downshifting layer (30) in cooperation with a photovoltaic material (22). The optical downshifting layer converts photons (50) having wavelengths in a supplemental light absorption spectrum into photons (52) having a wavelength in the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic material. The cost effectiveness and efficiency of solar cells platforms (20) can be increased by relaxing the range of the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic material. The optical downshifting layer can be applied as a low cost solution processed film composed of highly absorbing and emissive quantum dot heterostructure nanomaterial embedded in an inert matrix to improve the short wavelength response of the photovoltaic material. The enhanced efficiency provided by the optical downshifting layer permits advantageous modifications to the solar cell platform that enhances its efficiency as well.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical filter including a substrate having a plurality of layers of materials stacked upon it each of which layers is formed from one or both of: a first material having a first index of refraction; and, a second material having a second index of refraction being less than the first index of refraction; wherein the plurality of layers of materials include a first layer and a second layer each formed from an inhomogeneous mixture of said first material and said second material; and a third layer formed from the first material being stacked in between the first layer and the second layer; wherein the optical thickness of each of said first and said second layers is greater than the optical thickness of said third layer.

Abstract: An optoelectronic structure can include a liquid crystal polymer layer and an optoelectronic device adjacent to a first surface of the liquid crystal polymer layer. The liquid crystal polymer layer can include the first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. In an embodiment, the liquid crystal polymer layer can further include a liquid crystal polymer at least partially exposed to a gas at the second surface. In another embodiment, the liquid crystal polymer may be a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer. In still another embodiment, the polymer layer can include an additive to reduce migration of a gas through the polymer layer. Methods of forming such optoelectronic structures can include melt-processing techniques.

Abstract: A device for adaptable wavelength conversion and a device for energy conversion are described. The device for adaptable wavelength conversion comprises at least one layer comprising a wavelength converting material and arranged to receive and re-emit a light beam. The device is further arranged to manipulate the at least one layer to operate in a closed state, in which a surface of the at least one layer is substantially covered with the wavelength converting material and to operate in an open state, in which the surface of the at least one layer is substantially uncovered with the wavelength converting material. The device for adaptable wavelength conversion can be applied in combination with a solar cell or photovoltaic cell thereby enabling the solar cell to receive radiation having a suitable spectrum under varying lighting conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical thin film for a thin-film solar cell, which is formed directly on a top surface of the thin-film solar cell having a transparent conductive film layer to provide a high infrared emissivity and a lower solar absorptivity to the thin-film solar cell. The optical thin film is formed through a vacuum vapor deposition process. The thin film makes it possible to provide enhanced infrared emissivity based on its reduced thickness, while suppressing unnecessary incoming solar radiation in a simplified structure to achieve a reduced solar absorptivity so as to maintain desired cell efficiency. The optical thin film of the present invention is capable of achieving reduction in weight of a solar cell, and suitable for use, particularly, in space environments.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes a solar cell and a wavelength conversion optical plate. The solar cell is attached on the optical plate in a thickness direction of the optical plate. The optical plate converts wavelength of solar light. An end portion of the optical plate in a planar direction thereof has an end face inclined relative to the planar direction, so that light, whose wavelength is converted in the optical plate, enters into the solar cell. A solar panel includes a frame and the solar cell modules. The solar cell modules are arranged in the frame in a planar direction of the frame. The frame includes a fixing part, to which an end portion of each of the solar cell modules in a planar direction thereof is fixed in a state where each of the solar cell modules is arranged at a corresponding predetermined fixing position of the frame.

Abstract: Renewable energy sources provide electricity without consuming fossil fuels and contributing to emissions that impact the global environment. Unlike wind and water methods solar photovoltaic generators provide this renewable energy without geographic or meteorological limitations. However, today electricity generation from solar using photovoltaics is more expensive than fossil fuel sources and is generally limited to deployments with large planar photovoltaic panels. According to embodiments of the invention concentrator based azimuth-altitude tracking solar power generators are provided offering reduced electricity generation costs, reduced installation costs, increased flexibility in deployment and locations of deployment, and initial system costs. The optical assembly comprises a concentrating lens and a reflector to couple the solar radiation to the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes epitaxial lift-off in which a sacrificial layer is included in the epitaxial growth between the substrate and a thin film III-V compound solar cell. To provide support for the thin film III-V compound solar cell in absence of the substrate, a backing layer is applied to a surface of the thin film III-V compound solar cell before it is separated from the substrate. To separate the thin film III-V compound solar cell from the substrate, the sacrificial layer is removed as part of the epitaxial lift-off. Once the substrate is separated from the thin film III-V compound solar cell, the substrate may then be reused in the formation of another thin film III-V compound solar cell.

