Abstract: A device (10) comprises a semiconductor diode (12) and a switchable element (14) positioned in stacked adjacent relationship. The semiconductor diode (12) and the switchable element (14) are electrically connected in series with one another. The switchable element (14) is switchable from a low-conductance state to a high-conductance state in response to the application of a low-density forming current and/or a low voltage.

Abstract: A method (300) of texturing silicon surfaces (116) such to reduce reflectivity of a silicon wafer (110) for use in solar cells. The method (300) includes filling (330, 340) a vessel (122) with a volume of an etching solution (124) so as to cover the silicon surface 116) of a wafer or substrate (112). The etching solution (124) is made up of a catalytic nanomaterial (140) and an oxidant-etchant solution (146). The catalytic nanomaterial (140) may include gold or silver nanoparticles or noble metal nanoparticles, each of which may be a colloidal solution. The oxidant-etchant solution (146) includes an etching agent (142), such as hydrofluoric acid, and an oxidizing agent (144), such as hydrogen peroxide. Etching (350) is performed for a period of time including agitating or stirring the etching solution (124). The etch time may be selected such that the etched silicon surface (116) has a reflectivity of less than about 15 percent such as 1 to 10 percent in a 350 to 1000 nanometer wavelength range.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for an electrically conductive structure on a printed circuit board for connecting an element on the printed circuit board with other elements. The electrically conductive structure may include a contact pad on a first side of the printed circuit board and two or more connection pads on the first side of the printed circuit board. The two or more connection pads are in close physical proximity to the contact pad and electrically connected to the contact pad. The element on the printed circuit board is directly connected to one the two or more connection pads electrically. The structure permits various engineering changes to the electrical connections of elements on the printed circuit board by desoldering electrical connections to the two or more connection pad, by severing traces to the connection pads, or by severing the electrical connection between the connection pads and the contact pad.

Abstract: A self-aligning, signal isolating blindmate connector is presented. The blindmate connector may include a male blindmate connector adapted for receiving a female connector; a female connector and a shroud covering a junction between a mated male blindmate connector and a female connector.

Abstract: An assembly and method for detecting defective and open solder joints of an area array packages attached to a printed circuit assembly is presented. The assembly employs offset pad layout on either or both of the printed circuit assembly or the area array package allowing improved solder joint defect detection.

Abstract: Materials and methods of manufacturing radiation shielded enclosures is presented that may replace the use of lead, granite and other heavy, expensive, toxic, environmentally unfriendly or otherwise undesirable materials and manufacturing methods. The present invention provides a high-density radiation shielding enclosure manufactured by cold casting a liquid refined iron ore or taconite composite material into a mold of an enclosure of an appropriate shape and size to house an x-ray imaging system. The method of manufacture may include applying an iron ore or tungsten composite caulking compound to the radiation shielding enclosure in order to seal any radiation leaks in the radiation shielding enclosure.

Abstract: Fluid-based switches and methods for producing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for producing a switch comprises depositing a first alignment pad on a first substrate, depositing a second alignment pad on a second substrate with a perimeter relief surrounding the second alignment pad, depositing solder on at least one of the alignment pads, depositing a switching fluid on the first substrate, mating the first substrate to the second substrate by aligning the alignment pads and heating the solder, the substrates defining there between a cavity holding the switching fluid, the cavity being sized to allow movement of the switching fluid between first and second states to form a liquid switch, forming a perimeter ring around the liquid switch on at least one of the two substrates, depositing wettable material in the perimeter ring, depositing solder paste containing uncured epoxy on the wettable material in the perimeter ring, and reflowing the solder paste.

Abstract: High melt balls dispersed on the surface of a ball grid array package in such a manner that the collapse of eutectic solder balls is controlled during reflow heating in order to ensure appropriate solder ball standoff, pitch and coplanarity of the ball grid array package from the substrate or printed circuit board surface to which it is being attached.

Abstract: Fluid-based switch and methods for reducing oxides and corrosion products within the switch are disclosed. In one method, oxides are reduced by depositing a gettering agent within the cavity, depositing a switching fluid on a first substrate, and mating the first substrate to a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate defining therebetween a cavity holding the switching fluid, the cavity being sized to allow movement of the switching fluid between first and second states.

Abstract: Fluid-based switch and methods for reducing oxides and corrosion products on switching fluid are disclosed. In one method, oxides are reduced by depositing a switching fluid on a first substrate, coating the switching fluid with a corrosion inhibitor, and mating the first substrate to a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate defining therebetween a cavity holding the switching fluid, the cavity being sized to allow movement of the switching fluid between first and second states.

