Abstract: A shock absorber designed for insertion within a container. The shock absorber presents a support surface on one side intended to contact the surface of one or more items contained within the container, and a spring side including compression elements, in contact with an interior surface of the container, intended to urge the support surface into contact with the items contained within the container. Use of the Shock absorber of the invention may eliminate the need for foam inserts or cushions, which can greatly reduce outgassing of anions or cations generally associated with foam. The container and shock absorber may be suitable for reuse and recycling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-stress testing a large number of electrical components having axial leads. The components are aligned in parallel so that the leads at one end terminate in approximately one plane and the leads at the other end terminate approximately in a second plane parallel to the first one. A pair of planar electrodes are applied to the respective ends of the leads and the electrodes are connected to the power source that applies the desired test voltage.

Abstract: A high voltage, fast acting electronic switch is formed from a reverse-biased PIN diode having an exposed intrinsic region, together with a controllable optical source for emitting radiation directly onto the intrinsic region to switch the diode from its non-conducting state to its conducting state.

Abstract: A photovoltaic energy converter for converting incident radiant energy, such as solar energy, to electrical energy. The converter comprises a cell formed from a plurality of integrally interconnected p-n junction-containing semiconductor wafers. The wafers are stacked end-to-end in the cell so that the respective junctions in each wafer are parallel to each other. The efficiency and performance of the cell is improved, particularly upon exposure to concentrated sunlight, by imposing various conditions on the cell fabrication and design.

Abstract: A photovoltaic energy converter for converting incident radiant energy, such as solar energy, to electrical energy. The converter comprises a cell formed from a plurality of integrally interconnected p-n junction-containing semiconductor wafers. The wafers are stacked end-to-end in the cell so that the respective junctions in each wafer are parallel to each other. The efficiency and performance of the cell is improved, particularly upon exposure to concentrated sunlight, by imposing various conditions on the cell fabrication and design.