Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a thermoelectric conversion material that can have a balance between flexibility and high thermoelectric conversion capacity, a thermoelectric conversion element using the material, and a device that uses waste heat of, for example, an electronic apparatus and a vehicle by using the element. Provided is a thermoelectric conversion element that includes a layer constituted by an organic material in which a fine particle of a carbon nanotube is dispersed and which has flexibility, preferably, a high glass transition temperature and low thermal conductivity, and in which a mass ratio of the carbon nanotube to the organic material is 50% by mass to 90% by mass, and a device in which the thermoelectric conversion element is installed to a heat release portion of an apparatus.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor that contains an anode body formed from an electrically conductive powder and a dielectric coating located over and/or within the anode body is provided. The powder may have a high specific charge and in turn a relative dense packing configuration. Despite being formed from such a powder, a manganese precursor solution can be readily impregnated into the pores of the anode. This is accomplished, in part, through the use of a dispersant in the precursor solution that helps minimize the likelihood that the manganese oxide precursor will form droplets upon contacting the surface of the dielectric. Instead, the precursor solution can be better dispersed so that the resulting manganese oxide has a “film-like” configuration and coats at least a portion of the anode in a substantially uniform manner.

Abstract: A p-type transparent conductive oxide and a solar cell containing the p-type transparent conducting oxide, wherein the p-type transparent conductive oxide includes a molybdenum trioxide doped with an element having less than six valence electrons, the element is selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, group III elements, group IV, group V, transition elements and their combinations. Doping an element having less than six valence electron results in hole number increase, and thus increasing the hole drift velocity, and making Fermi level closer to the range of p-type materials. Hence, a p-type transparent conductive material is generated. This p-type transparent conducting oxide not only has high electron hole drift velocity, low resistivity, but also reaches a transmittance of 88% in the visible wavelength range, and therefore it is very suitable to be used in solar cells.

Abstract: A composite dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a conductive substrate, and also a nanoparticle compact layer, a nanotube layer and a nanoparticle scattering layer which are stacked on the conductive substrate sequentially, and further an auxiliary electrode stacked on one side of the nanoparticle scattering layer far away from the conductive substrate, and a composite dye and an electrolyte filled into a space between the conductive substrate and the auxiliary electrode. The composite dye includes at least one short-wavelength light absorption dye and at least one long-wavelength light absorption dye. The nanoparticle compact layer can increase the contact area with the composite dye and further enhance the power generation efficiency. The nanotube layer can transmit the generated electric energy to the external electrodes efficiently. The composite dye can absorb light with different wavelength ranges.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium cell comprising: (a) an anode comprising a prelithiated lithium storage material or a combination of a lithium storage material and a lithium ion source; (b) a hybrid cathode active material composed of a meso-porous structure of a carbon, graphite, metal, or conductive polymer and a phthalocyanine compound, wherein the meso-porous structure is in an amount of from 1% to 99% by weight based on the total weight of the meso-porous structure and the phthalocyanine combined, and wherein the meso-porous structure has a pore with a size from 2 nm to 50 nm to accommodate phthalocyanine compound therein; and (c) an electrolyte or electrolyte/separator assembly. This secondary cell exhibits a long cycle life and the best cathode specific capacity and best cell-level specific energy of all rechargeable lithium-ion cells ever reported.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, an active layer between the first and second electrodes, and an interlayer between the first electrode and the active layer, the interlayer including an amphiphilic fullerene derivative.

Abstract: A variable capacitance capacitor element according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a supporting substrate; a first electrode layer provided on the supporting substrate; a second electrode layer provided opposite to the first electrode layer; and a dielectric layer positioned between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. In accordance with an aspect, a main component of the dielectric layer is represented by a composition formula Ba1-xSrxTiO3 (0.5?x?0.8), and the first thin film dielectric layer has a thickness of 200 nm or smaller.

