Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate, a back contact layer disposed above the substrate, an absorber layer comprising an absorber material disposed above the back contact layer, and a buffer layer disposed above the absorber layer. The buffer layer includes a first layer comprising the absorber material doped with zinc, and a second layer comprising a zinc-containing compound and a cadmium-containing compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor wafer, a semiconductor chip and a semiconductor package. The semiconductor wafer includes a first pad, a first inter-layer dielectric and a second pad. The first pad is disposed on a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and has a solid portion and a plurality of through holes. The first inter-layer dielectric covers the first pad. The second pad is disposed on the first inter-layer dielectric and has a solid portion and a plurality of through holes, wherein the through holes of the first pad correspond to the solid portion of the second pad.

Abstract: An illuminated electronic display sign suitable for a transit vehicle comprises a support frame with a mounting surface, a plurality of lighting elements disposed on or attached to the mounting surface, and electronic circuitry configured to provide commands to selectively illuminate the lighting elements so as to create text or other information thereon. The lighting elements each comprise a semiconductor-based light source and an optical cap, each having a transparent layer portion and a diffusion layer portion. The optical caps may be generally rectangular in shape, aligned in a two-dimensional grid having rows and columns and are substantially adjacent to one another, with narrow gaps therebetween for increased display area. The optical caps may be asymmetrical, with a flat upper portion and a gradually tapering top surface to help reduce glare. A control system including wireless circuitry may be used to control multiple electronic display signs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a solar cell. The apparatus includes a housing defining a vacuum chamber and a rotatable substrate apparatus configured to hold a plurality of substrates on a plurality of surfaces. A first sputtering source is configured to deposit a plurality of absorber layer atoms of a first type over at least a portion of a surface of each one of the plurality of substrates. An evaporation source is configured to deposit a plurality of absorber layer atoms of a second type over at least a portion of the surface of each one of the plurality of substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor wafer, a semiconductor chip and a semiconductor package. The semiconductor wafer includes a first pad, a first inter-layer dielectric and a second pad. The first pad is disposed on a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and has a solid portion and a plurality of through holes. The first inter-layer dielectric covers the first pad. The second pad is disposed on the first inter-layer dielectric and has a solid portion and a plurality of through holes, wherein the through holes of the first pad correspond to the solid portion of the second pad.

Abstract: A user interface is displayed in a handheld device, and is used to control an electronic device electrically connected to the handheld device. The user interface includes at least one function selection region, an execution region, and a display region. The execution region is surrounded by the function selection region, and is electrically connected to the function selection region. The execution region is used to execute a function of the function selection region, and is used to send a comment corresponding to the execution region to the electronic device. When the function selection region is selected, the display region displays first information corresponding to the function selection region. When the execution region is pressed, the display region displays second information fed back from the electronic device to the handheld device in accordance with the comment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic device including a coupler, a noise-estimation apparatus and an assembly unit. The coupler receives a baseband signal. The noise-estimation apparatus receives the baseband signal and subtracts a predetermined synchronization preamble from the baseband signal to obtain a noise-estimation signal, and the predetermined synchronization preamble is a transmission signal that conforms to the standards of 802.11bg and/or IEEE 802.11n. The assembly unit receives the baseband signal and subtracts a noise-estimation signal from the baseband signal to obtain an output signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor wafer, a semiconductor chip and a semiconductor package. The semiconductor wafer includes a first pad, a first inter-layer dielectric and a second pad. The first pad is disposed on a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and has a solid portion and a plurality of through holes. The first inter-layer dielectric covers the first pad. The second pad is disposed on the first inter-layer dielectric and has a solid portion and a plurality of through holes, wherein the through holes of the first pad correspond to the solid portion of the second pad.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a solar cell. The apparatus includes a housing defining a vacuum chamber and a rotatable substrate apparatus configured to hold a plurality of substrates on a plurality of surfaces wherein each of the plurality of surfaces are disposed facing an interior surface of the vacuum chamber. A first sputtering source is configured to deposit a plurality of absorber layer atoms of a first type over at least a portion of a surface of each one of the plurality of substrates. An evaporation source is disposed in a first subchamber of the vacuum chamber and configured to deposit a plurality of absorber layer atoms of a second type over at least a portion of the surface of each one of the plurality of substrates. A first isolation source is configured to isolate the evaporation source from the first sputtering source.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a solar cell includes a housing defining a vacuum chamber, a rotatable substrate support, at least one inner heater and at least one outer heater. The substrate support is inside the vacuum chamber configured to hold a substrate. The at least one inner heater is between a center of the vacuum chamber and the substrate support, and is configured to heat a back surface of a substrate on the substrate support. The at least one outer heater is between an outer surface of the vacuum chamber and the substrate support, and is configured to heat a front surface of a substrate on the substrate support.

