Abstract: Method of programming Ovonic memory multistate-digital multibit memory elements, and use thereof for neural networks and data storage. The device is programmed by applying an energy pulse which is insufficient to switch the memory element from said high resistance state to said low resistance state, but sufficient to modify said memory material such that accumulation of additional energy pulses causes the memory element to switch from said high resistance state to said low resistance state.

Abstract: An nickel hydroxide positive electrode active material which can be made by an ultrasonic precipitation method. The nickel hydroxide active material is characterized by the ability to reversibly cycle between the beta and gamma nickel hydroxide crystalline phases during electrochemical charge and discharge. The material may also be characterized by a high degree of local ordering of the hydroxyl ions.

Abstract: Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries, modules and fluid-cooled battery pack systems. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The optimized thickness, width and height allow for maximum capacity and power output, while eliminating deleterious side affects. The battery case design allows for unidirectional expansion which is readily compensated for by applying external mechanical compression counter to that direction. In the module, the batteries are bound within a module bundling/compression means under external mechanical compression which is optimized to balance outward pressure due to expansion and provide additional inward compression to reduce the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing overall battery power.

Abstract: A high capacity long cycle life positive electrode which includes an electronically conductive substrate for conducting electricity through the electrode and an electrochemically active nickel hydroxide material in electrical contact with the electronically conductive substrate, the electrochemically active nickel hydroxide material is composed of at least two different solid solution nickel hydroxide materials each having differing compositions. The positioning of the at least two different solid solution nickel hydroxide materials and their relative compositions alter the local redox potential or porosity to force discharge of the electrode in a stepwise fashion from the nickel hydroxide material remote from said conductive network or substrate, through any intermediate nickel hydroxide materials, to the nickel hydroxide material adjacent the conductive network or substrate.

Abstract: Nickel-metal hydride batteries and electrodes are capable of increased power output and recharge rates. The electrodes and batteries produced therefrom exhibit increased internal conductance. The positive and negative electrodes may be formed by pressing powdered metal-hydride active materials into porous metal substrates. The porous metal substrates are formed from copper, copper-plated nickel, or a copper-nickel alloy, and may be additionally plated with a material which is electrically conductive and resistant to corrosion in the battery environment, such as nickel.

Abstract: Nickel-metal hydride batteries and electrodes capable of increased power output and recharge rates. The positive and negative electrodes may be formed by pressing powdered metal-hydride active materials into porous metal substrates. The porous metal substrates are formed from copper, copper-plated nickel, or a copper-nickel alloy. The electrode tab are directly attached to the porous metal substrate via a low electrical-resistance connection which includes welding, brazing, or soldering.

Abstract: Disordered multicomponent hydrogen storage material characterized by extraordinarily high storage capacity due to a high density of useable hydrogen storage sites (greater than 10.sup.23 defect sites/cc) and/or an extremely small crystallite size. The hydrogen storage material can be employed for electrochemical, fuel cell and gas phase applications. The material may be selected from either of the modified LaNi.sub.5 or modified TiNi families formulated to have a crystallite size of less than 200 Angstroms and most preferably less than 100 Angstroms.

Abstract: A composite memory material comprising a mixture of active phase-change memory material and inactive dielectric material. The phase-change material includes one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Te, Se, Ge, Sb, Bi, Pb, Sn, As, S, Si, P, O and mixtures or alloys thereof. A single cell memory element comprising the aforementioned composite memory material, and a pair of spacedly disposed contacts.

Abstract: A modular metal hydride hydrogen storage system which can provide a robust and reliable source of hydrogen that can quickly and easily be modified for a variety of applications and environments. The hydrogen storage system comprises at least one storage module. Each storage module comprises a container having at least one open end, a metal hydride hydrogen storage means, means for introducing gaseous hydrogen into and withdrawing gaseous hydrogen from the container, and means for connecting storage modules together end-to-end to form a plurality of storage modules.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a battery pack having a plurality of serially connected rechargeable batteries. The apparatus comprises a means of detecting cell reversal and a means of protecting the batteries of the battery pack upon detection of cell reversal.

Abstract: A robust terminal for a prismatic battery comprising a terminal post, and a connector strap mechanically joined to the terminal post. Electrode tabs are mechanically joined to the connector strap. Connection points between the tabs and the connector strap have two or more degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An acute matrix liquid crystal display panel including 1) a plurality of liquid crystal display elements distributed in a matrix of rows and columns; 2) means for supplying video signals and display element selection signals, including row and column conductors; and 3) a plurality of paired Ovonic threshold switches and resistive elements each serially coupled between the corresponding row or column conductor and the liquid crystal display element, the Ovonic threshold switches acting as display element selection devices and current isolation devices in which the Ovonic threshold switches having an off state resistance of at least 1.times.10.sup.9 ohms.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module which includes at least one photovoltaic cell which is encapsulated in a non-reacted, injection molded polymeric material, thereby forming an environmental seal around the cell. The photovoltaic cell(s) are incorporated into a photovoltaic panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, and also includes means for external electrical connection to the photovoltaic cell. The non-reacted injection molded polymeric material encapsulating the panel may form useful structures, such as shingles, blocks, cases, or boxes.

Abstract: The present invention is a computational unit comprising a logic processing device, and a memory array deposited on top of and communicating with the logic processing device. More specifically, the present invention is a computational unit comprising a logic processing device, and electrically erasable phase change memory deposited on top of and communicating with the logic processing device.

Abstract: The present invention defines a display driver for driving a flat panel display having rows and columns. The display driver has row and column drivers comprised of logic gates where each logic gate includes chalcogenide threshold switches. The logic gates of the present invention use a chalcogenide threshold switch as a means of discharging load capacitance and resetting logic gate output.

Abstract: An active matrix liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of Ovonic threshold switches each serially coupled between the corresponding row or column conductor and the liquid crystal display element. The Ovonic threshold switches act as display element selection devices and current isolation devices. The Ovonic switches have an off-state resistance of at least 1.times.10.sup.10 ohms.

Abstract: An electrically operated, directly overwritable, multibit, single-cell chalcogenide memory element with multibit storage capabilities and having at least one contact for supplying electrical input signals to set the memory element to a selected resistance value, the second contact tapering to a peak adjacent to the memory element. In this manner the tapered contact helps define the size and position of a conduction path through the memory element.

Abstract: A method of depositing, by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, a modified, silicon oxide, barrier coating atop a temperature sensitive substrate; said barrier coating having barrier properties to at least gaseous oxygen and water vapor. The precursor gaseous mixture includes at least a silicon-hydrogen containing gas, an oxygen containing gas and a gas containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of germanium, tin, phosphorus, and boron. The method requires introducing a sufficient flow rate of oxygen-containing gas into the precursor gaseous mixture to eliminate the inclusion of silicon-hydrogen bonds into the deposited coating. The preferred modifier is germanium. Also, a composite material having a microwave-plasma-enhanced-chemical-vapor-deposited silicon oxide (modified or non-modified) barrier coating. The barrier coating has barrier properties to at least gaseous oxygen and water vapor and is substantially free of Si--H bonds.

Abstract: A slurry loading apparatus for automatically loading a slurry into a substrate, the substrate having a front surface, a back surface opposite said front surface and an interior with voids between the front and back surfaces, the apparatus including a device for introducing the slurry onto the front surface and into the voids where excess slurry passes through the substrate and exits the back surface, and a device for repeatedly forcing the excess slurry back onto the back surface and into the voids.

Abstract: A positive electrode for use in alkaline rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising: a material comprising a compositionally and structurally disordered multiphase nickel hydroxide host matrix which includes at least one modifier.