Abstract: One embodiment relates to a dopant material for manufacturing solar cells. The dopant material includes a primary carrier and a dopant system. The primary carrier is a solid at a lower temperature, a liquid at an elevated temperature, and decomposes at a third temperature higher than the elevated temperature. The dopant material is dispensible in a controlled manner at the elevated temperature to a defined area of a silicon substrate at the lower temperature. The dopant system includes a dopant carrier and dopant source. The dopant source is stable at the third temperature. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are photorefractive compositions and devices incorporating such compositions. The photorefractive composition comprises a polymer and metal-containing nanoparticles. The polymer comprises a charge transport component and a non-linear optical component which provides non-linear optical functionality. Optionally, the composition can further comprise at least one agent which inhibits agglomeration of the nanoparticles, as well as other components such as sensitizers and plasticizers. The photorefractive compositions demonstrate very good phase stabilities and substantially no haziness, even after several months. Furthermore, the addition of the metal compound nanoparticles to the polymer increases the photorefractive response time and grating formation speed when compared to similar compositions that do not contain the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Facile ways towards the integration of the regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s onto carbon nanotubes, providing multifunctional materials that combine the extraordinary properties of the carbon nanotubes with those of regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s, are presented.

Abstract: An electrode is composed of a carbon carrying a metal and a binder polymer, and it is used as a counter electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell. The metal carried by carbon is at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Ru, Co, Ti, Ni, Al and Au. The carbon is needle-like carbon, fullerene, carbon nanotube, conductive carbon black, or the like, and its specific surface area is equal to or larger than 100 m2/g.

Abstract: A device and method for producing Ga doped silicone single crystal with a diameter between 150 and 165 mm and a narrow resistivity distribution range (from 3 ?·cm to 0.5 ?·cm). The device is characterized by the use of a shorter heater and a funnel shaped gas flow guide capable of blowing an inert gas such as Ar straight to the crystallization frontier at the interface between outer surface of the nascent single crystal ingot and the surface of the melt of polycrystalline silicone raw materials in a quartz crucible.

Abstract: A composition is formulated with generally regarded as safe (GRAS) ingredients for use as a non-radio-active simulant of radiological contamination such as fallout from a nuclear explosion, particulate from a radiological dispersal device, or contamination from operation of nuclear facilities. The compositions can be used for training exercises, testing, and research studies, and they can be applied safely to human skin. They include an ultraviolet (UV)-excited fluorescent ingredient that makes possible visible viewing of the simulants when illuminated by UV light. The chemical simulants have good fidelity with the physical properties of contamination, for example, adhesion, particle size, electrostatic charging, and response to decontamination technologies such as washing and vacuuming.

Abstract: Provided are a polycarbonate resin which can solve problems present in an electrophotographic photoreceptor and an electrophotographic photoreceptor in which the above polycarbonate resin is used and which is improved in a cleaning property, a lubricity and an abrasion resistance. The polycarbonate resin comprises a repetitive unit represented by the following Formula (1), and the electrophotographic photoreceptor in which a photosensitive layer is provided on a conductive substrate contains the above polycarbonate resin in the above photosensitive layer. In the following Formula (1), R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; n1 is an integer of 2 to 4; and n2 is an integer of 1 to 200.

Abstract: The present invention involves the interaction of radiation with functionalized carbon nanotubes that have been incorporated into various host materials, particularly polymeric ones. The present invention is directed to chemistries, methods, and apparatuses which exploit this type of radiation interaction, and to the materials which result from such interactions. The present invention is also directed toward the time dependent behavior of functionalized carbon nanotubes in such composite systems.

Abstract: An electrically conductive paste which can be formed into an electrode by being fired at relatively low temperatures, which exhibits excellent adhesion strength between a light-receiving surface electrode and a semiconductor substrate, and which can satisfactorily reduce the contact resistance between the two, is provided. The electrically conductive paste used as a material for a light-receiving surface electrode of a solar cell, includes a Ag powder, an organic vehicle, and glass frit, wherein the softening point of the above-described glass frit is 570° C. 760° C., and the glass frit contains B2O3 and SiO2 in such a way that the ratio, B2O3/SiO2, becomes 0.3 or less on a molar ratio basis and the first contains 0 to less than 20.0 percent by mole of Bi2O3.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and compositions, which include: at least one chromophore having strong simultaneous two-photon or multi-photon absorptivity; at least one acid- or radical-generator in close proximity to the chromophore; such that the single- or multi-photon excitation of the chromophore results in the generation of an acid and/or redical that is capable of activating chemistry; and such that compositions of matter based on the componds and compositions of the invention can be photo-patterned by one- or multiphoton excitation.

