Abstract:
Described herein are superhydrophobic coatings based on silica nanoparticles, metal compound nanoparticles, and hydrophobic polymers that provide a damage tolerant superhydrophobic capability, wherein the metal compound nanorods can comprise a rare earth metal phosphate salt or an aluminum oxide. Methods of creating water resistant materials by employing the aforementioned coatings are also described.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an encapsulation structure comprising a luminescent wavelength conversion material for at least one solar cell or photovoltaic device which acts to enhance the solar harvesting efficiency of the solar cell device. The luminescent wavelength conversion material comprises at least one chromophore and an optically transparent polymer matrix. Application of the encapsulation structure, as disclosed herein, to solar harvesting devices, including solar cells, solar panels, and photovoltaic devices, improves the solar harvesting efficiency of the device by widening the spectrum of incoming sunlight that can be effectively converted into electricity by the device.
Abstract:
Described herein are coatings based on a hydrophobic polymer matrix and hydrophobic nanoparticles that provide a damage tolerant hydrophobic, superhydrophobic, and/or snowphobic capability, wherein the nanoparticles can comprise modified and phyllosilicate nanoclays. The micro and nano roughness of the composite surface is described. Methods of creating snow resistant materials by employing the aforementioned coatings are also described.
Abstract:
Described herein are coating dispersions and coatings based on hydrophobic nanofiber and silicone microbeads dispersed in a hydrophobic polymer matrix that provide a damage tolerant hydrophobic, superhydrophobic, and/or snowphobic capability. Methods of creating snow resistant materials by employing the aforementioned coatings are also described.
Abstract:
Described herein is a method for making a thermoelectric device, the method comprising: providing a sheet of alternating rows of parallel columns of p- or n-type thermoelectric materials; and electrically communicating the parallel columns such that the rows can be connected in series. Also described is where the columns within each row can also be electrically connected in parallel. Also described herein are thermoelectric devices made according to these methods and/or thermoelectric devices having a similar structure.
Abstract:
Described herein are coatings based on a hydrophobic polymer matrix, hydrophobic nanoparticles and hydrophilic nanoparticles, that provide a damage tolerant hydrophobic, superhydrophobic, and/or snowphobic capability, wherein the nanoparticles can comprise modified and non-modified phyllosilicate nanoclays and modified silicon dioxide. Methods of creating snow resistant materials by employing the aforementioned coatings are described. The micro and nano roughness of the composite surface is also described.
Abstract:
Described herein are wavelength conversion films that are easy-to-apply to solar cells, solar panels, or photovoltaic devices using an adhesive layer. The wavelength conversion films include a wavelength conversion layer with a photostable chromophore and are useful for improving the solar harvesting efficiency of solar cells, solar panels, and photovoltaic devices.