Abstract: A modular electrochemical cell system is provided. The system includes N+X individual electrochemical cell modules. N modules of the system are typically sufficient to provide an electrical discharge output or receive an electrical recharge input. A control system is also provided for detecting the condition of each module and determining the best N modules to provide the function needed for optimal performance during recharge or discharge. The control system may also control switching of the N+X modules. One or more of the extra X modules excluded from the control system determination are available for maintenance or refueling without interruption of the operation of the remaining N modules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) and production methods thereof, and more particularly to vertically integrated MEMS systems. Manufacturing of MEMS and vertically integrated MEMS is facilitated by forming, preferably on a wafer level, plural MEMS on a MEMS layer selectively bonded to a substrate, and removing the MEMS layer intact.

Abstract: A novel thermoelectric cooler array and method of making the same are disclosed. The thermoelectric cooler array is a multistage thermoelectric cooler which provides a cascaded configuration for providing heat transfer from a cold sink to a heat sink. The multistage configuration provides for much higher heat transfer range and further provides benefit of thermoelectric cooling integrated with active electronic or optoelectronic components. The method of manufacturing the thermoelectric cooling array provides for n-type and p-type thermoelectric material substrates to be selectively bonded and sliced to create the desired stages of the multistage thermoelectric cooler.

Abstract: A color liquid crystal display using reflective color filters using layers of cholesteric liquid crystals is disclosed. The reflective color filters have two different center wavelengths and bandwidths per layer and are stacked in two layers to provide colored light for displays. With various numbers of layers in the stack, different polarization levels are provided. The pixels in the display of the invention are arranged such that multiple adjacent sub-pixels in a layer with the same color makes the color filters easier to manufacture.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel reflective microflakes for use in making “additive-primary” coloring media having improved reflection characteristics over the red, green and blue super-bright color characteristics, and “super-white” coloring media having Magnesium-Oxide like color characteristics. The coloring media of the present invention provides a palette of colors for imparting color characteristics or forming color images upon surfaces of arbitrary surface geometry. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the microflakes are made from cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material, wherein the pitch of the helices of the liquid crystal molecules in each CLC microflake varies along the thickness dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. Depending on the final spiral structure of the materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel reflective microflakes for use in making “additive-primary” coloring media having improved reflection characteristics over the red, green and blue super-bright color characteristics, and “super-white” coloring media having Magnesium-Oxide like color characteristics. The coloring media of the present invention provides a palette of colors for imparting color characteristics or forming color images upon surfaces of arbitrary surface geometry. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the microflakes are made from cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material, wherein the pitch of the helices of the liquid crystal molecules in each CLC microflake varies along the thickness dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. Depending on the final spiral structure of the materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.

Abstract: Disclosed are liquid crystal (LC) phase-retarders and linear polarizers and methods and apparatus for making the same. The liquid crystal phase-retarder is realized by a liquid crystal film structure having one or more phase retardation regions formed therein. Each phase retardation region has an optical axis specified by the direction and depth of orientation of liquid crystal molecules along the surface of the liquid crystal film structure. The liquid crystal linear polarizer is realized by a liquid crystal film structure having a chiral phase region within which liquid crystal molecules are cholesterically ordered. One or more nematic phase regions are formed along the surface of the liquid crystal film structure within which liquid crystal molecules are oriented along a direction and to a surface depth sufficient to realize one or more phase retardation regions therein having optical axes along the direction of liquid crystal molecule orientation.

Abstract: Improved metal-air fuel cell battery systems having metal-fuel realized in the form of metal-fuel tape cartridges and metal-fuel cards, which can be either manually or automatically inserted within the power generation bay of the system. In order to produce a range of output voltages, the metal-fuel tape has a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel tracks and the metal-fuel cards have a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel strips. An output voltage configuration subsystem is provided for configuring the voltages produced by the individual cells to produce a desired output. A subsystem is provided for detecting oxide formation on the metal-fuel tracks and strips so that only metal-fuel that has been oxidized is reduced during recharging operations. A subsystem is also provided for controlling the flow of oxygen into the power generation head in order to control the power output from the system.

Abstract: A novel method of manufactring a microchannel plate (“MCP”) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of ion implantation of a substrate, the subsequent formation of channels paterned on the surface of the substrate and bonding of the subsequent substrate to a handle wafer. The layers are subsequently cleaved and the steps repeated until a MCP structure is achieved. The resulting MCP structure is cost-effective as compared to conventional manufacturing processes and the resulting MCP structure exhibits a funneling effect. The MCP structure may also be used for optical signal amplification for a biochip array.