Abstract: A thin-film metal-oxide compound includes a titanium dioxide layer having a thickness of about 100 to 1000 nanometers. The titanium dioxide layer has a single-phase anatase structure. The titanium dioxide layer is directly disposed on a substrate comprised of glass, sapphire, or silicon. A solar cell includes a backing layer, a p-n junction layer, a metal-oxide layer, a top electrical layer and a contact layer. The backing layer includes a p-type semiconductor material. The p-n junction layer has a first side disposed on a front side of the backing layer. The metal-oxide layer includes an n-type titanium dioxide film having a thickness in the range of about 100 to about 1000 nanometers. The metal-oxide layer is disposed on a second side of the p-n junction layer. The top electrical layer is disposed on the metal-oxide layer, and the contact layer is disposed on a back side of the backing layer.

Abstract: A luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) for receiving electromagnetic radiation of at least a first wavelength is disclosed. The LSC includes a core layer. A lower clad layer substantially underlies the core layer. At least one photovoltaic (PV) cell is partially embedded in at least one of the core layer and the lower clad layer. At least one dye layer substantially overlies the core layer. The at least one dye layer has embedded therein at least one absorption dipole and at least one emission dipole, the at least one emission dipole being coupled to the at least one absorption dipole.

Abstract: There is provided a wavelength-converting composition and a photovoltaic device in which a wavelength-converting substance can be uniformly dispersed without causing an increase in manufacturing costs. The wavelength-converting composition contains a curing resin and a wavelength-converting substance for converting the wavelength of absorbed light.

Abstract: A fluorescent material of Formula (I) is provided. In Formula (I), all the variables thereof are described in the specification. The invention also provides a solar cell with the disclosed fluorescent material. The solar cell with the fluorescent material includes a solar cell and a fluorescent layer including the disclosed fluorescent material of Formula (I) coating on the solar cell.

Abstract: A solar energy conversion assembly for efficiently capturing solar energy by providing additional chances to absorb reflected sunlight and providing longer path lengths in the photovoltaic (PV) material. The assembly includes a PV device including a layer of PV material and a protective top covering the PV material (e.g., a planar glass cover applied with adhesive to the PV material). The assembly further includes a PV enhancement film formed of a substantially transparent material, and film is applied to at least a portion of the protective top such as with a substantially transparent adhesive. The PV enhancement film includes a plurality of absorption enhancement structures on the substrate opposite the PV device. Each absorption enhancement structure includes a light receiving surface that refracts incident light striking the PV enhancement film to provide an average path length ratio of greater than about 1.20 in the layer of PV material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar cell, which includes a transparent substrate, an optical layer, a luminescent member and a photovoltaic device. The optical layer is disposed on the transparent substrate, and is capable of reflecting light having wavelengths in the range of about 500 nm to about 730 nm, and also transmitting light having wavelengths in the range of about 300 nm to about 600 nm. The luminescent member is disposed on the optical layer, and is capable of emitting a light having wavelengths in the range of about 500 nm to about 730 nm. The photovoltaic device is disposed on the luminescent member and is operable to convert light into electricity.

Abstract: A system and a conversion element for power conversion. The power conversion system includes a power conversion device which produces electric power upon illumination and includes a light conversion device which down-converts and up-converts a radiant source of energy into a specific energy spectrum for the illumination of the power conversion device. The conversion element includes a first plurality of particles which upon radiation from a first radiation source radiate at a higher energy than the first radiation source, and includes a second plurality of particles which upon radiation from the first radiation source radiate at a lower energy than the first radiation source. At least one of the first plurality of particles and the second plurality of particles can be at least partially metal coated.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device including at least one active layer, a transparent cover plate, a layer that contains luminescent molecules and a layer that contains on at least one side an array of defined and repeating geometrical optical structures, wherein an individual geometrical optical structure of the array comprises a m-polygonal base and an apex area, the m-polygonal base and the apex area are connected by m surfaces with m being equal to 3 or higher.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar cell structure (10) having at least one transparent photovoltaic cell (42), in particular having a dye solar cell or a thin-film semiconductor cell. It comprises at least one polymer layer (36) which is provided with a fluorescent material, or a mixture of a plurality of fluorescent materials, and covers the at least one transparent photovoltaic cell (42).

