Abstract: A variable, closed-loop apparatus for regulating a microfluidic flow that employs a low-power deflection assembly, which is surface-mounted over a flexible membrane overlying a chamber integrated into a microfabricated platform. A flexible membrane, movable between two positions, sealingly overlies the chamber. One of the positions of the membrane restricts the flow through the chamber to a greater degree than the other position. A deflection assembly disposed on the substrate over the membrane unidirectionally deflects the membrane, thereby regulating the flow through the chamber.

Abstract: Methods of creating a workpiece having a smooth side and a textured side are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first side of a workpiece is doped, using ion implantation or diffusion, to create a doped layer. This doped layer of the first side may be more resistant to chemical treatment than the second side of the workpiece. This allows the second side of the workpiece to be textured without capping or otherwise protecting the doped first side, even though the doped layer of the first side physically contacts the chemical treatment. In some embodiments, a p-type dopant is used to create the doped layer. In some embodiments, the workpiece is processed to form a solar cell.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell has a semiconductor substrate formed from semiconductor material doped by a first dopant type, and a doped region over at least a portion of the substrate. The doped region is doped by a second dopant type that is opposite to that of the first dopant type to form an emitter. Moreover, the doped region is doped to a region dopant level. In addition to the substrate and emitter, the cell also has a plurality of semiconductor fingers formed on the emitter, a plurality of busbars formed from a conductor and intersecting the plurality of semiconductor fingers, and a plurality of tabs soldered to the busbars. The fingers are doped by the second dopant type to have a second dopant level, which is greater than the region dopant level.

Abstract: The invention provides a miniaturized, implantable drug delivery device and a method of delivering over a prolonged period of time one or more drugs using such a device. The drug delivery device can be adapted for attachment to the outer surface of an eye. Once attached to the outer surface of an eye, the device can deliver one or more drugs directly into the eye for preventing or ameliorating the symptoms of a particular ocular disorder.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell has a photosensitive substrate and a plurality of fingers in ohmic contact with the substrate. At least one of the fingers has an average width of less than about 95 microns. The cell also has a plurality of busbars in ohmic contact with the fingers. At least two of the busbars that are spaced less than about 38 millimeters apart intersect the at least one finger (i.e., the finger(s) having an average width of less than about 95 microns).

Abstract: Electrostatic capacitance measurements are used to detect chemical or biological analytes, or chemical interactions, with great sensitivity. A diaphragm is coated with a material capable of selectively interacting with an analyte of interest, and interaction of the analyte with the coating exerts stresses tangential to the diaphragm's surface. These stresses cause diaphragm displacements that are sensed as varying capacitance.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate having first and second surfaces applies a first dopant in liquid form on the first surface of the substrate, and applies a second dopant in liquid form on the second surface of the substrate. The method then causes the first and second dopants to diffuse into the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in parallel reaction of materials. The apparatus includes a base having a plurality of reaction wells formed therein and a sealing device positioned over the reaction wells for individually sealing each of the reaction wells. One of the sealing device and the base having chamfered ridges extending generally around a periphery of each of said plurality of reaction wells. The other of the sealing device and the base having a contact surface formed of a material softer than the material of the chamfered ridges to create a knife-edge seal between the sealing device and the base when the sealing device and the base are forced into contact with one another.

Abstract: A sensor readout circuit which provides a frequency signal output including a phase detector circuit responsive to an output signal from a sensor and an input signal to the sensor and configured to detect the phase difference between the input signal and the output signal, and a drive circuit responsive to the phase detector circuit and configured to maintain a fixed phase difference between the input signal and the output signal.

Abstract: Noble metal/reducible metal oxide catalysts effective for the direct amination of aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic analogs thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the cataloxidant comprises a noble metal selected from Pd, Rh, Ir and/or Ru and a reducible metal oxide. In another embodiment, the cataloxidant comprises a noble metal and a reducible oxide of a metal selected from Ni, Mn, V, Ce, Th, Pr, Te, Re, Co, Fe, Cu and/or Bi. A preferred cataloxidant comprises one or more noble metals selected from Pd, Rh, Ir and/or Ru, in combination with nickel oxide and/or manganese oxide. In preferred applications, benzene can be aminated in the presence of the cataloxidants to form aniline. A benzene conversion of at least 5% is achieved, with more than 90% selectivity for aniline. Significantly, the cataloxidant can be regenerated without a substantial loss of performance.

