Abstract: A biaxially textured crystalline layer formed on a substrate using ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) is provided. The biaxially textured crystalline layer includes an oriented CaF2 crystalline layer having crystalline grains oriented in both in-plane and out-of-plane directions, where the out-of-plane orientation is a (111) out-of-plane orientation. The oriented CaF2 crystalline layer is disposed for growth of a subsequent epitaxial layer and the CaF2 crystalline layer is an IBAD CaF2 layer. The biaxially textured CaF2 layer can be used in a photovoltaic cell, an electronic or optoelectronic device, an integrated circuit, an optical sensor, or a magnetic device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for fabrication of a semitransparent conductive mesh. A first solution having conductive nanowires suspended therein and a second solution having nanoparticles suspended therein are sprayed toward a substrate, the spraying forming a mist. The mist is processed, while on the substrate, to provide a semitransparent conductive material in the form of a mesh having the conductive nanowires and nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are configured and arranged to direct light passing through the mesh. Connections between the nanowires provide conductivity through the mesh.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for fabrication of a semitransparent conductive mesh. A first solution having conductive nanowires suspended therein and a second solution having nanoparticles suspended therein are sprayed toward a substrate, the spraying forming a mist. The mist is processed, while on the substrate, to provide a semitransparent conductive material in the form of a mesh having the conductive nanowires and nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are configured and arranged to direct light passing through the mesh. Connections between the nanowires provide conductivity through the mesh.

Abstract: An up-converting electrode and a solar cell that combines the up-converting electrode are disclosed. The up-converting electrode comprises a material that up-converts light from longer wavelengths to shorter wavelengths and an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material increases the efficiency of the up-converting material such that more light is up-converted. The up-converting electrode can also serve as an electrical contact for the solar cell.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a front surface of a donor substrate is placed upon a surface of an acceptor substrate, with the front surface having donor material formed thereupon. A portion of the donor material is transferred from the donor substrate to a target surface region of the acceptor substrate, by applying a localized-force to a back surface of the donor substrate that is opposite the donor material in the region being transferred. The force is applied in such a way that, if or when the donor and acceptor substrates are physically separated, a portion of the donor material remains on the acceptor substrate in the region(s) the force was applied.

Abstract: A biaxially textured crystalline layer formed on a substrate using ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) is provided. The biaxially textured crystalline layer includes an oriented CaF2 crystalline layer having crystalline grains oriented in both in-plane and out-of-plane directions, where the out-of-plane orientation is a (111) out-of-plane orientation. The oriented CaF2 crystalline layer is disposed for growth of a subsequent epitaxial layer and the CaF2 crystalline layer is an IBAD CaF2 layer. The biaxially textured CaF2 layer can be used in a photovoltaic cell, an electronic or optoelectronic device, an integrated circuit, an optical sensor, or a magnetic device.

Abstract: A 1D nanobeam photonic crystal cavity is provided that includes a substrate, where the substrate includes a dielectric medium, and a series of cutout features in the substrate, where each cutout feature includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface, where the first curved surface and the second curved surface form a meniscus shape, where the series of cutout features include an array of sizes of the meniscus shape cutouts, where edges of the meniscus shape and the array of sizes are disposed to form a pair of opposing parabolic dips proximal to a central region of the series of cutout features.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for fabrication of a semitransparent conductive mesh. A first solution having conductive nanowires suspended therein and a second solution having nanoparticles suspended therein are sprayed toward a substrate, the spraying forming a mist. The mist is processed, while on the substrate, to provide a semitransparent conductive material in the form of a mesh having the conductive nanowires and nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are configured and arranged to direct light passing through the mesh. Connections between the nanowires provide conductivity through the mesh.

Abstract: A 1D nanobeam photonic crystal cavity is provided that includes a substrate, where the substrate includes a dielectric medium, and a series of cutout features in the substrate, where each cutout feature includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface, where the first curved surface and the second curved surface form a meniscus shape, where the series of cutout features include an array of sizes of the meniscus shape cutouts, where edges of the meniscus shape and the array of sizes are disposed to form a pair of opposing parabolic dips proximal to a central region of the series of cutout features.

