Abstract: A method and composition for plating metal contacts on photovoltaic solar cells is described. The cell is immersed in an aqueous bath containing platable metal ions and a solubilizing agent for aluminum or aluminum alloy ions from the back side of the solar cell. The cell is then exposed to light, causing the two sides of the cell to become oppositely charged. The metal ions are plated without requiring an external electrical contact.

Abstract: A method for removing coating from a substrate may include: locating an edge of a substrate; directing a laser beam along a first path to a first position on a surface of the substrate proximate to an edge of the substrate at an angle of incidence suitable to redirect the laser beam along a second path, through the substrate, to a second position on a second surface of the substrate corresponding to the located edge of the substrate, where the second surface can include a coating; and ablating at least a portion of coating at the second position on the second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A coating apparatus including: a coating part having a nozzle which ejects a liquid material containing an oxidizable metal and a solvent to a substrate; a supplying system which supplies the liquid material to the coating part; and a recycling system which recovers the liquid material from at least one of the supplying system and the coating part, and supplies the recovered liquid material to at least one of the supplying system and the coating part.

Abstract: In one example, a metal reflector includes a silver layer and an underlying metal layer in galvanic communication with the silver layer.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to methods and apparatus for detecting and mechanically removing defects and a surrounding portion of the photovoltaic layer and the substrate in a thin film solar cell such as a Group IBIIIAVIA compound thin film solar cell to improve its efficiency.

Abstract: A low-index silica coating may be made by forming silica sol comprising a silane and/or a colloidal silica. The silica precursor may be deposited on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) to form a coating layer. The coating layer may then be cured and/or fired using temperature(s) of from about 550 to 700° C. A capping layer composition comprising an antifog composition including a siloxane and/or hydrofluororether may be formed, deposited on the coating layer, then cured and/or fired to form a capping layer The capping layer improves the durability of the coating. The low-index silica based coating may be used as an antireflective (AR) film on a front glass substrate of a photovoltaic device (e.g., solar cell) or any other suitable application in certain example instances.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a defect detection process and apparatus to detect defects in solar cell structures. During the process, an input signal from a signal source is applied to a top surface of a transparent conductive layer of a solar cell structure. In response to the input signal, an output signal is generated from a predetermined area of the top surface and detected by a defect detector. The output signal carrying the defect position information is transmitted to a computer and registered in a database. With the position information, an injector is driven to the defect location to apply an insulator to passivate the defect. A finger pattern layer may be formed over the predetermined area after completing the defect detection and passivation processes.

Abstract: A pixel observation system includes a memory unit, a coordinate generation unit, and an observation unit. The memory unit is configured to store at least nozzle information indicative of discharge states of a liquid material in a plurality of nozzles and arrangement information indicative of an arrangement of each of the nozzles with respect to each of a plurality of pixel regions in relative movement of the nozzles and a substrate. The coordinate generation unit is configured to generate observation coordinates of observation regions on the substrate based on the nozzle information and the arrangement information, and to include coordinates of at least some of the pixel regions over which the nozzles scan through one cycle of the relative movement in the observation coordinates. The observation unit is configured and arranged to observe the pixel regions positioned at the observation coordinates generated by the coordinate generation unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a film for a solar cell back sheet including: a substrate film; a white layer on at least one surface of the substrate film; and an adhesive protective layer, the white layer being formed by applying an aqueous composition for the white layer including a white pigment, a first aqueous binder and an inorganic oxide filler to at least one surface of the substrate film, and the adhesive protective layer being formed by applying an aqueous composition for the adhesive protective layer including a second aqueous binder, and which has excellent production efficiency, a white pigment uniformly present in the layers, and excellent adhesiveness between the respective layers, and a producing method of the film for a solar cell back sheet.

Abstract: A method for operating a vacuum coating apparatus, in particular for producing thin-film solar cells, a layer deposition step being carried out, after a coating chamber cleaning step using a cleaning gas and before a product production step, in order to apply a diffusion barrier layer onto the walls of the coating chamber.