Abstract: The invention provides a novel luminescent nanosheet, and applications to that luminescent nanosheet. The invention also breaks down conventional common knowledge of nanosheet solutions to provide a nanosheet paint that makes use of a high-concentration nanosheet solution suitable for dispersion of a luminescent nanosheet or the like. The invention provides a luminescent nanosheet having perovskite octahedral crystals combined together in a planar configuration, characterized in that the octahedral crystals each have a multistacked crystal sheet structure wherein the octahedral crystals are multistacked over at least 3 high in the direction vertical to a sheet plane, and an element providing a luminescence center is solid-solubilized between the multistacked octahedral crystals (see FIG. 8).

Abstract: A thin-film solar cell including a substrate, a first conductive layer, a plurality of photovoltaic layers, a second conductive layer, a first passivation layer and a second passivation layer is provided. The first conductive layer is disposed on the substrate. The photovoltaic layers are stacked on the first conductive layer and in electrical tandem, wherein each photovoltaic layer is adapted for generating a photocurrent. The second conductive layer is disposed on the photovoltaic layers. The first passivation layer is disposed on the second conductive layer, and the second passivation layer is disposed on the first passivation layer. The first and second passivation layers are used for reflecting the light within a wavelength range into the photovoltaic layers, so as to make the photocurrent generated by the photovoltaic layers being matched. A manufacturing method of the thin-film solar cell is also provided.

Abstract: An optical device (1) is provided. The optical device comprising a switchable layer (2) at least one alignment layer (6) a light guiding system (5), whereas the switchable layer (2) comprises a luminescent material (3) for absorbing and emitting light, whereby the alignment of the luminescent material (3) is changeable and the light guiding system (5) guides the emitted light, whereby the switchable layer (2) is in contact with the at least one alignment layer (6) and the luminescent material (3) exhibits anisotropic properties, whereby the optical device (1) comprises a light energy-converting means (7), wherein the light guiding system (5) is in physical contact with the energy converting means (7).

Abstract: A photovoltaic polarizing element includes a first transparent electrode, an electron collector, dichroic dye molecules, a second transparent electrode and an electron supplier. The first transparent electrode is formed on a first transparent substrate. The electron collector is formed on the first transparent electrode. The dichroic dye molecules are arranged in and/or on the electron collector and aligned in a predetermined direction. The second transparent electrode is formed on a second transparent substrate. The electron collector and the second transparent electrode face each other with a gap having a predetermined thickness. The electron supplier arranged between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode. An energy level of the dichroic dye molecules in an excited state is higher than that of the electron collector, and the energy level of the dichroic dye molecules in a ground state is lower than that of the electron supplier.

Abstract: A solar cell device is provided, including a transparent substrate, a transparent conductive layer disposed over the transparent substrate, a photovoltaic element formed over the composite transparent conductive layer, and an electrode layer disposed over the photovoltaic element. In one embodiment, the transparent conductive layer includes lithium and fluorine-co-doped tin oxides, and the lithium and fluorine-co-doped tin oxides includes a plurality of polyhedron grains, and the polyhedron grains have a polyhedron grain distribution density of 60-95%.

Abstract: A back metal electrode, a bottom cell using microcrystalline silicon for a photoelectric conversion layer, a front cell using amorphous silicon for a photoelectric conversion layer, and a transparent front electrode are formed in this order on a supporting substrate. At least one of the concentration of impurities contained in the front photoelectric conversion layer and the concentration of impurities contained in the bottom photoelectric conversion layer is controlled such that the concentration of impurities in the bottom photoelectric conversion layer is higher than the concentration of impurities in the front photoelectric conversion layer. Impurities do not include a p-type dopant or an n-type dopant but are any one, two, or all of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds for electronic material, and organic electroluminescent devices or organic solar cells comprising the same. Specifically, the compounds for electronic material according to the invention are characterized in that they are represented by Chemical Formula (1): Since the compounds for electronic material, when being applied to an organic electroluminescent device, show good luminous efficiency and excellent life property of material, OLED's having very good operation life can be manufactured therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel organic electroluminescent compounds, and organic electroluminescent devices employing the same as electroluminescent material. Specifically, the organic electroluminescent compounds according to the invention are characterized in that they are represented by Chemical Formula (1): wherein, A and B independently represent CR7 or N, provided that both A and B cannot be CR7 or N at the same time; and X is O or S.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device may include a housing having a transparent pupil receiving a collimated beam of radiation, and photovoltaic cell arrays being positioned on respective inner surfaces of the housing, each photovoltaic cell array sensing a respective spectral range of the radiation different from the other photovoltaic cell arrays. The photovoltaic device may further include dichroic filters being positioned along an optical axis of the transparent pupil and splitting the collimated beam into a corresponding divided beams of different spectrums, and mirrors corresponding to the divided beams. Each mirror may have reflecting surfaces, receive a respective divided beam, subdivide the received divided beam into reflected beams from the reflecting surfaces, and illuminate an active area of a photovoltaic cell of the respective array.

