Abstract: A product includes an elongated carbon-containing pillar having a bottom and a tip opposite the bottom. The width of the pillar measured 1 nm below the tip is less than 700 nm. A method includes masking a carbon-containing single crystal for defining masked regions and unmasked regions on the single crystal. The method also includes performing a plasma etch for removing portions of the unmasked regions of the single crystal, thereby defining a pillar in each unmasked region, and performing a chemical etch on the pillars at a temperature between 1200° C. and 1600° C. for selectively reducing a width of each pillar.

Abstract: Methods for transmitting data between parties or locations using temporary markings that are affixed to a human or animal body are disclosed, along with related devices. These markings, or tattoos, are intended to be temporary, where the lifespan of the marking is dictated by the marking material used and the material's interaction with the dermis of the wearer. The markings can be visible, invisible or a combination thereof, placed in predetermined or random locations. The markings can also be affixed in visible or hidden locations, depending on privacy concerns.

Abstract: A refrigerator may include a cabinet and a drinkable liquid dispensing system. The cabinet may include chilled cavity, insulation surrounding the chilled cavity, and a door by which the chilled cavity is opened and closed. The chilled cavity may include a reservoir configured to store liquid provided thereto from an external liquid source for chilling in the chilled cavity. The drinkable liquid dispensing system may include dispenser tubing and a liquid dispenser. The dispenser tubing may be configured to transport the chilled liquid from the reservoir to the liquid dispenser. An insulated portion of the dispenser tubing may be positioned between the chilled cavity and the insulation. The liquid dispenser may be positioned within the door and configured to dispense the chilled liquid transported thereto by the dispenser tubing upon request.

Abstract: A refrigerator may include a cabinet and a drinkable liquid dispensing system. The cabinet may include chilled cavity, insulation surrounding the chilled cavity, and a door by which the chilled cavity is opened and closed. The chilled cavity may include a reservoir configured to store liquid provided thereto from an external liquid source for chilling in the chilled cavity. The drinkable liquid dispensing system may include dispenser tubing and a liquid dispenser. The dispenser tubing may be configured to transport the chilled liquid from the reservoir to the liquid dispenser. An insulated portion of the dispenser tubing may be positioned between the chilled cavity and the insulation. The liquid dispenser may be positioned within the door and configured to dispense the chilled liquid transported thereto by the dispenser tubing upon request.

Abstract: A refrigerator may include a cabinet and a drinkable liquid dispensing system. The cabinet may include chilled cavity, insulation surrounding the chilled cavity, and a door by which the chilled cavity is opened and closed. The chilled cavity may include a reservoir configured to store liquid provided thereto from an external liquid source for chilling in the chilled cavity. The drinkable liquid dispensing system may include dispenser tubing and a liquid dispenser. The dispenser tubing may be configured to transport the chilled liquid from the reservoir to the liquid dispenser. An insulated portion of the dispenser tubing may be positioned between the chilled cavity and the insulation. The liquid dispenser may be positioned within the door and configured to dispense the chilled liquid transported thereto by the dispenser tubing upon request.

Abstract: A rear-loaded electronics array, comprising a first circuit board assembly comprising a rail and at least one slat assembly. The at least one slat assembly can be operable to be removed from the rail and replaced on the rail from a rearward position. A second circuit board assembly can comprise a rail and at least one slat assembly. The at least one slat assembly can be operable to be removed from the rail and replaced on the rail from a rearward position. The first circuit board assembly can be positioned adjacent the second circuit board assembly, and the first circuit board assembly can be coupled to the second circuit board assembly, thus forming the rear-loaded electronics array. The first and second circuit board assemblies can be installed and removed independent of one another, as well as each of the individual slat assemblies from any circuit board assembly.

Abstract: A storage compartment assembly is located within the interior of a compartment of a refrigerator such as a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator. The storage compartment assembly includes a storage container the temperature of which can be controlled independently of the temperature in the fresh food compartment. At least one of the sides of the storage container can be spaced away from a respective interior side of the refrigerator compartment and a housing located in the space between the side of the storage container and the interior side of the refrigerator compartment. The housing can contain components that are configured to function in the operation of the refrigerator, including the storage compartment assembly. The refrigerator can comprise a bottom-mount refrigerator and the fresh food compartment can be provided with double-doors for closing and opening the interior of the fresh food compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet via a hollow hinge to selectively open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A water heater is mounted on an exterior surface of the cabinet about the hollow hinge and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel, and a hot water conduit is guided through the hollow hinge and extending from the water heater to the hot water dispenser to supply the hot water from the heater to the dispenser. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided including a refrigerator compartment with slides configured to be positioned within the refrigerator compartment, a bin door configured to cover a front of the refrigerator compartment and attached to the slides, a storage bin configured to be supported by the slides, and a lift mechanism including a first support structure configured to support the storage bin, a second support structure attached to the bin door, at least one support assembly attaching the first support structure and the second support structure, and a drive unit operatively connected to the support assembly to selectively change the distance between the first and second support structure.