Abstract: A high-throughput method of forming a semiconductor precursor layer by use of a chalcogen-containing vapor is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a precursor material comprising group IB and/or group IIIA particles of any shape. The method may include forming a precursor layer of the precursor material over a surface of a substrate. The method may further include heating the particle precursor material in a substantially oxygen-free chalcogen atmosphere to a processing temperature sufficient to react the particles and to release chalcogen from the chalcogenide particles, wherein the chalcogen assumes a liquid form and acts as a flux to improve intermixing of elements to form a group IB-IIIA-chalcogenide film at a desired stoichiometric ratio. The chalcogen atmosphere may provide a partial pressure greater than or equal to the vapor pressure of liquid chalcogen in the precursor layer at the processing temperature.

Abstract: A conductive ink substantially free of frit and photovoltaic cells having conductive gridlines formed from a conductive ink substantially free of glass frit are described. Conductive inks according embodiments of the present invention are adapted to adhere to the surface of a substrate and, upon firing, form a solid metal oxide phase and cause a conductive species to form an electrical conductor on the substrate. In further embodiments, the conductive ink is capable of penetrating anti-reflection coatings disposed on surfaces of substrates. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the conductive inks include a plurality of metallo-organic components which form a solid metal oxide phase upon firing and a conductive species. In other embodiments, the conductive inks include a plurality of precursors, including one or more precursors which form conductive elements upon firing or heating.

Abstract: In a method for producing especially doped layers for electronic, luminescent or photovoltaic components, especially OLEDs, one or more liquid or solid starting materials are evaporated in a source (11, 12, 13, 14) or are admixed as aerosol to a carrier gas and transported in this form to a deposition chamber (1) where they condense on a substrate (5), especially as a result of a temperature gradient, forming a doped matrix. In order to improve the doping of electronic, luminescent or photovoltaic layers, it is proposed that the doping occurs by modification of a starting material during its transport.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode having an electrochemical catalyst layer is disclosed. The method includes etching a surface of a substrate, followed by immersing the substrate in a solution containing surfactants to form a conditioner layer on the surface of the substrate, and immersing the substrate in a solution containing polymer-capped noble metal nanoclusters dispersed therein to form a polymer-protected electrochemical catalyst layer on the conditioner layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation detector comprises an array substrate having thereon a photoelectric conversion element for converting fluorescence into an electrical signal and having the outermost layer covered with a protective film, a scintillator layer provided on the protective film and converting incident radiation into fluorescence, and a reflective layer filmed by coating and drying paste-like material containing light-scattering particles and a binder provided on the scintillator layer, wherein the protective film is made of a thermoplastic resin having a softening point not higher than the film formation temperature of the scintillator layer and extending on the array substrate over an area of the reflective layer.

Abstract: Spectral modification devices and methods are described. For example, an apparatus for spectral modification of incident radiation includes a substrate and Raman shifting material embedded in or on the substrate, the Raman shifting material selected based on a desired optical or electrical performance of a light absorbing structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a cell structure includes doping a substrate to form a N-region and a P-region, disposing a first anti-reflective layer on the substrate, disposing a metallic contact paste on the first anti-reflective layer, drying the metallic contact paste to form contacts, disposing a second anti-reflective layer on the first anti-reflective layer and the metallic contacts, and heating the cell structure, wherein heating the cell structure results in metallic contact material penetrating the first anti-reflective layer and contacting the substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a zinc oxide-based thin film for a transparent electrode and a zinc oxide-based thin film manufactured using the method, in which both conductivity and transmittance can be improved. The method includes the step of forming a transparent oxide thin film doped with a dopant on a transparent substrate, and the step of rapidly heat-treating the transparent oxide thin film.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor bearing thin film material. The method includes providing a metal precursor and a chalcogene precursor. The method forms a mixture of material comprising the metal precursor, the chalcogene precursor and a solvent material. The mixture of material is deposited overlying a surface region of a substrate member. In a specific embodiment, the method maintains the substrate member including the mixture of material in an inert environment and subjects the mixture of material to a first thermal process to cause a reaction between the metal precursor and the chalcogene material to form a semiconductor metal chalcogenide bearing material overlying the substrate member. The method then performs a second thermal process to remove any residual solvent and forms a substantially pure semiconductor metal chalcogenide thin film material overlying the substrate member.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a color filter, an over-coating layer formed on the color filter, and a medium layer formed on the over-coating layer, wherein the medium layer is configured with at least two medium layers of which refractive indices are different from each other.

