Abstract: A thermal storage unit having at least one conduit around which a cast is made is provided. The thermal storage unit uses conventional piping or tubing to create conduits that economically maximize the surface area of flow in contact with the thermal mass by proving multiple passes for the fluid through the cast. This enables the thermal storage unit to economically provide heat storage as well as effective heat delivery and pressure containment for a fluid flowing through the conduit.

Abstract: Backup energy systems utilizing compressed air storage (CAS) systems and bridging energy systems to supply backup power to a load are provided. During a power failure, the bridging energy system provides backup power to the load at least until the CAS system begins supplying adequate power. In various embodiments, backup power capability is enhanced through the use of one or more exhaustless heaters, which are used to heat compressed air. The compressed air, in turn, drives a turbine which is used to power an electrical generator. In various embodiments, ambient air heat exchangers or other types of heat exchangers are used to heat compressed air prior to the compressed air being routed to the turbine, thereby increasing system efficiency. Backup power and backup HVAC are also provided by utilizing turbine exhaust, heat exchangers and various resistive heating elements.

Abstract: An environmentally-safe, disposable, and combustible charcoal-based heat source includes a first chimney structure and a second wall structure surrounding the chimney structure. An inner chimney flue receives air for igniting and burning the charcoal-based heat source and an outer chimney flue exhausts combustion fumes from the charcoal-based heat source. A bottom wall member secures to the inner chimney flue and the outer chimney flue and forms of a combustible material to be consumed during the ignition and burning of the charcoal-based fuel. A top wall member secures to the inner chimney flue and the outer chimney flue to be consumed during the ignition of the charcoal-based fuel. A plurality of exhaust apertures are arranged within the top wall for exhausting the combustion fumes from the outer chimney flue. An ignition ring establishes a sustained ignition of sufficient duration to ignite uniformly the charcoal-based fuel. A plurality of flaps provide an initial ignition of the ignition ring.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling resistivity in the formation of a silicon ingot from compensated feedstock silicon material prepares a compensated, upgraded metallurgical silicon feedstock for being melted to form a silicon melt. The compensated, upgraded metallurgical silicon feedstock provides a predominantly p-type semiconductor for which the process assesses the concentrations of boron and phosphorus and adds a predetermined amount of aluminum or/and gallium. The process further melts the silicon feedstock together with a predetermined amount of aluminum or/and gallium to form a molten silicon solution from which to perform directional solidification and, by virtue of adding aluminum or/and gallium, maintains the homogeneity the resistivity of the silicon ingot throughout the silicon ingot. In the case of feedstock silicon leading to low resistivity in respective ingots, typically below 0.4 ?cm, a balanced amount of phosphorus can be optionally added to aluminum or/and gallium.

Abstract: A method and system for surreptitiously detecting and analyzing sites suspected of transferring steganographic communications, is accomplished by analyzing a targeted site for steganographic communications via a server that directs a plurality of clients to analyze the targeted site. The clients are dispatched according to the objectives of the server and the data retrieved by previous clients, which have been directed to scan the site. The client's data is aggregated and analyzed to determine if a steganographic communication is present.

Abstract: A metered water control system inlet tube (24) receiving water conducting water into the interior of the tank to a diverter. A diverter (48) channels the flow to cause mechanical motion responsive to the channeled flow. A control valve (66 and 60), responsive to a mechanical switch, opens and closes access of the water from the inlet tube to the diverter. A mechanical switch (124, 112, and 114), responsive to flow of water from the diverter, closes the control valve automatically when a predeterminable volume of water flows through the diverter. A discharge tube (20 and 24) receives water from the diverter to discharge the water into the tank. An actuator (158 and 162) linked to a flush arm of the toilet and linked to the mechanical switch causes the switch to open the control valve to allow the pre-determined volume of water to flow into the discharge tube.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a solid-state projection device incorporating a light source, modulator, and control circuitry on a single chip. For example, projection device may include several sets of VCSELs, each associated with a set of MEMs mirrors and coupled to a control circuitry. The device may also include various Pyrex layers for sealing and angling layers. The device may further include detectors associated with the light source. These detectors may be useful in determining the shape and location of the projection surface, building a gesture interface, and determining the operability of proxels. The invention is also directed to methods for using the device for manipulating the image, producing zoom, masking, reverse images, positioning, and keystone correction, among others. The invention may be used in projection display devices, portable display devices, heads-up displays, retinal displays, rear and front projection displays, and other display applications.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing integrated circuits uses an atmospheric magnetic mirror plasma etching apparatus to thin a semiconductor wafer. In addition the process may, while thinning, both segregate and expose through-die vias for an integrated circuit chip. To segregate, the wafer may be partially diced. Then, the wafer may be tape laminated. Next, the backside of the wafer may be etched. As the backside material is removed, the partial dicing and through-die vias may be exposed. As such, the method reduced handling steps and increases yield. Furthermore, the method may be used in association with wafer level processing and flip chip with bump manufacturing.

Abstract: Techniques for using gravity in applications such as drilling and logging. Techniques are present for (1) gravity well logging using gravity sensors arrays; (2) creating density pseudosections using gravity measurements; (3) performing Gravity Measurement While Drilling (GMWD) using single or multiple gravity sensors; and (4) geosteering using GMWD.