Abstract: An electrolytic cell is provided for the electrochemical separation of selected metals from electrodissociatable compounds thereof in the molten state utilizing as electrode separator a plurality of solid electrolyte tubes which, under the influence of an electrical potential, are permeable to the flow of selected cations, but impermeable to fluids and the flow of anions and other cations. Electrical switching means are provided with each tube for starting and stopping production of molten metal therein, and for providing a removable electrical path between a cathodic element of the cell and the molten metal in each tube.

Abstract: A solar cell coverslide, oversize to protect the cell against damage from radiation, is modified to have an edge portion configured to bend light incident on said edge portion inwardly toward an underlying solar cell. An adhesive fillet may be formed between the undersurface of the overhanging portion of the coverslide and the top edge of the solar cell to facilitate further the transmission of light striking the configured edge portion into the solar cell.

Abstract: A method of anodizing a compound semiconductor comprises(1) plating a metal on the compound semiconductor,(2) contacting the exposed surface of the metal with an electrolyte which permits anodic oxidation of the metal, and(3) passing an electric current through the electrolyte with the exposed surface of the metal acting as an anode, the current density not exceeding 100 microamps per square centimeter of the surface and the quantity of current being more than sufficient to oxidize anodically all the metal.

Abstract: An electrode is described which includes a current collector and a porous conducting substrate. The electric resistance of the conducting substrate is varied generally by a shaped structure resulting in low and high electrical resistance portions. The improved electrode increases the uniformity of electrodeposited zinc thereon.

Abstract: A portable sensor for measuring the corrosion endangering and electrochemical protection of a metal structure buried in an electrolyte in a current field. An elongated carrier made of an electrically nonconductive material, whose longer dimension is at least double its shorter dimension, said carrier having two extremities, is provided with a reference electrode on one of its extremities, and the carrier is fitted with at least one other electrode, e.g., an auxiliary metal electrode.

Abstract: Providing printed circuitry in a sandwiched relation with a pair of flexible layers of non-conductive material, depositing solder pads on the printed circuitry and storing the resulting substrate on a drum, withdrawing the substrate from the drum and incrementally advancing it along a linear path, serially transporting solderless solar cells into engagement with the pads and thereafter heating the pads for thus attaching the cells to the circuitry, cleaning excess flux from the solar cells, encapsulating the cells in a protective coating and thereafter spirally winding the resulting array on a drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a completely closed plasma trap in an r.f. type glow discharge system to enable enhanced sputtering from a pair of electrodes so that substrates may be suitably coated. The electrode pairs may be post type, hollow or planar, in various shapes with and without end wings. All configurations utilize a cooperating magnetic field, provided by field coils external or internal to the electrodes, the magnetic field being shaped to define with the electrodes at least one plasma containing trap having axial symmetry imposed by the magnetic field and/or the electrode structure. The trap may be defined by the pair of electrodes acting in concert with each other and the magnetic field, one or more traps may be defined separately by each electrode and the magnetic field, or both types of traps may exist simultaneously in a hybrid situation. Means are also disclosed for mounting, centering, cooling, assembling and making electrical contact with various of the electrode structures.

Abstract: Bombardment some intermetallic compounds above a sufficient target voltage V.sub.o can be used for etching substrates. Etching a substrate located in an evacuated chamber involves bombardment of an intermetallic compound or alloy comprising for example Au, Pt, etc. and a metallic element such as Eu, La, Cs, etc. with ions so that a large flux of negative Au, Pt, etc. ions is produced which etches a substrate located nearby. Such bombardment is achieved by placing an Au, Pt, etc. intermetallic composition target in a sputtering chamber using an argon sputtering gas, located opposite from a substrate. A gold alloy or compound target can be SmAu, EuAu, LaAu, CsAu, etc. The target of Au, Pt, etc. and a rare earth element, etc. is bombarded by sputtering gas atoms excited by RF or D.C. energy, creating negative metal ions by sputtering.

Abstract: A support for a solar cell array includes means for positioning the solar cells and limiting the relative movement of the cells. Integral rib stiffeners are provided as well as at least one integral junction box. The support further includes a perimeter skirt which may be used for connecting modules having the support to each other or to a mounting standard.