Abstract: Coating rollers accepting liquid media provide liquid chemicals to substrates for depositing a thin coating layer on the flat substrates, such as semiconductors or panels. The liquid media is cooled to a life-preserving temperature while shielded from the thermal energy heating the substrates to prevent degrading the liquid media. Physical barrier or temperature barrier can be established in vicinities of the rollers to further limit exposing the liquid media to high temperature.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin film buffer layers of chalcogenide on a substrate web through the chemical combination of a metal and chalcogen in solution form. The web and/or the solutions may be heated by one or a plurality of heating elements that may be disposed out of physical contact with the web, allowing enhanced control over the reaction speed through fine temperature control. One or more properties of the chalcogenide layer may be measured, and the temperature of the system may be adjusted in response.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSC) and to a method for the low temperature platinisation of the counter-electrode which is applicable to a wide range of substrates.

Abstract: Backsheets and coating compositions for forming such are described which are useful in photovoltaic modules. Various coating compositions are described which provide improved properties for the backsheet.

Abstract: Provided are fabricating methods of a solar cell capable of displaying a predetermined color. The method includes forming a first electrode on a substrate and forming a light-absorbing layer on the first electrode. The light-absorbing layer may have a composition ratio, a content of the amorphous portion, or an energy bandgap controlled to absorb a light with a predetermined wavelength. In addition, selective transmission layers may be formed on and below the light-absorbing layer to control the color displayed by the solar cell. Furthermore, a second electrode may be formed on the light-absorbing layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to zinc-containing glass compositions useful in conductive pastes for silicon semiconductor devices and photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a photovoltaic element with stabilized efficiency is proposed. The method comprises the following steps: preparing a boron-doped, oxygen-containing silicon substrate; forming an emitter layer on a surface of the silicon substrate; and a stabilization treatment step. The stabilization treatment step comprises keeping the temperature of the substrate during a treatment time within a selectable temperature range having a lower temperature limit of 50° C., preferably 90° C., more preferably 130° C. and even more preferably 160° C. and an upper temperature limit of 230° C., preferably 210° C., more preferably 190° C. and even more preferably 180° C., and generating excess minority carriers in the silicon substrate during the treatment time, for example, by illuminating the substrate or by applying an external voltage. This method can be used to fabricate a photovoltaic element, e.g.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrode used in a solar cell that exhibits good conductivity at the N layer and P layer and to a conductive paste used for producing such an electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for generating electrical energy that includes; a first electrode, and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and an energy generation layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the energy generation layer comprises a photoelectric conversion layer and a plurality of piezoelectric nanowires, and wherein when an external force is applied to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, the plurality of piezoelectric nanowires are transformed to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass compositions useful in conductive pastes for silicon semiconductor devices and photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a photoanode of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) by pressure swing impregnation, which includes impregnating a metal oxide layer on a conductive substrate in a photosensitizing dye solution in a vessel; introducing a pressurized inert gas into the vessel to maintain a first pressure therein for a period of time, wherein the first pressure can be lower or higher than the critical pressure of the inert gas and the solution is expanded by the inert gas; further pressurizing the vessel with the inert gas and maintaining at a second pressure higher than the first pressure for a period of time, wherein the inert gas becomes sub-critical or supercritical fluid and dissolves more in the solution, creating an anti-solvent effect, so that the photosensitizing dye further deposits onto the metal oxide layer due to the anti-solvent effect.

Abstract: A tube-shaped sputtering target is provided having a carrier tube and an indium-based sputtering material arranged on the carrier tube. The sputtering material has a microstructure having a mean grain size of less than 1 mm, measured as the mean diameter of the grains on the sputtering-roughened surface of the sputtering material.

