An oxadiazole dye for use as an organic photosensitizer. The oxadiazole dye comprising donor--spacer-acceptor type portions in which at least one of an oxadiazole isomer acts as a -conjugated bridge (spacer), a biphenyl unit acts as an electron-donating unit, a carboxyl group act as an electron acceptor group, and a cyano group acts as an anchor group. An optional thiophene group acts as part of the -conjugated bridge (spacer). The dye for use as organic photosensitizers in a dye-sensitized solar cell and in photodynamic therapies. Computational DFT and time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) modeling techniques showing Light Harvesting Efficiency (LHE), Free Energy for Electron Injection (G.sup.inject), Excitation Energies, and Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMOs) indicate that the series of dye comprise a more negative G.sup.inject and a higher LHE value; resulting in a higher incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE).

An aspect of the present disclosures is a method that includes applying a perovskite precursor solution to a first solid conductor and treating the perovskite precursor solution such that a first portion of the perovskite precursor solution is converted to a first solid perovskite, where the first solid conductor comprises a first charge transport characteristic, which is predominantly p-type or predominantly n-type, and the treating results in the first solid perovskite having a second charge transport characteristic that is substantially the same as the first charge transport characteristic.

A silicon dioxide solar cell includes first and second substrates having electrical conductivity, the first and second substrates being arranged so that conductive surfaces of the first and second substrates are facing each other, the first substrate being a transparent substrate on a light incident side to which a light is irradiated; a silicon dioxide layer consisting essentially of silicon dioxide particles which is formed on an electrode disposed on the second substrate such that the silicon dioxide layer has a photovoltaic ability absorbing an infrared light; and an electrolyte disposed between said first and second substrate. The space between the silicon dioxide layer and the first substrate on the light incident side is filled with the electrolyte, and the silicon dioxide solar cell is configured to generate electricity from the silicon dioxide particles of the silicon dioxide layer and output the electricity via the electrode.

A photoelectric conversion element includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first conductive layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, a porous insulating layer, a second conductive layer, a sealing member, and an electrolyte. The photoelectric conversion layer includes a porous semiconductor layer and a photosensitizer added to the porous semiconductor layer. The first conductive layer is divided by a groove into a first region where the photoelectric conversion layer is arranged, and a second region where the photoelectric conversion layer is not arranged. An insulating portion is arranged in and above the groove in a covering relation to a surface of the first region in part thereof where the photoelectric conversion layer is not arranged. The insulating portion has a denser structure than the porous insulating layer. When the photoelectric conversion layer and the insulating portion are projected onto a plane parallel to the first substrate from the side including the second substrate, a projection image of the insulating portion partly overlaps a projection image of the photoelectric conversion layer.

The present embodiments provide a highly durable semiconductor element capable of generating electricity or emitting light with high efficiency, and further provide a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor element according to the embodiment comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, an active layer and a substrate, and is characterized in that the active layer contains crystals oriented anisotropically. For manufacturing the element, the active layer is produced by the steps of: applying a coating solution containing precursor compounds of the active layer and an organic solvent capable of dissolving the precursor compounds, to form a coating film; and then growing the crystals in a specific direction parallel to the surface of the coating film.

Presented herein is a voltaic cell containing light harvesting antennae or other biologically-based electron generating structures optionally in a microbial population, an electron siphon population having electron conductive properties with individual siphons configured to accept electrons from the light harvesting antennae and transport the electrons to a current collector, an optional light directing system (e.g., a mirror), and a regulator having sensing and regulatory feedback properties for the conversion of photobiochemical energy and biochemical energy to electricity. Also presented herein is a voltaic cell having electricity-generating abilities in the absence of light. Also presented herein is the use of the voltaic cell in a solar panel.

Disclosed is a direct-conversion-type X-ray detector, including a first electrode on a substrate, a semiconductor structure including a photoconductor using a perovskite material on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the semiconductor structure.

A perovskite composite structure is provided. The perovskite composite structure includes a light absorption layer and a sterically-hindered layer disposed in the periphery of the light absorption layer. The light absorption layer includes a perovskite material. The sterically-hindered layer includes a two-dimensional material.

A method of disinfection of a surface of a subject of harmful microorganisms including pathogenic bacteria and viruses upon visible light irradiation using a genetically hybridized fluorescent silk is provided. The method includes placing a predetermined quantity of the genetically hybridized fluorescent silk i) directly on to a skin surface of a subject; or ii) on a medium and then placing the medium on the skin surface of the subject. The method further includes applying light in the visible spectrum for a predetermined amount of time to the placed quantity of genetically hybridized fluorescent silk.

A photoelectric device is disclosed. The photoelectric device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second electrode includes a transparent layer for allowing light to penetrate into the second electrode, an electron transport layer coupled to the transparent layer, and a genetically hybridized fluorescent silk layer as a photo-sensitizer coupled to the electron transport layer.