Abstract: A system and method for underwriting and rating insurance products using a programmed computer system to receive usage information of a vehicle within a geographic area or location, determine a target grid cell or a sequence of target grid cells bounded by latitude and longitude lines that encompass at least a portion of the geographic area where the vehicle was used, attain a set of data associated with the target grid cell(s), and calculate a location rating factor based on the usage information, target cell(s), and the set of data.

Abstract: A back electrode for a PV device and method of formation are disclosed. A ZnTe material is provided over an absorber material and a MoNx material is provided over the ZnTe material. A Mo material may also be included in the back electrode above or below the MoNx layer and a metal layer may be also provided over the MoNx layer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the surface cleaning and passivation of CdTe substrates usable in solar cells are disclosed. In some embodiments amine-containing chelators are used and in other embodiments phosphorus-containing chelators are used.

Abstract: A method to improve CdTe-based photovoltaic device efficiency is disclosed, the method including steps for removing surface contaminants from a semiconductor absorber layer prior to the deposition or formation of a back contact layer on the semiconductor absorber layer, the surface contaminants removed using at least one of a dry etching process and a wet etching process.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method may provide laser beams of two or more wavelengths from diode pumped solid-state laser sources (220, 222, 224). The beam paths of these laser beams with different wavelengths, which are generated by the laser sources (220, 222, 224), may be aligned along a common optical axis 280 by an optical configuration, to treat at least one target area. Frequency-doubled laser beams, output from a plurality of diode pumped solid state laser cavities, may be passed through fold mirrors (M2, M5, M8), and combined on a common optical axis 280, using one or more combiner mirrors (M10, M11, M12), to unify the beam paths. Selected laser beams may be delivered to a target using one or more delivery systems.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein generally include methods and/or devices for increasing blood flow, controlling the vasodilatation of a patient's vascular structure, regulating the temperature of a portion of a mammal, and for improving various interventional procedures and/or therapeutic techniques. The device may also include one or more access ports, or apertures, that allow access to portions of the mammal's extremity to allow interventional type medical devices, therapeutic devices, surgical support equipment or patient monitoring devices to have access to the extremity on which a body element is disposed. The device may also be configured to allow other supporting components, which may include IV or other catheters, a means of accessing to a portion of the extremity positioned inside the temperature regulating device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method and a device for increasing blood flow and controlling the temperature of a mammal by applying a desired pressure to extremities of a mammal. The device generally includes one or more collapsible and pliant body elements, capable of expanding from a first volume into an expanded second volume so the device can receive a portion of an extremity of the mammal therein and then be reduced from the expanded second volume into a pressurized third volume to conformably enclose the portion of the extremity. One or more thermal exchange units can be positioned in the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements. Accordingly, the temperature of the extremity of a mammal can be regulated by providing a heated or cooled fluid medium or electric thermal energy to the one or more thermal exchange units.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device including depositing a cadmium telluride layer onto a substrate; treating the cadmium telluride layer with a compound comprising chlorine and an element from Groups 1-11, zinc, mercury, or copernicium or a combination thereof; and annealing the cadmium telluride layer. A chloride-treated photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A Point-of-Entry Kiosk loyalty system, couponing system, and shopping list system is provided so when a consumer enters a store, kiosk(s)s may be present for consumer check-in. When at or within proximity of the kiosk (e.g., from an RFID enabled cell phone) the consumer may log in or be recognized. The consumer may swipe a coded loyalty card, enter their loyalty number or data may be automatically entered through RFID technology or smart phone. The consumer may be presented with discount or coupon offers or shopping suggestions, which may be based on the consumer's prior preferences, demographic data, prior purchases, or preference data harvested from various social networking sites, search engines, or other websites used by the consumer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), lower extremity edema, and other associated medical conditions by adjusting the temperature of the muscles of a foot or a leg, and/or applying vacuum or negative pressure to increase blood flow. A human extremity such as a leg is exposed to a negative pressure environment and/or a thermally controlled environment within a medical device. In one aspect, the device is portable. A thermal exchange unit and, optionally, a vacuum or negative pressure unit, are provided to increase blood flow and vasodilation. The device can be programmed by a controller in a manner to stimulate the muscles of the extremity to reduce pooling of blood therein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein generally include methods and/or devices for increasing blood flow, controlling the vasodilatation of a patient's vascular structure, regulating the temperature of a portion of a mammal, and for improving various interventional procedures and/or therapeutic techniques. The device may also include one or more access ports, or apertures, that allow access to portions of the mammal's extremity to allow interventional type medical devices, therapeutic devices, surgical support equipment or patient monitoring devices to have access to the extremity on which a body element is disposed. The device may also be configured to allow other supporting components, which may include IV or other catheters, a means of accessing to a portion of the extremity positioned inside the temperature regulating device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module may include forming a photovoltaic device including a constituent material; forming a hydrophilic material adjacent to the constituent material, where the hydrophilic material includes cellulose; and depositing a remediation agent adjacent to the hydrophilic material, such that the remediation agent is proximate to, but not contacting the constituent material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module may include forming a photovoltaic device including a constituent material; forming a hydrophilic material adjacent to the constituent material, where the hydrophilic material includes a polyvinyl acetate or alcohol; and depositing a remediation agent adjacent to the hydrophilic material, such that the remediation agent is proximate to, but not contacting the constituent material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module may include forming a photovoltaic device including a constituent material; forming a hydrophilic material adjacent to the constituent material, where the hydrophilic material includes an acrylate-based polymer; and depositing a remediation agent adjacent to the hydrophilic material, such that the remediation agent is proximate to, but not contacting the constituent material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module may include forming a photovoltaic device including a constituent material; forming a hydrophilic material adjacent to the constituent material, where the hydrophilic material includes polyethylene; and depositing a remediation agent adjacent to the hydrophilic material, such that the remediation agent is proximate to, but not contacting the constituent material.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method may provide laser beams of two or more wavelengths from diode pumped solid-state laser sources (220, 222, 224). The beam paths of these laser beams with different wavelengths, which are generated by the laser sources (220, 222, 224), may be aligned along a common optical axis 280 by an optical configuration, to treat at least one target area. Frequency-doubled laser beams, output from a plurality of diode pumped solid state laser cavities, may be passed through fold mirrors (M2, M5, M8), and combined on a common optical axis 280, using one or more combiner mirrors (M10, M11, M12), to unify the beam paths. Selected laser beams may be delivered to a target using one or more delivery systems.

