Abstract: A module for an electrochemical battery including plural accumulators electrically connected together by connection elements, a mechanism for electrical connection of the module with an exterior and a continuous envelope made from a dielectric polymer material that covers exterior surfaces of the accumulators, and connection elements that do not cover the mechanism for electrical connection of the module with the exterior. The continuous envelope is made by soaking to ensure coating of the accumulators and of the one or more connecting elements. The plural accumulators are distributed into plural layers, arranged in relation to each other so that one or more passages are made between the accumulators, wherein the continuous envelope covers a surface of the accumulator or accumulators delimitating the passages between the accumulators.

Abstract: A system includes a hot source, a cold source, and a device thermally coupled between the hot source and the cold source. The device includes a thermal-mechanical transducer and a mechanical-electrical transducer. The thermal-mechanical transducer includes a band of bimetallic strips linked mechanically together by their longitudinal ends. The band partially suspended over a portion of a substrate. Each bimetallic strip has a first stable state having a first curvature and a second stable state having a second curvature opposite the first curvature, and adjacent bimetallic strips have opposite curvature.

Abstract: A system includes a hot source, a cold source, and a device thermally coupled between the hot source and the cold source. The device includes a thermal-mechanical transducer and a mechanical-electrical transducer. The thermal-mechanical transducer includes a band of bimetallic strips linked mechanically together by their longitudinal ends. The band partially suspended over a portion of a substrate. Each bimetallic strip has a first stable state having a first curvature and a second stable state having a second curvature opposite the first curvature, and adjacent bimetallic strips have opposite curvature.

Abstract: A battery including: modules connected to each other; electrically insulating supports upon which the modules are arranged, each support including an upper face upon which the module rests and a lower face, and a rim aligned downwards to cause a potential stream of liquid to flow under gravity; and a mechanism monitoring impedance between the module and an electrically conductive element at least vertically in line with the rim.

Abstract: A module for an electrochemical battery including plural accumulators electrically connected together by connection elements, a mechanism for electrical connection of the module with an exterior and a continuous envelope made from a dielectric polymer material that covers exterior surfaces of the accumulators, and connection elements that do not cover the mechanism for electrical connection of the module with the exterior. The continuous envelope is made by soaking to ensure coating of the accumulators and of the one or more connecting elements. The plural accumulators are distributed into plural layers, arranged in relation to each other so that one or more passages are made between the accumulators, wherein the continuous envelope covers a surface of the accumulator or accumulators delimitating the passages between the accumulators.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable energy source comprising at least one energy storage sub-system (171) constructed in the form of a stack of thin layers (175) on a substrate (176), characterised in that said energy storage sub-system has a plurality of through-openings (174) for allowing the development and the passage of blood vessels. Preferably, the energy source thereof has a thickness of less than, or equal to, 1 mm, over at least 80% of its surface.

Abstract: The fluid distribution device includes a first cavity at a first pressure and a second cavity at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. A partition separates the first cavity from the second cavity and a restricting valve is arranged between the first and second cavities. The partition includes a thermoelectric module having a hot side in thermal contact with the first cavity and a cold side in thermal contact with the second cavity.

Abstract: The fluid distribution device includes a first cavity at a first pressure and a second cavity at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. A partition separates the first cavity from the second cavity and a restricting valve is arranged between the first and second cavities. The partition includes a thermoelectric module having a hot side in thermal contact with the first cavity and a cold side in thermal contact with the second cavity.

Abstract: A method and device for the deposition of a film made of a semiconductive material having the formula Cu(In, Ga)X2, where X is S or Se, involves cathode sputter deposition of Cu, In, and Ga onto at least one surface of a substrate and simultaneous deposition of X in vapor phase onto the surface in a cathode chamber. A vapor form of X or its precursor is moved in a first laminar gas flow parallel to and in contact with the surface, and is simultaneously moved in a second laminar gas flow for inert gas parallel to the first laminar gas flow and located between the first laminar gas flow and a sputtering target(s), to confine the first laminar gas flow to the area around the substrate.

Abstract: A method for providing a dielectric film having enhanced adhesion and stability. The method includes a post deposition treatment that densifies the film in a reducing atmosphere to enhance stability if the film is to be cured ex-situ. The densification generally takes place in a reducing environment while heating the substrate. The densification treatment is particularly suitable for silicon-oxygen-carbon low dielectric constant films that have been deposited at low temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fabricating an interconnect stack of an integrated-circuit device. Air gaps are fabricated in the interconnect stack on one or more interconnect levels. The method comprises forming local etch vias (216, 218) between a lower etch-barrier layer (236) and an upper etch-barrier layer (211) on top of an upper-intermediate interconnect level (224). Lateral inhomogeneities of the dielectric constant on the upper-intermediate interconnect level are removed in comparison with prior-art devices. For in the finished interconnect stack local variations in the dielectric permittivity can only occur at the (former) etch vias, which are either visible by the presence of air cavities or hardly visible due to a later filling with the dielectric material of the next interlevel dielectric layer.

