Abstract: In one example, a method for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object is described. The method may include a processor depositing a layer of a sinterable material on a support member, and preheating the layer of the sinterable material using a moveable radiation source. The method may further include the processor depositing a fusing agent on an imaged area of the layer of the sinterable material and fusing the imaged area of the layer of the sinterable material using the moveable radiation source.

Abstract: In one example, a method for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object is described. The method may include a processor depositing a layer of a sinterable material on a support member, and preheating the layer of the sinterable material using a moveable radiation source. The method may further include the processor depositing a fusing agent on an imaged area of the layer of the sinterable material and fusing the imaged area of the layer of the sinterable material using the moveable radiation source.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes a media transport unit to transport a print media along a print media transport path, at least one printhead assembly including an inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzles to print on a select portion of the print media, the inkjet printhead forming a print region adjacent to the nozzles in an area between the printhead assembly and a print portion of the print media transport path, and at least one of an electrostatic discharge unit to neutralize a resulting electrical charge on at least the select portion of the print media before the at least select portion of the print media enters the print region and a neutralization unit to neutralize an electric field in the print region.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes a media transport unit to transport a print media along a print media transport path, at least one printhead assembly including an inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzles to print on a select portion of the print media, the inkjet printhead forming a print region adjacent to the nozzles in an area between the printhead assembly and a print portion of the print media transport path, and at least one of an electrostatic discharge unit to neutralize a resulting electrical charge on at least the select portion of the print media before the at least select portion of the print media enters the print region and a neutralization unit to neutralize an electric field in the print region.

Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting the color associated with a pigment particle, to achieve a desired value of the L*a*b* color space associated with such pigment particle. The method comprises the step of reducing the amount of impurities vicinal to the pigment particle in order to achieve the desired L*a*b* color coordinate, or increasing the amount of impurities vicinal to the pigment particle in order to achieve the desired L*a*b* color coordinate. A pigment particle composition comprising pigment particles and impurities with a desired value of the L*a*b* color coordinate is also provided.

Abstract: A charge source is used to create a latent image on an imaging surface. A volume between the charge source and the imaging surface may be pressurized while the latent image is being created.

Abstract: A charge source is used to create a latent image on an imaging surface. A volume between the charge source and the imaging surface may be pressurized while the latent image is being created.

Abstract: A method of enhancing performance of liquid-type fuel cells by adding additives to the liquid fuel. For example, hemoglobin, surfactants, oxygen scavengers, and chelating agents, may be added to the fuel to resolve problems such as CO poisoning of catalyst, wettability of electrodes, and electrode poisoning, and therefore enhance the performance of the fuel cell. The additives may be added individually based on needs, or mixed in a desired ratio for a given type of fuel cell. The additives may be used on a regular basis to improve fuel efficiency and prolong the life span of the fuel cells. The additives may also be pre-packed for field use when high quality fuel is not available.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are described. In one aspect, an ink layer having an electrorheological fluid composition including a suspension of colorant particles dispersed in an electrically insulating carrier fluid is formed on a surface of an electrically insulating layer supported by an electrically conducting substrate. A charge image is projected onto the ink layer to selectively form charge-stiffened regions adhering to the electrically insulating layer and representing respective regions of the projected charge image. Non-charge-stiffened ink layer components are physically separated from the charge-stiffened regions.

Abstract: A method of enhancing performance of liquid-type fuel cells by adding additives to the liquid fuel. For example, hemoglobin, surfactants, oxygen scavengers, and chelating agents, may be added to the fuel to resolve problems such as CO poisoning of catalyst, wettability of electrodes, and electrode poisoning, and therefore enhance the performance of the fuel cell. The additives may be added individually based on needs, or mixed in a desired ratio for a given type of fuel cell. The additives may be used on a regular basis to improve fuel efficiency and prolong the life span of the fuel cells. The additives may also be pre-packed for field use when high quality fuel is not available.

Abstract: A solder drop ejector is disclosed where a current through liquid solder in a channel flows in a direction opposite to the direction of current through a fixed conductor insulated from the channel. The magnetic fields generated repulse the solder toward an orifice to eject a droplet of solder. The dielectric layer separating the fixed conductor and the solder is formed of a film. The film may be made extremely thin, such as 0.1 microns, so that the necessary repulsion force generated by the oppositely flowing currents may be achieved with relatively low driving currents of 10-200 amperes. The thin dielectric film is not molded and is not required to provide mechanical support to a channel wall. Hence, the manufacturing of the resulting solder jet printhead is simplified and its reliability is improved.

