Abstract: The present inventions relate to methods and apparatus for detecting and mechanically removing defects and a surrounding portion of the photovoltaic layer and the substrate in a thin film solar cell such as a Group IBIIIAVIA compound thin film solar cell to improve its efficiency.

Abstract: A utility knife blade comprises a cutting edge portion and a remaining portion. The remaining portion is tempered martensite and has a first hardness. The cutting edge portion comprises a region that has been locally re-heat treated so that the microstructure in the cutting edge portion is untempered martensite having a hardness greater than the first hardness.

Abstract: A composition includes at least, in % expressed by mass relative to the total mass of the composition, from 0.01 to 3% of polycarboxylic acid or salts thereof, the polycarboxylic acid including 2 to 4 carboxyl groups per molecule; and from 97 to 99.99% of a Belite-Calcium-Sulphoaluminate-Ferrite clinker (BCSAF clinker).

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a defect detection process and apparatus to detect defects in solar cell structures. During the process, an input signal from a signal source is applied to a top surface of a transparent conductive layer of a solar cell structure. In response to the input signal, an output signal is generated from a predetermined area of the top surface and detected by a defect detector. The output signal carrying the defect position information is transmitted to a computer and registered in a database. With the position information, an injector is driven to the defect location to apply an insulator to passivate the defect. A finger pattern layer may be formed over the predetermined area after completing the defect detection and passivation processes.

Abstract: A system for assisting the linear movement of a pull-out component relative to a housing includes a first bracket coupled to a slide member of the housing, a second bracket coupled to the pull-out component, and a strut that is pivotally coupled to the first and second brackets at its respective ends. The strut includes an outer hollow member that houses a primary spring, a cylindrical piston that translates through one end of the outer hollow member, and a reverse damping mechanism. A free end of the primary spring is held inside the outer hollow member by a clevis for the first bracket, and its opposite end rests on the piston. The piston's free end includes a clevis for the second bracket. An inner hollow member houses a second spring which regulates movement of a damper shaft such that damping occurs when the shaft is pulled out of the damper.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing variations in components or subsystems in an image printing system is provided. The method includes identifying a plurality of image quality defects printed by the image printing system by a controller, said image quality defects each occurring with an associated frequency and each being associated with a component or subsystem of the image printing system; determining a phase difference of the image quality defects by the controller; and adjusting operation of each component or subsystem associated with the image quality defects, such that image quality defects are in phase.

Abstract: A plurality of speakers are linked in the present invention. The linked position of each speaker can be detected. Audio signal is input to any one of the master speakers. The master speaker synchronizes the other linked speakers, and supplies audio signals to other speakers. It also controls the delay quantity of the speaker unit of each speaker. For a single speaker, the apparent width of this array speaker system becomes twice the width, and the speaker unit spacing becomes one third the spacing. Consequently, the frequency band at which direction is controllable becomes enhanced. Additionally, a plurality of microphone devices are linked at the top, bottom, left and right sides in the present invention. The linked position of each microphone device can be detected. Audio data is output from each microphone device to the master microphone device.

Abstract: A system, method and processor medium that manages automatic generation of output from an on-line analytical processing (OLAP) system. Scheduled services are processed in an OLAP system and output from the OLAP system is then automatically forwarded to one or more subscriber output devices specified for that service. The system manages the operation of the service processing system to increase throughput, increase speed, and improve the administrator control over the processing. The system enables administrator control over processing by enabling administrators to view all services and all subscribers of the system, by maintaining an address book containing entries for subscribers of the service and by scheduling processing of services. The system governs the volume of services being processed, the number of subscribers to a particular service, and the number of output devices to which a service may be broadcast.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes limitations of conventional synchronous signal transmission systems. The present invention provides apparent low latency synchronous signal transmission between devices, even if the transmission channel has impairments, and, allows for asynchronous transmission of signals between a transmitters and receivers that are located between the devices. Compression is preferably used for reducing the bandwidth of the transmitted data which results in asynchronous transmission of signals between a transmitter and a receiver.

Abstract: A method for cleaning elements of a lithographic apparatus, for example optical elements such as a collector mirror, includes providing a gas containing nitrogen; generating nitrogen radicals from at least part of the gas, thereby forming a radical containing gas; and providing at least part of the radical containing gas to the one or more elements of the apparatus. A lithographic apparatus includes a source and an optical element, and an electrical discharge generator arranged to generate a radio frequency discharge.