Abstract: A distributed energy system includes a gas-loaded heat generator capable of producing a thermal energy. The system includes a gas source to provide one or more isotopes of hydrogen, a plurality of metallic micro-structures, a gas loading chamber containing the plurality of metallic micro-structures. The gas loading chamber is structured to receive the one or more isotopes of hydrogen from the gas source. The system also includes a gas loading system capable of providing a gas loading pressure to the gas loading chamber containing the plurality of metallic micro-structures with an amount of one or more isotopes of hydrogen to form hydrogen clusters. In one form, the system further includes a thermal transducer capable of converting a first portion of the thermal energy. In still another form, the system additionally includes a waste heat recovery device capable of applying a second portion of the thermal energy.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bonding surface, a semiconducting nanostructure including one of a nanowire and a nanocrystal, which is formed on the bonding surface, and a source electrode and a drain electrode which are formed on the nanostructure such that the nanostructure is electrically connected to the source and drain electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming energy storage devices are provided. In one embodiment a method of producing an energy storage device is provided. The method comprises positioning an anodic current collector into a processing region, depositing one or more three-dimensional electrodes separated by a finite distance on a surface of the anodic current collector such that portions of the surface of the anodic current collector remain exposed, depositing a conformal polymeric layer over the anodic current collector and the one or more three-dimensional electrodes using iCVD techniques comprising flowing a gaseous monomer into the processing region, flowing a gaseous initiator into the processing region through a heated filament to form a reactive gas mixture of the gaseous monomer and the gaseous initiator, wherein the heated filament is heated to a temperature between about 300° C. and about 600° C., and depositing a conformal layer of cathodic material over the conformal polymeric layer.

Abstract: A carbon nanosphere has at least one opening. The carbon nanosphere is obtained by preparing a carbon nanosphere and treating it with an acid to form the opening. The carbon nanosphere with at least one opening has higher utilization of a surface area and electrical conductivity and lower mass transfer resistance than a conventional carbon nanotube, thus allowing for higher current density and cell voltage with a smaller amount of metal catalyst per unit area of a fuel cell electrode.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing a nickel nanoparticle, the method including: forming an aqueous solution by mixing water and a solution containing a hydroxyl group; forming a mixed liquid by adding carboxylic acid to the aqueous solution at a ratio of 10 to 20 wt % with regard to the solution containing a hydroxyl group; and adding a nickel salt to the mixed liquid and stirring the mixed liquid.

Abstract: Resinous fibers of nanometer to micrometer width dimensions are drawn from a multi-component system by a melt extrusion process. The process includes a step of combining a fiber resin with a water-soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture, the extruded resinous mixture having strands of the fiber resin with the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is then contacted with water to separate the strands of the fiber resin from the carrier resin. An electrically conductive fibrous sheet is then formed from the strands of fiber resin. The fibrous sheets are useful as diffusion layers in fuel cells.

Abstract: A nanogenerator and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The nanogenerator includes a boron nitride atomic layer, and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on the boron nitride atomic layer.

Abstract: An electrode, the electrode including a conducting layer configured to act, in use, as a charge collector to provide an electrical path for generated and/or stored charge through the conducting layer; a barrier layer, the barrier layer configured to cover a portion of a surface of said conducting layer such that, when the electrode is in contact with an electrolyte, the electrolyte is prevented from substantially contacting and corroding the conducting layer at the covered portion; and an active electrode element configured for use in generation and/or storing charge, the active electrode element positioned in a non-covered portion in electrical contact with the conducting layer to prevent the electrolyte from substantially contacting and corroding the conducting layer in the non-covered portion and to also be exposed to said electrolyte to allow for the generation and/or storage of charge and provide the generated/stored charge to the conducting layer.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium cell comprising: (a) an anode; (b) a cathode comprising a hybrid cathode active material composed of a graphene material and a phthalocyanine compound, wherein the graphene material is in an amount of from 0.1% to 99% by weight based on the total weight of the graphene material and the phthalocyanine compound combined; and (c) a porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode and electrolyte in ionic contact with the anode and the cathode. This secondary cell exhibits a long cycle life and the best cathode specific capacity and best cell-level specific energy of all rechargeable lithium-ion cells ever reported.

Abstract: The electrode active material includes a carbon material having a volume of macropores with 50 to 400 nm pore diameters of 0.05 to 0.40 cc/g. The carbon material may be a composite carbon material that contains a carbon material forming a core, and a coating carbon material covering at least part of the core-forming carbon material.

Abstract: High surface area energy chips that can be used to make high surface area electrodes and methods for making high surface area energy chips are described. The energy chips comprise a monolithic conductive material comprising an open network of pores having an average pore diameter between about 0.3 nm and 30 nm. The conductive material forms a thin chip having a thickness of about 300 microns or less, and the thickness across different portions of the chip varies by less than 10% of the thickness. The high surface area energy chips may be used as electrodes in a variety of energy storage devices and systems such as capacitors, electric double layer capacitors, batteries, and fuel cells.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell that includes an electrode having a semiconductor nanoparticle layer dispersed on a transparent conductive substrate, a plurality of semiconductor nanofibers dispersed on the nanoparticle layer, a first light absorption material is attached to the plurality of semiconductor nanofibers in which the first light absorption material having a first light absorption bandwidth, and a second light absorption material deposited on the light absorption material of the plurality of semiconductor nanofibers, the second light absorption material having a second light absorption bandwidth complementary to the first light absorption bandwidth, a counter electrode includes a metal-coated transparent conductive substrate, and an electrolyte in contact with the near-infrared light absorption material and the counter electrode.