Abstract: A silicon nitride layer may be formed with a suitable refractive index, mass density, and hydrogen concentration so that the layer may serve as an ARC/passivation layer on a solar cell substrate. The silicon nitride layer may be formed on a solar cell substrate by adding a hydrogen gas diluent to a conventional precursor gas mixture during the deposition process. Alternatively, the silicon nitride layer may be formed on a solar cell substrate by using a precursor gas mixture consisting essentially of silane and nitrogen. To improve deposition chamber throughput, the silicon nitride layer may be a dual stack film that includes a low-hydrogen interface layer and a thicker bulk silicon nitride layer. Placing a plurality of solar cell substrates on a substrate carrier and transferring the substrate carrier into the deposition chamber may further enhance deposition chamber throughput.

Abstract: A method for making a thermionic electron source includes the following steps: (a) supplying a substrate; (b) forming a first electrode and a second electrode thereon; and (c) spanning a carbon nanotube film structure on a surface of the first electrode and the second electrode with a space defined between the thermionic emitter and the substrate.

Abstract: A method of making an anti-reflection coating using a sol-gel process, for use in a photovoltaic device or the like. The method may include the following steps in certain example embodiments: forming a polymeric component of silica by mixing silane(s) with one or more of a first solvent, a catalyst, and water; forming a silica sol gel by mixing the polymeric component with a colloidal silica, and optionally a second solvent; forming a combined sol by mixing siloxane(s) with the silica sol; casting the mixture by spin coating or the like to form a silica and siloxane containing layer on a substrate; and curing and/or heat treating the layer. This layer may make up all or only part of an anti-reflection coating which may be used in a photovoltaic device or the like.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods for the formation of redox-active polymers attached to surfaces. In certain embodiments, the methods involve providing redox-active molecules bearing at least a first reactive site or group and a second reactive site or group; and contacting the surface with the redox-active molecules where the contacting is under conditions that result in attachment of said redox-active molecules to said surface via the first reactive site or group and attachment of redox-active molecules via the second reactive site or group, to the redox-active molecules attached to the surface thereby forming a polymer attached to said surface where the polymers comprise at least two of said redox-active molecules.

Abstract: A paste for a photoelectric conversion layer used in an X-ray detector includes photoconductive particles, an organic polymer binder, a first organic solvent to dissolve the organic polymer binder, and a second organic solvent. The second organic solvent has a boiling point in a range of between about 150° C. and about 210° C., inclusive.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of coordinating ligands, such as nitrogen-containing ligands to metal centers of metal-containing macrocyclic compounds, such as Magnesium Tetraphenyl Porphyrin (MgTPP) or Zinc Tetraphenyl Porphyrin (ZnTPP). The disclosed method comprises (a) forming an organic film comprising the disclosed metal-containing, macrocyclic compound; and (b) exposing the organic film to a vapor comprising at least one ligand for a time sufficient to coordinate the ligand to metal centers in the metal-containing, macrocyclic compound. There is also disclosed a method for preparing an organic photovoltaic device, such as a solar cell, comprising an ordered crystalline organic film made by the disclosed chemical annealing process.

Abstract: A photoelectrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell, the photoelectrode including a coating product of a composition including a metal oxide, an acid, a first additive comprising one or more compounds represented by Formula 1 below, and a second additive comprising one or more compounds represented by Formula 2 below: where in Formula 1, Ra is a C10 to C30 alkyl group, X is a hydrogen atom or —(CH2CH2O)n—Rb, n is an integer of 1 to 20, and Rb is a C10 to C30 alkyl group, and where in Formula 2, Rc is a C10 to C30 alkyl group, and n is an integer of 1 to 20.

Abstract: A sensor chip includes a substrate, a relief structure composed of protruding sections formed so as to be arranged on a surface of the substrate to have a lattice shape and a recessed section between the protruding sections, and fine metal particles arranged along upper ridge lines of the respective protruding sections of the relief structure, the protruding sections being adjacent to each other, having a minute gap with which the surface plasmon resonance occurs. By irradiating the gap between the fine metal particles with a laser beam, the localized surface plasmon resonance occurs more efficiently. As a result, the sensor chip capable of taking out the surface enhanced Raman scattering to thereby detect the substance with high sensitivity can be realized.

