Abstract: A photovoltaic device is provided comprising an absorber layer, wherein the absorber layer comprises a plurality of grains separated by grain boundaries. At least one layer is disposed over the absorber layer. The absorber layer comprises grain boundaries that are substantially perpendicular to the at least one layer disposed over the absorber layer. The plurality of grains has a median grain diameter of less than 1 micrometer. Further, the grains are either p-type or n-type. The grain boundaries comprise an active dopant. The active dopant concentration in the grain boundaries is higher than the effective dopant concentration in the grains. The grains and grain boundaries may be of the same type or opposite type. Further, when the grain boundaries are n-type the bottom of the grain boundaries may be p-type. A method of making the absorber layer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) module includes a first electrically conductive layer and an insulating layer. The first electrically conductive layer is disposed below the insulating layer. The PV module further includes a back contact metal layer and a CdTe absorber layer. The back contact metal layer is disposed between the insulating layer and the CdTe absorber layer. The PV module further includes a window layer and a second electrically conductive layer. The window layer is disposed between the CdTe absorber layer and the second electrically conductive layer. At least one first trench extends through the back contact metal layer, at least one second trench extends through the absorber and window layers, and at least one third trench extends through the second electrically conductive layer. A method for monolithically integrating CdTe PV cells is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of making multilayered, hydrogen-containing intermetallic structures including at least two adjacent metal layers are disclosed. At least one of the metal layers contains hydrogen, which can be introduced into the metal by plasma hydrogenation. The intermetallic structures can have high hydrogen contents and micrometer-sized and nanometer-sized dimensions.

Abstract: Methods of making multi-layered, hydrogen-containing thermite structures including at least one metal layer and at least one metal oxide layer adjacent to the metal layer are disclosed. At least one of the metal layers contains hydrogen, which can be introduced by plasma hydrogenation. The thermite structures can have high hydrogen contents and small dimensions, such as micrometer-sized and nanometer-sized dimensions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting virtual tape products to a client are disclosed. An exemplary method may include allocating a plurality of disks connected to a host bus adapter (HBA) as both virtual tape storage and virtual disk storage. The method may also include translating at the HBA an input/output (I/O) communication between the client and the plurality of disks to access at least a portion of the plurality of disks allocated as virtual tape storage. The method may also include handling all other I/O communication between the client and the plurality of disks for access to the plurality of disks allocated as virtual disk storage.

