Abstract: A longer-lasting lithium battery cathode includes a current collector, a cathode active material layer, and a protective film. The cathode active material layer is coated on the current collector. The protective film layer is coated on the cathode active material layer, and the protective film layer consists of inorganic particles.

Abstract: A longer-lasting lithium battery anode includes a current collector, an anode active material layer, and a protective film. The anode active material layer is coated on the current collector. The protective film is coated on the anode active material layer, and the protective film consists of inorganic particles.

Abstract: An exemplary protective envelope for a portable electronic device includes a hollow main body and a cleaning roller arranged in the hollow main body. The hollow main body defines therein an opening for insertion of the portable electronic device therethrough. The cleaning roller is rotatably fixed in the hollow main body.

Abstract: An exemplary sound-activated light source system includes a light source device and a sound-activated controlling device. The sound-activated controlling device includes an acoustoelectric transforming member and a controlling circuit. The acoustoelectric transforming member includes electroactive polymer artificial muscle for converting an acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The controlling circuit is electrically coupled to the acoustoelectric transforming member and the light source device, and is configured for controlling at least one of brightness and color of light emitting from the light source device based on the electrical signal received from the acoustoelectric transforming member.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a main body and a solar cell module. The main body has electric components. The solar cell module is mounted in the main body. The solar cell module is configured for supplying electric energy to the electric components of the main body. The solar cell module includes a solar cell, a cell cover and a light diverging lens. The solar cell has a light-absorbing surface. The cell cover faces the light-absorbing surface. The cell cover defines a through hole therein. The light diverging lens is engaged in the through hole. The light diverging lens faces toward the light-absorbing surface and is configured for diverging light transmitted therethrough.

Abstract: A method for assembling a lens module with an image sensor, includes providing a holder having first and second receiving spaces, disposing the image sensor in the second receiving space, locating lens barrel at a first position in the first receiving space, casting a light beam on the lens module to allow the lens module to converge the light beam into a light spot on the image sensor, determining if the light spot is at its smallest to determine if a distance between the lens module at the first position and the image sensor is equal to a focal length of the lens module, moving the lens module to a second position in the first receiving space to achieve a predetermined distance from the first position, and positioning the lens module at the second position.

Abstract: A solar cell assembly includes a first solar cell panel, a second solar cell panel, and at least one light guide assembly. The first solar cell panel has at least one first through hole defined therein. The second solar cell panel faces and is spaced from the first solar cell panel. The at least one light guide assembly comprises a light diverging lens engaged in the first through hole of the first solar cell panel, and a light guide body aligned with the light diverging lens and located between the first and second solar cell panels. The light diverging lens is configured for diverging sunlight incident thereupon and forming diverged light. The light guide body has an incident surface for receiving the diverged light, and emitting surfaces for emitting light to the second solar cell panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing carbon nanotubes includes: a reaction chamber having an inlet at a bottom and an opposite outlet at a top thereof, and a substrate region configured for accommodating a substrate for growing carbon nanotubes thereon; an electric field generating device configured for generating an electric field around the substrate region, the electric field being substantially perpendicular to the substrate; and a magnetic field generating device configured for generating a magnetic field around the substrate region, the magnetic field being substantially perpendicular to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for removing a protective film from a surface of an article is provided. The protective film includes a primary protective layer (e.g., a diamond-like carbon layer) and a transition layer, the transition layer being formed directly upon the surface of the article and thereby facilitating an attachment/bond of the protective film to the article. The method includes the step of: disposing/placing the article having the protective film in a reaction chamber; bombarding the protective film (especially, the primary protective layer) with oxidative plasma beams along an edge portion of the protective film, the bombarding occurring until the transition layer in particular is exposed; and bombarding the transition layer with oxidative plasma beams to damage a configuration of the transition layer, thereby making it possible to remove the protective film.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for making nanopowder includes a reaction chamber (22), a first sprayer (25, 27), a second sprayer (26, 28) and a centrifuge (24). The reaction chamber includes a top portion (224); a bottom portion (227) opposite to the top portion; a peripheral sidewall (220, 223) interconnecting the top portion and the bottom portion; an inlet (222) formed in the top portion configured for introducing a solvent; and an outlet (229) formed in the bottom portion. The first sprayer is formed on the peripheral sidewall of the reaction chamber configured for spraying a first reactant into the reaction chamber. The second sprayer is formed in at least one of the top and bottom portions of the reaction chamber configured for spraying a second reactant into the reaction chamber. The centrifuge is connected with the outlet of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: An exemplary protective envelope for a portable electronic device includes a hollow main body and a cleaning roller arranged in the hollow main body. The hollow main body defines therein an opening for insertion of the portable electronic device therethrough. The cleaning roller is rotatably fixed in the hollow main body.

Abstract: A nanopowders synthesis apparatus includes a reaction chamber; a first sprayer communicated with the reaction chamber and configured for spraying a first reactant into the reaction chamber along a first direction; and a second sprayer communicated with the reaction chamber and configured for spraying a second reactant into the reaction chamber along a second direction. A nanopowders synthesis method is also provided.