Abstract: A test fixture for electrically connecting a limited-access test target on a loaded circuit board with an interface probe of a tester may comprise an elongate test probe having a first end and a second end and a wireless interface printed circuit board having a first side and a second side. The first end of the elongate test probe is substantially aligned with the limited-access target on the loaded circuit board when the test fixture is positioned adjacent the loaded circuit board. A contact pad on the first side of the wireless interface printed circuit board is substantially aligned with the elongate test probe so that the contact pad contacts the second end of the elongate test probe. A contact target on the second side of the wireless interface printed circuit board is electrically connected to the contact pad on the first side of the wireless interface printed circuit board. The contact target contacts the interface probe of the tester when the test fixture is mounted on the tester.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing improved tantalum conductive and resistive materials for use in ink jet heater chips. Specifically, a method for producing thin film tantalum layers of a desired phase on a semiconductor substrate comprises depositing protective layers upon the semiconductor substrate; pre-sputter etching the semiconductor substrate; preheating the semiconductor substrate; maintaining the substrate at a predetermined temperature while depositing the thin film tantalum layer by sputtering for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined input power. Use of the method enables production of a desired tantalum phase for use on a semiconductor substrate thereby providing enhanced corrosion and/or cavitation resistance depending on the use of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A coupler for transferring rotary motion from a drive gear to a photoconductive drum or ITM belt within an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, the coupler includes a substantially cylindrical body having first and second ends having extensions extending outward for mating respectively with the drive gear and photoconductive drum. One surface of each of the extension may include a rounded drive surface. One end of the coupler may further include a wall that mounts against a dome extending outward from one of the drive gear or photoconductive drum. One of the drive gear or photoconductive drum may further include axially aligned ridges that are straddled by the coupler to allow for the coupler to axially slide and maintain contact with the photoconductive drum and drive gear even during misalignment.

Abstract: A removable user interface panel for a peripheral device such as a scanner or copier is disclosed. The removable user interface panel may control or communicate with the peripheral device by means of a cable, a Universal Serial Bus device or hub, infrared or other known telecommunications means. The removable interface panel may also be attached to the end user's computer, monitor or keyboard for greater utility.

Abstract: A test fixture for electrically connecting a limited-access test target on a loaded-circuit board with an interface probe of a tester may comprise a solid, elongate test probe having a first end and a second end. A double-headed spring probe having a first spring loaded head located at a first end of the double-headed spring probe and a second spring loaded head located at a second end of the double-headed spring probe is generally axially aligned with the solid, elongate test probe so that the first spring loaded head contacts the second end of the solid, elongate test probe. A contact pad on a first side of a wireless interface printed circuit board is generally aligned with the second spring loaded head of the double-headed spring probe so that the contact pad contacts the second spring loaded head of the double-headed spring probe.

Abstract: A reflective surface behind an image to be scanned on an optical image scanner, copier, facsimile machine or similar device. This reflective surface is dynamically adaptive to the item being scanned, copied or faxed to provide improvements such as reducing image bleed-through while maintaining a desirable level of dynamic range. Preferably, the reflective surface has a reflectance that is dynamically variable and controlled to be either all white, all black, all grey or some other color. The scanning or copying reflective background may also be varied in different regions, such that different regions of the reflective background may simultaneously be white, black, grey, or some other color. The background reflective surface of the scanner, facsimile or copier may be controlled directly by an operator or end user or by software or firmware of the scanner, copier or facsimile. The dynamically variable reflective surface of the scanner, facsimile or copier may be an LCD.

Abstract: A lock that may be inserted into a standardized locking aperture, such as a standard Kensington key lock slot in the cover of a computer or other electronic device to secure the cover to the chassis of the computer or device in order to prevent unauthorized access to the internal components of the computer or electronic device. The lock may be easily installed by the end user rather than having the locking mechanism installed during the manufacture of the computer with the additional cost of a locking mechanism added to all computers. Further, the locking mechanism may be removably attached to the outer cover of the computer or electronic device by means of an adhesive, double sided tape, Velcro, a hook or magnet, so that the locking mechanism may be removed and reused with a different computer or electronic device as the device is replaced, upgraded, etc. or as security needs change.

Abstract: A system is provided for ensuring that a digital linear tape cartridge is inserted into a receiving device in the desired orientation with the tape door going into the receiving device last. The receiving device may be a sleeve with a pivoting lockout that rotates about a pin. The pivoting lockout will pivot freely out of the path of the digital linear tape cartridge only when the cartridge is inserted into the receiving device in the correct orientation with the tape door going into the receiving device last. The pivoting lockout will interfere with the digital linear tape cartridge if a user attempts to install the cartridge into the receiving device in any of the possible seven incorrect orientations.

Abstract: Transparent documents with precoated background so that only the text and foreground need to be printed by a printer is taught. Alternatively, the transparent documents may be precoated with watermarks, company logos, company confidential or other common background patterns. The printer may be able to selectively remove the background precoating from predetermined areas of the transparency where text or other foreground material will be printed. Alternatively, the ink in the printer may chemically dissolve the precoating in predetermined areas.

Abstract: A universal space saving flatbed scanner stand that has a scanner platform section and a counterweight platform section which are connected by a hinge that permits the two sections to be at approximately 180 degree angle or 90 degree angle with respect to each other. The flatbed scanner stand permits a desktop to be extended to allow space for a flatbed scanner. The flatbed scanner may be used when the flatbed scanner stand is in the fully extended (180 degree) position. Some scanners may be used when the flatbed scanner stand is in the folded-up (90 degree) position. Alternatively, when the flatbed scanner is not being used, the flatbed scanner stand may be in the folded-up (90 degree) position, in which the flatbed scanner takes-up the space of a sheetfeed scanner. A CPU box, monitor, printer or other sufficiently heavy object may be positioned on the counterweight platform in order to counter the weight of the flatbed scanner on the scanner platform section of the scanner stand.