Abstract: This disclosure provides substrate stacks for use in photovoltaic cells and methods of manufacturing the same. In one aspect, a substrate stack can include a substrate layer having at least one surface with an RMS roughness value that is greater than 9 nm. The substrate stack can also include a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed over the substrate layer. The transparent conductive oxide layer can include at least a first surface with an RMS roughness value that is greater than 9 nm and a second surface with an RMS roughness value that is greater than 9 nm. The RMS roughness value of the second surface can be greater than the RMS value of the first surface.

Abstract: Aggregate particles comprising titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes, methods for making the aggregate particles, photoelectrodes for solar cells including aggregate particles of nanomaterials, methods for making the photoelectrodes, and solar cells that include the photoelectrodes.

Abstract: A light harvesting arrangement includes a conductive layer defining a plurality of cavities through the conductive layer. Each cavity has a lateral cross-sectional dimension in a range of 25 nanometers to 3000 nanometers and the cavities are configured and arranged to preferentially capture light in a wavelength band. The light harvesting arrangement also includes a light utilizing material disposed on the walls of the cavities or within one or more light receiving structures that receives light from the cavities (or both). The light utilizing material is configured and arranged to absorb light captured by the cavities.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing thin film panels comprises providing a laser patterning system, depositing a base layer on a glass substrate, separating the base layer by scribing a plurality of separation lines corresponding with a predefined scribe pattern, depositing a functional layer on the base layer, determining a first base layer separation edge, moving the translation stage by a first distance, activating the laser array and moving the translation stage by a second distance, deactivating the laser array, determining subsequent separation edges of the base layer and scribing lines therein, depositing a top layer on the functional layer, determining a first functional layer separation edge, operating the stepper motor to move the translation stage by a third distance, activating the laser array and moving the translation stage by a fourth distance, deactivating the laser array, and determining subsequent separation edges of the functional layer and scribing lines therein.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal article according to one embodiment may include: Providing a supply of a sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder; compacting the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder under sufficient pressure to form a preformed article; placing the preformed article in a sealed container; raising the temperature of the sealed container to a temperature that is lower than a sintering temperature of molybdenum; and subjecting the sealed container to an isostatic pressure for a time sufficient to increase the density of the article to at least about 90% of theoretical density.

Abstract: Process for producing a solar absorber coating, which comprises the steps: coating of a substrate with a titanium precursor solution to produce a titanium dioxide layer by the sol-gel technique and heat treatment of the coated substrate to pyrolyse and crystallize the layer, characterized in that silver ions are added to the titanium precursor solution prior to coating in such an amount that the heat-treated layer has a proportion by mass of silver in the range from 10% to 80% and pyrolysis and crystallization of the layer are carried out with illumination of the layer with visible light.

Abstract: A non-wetted all solid protein photoelectric conversion device that is able to be operated without existence of a liquid such as water inside and outside of the device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The non-wetted all solid protein photoelectric conversion device has a structure in which a solid protein layer composed of an electron transfer protein is sandwiched between an electrode and an electrode. The solid protein layer is immobilized onto the electrodes and. The solid protein layer does not contain a liquid such as water. The solid protein layer is composed of a monomolecular film or a multimolecular film of the electron transfer protein.

Abstract: An interferometric mask covering a reflective conductive ribbon that electrically interconnects a plurality of photovoltaic cells is disclosed. Such an interferometric mask may reduce reflections of incident light from the conductors. In various embodiments, the mask reduces reflections, so that a front and back electrode pattern appears black or similar in color to surrounding features of the device. In other embodiments, the mask may modulate reflections of light such that the electrode pattern matches a color in the visible spectrum.

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: A stage on which a substrate having target discharge areas is placed moves relative to a discharge head unit. When at least one of a plurality of first discharge nozzles of the discharge head unit reaches one of the target discharge areas, the first nozzle discharges a first droplet of fluid material to the target discharge area. When one of a plurality of second nozzles of the discharge head unit reaches the target discharge area to which the first droplet has been discharged, the second nozzle discharges a second droplet of the fluid material to the target discharge area. A first nozzle row of the first nozzles and a second nozzle row of the second nozzles are separated by a predetermined distance in a direction of the relative movement of the stage and the discharge head unit.