Abstract: Photovoltaic cells comprising an active layer comprising, as p-type material, conjugated polymers such as polythiophene and regioregular polythiophene, and as n-type material at least one fullerene derivative. The fullerene derivative can be C60, C70, or C84. The fullerene also can be functionalized with indene groups. Improved efficiency can be achieved.

Abstract: A magnesium-ion cell comprising (a) a cathode comprising a carbon or graphitic material as a cathode active material having a surface area to capture and store magnesium thereon, wherein the cathode forms a meso-porous structure having a pore size from 2 nm to 50 nm and a specific surface area greater than 50 m2/g; (b) an anode comprising an anode current collector alone or a combination of an anode current collector and an anode active material; (c) a porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; (d) electrolyte in ionic contact with the anode and the cathode; and (e) a magnesium ion source disposed in the anode to obtain an open circuit voltage (OCV) from 0.5 volts to 3.5 volts when the cell is made.

Abstract: A graphene sheet film as a film-like assembly of two or more graphene sheets 11 to 25 is provided. The graphene sheet film uses a graphene sheet assembly 101 that includes: first carbon nanotubes 31 to 48 that join the graphene sheets 11 to 25 to each other and form graphene sheet laminates 61 to 65 in which the graphene sheets 11 to 25 are laminated with the sheet planes being paralleled to each other; and second carbon nanotubes 51 to 56 that connect the graphene sheet laminates 61 to 65 to each other. This makes it possible to provide a graphene sheet film having high capacitor performance with respect to energy density and output density, a method for producing the same, and a graphene sheet capacitor using such graphene sheet films.

Abstract: A solar power source is a multi-layer structure consisting of photovoltaic and quantum well thermoelectric modules in electrical contact with, but thermally insulating from, each other. The structure generates power when focused solar energy is directed at the photovoltaic module which generates power, heats up, and subsequently generates a thermal gradient in the thermoelectric module which generates additional power. The thermoelectric module may generate additional electrical energy using the Seebeck effect, or may cool the photovoltaic module using the Peltier effect.

Abstract: A solid-state hole transport composite material (ssHTM) is provided made from a p-type organic semiconductor and a dopant material serving as a source for either sodium (Na+) or potassium (K+) ions. The p-type organic semiconductor may be molecular (a collection of discrete molecules, that are either chemically identical or different), oligomeric, polymeric materials, or combinations thereof. In one aspect, the p-type organic semiconductor is 2,2?,7,7?-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,9?-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD). The dopant material is an inorganic or organic material salt. A solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (ssDSC) with the above-described ssHTM, is also provided.

Abstract: Composite materials useful for devices such as photoelectrochemical solar cells include a substrate, a metal oxide film on the substrate, nanocrystalline quantum dots (NQDs) of lead sulfide, lead selenide, and lead telluride, and linkers that attach the NQDs to the metal oxide film. Suitable linkers preserve the 1s absorption peak of the NQDs. A suitable linker has a general structure A-B-C where A is a chemical group adapted for binding to a MOx and C is a chemical group adapted for binding to a NQD and B is a divalent, rigid, or semi-rigid organic spacer moiety. Other linkers that preserve the 1s absorption peak may also be used.

Abstract: A self-assembly nano-composite solar cell comprises a substrate, a first electrode layer, a composite absorption layer and a second electrode layer. The first electrode layer is formed on the substrate. The composite absorption layer is formed over the first electrode layer and includes a plurality of vertical nano-pillars, a plurality of gaps each formed between any two adjacent nano-pillars, and a plurality of bismuth sulfide nano-particles filled into the gaps and attached to the nano-pillars. The second electrode layer is formed over the composite absorption layer. Through etching and soaking in solutions, the composite absorption layer with nano-pillars and bismuth sulfide nano-particles is fabricated to form a self-assembly nano-composite solar cell having high power conversion efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanophosphor and a synthesis method thereof, and provides a nanophosphor comprising a first compound of Formula 1, wherein the first compound is fluoride-based one which is co-doped with Ce3+ and Tb3+. NaGd1?p?q?rMrF4:Ce3+p,Tb3+q ??(1) In the Formula 1, descriptions on the p, q, r and M are overlapped with what was described in the detailed description of the present invention, so their concrete description are omitted. The nanophosphor has good light emission intensity and magnetic property as well as up-conversion and/or down-conversion property able to emit visible light after excitation by infrared and/or ultraviolet rays, so can be applied to a contrast agent and a counterfeit prevention code.