Abstract: The controllable electroporation system and method described herein allows control over the size, the number, the location, and the distribution of aqueous pores, thus increasing flexibility of use. The herein described system and method for controllable electroporation generally employs at least two actuating sub-systems and sub-processes. One sub-system and sub-process employs a relatively broad effect in order to weaken the membrane, a broad effect sub-system. Another sub-system and sub-process employs a relatively narrow effect in order to localize the position of the pore in the membrane, a narrow effect sub-system.

Abstract: A method for increasing the manufacturing yield for a vertically integrated device is disclosed. The devices are composed of one or more multiple layer die. The number of functioning layers of each multiple layer die is determined diagnostically. Each of said multiple layer die are sorted based on said number of functioning layers. Also disclosed are methods for combining sorted die, and methods for slicing sorted die, to form die with a desired number of known good layers.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a novel polarized light source. The polarized light source of this invention includes an organic electroluminescent (OEL) device or an organic photoluminescent (PL) device and a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polarizing device. The polarized light source of the present invention is an efficient, high purity, and bright source of polarized light. Further, the present invention enables a polarized light source to be custom designed with a polarization bandwidth and position across a wide range of wavelengths. Further still, the light source of this invention is made from low cost materials and is easily manufactured. Yet further still, this invention enables the production of ultra-thin and lightweight polarized light sources.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for fabricating an array. A plurality of insulating media are formed having a plurality of wavelength and polarizing elements embedded therein at an angle relative to the surfaces of the media, such that the spacing between elements halves for each different medium. A phase shifter arrangement is also formed such that a portion of conductive material is disposed on a surface of the insulating media in registry with every other element in each of the media, and other portions of conductive material disposed on another surface overlapping said elements. A phase shifting material is disposed over at least said every other element. The media are stacked such that the topmost insulating medium has two elements, and each succeeding medium has twice as many elements as a preceding medium.

Abstract: Provided herein is a logic tree for steering electromagnetic energy. The logic tree includes a plurality of stages. The first stage includes a branch for directing energy to a similar branch in each succeeding stage. Each stages contains 2n-1 branches, where n is the stage number. In particular embodiments, each branch includes an active element for directing electromagnetic energy into one of a first and a second paths, and a passive element disposed in the second path.

Abstract: Provided herein is a logic tree branch for steering electromagnetic energy. The logic tree branch structure includes active elements for directing said electromagnetic energy into one of first and second paths. Further, corresponding passive elements are disposed in the second path for directing electromagnetic energy into a path parallel to the first path when the electromagnetic energy is directed into said second path.

Abstract: An optical routing system is disclosed. The optical routing system includes a substrate and at least one optical element embedded within the substrate which is configured to route optical signals. In a preferred embodiment, the optical element is a microsphere with a surface reflecting means. The optical element is configurable in any of six orthogonal directions to enable the routing of optical signals.

Abstract: A flow through capacitor system is provided having one or more movable electrodes. A movable electrode may be in the form of a movable belt structure or a roller. The system further includes at least one subsystem for removing ions that accumulate at the one or more movable electrodes.

Abstract: An optical transistor is disclosed. The optical transistor consists of a high speed photodetector region incident to a light intensity modulating region which separates a drain and source region. The disclosed optical transistor is able to exhibit high speed performance with good signal isolation and high amplification gain.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a vertical integrated circuit is disclosed. Integrated circuits are fabricated on a substrate with layers of predetermined weak and strong bond regions where deconstructed layers of integrated circuits are fabricated at or on the weak bond regions. The layers are then peeled and subsequently bonded to produce a vertical integrated circuit. An arbitrary number of layers can be bonded and stacked in to a separate vertical integrated circuit. Also disclosed are methods of creating edge interconnects and vias through the substrate to form interconnections between layers and devices thereon.

Abstract: A method for fabricating multi layer microelectromechanical and microfluidic devices is disclosed. Multi layer microelectromechanical and microfluidic devices are fabricated on a substrate with layers of predetermined weak and strong bond regions where deconstructed layers of devices at or on the weak bond regions. The layers are then peeled and subsequently bonded to produce a multi layer microelectromechanical and microfluidic devices. An arbitrary number of layers can be bonded and stacked to create either microelectromechanical or microfluidic device or a hyrbid type of device. Also disclosed are methods of creating edge interconnects and vias through the substrate to form interconnections between layers and devices thereon.