Abstract: An electrode is disclosed. The electrode includes a substrate having macropores therein. A barrier support layer, established on the substrate, has micropores therein. The macropores and at least some of the micropores are substantially lined with an electrolyte layer. A catalyst is in ionic contact with the electrolyte layer. A current collector is in electrical contact with the catalyst. A barrier layer is established on the barrier support layer and is electrically isolated from the current collector.

Abstract: A method of enhancing catalyst reactivity includes (1) depositing a conductive oxide on a suitable substrate, (2) depositing a thin film of catalyst on top of the conductive oxide to form a sandwich structure, and (3) annealing the structure at a, suitable temperature so that the thin film of catalyst forms nano structure hillocks that enhance the catalyst reactivity. An improved fuel cell may use an anode or cathode, or both, formed according to the above method. Such an anode or cathode will include a catalyst nano hillock structure formed on top of a conductive material layer.

Abstract: A thin film semiconductor and a method of its fabrication use induced crystallization and aggregation of a nanocrystal seed layer to form a merged-domain layer. The nanocrystal seed layer is deposited onto a substrate surface within a defined boundary. A reaction temperature below a boiling point of a reaction solution is employed. A thin film metal-oxide transistor and a method of its production employ the thin film semiconductor as a channel of the transistor. The merged-domain layer exhibits high carrier mobility.

Abstract: A printable composition for use in forming a printed element by printing and curing is described. The printable composition comprises a plurality of nanostructures of a first type that, upon printing and curing, form an arrangement defining intermediate volumes thereamong. The printable composition further comprises a plurality of nanostructures of a second type that, upon printing and curing, at least partially fill the intermediate volumes to promote smooth surface topography and reduced porosity in the printed element.

Abstract: Contact printing can be used to form electrically active micro-features on a substrate. An ink formulation containing an oxide precursor is used to form the micro-features, which are heat cured to form oxides. Various precursors are illustrated which can be used to form conducting, insulating, and semiconductor micro-features.

Abstract: Image development methods, hard imaging devices, and image members are described. According to one embodiment, an image development method includes providing an image member comprising a surface having different portions of different electrical conductivities, wherein one of the portions defines an imaging pattern of an image, providing a development agent comprising a plurality of electrically charged image particles and a plurality of electrically charged charge directors over the image member, providing an electrical field proximate the image member having the development agent over the image member, and using the electrically charged charge directors and the electric field, directing the electrically charged image particles to the one of the portions of the surface of the image member to develop the image.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a liquid-type fuel cell and method of use are disclosed. The fuel delivery system includes a fuel tank and a fuel controller. The fuel tank stores a concentrated fuel, which is delivered to a chamber containing a diluted fuel. The fuel delivery is controlled by the fuel controller such that the fuel concentration of the diluted fuel is maintained in an optimal range.

Abstract: A common carrier for forming multiple printheads thereon and method of forming thereof is described. The common carrier includes a carrier substrate for adhering a plurality of unprocessed, integrateable semiconductor chips. Once adhered, the carrier substrate is lithographically processed to form a plurality of integrated circuit (IC) printhead chips such that alignment of the IC chips on the carrier substrate has the precision of lithographic alignment tolerances which is well within printhead alignment requirements.

Abstract: Remote communications devices, wireless communications systems, remote communications device operable methods, and retail article monitoring methods are described. According to one embodiment, a remote communications device includes communications circuitry configured to implement wireless communications with respect to another wireless communications device and a configurable portion configured to be altered, and wherein the remote communications device is configured to respond to wireless interrogation signals from the another wireless communications device, and incident at the remote communications device with the configurable portion in an unaltered condition and wherein the remote communications device is insensitive to the wireless interrogation signals from the another wireless communications device and incident at the remote communications device with the configurable portion in an altered condition.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for production of conductive paths can include a printable composition including a liquid carrier and a plurality of nanostructures. The plurality of nanostructures can have an aspect ratio of at least about 5:1 within the liquid carrier. Examples of nanostructures include nanobelts, nanoplates, nanodiscs, nanowires, nanorods, and mixtures of these materials. These printable compositions can be used to form a conductive path on a substrate. The printable composition can be applied to a substrate using any number of conventional printing techniques. Following application of the printable composition, at least a portion of the liquid carrier can be removed such that the nanostructures can be in sufficient contact to provide a conductive path. The nanostructures arranged in a conductive path can be sintered or used as a conductive material without sintering.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of printing on electrically writable media and electrically writable displays are described. In one aspect, a printer for printing on an electrically writable medium includes a source of an invisible charge species, and a charge species projector. The charge species projector is operable to project charge species from the source onto the medium to electrically reorient switchable display elements in the medium. In another aspect, a portable storage device that includes a memory and an electrically writable medium is received. Data is written to the memory of the portable data storage device. The electrically writable medium of the portable data storage device is printed on by electrically reorienting switchable display elements in the medium. In another aspect, an electrically writable display includes an electrically writable medium that is incorporated into a continuous web having an outward-facing side and an inward-facing side.

