Planar n-Si/PEDOT:PSS hybrid heterojunction solar cells utilizing functionalized carbon nanoparticles synthesized via simple pyrolysis route.

Herein, we present a facile and simple strategy for in situ synthesis of functionalized carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) via direct pyrolysis of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on silicon surface. The CNPs were incorporated in hybrid planar n-Si and poly(3,4-etyhlenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) solar cells to improve device performance. We demonstrate that the CNPs-incorporated devices showed increased electrical conductivity (reduced series resistance) and minority carrier lifetime (better charge carrier collection) than those of the cells without CNPs due to the existence of electrically conductive sp 2-hybridized carbon at the heterojunction interfaces. With an optimal concentration of CNPs, the hybrid solar cells exhibited power conversion efficiency up to 11.95%, with an open-circuit voltage of 614 mV, short-circuit current density of 26.34 mA cm-2, and fill factor of 73.93%. These results indicate that our approach is promising for the development of highly efficient organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells.

Ultrathin Al2O3 interface achieving an 11.46% efficiency in planar n-Si/PEDOT:PSS hybrid solar cells.

Hybrid organic-inorganic photovoltaic devices consisting of poly(3,4-etyhlenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and n-type silicon have recently been investigated for their cost-efficiency and ease of fabrication. We demonstrate that the insertion of an ultrathin Al2O3 layer between n-Si and PEDOT:PSS significantly improves photovoltaic performance in comparison to the conventional interfacial oxide employing SiO2. A power-conversion efficiency of 11.46% was recorded at the optimal Al2O3 thickness of 2.3 nm. This result was achieved based upon increased built-in potential and improved charge collection via the electron blocking effect of Al2O3. In addition, the hydrophilicity enhanced by Al2O3 improved the coating uniformity of the PEDOT:PSS layer, resulting in a further reduction in surface recombination.

Toward a planar black silicon technology for 50 µm-thin crystalline silicon solar cells.

Auger and surface recombinations are major drawbacks that deteriorate a photon-to-electron conversion efficiencies in nanostructured (NS) Si solar cells. As an alternative to conventional frontside nanostructuring, we report how backside nanostructuring is beneficial for carrier collection during photovoltaic operation that utilizes a 50-µm-thin wafer. Ultrathin (4.3-nm-thin) zinc oxide was also effective for providing passivated tunneling contacts at the nanostructured backsides, which led to the enhancement of 24% in power conversion efficiency.

13.2% efficiency Si nanowire/PEDOT:PSS hybrid solar cell using a transfer-imprinted Au mesh electrode.

In recent years, inorganic/organic hybrid solar cell concept has received growing attention for alternative energy solution because of the potential for facile and low-cost fabrication and high efficiency. Here, we report highly efficient hybrid solar cells based on silicon nanowires (SiNWs) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) ( PEDOT: PSS) using transfer-imprinted metal mesh front electrodes. Such a structure increases the optical absorption and shortens the carrier transport distance, thus, it greatly increases the charge carrier collection efficiency. Compared with hybrid cells formed using indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes, we find an increase in power conversion efficiency from 5.95% to 13.2%, which is attributed to improvements in both the electrical and optical properties of the Au mesh electrode. Our fabrication strategy for metal mesh electrode is suitable for the large-scale fabrication of flexible transparent electrodes, paving the way towards low-cost, high-efficiency, flexible solar cells.

A case of acute bilateral retrocochlear hearing loss as an initial symptom of unilateral thalamic hemorrhage.

A speech discrimination test is a test using a list of 25 phonetically balanced monosyllables. It is often overlooked but significant enough for pure tone audiometry. Many physicians have performed pure tone audiometry but without a speech discrimination test. A 73-year-old woman visited our clinic complaining of sudden bilateral hearing loss. Pure tone audiometry showed only bilateral high frequency loss. However, speech discrimination had decreased markedly. We decided to follow-up after 1 week of Ginexin-F® (ginkgo leaf extract) and Nafril® (nafronyl oxalate). She felt a gait disturbance within 2 days. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left thalamic hemorrhage. After a 1 month hospitalization, the hematoma subsided, and speech discrimination recovered 3 months later. Acute hearing loss due to thalamic hemorrhage that recovered has never been reported. We report the first case of retrocochlear hearing loss that occurred with a thalamic hemorrhage in a patient who recovered.

Mice as potential carriers of infectious bursal disease virus in chickens.

To investigate the role of mice as potential carriers of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), three mice were inoculated with a very virulent strain of IBDV and allowed to have contact with three uninoculated mice. Faeces, intestine and pooled liver and spleen collected from inoculated mice 12 and 24 h post-inoculation were positive for IBDV by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-nested PCR (RT-PCR-nPCR). IBDV was detected by RT-PCR-nPCR in 3/3 samples of intestine and 2/3 samples of pooled liver and spleen from uninoculated in-contact mice at 24 h after exposure. Chickens developed clinical signs of IBD and died when inoculated with faecal extracts prepared from mice 24 h after inoculation with IBDV. Bursae were atrophied and positive for IBDV by RT-PCR-nPCR.