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The intermediate-band solar cell (IBSC) with quantum dots and a bulk semiconductor matrix has potential for high power conversion efficiency, exceeding the Shockley-Queisser limit. However, the IBSCs reported to date have been fabricated only by dry process and their efficiencies are limited, because their photo-absorption layers have low particle density of quantum dots, defects due to lattice strain, and low bandgap energy of bulk semiconductors. Here we present solution-processed IBSCs containing photo-absorption layers where lead sulfide quantum dots are densely dispersed in methylammonium lead bromide perovskite matrices with a high bandgap energy of 2.3 eV under undistorted conditions. We confirm that the present IBSCs exhibit two-step photon absorption via intermediate-band at room temperature by inter-subband photocurrent spectroscopy.

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The present study compared the effect on insulin sensitivity of ACE inhibitors with a sulphydryl group (captopril) or those without a sulphydryl group (delapril and enalapril) during the hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp test in both animal and clinical experiments. A possible contribution of bradykinin to the improvement of insulin sensitivity by ACE-inhibition was also studied. In healthy control and depancreatized dog experiments, administration of captopril either intravenously (3.0 mmol.kg-1) or orally (5.0 mmol.kg-1) increased insulin sensitivity indices and plasma bradykinin concentrations. In comparison, intravenous administration of an active metabolite of delapril (3.0 mmol.kg-1) and oral administration of either delapril or enalapril (5.0 mmol.kg-1) showed slight, but not significant increases in insulin sensitivity indices and plasma bradykinin concentrations. Infusion of a bradykinin antagonist (N-alpha-adamantane-acetyl-D-Arg-[Hyp3,Thi5,8,D-Phe7]-b bradykinin) (0.5 nmol.kg-1 x min-1) abolished the effect of captopril on insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, intravenous administration of bradykinin (0.1 nmol.kg-1 x min-1) increased insulin sensitivity indices. In clinical experiments, insulin sensitivity indices decreased in the following order: normotensive healthy subjects, hypertensive non-diabetic patients, normotensive NIDDM patients and hypertensive NIDDM patients. In these four groups, oral administration of captopril (2.0 mmol.kg-1) significantly increased insulin sensitivity indices, and a concomitant increase in plasma bradykinin concentrations was observed. By contrast, oral administration of enalapril or delapril showed slight, but not significant effects on insulin sensitivity indices and plasma bradykinin concentrations. From these studies, it is concluded that ACE inhibitors with a sulphydryl group have more potent action on the improvement in insulin sensitivity than those without a sulphydryl group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)