Abstract: A silicon-based thermal energy transfer apparatus that aids dissipation of thermal energy from a heat-generating device, such as an edge-emitting laser diode, is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a silicon-based base portion having a first primary surface and a silicon-based support structure. The silicon-based support structure includes a mounting end and a distal end opposite the mounting end with the mounting end received by the base portion such that the support structure extends from the first primary surface of the base portion. The support structure includes a recess defined therein to receive the edge-emitting laser diode. The support structure further includes a slit connecting the distal end and the recess to expose at least a portion of a light-emitting edge of the edge-emitting laser diode when the edge-emitting laser diode is received in the support structure.

Abstract: A silicon-based thermal energy transfer apparatus that aids dissipation of thermal energy from a heat-generating device, such as an edge-emitting laser diode, is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a base portion and a support portion. The base portion is made of silicon and includes a first primary surface. The first primary surface includes at least first and second V-notch grooves thereon. The support portion is made of silicon and includes at least first and second edges that are interlockingly received in the first and second V-notch grooves when the support portion is mounted on the base portion.

Abstract: A low cost design for a concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar cell device is developed with a 3-D solar cell structure that eliminates the need for sun-ray tracking and with improved electricity conversion efficiency for cooling solar cells. The 3-D solar cell structure can be built with conventional monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon or with multi-junction III-V solar material, joining two or more solar cell segments perpendicular to a base solar cell. This structure is able to collect all incident sunlight from sunrise to sunset.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a thermal energy transfer apparatus that removes thermal energy from a light-emitting device are described. In one aspect, an apparatus comprises a non-metal base plate and a silicon-based cover element disposed on the base plate. The base plate is coated with a first electrically-conductive pattern that forms a first electrode. The base plate is further coated with a second electrically-conductive pattern that is electrically isolated from the first electrically-conductive pattern. The cover element holds the one or more light-emitting devices between the base plate and the cover element with at least a portion of a light-emitting surface of each of the one or more light-emitting devices exposed. The cover element is coated with a third electrically-conductive pattern that is in contact with the second electrically-conductive pattern to form a second electrode when the cover element is disposed on the base plate.

Abstract: Embodiments of a silicon-based heat dissipation device and a chip module assembly utilizing the silicon-based heat dissipation device are described. In one aspect, the chip module assembly includes a chip module and a primary heat dissipation module. The chip module includes a board and at least one heat-generating device. The board includes a first primary side and a second primary side opposite the first primary side. The at least one heat-generating device is disposed on the first primary side of the board. The primary heat dissipation module includes at least one silicon-based heat dissipation device disposed on the at least one heat-generating device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a silicon-based heat-dissipation device and an apparatus including a silicon-based heat-dissipation device are described. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a silicon-based heat-dissipation device which includes a base portion and a protrusion portion. The base portion has a first primary side and a second primary side opposite the first primary side. The protrusion portion is on the first primary side of the base portion and protruding therefrom. The protrusion portion includes multiple fins. Each of at least two immediately adjacent fins of the fins of the protrusion portion has a tapered profile in a cross-sectional view with a first width near a distal end of the respective fin being less than a second width at a base of the respective fin near the base portion of the heat-dissipation device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of color balancing LED-based lighting are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus comprises an image sensor that senses images of objects, an illumination device, and control logic. The illumination device comprises an LED that emits red light, an LED that emits green light, and an LED that emits blue light. The control logic receives an imaging signal from the image sensor related to a sensed image of a first object that is illuminated by the illumination device. The control logic controls color balancing of light emitted by the illumination device according to an optical characteristic of the image of the first object.

Abstract: An apparatus for illumination is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a light guide device including a hollow light pipe portion, an opening, and a distal end longitudinally opposite from the opening. The opening is configured to receive at least a portion of an illumination device therein. Either or both of the light pipe portion and the distal end has a textured surface thereof.

