Abstract: A precursor material for forming a film of a group IB-IIIA-chalcogenide compound and a method of making this film are disclosed. The film contains group IB-chalcogenide nanoparticles and/or group IIIA-chalcogenide nanoparticles and/or nanoglobules and/or nanodroplets and a source of extra chalcogen. Alternatively, the film may contain core-shell nanoparticles having core nanoparticles include group IB and/or IIIA elements, which are coated with a shell of elemental chalcogen material. The method of making a film of group IB-IIIA- chalcogenide compound includes mixing the nanoparticles and/or nanoglobules and/or nanodroplets to form an ink, depositing the ink on a substrate, heating to melt the extra chalcogen and to react the chalcogen with the group IB and group IIIA elements and/or chalcogenides to form a dense film.

Abstract: Patterned photovoltaic cells, as well as related components and methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a polymer comprising a ?-conjugated backbone comprising a furan. The polymer has a narrow or low band gap and/or is solution processable. In some embodiments, the polymer is PDPP2FT or PDPP3F. The present invention also provides for a device comprising the polymer, such as a light-emitting diode, thin-film transistor, chemical biosensor, non-emissive electrochromic, memory device, photovoltaic cells, or the like.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition includes at least one monomer, a photoinitiator capable of initiating polymerization of the monomer when exposed to light, and a phosphor capable of producing light when exposed to radiation (typically X-rays). The material is particularly suitable for bonding components at ambient temperature in situations where the bond joint is not accessible to an external light source. An associated method includes: placing a polymerizable adhesive composition, including a photoinitiator and energy converting material, such as a down-converting phosphor, in contact with at least two components to be bonded to form an assembly; and, irradiating the assembly with radiation at a first wavelength, capable of conversion (down-conversion by the phosphor) to a second wavelength capable of activating the photoinitiator, to prepare items such as inkjet cartridges, wafer-to-wafer assemblies, semiconductors, integrated circuits, and the like.

Abstract: To provide a glass frit for forming an electrode, to be used for forming a light-receiving surface electrode for a solar cell, which has suitable glass fluidity and Si reactivity required to form a light-receiving surface electrode and a sufficient water resistance. A glass frit for forming an electrode to be used for forming a light-receiving surface electrode 12 for a solar cell 1, which comprises from 3 mol % to 20 mol % of SiO2, from 10 mol % to 40 mol % of Bi2O3, from 15 mol % to 45 mol % of B2O3, from 10 mol % to 60 mol % of ZnO and from 2 mol % to 10 mol % of Ti2O, wherein the total content of Bi2O3 and ZnO is from 35 mol % to 70 mol %.

Abstract: Processes for making a thin film solar cell on a substrate by providing a substrate coated with an electrical contact layer, depositing an ink onto the contact layer of the substrate, wherein the ink contains an alkali ion source compound suspended or dissolved in a carrier along with photovoltaic absorber precursor compounds, and heating the substrate. The alkali ion source compound can be MalkMB(ER)4 or Malk(ER). The processes can be used for CIS or CIGS.

Abstract: The invention relates to conjugated polymers that comprise phenanthrene and/or indenofluorene units and are free of amine-containing units, to methods of their preparation, to the use of the polymers in organic electronic (OE) devices, and to OE devices comprising the polymers.

Abstract: A method for producing a compound semiconductor layer comprises dissolving a metal feedstock comprising at least one of a group I-B element and a group III-B element, in a metal state, in a mixed solvent comprising an organic compound containing a chalcogen element and a Lewis base organic compound to produce a solution for forming a semiconductor; forming a coat using the solution for forming a semiconductor; and heat-treating the coat.

Abstract: A phosphor includes semiconductor nanoparticles formed of compound semiconductor, and conductive transparent compounds. The semiconductor nanoparticles may be dispersed in or on the conductive transparent compounds. The resistivity of the conductive transparent compounds is preferably less than or equal to 10 ?m.