Abstract: Materials are described for producing memory cells which have a size in the nanometer range and include a CT complex located between two electrodes. The CT complex includes thiophene derivatives, pyrrole derivatives or phthalocyanines together with naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid, dianhydrides, diamides, fullerenes or perylene compounds.

Abstract: A transparent and conductive film comprising at least one network of graphene flakes is described herein. This film may further comprise an interpenetrating network of other nanostructures, a polymer and/or a functionalization agent(s).

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

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: The present invention involves the interaction of radiation with functionalized carbon nanotubes that have been incorporated into various host materials, particularly polymeric ones. The present invention is directed to chemistries, methods, and apparatuses which exploit this type of radiation interaction, and to the materials which result from such interactions. The present invention is also directed toward the time dependent behavior of functionalized carbon nanotubes in such composite systems.

Abstract: CIGS absorber layers fabricated using coated semiconducting nanoparticles and/or quantum dots are disclosed. Core nanoparticles and/or quantum dots containing one or more elements from group IB and/or IIIA and/or VIA may be coated with one or more layers containing elements group IB, IIIA or VIA. Using nanoparticles with a defined surface area, a layer thickness could be tuned to give the proper stoichiometric ratio, and/or crystal phase, and/or size, and/or shape. The coated nanoparticles could then be placed in a dispersant for use as an ink, paste, or paint. By appropriate coating of the core nanoparticles, the resulting coated nanoparticles can have the desired elements intermixed within the size scale of the nanoparticle, while the phase can be controlled by tuning the stochiometry, and the stoichiometry of the coated nanoparticle may be tuned by controlling the thickness of the coating(s).

Abstract: Photovoltaic conductive features and processes for forming photovoltaic conductive features are described. The process comprises (a) depositing a composition onto at least a portion of a substrate, wherein the composition comprises metal-containing particles having a primary particle size of from about 10 nanometers to less than 500 nanometers and including a continuous or non-continuous coating of a ceramic material; and (b) heating the composition such that the precursor composition forms at least a portion of a photovoltaic conductive feature. The metal-containing particles are preferably produced by flame spraying.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a method for producing an electronic device having a multilayer structure by a coating method, and a coating solution suitable for the production method. The present invention provides a method for producing an electronic device having at least two or more stacked layers containing organic matter, comprising a first step of applying a coating solution containing organic matter and a metal and/or a metal oxide onto a substrate either directly or via an additional layer to form a mixed layer, and a second step of directly applying a solution containing organic matter onto the mixed layer formed in the first step to form an organic layer. According to this method, an electronic device having a multilayer structure can be produced easily by a convenient coating method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recrystallizing a silicon sheet, and in particular recrystallizing a small grained silicon sheet to improve material properties such as grain size and orientation. According to one aspect, the method includes using rapid thermal processing (RTP) to melt and recrystallize one or more entire silicon sheet(s) in one heating sequence. According to another aspect, the method includes directionally controlling a temperature drop across the thickness of the sheet so as to facilitate the production of a small number of nuclei in the melted material and their growth into large grains. According to a further aspect, the invention includes a re-crystallization chamber in an overall process flow that enables high-throughput processing of silicon sheets having desired properties for applications such as photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: An ink for forming CIGS photovoltaic cell active layers is disclosed along with methods for making the ink, methods for making the active layers and a solar cell made with the active layer. The ink contains a mixture of nanoparticles of elements of groups IB, IIIA and (optionally) VIA. The particles are in a desired particle size range of between about 1 nm and about 500 nm in diameter, where a majority of the mass of the particles comprises particles ranging in size from no more than about 40% above or below an average particle size or, if the average particle size is less than about 5 nanometers, from no more than about 2 nanometers above or below the average particle size. The use of such ink avoids the need to expose the material to an H2Se gas during the construction of a photovoltaic cell and allows more uniform melting during film annealing, more uniform intermixing of nanoparticles, and allows higher quality absorber films to be formed.