Abstract: A hollow bipolar electrode is provided which comprises an anode member and a cathode member. Each member has a base structure and a plurality of removably attached blades or plates extending from the active surfaces of the base structures. The blades or plates are arranged to intermesh when the elctrodes are arranged in a cell. In a preferred embodiment the blades are comprised of a plurality of nested U-shaped sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a completely closed plasma trap in an r.f. type glow discharge system to enable enhanced sputtering from a pair of electrodes so that substrates may be suitably coated. The electrode pairs may be post type, hollow or planar, in various shapes with and without end wings. All configurations utilize a cooperating magnetic field, provided by field coils external or internal to the electrodes, the magnetic field being shaped to define with the electrodes at least one plasma containing trap having axial symmetry imposed by the magnetic field and/or the electrode structure. The trap may be defined by the pair of electrodes acting in concert with each other and the magnetic field, one or more traps may be defined separately by each electrode and the magnetic field, or both types of traps may exist simultaneously in a hybrid situation. Means are also disclosed for mounting, centering, cooling, assembling and making electrical contact with various of the electrode structures.

Abstract: At least one cylinder having electrically conductive portions and in tangential contact with a metallic tube is associated with a tank filled with electrolyte which is brought to the contact surface between cylinder and tube as a result of rotational motion imparted to the cylinder or to the tube by suitable driving means. An electric current generator is connected to the metallic tube and to at least one of the conductive portions of the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of improving the current supply of electrolysis cells such as used in the production of aluminum by igneous electrolysis of alumina dissolved in cryolite, in which the cells are aligned in a lengthwise direction, allowing the harmful influence of the induced magnetic fields to be reduced.In a series, each cell is supplied with current from the preceding cell both via the head and via at least one side riser. The output of the cathode bars are divided into two separate groups, the upstream group supplying the head of the subsequent cell and the downstream group supplying the side risers of the subsequent cell. This produces a substantial improvement in the efficiency and a greater regularity.

Abstract: An electrolytic process and a cathode structure for use in the process for treatment of an elongated strip of metal as the strip is passed between an anode immersed in an acidic anolyte solution and a cathode immersed in a basic catholyte solution separated from the anolyte solution by an ion-permeable membrane. The cathode structure includes means for directing a flow of the catholyte solution through a chamber enclosing a negatively-charged cathode plate to cool the structure and to remove hydrogen gas which is evolved on the active cathode surface to increase the efficiency of the electrolytic process.

Abstract: To produce magnesium and chlorine, a melt of anhydrous chlorides of magnesium, potassium and sodium is subjected to electrolysis. The molar ratio of potassium chloride to magnesium chloride in the initial mixture of chlorides ranges from 0.9 to 5.0 and the molar ratio of potassium chloride to sodium chloride in the melt ranges from 1.2 to 2.7 with the content of sodium chloride ranging from 19 to 38% by weight.

Abstract: A surface treating process for a copper foil for use in a printed circuit, in which the surface of a copper foil is subjected to a cathodic treatment in an electrolytic bath of an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid, containing nickel and copper ions, with the copper foil being used as a cathode.The copper foil thus subjected to cathodic treatment is brought into contact with an aqueous solution containing one of sodium hexametaphosphate .alpha.-nitroso R salt, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, rubeanic acid, anthranilic acid, benzenesulfonamide, phthalic acid, potassium dichromate.

Abstract: Modular structures for the collection, concentration and conversion of solar energy to another usable form such as electrical energy. The structures feature three conic section reflective surfaces, two of which focus in front of a receiver element and off the axis of the structure. The third reflective surface is utilized to redirect that energy which would otherwise miss the receiver element to improve overall efficiency.

Abstract: An interconnection system for interconnecting a plurality of photovoltaic devices. The photovoltaic devices each have a first and a second side and the interconnect system is located on the second side of the photovoltaic devices. A sheet of dielectric material and a sheet of electrically conductive material are bonded together and positioned so that the dielectric material is next to the photovoltaic devices. A plurality of patterns are formed in the sheet of electrically conductive material. The patterns each have angled tabs punched therein so that the angled tabs are punched through both the electrically conductive material and the dielectric material. When a photovoltaic device is positioned within a group of angled tabs, the angled tabs can be brought into contact with electrical contacts on the first side of the photovoltaic device. The group of angled tabs are electrically common to a part of the pattern which has an extended portion which extends beneath an adjacent photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A sputtering method and target for depositing a crack-resistant metal coating on plastic is described. The target consists essentially of Cr, 5 to 30% Fe and 0 to 5% scavenger elements. Al, Ce, La, Ti and Zr, among others, are preferred scavengers. ABS plastic is a preferred substrate. The coated articles have the appearance of bright chromium metal, and are useful as automotive trim.

Abstract: Isolating the anode shield of RF sputtering apparatus from the ground potential reduces the grounded surfaces to which the plasma is exposed and thereby increases the impedance between the plasma and the grounded surfaces. This improvement increases the resputtering rate significantly before the operating point of instability in the system is reached.