Abstract: Chips, and methods of manufacturing thereof, comprising a base having a surface, and a plurality of components integrated in the base. Each component is coupled to at least one individual electrode disposed on the surface and to a counter-electrode. Each component operates as an electric generator, when activated by a power supply external to the chip. The counter-electrode is disposed such that each activated component creates a polarization voltage and/or a polarization current between that at least one individual electrode and the counter-electrode, when a medium is brought into contact with the surface.

Abstract: A plating cell has an inner plating bath container for performing electroplating on a work piece (e.g., a wafer) submerged in a solution contained by the inner plating bath container. A reclaim inlet funnels any solution overflowing the inner plating bath container back into a reservoir container to be circulated back into the inner plating bath container. A waste channel is also provided having an inlet at a different height than the inlet of the reclaim channel. After electroplating, the wafer is lifted to a position and spun. While spinning, the wafer is thoroughly rinse with, for example, ultra pure water. The spin rate and height of the wafer determine whether the water and solution are reclaimed through the reclaim channel or disposed through the waste channel.

Abstract: A gas/liquid phase separator for an electrolysis cell includes a vessel and a float in operable communication with each other. The vessel includes a fluid inlet and first and second fluid outlets. A fluid stream comprising gas and liquid is received in the vessel through the fluid inlet, and at least a portion of the gas exits the vessel through the second fluid outlet. The float is configured to interface with the first fluid outlet and either maintain or prevent fluid communication across the first fluid outlet when the float is in at least partial contact with the first fluid outlet.

Abstract: A solar collection system and method having means for receiving solar radiation through a main refractive interface and means for internally reflecting at least once, at least a portion of the received solar radiation. The refractive medium may be liquid, gel or solid. The device may be integrated with a photovoltaic device, photohydrolytic device, a heat engine, a light pipe or a photothermal receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell module and a building-integrated solar cell module having a sealing composition made of a polymer blend or a polymer alloy. The blend or alloy is made of at least one polyolefin series copolymer and at least one crystalline polyolefin. The copolymer has a fusing point Ta by a differential scanning calorimetry which fall in a range of 50 to 110° C. The crystalline polyolefin has a fusing point Tb by a differential scanning calorimetry which falls in a range of from 110 to 170° C.

Abstract: A solar cell has an active structure including a paint voltage source having a first paint layer structure comprising p-type pigment particles dispersed in a first-layer binder, and a second paint layer structure comprising n-type pigment particles dispersed in a second-layer binder. The second paint layer structure is in electrical contact with the first paint layer structure. The active structure further includes an electrically conductive contact structure having a first electrically conductive contact to the first paint layer structure, and a second electrically conductive contact to the second paint layer structure. At least one of the first electrically conductive contact and the second electrically conductive contact permits light to pass therethrough to the paint voltage source. A capacitive paint layer may be included to store electrical charge produced by the active structure. The active structure may be affixed to a support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nuclear fuel electrorefiner having a vessel containing a molten electrolyte pool floating on top of a cadmium pool. An anodic fuel dissolution basket and a high-efficiency cathode are suspended in the molten electrolyte pool. A shroud surrounds the fuel dissolution basket and the shroud is positioned so as to separate the electrolyte pool into an isolated electrolyte pool within the shroud and a bulk electrolyte pool outside the shroud. In operation, unwanted noble-metal fission products migrate downward into the cadmium pool and form precipitates where they are removed by a filter and separator assembly. Uranium values are transported by the cadmium pool from the isolated electrolyte pool to the bulk electrolyte pool, and then pass to the high-efficiency cathode where they are electrolytically deposited thereto.

Abstract: A cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprises a plurality of metal-based anodes facing and spaced part from an aluminium-wettable drained cathode surface on which aluminium is produced. The drained cathode surface is formed along the cell by upper surfaces of juxtaposed carbon cathode blocks, the cathode blocks extending across the cell. The drained cathode surface is divided into quadrants by a longitudinal aluminium collection groove along the cell and by a central aluminium collection reservoir across the cell. Pairs of quadrants across the cell are inclined in a V-shape relationship, the collection groove being located along the bottom of the V-shape and arranged to collect molten aluminium draining from the drained cathode surface and evacuate it into the aluminium collection reservoir during cell operation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and a process for electropolishing a product or metallic device made from a metal alloy. The electropolishing apparatus includes a cathode formed of a tubular member and an anode formed by the metallic device to be electropolished. Both the tubular member and the metallic device are positioned within an electrolytic solution and current is passed through the anode to effect the electropolishing process. The invention is useful for electropolishing metal stents formed of metallic alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-tungsten, in which the stent is positioned within the tubular member and immersed in an electrolytic solution for a predetermined time. The electropolishing process using the apparatus of the invention provides an ultrasmooth and shiny metallic surface on the metallic device for metal stents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transverse conveyor for electrodes used in the production of metals. This transverse conveyor consists of a transfer device, located below the electrodes to be transferred and which device moves back and forth on a horizontal plane, as well as of lifters used for lifting the electrodes. The transfer device consists of a frame, on which there is a moving transfer bar, which is designed to cover the frame at all stages of its movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting electrical signals and fluids to and/or from a microelectronic workpiece. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a shaft rotatable about a shaft axis and having a first end with a first electrical contact portion toward the first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an internal channel along the shaft axis between the first and second ends. The shaft can further have at least one first hole toward the first end with the first hole extending radially from the channel to an external surface of the shaft. The shaft can still further have at least one second hole toward the second end with the second hole extending from the channel to the external surface. A housing rotatably receives the shaft and has an aperture coupleable to a fluid source and/or fluid sink.