Abstract: Techniques for increasing conductivity of graphene films by chemical doping are provided. In one aspect, a method for increasing conductivity of a graphene film includes the following steps. The graphene film is formed from one or more graphene sheets. The graphene sheets are exposed to a solution having a one-electron oxidant configured to dope the graphene sheets to increase a conductivity thereof, thereby increasing the overall conductivity of the film. The graphene film can be formed prior to the graphene sheets being exposed to the one-electron oxidant solution. Alternatively, the graphene sheets can be exposed to the one-electron oxidant solution prior to the graphene film being formed. A method of fabricating a transparent electrode on a photovoltaic device from a graphene film is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for plasma deposition of thin film photovoltaic materials at microwave frequencies. The apparatus avoids unintended deposition on windows or other microwave transmission elements that couple microwave energy to deposition species. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator with one or more conduits passing therethrough that carry deposition species. The applicator transfers microwave energy to the deposition species to activate or energize them to a reactive state. The conduits physically isolate deposition species that would react or otherwise combine to form a thin film material at the point of microwave power transfer and deliver the microwave-excited species to a deposition chamber. One or more supplemental material streams may be delivered directly to the deposition chamber without passing through the microwave applicator and may combine with deposition species exiting the one or more conduits to form a thin film material.

Abstract: The present application provides nitride semiconductor nanoparticles, for example nanocrystals, made from a new composition of matter in the form of a novel compound semiconductor family of the type group II-III-N, for example ZnGaN, ZnInN, ZnInGaN, ZnAlN, ZnAlGaN, ZnAlInN and ZnAlGaInN. This type of compound semiconductor nanocrystal is not previously known in the prior art. The invention also discloses II-N semiconductor nanocrystals, for example ZnN nanocrystals, which are a subgroup of the group II-III-N semiconductor nanocrystals. The composition and size of the new and novel II-III-N compound semiconductor nanocrystals can be controlled in order to tailor their band-gap and light emission properties. Efficient light emission in the ultraviolet-visible-infrared wavelength range is demonstrated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optoelectronic and/or electrochemical devices comprising an organic charge transporting material which is liquid at a temperature of ?180° C. In particular in dye-sensitised solar cells, quantum efficiency higher than with prior art solid organic hole-transporters is reported. The melting point of a large quantity of organic charge transporting materials may be adjusted to a desired value by selecting suitable substituents. Accordingly, general advantages of the liquid state may be associated with the properties of organic charge transporting materials.

Abstract: A composition comprising a first compound having a structure represented by formula (1), and a second compound composed of only a structure different from the structure represented by formula (1).

Abstract: The sulfide has the following composition, and the photoelectric element uses the sulfide. (1) The sulfide contains Cu, Zn, and Sn as a principal component. (2) When x is a ratio of Cu/(Zn+Sn), y is a ratio of Zn/Sn (x and y being atomic ratios), and the composition of the sulfide is represented by the (x, y) coordinates, with the points A=(0.78, 1.32), B=(0.86, 1.32), C=(0.86, 1.28), D=(0.90, 1.23), E=(0.90, 1.18), and F=(0.78, 1.28), the composition (x, y) of the sulfide is on any one of respective straight lines connecting the points A?B-?C?D?E?F?A in that order, or within an area enclosed by the respective straight lines.

Abstract: This invention relates to coloured polymer particles preferably with surface functionality for charge retention, a process for their preparation, the use of these particles for the preparation of an electrophoretic device, and to colour electrophoretic displays comprising such particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for making kesterite compositions with atypical Cu:Zn:Sn:S ratios and/or kesterite compositions with unusually small coherent domain sizes. This invention also relates to these kesterite compositions and their use in preparing CZTS films.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of quasicrystalline structures. In preferred embodiments, the stopgap structure is more spherically symmetric than periodic structures facilitating the formation of stopgaps in nearly all directions because of higher rotational symmetries. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of quasicrystalline structures for optical, mechanical, electrical and magnetic purposes. In some embodiments, the invention relates to manipulating, controlling, modulating and directing waves including electromagnetic, sound, spin, and surface waves, for a pre-selected range of wavelengths propagating in multiple directions.

Abstract: A method for forming electrically conductive polyaniline (PANI)-based composites includes mixing a base form of PANI, a photo acid generator (PAG), and when the PAG does not hydrogen bond to the base form of PANI an additive which can form hydrogen bonds with the base form of PANI or PAG, together with at least one solvent to form a mixture. The solvent is removed from the mixture. After the removing, the mixture is photo-irradiated with a wavelength within an absorption band of the PAG for converting the base form of PANI to a salt form of PANI to form a polymer composite that includes the salt form of PANI. The polymer composite has a 25° C. electrical conductivity that is at least 3 orders of magnitude higher than a 25° C. electrical conductivity of the base form of PANI, such as a 25° C. electrical conductivity of ?0.01 S/cm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition for electrodes that enables a firing process in air at a temperature of 600° C. or less and does not cause an increase in absolute resistance and a substantial variation of the resistance even when the composition is repeatedly subjected to the firing process. The composition for electrodes comprises: about 5 to about 95% by weight of aluminum powder, the aluminum powder having a particle size distribution of about 2.0 or less as expressed by the following Equation (1) and having D50 in the range of about 0.1 ?m?D50?about 20 ?m; about 3 to about 60% by weight of an organic binder; and the balance of a solvent: Particle size distribution=(D90?D10)/D50??(1) wherein D10, D50, and D90 represent particle diameters at 10%, 50% and 90% points on an accumulation curve of a particle size distribution when the total weight is 100%. An electrode and a PDP fabricated using the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A conductive polymer, a conductive polymer composition, a conductive polymer organic film, and an organic photoelectric device including the same, the conductive polymer including repeating units represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, repeating units represented by the following Chemical Formula 2, and repeating units represented by the following Chemical Formula 3:

