Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for defining a communication computing system within a computing network, wherein the computing network includes a plurality of disparate platforms configured to provide information concerning various topics; and exposing an endpoint within the computing network that provides directory assistance to enable one or more specific disparate platforms, included within the plurality of disparate platforms, to communicate with the communication computing system.

Abstract: An electrochromic (EC) device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a transparent first conductor disposed between the first and second substrates, a transparent second conductor disposed between the first and second substrates, a working electrode disposed between the first and second conductors, a counter electrode disposed between the working electrode and the second conductor, and an electrolyte disposed between the working and counter electrodes. At least one of the first or second conductors is a multipart conductor which includes a transparent first conductive film, a first contact strip extending lengthwise in a first direction which is perpendicular to a second direction, along a first side of the EC device, and first conductive lines extending from the first contact strip toward an opposing second side of the EC device. The multipart conductor has a lower effective sheet resistance in the second direction than in the first direction.

Abstract: An electrochromic (EC) device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a transparent first conductor disposed between the first and second substrates, a transparent second conductor disposed between the first and second substrates, a working electrode disposed between the first and second conductors, a counter electrode disposed between the working electrode and the second conductor, and an electrolyte disposed between the working and counter electrodes. At least one of the first or second conductors is a multipart conductor which includes a transparent first conductive film, a first contact strip extending lengthwise in a first direction which is perpendicular to a second direction, along a first side of the EC device, and first conductive lines extending from the first contact strip toward an opposing second side of the EC device. The multipart conductor has a lower effective sheet resistance in the second direction than in the first direction.

Abstract: A roller mounting apparatus for an in-line roller skate blade comprises a body having a footware connector portion, a spacing portion adjacent the footware connector portion and a roller mounting portion adjacent the spacing portion. The roller mounting portion has roller mounts for mounting a plurality of rollers in tandem spaced apart positions such that contact points on outer surfaces of the rollers will lie on a first common curved line having no portion with a radius of curvature more than about 10 m, so that a contact point on a surface of a roller immediately adjacent to any given roller is spaced apart between about 0.1 mm to about 13 mm from a line tangent to the curved line at a point defined by the contact point of the given roller. A roller blade comprising the roller mounting apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roller mounting apparatus for an in-line roller skate blade comprises a body having a footware connector portion, a spacing portion adjacent the footware connector portion and a roller mounting portion adjacent the spacing portion. The roller mounting portion has roller mounts for mounting a plurality of rollers in tandem spaced apart positions such that contact points on outer surfaces of the rollers will lie on a first common curved line having no portion with a radius of curvature more than about 10 m, so that a contact point on a surface of a roller immediately adjacent to any given roller is spaced apart between about 0.1 mm to about 13 mm from a line tangent to the curved line at a point defined by the contact point of the given roller. A roller blade comprising the roller mounting apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solar cell apparatus and process for making and using same involving a semiconductor wafer having a front side surface and a metallized back side surface and a semiconductor p/n junction between the front side surface and the back side surface. At least one front side interruption is caused to extend along at least a portion of the front side surface and into the wafer to a depth sufficient to interrupt the semiconductor p/n junction to define a plurality of separate p/n junction sections within the wafer and to define separate front side surface portions associated with respective separate p/n junction sections. A back side interruption is caused to extend along a portion of the metallized back side surface, generally opposite the front side interruption, to define a plurality of separate metallized back side surface portions associated with respective p/n junction sections and in electrical contact with respective p/n junction sections.

Abstract: A photovoltaic apparatus has a semiconductor photovoltaic cell structure having a front surface and a back surface provided by respectively doped portions of semiconductor material forming a photovoltaic junction. A plurality of separate electrical contacts is embedded in the front side surface of the respective one of the portions of semiconductor material. The electrical contacts are distributed in two dimensions across the surface and are separated from each other and are in electrical contact with the respective one of the portions of semiconductor material. A back side electrical contact is provided on the back surface of the other of the respective portions of semiconductor material and in electrical contact therewith. A solar cell apparatus includes the apparatus above and electrodes for contacting the electrical contacts on the front and back side surfaces respectively of the semiconductor material.

Abstract: An electrode is described for contacting an electrically conductive surface, in particular for contacting at least one surface of a photovoltaic element wafer 3, the electrode comprising an electrically insulating optically transparent film 10, an adhesive layer 11 provided on one surface of said film 10, and a first plurality of substantially parallel, electrically conductive wires 5? being embedded into the adhesive layer 11, a part of the surfaces of said wires 5? protruding from the adhesive layer 11 and at least on the surface protruding from the adhesive layer 11 being covered by a coating 2 consisting of an alloy with a low melting point, wherein the wires 5? of the first plurality are electrically connected to a first terminal bar 20.