We report three-dimensionally assembled nanoparticle structures inducing multiple plasmon resonances for broadband light harvesting in nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) thin-film solar cells. A three-dimensional multiscale (3DM) assembly of nanoparticles generated using a multi-pin spark discharge method has been accomplished over a large area under atmospheric conditions via ion-assisted aerosol lithography. The multiscale features of the sophisticated 3DM structures exhibit surface plasmon resonances at multiple frequencies, which increase light scattering and absorption efficiency over a wide spectral range from 350-1100 nm. The multiple plasmon resonances, together with the antireflection functionality arising from the conformally deposited top surface of the 3D solar cell, lead to a 22% and an 11% improvement in power conversion efficiency of the nc-Si:H thin-film solar cells compared to flat cells and cells employing nanoparticle clusters, respectively. Finite-difference time-domain simulations were also carried out to confirm that the improved device performance mainly originates from the multiple plasmon resonances generated from three-dimensionally assembled nanoparticle structures.

In all, 62% of the patients were responders, i.e. had a decreased polyp size >25% after treatment. SNOT-20 score tended to decrease for all patients but significantly only for the responder group (p < 0.01). Eighteen of the responders had a medical history of allergic rhinitis, but only five of the nonresponders did (p = 0.026, Odds ratio = 4.26). Responder group polyps showed significantly less immunoreactivity of glucocorticoid receptor β than polyps from the nonresponder group.

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