Abstract: A method of forming vias and pillars using printed masks is described. The printed masks are typically made from droplets that include suspended metal nanoparticles. The use of the same metal nanoparticle solution in both the mask formation and the subsequent formation of conducting structures simplifies the fabrication process.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a display is described. The method describes depositing droplets of a display fluid into a sealing solution. The sealing solution seals the droplets of display fluid such that each droplet forms a miniature cell of display fluid. Electrodes address charged particles in the miniature cells to form viewable images for use in a display.

Abstract: A method and structure for laterally index guiding is described. In the method, lateral areas around the a semiconductor device active region are exposed to hydrogen. The hydrogen adjusts the index of refraction surrounding the laser active region helping to confine both the electrical carriers and the generated light to the laser active region.

Abstract: An improved fuel cell is described. The invention addresses the problem of mechanical failure in thin electrolytes. One embodiment varies the thickness of the electrolyte and positions at least either the anode or cathode in the recessed region to provide a short travel distance for ions traveling from the anode to the cathode or from the cathode to the anode. A second embodiment uses a uniquely shaped manifold cover to allow close positioning of the anode to the cathode. Using the described structures results in a substantial improvement in fuel cell reliability and performance.

Abstract: An improved method of analyzing target analytes in a sample is described. The method is based on creating an approximately homogeneous distribution of light in an anti-resonant guided optical waveguide to improve light-target interaction in a target-containing medium. The light-target interaction can be monitored by many different means to determine characteristics of the target analyte.

Abstract: An improved method of forming an X-ray conversion screen is described. The method uses a mold to mold a scintillating material layer including cavities in the scintillating material layer. By repeated moldings, the phosphor layer is built up. The cavities may be filled with a pixel cell separating material or coated with a reflective material such as a sputtered metal to optically isolate each pixel. Various methods for minimizing Swank noise are also described.

Abstract: A novel reflective display system is described. The display system is viewable through the display backplane instead of the counterelectrode. Making the display viewable through the backplane allows use of a conducting elastomer as a counterelectrode which facilitates fabrication of a flexible display. The rear-viewable display also facilitates attachment of color filters directly to the backplane simplifying filter pixel alignment issues.

Abstract: A MEMS system including a fixed electrode and a suspended moveable electrode that is controllable over a wide range of motion. In traditional systems where an fixed electrode is positioned under the moveable electrode, the range of motion is limited because the support structure supporting the moveable electrode becomes unstable when the moveable electrode moves too close to the fixed electrode. By repositioning the fixed electrode from being directly underneath the moving electrode, a much wider range of controllable motion is achievable. Wide ranges of controllable motion are particularly important in optical switching applications.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a semiconducting polymer layer protected by an insulating polymer layer is described. In the method, a material for forming a semiconducting polymer and an insulating polymer are dissolved in a solvent. The blended solution is deposited on a substrate where the semiconducting polymer and insulating polymer segregate. Upon evaporation of the solvent, the semiconducting material forms the active region of a TFT and the insulating polymer minimizes the exposure of the semiconducting polymer to air.

Abstract: A method and structure for forming a spring structure that avoids undesirable kinks in the spring is described. The method converts a portion of a release layer such that the converted portion resists etching. The converted portion then serves as an anchor region for a spring structure deposited over the release layer. When the non-converted portions of the release layer are etched, the spring curls out of the plane of a plane.

Abstract: A system for printing is described. The system uses at least one cantilever, and more typically a plurality of cantilever to transfer charge, either to or from a dielectric surface. The resulting charge distribution represents an image. Toner deposited over the dielectric surface is attracted to the charged portions of the dielectric. Thus the toner also forms the image. The toner image is then transferred and affixed to a printing surface.

Abstract: A system for depositing a material is described. The system uses at least one cantilever, and more typically a plurality of cantilever to transfer small amounts of material from a source of material to a substrate surface. One application for the system is a printing system in which the material is an ink and the substrate is a sheet of paper. By repeating this process, the cantilever places many units of ink to form the pixels in an image.

Abstract: A system for depositing a material is described. The system uses at least one cantilever, and more typically a plurality of cantilever to transfer small amounts of material from a source of material to a substrate surface. One application for the system is a printing system in which the material is an ink and the substrate is a sheet of paper. By repeating this process, the cantilever places many units of ink to form the pixels in an image.

Abstract: An improved method and system for printing electric paper is described. The method utilizes a system for keeping a writing characteristic, such as an electric charge or an electric current, constant with each pixel of an electric paper as the electric paper moves through a system. By keeping the electrical characteristic constant at each pixel, as the electric paper moves, the throughput of an electric paper printing system is significantly enhanced.

Abstract: An improved method of interconnecting electronic devices is described. In the method a blended material for forming a conducting layer and an insulating layer are deposited between a contact of a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The blended material leads to formation of a conductor overlayed by an insulator such that after formation, the conductor is capable of carrying current from the first electronic device to the second electronic device and the insulator forms a protective layer over the conductor.

Abstract: A system for printing is described. The system uses at least one cantilever, and more typically a plurality of cantilever to transfer charge, either to or from a dielectric surface. The resulting charge distribution represents an image. Toner deposited over the dielectric surface is attracted to the charged portions of the dielectric. Thus the toner also forms the image. The toner image is then transferred and affixed to a printing surface.

Abstract: An improved method of analyzing target analytes in a sample is described. The method is based on anti-resonant guided optical waveguides which enables a strongly improved light-target interaction since the light can be guided within the target-containing medium. The light-target interaction can be monitored by many different means to determine characteristics of the target analyte. The anti-resonant waveguide concept is suitable for a large variety of characterization methods and combinations of them, since it is relatively unaffected by changes to both wavelength and film thickness.

Abstract: A phase array of oxide confined VCSELs and a method for forming the phase array of oxide confined VCSELs is described. VCSELs in the array are designed to be simultaneously addressed such that the output of multiple VCSELs can be used to increase the light intensity at a point. In applications where beam coherence from the VCSEL array is desirable, high gain coupling regions break the continuity of the oxide wall surrounding each VCSEL aperture. The high gain coupling regions connect adjacent VCSELs in the VCSEL array thereby allowing mode coupling between adjacent lasers and the output of a coherent beam of light.

Abstract: A method and system for masking a surface to be etched is described. The method includes the operation of heating a phase-change masking material and using a droplet source to eject droplets of a masking material for deposit on a thin-film or other substrate surface to be etched. The temperature of the thin-film or substrate surface is controlled such that the droplets rapidly freeze after upon contact with the thin-film or substrate surface. The thin-film or substrate is then treated to alter the surface characteristics, typically by depositing a self assembled monolayer on the surface. After deposition, the masking material is removed. A material of interest is then deposited over the substrate such that the material adheres only to regions not originally covered by the mask such that the mask acts as a negative resist. Using such techniques, feature sizes of devices smaller than the smallest droplet printed may be fabricated.

Abstract: A novel method of forming a released metal spring structure is described. In the method, a release layer including a blowing agent is deposited, usually printed, over portions of a substrate. A metal film is deposited over both the release layer and the substrate. The release layer is then heated such that the blowing agent decomposes releasing a portion of the metal film. The metal film curls out of the plane of the substrate to form a spring structure.