Abstract: A refrigerator may include a cabinet and a drinkable liquid dispensing system. The cabinet may include chilled cavity, insulation surrounding the chilled cavity, and a door by which the chilled cavity is opened and closed. The chilled cavity may include a reservoir configured to store liquid provided thereto from an external liquid source for chilling in the chilled cavity. The drinkable liquid dispensing system may include dispenser tubing and a liquid dispenser. The dispenser tubing may be configured to transport the chilled liquid from the reservoir to the liquid dispenser. An insulated portion of the dispenser tubing may be positioned between the chilled cavity and the insulation. The liquid dispenser may be positioned within the door and configured to dispense the chilled liquid transported thereto by the dispenser tubing upon request.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet via a hollow hinge to selectively open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A water heater is mounted on an exterior surface of the cabinet about the hollow hinge and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel, and a hot water conduit is guided through the hollow hinge and extending from the water heater to the hot water dispenser to supply the hot water from the heater to the dispenser. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment, and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet. A vented exhaust conduit is provided at least partially within an interior of the door and defines a pathway in fluid communication with an environment exterior of the cabinet. A water heater includes a heating element located at least partially within the vented exhaust conduit and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator, wherein heat generated by the heating element can escape through the pathway of the vented exhaust to the environment exterior of the cabinet. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes an apparatus for producing ice comprising a reservoir that contains water, at least one freezing member, a power source, and at least one fin located on the reservoir. The at least one freezing member is located at least partially in the reservoir. The at least one freezing member is configured for forming ice by freezing the water along the periphery of the at least one freezing member. The power source is configured to move the reservoir to create a movement of the water about the at least one freezing member. The at least one fin located on the reservoir is configured for enhancing the movement of the water about the at least one freezing member and for restricting a splashing of water from the reservoir.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet via a hollow hinge to selectively open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A water heater is mounted on an exterior surface of the cabinet about the hollow hinge and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel, and a hot water conduit is guided through the hollow hinge and extending from the water heater to the hot water dispenser to supply the hot water from the heater to the dispenser. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a storage compartment. An evaporator cools the storage compartment. A defrost heater is associated with the evaporator. A temperature sensor senses an evaporator temperature and generates a temperature signal based on the evaporator temperature. A controller receives the temperature signal and generates a defrost heater power control signal. A power supply receives the defrost heater power control signal and controls a power level supplied to the defrost heater based on the defrost heater power control signal. A first power level is supplied to the defrost heater during a first heating interval of a defrosting operation, and, based on an evaporator temperature rise occurring during the first heating interval, the controller adjusts the defrost heater power control signal such that an adjusted power level is supplied to the defrost heater during a second heating interval of the defrosting operation.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment, and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet. A vented exhaust conduit is provided at least partially within an interior of the door and defines a pathway in fluid communication with an environment exterior of the cabinet. A water heater includes a heating element located at least partially within the vented exhaust conduit and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator, wherein heat generated by said heating element can escape through the pathway of the vented exhaust to said environment exterior of the cabinet. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A storage compartment assembly is located within the interior of a compartment of a refrigerator such as a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator. The storage compartment assembly includes a storage container the temperature of which can be controlled independently of the temperature in the fresh food compartment. At least one of the sides of the storage container can be spaced away from a respective interior side of the refrigerator compartment and a housing located in the space between the side of the storage container and the interior side of the refrigerator compartment. The housing can contain components that are configured to function in the operation of the refrigerator, including the storage compartment assembly. The refrigerator can comprise a bottom-mount refrigerator and the fresh food compartment can be provided with double-doors for closing and opening the interior of the fresh food compartment.

Abstract: A storage compartment assembly is located within the interior of a compartment of a refrigerator such as a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator. The storage compartment assembly includes a storage container the temperature of which can be controlled independently of the temperature in the fresh food compartment. At least one of the sides of the storage container can be spaced away from a respective interior side of the refrigerator compartment and a housing located in the space between the side of the storage container and the interior side of the refrigerator compartment. The housing can contain components that are configured to function in the operation of the refrigerator, including the storage compartment assembly. The refrigerator can comprise a bottom-mount refrigerator and the fresh food compartment can be provided with double-doors for closing and opening the interior of the fresh food compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment, and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet. A vented exhaust conduit is provided at least partially within an interior of the door and defines a pathway in fluid communication with an environment exterior of the cabinet. A water heater includes a heating element located at least partially within the vented exhaust conduit and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator, wherein heat generated by said heating element can escape through the pathway of the vented exhaust to said environment exterior of the cabinet. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A heating unit for use in heating a fluid storage and dispensing system includes a wall module and a lid module. The modules include cover layers. Each module may include a heating component disposed between the cover layers and which is configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy and to distribute the heat energy. The heating component includes a heat generating element for converting electrical current to heat energy and a heat spreading element comprising carbon thermally coupled to the heat generating element. The modules may further include a thermal insulation layer. The modules may also include a receiving power connector electrically connected to the heat generating element.