Abstract: Apparatuses for forming material films on a solar cell substrate of substantially uniform thickness and processes for forming the same are disclosed. The process performed in the apparatuses is physical vapor deposition (PVD) in some embodiments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a specially configured flow aperture. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes moveable shutters which open and close in synchronization with a rotating drum on which substrates are mounted for processing. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a variable power supply or drum speed control which automatically vary the power supply to the apparatus or drum speed respectively in synchronization with the rotating drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a solar cell comprises a housing defining a chamber including a substrate support. A sputtering source is configured to deposit particles of a first type over at least a portion of a surface of a substrate on the substrate support. An evaporation source is configured to deposit a plurality of particles of a second type over the portion of the surface of the substrate. A cooling unit is provided between the sputtering source and the evaporation source. A control system is provided for controlling the evaporation source based on a rate of mass flux emitted by the evaporation source.

Abstract: A USB HUB is provided. The USB HUB comprises a wireless communication module, a storage module, a USB interface connected to a host outside of the USB HUB and a HUB controller. The storage module stores a driver program of the wireless communication module. The USB interface transfers data with the host. The HUB controller is coupled to the USB interface, the wireless communication module and the storage module. The HUB controller disables the storage module and enables the wireless communication module when the driver program has been installed in the host.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations and methods useful in the control of ectoparasites on a domestic animal, using a formulation comprising Indoxacarb and a veterinarily acceptable carrier that is applied topically to 10% or less of the total surface area of a domestic animal. Other embodiments include these formulations also including one or more additional pesticides such as fipronil.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of fabricating a piezoelectric device through micromachining piezoelectric-on-silicon wafer. The wafers are constructed so that piezoelectric layer is a single wafer having a thin layer from 5 to 50 ?m.

Abstract: A Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (CMUT) having a membrane operatively connected to a top electrode and having a bottom electrode having a concave void. When a DC bias voltage is applied, the membrane is deflected towards the bottom electrode such that a peripheral edge region of the membrane is brought into close proximity with the bottom electrode and an electrostatic force proximal to the peripheral edge region of the membrane is increased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a solar cell. The apparatus includes a housing defining a vacuum chamber and a rotatable substrate apparatus configured to hold a plurality of substrates on a plurality of surfaces wherein each of the plurality of surfaces are disposed facing an interior surface of the vacuum chamber. A first sputtering source is configured to deposit a plurality of absorber layer atoms of a first type over at least a portion of a surface of each one of the plurality of substrates. An evaporation source is disposed in a first subchamber of the vacuum chamber and configured to deposit a plurality of absorber layer atoms of a second type over at least a portion of the surface of each one of the plurality of substrates. A first isolation source is configured to isolate the evaporation source from the first sputtering source.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations and methods useful in the control of ectoparasites on a domestic animal, using a formulation comprising Indoxacarb and a veterinarily acceptable carrier that is applied topically to 10% or less of the total surface area of a domestic animal. Other embodiments include these formulations also including one or more additional pesticides such as fipronil.

Abstract: The invention includes a core-and-shell dosage form or unit in which the core contains API and in which the shell substantially governs the release such as by controlling diffusion of API through the shell. The shell may comprise a release-blocking polymer, and particles of a release-regulating polymer. The shell may be substantially impervious but the release-regulating polymer may become suitable to allow diffusion through it when activated. The core may include a buffer region between the shell and the API-containing portion of the core. The dosage form may include multiple units. The dosage form of the invention is capable of providing a release profile whose time scale can be adjusted by adjusting powder composition, and which may be approximately zero-order release. The invention further includes methods of manufacturing such a dosage form, such as three-dimensional printing.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a chalcogenide or chalcopyrite-based semiconductor material provide for the simultaneous deposition of metal precursor materials from a target and Se radials from a Se radical generation system. The Se radical generation system includes an evaporator that produces an Se vapor and a plasma chamber that uses a plasma to generate a flux of Se radicals. Multiple such deposition operations may take place in sequence, each having the deposition temperature accurately controlled. The deposited material may include a compositional concentration gradient or may be a composite material, and may be used as an absorber layer in a solar cell.