Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like in a low-E coating, and methods of making the same. In certain cases, at least one layer of the coating is of or includes nickel and/or titanium (e.g., NixTiyOz). The provision of a layer including nickel titanium and/or an oxide thereof may permit a layer to be used that has good adhesion to the IR reflecting layer, and reduced absorption of visible light (resulting in a coated article with a higher visible transmission). When a layer including nickel titanium oxide is provided directly over and/or under the IR reflecting layer (e.g., as a barrier layer), this may result in improved chemical and mechanical durability. Thus, visible transmission may be improved if desired, without compromising durability; or, durability may simply be increased.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like in a low-E coating, and methods of making the same. In certain cases, at least one layer of the coating is of or includes nickel and/or titanium (e.g., NixTiyOz). The provision of a layer including nickel titanium and/or an oxide thereof may permit a layer to be used that has good adhesion to the IR reflecting layer, and reduced absorption of visible light (resulting in a coated article with a higher visible transmission). When a layer including nickel titanium oxide is provided directly over and/or under the IR reflecting layer (e.g., as a barrier layer), this may result in improved chemical and mechanical durability. Thus, visible transmission may be improved if desired, without compromising durability; or, durability may simply be increased.

Abstract: A dental implant for securing an abutment to a jawbone, the implant including a tapered body having a longitudinal axis, the body including a coronal end and an apical end, the coronal end including an inclined coronal surface. A first bore receives a base portion of the abutment, the first bore extending downwardly from the coronal surface and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. A second bore with a footprint larger than the first bore includes a flange adapted to be abutted by a top portion of the abutment, the diameter of the second bore being off-axis and larger than that of the first bore.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like in a low-E coating, and methods of making the same. In certain cases, at least one layer of the coating is of or includes nickel and/or titanium (e.g., NixTiyOz). The provision of a layer including nickel titanium and/or an oxide thereof may permit a layer to be used that has good adhesion to the IR reflecting layer, and reduced absorption of visible light (resulting in a coated article with a higher visible transmission). When a layer including nickel titanium oxide is provided directly over and/or under the IR reflecting layer (e.g., as a barrier layer), this may result in improved chemical and mechanical durability. Thus, visible transmission may be improved if desired, without compromising durability; or, durability may simply be increased.

Abstract: At least a portion of the enclosure of a thermal battery is formed of a ceramic material that is non-porous and electrically-non-conductive. The thermal battery includes at least one cell, a squib that when activated causes the at least one cell to become active, and an enclosure that surrounds the at least one cell and the squib. Squib terminals and battery terminals extend through the enclosure and are electrically connected to the squib and to the at least one cell, respectively. At least the portion of the enclosure through which the squib and battery terminals extend is formed of the ceramic material. The enclosure includes a container and a header. At least the header is made from the ceramic material, and preferably both the container and the header are made from the ceramic material.

Abstract: A pixel structure of a display device is provided. The pixel structure can include a substrate and a waveguide coupled to the substrate. The waveguide can include a first cladding layer disposed over the substrate, a core layer disposed over the first cladding layer, and a second cladding layer disposed over the core layer. The pixel structure can further includes a first conductive layer disposed over the waveguide, an electro-optic polymer (EOP) layer disposed over the first conductive layer, a second conductive layer disposed over the EOP layer, and a controller operable to adjust a bias voltage applied between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The refractive index of the EOP layer can be varied in response to the bias voltage, thereby adjusting an amount of light coupled into the EOP layer from the waveguide.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for controlling a display having a plurality of pixels. The methods can includes receiving, by a controller, information related to an image to be displayed on the display and determining, using the controller and the information, a total amount of light associated with the image and a subset pixel intensity associated with a subset of the plurality of pixels. The methods can also include emitting an optical beam from a variable intensity light source and into a waveguide, an intensity of the optical beam being determined by the controller as a function of the total amount of light and directing, using the controller and the subset pixel intensity associated with the subset of the plurality of pixels and a valve coupled to the waveguide to propagate at least a portion of the optical beam to the subset of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a waveguide structure suitable for efficiently distributing light to specific locations on a display area of a display unit. The waveguide structure can include any number of waveguide branches configured to allow light to be delivered to the specific locations in accordance with a display signal received by the display unit. While conventional waveguides are generally configured to either continuously deliver light or be turned off, the disclosed waveguide structure includes an array of pixels positioned along corresponding light emitting portions of the waveguide structure. Each of the pixels can include one or more electro-optic layers that can be configured to vary a refractive index of the pixel. By varying the refractive index of each pixel the amount of light allocated to each pixel can be dynamically changed, thereby substantially increasing the contrast ratio of the display without substantially decreasing the efficiency of the display unit.

Abstract: A biasing mechanism for pressurizing an electrolytic solution of a reserve battery cell, the biasing mechanism containing a compressed spring and a trigger operatively associated with the compressed spring. The trigger is configured to release the compressed spring to pressurize the electrolytic solution.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrochemical cell including a lithium anode, a solid cathode, a first separator and a second separator disposed between the anode and the cathode, and an electrolyte in fluid communication with the anode, the cathode, and the first and the second separators, the first separator having a higher melting point (or shut-down) temperature than the melting point (or shut-down) temperature of the second separator.

