Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a solar photovoltaic device is disclosed. The semiconductor material of the solar photovoltaic device is a heterostructure of two different binary compounds of a pair of immiscible metals. The two different binary compounds have a conduction band edge offset of greater than about 0.4 eV. The binary compound acting as the optical absorbing material of the solar photovoltaic device has a bandgap of about 1.0 eV to about 1.8 eV.

Abstract: Various fluidic techniques can employ ducting structures, such as microstructures, that extend between other components, such as plate-like structures. A ducting structure can, for example, include an inlet opening toward or near one plate-like structure, an outlet opening toward or near another plate-like structure, and a duct in which fluid flows after being received through the inlet opening and before being provided through the outlet opening. In some implementations, a ducting structure is photo-defined, such as by exposing a photoimageable structure and then removing either exposed or unexposed regions. In some implementations, a ducting structure is a freestanding polymer microstructure. In some implementations, ducting structures are microstructures that extend approximately the same length between first and second plate-like structures, and have a ratio of length to maximum cavity diameter of approximately two or more.

Abstract: Several methods of printing filter material on a substrate to fabricate a color filter are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) providing a substrate with a framework forming a cell, b) providing a liquid filter material ejection system with an inkjet print head, a liquid filter material, and a table supporting the substrate, and c) ejecting liquid filter material drops in the cell from the inkjet print head using a drop size printing process. The drops include smaller and larger drops. A color filter for a display device is also provided. In one embodiment, the color filter includes: a substrate, a framework attached to the substrate forming a cell, and a cured filter material fixed to the cell. The cured filter material is formed by ejecting multiple sizes of liquid filter material drops from an inkjet print head using a drop size switching printing process.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a printhead includes a printed circuit board having at least one base layer, with at least one electrical trace, at least one fluidic passage and at least one fluidic chamber as part of the printed circuit board. The at least one electrical trace, fluidic passage and fluidic chamber are formed using printed circuit board manufacturing processes. An integrated circuit control chip is attached to the printed circuit board using known printed circuit board techniques. At least one fluidic actuator arrangement and aperture plate are attached to the printed circuit board using known PCB attachment processes.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a solar photovoltaic device is disclosed. The semiconductor material of the solar photovoltaic device is a heterostructure of two different binary compounds of the same metal. One or both of the two different binary compounds of the same metal are doped so that they have a conduction band edge offset of greater than about 0.4 eV. The binary compound acting as the optical absorbing material of the solar photovoltaic device has a bandgap of about 1.0 eV to about 1.8 eV.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cantilever of a probe-based instrument is deflected by directing a beam of ultrasonic acoustic energy at the cantilever to apply acoustic radiation pressure to the cantilever. The energy is generated by an acoustic actuator. The transmitted beam preferably is focused using a cylindrical lens, providing a beam tightly focused in one dimension and unfocused in a second dimension. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a power source such as an RF signal generator is operated so as to spread the spectrum of acoustic radiation on a time scale that is short or comparable to the acoustic roundtrip time. Such a design diminishing the resonance effects and sensitivity to spacing between the cantilever and the acoustic source.

Abstract: A method for detecting chemical reactions uses a nanocalorimeter having a substrate including thermal isolation capability residing on the substrate, thermal equilibration regions residing within the thermal isolation capability, and thermal measurement capability residing within each of the thermal equilibration regions. The thermal measurement device is connected to detection electronics. The method includes depositing drops of potentially reactive chemical solutions within the thermal equilibration region. These potentially reactive solution drops are merged through the use of drop merging electrodes residing within the thermal isolation region. The thermal change occurring within the merged solution drops is then measured with the detection electronics.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present application, a solar photovoltaic cell is disclosed. The semiconductor material of the solar photovoltaic cell includes an inter-digitated nanostructure of a charge transport material and an optical absorbing material. The charge transport material is formed by anodization of a metal, preferably a transition metal. The resultant charge transport material has an array of discrete, substantially parallel and cylindrical pores formed therein. These pores are filled with the optical semiconductor material, which can include a solution of organic semiconducting materials or an inorganic semiconducting oxide material.

Abstract: A sample manipulator that utilizes electrostatic traveling waves to selectively displace one or more samples deposited on its face is disclosed. The sample manipulator enables an operator to perform a wide variety of processes upon the deposited samples. Also disclosed are strategies for separating two or more samples, focusing a sample, and passing a reagent through a sample, all conducted on the face of the sample manipulator.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cantilever of a probe-based instrument is deflected by directing a beam of ultrasonic acoustic energy at the cantilever to apply acoustic radiation pressure to the cantilever. The energy is generated by an acoustic actuator. The transmitted beam preferably is focused using a cylindrical lens, providing a beam tightly focused in one dimension and unfocused in a second dimension. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a power source such as an RF signal generator is operated so as to spread the spectrum of acoustic radiation on a time scale that is short or comparable to the acoustic roundtrip time. Such a design diminishing the resonance effects and sensitivity to spacing between the cantilever and the acoustic source.

