The transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) channel and podocin are colocalized in the glomerular slit diaphragm as an important complex to maintain podocyte function. Gain of TRPC6 function and loss of podocin function induce podocyte injury. We have previously shown that high glucose induces apoptosis of podocytes by activating TRPC6; however, whether the activated TRPC6 can alter podocin expression remains unknown. Western blot analysis and confocal microscopy were used to examine both expression levels of TRPC6, podocin, and nephrin and morphological changes of podocytes in response to high glucose. High glucose increased the expression of TRPC6 but reduced the expression of podocin and nephrin, in both cultured human podocytes and type 1 diabetic rat kidneys. The decreased podocin was diminished in TRPC6 knockdown podocytes. High glucose elevated intracellular Ca2+ in control podocytes but not in TRPC6 knockdown podocytes. High glucose also elevated the expression of a tight junction protein, zonula occludens-1, and induced the redistribution of zonula occludens-1 and loss of podocyte processes. These data together suggest that high glucose reduces protein levels of podocin by activating TRPC6 and induces morphological changes of cultured podocytes.

Abstract. Half-cut cell technology has been proposed as an effective way to largely decrease the cell to module loss by decreasing the current level in the cell string. The type of laser is strongly correlated with the quality of the cut cells and further performance of the half-cell based modules. We investigated the effect of laser on the quality and performance of half-cut cells. And different types of half-cut cells were made into modules, the cell-to-module power ratio of which was evaluated and compared with full-size cells. Electroluminescence was employed to characterize the quality of the cut cells as well as the half-cell modules. Our results demonstrate that an approximately 2.2% average extra power gain can be obtained using half-cut cells for module encapsulation.

Abstract. The parallel arrangement of cells could reduce the current level in each string and hence decrease the series resistance loss and increase the module output power. The morphology of the cross-sections of separated cells by nondestructive cutting or infrared nanosecond laser cutting tech was comparatively characterized in this study. The obtained results demonstrate that the cross-section by non-destructive cutting tech was smooth and no nanocrack was found, which could benefit the module output power during the entire operating lifetime. Also, soft welding ribbons were employed in our study to replace the common conducting paste for the interconnection of separated cells. Modules assembled with this non-destructive cut cells can fully endure the simulated environmental tests.