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: Methods and compositions for the optimization of production of influenza viruses suitable as influenza vaccines are provided.

Abstract: Crystal growth performed in situ facilitates interconnection of prefabricated nano-structures. The nano-structures are immersed in a growth solution having a controllable saturation condition. Changing the saturation condition of the solution modifies a size of the immersed nanowires. The solution includes a solute of a nano-structure precursor material. The saturation condition is changed to one or both etch material from a surface of the nano-structures and initiate crystal growth on the nano-structure surface. A nano-structure interconnection system includes the growth solution and equipment to deposit the prefabricated nano-structures on a substrate. An interconnected structure includes a plurality of nano-structures disposed on a substrate in a cluster and a liquid phase-grown crystal lattice on surfaces of the nano-structures to form physical interconnections between the plurality. An ink formulation includes the plurality of nano-structures suspended in the growth solution.

Abstract: Crystal growth performed in situ facilitates interconnection of prefabricated nano-structures. The nano-structures are immersed in a growth solution having a controllable saturation condition. Changing the saturation condition of the solution modifies a size of the immersed nanowires. The solution includes a solute of a nano-structure precursor material. The saturation condition is changed to one or both etch material from a surface of the nano-structures and initiate crystal growth on the nano-structure surface. A nano-structure interconnection system includes the growth solution and equipment to deposit the prefabricated nano-structures on a substrate. An interconnected structure includes a plurality of nano-structures disposed on a substrate in a cluster and a liquid phase-grown crystal lattice on surfaces of the nano-structures to form physical interconnections between the plurality. An ink formulation includes the plurality of nano-structures suspended in the growth solution.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the optimization of production of influenza viruses suitable as influenza vaccines are provided.

Abstract: Fuel delivery system and method for delivering liquid fuel to an electrode in a liquid-type fuel cell are disclosed. The liquid fuel is passively delivered to a reaction surface of an electrode by capillary force through a porous structure. The porous structure has a shape and a capillary force distribution to facilitate fuel flow, and can be part of a fuel cartridge for easy transportation and storage of fuel.

Abstract: A self-aligning nanowire includes a nanowire portion and an aligning member attached to the nanowire portion. The aligning member interacts with another aligning member on an adjacent self-aligning nanowire to align the nanowires together. A method of aligning nanowires includes providing a plurality of the self-aligning nanowires, suspending the plurality in a carrier solution, and depositing the suspended plurality on a substrate. An ink formulation includes the plurality of suspended self-aligning nanowires in the carrier solution. A method of producing the self-aligning nanowire includes providing and associating the nanowire portion and the aligning member such that the nanowire produced is self-aligning with another nanowire.

Abstract: Crystal growth performed in situ facilitates interconnection of prefabricated nano-structures. The nano-structures are immersed in a growth solution having a controllable saturation condition. Changing the saturation condition of the solution modifies a size of the immersed nanowires. The solution includes a solute of a nano-structure precursor material. The saturation condition is changed to one or both etch material from a surface of the nano-structures and initiate crystal growth on the nano-structure surface. A nano-structure interconnection system includes the growth solution and equipment to deposit the prefabricated nano-structures on a substrate. An interconnected structure includes a plurality of nano-structures disposed on a substrate in a cluster and a liquid phase-grown crystal lattice on surfaces of the nano-structures to form physical interconnections between the plurality. An ink formulation includes the plurality of nano-structures suspended in the growth solution.

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: Crystal growth performed in situ facilitates interconnection of prefabricated nano-structures. The nano-structures are immersed in a growth solution having a controllable saturation condition. Changing the saturation condition of the solution modifies a size of the immersed nanowires. The solution includes a solute of a nano-structure precursor material. The saturation condition is changed to one or both etch material from a surface of the nano-structures and initiate crystal growth on the nano-structure surface. A nano-structure interconnection system includes the growth solution and equipment to deposit the prefabricated nano-structures on a substrate. An interconnected structure includes a plurality of nano-structures disposed on a substrate in a cluster and a liquid phase-grown crystal lattice on surfaces of the nano-structures to form physical interconnections between the plurality. An ink formulation includes the plurality of nano-structures suspended in the growth solution.

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: A fuel cell electrode assembly includes an electrolyte, a porous diffusion layer, and a catalyst layer interposed between the electrolyte and the diffusion layer. The catalyst layer includes a mixture of one or more catalysts supported by a conducting high surface area structure(s), one or more polymeric electrolytes, and a plurality of fibers. The plurality of fibers each has an average diameter greater than about 100 nm.

Abstract: A thin film electrolyte assembly includes a frame and a thin film at least partially contacting the frame. The thin film includes a metal layer having two opposed sides, a large surface area metal layer established on each of the two opposed sides of the metal layer, and an electrolyte membrane established on each of the large surface area metal layers.

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 microsturcture 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: 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: Schemes for labeling a portable data storage device storing a collection of image data are described. In one aspect, an image processing apparatus includes a port, a label composer, and a print module. The port may be configured to receive a portable data storage device having a memory configured to store a collection of image data and a digital label including a plurality of display elements each capable of presenting one of at least two possible colors. The label composer may be operable to select at least one image in a collection of image data being stored in the memory of a portable data storage device received in the port as representative of the image data collection. The print module may be coupled to the port and the label composer.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly having a substantially solid polymer electrolyte membrane positioned between opposed catalyst layers. The polymer electrolyte membrane has a dimension that is relatively larger than a comparable dimension of at least one of the catalyst layers, such that the polymer electrolyte membrane has an uncovered portion. The fuel cell assembly also includes a gasket attached to the uncovered portion of the polymer electrolyte membrane. The gasket extends beyond a periphery of the polymer electrolyte membrane and the gasket is formed of a polymer material. In addition, the gasket is configured to substantially seal the edges of the polymer electrolyte membrane to substantially prevent leakage of fuel or oxidant between an anode side and a cathode side of the membrane electrode assembly.

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: 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: A method of forming a three-dimensional object comprises ejecting drops of liquefied material into a vat using an ejector; scanning the ejector in first and second mutually opposed directions to induce the drops of liquefied material from the ejector to deposit and solidify in a predetermined sequence to sequentially form layers of the three-dimensional object; supplying a viscous liquid into the vat to a level which is essentially level with the top of a most recently formed layer of the three-dimensional object; and raising the level of the viscous liquid in accordance with the formation of new layers.