Abstract: A flexible detection/test tape includes a first flexible conductive layer, and a second flexible conductive layer positioned opposite the first conductive layer. A plurality of at least one of sensors, actuators or transducers are positioned between and are bonded to the first flexible conductive layer and the second flexible conductive layer. An insulative material is inserted around the plurality of at least one of the sensors, actuators or transducers. An electrical contact network connects to the first flexible conductive layer and the second flexible conductive layer, whereby power and control signals are provided to the flexible detection/test tape.

Abstract: A material for a thick film element is deposited onto a surface of a first substrate to form a thick film element structure having a thickness of between greater than 10 ?m to 100 ?m. The at least one thick film element structure is bonded to a second substrate. Thereafter, the first substrate is removed from the at least one thick film element structure using a liftoff process which includes emitting, from a radiation source (such as a laser or other appropriate device), a beam through the first substrate to an attachment interface formed between the first substrate and the at least one thick film element structure at the surface of the first substrate. The first substrate is substantially transparent at the wavelength of the beam, and the beam generates sufficient energy at the interface to break the attachment.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thick film element array includes at least one piezoelectric element structure having a thickness between 10 ?m to 100 ?m formed by a deposition process. The at least one piezoelectric element is patterned during the deposition process, and includes a first electrode deposited on a first surface of the piezoelectric elements structure, and a second electrode deposited on a second surface of the piezoelectric element structure. In a further embodiment, several devices are provided using a piezoelectric element or an array having a piezoelectric element structure with a thickness of between 10 ?m to 100 ?m formed by a deposition process. These devices include microfluidic ejectors, transducer arrays and catheters.

Abstract: Provided is a priming mechanism for priming a biofluid drop ejection device having a drop ejection opening leading to an ejection reservoir. The priming mechanism includes a vacuum unit which generates a vacuum force, connected to a vacuum nozzle. The vacuum nozzle is located over the drop ejection opening. A disposable sleeve or tubing is attached to the vacuum nozzle and is placed in operational contact with the drop ejection opening. A fluid height detection sensor is positioned to sense a fluid height within at least one of the disposable tubing and the vacuum nozzle. Upon sensing a predetermined fluid height, by the fluid height detection sensor, the priming operation is completed, and the primer mechanism is removed from the operational contact with the drop ejection opening.

Abstract: A system for transporting and selectively sorting particles includes a first wall and a traveling wave grid extending along the first wall. The system includes a second wall having a passage extending therethrough and a gate operatively associated with the passage. A controller is adapted to output a multi-phase electrical signal. The controller is in communication with the traveling wave grid and the gate. A method of using the system is also provided.

Abstract: Various gel electrophoretic assemblies and techniques are disclosed for providing unique isoelectric focusing (IEF) strategies. Several particular systems, assemblies and methods are provided that significantly reduce processing time, enable the use of reduced operating voltages, and produce analytical results with improved resolution.

Abstract: An electrophoretic cell configuration and related method are disclosed that employ oppositely directed traveling electrical waves. The waves travel across the cell and samples undergoing separation. Various strategies are used to selectively direct the movement and arrangement of the samples and resulting sample patterns.

Abstract: Various traveling wave grids and electrophoretic systems, and electrode assemblies using such grids, are disclosed. A configuration in which a voltage potential is used to load a biomolecule sample against a grid is disclosed. A unique strategy of using multiple, reconfigurable grids in such systems is also described. The strategy involves initially conducting a broad protein separation and then selectively tailoring one or more grids, and conducting one or more secondary processing operations. Related strategies and specific methods are additionally disclosed for separating samples of biomolecules and components thereof using the noted systems, assemblies, and grids.

Abstract: Provided is a system for delivering a liquid sample to an inlet of an analytical instrument. Included is an acoustic ejector driven by a drive system that generates drive signals provided to the ejector. The drive signals are generated with a pulse width sufficient to eject at least a portion of the liquid sample. A reservoir provided for holding the liquid sample is in operational arrangement with the acoustic ejector. A liquid sample voltage source is located within the reservoir, and the liquid sample voltage source is designed to provide a charge to the liquid sample. An analytical instrument voltage source is in operational arrangement with the analytical instrument and is designed to provide a voltage bias between the reservoir and the analytical instrument. In another aspect of the invention, provided is a method for delivering a liquid sample to an inlet of an analytical instrument.

Abstract: The invention provides devices for analyzing genetic material comprising a substrate and a first genetic material position and a second genetic material position on the substrate that each comprise genetic material attached to the substrate. The invention also provides methods of distributing genetic material comprising distributing at least one device.