Abstract: A system is provided for integrating a passive sensor or sensor array into a patient's mattress to support continuous passive monitoring of a patients' physiological conditions in a hospital setting. The sensor or sensor array may be incorporated into the mattress by fixing it to a coverlet that surrounds the mattress, or by embedding it within the mattress core. Alternatively, the sensor or sensor array may be fixed to an underlayer positioned between the mattress core and the coverlet.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method may provide laser beams of two or more wavelengths from diode pumped solid-state laser sources (220, 222, 224). The beam paths of these laser beams with different wavelengths, which are generated by the laser sources (220, 222, 224), may be aligned along a common optical axis 280 by an optical configuration, to treat at least one target area. Frequency-doubled laser beams, output from a plurality of diode pumped solid state laser cavities, may be passed through fold mirrors (M2, M5, M8), and combined on a common optical axis 280, using one or more combiner mirrors (M10, M11, M12), to unify the beam paths. Selected laser beams may be delivered to a target using one or more delivery systems.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods provide passive patient monitoring of such parameters as body motion, body position, respiratory rate and/or heart rate. Passive monitoring generally involves a sensor device having at least two piezoelectric sensors, provided on a surface, such as a bed, chair, operating table or the like, so that a patient may be coupled with the device by simply allowing the patient to lie, sit, lean, stand on or wear the surface. In one embodiment, multiple patients in a general care area of a hospital may be continuously monitored via multiple passive monitoring devices. If a patient fails to meet one or more predefined threshold criteria or has a negative physiological trend, the system may activate an alarm.

Abstract: A system is provided for integrating a passive sensor or sensor array into a patient's mattress to support continuous passive monitoring of a patients' physiological conditions in a hospital setting. The sensor or sensor array may be incorporated into the mattress by fixing it to a coverlet that surrounds the mattress, or by embedding it within the mattress core. Alternatively, the sensor or sensor array may be fixed to an underlayer positioned between the mattress core and the coverlet.