Abstract: Compositions, articles, and methods of manufacturing that include a bicontinuous, interpenetrating composite of a semiconducting organic phase; a semiconducting particulate phase; and a plurality of p-n junctions at interfaces between the semiconducting organic phase and the semiconducting particulate phase. The bicontinuous, interpenetrating composite being a new photovoltaic material that can enhance the photovoltaic conversion efficiency and reduce the manufacturing cost of photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: The production method of a photoelectric conversion device comprises the steps of adding a chalcogenide powder of a group-IIIB element to an organic solvent including a single source precursor containing a group-IB element, a group-IIIB element, and a chalcogen element to prepare a solution for forming a semiconductor, and forming a semiconductor containing a group-I-III-VI compound by use of the solution for forming a semiconductor.

Abstract: A composite material with a high photoquenching factor of electroconductivity comprising a multiple-component system which is a combination of a polymeric material matrix and a ferrocene-type compound contained in the polymeric material matrix. In one or more aspects of the invention, the polymer material matrix may be formed with polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, or a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and trifluoroethylene. Additionally, the ferrocene-type compound may be contained in the composite in an amount of 10 vol. % to 50 vol. % per 100 vol.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrode layer comprising a porous film made of oxide semiconductor fine particles sensitized with certain methine dyes.

Abstract: A method of making a metal oxide based component for use in a solar cell, without sintering the metal oxide. The method includes flocculating a metal oxide solution that is used to produce the non-sintered metal oxide component. A composition for use in making a non-sintered solar cell component. The composition includes a metal oxide solution and a flocculant for flocculating particles of the metal oxide solution. A solar cell having an anode and interfacing the anode is a semiconductor that includes a metal oxide that is produced by a method that does not require sintering of the metal oxide. The method comprises flocculating a solution of the metal oxide. The solar cell further includes a cathode and an electrolyte in electrical communication with the semiconductor and the cathode.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide aluminum-containing silicon for n-type solar cells. It further provides a method of producing phosphorous-doped silicon refined form aluminum-containing silicone from an economical point of view. It provides silicon for n-type solar cells containing aluminum at a mass concentration of from 0.001 to 1.0 ppm and phosphorous at a mass concentration of from 0.0011 to 1.1 ppm, and having a mass concentration ratio of phosphorous to aluminum of 1.1 or greater. It further provides a method of producing phosphorous-doped silicon, including: preparing a melted mixture containing aluminum, phosphorous, and silicon, by heating and melting aluminum-containing silicon to obtain a melted product and adding phosphorous to the obtained melted product, or by adding phosphorous to aluminum-containing silicon to obtain a mixture and heating and melting the obtained mixture; and then solidifying the melted mixture in a mold under a temperature gradient in one direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel strategies for mitigating the Staebler-Wronski Effect (SWE), that is, the light induced degradation in performance of photoconductivity in amorphous silicon. Materials according to the present invention include alloys or composites of amorphous silicon which affect the elasticity of the materials, amorphous silicon that has been grown on a flexed substrate, compression sandwiched comprising amorphous silicon, and amorphous silicon containing nanoscale features that allow stress to be relieved. The composites are formed with nanoparticles such as nanocrystals and nanotubes. Preferred are boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) including those that have been surface modified.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrode comprising an electrically conductive material having a surface capable of producing surface enhanced Raman scattering of incident light from a complex adsorbed at the surface of the electrode, the complex including the electrically conductive material combined with a second material that is substantially reducible and not substantially oxidizable. The surface of the electrode can be microroughened. The invention also includes a method for making various embodiments of the electrode, and a method of generating electricity using the electrode. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a fuel cell is provided including the electrode of the invention.

