Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-enabled method for writing data to the extended user memory of a Class 1 Generation 2 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The disclosed method can also be used to format extracted maintenance data from the tag and compare it to the master database for validity.

Abstract: Compositions comprising synthetic rock, e.g., aggregate, and methods of producing and using them are provided. The rock, e.g., aggregate, contains CO2 and/or other components of an industrial waste stream. The CO2 may be in the form of divalent cation carbonates, e.g., magnesium and calcium carbonates. Aspects of the invention include contacting a CO2 containing gaseous stream with a water to dissolve CO2, and placing the water under precipitation conditions sufficient to produce a carbonate containing precipitate product, e.g., a divalent cation carbonate.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes at least one electrode operatively disposed in the fuel cell, and having a catalytically active surface. The present invention further includes a mechanism for maintaining a substantially uniform maximum catalytic activity over the surface of the electrode.

Abstract: A method for making a photonic structure, including creating a first vapor stream of a first vapor material, the first vapor stream having a first non-uniform flux in at least one direction; and moving a substrate in at least a portion of the vapor stream. In addition, the method includes depositing the first vapor material on a first major surface of said substrate, and forming a first layer and a density gradient in the first layer during deposition. The first layer is disposed on and the density gradient is in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface.

Abstract: A method for making a porous film includes the steps of forming a cermet film and/or a ceramic film by depositing or co-depositing suitable materials on a substrate, and causing metal in the material(s) to reduce and/or to diffuse to the cermet film surface and/or the ceramic film surface to render the porous film.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell includes supplying a gas stream to the fuel cell and oscillating the gas stream.

Abstract: The present system and method provides a mechanism for monitoring the level of fullness of a cryopump by measuring the cryopump adsorption capacity. An ion gauge or other total pressure gauge is in contact with the condensing or adsorbing panels of the pump. The gauge sensor, for example, can be connected to a tube or duct leading to the central core of the pump where the adsorbing charcoal is located. At this location in the pump, the gauge is exposed to low-boiling-point gases, such as hydrogen, neon and helium, while being substantially shielded from other gases such as nitrogen, argon, oxygen, or water vapor. By connecting a gauge to this location of the pump, the gauge can be used to monitor the absorption capacity of the pump.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes at least one electrode operatively disposed in the fuel cell, and having a catalytically active surface. The present invention further includes a mechanism for maintaining a substantially uniform maximum catalytic activity over the surface of the electrode.

Abstract: This invention relates to coating compositions and more particularly to highly productive coating compositions that quickly harden for sanding or buffing by incorporating therein a polyisocyanate adduct mixture into the coating composition as the crosslinking material. Such coatings are particularly useful for refinishing automobiles and trucks.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes at least one electrode operatively disposed in the fuel cell, and having a catalytically active surface. The present invention further includes a mechanism for maintaining a substantially uniform maximum catalytic activity over the surface of the electrode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a protected organotin-based catalyst system for polyurethane synthesis that is useful in coatings applications. The catalyst has low activity in the absence of oxygen. When a coating mixture comprising the catalyst is sprayed and/or applied to a substrate as a thin film in air, the catalyst is activated. For solvent-based refinish systems comprising hydroxyl and isocyanate species at high solids levels, the catalyst system therefore provides extended viscosity stability, i.e., pot life.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly including a substrate and an electrolyte disposed on the substrate and having a rib projecting out from the substrate. The rib has first and second side surfaces and a top surface. An anode is disposed on the first side surface and a cathode is disposed on the second side surface. The fuel cell also includes a resistive heater disposed at a location selected from the anode, the cathode, within the electrolyte, between the rib and the substrate, and any combination of these.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes one or more fuel cell assemblies. Each of the fuel cell assemblies has an electrolyte having a length, an anode having a length and disposed on one side of the electrolyte, and a cathode having a length and disposed on the same or the other side of the electrolyte. The fuel cell further includes a plurality of current collectors. Each of the current collectors is substantially embedded within, and continuously extends substantially the respective length of at least one of the electrolyte, anode and cathode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for applying crystalline materials to a substrate by applying a cation and an anion and crystallizing at least a portion of the reaction product of the cation and the anion. The application of at least one of the cation or the anion is actively controlled such that it is applied in a patternwise or blanketwise fashion.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed towards electrode-electrolyte composites. The electrode-electrolyte composites comprise electrode material and electrolyte material. At least a portion of the electrode material is present as a plurality of discrete regions having conductive contact with the electrolyte material.

Abstract: An electrode suitable for use in a fuel cell includes a passive support having pores wherein the passive support has an asymmetric pore morphology with respect to at least one dimension of the passive support; and an electrode material positioned in the pores of the passive support. An exemplary electrode includes an electrode material of a metal and/or metal oxide. An exemplary porous electrode includes a deposited electrolyte layer that blocks at least some pores of the porous electrode. An exemplary method includes reducing an electrode material positioned in pores of a passive support to create secondary porosity and/or to limit agglomeration. Other exemplary devices and/or methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging device to be used with millimeter and/or sub-millimeter radiation comprising at least a pair of substrates, at least one of which is patterned on at least one surface with a patterning defining at least one radiation detector, each radiation detector comprising: an antenna adapted to receive millimetre and/or sub-millimeter electromagnetic radiation, a mixer channel coupled to said antenna and in communication with a via extending through a substrate for connection to a signal output, a mixer comprising filters being mounted in the mixer channel for extracting an intermediate frequency signal in dependence upon said radiation received by the antenna, a waveguide structure coupled to said mixer and having a signal input for connection to a local oscillator.

Abstract: The invention is a fuel cell comprising a cathode film having a side surface, an anode film having a side surface and an electrolyte film disposed between the cathode film and the anode film and having a side surface. The anode, cathode and electrolyte side surfaces are coplanar. Protons generated at the anode diffuse along the anode side surface, the electrolyte side surface or both towards the cathode side surface. Oxygen ions generated at the cathode diffuse along the cathode side surface, the electrolyte side surface, or both towards the anode side surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell or battery has an integral multifunction heater element operable as an integral heater, an integral temperature sensor, and/or an integral aid to current collection from the fuel cell. The integral multifunction heater element is embedded within the electrolyte, anode, or cathode, disposed in thermal contact with at least one of the electrolyte, anode, or cathode, and is formed of a thin film of material of suitable resistivity, such as a refractory metal or conductive oxide, patterned in a suitable pattern. Conductive terminals provide electrical contact to the thin film. The integral multifunction heater element may include a thermistor or thermocouple. Methods are disclosed for fabricating and using the fuel cell with an integral multifunction heater element.

Abstract: A vacuum conduit connected to a vacuum pump has a shield surface which absorbs radiation to reduce the total radiation falling on the vacuum pump. The vacuum system includes the vacuum conduit connected between a process chamber and the vacuum pump and a surface treatment along at least a portion of the shield surface adapted to absorb radiation. Since the treatment is on the interior surface of the vacuum conduit and does not extend into the center of the conduit, gaseous flow to the pump is not impeded. In this manner radiation entering the vacuum pump and falling on the cryogenic array is reduced without impeding gaseous flow to the cryogenic surface. The system therefore minimizes the radiation load on the cryogenic array in the vacuum pump without impeding the gaseous flow through the vacuum pump.