Abstract:
The present invention relates to a solar cell module. The solar cell module (10, 100) comprising a first (102) and a second (104) solar cell, each comprising: a charge separating element (108) arranged to convert light to an electric voltage, a rear electrical contact (106a, 106b), and a transparent conductor (112), wherein the rear electrical contact (106a, 106b) is arranged in electrical contact with a first portion (103) of the charge separating element (108) and the transparent conductor (112) is arranged in electrical contact with a second portion (105) of the charge separating element (108), wherein the solar cells (102, 104) are interconnected at an interconnection region (114), wherein the rear electrical contact (106a) of the first solar cell (102) is physically separated from the rear electrical contact (106b) of the second solar cell (104), wherein an interconnection contact (118) is arranged to form an electrical connection between the transparent conductor (112a) of the first solar cell (102) to the rear electrical contact (106b) of the second solar cell (104), wherein the rear electrical contact (106) and the interconnection contact (118) are metals, and a metal - metal contact is formed by the interconnection contact (118) and the rear electrical contact (106), the solar cell module further comprising a lens structure (122) arranged to concentrate light to the charge separating elements (108) of the first (102) and second (104) solar cells, wherein the lens structure (122) is further arranged such that light is not concentrated at the interconnection region (114).
Abstract:
Photodetectors, methods of fabricating the same, and methods using the same to detect radiation are described. A photodetector can include a first electrode, a light sensitizing layer, an electron blocking/tunneling layer, and a second electrode. Infrared-to-visible upconversion devices, methods of fabricating the same, and methods using the same to detect radiation are also described. An Infrared-to-visible upconversion device can include a photodetector and an OLED coupled to the photodetector.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods of forming graphene films by: (1) depositing a non-gaseous carbon source onto a catalyst surface; and (2) initiating the conversion of the non-gaseous carbon source to the graphene film on the catalyst surface. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to graphene films made in accordance with the methods of the present invention.
Abstract:
In some embodiments, the present invention provides transparent electrodes that comprise: (1) a grid structure; and (2) a graphene film associated with the grid structure. In additional embodiments, the transparent electrodes of the present invention further comprise a substrate, such as glass. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making the above-described transparent electrodes. Such methods generally comprise: (1) providing a grid structure; (2) providing a graphene film; and (3) associating the graphene film with the grid structure. In further embodiments, the methods of the present invention also comprise associating the transparent electrode with a substrate.
Abstract:
The current invention provides for the manufacture of solar cells with high sunlight to electricity conversion efficiencies by using improved silver-alloy thin films with a thickness in the range of 30 to 60 nanometers as a back reflector/conductor (1). The back reflector surface may be smooth or roughened depending on the design of the solar cell and the reflective surface. Silver-alloy thin film in the thickness range of 3 to 10 nanometers can be used to replace traditional transparent conductor such as indium oxide, indium tin oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide etc. Elements that can be alloyed with silver to create alloys for use in the invention include, Pd, Cr, Zr, Pt, Au, Cu, Cd, B, In, Zn, Mg, Be, Ni, Ti, Si, Li, Al, Mn, Mo, W, Ga, Ge, Sn, and Sb. These alloys may be present in the silver-alloys in amounts ranging from 0.01 to 10.0 a/o percent.
Abstract:
Junction-less solar cells having three or more terminals are provided. Electron- and hole- selective contacts and interfaces are used in combination with two more absorber layers having different bandgaps to provide multi-material solar cells that have no requirement for either lattice matching or current matching.
Abstract:
A method of producing a thin film structure such as a transparent electrode. A transparent thin film of a first metal such as gold or silver is deposited on a substrate. There is then deposited on the thin film of the first metal a compound of a second metal which forms a continuous, transparent thin film of an oxide of the second metal on the film of the first metal. The substrate carrying the thin films is annealed at a temperature of at least about 300 °C. The compound of a second metal that is deposited on the first metal may be a precursor that is treated, for example by heat, so as to produce the oxide of the second metal. The precursor may be an organometallic compound of the second metal; or a hydroxide of the second metal; or a sol of nanoparticles of the oxide of the second metal mixed with an organometallic precursor of the oxide of the second metal. The precursor may be deposited as a liquid. The oxide may be TiO x , WO x , MoO x , VO x , TaO x , ZnO x , NiO x or AIOx..
Abstract:
A hole-blocking silicon/titanium- oxide heterojunction for silicon photovoltaic devices and methods of forming are disclosed. The electronic device includes at least two electrodes having a current path between the two electrodes. The electronic device also includes a heterojunction formed of a titanium-oxide layer deposited over a Si layer and being disposed in the current path. The heterojunction is configured to function as a hole blocker. The first electrode may be electrically coupled to the Si layer and a second electrode may be electrically coupled to the titanium- oxide layer. The device may also include a PN junction disposed in the Si layer, in the current path. The device may also include an electron-blocking heterojunction on silicon in the current path.