Abstract: An improved battery utilizing a hydrogen rechargeable anode of a disordered non-equilibrium multicomponent material including one or more elements forming a host matrix and at least one modifier element incorporated therein. The anode is capable of electrochemically absorbing hydrogen from an electrolyte during application of a charging current thereto. The hydrogen is stored in the anode bulk until discharge is initiated, whereupon an electrical current is produced when the hydrogen is released. The superior battery of the invention has attained high density energy storage, efficient reversibility, high electrical efficiency, bulk hydrogen storage without structural change or poisoning and hence long cycle life and deep discharge capability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for the storage and conversion of a light input into a corresponding output with light from another source. The device includes an improved liquid crystal light valve having as a photosensor layer a deposited memory semiconductor material which is reversibily convertible between a first stable, relatively high electrical resistance condition and a second stable, relatively low electrical resistance condition. Each change of state or condition will remain after cessation of the input until stimulated to reverse to the other state, thereby achieving a storage or memory function.

Abstract: A high performance, small area thin film transistor has a drain region, an insulating layer, and a source region at least portions of the edge of which form a non-coplanar surface with respect to a substrate. The insulative layer is formed in between the source and drain regions. A deposited semiconductor overlies the non-coplanar surface to form a current conduction channel between the drain and source. A gate insulator and gate electrode overly at least a portion of the deposited semiconductor adjacent thereto. The length of the current conduction channel is determined by the thickness of the insulative layer and therefore can be made short without precision photolithography. The non-coplanar surface can be formed by utilizing a dry process to simultaneously etch through several layers in a continuous one-step process. A second dielectric layer may be formed above the three previous layers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved method for making a stamping master for video disk replication wherein a film of material which is reversibly convertible between two stable states, one having a high electrical conductivity and the other having a low electrical conductivity, is deposited on a substrate while in one of the states. The material is then imaged with information in coded form by converting selected areas of the film to the other state in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the coded information. The conversion can be accomplished by light, electromagnetic energy or heat.At this stage, an intermediate subassembly, composed of the imaged film on the substrate, is formed which can be read for accuracy by detecting the state of the selectively converted areas with respect to the rest of the film. Corrections can be made by converting the state of selected areas of the film as required.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which includes a transmissive liquid crystal display of the type which may display a line of characters or symbols at a time, or which may display only a raster line in combination with an energy source and a controllable and transportable medium. The medium is exposed by energy from the source of energy passing through the liquid crystal display which acts as a mask for the source of energy. The liquid crystal display may be set by electrical signals manually generated such as by a keyboard or by signals automatically generated by use of other electronic equipment. In one alternate embodiment of the invention a large area two-dimensional liquid crystal display is used as a mask. In another embodiment of the invention a liquid crystal display is used as a mask for the purpose of exposing a photoconductive drum of the type used in xerography. A reflective liquid crystal display is disclosed in yet another embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A programmable cell for use in programmable electronic arrays such as PROM devices, logic arrays, gate arrays and die interconnect arrays. The cells have a highly non-conductive state settable and substantially non-resettable into a highly conductive state. The cells have a resistance of 10,000 ohms or more in the non-conductive state which are settable into the conductive state by a threshold voltage of 20 volts or less, a current of 25 milliamps or less, for 1000 microseconds or less. The cells in the conductive state have a resistance of 500 ohms or less. The cells have a maximum permittable processing temperature of 200.degree. centigrade or more and a storage temperature of 175.degree. centigrade or more. The cells can be formed from chalcogenide elements, such as germanium tellurium and selenium or combination thereof. The cells also can be formed from tetrahedral elements, such as silicon, germanium and carbon or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a parallel programmed electronic matrix array including the steps of forming at least one layer of a phase changeable material on a conductive substrate, wherein the phase changeable material has a substantially nonconductive state and a comparatively high conductive state. The layer is formed in one of the states. The method also includes irradiating selected areas of the layer to simultaneously convert the selected areas of the layer to the other one of the states to form selected substantially nonconductive layer portions and selected comparatively high conductive layer portions. Thereafter, in a preprogrammed embodiment, first and second sets of electrically conductive address lines are formed on respective opposite sides of the layer.