Abstract: A coating composition for an electrophotographic photoreceptor that forms a charge-generating layer by being ejected from ejection nozzles in a form of droplets, comprises a charge-generating substance, a binding resin, and a solvent, has a viscosity of 1 mPa·s to 10 mPa·s, and the solvent contains at least one kind of high-boiling point solvent having a boiling point of 120° C. to 260° C., and the high-boiling point solvent is contained at a ratio of 5 parts by weight to 40 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the coating composition for an electrophotographic photoreceptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ionic compound corresponding to the formula [R1X1(Z1)-Q?-X2(Z2)-R2]m Mm+ in which Mm+ is a cation of valency m, each of the groups Xi is S=Z3, S=Z4, P—R3 or P—R4; Q is N, CR5, CCN or CSO2R5, each of the groups Zi is ?O, ?NC?N, ?C(C?N)2, ?NS(=Z)2R6 or ?C[S(=Z)2R6]2, each of the groups Ri, is Y, YO—, YS—, Y2N— or F, Y represents a monovalent organic radical or alternatively Y is a repeating unit of a polymeric frame. The compounds are useful for producing ion conducting materials or electrolytes, as catalysts and for doping polymers.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To develop metal microparticles useful in dye-sensitized solar cell, etc. and to provide a photoelectric transducer capable of exhibiting enhanced release voltage in dye-sensitized solar cell. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] There are provided modified titanium oxide microparticles comprised of titanium oxide and one or two or more types of nontitanic metal oxides (including silicon oxides) selected from the group consisting of periodic-table group IB oxides, group IIA oxides, group IIB oxides, group IIIA oxides, group IIIB oxides, group IVA oxides other than titanium oxides, group IVB oxides, group VIA oxides, group VIII oxides and vanadium oxides. Further, there is provided a photoelectric transducer making use of the modified titanium oxide microparticles.

Abstract: A coating composition containing a resinous binder with colorants and reflective pigments. The colorants absorb visible light at a first wavelength and produce fluorescent light at a second wavelength band when exposed to visible light. When applied to a substrate, the coating composition appears as one color on face from the specular reflection of the colorants off the reflective pigments and a different color on flop from the fluorescent light produced by the colorants.

Abstract: A substantially transparent conductive layer on a support, the layer comprising an intrinsically conductive polymer e.g. containing an intrinsically conductive polymer optionally containing structural units represented by formula (I): wherein n is larger than 1 and each of R1 and R2 independently represents hydrogen or an optionally substituted C1-4 alkyl group or together represent an optionally substituted C1-4 alkylene group or an optionally substituted cycloalkylene group, preferably an ethylene group, an optionally alkyl-substituted methylene group, an optionally C1-12 alkyl- or phenyl-substituted ethylene group, a 1,3-propylene group or a 1,2-cyclohexylene group; and a conductive metal non-uniformly distributed therein and forming of itself a conductive entity; a process for preparing the transparently conductive layer; and light emitting diodes, photovoltaic devices, transistors and electroluminescent devices comprising the above-described conductive layer.

Abstract: An ultraviolet activatable adhesive film comprising an epoxy resin, an ultraviolet activatable cationic polymerization catalyst and cationic polymerization inhibitor and water in an amount effective to suppress the cationic polymerization of the film and prolong the time from activation to thermal press-bonding after the ultraviolet activatable adhesive film is activated by irradiation by ultraviolet rays.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compounds, and compositions for the synthesis of light harvesting arrays, such arrays comprising: (a) a first substrate comprising a first electrode; and (b) a layer of light harvesting rods electrically coupled to said first electrode, each of said light harvesting rods comprising a polymer of Formula I: X1?Xm+1)m??(I) wherein m is at least 1; X1 is a charge separation group, and X2 through Xm+1 are chromophores. At least one of X2 through Xm+1 has at least one perylene group coupled thereto.

