Partial shading of Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 (CIGS) photovoltaic (PV) modules is getting more attention, as is witnessed by the increase in publications on this topic in recent years. This review will give an overview of shading tests executed on CIGS modules and focuses on the more fundamental aspects that are often studied on cells. Generally, CIGS modules display very attractive performance under predictable row-to-row shading. However, potential damage could occur under nonoptimal shading orientations: module output after shading tests could reduce due to the formation of local shunts, often called wormlike defects. The influence of many factors on the formation of these defects, including the internal currents and voltages and the shape and intensity of the shade, will be discussed. This review allows an increased insight in the degradation mechanisms caused by partial shading, which would ultimately lead to the introduction of more shade-tolerant CIGS PV products in the future.

The effects of silicon incorporation on the in vitro and in vivo properties of magnesium phosphate (MgP) bioceramics were studied. Samples were prepared by conventional solid state synthesis method. Scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) analysis showed that Si doping reduces degradability of MgP. In vitro studies have shown that MG63 cells can attach and proliferate on MgP samples. Live/dead imaging showed that MgP–0.5Si sample had highest cell proliferation, which was also quantitatively confirmed by alamar blue assay. In vivo biocompatibility of MgP ceramics was assessed after implantation in rabbit model. Detailed µ-CT analysis showed new bone tissue formation around the implant after 30 and 90 days. MgP–0.5Si ceramics had 84% bone regeneration compared with 56% for pure MgP ceramics, as confirmed by oxytetracycline labeling. Our finding suggests that Si doping can alter physicochemical properties of MgP ceramics and promotes osseointegration, which can be a useful choice for bone tissue engineering.

A CoNiCrAlTaHfY/Co composite coating was prepared on the etched C/C composites by using duplex vapor phase surface alloying treatments, i.e., Co alloying and Co–Ni–Cr–Al–Ta–Hf–Y alloying. Microstructures and oxidation behavior of the coated C/C composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The result showed that the CoNiCrAlTaHfY/Co composite coating, 25 μm in thickness, was compact and composed of CrCoTa, AlCo2Ta, AlxCry, AlxNiy, and Co. The coating adhesion can be enhanced by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition etching of matrix surface and adding a Co intermediate layer between the CoNiCrAlTaHfY top layer and C/C composites substrate. The honeycomb structure after etching was helpful to alloying element absorb and diffuse into substrate surface, and the composite coating continuation was improved by the Co buffer layer. After exposing in air for 180 min at 1000 °C, the bulk C/C composites volatilized while the loss rate of coated C/C composites was 0.82%, showing an improved oxidation resistance. Mixed oxides mainly containing Al2O3 and Cr2O3 were formed in the composite coating surface and protected the C/C composites from oxidation in air.

Planet–satellite-type supracolloidal clusters represent a comparably young class of nanomaterials, which are unique with regard to structural order. In this prospective article, different approaches for their synthesis are discussed and compared. These synthetic methods enable the engineering of supracolloidal structural and adaptive properties, which in turn enables different emerging applications, such as in sensing and catalysis. These possibilities are explored on the basis of selected recent examples. A perspective about possible future developments is given at the end of this article.

Molecular semiconductors synergize a variety of uniquely advantageous properties such as excellent absorption and emission properties, soft and deformable mechanical properties, and mixed ionic and electrical conduction. Over the past two decades, this outstanding set of features has put molecular semiconductors in the spotlight for a variety of optoelectronics and sensing applications. When it comes to mass-market adaptation, however, a challenge in these soft and van der Waals-bonded materials remains their electrical as well as environmental stability and degradation. This Prospective will summarize some of our current understanding of why organic semiconductors degrade with a strong emphasis put on the quintessential role played by water in this process. Furthermore, it will be revisited by which mechanisms water-related stability shortcomings might be addressed in the future and how these lessons can be translated to relevant hybrid systems such as perovskites and carbon nanotubes. Throughout this discussion, some parallels and key differences between organic and hybrid materials will be highlighted, and it will be elaborated on how this affects the associated device stability.

A hybrid graphene–gold nanomesh, realized through Au deposition on a patterned graphene nanomesh with a focused ion beam, is introduced and illustrated for enhanced light absorption in the visible spectrum. Numerical studies reveal that the hybrid nanomesh with dual resonances in the visible spectrum exhibit ~50% light absorption and enhancement factor as high as ~1 × 108. The simulations also show that the enhanced optical absorption is associated with the excitation of surface plasmons. This is confirmed through the localization of electric fields at the resonant wavelengths. Such a hybrid graphene–gold nanomesh exhibiting enhanced light-matter interactions paves the way toward plasmonics, surface-enhanced Raman scattering applications, etc.