Abstract: A switching element defines a transmitting state and a reflecting state for a pair of intersecting waveguides that have a gap at their intersection. In the preferred embodiment, the switching element exhibits total internal reflection at the gap sidewall from one waveguide to the other when not in the transmitting state. In the transmitting state, index-matching liquid fills the gap, enabling light to continue in the original waveguide direction. The switching element may use ink jet techniques or bubble techniques to displace index-matching liquid. The index-matching fluid may be projected from a gap between the waveguides by a jet mechanism, or a vapor or dissolved gas bubble may be formed to fill the gap between the waveguides to provide the reflecting state for the switching element. Using either of the techniques, heaters are employed to initiate the switching operation. In some embodiments, more than one heater is utilized.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead includes unpassivated heater resistors whose resistive material is doped, preferably with oxygen, nitrogen or an equivalent dopant, for increasing the resistance of the material. By increasing the resistance of the resistive material through doping, the drive currents for generating heat within the resistors need not be changed from levels which inkjet printers are presently designed to work with. The printhead of the invention can thus be used in place of a standard printhead without modification to the printer.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead includes unpassivated heater resistors whose resistive material is doped, preferably with oxygen, nitrogen or an equivalent dopant, for increasing the resistance of the material. By increasing the resistance of the resistive material through doping, the drive currents for generating heat within the resistors need not be changed from levels which inkjet printers are presently designed to work with. The printhead of the invention can thus be used in place of a standard printhead without modification to the printer.

Abstract: A novel, wide inkjet printhead and method of forming said inkjet printhead is disclosed, wherein a pattern of orifices are formed, using a step-and-repeat process, in a flexible tape using laser ablation or other suitable etching devices. The location of the orifices corresponds to where ink will be ejected from the inkjet printhead. The pattern of orifices may extend to any length without difficulty in aligning the orifices, since the tape may be continuous along the entire length of the printhead.

Abstract: In one of the preferred embodiments, an inkjet printhead includes a nozzle member formed of a polymer material that has been laser-ablated to form inkjet orifices. The nozzle member also has formed on it conductive traces for supplying electrical signals to heating elements on a substrate mounted to a surface of the nozzle member. In a preferred method, the orifices are formed by Excimer laser ablation.

Abstract: In one of the preferred embodiments, an inkjet printhead includes a nozzle member formed of a polymer material that has been laser-ablated to form inkjet orifices, ink channels, and vaporization chambers in the unitary nozzle member. The nozzle member is then mounted to a substrate containing heating elements associated with each orifice. In a preferred method, the orifices, ink channels, and vaporization chambers are formed using an Excimer laser.

Abstract: In one of the preferred embodiments, an inkjet printhead includes a nozzle member formed of a polymer material that has been laser-ablated to form tapered inkjet orifices. The nozzle member is then mounted to a substrate containing heating elements, each heating element being associated with a single orifice. In a preferred method, the orifices are formed by Excimer laser ablation.In other aspects of the invention, vaporization chambers as well as ink channels, providing fluid communication between an ink reservoir and the orifices, are also formed by Excimer laser ablation.

Abstract: In one of the preferred embodiments, an inkjet printhead includes a nozzle member formed of a polymer material that has been laser-ablated to form inkjet orifices, ink channels, and vaporization chambers in the unitary nozzle member. The nozzle member is then mounted to a substrate containing heating elements associated with each orifice. In a preferred method, the orifices, ink channels, and vaporization chambers are formed using an Excimer laser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a large-area, pass-through projection mask for excimer ablation. In a preferred embodiment, a laser-transparent window is spaced apart from the projection mask to provide a thermal escape path. The thermal escape path receives a liquid flow which is in direct contact with patterned masking material of the projection mask. The liquid, preferably deionized water, is caused to flow in a laminar fashion. The liquid intersects the laser energy of the excimer laser. In a second embodiment, the liquid flow is along the periphery of the patterned masking material.