Abstract: Apparatus and method for plasma deposition of thin film photovoltaic materials at microwave frequencies. The apparatus avoids deposition on windows or other microwave transmission elements that couple microwave energy to deposition species. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator with conduits passing therethrough that carry deposition species. The applicator transfers microwave energy to the deposition species to transform them to a reactive state conducive to formation of a thin film material. The conduits physically isolate deposition species that would react to form a thin film material at the point of microwave power transfer. The deposition species are separately energized and swept away from the point of power transfer to prevent thin film deposition. The invention allows for the ultrafast formation of silicon-containing amorphous semiconductors that exhibit high mobility, low porosity, little or no Staebler-Wronski degradation, and low defect concentration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for plasma deposition of thin film photovoltaic materials at microwave frequencies. The apparatus inhibits deposition on windows or other microwave transmission elements that couple microwave energy to deposition species. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator with conduits passing therethrough that carry deposition species. The applicator transfers microwave energy to the deposition species to transform them to a reactive state conducive to formation of a thin film material. The conduits physically isolate deposition species that would react to form a thin film material at the point of microwave power transfer. The deposition species are separately energized and swept away from the point of power transfer to prevent thin film deposition. The invention allows for the ultrafast formation of silicon-containing amorphous semiconductors that exhibit high mobility, low porosity, little or no Staebler-Wronski degradation, and low defect concentration.

Abstract: Devices are provided for separating and focusing charged analytes, comprising a separation chamber and two or more electrodes, for example, an electrode array. A membrane separates the separation chamber and the electrodes. The separation chamber of the device is configured, that is, the separation chamber has a shaped geometry, which serves to induce a gradient in an electric field generated by the electrodes in the electrode chamber. Optionally, molecular sieve is included in the separation chamber that is operative to shift the location at which a stationary focused band of a charged analyte forms under a given set of focusing process parameters. Methods are provided for separating and focusing charged analytes comprising introducing a first fluid comprising at least one charged analyte into the separation chamber of a device as just described, applying an electric field gradient to the charged analyte to focus the charged analyte in the electric field gradient.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for plasma deposition of thin film photovoltaic materials at microwave frequencies. The apparatus avoids unintended deposition on windows or other microwave transmission elements that couple microwave energy to deposition species. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator with conduits passing therethrough that carry deposition species. The applicator transfers microwave energy to the deposition species to activate or energize them to a reactive state conducive to formation of a thin film material. The conduits physically isolate deposition species that would react or otherwise combine to form a thin film material at the point of microwave power transfer. The deposition species are separately energized and swept away from the point of power transfer to prevent thin film deposition. Suitable deposition species include precursors that contain silicon, germanium, fluorine, and/or hydrogen.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for plasma deposition of thin film photovoltaic materials at microwave frequencies. The apparatus inhibits deposition on windows or other microwave transmission elements that couple microwave energy to deposition species. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator with conduits passing therethrough that carry deposition species. The applicator transfers microwave energy to the deposition species to transform them to a reactive state conducive to formation of a thin film material. The conduits physically isolate deposition species that would react to form a thin film material at the point of microwave power transfer. The deposition species are separately energized and swept away from the point of power transfer to prevent thin film deposition. The invention allows for the ultrafast formation of silicon-containing amorphous semiconductors that exhibit high mobility, low porosity, little or no Staebler-Wronski degradation, and low defect concentration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for plasma deposition of thin film photovoltaic materials at microwave frequencies. The apparatus avoids deposition on windows or other microwave transmission elements that couple microwave energy to deposition species. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator with conduits passing therethrough that carry deposition species. The applicator transfers microwave energy to the deposition species to transform them to a reactive state conducive to formation of a thin film material. The conduits physically isolate deposition species that would react to form a thin film material at the point of microwave power transfer. The deposition species are separately energized and swept away from the point of power transfer to prevent thin film deposition. The invention allows for the ultrafast formation of silicon-containing amorphous semiconductors that exhibit high mobility, low porosity, little or no Staebler-Wronski degradation, and low defect concentration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for plasma deposition of thin film photovoltaic materials at microwave frequencies. The apparatus avoids deposition on windows or other microwave transmission elements that couple microwave energy to deposition species. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator with conduits passing therethrough that carry deposition species. The applicator transfers microwave energy to the deposition species to transform them to a reactive state conducive to formation of a thin film material. The conduits physically isolate deposition species that would react to form a thin film material at the point of microwave power transfer. The deposition species are separately energized and swept away from the point of power transfer to prevent thin film deposition. The invention allows for the ultrafast formation of silicon-containing amorphous semiconductors that exhibit high mobility, low porosity, little or no Staebler-Wronski degradation, and low defect concentration.

Abstract: Devices are provided for determining the isoelectric point of a charged analyte, comprising a titration chamber and an electrode chamber. The electrode chamber comprises at least two electrodes, for example, an electrode array. Either or both of the titration chamber and the electrode chamber may have a shaped geometry. The electrodes are operative, in conjunction with the shaped geometry of the chamber(s) where appropriate, to generate an electric field gradient in the titration chamber. Permeable material separates the titration chamber and the electrode chamber. A pH Sensor is located in the titration chamber for obtaining the pH of the first fluid. Certain preferred embodiments further include an analyte band detector for detecting the presence and optionally the location of a focused band of charged solute.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for plasma deposition of thin film photovoltaic materials at microwave frequencies. The apparatus avoids deposition on windows or other microwave transmission elements that couple microwave energy to deposition species. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator with conduits passing therethrough that carry deposition species. The applicator transfers microwave energy to the deposition species to transform them to a reactive state conducive to formation of a thin film material. The conduits physically isolate deposition species that would react to form a thin film material at the point of microwave power transfer. The deposition species are separately energized and swept away from the point of power transfer to prevent thin film deposition. The invention allows for the ultrafast formation of silicon-containing amorphous semiconductors that exhibit high mobility, low porosity, little or no Staebler-Wronski degradation, and low defect concentration.

