Abstract: Disclosed is super water absorbent polymers applied to contain water, and the polymers may further collocate with water absorbent cotton materials to accelerate water absorbent rates. The described water absorbent materials are combined with solid hydrogen fuel to complete a stable hydrogen supply device. Performance of the hydrogen supply device is not effected by inverting or tilting thereof. Even if inverting or tilting the device, the water contained in the water absorbent materials does not flow out from the device. As such, the MEA film in the fuel cell connected to the hydrogen supply device will not blocked by the water, thereby avoiding the fuel cell performance degradation even breakdown.

Abstract: A tunnel-type digital imaging-based self-checkout system capable of generating and projecting coplanar illumination and imaging planes into a 3D imaging volume within a tunnel structure. The tunnel structure is supported above a package conveyor in a retail POS environment, and employs automatic package identification, profiling and tracking techniques during self-checkout operations.

Abstract: A hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system including a hand-supportable housing having an imaging window, and an area-type image formation and detection subsystem having image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) through the imaging window and upon an object within the FOV, and forming and detecting 2D digital images of the object on an area-type image detection array. The system includes an object presence detection subsystem for automatically detecting an object within the FOV, and generating a first trigger event indicative of automatic object detection within the FOV. The system also includes an object targeting illumination subsystem for generating and projecting a visible targeting illumination beam within the FOV, in response to the generation of the first trigger event signal.

Abstract: A hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system including a hand-supportable housing having an imaging window. A printed circuit (PC) board is mounted in the hand-supportable housing, and has front and rear surfaces and a light transmission aperture formed centrally therethrough. An image formation and detection subsystem has image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) through the imaging window and upon an object within the FOV, and an area-type image detection array for forming and detecting 2D digital images of the object during object illumination and imaging operations. An automatic targeting illumination subsystem is disposed in the hand-supportable housing for projecting a targeting illumination beam into a portion of the FOV extending outside of the hand-supportable housing.

Abstract: A method for creating a nanostructure according to one embodiment includes depositing material in a template for forming an array of nanocables; removing only a portion of the template such that the template forms an insulating layer between the nanocables; and forming at least one layer over the nanocables. A nanostructure according to one embodiment includes a nanocable having a roughened outer surface and a solid core. A nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of nanocables each having a roughened outer surface and a solid core, the roughened outer surface including reflective cavities; and at least one layer formed over the roughened outer surfaces of the nanocables, the at least one layer creating a photovoltaically active p-n junction. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A POS-based digital image capturing and processing system for illuminating objects using automatic object detection and spectral-mixing illumination technique. The system comprises an area-type illumination and imaging station for projecting a coextensive area-type illumination and imaging field (i.e. zone) into a 3D imaging volume during object illumination and imaging operations. The area-type illumination and imaging station includes an illumination subsystem for producing a first field of visible illumination from an array of visible LEDs, and producing a second field of invisible illumination from an array of infrared (IR) LEDs. wherein the first and second fields of illumination spatially overlap and intermix with each other and are substantially coextensive with the FOV of the image sensing array.

Abstract: A hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system including a hand-supportable housing having an imaging window. A printed circuit (PC) board is mounted in the hand-supportable housing, and has front and rear surfaces and a light transmission aperture formed centrally therethrough. An image formation and detection subsystem has image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) through the imaging window and upon an object within the FOV, and an area-type image detection array for forming and detecting 2D digital images of the object during object illumination and imaging operations. A first FOV folding mirror is supported above the rear surface of the PC board over the light transmission aperture, and a second FOV folding mirror is supported above the rear surface of the PC board and over the area-type image detection array. These mirrors fold and project the FOV through the light transmission aperture and the imaging window.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system including a housing having an imaging window; and an image formation and detection subsystem supporting a periodic snap shot mode of the operation. The system includes image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) through said imaging window and upon an object within the FOV, and forming an image of the object on an area-type image detection array having a plurality of rows of image detection elements, and detecting 2D digital images of the object while object illumination and imaging operations. The system also includes an LED-based illumination subsystem, with a LED illumination array, for producing a field of narrow-band illumination within the FOV, and illuminating the object detected in the FOV, so that the illumination reflects off the object and is transmitted back through the light transmission aperture and onto the image detection array to form the 2D digital image of the object.

Abstract: A photovoltaic nanostructure according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrically conductive nanocable coupled to a first electrode, a second electrode extending along at least two sides of the nanocable, and a photovoltaically active p-n junction formed between the nanocable and the second electrode. A photovoltaic array according to one embodiment includes a plurality of photovoltaic nanostructures as recited above. Methods for forming nanostructures are also presented.

Abstract: A solid hydrogen fuel, in a form of a solid block, includes at lease a hydride powder well-mixed with at lease a solid catalyst. Method of manufacturing the solid hydrogen fuel includes steps of well-mixing the hydride powder and the solid catalyst; and compressing the mixed powders to form a solid block. When use of the solid hydrogen fuel is required, water is mixed into the hydride powder for generating hydrogen gas, wherein the hydride powder is catalyzed by the solid catalyst and reacts with water to generate hydrogen gas. By using the solid hydrogen fuel, large amount of hydrogen gas can be generated completely in an effective time.