Abstract: An elementary device to generate electric energy including a photovoltaic converter and a thermoelectric converter. The photovoltaic converter includes a stack of layers, resting on a supporting substrate in heat-insulating material, including a first conductive layer as an upper electrode, and a second conductive layer as a lower electrode, the upper and lower electrodes sandwiching a layer in photoactive material between them. The thermoelectric converter includes a third conductive layer acting as a hot junction and a fourth conductive layer acting as a cold junction, the hot and cold junctions sandwiching between them an element in thermoelectric and electrically conductive material. The thermoelectric and electrically conductive element is included in the thickness of the supporting substrate, so that one end is in contact with the hot junction and the other end is in contact with the cold junction.

Abstract: Method for producing a nanostructure based on interconnected nanowires, nanostructure and use as thermoelectric converter The nanostructure comprises two arrays of nanowires made from respectively n-doped and p-doped semi-conducting material. The nanowires of the first array, for example of n type, are formed for example by VLS growth. A droplet of electrically conducting material that acted as catalyst during the growth step remains on the tip of each nanowire of the first array at the end of growth. A nanowire of the second array is then formed around each nanowire of the first array by covering a layer of electrically insulating material formed around each nanowire of the first array, and the associated droplet, with a layer of p-type semi-conducting material. A droplet thus automatically connects a nanowire of the first array with a single coaxial nanowire of the second array. This type of nanostructure can be used in particular to form a thermoelectric converter.

Abstract: A new anode configuration (20) is proposed for a lithium microbattery (10). The anode (20) preferably consists of nanotubes or of nanowires (24) such that the empty space (26) left between the different components (24) provides compensation for the inherent swelling upon discharging the microbattery (10). With the absence of stresses on the electrolyte (18), the lifetime of the battery (10) may be increased.

Abstract: A microcomponent including: an electrochemical storage source; a first substrate including a first contact face; a second substrate including a second contact face; “at least one internal cavity formed from a first cavity recessed into the first contact face of the first substrate, or from a second cavity recessed into the second contact face of the second substrate, or from the first cavity recessed into the first contact face of the first substrate and the second cavity recessed into the second contact face of the second substrate, wherein the two substrates are integrated together via their respective contact faces and a sealing member, and said internal cavity contains the electrochemical storage source; and electrical connections between the electrochemical storage source and an external environment.

Abstract: A micro fuel cell comprises at least a substrate provided with front and rear faces. The front face of the substrate supports a successive stacking of a first electrode, a substantially flat electrolytic membrane and a second electrode. The electrolytic membrane comprises at least one anchoring element salient substantially perpendicularly to a main plane of said membrane. The anchoring element is arranged in a complementary part of an anchoring recess formed in the substrate. The substrate can also comprise a plurality of microchannels, substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the membrane. The anchoring recess can then be formed by one of the microchannels whereas the other microchannels enable supply of the first electrode with reactive fluid. Such a micro fuel cell is able to operate when a pressure difference exists between the two sides of the stacking.

Abstract: During the production of a lithium microbattery, the electrolyte containing a lithiated compound is formed by successively depositing an electrolytic thin film, a first protective thin film that is chemically inert in relation to the lithium, and a first masking thin film on a substrate provided with current collectors and a cathode. A photolithography step is carried out on the first masking thin film in order to create a mask for selectively etching the first masking thin layer, and the first protective thin layer and the electrolytic thin film are then selectively etched in such a way as to form the electrolyte in the electrolytic thin film. This technique enables the electrolyte to be formed by photolithography and etching without causing any damage thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fabricating an interconnect stack of an integrated-circuit device. Air gaps are fabricated in the interconnect stack on one or more interconnect levels. The method comprises forming local etch vias (216, 218) between a lower etch-barrier layer (236) and an upper etch-barrier layer (211) on top of an upper-intermediate interconnect level (224). Lateral inhomogeneities of the dielectric constant on the upper-intermediate interconnect level are removed in comparison with prior-art devices. For in the finished interconnect stack local variations in the dielectric permittivity can only occur at the (former) etch vias, which are either visible by the presence of air cavities or hardly visible due to a later filling with the dielectric material of the next interlevel dielectric layer.

Abstract: A hydrophobic surface coating, preferably obtained by chemical vapor deposition, comprises at least an upper thin layer formed by a compound selected from the group consisting of SiCxOy:H with x comprised between 1.4 and 2 and y comprised between 0.8 and 1.4 and SiCx?Ny?:H with x? comprised between 1.2 and 1.4 and y? comprised between 0.6 and 0.8, so as to obtain a free surface with a low wetting hysteresis. Such a hydrophobic surface coating can be arranged on the free surface of a microcomponent comprising at least one substrate provided with, an electrode array and particularly suitable for moving drops of liquid by electrowetting on dielectric.

Abstract: Adjacent individual cells of a fuel cell are connected in series by intermediate connecting parts. Each connecting part is formed by a branch made from an electrically conducting material and extending the first current collector of a cell perpendicularly and connected to the second current collector of the adjacent cell. Each first current collector is moreover formed by an electrically insulating porous matrix incorporating said electrically conducting material, and the first current collectors of two adjacent cells are separated by an area of electrically insulating porous material, said electrically insulating porous material being identical to that forming the porous matrix of said first current collectors. Series connection between the individual cells of such a fuel cell is thereby easy and quick to implement.