Moving technology from the scientist’s mind to a manufacturing facility is a process that can take many different paths. The traditional vision of a technology pipeline has been realized for a few instances in inventions by the National Center for Photovoltaics (NCPV). More numerous examples of transferred technology are found in other types of interactions. All pathes must overcome a number of...

Transparent conductive oxides (TCO) have high optical transmission at visible wavelengths and electrical conductivity close to that of metals. They also reflect near infrared and infrared (i.e., heat) wavelengths, and are used in products ranging from energy efficient low-e windows to photovoltaics. One of their most important uses is for transparent electrical contacts. Virtually all applicati...