Abstract: An alloy having a large band gap range is used in a multijunction solar cell to enhance utilization of the solar energy spectrum. In one embodiment, the alloy is In1?xGaxN having an energy bandgap range of approximately 0.7 eV to 3.4 eV, providing a good match to the solar energy spectrum. Multiple junctions having different bandgaps are stacked to form a solar cell. Each junction may have different bandgaps (realized by varying the alloy composition), and therefore be responsive to different parts of the spectrum. The junctions are stacked in such a manner that some bands of light pass through upper junctions to lower junctions that are responsive to such bands.

Abstract: A system and apparatus providing power management and legacy support. An uninterruptable power supply is combined with a bus control module. The bus control module provides legacy support through a single connectivity. The bus control module monitors and controls power distribution within the system. A bus hub unit is coupled to the bus control module and provides a plurality of ports to which bus functions may be coupled.

Abstract: A telemetry system for radio-frequency communications between an implantable medical device and an external device providing improved noise immunity is disclosed. Multiple communications channels are used to enable establishment and re-establishment of communications between a particular pair of devices in a multiple device environment.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) apparatus and methods for surface acoustic wave (SAW) switching are disclosed. The apparatus includes a piezoelectric substrate having spaced apart input and output SAW transducers. A MEMS switch is arranged between the input and output SAW transducers The MEMS switch has a deformable member in electromagnetic communication with one or more actuation electrodes formed on or above the substrate. The deformable member is deformable to mechanically contact the substrate to deflect or absorb a SAW generated by the input SAW transducer.

Abstract: In a process of making a container barrier upon a heat spreader, the heat spreader is augmented with a cold-formed o-ring, and thereafter, it is bonded to a die. A liquid solder is filled into the space created by the o-ring. The thermal interface material can also have one of several footprints to facilitate heat transfer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided through which a template in the spatial domain is generated and combined with an image. Later, the combined image can be decoded to determine the extent of scaling and or shifting or the combined image. The template comprises at least one vertical or horizontal band. The horizontal band(s) determine the extent of scaling and/or shifting along the vertical axis, and the vertical bands determine the extent of scaling and/or shifting along the horizontal axis of the combined image. Using both horizontal and vertical bands enables decoding of shifting and scaling along both axis, and creates a grid. Each band specifies a predetermined characteristic of modifying the luminance of the corresponding pixels of the image. In one alternative, the modification of the image is performed to the extent that the bands are invisible to the naked eye.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection unit includes a channel, a passive filter, and an electrostatic discharge protection circuit. The passive filter and the electrostatic discharge protection circuit are formed on a substrate. The electrostatic discharge protection circuit couples the channel to the passive filter. A method includes, for a channel having a bandwidth determining the bandwidth, and generating a transfer function for a passive filter which when combined in series an electrostatic discharge protection circuit and the channel yields a combination transfer function which has a combination bandwidth that is greater than the channel transfer function bandwidth.

Abstract: A pipe breaking assembly is shown with a modular design that allows a user to more economically purchase a single base unit that is adaptable using a number of elements. Combinations of elements such as blade portions and expander cones, etc. allow the modular assembly to be tailored to a variety of job conditions. A pipe breaking assembly is shown that includes a particular configuration where a blade portion is located in front of a shortened expander cone. The shortened expander cone provides a lower contact area that in turn reduces friction.

Abstract: A method of preparing a plasticised particulate polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composition is provided, comprising: mixing, in a mixer, at a mixer speed and for a time sufficient that the mixture attains a temperature of at least 50° C.: particulate PVA resin in an amount from 80% to 90% by weight of the mixture; and plasticiser in an amount from 10% to 20% by weight of the mixture, wherein at least a portion of the plasticiser is water; monitoring the apparent viscosity of the mixture during mixing and continuing mixing until the apparent viscosity of the mixture has peaked to a maximum and dropped off to a substantially constant level, thereby to obtain a plasticised particulate mixture having a moisture content in the range from 7% to 14%; preferably adding an anti-caking agent in an amount from 0.05% to 0.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongated tube and an elongated rod having a holding member on one end, the holding member is adapted to hold an end of a lead such that the end of the lead can be pulled through the elongated tube resulting in minimal forces on the lead.