Abstract: A low cost design for a concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar cell device is developed with a 3-D solar cell structure that eliminates the need for sun-ray tracking and with improved electricity conversion efficiency for cooling solar cells. The 3-D solar cell structure can be built with conventional monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon or with multi-junction III-V solar material, joining two or more solar cell segments perpendicular to a base solar cell. This structure is able to collect all incident sunlight from sunrise to sunset.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and method for sealing of tissue during uncontrollable bleeding situations during surgery are described. In one aspect, an apparatus comprises a laser unit and a laser beam delivery unit. The laser unit is configured to emit a laser beam suitable for sealing an opening on a tissue. The laser beam delivery unit is detachably coupled to the laser unit, and is configured to guide and direct the laser beam to seal the opening on the tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments of a mechanism of thermal isolation for multiple heat-generating devices on a substrate are described. In one aspect, a substrate is configured for a plurality of heat-generating devices to be disposed thereon. The substrate comprises an electrically-conductive layer that is electrically coupled to the heat-generating devices when the heat-generating devices are disposed on the substrate. The electrically-conductive layer is configured to thermally isolate the heat-generating devices such that there is no thermal coupling through the electrically-conductive layer amongst the heat-generating devices.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus comprises a substrate, a first electrically-driven device disposed on the substrate, a second electrically-driven device disposed on the substrate, and a composite heat sink device. The composite heat sink device comprises a first thermal conduction member, a second thermal conduction member, and a thermal insulation member. The first thermal conduction member is disposed on the first electrically-driven device such that at least a portion of the heat generated by the first electrically-driven device is transferred to the first thermal conduction member by conduction. The second thermal conduction member is disposed on the second electrically-driven device such that at least a portion of the heat generated by the second electrically-driven device is transferred to the second thermal conduction member by conduction. The thermal insulation member is disposed between and thermally decouples the first thermal conduction member and the second thermal conduction member from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus using a phase-change material for thermal management in portable applications is described. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a phase-change material, a thermal reservoir, and a heat transport element. The thermal reservoir has a cavity therein to contain the phase-change material in the cavity. The heat transport element is made of a thermally conductive material. A first portion of the heat transport element traverses through the thermal reservoir and in contact with the phase-change material. A second portion of the heat transport element extends outside the thermal reservoir. Accordingly, at least part of the thermal energy from an object in contact with the heat transport element can be transported to the phase-change material via the heat transport element and be absorbed by the phase-change material as latent heat. The phase-change material may release at least part of the absorbed thermal energy at a later time.

Abstract: A concentrated photovoltaic device that is capable of generating thermal and electrical energy from solar radiation using a three-dimensional solar cell design structure with no need for a sun-tracking system is provided. The three-dimensional solar cell structure uses liquid cooling to provide maximum energy utilization from both stored thermal and electrical solar energy.

Abstract: A silicon-based thermal energy transfer apparatus that aids dissipation of thermal energy from a heat-generating device, such as an edge-emitting laser diode, is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a base portion and a support portion. The base portion is made of silicon and includes a first primary surface. The first primary surface includes at least first and second V-notch grooves thereon. The support portion is made of silicon and includes at least first and second edges that are interlockingly received in the first and second V-notch grooves when the support portion is mounted on the base portion.

Abstract: A silicon-based thermal energy transfer apparatus that aids dissipation of thermal energy from a heat-generating device, such as an edge-emitting laser diode, is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a silicon-based base portion having a first primary surface and a silicon-based support structure. The silicon-based support structure includes a mounting end and a distal end opposite the mounting end with the mounting end received by the base portion such that the support structure extends from the first primary surface of the base portion. The support structure includes a recess defined therein to receive the edge-emitting laser diode. The support structure further includes a slit connecting the distal end and the recess to expose at least a portion of a light-emitting edge of the edge-emitting laser diode when the edge-emitting laser diode is received in the support structure.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage apparatus that absorbs thermal energy from a heat-generating device is described. In one aspect, the thermal energy storage apparatus comprises a non-metal container and a phase-change material. The non-metal container is configured to receive the heat-generating device thereon. The phase-change material is contained in the non-metal container and configured to absorb at least a portion of heat from the heat-generating device through the non-metal container.

Abstract: A silicon-based thermal energy transfer apparatus that aids dissipation of thermal energy from a heat-generating device is described. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a silicon-based cooling device configured to receive the heat-generating device and at least one heating element disposed on the silicon-based cooling device. The at least one heating element is configured to maintain a temperature of at least a first region of the silicon-based cooling device in a predetermined condition when the heat-generating device is deactivated.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus that simultaneously cools and thermally decouples adjacent electrically-driven devices in close proximity are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus comprises a first non-silicon heat sink and a first silicon-based heat sink disposed on the first non-silicon heat sink. The first silicon-based heat sink is configured to receive a first electrically-driven device on a first portion of the first silicon-based heat sink and to receive a second electrically-driven device on a second portion of the first silicon-based heat sink. The first silicon-based heat sink includes a first groove or a first opening between the first portion and the second portion such that a heat conduction path between the first electrically-driven device and the first non-silicon heat sink through the first silicon-based heat sink is shorter than a heat conduction path between the first electrically-driven device and the second electrically-driven device through the first silicon-based heat sink.