Abstract: An energy conversion film and a quantum dot film which contain a quantum dot compound, an energy conversion layer including the quantum dot film, and a solar cell including the energy conversion layer. The films act as cut-off filters blocking light of a particular energy level using the light absorption and emission effects of quantum dots and can convert high energy light to low energy light. The efficiency of a solar cell may be improved by providing the cell with a film that converts light above the spectrum-responsive region to light in the cell's spectrum-responsive region. The absorption wavelength region of the films can be broadened by providing the quantum dot compound in a variety of average particle sizes, for example, by providing a mixture of a first quantum dot compound having a first average particle size and a first quantum dot compound having a second average particle size.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated solar cell which includes a plasmonic layer which includes a pattern configured to support plasmon waves, The plasmonic layer is configured to receive as input light energy of an incident light and at least one photon of light received from one or more layers in optical communication with the plasmonic layer and to re-emit as output a guided light to the one or more layers in optical communication with the plasmonic layer. A wavelength conversion layer is configured to receive as input at least one photon having a first wavelength and to provide as output at least one photon having a second wavelength different than the first wavelength. A photovoltaic layer is optically coupled to both the wavelength conversion layer and the plasmonic layer, the photovoltaic layer configured to convert at least one photon having the second wavelength to electrical energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photovoltaic device having excellent environmental durability and good adhesion with a collector electrode made of metal paste. The photovoltaic device comprises an ITO film on a p-type amorphous silicon hydride film on a light incident side of the photovoltaic device and a collector electrode made of silver paste on the ITO film. A silicon oxide insulation film made of SiOx is provided on at least regions on the ITO film where the collector electrode is not formed. The thickness of the silicon oxide insulation film is about 1 to 10 times thicker than an arithmetic mean deviation (Ra) of the underlying ITO film. The silicon oxide insulation film is a film having a Si-2p peak with a full width at half maximum of 2.45 or less, which is evaluated by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Abstract: A power source (212) is disclosed for charging a battery (330) within a portable electronic device (310). An apparatus (422), such as a photovoltaic or thermoelectric cell, for charging the battery (330) is disposed contiguous to and within a transparent housing (412) of the portable electronic device (310). A fluorescent species (416), such as quantum dots or a fluorescent dye, is disposed on a side of the housing (412) opposed to the apparatus (422). Light (430) striking the fluorescent species (416) is converted into photons (432, 434) having a narrower spectrum that passes through the housing (412) to the apparatus (422). An optional layer (418) may be disposed on the fluorescent species (416) that reflects light from the fluorescent species (416) to the apparatus (422). Photonic crystals (415) may be combined with the fluorescent species (416) to increase reflectivity.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device (100) comprising at least one optoelectronic active region (101) comprising at least a rear electrode (102) and a front electrode (103) between which an organic optoelectronic material (104) is sandwiched, said rear electrode (102) being reflective, and a cover layer (105) arranged in front of said front electrode (103). The cover layer (105) comprises a material with light-scattering particles (110) of a first material dispersed in a transparent matrix (111) of at an least partly hydrolyzed silica sol. Due to the highly scattering propertied of the cover layer, the device is essentially concealed behind the cover layer when not in its operative state.

Abstract: Provided are nanoscale, mineralized structures from naturally-occurring materials and related methods for manufacturing these structures. The structures are useful in construction of photovoltaic devices and sensor applications.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell includes a photovoltaic material disposed between front and back side electrodes, an insulating layer disposed on the front side electrode and one or more luminescent down shifting materials. Also provided is a photovoltaic module that includes a first photovoltaic cell, a second photovoltaic cell, one or more luminescent down shifting materials and a collector-connector configured to collect current from the first photovoltaic cell and to electrically connect the first photovoltaic cell with the second photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A spectrum manipulation device and method for increasing an energy conversion efficiency of a photovoltaic cell arrangement, the device including: (a) a black body adapted to absorb an input electromagnetic energy having an input energy flux spectrum, and to emit a first output electromagnetic energy having a different, output energy flux spectrum; (b) a transparent cover, adapted to thermally insulate the black body from an ambient environment, and to receive light and direct the light towards the black body; (c) an optical device, facing the black body, and adapted to: (i) receive the first output energy and emit a second output electromagnetic energy having a narrow, modified energy flux spectrum, with respect to the output energy flux spectrum, and (ii) recycle some of the first output electromagnetic energy to the black body; (d) a photovoltaic cell having a photon absorption surface, disposed to be in optical communication with the optical device, and (e) a housing containing the black body and the opti