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

Abstract: A charge transfer material comprising a basic compound having negative charge and represented by the following general formula (I): (A1-L)n1-A2·M??(I), wherein A1 represents a group having negative charge; A2 represents a basic group; M represents a cation for neutralizing the negative charge of (A1-L)n1-A2; L represents a divalent linking group or a single bond; and n1 represents an integer of 1 to 3. A photoelectric conversion device and a photo-electrochemical cell comprising the charge transfer material. A new nonvolatile pyridine compound, which is a low-viscosity liquid at room temperature, is preferably used for A2.

Abstract: A coating, such as ink or paint, is used, where particles in the coating are selected based on electric, magnetic, or light/photo properties, and are dispersed in the coating to provide a desired physical color. In one approach, the application of the coating to the substrate such as paper is controlled using an electric or magnetic field. In another approach, a pattern is formed in a coating on a substrate by targeting an electric, magnetic or photo field to specific locations on the coating. In yet another approach, the color of a coating that is applied to an object is shifted to match a background color so that the coating appears to be erased. In this approach, the coating may be in the form of a label, such as a bar code, that can be read by a scanner at a point of sale location. In another approach a pattern or code is scrambled or removed by applying an electric, magnetic, or photo field to specific locations on the coating or substrate.

Abstract: In various embodiments, chromophores are described that include novel electron acceptors, novel electron donors, and/or novel conjugated bridges that are useful in nonlinear optical applications. In some embodiments, the present invention provides chromophore architectures wherein a chromophore contains more than one electron acceptor in electronic communication with a single electron donor, and/or more than one electron donor in electronic communication with a single electron acceptor. Also described is processes for providing materials comprising the novel chromophores and polymer matrices containing the novel chromophores. Electro-optic devices described herein contain one or more of the described electron acceptors, electron donors, conjugated bridges, or chromophores.

Abstract: A method for purifying an electronic item material, which comprises dissolving an electronic item material or its intermediate product in an organic solvent and having the solution contacted with activated clay at a temperature of 65° C. to 200° C.

Abstract: An organic optoelectronic device includes a solution coatable thin film having a hole transporting material, an electron transporting material, and a photogenerating component uniformly dispersed therein. The thin film is about 0.2 microns or less, and can be spin-coated onto a substrate and further coated with electrodes.

Abstract: A lighting device for illuminating an object from a light source includes a housing having an inner surface portions of which are diffusely reflective and an aperture disposed in the housing aligned with the light source. The lighting device further includes a diffuser positioned between the light source and the object and a reflector disposed adjacent the aperture between the light source and the diffuser.

Abstract: A coating liquid for forming an organic layer of an organic LED display which layer includes a light-emitting layer or a light-emitting layer and a charge-transporting layer, the liquid comprising: an organic material or a precursor thereof required for forming the organic layer, and at least one low volatile liquid solvent having a vapor pressure of 10 mmHg or less at 20° C. and a boiling point lower than a denaturing temperature of the organic material or lower than a converting temperature of the precursor.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline compound having a novel structure and a process for producing the same are provided. The liquid crystalline compound is represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a straight-chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms and may be attached directly to the aromatic ring without through X1 or X2; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a fluorine atom, or a methyl group; and X1 and X2 each independently represent an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a —CO—, —OCO—, —COO—, —N═CH—, —CONH—, —NH—, —NHCO—, or —CH2— group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoconductive organic pigment comprising granular cores and an organic pigment having photoconductive properties which organic pigment adheres to the surfaces of the granular cores, a photoconductive organic pigment dispersion liquid comprising the photoconductive organic pigment, and an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising an electroconductive substrate laminated with a photosensitive layer containing the photoconductive organic pigment and an electrophotographic device using the electrophotographic photoreceptor.

Abstract: A photocurable silver composition is provided which comprises an ultraviolet light curable organic mixture, a photoinitiator, a silver powder, and a silver flake composition. The silver flake composition comprises at least 20% of the weight of the silver powder. The disclosed compositions may be used to produce silver-containing coatings on a variety of different substrates. Related methods are provided.