Abstract: A nanopowders synthesis apparatus includes a reaction chamber, the reaction chamber having a top portion, a bottom portion opposite to the top portion, a sidewall adjoining the top and the bottom portion, and an inlet and an outlet; a first sprayer formed in the sidewall configured for spraying a first reactant into the reaction chamber therefrom; and a second sprayer formed in the bottom portion configured for spraying a second reactant into the reaction chamber therefrom. The inlet formed in the top portion configured for injecting a liquid medium, and the outlet formed in the bottom portion configured for releasing the liquid medium. A nanopowders synthesis method is also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary sound-activated light source system includes a light source device and a sound-activated controlling device. The sound-activated controlling device includes an acoustoelectric transforming member and a controlling circuit. The acoustoelectric transforming member includes electroactive polymer artificial muscle for converting an acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The controlling circuit is electrically coupled to the acoustoelectric transforming member and the light source device, and is configured for controlling at least one of brightness and color of light emitting from the light source device based on the electrical signal received from the acoustoelectric transforming member.

Abstract: An exemplary method for producing carbon nanotubes includes the following steps. First, a reaction chamber is provided. The reaction chamber defines a reaction region therein. Second, a substrate having a catalyst layer formed thereon is provided. Third, the substrate is disposed in the reaction chamber. Fourth, a carbon-containing reactive gas is introduced into the reaction chamber so as to grow carbon nanotubes using a chemical vapor deposition method. The substrate is moved along a direction opposite to a growth direction of the carbon nanotubes whilst growing the carbon nanotubes, whereby tips of the carbon nanotubes are kept in the reaction region while the substrate is moved.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon nanotubes with a desired length includes the steps of: providing an array of carbon nanotubes; placing a mask having at least an opening defined therein on the array of carbon nanotubes, with at least one portion of the array of carbon nanotubes being at least partially exposed through a corresponding opening of the mask; forming a protective film on at least one exposed portion of the array of carbon nanotubes; removing the mask from the array of the carbon nanotubes, with the carbon nanotubes being compartmentalized into at least a first portion covered by the protective film and at least one uncovered second portion; breaking/separating the first portion from the second portion of the array of the carbon nanotubes using a chemical method, thereby obtaining at least a carbon nanotube segment with a protective film covered thereon; and removing the protective film from the carbon nanotube segment.

Abstract: A mixing system and method for manufacturing a thermal interface material are disclosed. The mixing system mainly includes a mixing chamber having a bottom portion, a first inlet, a second inlet, a spray nozzle, and an outlet. The first inlet is defined in the bottom portion and is configured for inflating a gas into the mixing chamber to form a gas vortex. The second inlet is defined in the mixing chamber and is configured for supplying a plurality of powdery thermally conductive particles to the gas vortex. The spray nozzle is disposed essentially facing the first inlet and is configured for spraying a liquid curable matrix material towards the gas vortex to admix the matrix material and the particles. The outlet is disposed adjacent the gas vortex and is configured for discharging the admixed matrix and particles from the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing carbon nanotubes is provided. The apparatus includes: a reaction chamber having an inlet and a outlet; a heater for elevating an interior temperature of the reaction chamber; and a gas guiding member coupled to the inlet and configured for introducing a carbon-containing gas into the reaction chamber, the gas guiding member including a gas-exiting portion arranged in the reaction chamber, the gas-exiting portion having a cavity defined therein and a flat perforated top wall, the perforated top wall being configured for supporting a substrate thereon and defining a route allowing the introduced carbon-containing gas to flow in a direction substantially perpendicular to a main plane of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for assembling a lens module with an image sensor, includes providing a holder having first and second receiving spaces, disposing the image sensor in the second receiving space, locating lens barrel at a first position in the first receiving space, casting a light beam on the lens module to allow the lens module to converge the light beam into a light spot on the image sensor, determining if the light spot is at its smallest to determine if a distance between the lens module at the first position and the image sensor is equal to a focal length of the lens module, moving the lens module to a second position in the first receiving space to achieve a predetermined distance from the first position, and positioning the lens module at the second position.

Abstract: A miniature motor includes an actuator and a transmission assembly. The actuator includes a chamber, an electrically conductive aqueous layer, a dielectric oily layer and two electrodes. The aqueous and oily layers are accommodated in the chamber. The oily layer contacts with the aqueous layer thereby forming a contact interface therebetween. The two electrodes are configured for producing an electric field to induce the aqueous layer to produce an electrowetting effect. The transmission assembly includes a thin film disposed at the interface and at least one transmission member. The thin film defines a first surface and a second surface, respectively, facing towards the aqueous and oily layers. A hydrophilic coating and a hydrophobic coating are, respectively, formed on the first and second surfaces. Each transmission member has a first end connected to one of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic coatings and a second end extending out of the chamber.