Abstract: The parts are produced by two-component injection molding. Those regions that are to be metallized consist of a first plastic and those regions that are not to be metallized consist of a second plastic. After the entire surface of the parts has been seeded, the seeding is selectively removed with the aid of a solvent in the regions which are not to be metallized. The first plastic is insoluble and the second plastic soluble in the solvent. The selective metallization then takes place by electroless metal deposition and, if appropriate, electrodeposition of metal.

Abstract: A photovoltaic strip assembly is disclosed comprising a polyimide substrate, a thin film voltaic strip, and a transversely grooved, protection covering of a chlorofloural polymer. The grooves are provided to increase the flexibility of the strip, and may be V-shaped, flat bottomed with splayed sides, or rounded to provide dome shapes between them. Similar grooves may be provided in the exposed surface of the substrate to further increase the flexibility of the strip. The grooves of the substrate may be aligned with ridges between the grooves of the protective covering, to receive these ridges when the strip is wound around a rechargeable battery or energy cell. In a different embodiment the grooves are between rows of hump-shaped protuberances. The protuberances of adjacent rows may be staggered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multiple reflector light or solar energy concentrators and systems using such concentrators. More particularly, the invention is concerned with an arrangement of optical elements for the efficient collection of light while minimizing complexities of optics needed to achieve light collection and concentration. At least three reflectors are involved. A concave primary reflector receives the solar energy and sends it to a secondary convex reflector positioned in the focal zone of the first reflector. In turn, the secondary reflector sends the solar energy, at least in part, to a third non-imaging reflector positioned in the focal zone of the secondary reflector. In a system, a receiver is placed in the focal zone of the third reflector. The present arrangement allows for the receiver to be in a fixed position, enhancing the ability of certain variants of the system to generate steam directly in the receiver.

Abstract: A circuit board comprising an insulating substrate, via-holes made in the insulating substrate, and a wiring conductor having at least one layer disposed on the insulating substrate. The circuit board is characterized in that a gold-plated layer of the wiring conductor exposed to the inside of the via-hole is thinner than a gold-plated layer of the wiring conductor exposed to a portion other than the inside of the via-hole in the insulating substrate. A method of manufacturing the circuit board is characterized in that gold electroplating of the wiring conductor is performed with the open-end of the via-hole contacted on a shielding board in a plating bath. The present invention provides a circuit board capable of satisfying the requirements for long-lasting strength of solder ball junction and good wire bonding ability at the same time.

Abstract: Method and device for manufacturing of expandable cylindrical metal meshes for use in expandable stents and in particular for customized manufacturing. The method includes determining the type and size of the stent to be implanted, electrochemically forming the stent with desired pattern of meshes and implanting the stent into patient. The method comprises using a cathode with desired pattern of meshes and a tubular blank, from which the stent is formed. Between the cathode and the blank is delivered an electrolyte and the cathode and the blank are simultaneously rotated during electrochemical forming process.

Abstract: This invention relates to modifying a process cell that needs periodic replacement such as the electrolysis cell shown to enable quick connect/disconnect with minimal process downtime. The claimed invention not only modifies the design of the cell but also proposes a housing with a separate compartment for the cell to isolate this from the other components of the system making it easier to replace the cell without the need to disturb the other components.

Abstract: There are provided a restricted area including an area in which solar cell modules are installed, a preventer for preventing intrusion of an intruder into the restricted area, and a detector capable of detecting the intrusion of the intruder into the restricted area, and a predetermined electric shock preventer is activated by a signal outputted from the detector upon detection of the intruder to prevent the intruder from receiving an electric shock.

Abstract: According to a method for mounting a plurality of solar battery modules, an underlying member (roofing member) is fixed at a location where the solar battery modules are to be mounted. The underlying member has a wiring made of conductive material that is formed for drawing electric power from the solar battery modules and has connection terminals at respective positions to be connected with each solar battery module. Connection terminals of each solar battery module are coupled with the connection terminals of the underlying member to fasten each solar battery module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device to be used in processing of a surface of metal object to be processed which surface is essentially continuously in onwards motion. According to the invention a processing agent (1) is to be directed to the surface (5) to be processed by nozzles (6) in at least one position so that at most 70 per cent of the surface (5) to be processed is under processing in one position of directing processing agent (1).