Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer FPCB includes the steps of: providing a first substrate, a second substrate and a binder layer; defining an opening on the binder layer; defining a first slit in the dielectric layer of the first substrate; laminating the first substrate, the binder layer and the second substrate; forming a second slit in the conductive layer of the first substrate, the second slit is configured to be aligned with the first slit, cutting the first substrate, the binder layer and the second substrate thereby forming a multilayer flexible printed circuit board having different numbers of layers in different areas.

Abstract: An exemplary mounting support for a flexible printed circuit board is provided. The flexible printed circuit board has a side surface and at least one electronic component mounted on the side surface. The mounting support includes a first surface for contacting with the side surface of the flexible printed circuit board and a second surface on an opposite side of the mounting support to the first surface. The mounting support has at least one first recess defined in the first surface for receiving the at least one electronic component therein and at least one through-hole defined through the first surface and the second surface. The mounting support has at least one second recess defined in the second surface. The mounting support can fix a double surface mounted flexible printed circuit board flatly, thereby enhancing laser processing precision.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hydrodynamic bearing (30) comprises steps of: step (201): providing a substrate (10) with a plurality of protrusions (14) formed on a periphery thereof; step (202): placing the substrate in a middle of a hollow mold, then injecting a feedstock of powder and molten binder into the mold to surround the substrate under pressure, thus forming a desired bearing preform (20); step (203): separating the substrate from the bearing preform by means of catalytic debinding; step (204): separating the binder from the bearing preform; step (205): sintering the bearing preform; step (206): precision machining the bearing preform to form the desired hydrodynamic bearing.

Abstract: An impeller (10) for a cooling fan includes a hub (20) having a circular wall (22) and an annular sidewall (24) extending downwardly from a rim of the circular wall, and a plurality of blades (30) extending radially from the sidewall of the hub. Each of the blades includes a first portion (32) near the hub and a second portion (34) away from the hub, wherein each of the first portions is identical to an adjacent one of the first portions, and each of the second portions is different from an adjacent one of the second portions regarding a height thereof, thereby reducing a noise level of the impeller when the it operates.

Abstract: A method of correcting an image signal generated by a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor in an imaging system is provided. The imaging system stores a number of gamma correction curves, each of which includes a respective correction factor for increasing contrast in a dark portion of the image signal. The method includes: measuring gray scale value of each pixel of the CCD image sensor; estimating a contrast level of an object scene to be imaged using the measured gray scale values; and correcting the image signal using a corresponding gamma correction curve depending on the estimated contrast level of the object scene.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a carbon nanotube film includes a substrate holder, a bar supplying device, a carrier device, and a stretching device arranged in alignment in that order. A method for making a carbon nanotube film is further provided.

Abstract: A method for making the metal oxide includes the following steps: mixing a metal nitrate with a solvent of octadecyl amine, and achieving a mixture; agitating and reacting the mixture at a reaction temperature for a reaction period; cooling the mixture to a cooling temperature, and achieving a deposit; and washing the deposit with an organic solvent, drying the deposit at a drying temperature and achieving a metal oxide nanocrystal. The present method for making a metal oxide nanocrystal is economical and timesaving, and has a low toxicity associated therewith. Thus, the method is suitable for industrial mass production. The metal oxide nanocrystal material made by the present method has a readily controllable size, a narrow size distribution, and good crystallinity.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism (100) configured for positioning a keypad (20) on a portable electronic device includes a plurality of retainers (10). Each retainer includes a main portion (11) and a fixing unit (12) formed on the main portion. The main portion includes an engaging surface (112) and an opposite latching surface (114). A protrusion (1121) is formed on the engaging surface, a first positioning surface (1122) corresponding to a first portable electronic device (30) is formed on the protrusion. The retainer is mounted to the keypad via the fixing unit.

Abstract: A thermal interface material includes an array of carbon nanotubes with interspaces defined therebetween; and a low melting point metallic material filled in the interspaces. A method for fabricating a thermal interface material, the method includes (a) providing an array of carbon nanotubes with interspaces defined therebetween; and (b) depositing a low melting point metallic material on the carbon nanotubes in the interspaces therebetween to form a metallic layer with the array of carbon nanotubes embedded therein, and thereby, achieving the thermal interface material.

Abstract: An exemplary method of making an FPC includes forming a substrate comprising metal foil layers interleaved with intervening layers by: (a) laminating intervening layers with metal foil layers; (b) adhering a covering film to outermost surfaces of the substrate; (c) defining a hole in one side of the substrate through the covering film and at least two metal foil layers and the intervening layer between the at least two metal foil layers by etching or laser technology; and (d) plating a portion of an inner wall of the hole with conductive material to form a via to electrically connect the at least two metal foil layers.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for supporting workpieces thereon includes a seat (10), a holding board (20), and a magnetic module connecting the seat to the holding board. The magnetic module (70) includes a first member (40) secured in the seat and a second member (50) secured in the holding board. The first member and the second member cooperate to provide a magnetic force thereby detachably fixing the holding board to the seat.

