A method of synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) nanoflakes comprises the cutting of prefabricated nanoparticles. The method allows high control over the shape, size and composition of the 2D nanoflakes, and can be used to produce material with uniform properties in large quantities. Van der Waals heterostructure devices are prepared by fabricating nanoparticles, chemically cutting the nanoparticles to form nanoflakes, dispersing the nanoflakes in a solvent to form an ink, and depositing the ink to form a thin film.

In one example, an apparatus comprises: a first sensor layer, including an array of pixel cells configured to generate pixel data; and one or more semiconductor layers located beneath the first sensor layer with the one or more semiconductor layers being electrically connected to the first sensor layer via interconnects. The one or more semiconductor layers comprises on-chip compute circuits configured to receive the pixel data via the interconnects and process the pixel data, the on-chip compute circuits comprising: a machine learning (ML) model accelerator configured to implement a convolutional neural network (CNN) model to process the pixel data; a first memory to store coefficients of the CNN model and instruction codes; a second memory to store the pixel data of a frame; and a controller configured to execute the codes to control operations of the ML model accelerator, the first memory, and the second memory.

An integrated tandem solar cell includes a first solar cell including a rear electrode, a light absorption layer disposed on the rear electrode, and a buffer layer disposed on the light absorption layer; a recombination layer including a first transparent conductive layer disposed on the buffer layer; a nanoparticle layer that is transparent and conductive, that is disposed on the first transparent conductive layer, and that planarizes the first solar cell; and a second transparent conductive layer disposed on the nanoparticle layer; and a second solar cell that is a perovskite solar cell including a perovskite layer and that is disposed on and bonded to the second transparent conductive layer of the recombination layer. The recombination layer electrically joins the first and second solar cells and planarizes the first solar cell so that the second solar cell is uniformly deposited in all regions thereof.

A photovoltaic device (10) comprising a photoactive body between two electrodes (contact 1, contact 2). The body comprises semiconductor particles (24) embedded in a semiconductor matrix (22). The particles and matrix are electronically or optically coupled so that charge carriers generated in the particles are transferred directly or indirectly to the matrix. The matrix transports positive charge carriers to one of the electrodes and negative charge carriers to the other electrode. The particles are configured so that they do not form a charge carrier transport network to either of the electrodes and so perform the function of charge carrier generation but not charge carrier transport.

An apparatus and method, the apparatus including a charge carrier wherein the charge carrier includes a continuous three dimensional framework including a plurality of cavities throughout the framework; sensor material provided throughout the charge carrier; wherein the sensor material is configured to transduce a detected input and change conductivity of the charge carrier in dependence of the detected input.

A photodiode includes a semiconductor substrate, a crystalline layer on the semiconductor substrate, an insulating pattern layer on the crystalline layer to define a plurality of holes exposing a top surface of the crystalline layer, a seed layer in the plurality of holes and directly on the crystalline layer, and a light absorption layer on the seed layer and the insulating pattern layer.

A method of forming a wavelength detector that includes forming a first transparent material layer having a uniform thickness on a first mirror structure, and forming an active element layer including a plurality of nanomaterial sections and electrodes in an alternating sequence atop the first transparent material layer. A second transparent material layer is formed having a plurality of different thickness portions atop the active element layer, wherein each thickness portion correlates to at least one of the plurality of nanomaterials. A second mirror structure is formed on the second transparent material layer.

Nanocomposites in accordance with many embodiments of the invention can be capable of converting electromagnetic radiation to an electric signal, such as signals in the form of current or voltage. In some embodiments, metallic nanostructures are integrated with graphene material to form a metallo-graphene nanocomposite. Graphene is a material that has been explored for broadband and ultrafast photodetection applications because of its distinct optical and electronic characteristics. However, the low optical absorption and the short carrier lifetime of graphene can limit its use in many applications. Nanocomposites in accordance with various embodiments of the invention integrates metallic nanostructures, such as (but not limited to) plasmonic nanoantennas and metallic nanoparticles, with a graphene-based material to form metallo-graphene nanostructures that can offer high responsivity, ultrafast temporal responses, and broadband operation in a variety of optoelectronic applications.

A method of improving performance of a photovoltaic device can include modifying a surface energy level of a nanocrystal through ligand exchange. A photovoltaic device can include a layer that includes a nanocrystal with a surface energy modified through ligand exchange.

An electronic device includes a semiconductor nanoparticle, and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor nanoparticle is additionally provided. The semiconductor nanoparticle includes: a core including a first element; and a shell covering at least a portion of a surface of the core and including a second element and a third element, wherein the first element, the second element, and the third element are different from each other, and the first element and the second element are chemically bonded to each other on the at least a portion of the surface of the core.