Abstract: Disclosed is a positive electrode according to one embodiment of the present invention that includes a current collector and a positive active material layer on the current collector, wherein the positive active material layer includes a positive active material and activated carbon coated with a fibrous carbon material.

Abstract: An improved anode material for a lithium ion battery is disclosed. The improved anode material can improve both electric conductivity and the mechanical resilience of the anode, thus drastically increasing the lifetime of lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for enhancing electron flow within a battery, such as a lead-acid battery. In one embodiment, a battery separator may include a conductive surface or layer upon which electrons may flow. The battery separator may include a fiber mat that includes a plurality of electrically insulative fibers. The battery separator may be positioned between electrodes of the battery to electrically insulate the electrodes. The battery separator may also include a conductive material disposed on at least one surface of the fiber mat. The conductive material may contact an electrode of the battery and may have an electrical conductivity that enables electron flow on the surface of the fiber mat.

Abstract: An inverted organic solar cell including a fiber type substrate, a cathode layer formed on the fiber type substrate, an electron transport layer comprising nanorods formed on the cathode layer, a photoactive layer formed on the electron transport layer, a hole transport layer formed on the photoactive layer, and an anode layer formed on the hole transport layer.

Abstract: A method of operating a lithium-ion cell comprising (a) a cathode comprising a carbon or graphitic material having a surface area to capture and store lithium thereon; (b) an anode comprising an anode active material; (c) a porous separator disposed between the two electrodes; (d) an electrolyte in ionic contact with the two electrodes; and (e) a lithium source disposed in at least one of the two electrodes to obtain an open circuit voltage (OCV) from 0.5 volts to 2.8 volts when the cell is made; wherein the method comprises: (A) electrochemically forming the cell from the OCV to either a first lower voltage limit (LVL) or a first upper voltage limit (UVL), wherein the first LVL is no lower than 0.1 volts and the first UVL is no higher than 4.6 volts; and (B) cycling the cell between a second LVL and a second UVL.

Abstract: Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a nanolaminate structure involving Al2O3 thin films as a main component. The nanolaminate is used between a top electrode and a bottom electode to form a capacitor. The naonolaminate layer comprises alternating layers of Al2O3 and TiO2 and an interfacial layer.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices and techniques for enhancing efficiency thereof are provided. In one aspect, a photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device comprises a photocell having a photoactive layer and a non-photoactive layer adjacent to the photoactive layer so as to form a heterojunction between the photoactive layer and the non-photoactive layer; and a plurality of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures on one or more surfaces of the photoactive layer. The plurality of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures are configured to act as a scattering media for incident light. The plurality of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures can also be configured to create an optical resonance effect in the incident light.

Abstract: An organic/inorganic hybrid photovoltaic device architecture. In some variations, power conversion efficiencies approach 1%. Some variations include an unexpected order of magnitude improvement of power conversion efficiency approaching 5%. Methods of fabricating a photovoltaic device, including depositing over a first electrode an organic semiconductor layer; depositing over the organic semiconductor layer a cross-linking ligand layer; depositing over the cross-linking ligand layer an inorganic nanocrystal layer; and depositing a second electrode over the inorganic nanocrystal layer.

Abstract: A structure of intimately contacting carbon-hexacyanometallate is provided for forming a metal-ion battery electrode. Several methods are provided for forming the carbon-hexacyanometallate intimate contact. These methods include (1) adding conducting carbon during the synthesis of hexacyanometallate and forming the carbon-hexacyanometallate powder prior to forming the paste for electrode printing; (2) coating with conducting carbon after hexacyanometallate powder formation and prior to forming the paste for electrode printing; and (3) coating a layer of conducting carbon over the hexacyanometallate electrode.

Abstract: A lithium-ion cell comprising: (A) a cathode comprising graphene as the cathode active material having a surface area to capture and store lithium thereon and wherein said graphene cathode is meso-porous having a specific surface area greater than 100 m2/g; (B) an anode comprising an anode active material for inserting and extracting lithium, wherein the anode active material is mixed with a conductive additive and/or a resin binder to form a porous electrode structure, or coated onto a current collector in a coating or thin film form; (C) a porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; (D) a lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes; and (E) a lithium source disposed in at least one of the two electrodes when the cell is made. This new Li-ion cell exhibits an unprecedentedly high energy density.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for incorporating a plurality of independently rotating rotors made from high-strength materials with a high-temperature superconductive (HTS) bearing technology into an open-core flywheel architecture to achieve a desired high energy density in the flywheel energy storage devices and to obtain superior results and performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a porous graphene film representing superior electrical properties. The method includes preparing a graphene/polymer composite dispersed solution by adding polymer particles to a first graphene dispersed solution obtained by dispersing graphene powders into a solvent, manufacturing a graphene/polymer composite film by using the graphene/polymer composite dispersed solution, and manufacturing the porous graphene film by removing the polymer particles from the graphene/polymer composite film.