Abstract: A metal-coated, wire-reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane that is permeable only to protons and hydrogen is disclosed. The metal-coated, wire-reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane has a surface microstructure that prevents cracking of the metal coating during hydration. The metal-coated, wire-reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane can be used in liquid-type fuel cells to prevent crossover of fuel, gas and impurities.

Abstract: A method of enhancing performance of liquid-type fuel cells by adding additives to the liquid fuel. For example, hemoglobin, surfactants, oxygen scavengers, and chelating agents, may be added to the fuel to resolve problems such as CO poisoning of catalyst, wettability of electrodes, and electrode poisoning, and therefore enhance the performance of the fuel cell. The additives may be added individually based on needs, or mixed in a desired ratio for a given type of fuel cell. The additives may be used on a regular basis to improve fuel efficiency and prolong the life span of the fuel cells. The additives may also be pre-packed for field use when high quality fuel is not available.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a fuel cell includes an electrolyte body, a plurality of microstructures formed into or extending out of the electrolyte body, and thin film layers formed on the electrolyte body. A microstructure possesses a depth or a height and includes one or more sidewalls and a bottom surface. A sidewall of the microstructure advantageously creates a significant unobstructed diffusion area, wherein protons may travel laterally into or out of the electrolyte body. Therefore, when a proton is generated by the interaction of the fuel with a thin film catalyst layer, the proton may travel laterally only a short distance in order to enter or exit the electrolyte body, thereby improving the performance of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A common carrier for forming multiple printheads thereon and method of forming thereof is described. The common carrier includes a carrier substrate for adhering a plurality of unprocessed, integrateable semiconductor chips. Once adhered, the carrier substrate is lithographically processed to form a plurality of integrated circuit (IC) printhead chips such that alignment of the IC chips on the carrier substrate has the precision of lithographic alignment tolerances which is well within printhead alignment requirements.

Abstract: A structure useful as a composite electrolyte for a fuel cell includes a metal film, a polymeric electrolyte material, and at least one hydrophilic layer disposed between the metal film and the polymeric electrolyte material, thereby promoting adhesion of the polymeric electrolyte material to the metal film. Methods for making and using the composite electrolyte, a fuel cell, and electronic devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for sintering a porous coating on an open-structure substrate, i.e., a substrate with pre-made pores or openings. The open-structure substrate is spread with a coating paste that is prepared with such a viscosity so that the paste will not drip through the pores/openings on the open-structure substrate. The coating paste is then sintered to form a porous layer on the surface of the open-structure substrate. Optionally, the porous coating may be further coated with a catalyst for fuel cell applications.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a liquid-type fuel cell and method of use are disclosed. The fuel delivery system includes a fuel tank and a fuel controller. The fuel tank stores a concentrated fuel, which is delivered to a chamber containing a diluted fuel. The fuel delivery is controlled by the fuel controller such that the fuel concentration of the diluted fuel is maintained in an optimal range.

Abstract: A common carrier for forming multiple printheads thereon and method of forming thereof is described. The common carrier includes a carrier substrate for adhering a plurality of unprocessed, integrateable semiconductor chips. Once adhered, the carrier substrate is lithographically processed to form a plurality of integrated circuit (IC) printhead chips such that alignment of the IC chips on the carrier substrate has the precision of lithographic alignment tolerances which is well within printhead alignment requirements.

Abstract: A passivation layer for a thermal ink jet printhead is provided. The material of the passivation layer can be a Co-based alloy with 25-30 wt % Cr or an Fe-based alloy with ≦10 wt. % Co, ≦20 wt. % Cr, ≦10 wt. % Mn. The passivation layer is amorphous and the surface is substantially atomically smooth or has a controlled surface roughness. The passivation layer displays resistance to cavitation and chemical corrosion and is conformally disposed over a resistor by sputtering or other physical vapor deposition techniques.