Abstract: A method of preparing a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material is provided. The method includes (a) providing a carbon nanotube-based film and a pre-polymer solution; (b) placing the carbon nanotube-based film at a bottom of a container, and pouring the pre-polymer solution in the container; and (c) polymerizing the pre-polymer solution and simultaneously integrating the pre-polymer solution with the carbon nanotube-based film. As such, a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material, including the polymer-impregnated nanotube layer and an upper polymer layer, is obtained. A multi-layer composite can be produced by essentially repeating this process, using the upper polymer layer as the base layer for the formation of the next layer set thereon.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a field emission electron source includes: providing a CNT array; drawing a bundle of CNTs from the CNT array to form a CNT yarn; soaking the CNT yarn into an organic solvent, and shrinking the CNT yarn into a CNT string after the organic solvent volatilizing; applying a voltage between two opposite ends of the CNT string, until the CNT string snapping at a certain point; and attaching the snapped CNT string to a conductive base, and achieving a field emission electron source. The field emission efficiency of the field emission electron source is high.

Abstract: An exemplary illumination apparatus for use in a projection system includes a number of solid-state light sources and first non-imaging collection optics, a power coupler, an optical amplifier, and a second non-imaging collection optic. The solid-state light sources are configured to generate light of a predetermined wavelength. Each first non-imaging collection optic is configured to collect and transmit light from a respective solid-state light source to the power coupler. The power coupler is configured to combine light from the solid-state light sources. The optical amplifier is configured to amplify the combined light. The second non-imaging collection optic is configured to collect the amplified light to provide illumination.

Abstract: A flexible base includes a main region configured for forming flexible printed circuit board units; and two conveying regions respectively arranged on two sides of the main region. Each of the conveying regions includes an insulating substrate, a plurality of sprocket holes, and a patterned supporting layer. The sprocket holes are defined along a lengthwise direction of the insulating substrate. The patterned supporting layer is formed on the insulating substrate. The patterned supporting layer extends from an edge of each sprocket hole towards a periphery region of the corresponding sprocket.

Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a cooling fan (15) defining an air inlet and an air outlet (157) oriented perpendicular to the air inlet; a metal foam (11) is arranged in the air outlet of the cooling fan, and a heat pipe (13) has a condensing end (131) being thermally attached to the metal foam. The metal foam forms numerous open cells (118). A plurality of guiding holes (116) are defined in the metal foam facing to a rotor (153) of the cooling fan for an airflow generated by the cooling fan to flow therethrough. The guiding hole (116) has a size larger that that of the open cell (118). The guiding hole has an outer end opened to an outside of the cooling fan (15).

Abstract: An image sensor module includes a circuit board (20), an image sensor (10) and a supporting board (30). The circuit board has a plurality of circuits formed thereon. The image sensor is arranged on one side of the circuit board and is electrically connected to the circuit board. The circuit board defines at least one through opening (22) therein. The supporting board is arranged on an opposite side of the circuit board. A protrusion (31) extends outwardly from the supporting board through the at least one through opening of the circuit board. The image sensor is mounted on the protrusion.

Abstract: A control pad structure (10) with a built-in speaker (40) includes a circuit board (20) disposing a plurality of touch switches (22) thereon; a control pad (30) is provided with a plurality of bulge points (36); and an accommodating space (35) is formed between the circuit board and the control pad for enclosing the speaker therein. The speaker is also provided with a bulge point. When the control pad is operated, the bulge points engage with corresponding touch switches to activate the switches. A plurality of openings (24) is defined in the circuit board between the touch switches.

Abstract: An exemplary method for increasing brightness of an image captured in low light includes: transforming the captured image into an original image that has a brightness component; copying the brightness component of the original image as a brightness image; inverting the brightness image into a negative image; and incorporating the negative image into the original image such that a predetermined percentage of gray scale values of pixels of the negative image corresponding to pixels in a dark portion of the original image are respectively added to gray scale values of the pixels in the dark portion of the original image to produce a processed image.

Abstract: A method for making a field emission lamp generally includes the steps of: (a) providing a cathode emitter; (b) providing a transparent glass tube having a carbon nanotube transparent conductive film and a fluorescent layer, wherein the carbon nanotube transparent conductive film and the fluorescent layer are both disposed on an inner surface of the transparent glass tube; (c) providing a first glass feedthrough, a second glass feedthrough, and a nickel pipe, wherein the first glass feedthrough has an anode down-lead pad and an anode down-lead pole connected to the anode down-lead pad, and the second glass feedthrough has a cathode down-lead pole; (d) securing the nickel pipe to one end of the cathode emitter and securing the other end of the cathode emitter to one end of the cathode down-lead pole of the second glass feedthrough; and (e) melting and assembling the first and second glass feedthroughs to ends of the transparent glass tube respectively.