Abstract: A device and method for converting an X-ray image into a corresponding output image with light from a different source and a phosphorescent layer in conjunction with a liquid crystal light valve. The light valve includes a photosensor layer comprised of a deposited semiconductor material having distinct light and dark photoconductivities, the light photoconductivity being substantially greater than the dark photoconductivity.When impinged upon by an particular pattern of X-rays, the phosphorescent layer phosphoresces in a corresponding pattern, which phosphorescence in turn causes the semiconductor layer to be switched to its light photoconductivity in a pattern also corresponding to that of the input X-ray image. The pattern of switched semiconductor in the photosensor layer allows a biasing voltage to be switched over to the liquid crystal layer of the light valve in a corresponding pattern.

Abstract: Light influencing subassemblies and displays each having a structure in which all of the pixel electronic circuitry, including isolation devices where utilized, are located at one electrode side of each pixel electrode combination. The structure includes the subdivision of one pixel electrode into at least two spaced apart side-by-side electrode segments opposite a common electrode. The displays include light influencing material disposed between the segmented and common electrodes. The electrode segments further can include at least one isolation device coupled to at least one of the segments which facilitates selective excitation of the pixel elements and applied potential reversal across the electrodes during alternate display frames. The displays have an increased manufacturing yield, reduced capacitance and increased isolation. Also disclosed is a method of making the subassemblies and displays.

Abstract: A coating and method of depositing it is provided. The wear resistant coating comprises a thin layer of disordered boron and carbon applied to a substrate. The coating has good adherence and provides good resistance to wear so that it is useful as a tool coating. In a more specific embodiment, the coating is disordered boron carbide. The coating can have a high gloss and can also be used as a decorative coating.The coating can be made by sputtering boron and carbon onto a substrate. A bias voltage may be applied to the substrate during sputtering.In accordance with one embodiment, the disordered boron and carbon coating is of a composition B.sub.x C.sub.1-x where x is from about 0.60 to about 0.90.In accordance with another embodiment, an improved molding tool is provided that includes a disordered carbon coating on at least a portion of the working surface of the molding tool.

Abstract: A high speed digital electronic system includes a plurality of logic or switching circuits for providing one or more bits of discrete output in response to applied input signals. At least some of the circuits include devices switchable between at least two logic states, and are formed from materials of the type which exhibit increased switching speeds when maintained in a dynamic mode of operation. Signal source means apply to the system dynamic signals for maintaining the switchable devices in a dynamic mode of operation. The switchable devices are preferably formed from amorphous semiconductor alloys including silicon and may take the form of diodes to form AC logic AND gates, OR gates or a matrix selection circuit. The dynamic signals take the form of alternating major and minor clock pulses having a frequency between 10 and 40 megahertz. The logic circuits are arranged to form a binary adder.

Abstract: New and improved compacted or powder pressed materials for thermoelectric applications include a body formed from compacted powder material including at least bismuth and tellurium and at least one highly electrically conductive phase. The materials are made in accordance with the general method of the present invention by forming a particulate mixture containing the constituent elements of a first compound including at least bismuth and tellurium and the constituent elements of a second compound capable of forming at least one highly electrically conductive phase, and thereafter, compressing at least a portion of said particulate mixture to form a compacted body of the material. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the first and second compounds are first separately prepared from their respective constituent elements. The first and second compounds are then combined and heated to form a melt. Thereafter, the melt is cooled to solid material form and then crushed to form the particulate mixture.

Abstract: A method of depositing a preselected pattern of electrically conductive metallic material onto a layer of relatively transparent electrically conductive material. In its broadest form the method includes the single step of electroplating the electrically conductive metallic material onto the transparent conductive layer. The method has particular utility in electroplating metal grid patterns onto the indium tin oxide layer of an amorphous thin film photovoltaic device.