Abstract: A conductive paste used for a rear electrode of a Si solar battery includes an Al powder, a glass frit, an organic vehicle and particles insoluble or slightly soluble in the organic vehicle. The particles are constituted of an organic compound or carbon or both. The conductive paste does not shrink much during firing and, consequently reduces the amount of Si wafer warping while maintaining the functions of a rear electrode for a Si solar battery.

Abstract: The invention described herein supplies a new class of electroactive polymeric blend materials which offer both sensing and actuation dual functionality. The blend comprises two components, one component having a sensing capability and the other component having an actuating capability. These components should be co-processable and coexisting in a phase separated blend system. Specifically, the materials are blends of a sensing component selected from the group consisting of ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric and photoelectric polymers and an actuating component that responds to an electric field in terms of dimensional change. Said actuating component includes, but is not limited to, electrostrictive graft elastomers, dielectric electroactive elastomers, liquid crystal electroactive elastomers and field responsive polymeric gels. The sensor functionality and actuation functionality are designed by tailoring the relative fraction of the two components.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and an effective amount of a laser enhancing additive. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3) or Copper Iodide (CuI), and a second quantity at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester. The composition can be engraved with grayscale images by an Nd:Yag laser and can be added to laminates or coatings. The composition can be used during the manufacture of many articles of manufacture, including identification documents.

Abstract: The steady state and time resolved luminescence spectral properties of two types of novel CdS nanoparticles and nanoparticles are described. CdS nanoparticles formed in the presence of an amine-terminated dendrimer show blue emission. The emission wavelength of these nanoparticles depended on the excitation wavelength. The CdS/dendrimer nanoparticles display polarized emission with the anisotropy rising progressively from 340 to 420 nm excitation, reaching a maximal anisotropy value in excess of 0.3. A new constant positive polarized emission from luminescent nanoparticles is also described. Polyphosphate-stabilized CdS nanoparticles are described that display a longer wavelength red emission maximum than bulk CdS and display a zero anisotropy for all excitation wavelengths. Both nanoparticles display strongly heterogeneous intensity decays with mean decay times of 93 ns and 10 &mgr;s for the blue and red emitting particles, respectively.

Abstract: Co-sensitizers that co-adsorb with a sensitizing dye to the surface of an interconnected semiconductor oxide nanoparticle material increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells by improving their charge transfer efficiency and reducing the back transfer of electrons from the interconnected semiconductor oxide nanoparticle material to the sensitizing dye.

Abstract: A di-substituted alkylene glycolate titanium phthalocyanine compound comprising a reaction mixture of a threo-alkanediol having one hydroxy group per each of the two adjacent carbon atoms, said carbon atoms each being a secondary carbon atom, and an oxytitanium phthalocyanine compound, and an organic photoconductor comprising the di-substituted alkylene glycolate titanium phthalocyanine compound are disclosed.

Abstract: A phthalimide salt compound is contained in a photosensitive material having a charge generating function. Such a photosensitive material exhibits high retention rates of the surface charge. An electrophotographic photoconductor comprising such a photosensitive material is useful in, for example, printers, photocopiers, and facsmilie machines.

Abstract: A composition for forming an electrically conductive antistatic layer comprises: electronically conductive polymer particles; a neutral-charge conductivity enhancer; and a hydrophilic polymeric binder.

Abstract: Provided is a compound semiconductor single crystal and a fabrication process for a compound semiconductor device capable of forming a prescribed pattern without requirement of many steps. A group V element component in a III-V compound semiconductor single crystal or a group VI element component in the II-VI compound semiconductor single crystal is reduced less than a composition ratio expressed by a chemical formula of a corresponding compound semiconductor single crystal in a pattern-shaped portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a convergent method for the synthesis of light harvesting rods. The rods are oligomers of the formula A1(Ab+1)b, wherein b is at least 1, A1 through Ab+1 are covalently coupled rod segments, and each rod segment A1 through A1+b comprises a compound of the formula X1(Xm+1)m wherein m is at least 1 and X1 through Xm+1 are covalently coupled porphyrinic macrocycles. Light harvesting arrays and solar cells containing such light harvesting rods are also described, along with intermediates useful in such methods and rods produced by such methods.