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In order to increase the photocurrent of tandem solar cells with a silicon (Si) solar cell as the bottom cell, we investigate the relationship between the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and the arrangement of AuNPs onto solar cells. AuNPs were deposited on P-type crystalline Si (c-Si) cells and Si heterojunction (SHJ) type cells. To obtain the localized surface plasmon resonance effect, the shape, size, and arrangement of the nanostructures are important. Especially, arrangement of AuNPs onto solar cells was inquired in this study because these parameters must be adjusted appropriately to produce a plasmon resonance in a specific wavelength range. It was found that the plasmon resonance effect is significant when deposited on the surface of c-Si cell rather than on top of the Ag electrode. AuNPs deposition on the c-Si cell surface leads to not only the localized surface plasmon resonance effect but also improvement in charge transport between the c-Si cell surface and Ag electrode. However, in the SHJ-type cells, the plasmon resonance effect was not observed because the surface layer was composed of a W-doped In2O3 (IWO) layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper particularly explains potential-induced degradation (PID) of wafer-based standard p-type crystalline silicon technology. We present a single-encapsulation method that is useful for simulating PID in the laboratory to facilitate microanalyses of module-level solar cells. The PID testing is performed for the module with single-encapsulation and conventional modules. Their current–voltage characteristics and electroluminescence images are investigated before and after the PID tests. As described herein, we infer that the single-encapsulation modules generate PID almost in the same way as conventional modules do, and that the degradation trend is almost identical to that of conventional modules. Results of PID recovery tests indicate that the time necessary for PID recovery is always less than that for PID generation, irrespective of the encapsulation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) sometimes recurs after surgical treatment and requires reoperation. In Japan, Japanese herbal medicines (Kampo), such as Goreisan and Saireito, have been used as adjunctive therapies to prevent the recurrence of CSDH. However, no prospective randomized study has proven the efficacy of Kampo medicine in all patients. To investigate whether Goreisan and Saireito reduce the postoperative recurrence of CSDH in a prospective randomized study., Methods: Between April 2017 and July 2019, a total of 118 patients who underwent initial burr hole surgery for CSDH were randomly assigned to the following 3 groups: (1) Goreisan for 3 months (Group G), (2) Saireito for 3 months (Group S), and (3) no medication (Group N). The primary end point was symptomatic recurrence within 3 months postoperatively, and the secondary end point was complications associated with the administration of Kampo medicine., Results: Among 118 patients, 114 (Group N, n = 39; Group G, n = 37; and Group S, n = 38) were included in our analysis. In this study, byakujutsu (containing Atractylodes rhizome ) Goreisan and Saireito were used, unlike other prospective randomized studies in which sojutsu (containing Atractylodes lancea rhizome) Goreisan was used. The overall recurrence rate was 11.4% (13/114: 10 for Group N, 2 for Group G, and 1 for Group S). The recurrence rate of Group G was significantly lower than that of Group N (5.4% vs 25.6%; P = .043). The recurrence rate of Group S was also significantly lower than that of Group N (2.6% vs 25.6%; P = .02). No patients developed complications associated with the administration of Kampo medicine., Conclusion: This is the first study to show that Kampo medicine reduced the recurrence rate of CSDH in an overall population. This study demonstrated that byakujutsu Goreisan and Saireito may have favorable effects, unlike other studies, because byakujutsu has stronger anti-inflammatory activity than sojutsu., (Copyright © Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2023. All rights reserved.)