Abstract: Novel fluid logic devices are disclosed. Certain examples of the fluid logic devices include two or more fluid logic gates that are each operative to select and/or direct analytes in a sample into one or more fluid flow channels in communication with the fluid logic gates. The fluid logic device can be part of a larger system, such as a chromatography system, or can be stand-alone device.

Abstract: A fluid separation conduit cartridge comprising a fluid separation conduit is disclosed. In certain embodiments the fluid separation conduit is potted to provide operation at increased pressures. In other embodiments, the fluid separation conduit cartridge has one or more memory units. The memory units are operative to store data such as, for example, cartridge usage and test results.

Abstract: Fluid-handling methods and devices for ultrasonic manipulation of fluid-borne particles comprise a fluid-handling manifold and an ultrasonic particle manipulator defining an ultrasonic cavity within the manifold. Fluid-borne particles introduced into the manifold are manipulated by controlling ultrasonic standing waves at the ultrasonic cavity. Cavities having non-uniform configurations, asymmetric standing waves and/or multiple ultrasonic cavities within the manifold are operative to control the movement of the fluid-borne particles, optionally including collecting and holding such particles, transferring particles through an intersection from one channel to another, etc. Solid phase extraction (SPE) particles, biological particles and other fluid-borne particles can be manipulated within the fluid-handling manifold.

Abstract: A method of forming a photovoltaic device on a substrate, especially an opaque substrate. The method includes forming a photovoltaic material on a substrate and removing the substrate. The method may include patterning the photovoltaic material to form a plurality of photovoltaic devices and configuring the devices in series to achieve monolithic integration. The method may include forming additional layers on the substrate, such as one or more of a protective material, a transparent conductor, a back conductor, an adhesive layer, and a laminate support layer. When the substrate is opaque, the method provides the option of ordering the layers so that a transparent conductor is formed before the back reflector of a photovoltaic stack. This ordering of layers facilitates monolithic integration and the ability to remove the substrate allows the earlier-formed transparent conductor to serve as the point of incidence for receiving the light that excites the photovoltaic material.

Abstract: A microfluidic substrate assembly includes a substrate body having at least one fluid inlet port. At least one microscale fluid flow channel in the substrate is in fluid communication with the inlet port for transport of a fluid to be tested. The substrate body also has a plurality of sockets, with each of one or sockets configured to receive an operative component. At least one socket is in communication with the microscale fluid flow channel.

Abstract: Fluid processing apparatus comprises a fluid-handling manifold comprising a manifold body having at least a first fluid duct and a second fluid duct. The first and second fluid ducts are in fluid communication with each other at a microfluidic junction of the fluid-handling manifold. The manifold body further comprises a transducer operative to generate ultrasonic acoustic traveling wave radiation into fluid in the microfluidic junction from an active surface toward a non-reflective boundary of the microfluidic junction. The microfluidic junction is operative to pass fluid received from the first and second duct, with micro-mixing effected by the traveling wave radiated into the junction during the fluid flow.

Abstract: An optical data storage and retrieval system that includes a phase change storage medium and dual energy sources. The phase change material may store information by undergoing a transformation from one structural state to another structural state through application of energy. The system is equipped with two energy sources, neither of which alone provides sufficient energy to effect the transformation. The combination of both energy sources, however, provides sufficient energy to induce the transformation needed to record information. The energy from either source may be optical, thermal, electromagnetic, mechanical or magnetic energy.

Abstract: Devices are provided for separating and focusing charged analytes, comprising a separation chamber and two or more electrodes, for example, an electrode array. A membrane separates the separation chamber and the electrodes. The separation chamber of the device is configured, that is, the separation chamber has a shaped geometry, which serves to induce a gradient in an electric field generated by the electrodes in the electrode chamber. Optionally, molecular sieve is included in the separation chamber that is operative to shift the location at which a stationary focused band of a charged analyte forms under a given set of focusing process parameters. Methods are provided for separating and focusing charged analytes comprising introducing a first fluid comprising at least one charged analyte into the separation chamber of a device as just described, applying an electric field gradient to the charged analyte to focus the charged analyte in the electric field gradient.

Abstract: A microfluidic substrate assembly includes a substrate body having at least one fluid inlet port. At least one microscale fluid flow channel in the substrate is in fluid communication with the inlet port for transport of a fluid to be tested. The substrate body also has a plurality of sockets, with each of one or sockets configured to receive an operative component. At least one socket is in communication with the microscale fluid flow channel.

Abstract: A light-plasmon coupling lens including an optically transparent substrate having a light incident surface and a light-plasmon coupling surface opposite the light incident surface. The light-plasmon coupling surface including at least a set of circular concentric peaks/valleys which form a Fourier sinusoidal pattern in the radial direction of the circular concentric peaks/valleys. A conformal layer of metal is deposited on the light-plasmon coupling surface of the substrate and has aperture at the center of thereof through which plasmons are transmitted. An optical recording medium including a light-plasmon coupling lens.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for processing fluid samples containing one or more analytes. In certain examples, an electrophoretic device comprises a separation chamber and an electrode chamber, each of which may be uniform or non-uniform. The electrode chamber includes two or more electrodes or may include an electrode array. Molecular sieve may be included in the separation chamber, and the molecular sieve is operative to shift the location at which a stationary focused band of a charged analyte forms under a given set of focusing process parameters. Such systems are especially suitable for linking up analytical instruments in a hyphenated fashion, particularly where the instruments have differing system parameters.