Abstract: Reel-to-Reel method for making membrane electrode assemblies. A first catalyst is deposited in a repeating cell pattern on a first side of a proton exchange membrane film. A second catalyst is deposited on the back side of the proton exchange membrane. An electron conductor material is deposited on a support film which is adhered by means of an adhesive film to the proton exchange membrane film. The various layers are aligned and laminated together to form the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: Reel-to-Reel method for making membrane electrode assemblies. A first catalyst is deposited in a repeating cell pattern on a first side of a proton exchange membrane film. A second catalyst is deposited on the back side of the proton exchange membrane. An electron conductor material is deposited on a support film which is adhered by means of an adhesive film to the proton exchange membrane film. The various layers are aligned and laminated together to form the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for providing a portable disposable fuel-battery unit, a portable disposable fuel-battery unit for a fuel cell system having at least one fuel cell, a fuel cell stack, and a handheld device having a fuel cell system with a portable disposable fuel-battery unit. In one embodiment, the portable disposable fuel-battery unit provides a fuel compartment, for providing fuel for the at least one fuel cell and a disposable power battery, affixed to the fuel compartment, for providing start-up energy for the at least one fuel cell.

Abstract: Reel-to-Reel method for making membrane electrode assemblies. A first catalyst is deposited in a repeating cell pattern on a first side of a proton exchange membrane film. A second catalyst is deposited on the back side of the proton exchange membrane. An electron conductor material is deposited on a support film which is adhered by means of an adhesive film to the proton exchange membrane film. The various layers are aligned and laminated together to form the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed toward a novel structural design for a PEM fuel cell, as well as a novel method of creating an anode and a cathode via a sputtering technique. This invention can be used with hydrogen or direct methanol fuel cells. The geometry, discussed more fully above, allows a design engineer to construct a compact fuel cell useful in portable devices requiring battery power. In addition to facilitating connecting multiple fuel cells together in a layer, the design of this invention allows for the creation of fuel cell stacks. The sputtering disclosed herein is comprised of sputtering thin film catalysts onto ribbed surfaces, thereby creating anodes and cathodes. In order for a high effective surface area for the fuel and oxidant and their respective reactions to be created, a porous catalyst could be used.

Abstract: Fuel cell system in accordance with present inventions include reactant distribution systems and/or byproduct removal systems.

Abstract: A fuel cell system in accordance with a present invention includes a fuel cell including at least one anode and a fuel supply apparatus that supplies a plurality of fuel droplets.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for providing a portable disposable fuel-battery unit, a portable disposable fuel-battery unit for a fuel cell system having at least one fuel cell, a fuel cell stack, and a handheld device having a fuel cell system with a portable disposable fuel-battery unit. In one embodiment, the portable disposable fuel-battery unit provides a fuel compartment, for providing fuel for the at least one fuel cell and a disposable power battery, affixed to the fuel compartment, for providing start-up energy for the at least one fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed toward a novel structural design for a PEM fuel cell, as well as a novel method of creating an anode and a cathode via a sputtering technique. This invention can be used with hydrogen or direct methanol fuel cells. The geometry, discussed more fully above, allows a design engineer to construct a compact fuel cell useful in portable devices requiring battery power. In addition to facilitating connecting multiple fuel cells together in a layer, the design of this invention allows for the creation of fuel cell stacks. The sputtering disclosed herein is comprised of sputtering thin film catalysts onto ribbed surfaces, thereby creating anodes and cathodes. In order for a high effective surface area for the fuel and oxidant and their respective reactions to be created, a porous catalyst could be used.

Abstract: A high efficiency thermal inkjet printhead which uses a novel resistor system. The printhead includes a support structure, at least one layer of material which comprises at least one opening therethrough, and at least one ink expulsion resistor located within the printhead between the support structure and the layer of material having the opening therein. The resistor is produced from at least one metal silicon nitride composition. Numerous benefits are achieved by this development including (A) reduced resistor current consumption and greater energy efficiency; (B) increased bulk resistivity of the resistor elements compared with prior systems; (C) cooler printhead operation; (D) multiple economic benefits including the ability to use lesscostly, high voltage/low current power supplies; and (E) improved reliability, stability, and longevity levels in connection with the printhead and resistor elements.

Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet or like printing apparatus having a passivation layer of varied thickness. The passivation layer is relatively thin over the ink expulsion element to reduce the energy required to expel ink. The passivation layer is relatively thick over other regions of the substrate, particularly those regions in which circuitry or the like is provided. The increased thickness over the circuitry protects against capacitive coupling and the like. Methods of forming the varied thickness passivation layer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pagewide printhead for an inkjet printer employs a stretch-to-fit flex circuit with orifices indexed to reference indentations on the flex circuit. Heater resistors disposed on a block of thermally stable insulating material are indexed to reference features accurately located on the block. The reference indentations are fitted to the reference indentations to provide accurate registration of the orifices to the heater resistors.

Abstract: A printhead includes a substrate with an ink feed aperture extending from a first surface to a second surface and a plurality of heater resistors disposed on it. Primitive groupings of the resistors are coupled to associated group power sources. An ink barrier layer is deposited on the substrate to create ink firing chambers for each resistor. One wall of the ink barrier has a constricted opening through which ink is supplied from the ink feed aperture. A plurality of transistors are disposed in the substrate with each transistor output coupled to an associated one of the resistors and each input coupled to one of a plurality of addressing signal lines. The number of addressing signal lines is equal to the number of resistors in a primitive grouping.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a thermal inkjet printhead having a plastic orifice plate which comprises the steps of providing a dummy substrate upon which the printhead may be constructed, and then forming a plastic orifice plate member on top of the dummy substrate. Then, an insulating barrier layer is formed on the surface of the plastic orifice plate and is provided with a plurality of firing chambers therein which are aligned, respectively, with orifice openings in the plastic orifice plate. Next, a thin film resistor substrate is deposited on an exposed surface of the barrier layer and is provided with a plurality of individually defined heater resistors which are aligned, respectively, with the firing chambers in the barrier layer. Finally, the dummy substrate is removed from the composite structure using photoresist lift off techniques.

Abstract: A new and improved orifice or nozzle plate for an inkjet printhead and method of manufacture wherein the orifice or nozzle plate thickness has been increased significantly to a value on the order of 75 micrometers or greater while simultaneously maintaining the integrity of the convergent contour of the multiple orifice openings formed therein. In a first embodiment of this invention, metal layer stacking through the use of successive electroforming processes is used to achieve a desired orifice plate structure, architecture and convergent orifice geometry. In a second embodiment of this invention, anisotropic electroplating on a metal surface and over the edges of an inorganic dielectric mask is used to produce this orifice plate of increased orifice bore thickness and convergent orifice bore geometry. In yet a third embodiment of the invention, a selected metal is plated upon a permanent insulating mandrel having a metal pattern thereon to form convergent orifice openings in the plated metal.

Abstract: A piezoelectric pump or equivalent transducer is mounted on or within an ink jet printhead and is used to modulate the frequency or amplitude, or both, of oscillations of a liquid meniscus at a liquid ejection orifice of a nozzle plate. The liquid meniscus at the orifice has a natural resonant frequency and amplitude with respect to its equilibrium position, and the above modulation is performed in a controlled timed relation with respect to the phase of the natural oscillations of the meniscus at the liquid ejection orifice.

Abstract: We describe an integrated thermal ink jet printhead and manufacturing process therefor which includes the successive build-up of an orifice plate, a first barrier layer, heater resistors, a second barrier layer, and an ink reservoir-defining layer on top of a reusable or "dummy" substrate. Lead-in conductors are formed integral with the heater resistors by controlling the cross-sectional areas of these components, and openings (passageways) are formed between ink reservoirs and the orifice plate to provide for ink flow under control of the heater resistors. The dummy substrate is stripped away from the adjacent orifice plate, and the ink reservoir defining layer may be secured to an ink supply tank which supplies ink to the individual ink reservoirs. Thus, the orifice plate, heater resistors and ink flow paths of the printhead are self aligned, and the heater resistors are removed from direct cavitational forces from ink ejected from the orifice plate.

Abstract: A process for forming a dielectric patterned layer of any desired geometry on a selected substrate which includes vapor depositing selected reactants on said substrate only in areas thereon which are coextensive with the surface area of an adjacent metal electrode pattern.

Abstract: A new phenomenon in integrated circuit etch processing is presented, explained and utilized to permit better removal of layers overlying integrated circuit structures, and if desired, the formation of conductive layers on such structures by a less complicated and lower temperature process than has been possible by conventional techniques.

Abstract: A new phenomenon in integrated circuit etch processing is presented, explained and utilized to permit better removal of layers overlying integrated circuit structures, and if desired, the formation of conductive layers on such structures by a less complicated and lower temperature process than has been possible by conventional techniques.