Abstract: A molecular recognition sensor system for detecting the presence and concentration of an analyte including a resistive sensor having a semiconductive polymer film which swells when exposed to an analyte and interferents and a molecular imprinted resistive sensor having a semiconductive polymer film imprinted with the analyte which thereby swells when exposed to interferents, a circuit connected to the resistive sensor and the molecular imprinted resistive sensor for detecting a change in the resistance of the resistive sensor when exposed to the analyte and the interferents, the change in the resistance of the molecular imprinted resistive sensor when exposed to the analyte and interferents, and for subtracting the change in resistance of the molecular imprinted resistive sensor from the change in resistance of the resistive sensor to reduce the effect of any interferents on the change in resistance of the resistive sensor thereby determining the presence and concentration of the analyte.

Abstract: Methods and devices for rapidly analyzing groups of reactions are disclosed. The method includes the steps of contacting a fluid sample from one of the reaction mixtures with a sorbent, trapping at least one component of the fluid sample on the sorbent, and detecting the at least one component of the fluid sample trapped on the sorbent. The contacting step, the trapping step, and the detecting step are carried out at least once for each of the reaction mixtures in rapid serial or parallel fashion. The present invention is useful for screening combinatorial libraries, especially libraries of catalysts made through parallel synthesis, but the disclosed methods and devices can be used to analyze a broad spectrum of chemical transformations.

Abstract: A sensor readout circuit which provides a frequency signal output including a phase detector circuit responsive to an output signal from a sensor and an input signal to the sensor and configured to detect the phase difference between the input signal and the output signal, and a drive circuit responsive to the phase detector circuit and configured to maintain a fixed phase difference between the input signal and the output signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a miniaturized, implantable drug delivery device and a method of delivering over a prolonged period of time one or more drugs using such a device. The drug delivery device can be adapted for attachment to the outer surface of an eye. Once attached to the outer surface of an eye, the device can deliver one or more drugs directly into the eye for preventing or ameliorating the symptoms of a particular ocular disorder.

Abstract: Methods and devices for rapidly analyzing groups of reactions are disclosed. The method includes the steps of contacting a fluid sample from one of the reaction mixtures with a sorbent, trapping at least one component of the fluid sample on the sorbent, and detecting the at least one component of the fluid sample trapped on the sorbent. The contacting step, the trapping step, and the detecting step are carried out at least once for each of the reaction mixtures in rapid serial or parallel fashion. The present invention is useful for screening combinatorial libraries, especially libraries of catalysts made through parallel synthesis, but the disclosed methods and devices can be used to analyze a broad spectrum of chemical transformations.

Abstract: Methods and devices for rapidly analyzing groups of reactions are disclosed. The method includes the steps of contacting a fluid sample from one of the reaction mixtures with a sorbent, trapping at least one component of the fluid sample on the sorbent, and detecting the at least one component of the fluid sample trapped on the sorbent. The contacting step, the trapping step, and the detecting step are carried out at least once for each of the reaction mixtures in rapid serial or parallel fashion. The present invention is useful for screening combinatorial libraries, especially libraries of catalysts made through parallel synthesis, but the disclosed methods and devices can be used to analyze a broad spectrum of chemical transformations.

Abstract: Nickel is introduced into the construction of the rear electrical contacts on silicon solar cells to reduce contact resistance between the aluminum contact material and the silver pads. In one embodiment, the nickel is applied as an intermediate layer between the silicon substrate and each silver pad. In a second and preferred embodiment, the nickel is incorporated into the silver ink that is used to make the soldering pads.

Abstract: A method of applying metallized contacts to a solar cell substrate, the front surface of which is covered with a dielectric layer. The method involves forming a plurality of apertures extending through the dielectric layer using a laser beam and defining a grid-shaped electrode. The apertures comprise a plurality of microscopically-sized holes that are arranged in a series of rows, with the holes being spaced a relatively short distance from one another. Nickel is plated onto the portions of the substrate exposed through the apertures. The nickel plating is then overcoated with copper which is preferably applied by a contactless light-induced plating process. The copper plating process causes copper to be deposited so that it bridges over the dielectric layer between the holes so as to form an integrated grid electrode structure.