Abstract: An up-converting electrode and a solar cell that combines the up-converting electrode are disclosed. The up-converting electrode comprises a material that up-converts light from longer wavelengths to shorter wavelengths and an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material increases the efficiency of the up-converting material such that more light is up-converted. The up-converting electrode can also serve as an electrical contact for the solar cell.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for fabrication of a semitransparent conductive mesh. A first solution having conductive nanowires suspended therein and a second solution having nanoparticles suspended therein are sprayed toward a substrate, the spraying forming a mist. The mist is processed, while on the substrate, to provide a semitransparent conductive material in the form of a mesh having the conductive nanowires and nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are configured and arranged to direct light passing through the mesh. Connections between the nanowires provide conductivity through the mesh.

Abstract: A biaxially textured crystalline layer formed on a substrate is provided. The biaxially textured crystalline layer includes an oriented CaF2 crystalline layer having crystalline grains oriented in both in-plane and out-of-plane directions, where the out-of-plane orientation is a (111) out-of-plane orientation. The oriented CaF2 crystalline layer is disposed for growth of a subsequent epitaxial layer and the CaF2 crystalline layer comprises an IBAD CaF2 layer. The biaxially textured CaF2 layer can be used in a photovoltaic cell, an electronic or optoelectronic device, an integrated circuit, an optical sensor, or a magnetic device.

Abstract: Composite films formed from blends of semiconducting and insulating materials that phase separate on patterned substrates are provided. Phase separation provides isolated and encapsulated areas of semiconductor on the substrate. Processes for preparing and using such composite films are also provided, along with devices including such composite films.

Abstract: Black matrix (BM) material is deposited on glass and patterned to form walls that define an array of wells. Various surface treatments and masking schemes are utilized to achieve surface energy control of the BM glass. The surface treatments include one or more of chemically treating the BM walls by depositing hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers on the uppermost wall surfaces, and plasma treatments to control the surface energy of the various BM glass surfaces. Masking processes include backside exposure and development of photoresist, and maskless, self-aligned photo-patterning of the monolayers. Color filter ink is then injected into each well from an ink jet print head. The high surface energy of the lower and side wall surfaces facilitates wetting of the ink, and the low surface energy of the monolayers prevents intermixing of ink between adjacent wells. The ink then dries to form a color filter in each well.

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 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: Black matrix (BM) material is deposited on glass and patterned to form walls that define an array of wells. Various surface treatments and masking schemes are utilized to achieve surface energy control of the BM glass. The surface treatments include one or more of chemically treating the BM walls by depositing hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers on the uppermost wall surfaces, and plasma treatments to control the surface energy of the various BM glass surfaces. Masking processes include backside exposure and development of photoresist, and maskless, self-aligned photo-patterning of the monolayers. Color filter ink is then injected into each well from an ink jet print head. The high surface energy of the lower and side wall surfaces facilitates wetting of the ink, and the low surface energy of the monolayers prevents intermixing of ink between adjacent wells. The ink then dries to form a color filter in each well.

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 transistor array for a display or sensor device is described. The display or sensor device includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a width and a length. Each pixel is addressed by a transistor. The transistor addressing each pixel has a channel with a channel width. Each channel width is greater than the width or length of the pixel being addressed. By fabricating transistors with extremely long channel widths, lower mobility semiconductor materials can easily be used to fabricate the display device.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method of fabricating the electronic device includes forming a first electrical contact, a dielectric layer and a second electrical contact wherein the dielectric layer is located between the first and the second electrical contacts, forming an electrically insulating layer over the dielectric layer and the first electrical contact, exposing the first and second electrical contact, the dielectric layer and a first portion of the electrically insulating layer to radiation from the side of the first electrical contact, removing a second portion of the electrically insulating layer that was not irradiated by the radiation, providing a semiconductor material over a portion of the dielectric layer, and forming at least a third electrical contact over at least a portion of the electrically insulting layer and the semiconductor material.