Abstract: An improved electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a blocking layer formed from a doped, microcrystalline semiconductor alloy. The blocking layer is adapted to cooperate with the photoconductive layer of the photoreceptor to prevent the injection of undesirable charge carriers into the bulk of the photoconductive layer. Also disclosed are methods for the fabrication of the improved photoreceptor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coated steel article, e.g., a stainless steel article, having a corrosion resistant coating of disordered silicon carboxynitride over at least a portion of the steel surface. Also disclosed is a method of forming an adherent, ductile, disordered silicon carboxynitride coating on a steel substrate by glow discharge deposition.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel active materials which reversibly store hydrogen under conditions which make them exceptionally well-suited for elecrochemical applications. These active materials have both novel compositions and structures. A first group of active material compositions incorporate the elements of titanium, vanadium, and nickel. A second group adds zirconium to the first group of active materials. A preferred third composition group adds chromium to the first group of active materials. These materials may be single or multiphase combinations of amorphous, microcrystalline, or polycrystalline structures. Preferably, these materials have a multiphase polycrystalline structure. Methods of reducing the size or of sizing these materials, as well as other hydride-forming alloys, also are provided. Methods of preparing the inventive hydrogen storage materials and fabricating electrodes from these active materials are contemplated.

Abstract: A method of making a parallel programmed electronic matrix array including the steps of forming at least one layer of a phase changeable material on a conductive substrate, wherein the phase changeable material has a substantially nonconductive state and a comparatively high conductive state. The layer is formed in one of the states. The method also includes irradiating selected areas of the layer to simultaneously convert the selected areas of the layer to the other one of the states to form selected substantially nonconductive layer portions and selected comparatively high conductive layer portions. Thereafter, in a preprogrammed embodiment, first and second sets of electrically conductive address lines are formed on respective opposite sides of the layer.

Abstract: A material for acting as a catalyst for hydrogen evolution in an electrolytic cell is formed from a host matrix including at least one transition element which is structurally modified by incorporating one or more modifier elements at least one of which is a transition element to improve its catalytic properties. The utilization of a disordered material, which can be any of a number of different disordered structures, makes possible the modification of local order chemical environments of the material to create catalytical active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Modifier elements, including for example Ti, Mo, Sr, Si, La, Ce, O and Co, structurally modify the local chemical environments of the host matrix formed of a transition element such as Ni, Mo, or Co to provide a material having an increased density of catalytically active sites which exhibits low overvoltages when utilized as a catalytic material for a electrolyte cell cathode.

Abstract: A catalytic body which is substantially amorphous is formed from at least two materials vacuum deposited on a cool substrate or sprayed on a cool surface to provide a local order non-equilibrium structural configuration. The amorphous body comprises a composition of at least one metal and a second component which maintains the amorphous character of the composition. The body has an increased number and desired type of catalytically active sites. In most applications, the composition includes at least initially a component which is removed by leaching or vaporization to leave a rough surface with a large surface to volume ratio. The resulting composition is sometimes annealed to relax or modify the local structure thereof to provide a more reactive structural configuration. In an electrode form of the invention, the catalytic body is highly conductive, resistant to corrosion and degradation under current reversal and has low overvoltage characteristics when used in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A catalytic material for electrochemically oxidizing hydrogen sulfide or another sulfur containing gas is provided to accomplish decomposition of the gas. The catalytic materials can be incorporated in an anode for use in a electrolytic cell for removing sulfur from a contaminated useful gas to produce useful sulfur products. The catalytic materials also can be incorporated in an anode for a fuel cell wherein hydrogen sulfide or other sulfur containing gas is utilized as the fuel which is oxidized at the anode to produce electrical energy. The catalytic materials of the present invention are of a disordered multicomponent material which includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of transition elements and at least one modifying element selected from the group consisting of sulfur and oxygen. The host matrix and substrate can also include a carbon containing composition.