An imaging element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a first electrode and a second electrode; a third electrode; a photoelectric conversion layer; and a semiconductor layer. The first electrode and the second electrode are disposed in parallel. The third electrode is disposed to be opposed to the first electrode and the second electrode. The photoelectric conversion layer is provided between the first electrode and second electrode and the third electrode. The semiconductor layer is provided between the first electrode and second electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer. The semiconductor layer has a first layer and a second layer stacked therein in order from the photoelectric conversion layer side. The second layer has an energy level at a lowest edge of a conduction band that is shallower than an energy level of the first layer at a lowest edge of a conduction band.

A method for manufacturing a solar panel having a solar cell and integrated circuits on the same silicon wafer is disclosed. The solar panel include two groups of semiconductor wafers. Each of the first group of semiconductor wafers includes a solar cell for generating direct current via the photovoltaic effect. Each of the second group of semiconductor wafers includes a solar cell for generating direct current via the photovoltaic effect, and some integrated circuits arranged to perform computations. The integrated circuits are solely powered by the solar cell from the second group and other solar cells from the group of semiconductor wafers.

Provided are a solar cell, a method for preparing a solar cell, a tandem solar cell, and a photovoltaic module. The solar cell includes a substrate, a doped conductive layer, and a dielectric layer. The substrate has a first surface, where the first surface includes electrode regions and non-electrode regions that are alternatingly arranged along a first direction. The doped conductive layer is formed over the first surface of the substrate. The doped conductive layer includes first conductive portions and at least one second conductive portion. Each respective first conductive portion of the first conductive portions is formed over a respective electrode region of the electrode regions, and each respective second conductive portion of the at least one second conductive portion is formed over a part of a non-electrode region of the non-electrode regions. The dielectric layer is between the first surface and the doped conductive layer.

Provided are a solar cell, a method for preparing a solar cell, a tandem solar cell, and a photovoltaic module. The solar cell includes a substrate, a doped conductive layer, and a dielectric layer. The substrate has a first surface, where the first surface includes electrode regions and non-electrode regions that are alternatingly arranged along a first direction. The doped conductive layer is formed over the first surface of the substrate. The doped conductive layer includes first conductive portions and at least one second conductive portion. Each respective first conductive portion of the first conductive portions is formed over a respective electrode region of the electrode regions, and each respective second conductive portion of the at least one second conductive portion is formed over a part of a non-electrode region of the non-electrode regions. The dielectric layer is between the first surface and the doped conductive layer.

Systems and methods are provided for identifying and locating a plurality of reflector markers implanted within a target tissue region within a patient's body. A probe is provided that is activated to transmit electromagnetic signals into the patient's body, receive reflected signals from the patient's body, and in synchronization with transmitting the electromagnetic signals, deliver light pulses into the patient's body. The markers reflector tags modulate reflected signals from the respective markers based on orthogonal code sequences opening and closing respective switches of the markers to modulate the reflective properties of the markers. The probe processes the return signals to separate the reflected signals based at least in part on the code sequences to identify and locate each of the plurality of reflector tags substantially simultaneously.

Systems and methods are provided for identifying and locating a plurality of reflector markers implanted within a target tissue region within a patient's body. A probe is provided that is activated to transmit electromagnetic signals into the patient's body, receive reflected signals from the patient's body, and in synchronization with transmitting the electromagnetic signals, deliver light pulses into the patient's body. The markers reflector tags modulate reflected signals from the respective markers based on orthogonal code sequences opening and closing respective switches of the markers to modulate the reflective properties of the markers. The probe processes the return signals to separate the reflected signals based at least in part on the code sequences to identify and locate each of the plurality of reflector tags substantially simultaneously.

A free-space power receiver includes layouts of photovoltaic cells selected to optimize power extraction even when a power beam moves or changes profile on the receiver. The receiver may also include a circuit board, which may include suitable wiring for connecting the photovoltaic cells to one another and to a load for extraction of power. The receiver may include capacitors wired in parallel with the photovoltaic cells.

A free-space power receiver includes layouts of photovoltaic cells selected to optimize power extraction even when a power beam moves or changes profile on the receiver. The receiver may also include a circuit board, which may include suitable wiring for connecting the photovoltaic cells to one another and to a load for extraction of power. The receiver may include capacitors wired in parallel with the photovoltaic cells.

An object may include at least one microtransponder (MTP) configured with an identifier. The identifier of the MTP may be indexed to the object. Indexing information associated with the MTP and the object may be stored in a database of a security system. The MTP may be read, and data reported by the MTP may be processed to determine authenticity of the object.

An object may include at least one microtransponder (MTP) configured with an identifier. The identifier of the MTP may be indexed to the object. Indexing information associated with the MTP and the object may be stored in a database of a security system. The MTP may be read, and data reported by the MTP may be processed to determine authenticity of the object.