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We present here a new approach to tandem cell design that offers near-optimum subcell bandgaps, as well as other special advantages related to cell fabrication, operation, and cost reduction. Monolithic, ultra-thin GaInP/GaAs/GaInAs triple-bandgap tandem solar cells use this new approach, which involves inverted epitaxial growth, handle mounting, and parent substrate removal. The optimal ~1-eV bottom subcell in the tandem affords an ~300 mV increase in the tandem voltage output when compared to conventional Ge-based, triple-junction tandem cells, leading to a potential relative performance improvement of 10-12% over the current state of the art. Recent performance results and advanced design options are discussed.

A fluidized-bed concept for blankets of dry or wetted first-wall ICF reactors using solid-lithium compounds is described. The reaction chamber is a right cylinder, 32 m high and 20 m in diameter; the blanket is composed of 36 steel tanks, 32 m high, which carry the sintered Li/sub 2/O particles in the fluidizing helium gas. Each tank has a radial thickness of 2 m which generates a tritium breeding ration (TBR) of 1.27 and absorbs over 98% of the neutron energy; reducing the thickness to 1.2 m produces a TBR of 1.2 and energy absorption of 97% which satisfy the design goals. Calculations of tritium diffusion through the grains and heat removal from the grains showed that neither could be removed by the carrier gas; tritium and heat are therefore removed by removing the grains themselves by varying the helium flow rate. The particles are continuously fed into the bottom of the tanks at 300/sup 0/C and removed at the top at 475/sup 0/C. Tritium and heat extraction are easily and conveniently done outside the reactor.

Describes an ion storage trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometer (IS/TOE-MS) for performing real-time monitoring of volatile and semivolatile compounds in air. We selected this approach because the IS/TOF-MS combination is capable of providing both fast analysis and sample preconcentration needed for trace-air analysis. Specifically, the IS, which serves as the pulsed extraction source for the TOF-MS, can also be used to preconcentrate target chemicals to lower detection limits. TOE/MS provides for real-time monitoring whereby an entire mass spectrum typically can be produced in less than 100/spl mu/s. Given the relatively long storage-time capability of the IS (i.e., 10 ms to rather than 1 s), the IS/TOF-MS system achieves a duty cycle that approaches 100%. The transmission efficiency in the IS/TOF-MS is equally as high because the entire ion population accumulated in the IS device can be extracted toward the TOF/MS. The theory and operation of the IS as a pulsed extraction source for TOF-MS analysis of VOCs is discussed and the instrument's performance is evaluated.

ABSTRACTNeutron hardening and embrittlement of pressure vessel steels is due to a high density of nanometer scale features, including Cu-rich precipitates which form as a result of radiation enhanced diffusion. High-energy displacement cascades generate large numbers of both isolated point defects and clusters of vacancies and interstitials. The subsequent clustering, diffusion and ultimate annihilation of primary damage is inherently coupled with solute transport and hence, the overall chemical and microstructural evolutions under irradiation. In this work, we present atomistic simulation results, based on many-body interatomic potentials, of the migration of vacancies, solute and self-interstitial atoms (SIA) in pure Fe and binary Fe-0.9 and 1.0 at.% Cu alloys. Cu diffusion occurs by a vacancy mechanism and the calculated Cu diffusivity is in good agreement with experimental data. Strain field interactions between the oversized substitutional Cu solute atoms and SIA and SIA clusters are predominantly repulsive and result in both a decreased activation energy and diffusion pre-factor for SIA and small (N <5) SIA cluster migration, which occurs by three-dimensional motion. The Cu appears to enhance the re- orientation of the SIA clusters to different <111> directions, as well as the transition from <110> to mobile <111> configurations. The migration behavior of larger SIA clusters, which undergo only one-dimensional diffusion during molecular dynamics timescales, is largely unaffected by the Fe-Cu alloy, although SIA clusters are effectively repelled by coherent Cu precipitates.

This paper reviews the current commercial status of CulnSe/sub 2/ alloys (collectively, CIS) and CdTe-based photovoltaic (PV) modules, comparing the performance of commercial products with the results achieved for solar cell and prototype module champions. We provide an update for these PV cell and module technologies, and also compare CIS and CdTe performance levels to the results achieved by the crystalline Si PV industry. This comparison shows that CIS and CdTe module technology presently offers the best (and perhaps only) approach for significantly exceeding the cost/performance levels established by crystalline Si PV technologies. A semi-empirical methodology is used for comparing "champion" solar cell and prototype module data with performance achieved on manufacturing lines. Using a conservative assumption that thin-film technologies will eliminate the 40% of PV module costs arising from the Si wafer or ribbon, we estimate the future performance of all established PV module candidates, and conclude that, based on 2004 knowledge about each PV technology, CIS and CdTe should provide cost-competitive advantages over crystalline Si.

Abstract Thin films of lithium nickel oxide were deposited by sputtering and pulsed laser deposition (PLD) from targets of pressed LiNiO2 powder. The composition and structure of these films were analyzed using a variety of techniques, such as nuclear-reaction analysis, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and atomic-force microscopy. Crystalline structure, surface morphology and chemical composition of LixNi1−xO thin films depend strongly on deposition oxygen pressure, temperature as well as substrate–target distance. The films produced at temperatures lower than 600°C spontaneously absorb CO2 and H2O at their surface once they are exposed to the air. The films deposited at 600°C proved to be stable in air over a long period. Even at room temperature the PLD films are denser and more stable than sputtered films. RBS determined the composition of the best films to be Li0.5Ni0.5O deposited by PLD at 60 mTorr O2 pressure. Electrochemical tests show that the films exhibit excellent reversibility in the range 1.0–3.4 V versus lithium. Electrochemical formatting which is used to develop electrochromism in other films is not needed for the stoichiometric films. The optical transmission range is almost 70% at 550 nm for 150 nm-thick films. Devices made from these films were analyzed using novel reference electrodes and by disassembling after cycling.

This critical review describes a class of polymers prepared by electrochemical polymerization that employs the concept of molecular imprinting for chemical sensing. The principal focus is on both conducting and nonconducting polymers prepared by electropolymerization of electroactive functional monomers, such as pristine and derivatized pyrrole, aminophenylboronic acid, thiophene, porphyrin, aniline, phenylenediamine, phenol, and thiophenol. A critical evaluation of the literature on electrosynthesized molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) applied as recognition elements of chemical sensors is presented. The aim of this review is to highlight recent achievements in analytical applications of these MIPs, including present strategies of determination of different analytes as well as identification and solutions for problems encountered.

This paper discusses advances made in the field of Micron‐gap ThermoPhotoVoltaics (MTPV). Initial modeling has shown that MTPV may enable significant performance improvements relative to conventional far field TPV. These performance improvements include up to a 10× increase in power density, 30% to 35% fractional increase in conversion efficiency, or alternatively, reduced radiator temperature requirements to as low as 550°C. Recent experimental efforts aimed at supporting these predictions have successfully demonstrated that early current and voltage enhancements could be done repeatedly and at higher temperatures. More importantly, these efforts indicated that no unknown energy transfer process occurs reducing the potential utility of MTPV. Progress has been made by running tests with at least one of the following characteristics relative to the MTPV results reported in 2001:• Tests at over twice the temperature (900°C).• Tests at 50% smaller gaps (0.12 μm)• Tests with emitter areas from 4 to 100 times ...