A method for forming electrical contacts for a solar cell and a solar cell formed using the method is provided. The method includes forming a first metal layer over predefined portions of a surface of the solar cell; depositing a carbon nanotube layer over the first metal layer; and forming a second metal layer over the carbon nanotube layer, wherein the first metal layer, the carbon nanotube layer, and the second metal layer form a first metal matrix composite layer that provides electrical conductivity and mechanical support for the metal contacts.

A nanocrystal including a core including a Group III element and a Group V element, and a monolayer shell on the surface of the core, the shell including a compound of the formula ZnSe.sub.xS.sub.(1-x), wherein 0≤x≤1, and wherein an average mole ratio of Se:S in the monolayer shell ranges from about 2:1 to about 20:1.

Semiconductor structures having a nanocrystalline core and corresponding nanocrystalline shell and insulator coating, wherein the semiconductor structure includes an anisotropic nanocrystalline core composed of a first semiconductor material, and an anisotropic nanocrystalline shell composed of a second, different, semiconductor material surrounding the anisotropic nanocrystalline core. The anisotropic nanocrystalline core and the anisotropic nanocrystalline shell form a quantum dot. An insulator layer encapsulates the nanocrystalline shell and anisotropic nanocrystalline core.

Quantum dot delivery methods are described. In a first example, a method of delivering or storing a plurality of nano-particles involves providing a plurality of nano-particles. The method also involves forming a dispersion of the plurality of nano-particles in a medium for delivery or storage, wherein the medium is free of organic solvent. In a second example, a method of delivering or storing a plurality of nano-particles involves providing a plurality of nano-particles in an organic solvent. The method also involves drying the plurality of nano-particles for delivery or storage, the drying removing entirely all of the organic solvent.

A nanocrystal including a core including a Group III element and a Group V element, and a monolayer shell on the surface of the core, the shell including a compound of the formula ZnSe.sub.xS.sub.(1-x), wherein 0≤x≤1, and wherein an average mole ratio of Se:S in the monolayer shell ranges from about 2:1 to about 20:1.

An apparatus is described that selectively absorbs electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus includes a conducting surface, a dielectric layer formed on the conducting surface, and a plurality of conducting particles distributed on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer can be formed from a material and a thickness selected to yield a specific absorption spectrum. Alternatively, the thickness or dielectric value of the material can change in response to an external stimulus, thereby changing the absorption spectrum.

A nanocrystal including a core including a Group III element and a Group V element, and a monolayer shell on the surface of the core, the shell including a compound of the formula ZnSe.sub.xS.sub.(1-x), wherein 0x1, and wherein an average mole ratio of Se:S in the monolayer shell ranges from about 2:1 to about 20:1.

A graphene oxide-coated graphitic foil, composed of a graphitic substrate or core layer having two opposed primary surfaces and at least a graphene oxide coating layer deposited on at least one of the two primary surfaces, wherein the graphitic substrate layer has a thickness preferably from 0.34 nm to 1 mm, and the graphene oxide coating layer has a thickness preferably from 0.5 nm to 1 mm and an oxygen content of 0.01%-40% by weight based on the total graphene oxide weight. The graphitic substrate layer may be preferably selected from flexible graphite foil, graphene film, graphene paper, graphite particle paper, carbon-carbon composite film, carbon nanofiber paper, or carbon nanotube paper. This graphene oxide-coated laminate exhibits a combination of exceptional thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, surface smoothness, surface hardness, and scratch resistance unmatched by any thin-film material of comparable thickness range.

An apparatus comprising: a channel (4) configured to conduct charge carriers; and a charge carrier generator (22) configured to generate charge carriers for populating the channel, wherein the charge carrier generator is configured for resonance energy transfer (FRET). The charge carrier generator may be a nanoparticle or quantum dot (22), functionalised with at least one moiety (28A, 28B) to enable detection of an analyte. The charge carrier generator may also be a nanoparticle or quantum dot (22) configured to photo-generate charge carriers. The channel (4) may be made of a material having a very high carrier mobility like graphene or carbon nanotubes.

A luminescent hybrid nanomaterial comprising: at least one inorganic nanomaterial comprising an inorganic first compound; and at least one second compound comprising a first aggregation-induced emission moiety, wherein the at least one second compound is grafted on at least part of a surface of the inorganic first compound.