Abstract: A capacitor with reduced equivalent series resistance and reduces equivalent series inductance is provided. Capacitors are provided with multiple plate assemblies that couple to a common single first polarity terminal. Capacitors are also provided with multiple plate assemblies that each couple to a respective second polarity terminal. Fan-like plate assemblies are arranged to provide increased capacitance with reduced equivalent series resistance and reduces equivalent series inductance. Capacitors are provided that mount using surface mounting technology. Capacitors are provided that conform to existing capacitor form factors.

Abstract: A tubular, polyurethane reinforced suture sleeve is disclosed. The suture sleeve comprises a tubular body and a sleeve wall. A circumference of the sleeve wall is reinforced with polyurethane or other suitable material. When the sleeve wall is reinforced in this manner, it reduces the risk of cutting through the sleeve and damaging the lead with a tightening suture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple and efficient process for the preparation of pencil lead from the spent or waste pot liners of aluminum industries, said process comprising steps of crushing the liners into small sizes, adding chromic acid to the crushed liners, washing the reacted product with distilled water, thermally shock-treating the dried mass to obtain a fine flowing graphite powder, mixing the powder with binder(s), moistening the mixture with requisite amount of water to form a stiff dough, extruding the dough under pressure to obtain product in the form of a discs, heating the dried discs in an inert/reducing atmosphere in a furnace at temperature ranging between 400–1200° C. for time duration ranging between 1 to 6 hours, and obtaining the pencil lead.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system provides an endocardial cardiac rhythm management lead with an at least partially dissolvable coating at least partially on insulating portions of the lead body at or near its distal end. Upon dissolution, the coating promotes tissue ingrowth to secure the lead in place within fragile vascular structures or elsewhere. Dissolution of one such coating releases a therapeutic agent, such as a steroid that modifies the fibrotic scar tissue content of tissue ingrowth, such that the resulting bond between the tissue and the lead is weak, so that the lead can be easily extracted if desired. One such lead includes an insulating elongate body carrying at least. The lead also includes an at least partially dissolvable coating on an insulating portion of the peripheral distal lead surface. The coating provides one or more of a rough surface, a porous surface, or a swollen surface after being exposed to an aqueous substance.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system includes an implantable device executing a dynamic pacing algorithm after an myocardial infarction (MI) event. The dynamic pacing algorithm dynamically adjusts one or more pacing parameters based on a person's gross physical activity level. Examples of the one or more pacing parameters include atrioventricular pacing delays and pacing channels/sites. The dynamic pacing algorithm provides for improved hemodynamic performance when a person's metabolic need is high, and post MI remodeling control when the person's metabolic need is low.

Abstract: The invention provides genetic approaches to inhibit or treat pain which employ mutant ? opioid receptors.

Abstract: A cardiac device in which heart rate variability is computed in order to detect changes indicative of cardiac ischemia. In the case where the device is a pacemaker, the device may alter its pacing mode to limit the rate at which paces are delivered when ischemia is detected. Examples of such pacing mode alterations include discontinuing of rate-adaptive pacing, modification of the responsiveness of the rate-adaptive algorithm, or the decreasing of the maximum allowable pacing rate.

Abstract: A process of making an electrical coupling stack is disclosed. A conductive structure is coupled to a substrate. The coupling includes a crystalline salicide first structure above the conductive structure, a nitrogen-containing amorphous salicide second structure above the crystalline salicide first structure, and a refractory metal third film above the nitrogen-containing amorphous salicide second structure. Processing includes depositing a refractory metal silicide first film over the conductive structure, depositing a refractory metal nitride second film over the refractory metal silicide first film, and depositing the refractory metal third film over the refractory metal nitride second film. Thermal processing is carried out to achieve the electrical coupling stack.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes providing a semiconductor substrate that includes a memory container having a double-sided capacitor. The method also includes vapor phase etching a layer adjacent to the side wall of the memory container with a vapor having a surface tension lowering agent.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided with double-sided hemispherical silicon grain (HSG) electrodes for container capacitors. In an embodiment, container capacitors for a semiconductor device have a cup-shaped bottom electrode with an interior surface including HSG polysilicon and an exterior surface including smooth polysilicon. A barrier layer may be formed within the container that defines the container capacitor.