Abstract: A tin-cadmium oxide film having an amorphous structure and a ratio of tin atoms to cadmium atoms of between 1:1 and 3:1. The tin-cadmium oxide film may have an optical band gap of between 2.7 eV and 3.35 eV. The film may also have a charge carrier concentration of between 1×1020 cm?3 and 2×1020 cm?3. The tin cadmium oxide film may also exhibit a Hall mobility of between 40 cm2V?1 s?1 and 60 cm2V?1 s?1. Also disclosed is a method of producing an amorphous tin-cadmium oxide film as described and devices using same.

Abstract: Photoactive materials made from Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles dispersed in an inorganic oxide matrix and methods for making the photoactive materials are provided. In some instances, the nanoparticles are functionalized with organosilanes to provide nanoparticle-organosilane compounds. The photoactive materials may be formed by subjecting the nanoparticles or nanoparticle compounds to a sol-gel process. The photoactive materials are well-suited for use in devices which convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy, including photovoltaic devices, photoconductors, and photodetectors.

Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed herein involve conversion of precursors to electronic films with many properties such as conductor, resistor, semiconductor, photovoltaic, insulator and optical conversion films. There are a large number of materials such as transition metal oxides, metals, combination oxides that may be deposited as organic precursors and subsequently processed by radiated energy. In practice of the systems and methods disclosed herein, the films are processed by a “matched” radiation to either intrinsic absorption of the film precursors, or due to an added absorber to the film precursors. Since many of the precursors have been previously described as “Metal-Organic” precursors, the process can be described as “Metal-Organic Deposition by Enhanced Light-Absorption” (MODEL-A).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a binuclear ruthenium complex dye represented by the following general formula (1-1): wherein R01 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms; X represents a counter ion; and n represents a number of the counter ions needed to neutralize a charge of the complex; and in which proton(s) (H+) of one or more carboxyl groups (—COOH) may dissociate.

Abstract: A UV curable intermediate transfer media, such as a belt, that includes a first supporting substrate layer, such as a polyimide substrate layer, and a second surface layer of an epoxy acrylate, a conductive compound, and a photoinitiator.

Abstract: With a view to realizing a titanium oxide composite that has a large surface area and that enables efficient transfer of electrons by covering a surface of rod-like or fibrous carbon with a covering layer comprising titanium oxide particles connected to one another, an object of the invention is to develop a material useful as an active material for dye-sensitized solar cells, and a process for producing the material; a porous titanium oxide-covered carbon material composition, and a process for producing the composition; and a photoelectric conversion element comprising the titanium oxide-covered carbon material or porous titanium oxide-covered carbon material composition.

Abstract: A buffer layer manufacturing method, including the steps of forming a fine particle layer of ZnS, Zn(S, O), and/or Zn(S, O, OH), mixing an aqueous solution (I) which includes a component (Z), an aqueous solution (II) which includes a component (S), and an aqueous solution (III) which includes a component (C) to obtain a mixed solution and mixing an aqueous solution (IV) which includes a component (N) in the mixed solution to prepare a reaction solution in which the concentration of the component (C) is 0.001 to 0.25M, concentration of the component (N) is 0.41 to 1.0M, and the pH before the start of reaction is 9.0 to 12.0, and, using the reaction solution, forming a Zn compound layer of Zn(S, O) and/or Zn(S, O, OH) on the fine particle layer by a liquid phase method with a reaction temperature of 70 to 95° C.

Abstract: Semiconductor ink is disclosed for use in printing thin film solar cell absorber layer. The semiconductor ink is particularly useful in fabricating multi junction tandem solar cell wherein a high bandgap absorber layer as the top cell and a lower band gap absorber layer as the bottom cell. The ink contains ingredients of IB-IIIA-VIA compound with micron-sized semiconductor as the main building “bricks” and nano-sized semiconductor as the binder to fulfill the formation of smooth semiconductive film with micron-sized crystal grain size. Thus formed ink can be used in direct printing for the fabrication of low cost high performance solar cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and organic photosensitive materials and devices for detection of infrared radiation.