Abstract: An improved lithium-sulfur battery containing a surface-functionalized carbonaceous material. The presence of the surface-functionalized carbonaceous material generates weak chemical bonds between the functional groups of the surface-functionalized carbonaceous material and the functional groups of the polysulfides, which prevents the polysulfide migration to the battery anode, thereby providing a battery with relatively high energy density and good partial discharge efficiency.

Abstract: A chair is provided that is configurable to provide a substantially horizontal seating surface when the chair is disposed on an angled ground surface. The chair comprises a back frame having a pair of telescoping back legs including an upper back leg tube and a lower back leg tube slidingly disposed within the upper back leg tube. The chair additionally includes a pair of locking mechanisms comprising a locking key that includes a locking aperture through which the respective lower back leg tube extends. Each locking mechanism is structured and operable to selectively position the respective locking key in an engaged position that binds the lower back leg tube such that the lower back leg tube cannot slide into the upper back leg tube, and a disengaged position that allows the lower back leg tube to freely slide within the upper back leg tube.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus has at least one modular reserve battery magazine with a plurality of compartments. A plurality of reserve battery modules may be respectively replaceably provided in corresponding ones of the plurality of compartments, each of the plurality of reserve battery modules being configured to provide power when a reserve battery provided therein is activated. Each reserve battery module of the plurality of reserve battery modules includes a sleeve and a reserve battery provided within the sleeve, the sleeve being configured to fit within one of the plurality of compartments in a predetermined orientation. Each sleeve may be detachably connectable within any compartment of the plurality of compartments and includes electrical connections so that each reserve battery module of the plurality of reserve battery modules is separately replaceable while the power supply apparatus remains remotely located.

Abstract: A chair is provided that is configurable to provide a substantially horizontal seating surface when the chair is disposed on an angled ground surface. The chair comprises a back frame having a pair of telescoping back legs including an upper back leg tube and a lower back leg tube slidingly disposed within the upper back leg tube. The chair additionally includes a pair of locking mechanisms comprising a locking key that includes a locking aperture through which the respective lower back leg tube extends. Each locking mechanism is structured and operable to selectively position the respective locking key in an engaged position that binds the lower back leg tube such that the lower back leg tube cannot slide into the upper back leg tube, and a disengaged position that allows the lower back leg tube to freely slide within the upper back leg tube.

Abstract: A chair is provided that is configurable to provide a substantially horizontal seating surface when the chair is disposed on an angled ground surface. The chair comprises a back frame having a pair of telescoping back legs including an upper back leg tube and a lower back leg tube slidingly disposed within the upper back leg tube. The chair additionally includes a pair of locking mechanisms comprising a locking key that includes a locking aperture through which the respective lower back leg tube extends. Each locking mechanism is structured and operable to selectively position the respective locking key in an engaged position that binds the lower back leg tube such that the lower back leg tube cannot slide into the upper back leg tube, and a disengaged position that allows the lower back leg tube to freely slide within the upper back leg tube.

Abstract: A subsea system includes an electrically powered control system for controlling the subsea system and a replaceable reserve battery electrically coupled to the control system to provide backup and/or supplemental power to the control system when the reserve battery is activated. The reserve battery is provided in a housing having a first coupling, the subsea system includes a second coupling, and the first and second couplings are detachably connectable to each other and include electrical connections so that the reserve battery is replaceable while the subsea system remains below the sea-surface.

Abstract: An improved lithium-sulfur battery containing a surface-functionalized carbonaceous material. The presence of the surface-functionalized carbonaceous material generates weak chemical bonds between the functional groups of the surface-functionalized carbonaceous material and the functional groups of the polysulfides, which prevents the polysulfide migration to the battery anode, thereby providing a battery with relatively high energy density and good partial discharge efficiency.

Abstract: An improved electrolyte including a strontium additive suitable for lithium-sulfur batteries, a battery including the electrolyte, and a battery including a separator containing a strontium additive are disclosed. The presence of the strontium additive reduces sulfur-containing deposits on the battery anode, thereby providing a battery with relatively high energy density and good partial discharge performance.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses static analysis to determine program correctness for a program written in a dynamic programming language. During operation, the system receives executable code for a program written in the dynamic programming language. The system identifies a program method called in the executable code, and determines if the program method is implemented for the executable code. If not, the system signals that the program method is not implemented for the executable code.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that authenticates requests between tasks in an operating system. During operation, a first task prepares a request to perform an operation in a second task. In doing so, the first task attaches a credential to the request, and then a trusted entity transfers the request and the credential to the second task. Next, the second task determines whether the credential is valid. If the credential is valid, the second task determines from the credential whether the first task is authorized to request the operation, and, if so, proceeds to perform the operation.