Abstract: Described is a continuous electroless deposition method and a system to form a solar cell buffer layer with a varying composition through its thickness are provided. The composition of the buffer layer is varied by varying the composition of a chemical bath deposition solution applied onto an absorber surface on which the buffer layer with varying composition is formed. In one example, the buffer layer with varying composition includes a first section containing CdS, a second section containing CdZnS formed on top of the already deposited CdS, and a third section containing ZnS is formed on the second section All the process steps are applied in a roll-to-roll fashion. In another example, a transparent conductive layer including a first transparent conductive film such as aluminum doped zinc oxide and a second transparent conductive film such as indium tin oxide is deposited over the buffer layer with the varying composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to fusion constructs, methods of using fusion constructs and methods of treating undesirable or aberrant cell proliferation or hyperproliferative disorders, such as tumors, cancers, neoplasia and malignancies.

Abstract: A radiation source is configured to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation. The radiation source includes a laser constructed and arranged to generate a beam of radiation directed to a plasma generation site where a plasma is generated when the beam of radiation interacts with a fuel, an optical component having a surface that is arranged and positioned to be hit by a droplet of fuel, and a temperature conditioner constructed and arranged to elevate the temperature of the surface.

Abstract: A method for providing a warranty relating to a transaction between two parties, each party being a client of at least one respective institution which provides services to the respective party, the method including: transmitting a request for a warranty from one party to the transaction which is a client of the respective institution to a respective location associated with the respective institution, which request includes information identifying the other party to the transaction and information about the nature of the transaction; conducting an exchange of information between the respective location and a location associated with a institution of which the other party is a client; and transmitting a response to the request from the respective location to the one party.

Abstract: In immersion lithography after exposure of a substrate is complete, a detector is used to detect any residual liquid remaining on the substrate and/or substrate table.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, and a magnetic recording layer formed on the substrate and having patterns of protrusions and recesses corresponding to a servo area and a recording area, in which the magnetic recording layer located in each of the recesses in the recording area has a thickness smaller than two thirds of a thickness of the magnetic recording layer corresponding to each of the protrusions, the magnetic recording layer remaining in each of the recesses in the recording area has a thickness of 1 nm or more, and a difference in height on a surface of the magnetic recording medium is 7 nm or less.

Abstract: Image processing systems and methods extract information from an input signal representative of an element of an image and to encode the information in a pulsed output signal. A plurality of channels communicates the pulsed output signal, each of the plurality of channels being characterized by a latency. The information may be encoded as a pattern of relative pulse latencies observable in pulses communicated through the plurality of channels and the pattern of relative pulse latencies is substantially insensitive to image contrast and/or image luminance. A filter can be employed to provide a generator signal based on the input signal and pulse latencies can be determined using a logarithmic function of the generator signal. The filter may be temporally and/or spatially balanced and characterized by an integral along spatial and/or temporal dimensions of the filter that is substantially zero for all values of a temporal and/or a spatial variable.

Abstract: There is provided novel curable ink compositions comprising polymer-coated magnetic metal nanoparticles. In particular, there is provided ultraviolet (UV) curable gel inks comprising at least the coated magnetic metal nanoparticles, one curable monomer, a radiation activated initiator that initiates polymerization of curable components of the ink, a gellant. The inks may also include optional colorants and one or more optional additives. These curable gel UV ink compositions can be used for ink jet printing in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A method of delivering a solar system and related services from a solar system vendor to a customer is provided. The method includes estimating the customer's solar system requirements, delivering the estimated requirements to the customer, providing a sales lead that includes the estimated requirements to a contractor, the contractor contacting the customer to perform a sales close, ordering the solar system products from the solar system vendor, and issuing a payment for the products to the solar system vendor. The method of delivering solar services further includes supplying a first set of solar system components from the solar system vendor and a second set of solar system components from a third-party vendor, configuring all or a portion of the solar system components in accordance with the solar system requirements, shipping the solar system to the customer's site, and installing the system on the customer's site.

Abstract: Systems and methods for addressing pagers are described. The pagers are reprogrammable and can be assigned identifiers as required. Pagers may be automatically assigned one of a plurality of identifiers. Thereafter, the assigned identifier may form the basis of a unique network address that allows the pagers to communicate wirelessly with a network in order to receive information commands and pages. The assigned identifier is maintained on the pager and can be presented on a display for identification of the pager. The assigned identifier can be transmitted to the pager by a charging unit when the pager is connected to the charging unit and can be calculated using the location of a port at which the pager is connected to the charging unit.