Abstract: A method of capturing processing digital images of an object, using a hand-supportable digital image capture and processing system having a trigger switch, an imaging window and a field of view (FOV) projected therethrough and onto an area-type image detection array. The method involves automatically detecting an object within the FOV, and generating a first trigger event indicative of automatic object detection within the FOV. In response to the generation of the first trigger event signal, the object targeting illumination subsystem automatically generates and projects a visible targeting illumination beam within the FOV. The human operator aligns the visible targeting illumination beam with the object in the FOV, and then manually actuates the trigger switch to generate a second trigger event signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic catalyst formed by a single or multiple nano metal shells wrapping a carrier, wherein at least one of the metal shells is iron, cobalt, or nickel. The magnetic catalyst with high catalyst efficiency can be applied in a hydrogen supply device, and the device can be connected to a fuel cell. Because the magnetic catalyst can be recycled by a magnet after generating hydrogen, the practicability of the noble metals such as Ru with high catalyst efficiency is dramatically enhanced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible power supply including a hydrogen supply device connected to a flexible fuel cell, wherein the hydrogen supply device includes a moldable hydrogen fuel. In one embodiment, the flexible fuel cell is a sheet structure, and the hydrogen supply device is a flexible flat bag, wherein the fuel cell and the hydrogen supply device are adhered to complete a sheet of a flexible power supply. The sheet of flexible power supply can be put in the pocket of cloth or baggage, or directly sewn on the outside of cap or overcoat.

Abstract: Disclosed is super water absorbent polymers applied to contain water, and the polymers may further collocate with water absorbent cotton materials to accelerate water absorbent rates. The described water absorbent materials are combined with solid hydrogen fuel to complete a stable hydrogen supply device. Performance of the hydrogen supply device is not effected by inverting or tilting thereof. Even if inverting or tilting the device, the water contained in the water absorbent materials does not flow out from the device. As such, the MEA film in the fuel cell connected to the hydrogen supply device will not blocked by the water, thereby avoiding the fuel cell performance degradation even breakdown.

Abstract: A digital image capturing and processing system for automatically recognizing objects in a POS environment. The system includes a system housing having an imaging window; illumination and imaging stations for generating and projecting illumination and imaging planes or zones through the imaging window, and into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window, for digital imaging an object passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generating digital linear images of the object as the object intersects the illumination and imaging planes or zones during system operation. A digital image processor processes the digital images and automatically recognizes the object, such as produce and fruit, graphically represented by the digital images.

Abstract: A laser beam generation system having an integrated coherence reduction mechanism. The system includes: a flexible circuit having a first end portion and a second end portion; a laser diode mounted on the first end portion of the flexible circuit, for producing a laser beam having a central characteristic wavelength; diode current drive circuitry for producing a diode drive current to drive the laser diode and produce said laser beam; and high frequency modulation (HFM) circuitry also mounted on the first end portion of the flexible circuit, for modulating the diode drive current at a sufficiently high frequency to cause the laser diode to produce a laser beam having a spectral side-band components about the central characteristic wavelength, and thereby reducing the coherence as well as coherence length of the laser beam.

Abstract: A solid hydrogen fuel is formed into a solid pressure-formed block. The method of manufacturing the solid hydrogen fuel includes following steps. First, at least a hydride powder and at least a hydrogen releasing catalyst powder are mixed well. Next, the mixed powder is bonded into a block by pressure. When in use, the solid hydrogen fuel is mixed with water to produce hydrogen. The hydride powder and water bring about a hydrogen releasing reaction. The hydride releasing catalyst powder is used for catalyzing the hydrogen releasing reaction to produce hydrogen. The solid hydride has higher hydrogen production and can release hydrogen completely.

Abstract: Solid-state hydrogen fuel with a polymer matrix and fabrication methods thereof are presented. The solid-state hydrogen fuel includes a polymer matrix, and a crushed mixture of a solid chemical hydride and a solid-state catalyst uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix. The fabrication method for the solid-state hydrogen fuel includes crushing and mixing a solid chemical hydride and a solid-state catalyst in a crushing/mixing machine, and adding the polymer matrix into the mixture of the solid chemical hydride and the solid-state catalyst to process a flexible solid-state hydrogen fuel. Moreover, various geometric and/or other shapes may be formed and placed into suitable vessels to react with a particular liquid and provide a steady rate of hydrogen release.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalyst for catalyzing hydrogen releasing reaction includes following steps. First, a solution with metal catalyst ions is provided. Next, several catalyst supports are provided. Each catalyst support includes several chelating units. Then, the catalyst supports are mixed with the solution, so that the metal catalyst ions in the solution chelate with the chelating units on the surface of each catalyst support. Subsequently, the metal catalyst ions chelating with the surface of the catalyst supports are reduced, so that metal catalyst nano-structures and/or metal catalyst atoms are coated on the surface of the catalyst supports, for forming catalysts.

Abstract: A laser illumination beam generation system including a laser diode (LD) for producing a laser beam in response to a diode current supplied thereto, wherein the laser beam has a central characteristic wavelength. Diode current drive circuitry generates the diode current and supplies the same to the VLD. A high frequency modulation (HFM) circuitry modulates the diode current supplied to the laser diode, so as to produce a spectral side-band components about the central characteristic wavelength, and thereby reduces the coherence of the laser illumination beam as well as its coherence length. An optical multiplexing (OMUX) device receives the laser beam as an input beam and generates multiple laser beams therefrom and recombines the multiple laser beams so as to produce a composite output laser illumination beam having reduce coherence.