Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention the fuel cell device includes an electrolyte sheet. The electrolyte sheet has a substantially non-porous body of a varied thickness, a relatively smooth surface and a more textured surface with multiple indentations therein, wherein the thickest part of the electrolyte sheet is at least 0.5 micrometers greater than the thinnest part of said electrolyte sheet. The side of the electrolyte sheet with a relatively smooth surface is subjected to the predominately tensile force and the other, more textured surface subjected to predominately compressive force. According to one embodiment, the fuel cell also includes one cathode disposed on the more textured side of said electrolyte sheet at least at least one anode disposed opposite the cathode on the relatively smooth side of aid electrolyte sheet.

Abstract: A method for producing glass or glass ceramic articles by powder injection molding of glass powder includes mixing together, in a continuous mixing process, ingredients to form a mixture comprising a glass powder and a binder, where the ingredients include a glass powder in a relative amount sufficient to equal at least 50% by volume of the resulting mixture and a binder comprising a thermoplastic polymer, desirably a thermoplastic elastomer, and a wax; forming the mixture into a formed structure; and de-binding and sintering the formed structure. The method desirably involves mixing via a high intensity mixing process, desirably by mixing in a twin-screw extruder. The forming process may include pelletizing the mixture and injection molding the pelletized mixture to form the formed structure. The ingredients of the mixture desirably comprise a glass powder in a relative amount sufficient to equal at least 70% by volume of the resulting mixture.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is disclosed comprising a body of refractory material having one or more fluid passages of millimeter-or sub-millimeter scale defined therein and at least one tube of refractory material embedded in said body, the tube having a millimeter- or sub-millimeter-scale passage therein and first and second ends. The tube is desirably, though not necessarily, of a material having a higher softening point than the material of the body. The tube may optionally include a narrowed or “drawn down” portion along the length or at an end thereof to provide extremely fine structure. By shaping depressions or holes to receive the tube in layers of refractory material that are fired or sintered to form the device, the tube can be assembled together with the layers and fired or sintered to form a consolidated refractory microfluidic device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a substrate product for use in the manufacture of active matrix liquid crystal display panels, flexible displays, or flexible electronics. The product includes a display substrate suitable for use as a display panel. The display substrate has a thickness less than or equal to 0.4 mm. The product also includes at least one porous support substrate removably attached to the display substrate by an adhesive layer.

Abstract: A transverse closed-loop fiber resonator (10) includes an inner cladding (102) having a surface (300) peripherally forming a closed-loop shape for confining light to the surface (300). The inner cladding has a first diameter thickness (104) and a first index of refraction profile in a cross-sectional portion of the transverse closed-loop fiber resonator (10). A ringed-core (120) corresponding to the closed-loop shape is disposed on the corresponding surface of the inner cladding (102). The ringed-core (120) has a second thickness (124) of material thinner than the first diameter thickness (104), and a second index of refraction profile greater than the first index of the inner cladding by an index delta in the cross-sectional portion of the transverse closed-loop fiber resonator such that the ringed-core can guide light within the ringed-core traversely around the closed-loop shape.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention an electrolyte sheet includes a body of varied thickness, the electrolyte sheet having a textured surface with multiple protruding features. The protruding features form an undercut angle with respect to the normal of the electrolyte sheet, the undercut angle being more than 0 degrees and less than 15 degrees.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for passively aligning optical elements are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the apparatus and methods include optical elements aligned on bases which are passively aligned and secured on a substrate by alignment features adapted to secure and passively align the bases.