Abstract: Polymer solar cells with enhanced efficiency utilize an active layer formed of a composite of polymer/fullerene and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. During the formation of the solar cell, the composite mixture is subjected to an external magnetic field that causes the nanoparticles to align their magnetic dipole moments along the direction of the magnetic field, so as to form a plurality of Fe3O4 nanochains. These nanochains serve to adjust the morphology and phase separation of the polymer/fullerene, and also serve to induce an internal electrical field by spin-polarization of the nanochains serve to increase the charge separation and charge transport processes in the solar cell, enhancing the short-current density (Jsc) and ultimately, the photoelectric converted efficiency (PCE) of the solar cell.

Abstract: A negative active material, a method for preparing the negative active material and a lithium ion battery comprising the same are provided. The negative active material may comprise: a core, an intermediate layer consisting of a first material and an outmost layer consisting of a second material, which is coated on a surface of the intermediate layer. The first material may be at least one selected from the group consisting of the elements that form alloys with lithium, and the second material may be at least one selected from the group consisting of transition metal oxides, transition metal nitrides and transition metal sulfides.

Abstract: A dielectric material is disclosed comprising a plurality of substantially longitudinally oriented wires which are coupled together, wherein each of the wires includes a conductive core comprising a first material and one or more insulating shell layers comprising a compositionally different second material disposed about the core. In one embodiment, a dielectric layer is disclosed comprising a substrate comprising an insulating material having a plurality of nanoscale pores defined therein having a pore diameter less than about 100 nm, and a conductive material disposed within the nanoscale pores.

Abstract: Provided are a dye-sensitized solar cell and a method for manufacturing the dye-sensitized solar cell using a carbon nanotube (CNx) doped with nitrogen, wherein the dye-sensitized solar cell using the carbon nanotube (CNx) doped with nitrogen has an improved conductivity and open circuit voltage as compared to those using the carbon nanotube (CNT) and also a high connectivity between a transparent electrode and an oxide semiconductor

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery is provided and related methods. The lithium-ion battery includes an electrode comprising an Olivine flake-like structure and an electrode comprising a plurality of coated carbon nanofibers. The Olivine flake-like structures form clusters through which the lithium ions are transported while reducing initial cycle irreversibility. The electrode comprising the coated carbon nanofibers additionally reduce initial cycle irreversibility by controlling expansion of the substrate forming the electrode comprising the coated carbon nanofibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dye-sensitized solar cell and a method of preparing the same, and it can increase the efficiency and productivity of dye-sensitized solar cells at the same time by replacing all or part of the expensive light-absorbing dyes by carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphenes or carbon blacks.

Abstract: A lithium-air battery includes a cathode including a porous active carbon material, a separator, an anode including lithium, and an electrolyte including a lithium salt and polyalkylene glycol ether, where the porous active carbon material is free of a metal-based catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing a capacitor including an array of nanocapacitors, in which the following operations are performed using a mold having a sealed surface, as a lower surface, and a top surface through which a network of pores extend: (a) filling the pores of the mold and covering a top surface of the mold with an electrically conductive material, to form a structure including an array of nanoscale objects connected by a single substrate; (b) removing the mold; (c) depositing, on an outline of the structure obtained at the end of (b), at least one bilayer including a first layer of an electrically insulating material and a second layer of an electrically conductive material; and then (d) locally removing the at least one bilayer deposited in (c) from the substrate to form the electrical contact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing purified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) comprising mixing starting CNTs with an organic solvent in the presence of sonication; substantially removing the organic solvent to obtain a CNT composition; and heating the CNT composition at 200° C. or higher to obtain the purified carbon nanotubes. The present invention further relates to the purified CNTs and cohesive CNT assemblies prepared from the method described herein, and articles (e.g. capacitor, energy storage device or capacitive deionization device) comprising the purified CNTs.

Abstract: Articles of silicon nanowires were synthesized on metal substrates. The preparation minimized the formation of metal silicides and avoided the formation of islands of silicon on the metal substrates. These articles may be used as electrodes of silicon nanowires on current collectors.