Abstract: Methods of making multilayered, hydrogen-containing intermetallic structures including at least two adjacent metal layers are disclosed. At least one of the metal layers contains hydrogen, which can be introduced into the metal by plasma hydrogenation. The intermetallic structures can have high hydrogen contents and micrometer-sized and nanometer-sized dimensions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a solar cell is provided. The method includes depositing a transparent conductive contact layer on a surface of a substrate, where the transparent conductive contact layer is configured to act as a front electrode for the solar cell, depositing a window layer over the transparent conductive contact layer, depositing an absorber layer on the window layer, wherein the absorber layer and the window layer are oppositely doped and form a semiconductor junction, and where at least one of the window layer or the absorber layer is deposited by employing high power pulsed magnetron sputtering, and depositing an electrically conductive film on the semiconductor junction, wherein the electrically conductive film is configured to act as a back electrode layer for the solar cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an article comprising a metallic substrate; an insulating layer; the insulating layer being disposed on the metallic layer in an expanding thermal plasma; and a semiconductor layer; the semiconductor layer being disposed on the insulating layer. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising disposing an insulating layer on a metallic substrate; the insulating layer being in intimate contact with the metallic layer; wherein the insulating layer is derived from a metal-organic precursor, and wherein insulating layer is deposited in an expanding thermal plasma; and disposing a semiconductor layer on the insulating layer.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a print manufacturing process which may include a raster image processor for imaging proofs, plates and press sheets for a printing press based on raster and vector data and generating a two-dimensional barcode where the data is translated into a homogenous messaging format, a plate imager for imaging a printing plate based on the data received from the raster image processor wherein the printing plate also comprises a two-dimensional barcode, a computer-to-plate device capable of transmitting the data from the raster image processor to the plate imager where the two-dimensional barcode is utilized to monitor the printing plate during the print manufacturing process and/or to image replacement printing plates.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is described, including a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer is both compositionally graded and structurally graded. Specifically, the semiconductor layer is compositionally graded through its thickness from substantially intrinsic at the interface with the substrate to substantially doped at an opposite surface. Further, the semiconductor layer is structurally graded through its thickness from substantially crystalline at the interface with the substrate to substantially amorphous at the opposite surface. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle (16) for emitting solid carbon dioxide particles. The nozzle (16) comprising an inlet (30) for receiving liquid carbon dioxide, a nozzle aperture (32) from which solid carbon dioxide particles flow from the nozzle (16), a duct extending between the inlet (30) and the nozzle aperture (32), the duct having a convergent section (36) and a divergent section (38), and an axially displaceable valve member (42) located within the duct, the valve member (42) having first and second convergent portions and a substantially cylindrical portion located between the first and second convergent portions. The nozzle (16) finds particular use in apparatus for cooling a heated weld zone in a workpiece.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring and servicing user's print system including the ability to diagnose a problem with a user's print system based on properties monitored from such system and creating a query that predicts the source of the problem based on past history for this print system and other user's print systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sports cue for improving the consistency of a player's shot. The sports cue includes a tapered length of material having a longitudinal axis therethrough, wherein the density of material above the longitudinal axis is less than that below the longitudinal axis to form a “bottom-heavy” cue.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring and servicing user's print system including the ability to diagnose a problem with a user's print system based on properties monitored from such system and creating a query that predicts the source of the problem based on past history for this print system and other user's print systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a salt optic provided with a multilayer coating in order to improve upon the moisture resistance of a salt optic, when compared to the moisture resistance of an uncoated salt optic. In one aspect, the present invention is comprised of a coated salt optic having at least a first coating layer and a second coating layer, the first coating layer being surface-smoothing layer and adhesion layer, and the second coating layer being a moisture barrier layer.

Abstract: A valve guard assembly for a gas cylinder has a mounting collar 2 which is adapted to fit around and to engage the neck of the gas cylinder. The mounting collar 2 has an outer surface 6 in which there is an endless first coupling member in the form of a circumferential slot 8. A valve guard 10 has an integral coupling ring 12 with a second coupling member in the form of an endless inward projection 14 engageable with the circumferential slot 8. A means for acting against disengagement of the first and second coupling members is provided. This means takes the form of a locking band 30.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods achieve improved communication of the text in a video stream. Text may be processed separately from the video stream to suit the capabilities of a display device or to improve the availability of the textual information to users with special requirements. The disclosed methods and systems may be used, for example, in conjunction with set-top-box decoders, mobile telephones, and portable media players with small or low-resolution display screens.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods achieve improved quality reverse playback of video though techniques for modifying the way in which video is encoded and stored. The methods and systems may be used, for example, in conjunction with a wide variety of media playing and recording devices, such as DVD recorders, set top boxes, personal video devices (PVR), and mobile phones. Any device that allows users to record video, either from a fixed source (e.g., set top box) or from life (e.g., mobile phone with built-in video camera, or a standard digital video camera), may use the disclosed methods and systems to give users a higher quality playback.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of a semiconductor structure can include: (a) a semiconductor substrate of one conductivity type, having a front surface and a back surface and including at least one via through the semiconductor substrate, where the at least one via is filled with a conductive material; and (b) a semiconductor layer disposed on at least a portion of the front or back surface of the semiconductor substrate, where the semiconductor layer is compositionally graded through its depth with one or more selected dopants, and the conductive material is configured to electrically couple the semiconductor layer to at least one front contact disposed on or over the surface of the substrate.