Abstract: An organic conductive composition and a touch panel input device are provided. The organic conductive composition includes a conductive polymer, a dopant lowering electric resistance, an acrylic binder, and a viscosity control agent. The organic conductive composition has excellent transparency, low surface resistance, similar elongation and thermal expansion coefficient to that of a substrate. Accordingly, a conductive film of the touch panel input device including the organic conductive composition is not likely to be peeled off from the substrate, which makes it possible to increase the durability of the input device.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for materials using compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. This invention further relates to thin film AIGS, AIS, and AGS materials made by a process of providing one or more polymeric precursor compounds or inks thereof, providing a substrate, depositing the compounds or inks onto the substrate; and heating the substrate at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 650° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials for photovoltaic applications including devices and systems for energy conversion and solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. A compound may contain repeating units {MA(ER)(ER)} and {MB(ER)(ER)}, wherein each MA is Cu, each MB is In or Ga, each E is S, Se, or Te, and each R is independently selected, for each occurrence, from alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, amido, silyl, and inorganic and organic ligands.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to polymeric precursor compounds and precursor materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. A compound may contain repeating units {MB(ER)(ER)} and {MA(ER)(ER)}, wherein MA is a combination of Cu and Ag, each MB is In or Ga, each E is S, Se, or Te, and each R is independently selected, for each occurrence, from alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkenyl, amido, silyl, and inorganic and organic ligands.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device using a semiconductor fine material such as a semiconductor fine particle sensitized with a dye carried thereon, characterized in that the dye is a methine type dye having a specific partial structure, for example, a methine type dye having a specific carboxyl-substituted hetero ring on one side of a methine group and an aromatic residue substituted with a dialkylamino group or an organic metal complex residue on the other side of the methine group, or a methine type dye having a carboxyl-substituted aromatic ring on one side of a methine group and a heteroaromatic ring having a dialkylamino group or an organic metal complex residue on the otherside of the methine group; and a solar cell using the photoelectric conversion element. The photoelectric conversion element exhibits a conversion efficiency comparable or superior to that of a conventionally known photoelectric conversion element sensitized with a methine type dye.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink composition for printing capable of inking materials for an optoelectronic device and directly applying the inked materials to a patterning process. More particularly, the present invention relates to a printing ink composition for manufacturing an optoelectronic device capable of direct patterning by adjusting the physical property of a core material so as to be suitable for a printing method in the manufacturing of optoelectronic devices, for example, an organic electroluminescent device or an organic thin film transistor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new synthetise for the preparation of mesoporous structures including mesoporous materials with chiral morphologies and mesoporous materials with local or surface chirality. The method can be used for manufacturing controlled drug delivery devices, for example for delivery of folic acid, and fluorescent particles.

Abstract: The invention describes a microsphere with diameter from 0.1 to 50 micrometers, made of a material selected from the group consisting of: silicon, doped silicon, SixGe1-x wherein 0?x?1, and SixH1-x wherein 0.5?x?1, that is able to work as optical microcavity with resonating Mie modes for wavelengths from 1 to 160 micrometers, and a photonic sponge based on the above mentioned microspheres, that scatter light strongly in a wide range of wavelengths, namely from 1 to 160 micrometers. The manufacturing method is based on the decomposition of gaseous precursors by heating means. These microspheres are suitable for fabricating photonic devices like, for instance, photovoltaic cells, photodiodes, lasers and sensors.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a nanostructure layer, comprising: a first population of semiconductor nanocrystals forming electron transport conduits; a second population of semiconductor nanocrystals forming hole transport conduits; and a third population of semiconductor nanocrystals capable of at least one of the following: absorbing light or emitting light.

Abstract: A paste-like composition for a solar cell provided by the present invention contains a mixed aluminum powder prepared by mixing a small particle diameter aluminum powder, which has a D50 of particle size distribution based on laser diffraction of 3 ?m or less and a ratio of D10 to D90 (D10/D90) of 0.2 or more, and a large particle diameter aluminum powder, which has a D50 that is 2 to 6 times the D50 of the small particle diameter aluminum powder and a ratio of D10/D90 of 0.2 or more.

Abstract: Optical coating materials comprise a transparent matrix material having dispersed nanoparticles comprising between 1 and 20 volume percent of the optical coating material. The coating materials are used to form optical coatings on substrates, such as glass/ceramic, polymer or metal, to alter the color or other optical properties. The nanoparticles are semiconductive material or elemental metals or elemental metal alloys that exhibit surface plasmon resonance.

Abstract: An EL device (1), contains: a transparent support (21), a conductive layer (2), a phosphor layer (3), a reflection insulating layer (4), and a back electrode (5); wherein the conductive layer (2), the phosphor layer (3), the reflection insulating layer (4) and the back electrode (5) are provided on the transparent support (21) in this order, and wherein the conductive layer (2) includes silica in an amount of 0.05 g/m2 or more.