Abstract: This disclosure describes metal air battery devices with an anode structure having a plurality of electrodes. An anode is disclosed having a metal source as well as a current collector that together function as an active, reversible, working anode. The source is used for metal-ions that are stripped and stored in the current collector. At this point the current collector contains the metal-ions to be propagated through the rest of the device. Metal-ions may be stripped from and deposited on the current collector, while metal-ions may only be stripped from the source. Upon use of the device metal-ions may be lost to the system for a variety of reasons. To counteract the loss of metal-ions, the current collector is replenished of metal-ions from the source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flaw detection and monitoring at elevated temperatures with wireless communication using surface embedded, monolithically integrated, thin-film, magnetically actuated sensors, and methods for fabricating the sensors. The sensor is a monolithically integrated, multi-layered (nano-composite), thin-film sensor structure that incorporates a thin-film, multi-layer magnetostrictive element, a thin-film electrically insulating or dielectric layer, and a thin-film activating layer such as a planar coil. The method for manufacturing the multi-layered, thin-film sensor structure as described above, utilizes a variety of factors that allow for optimization of sensor characteristics for application to specific structures and in specific environments. The system and method integrating the multi-layered, thin-film sensor structure as described above, further utilizes wireless connectivity to the sensor to allow the sensor to be mounted on moving components within the monitored assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a method for making layers of I-III-VI semiconductor materials for use in photovoltaic cells, and particularly for making CIS and variations on CIS, such as CIGS and CIGSS. The method includes formation of a plurality of precursor films of the elemental components and at least one final heat treatment step in which the final semiconductor material is formed, with the precursor film for at least one III component being deposited prior to any precursor film including the I component.

Abstract: A photonically controlled antenna array is made of a plurality of stacked light waveguides made of a material such as silicon whereon each of which one or more photonically controlled antenna elements are mounted. Light is injected into ones of the light waveguides and reflects therein until it is absorbed by the antenna elements mounted thereon due to the higher refractive index of silicon. When the photonically controlled antenna elements are illuminated they are switched to a conductive state and can transmit and receive electromagnetic signals. When no light is injected into the light waveguide the photonically controlled antenna elements are not illuminated and are in a non-conductive state wherein they cannot receive or transmit electromagnetic signals.