Abstract: A generator of electric energy based on a thermoelectric effect includes a layer of thermoelectric material set between two pipes that guide two flows of fluid at temperatures different from one another. Each of the pipes has its wall in heat-conduction contact with respective side of the layer of thermoelectric material. Each pipe has a cavity of passage for the respective flow of fluid occupied by a porous material or divided by diaphragms into a plurality of sub-channels so as to obtain a large heat-exchange surface between each flow of fluid and the wall of the respective pipe and between said wall and the respective side of the layer of thermoelectric material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing magnetic field detection devices comprises the operations of manufacturing a magneto-resistive element comprising regions with metallic conduction and regions with semi-conductive conduction. The method comprises the following operations: forming metallic nano-particles to obtain regions with metallic conduction; providing a semiconductor substrate; and applying metallic nano-particles to the porous semiconductor substrate to obtain a disordered mesoscopic structure. A magnetic device comprises a spin valve, which comprises a plurality of layers arranged in a stack which in turn comprises at least one free magnetic layer able to be associated to a temporary magnetisation (MT), a spacer layer and a permanent magnetic layer associated to a permanent magnetisation (MP). The spacer element is obtained by means of a mesoscopic structure of nanoparticles in a metallic matrix produced in accordance with the inventive method for manufacturing magneto-resistive elements.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing magnetic field detection devices comprises the operations of manufacturing a magneto-resistive element comprising regions with metallic conduction and regions with semi-conductive conduction. The method comprises the following operations: forming metallic nano-particles to obtain regions with metallic conduction; providing a semiconductor substrate; and applying metallic nano-particles to the porous semiconductor substrate to obtain a disordered mesoscopic structure. A magnetic device comprises a spin valve, which comprises a plurality of layers arranged in a stack which in turn comprises at least one free magnetic layer able to be associated to a temporary magnetisation (MT), a spacer layer and a permanent magnetic layer associated to a permanent magnetisation (MP). The spacer element is obtained by means of a mesoscopic structure of nanoparticles in a metallic matrix produced in accordance with the inventive method for manufacturing magneto-resistive elements.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that converts electromagnetic radiation into electric current, of the type comprising a plurality of junctions between a first element (11; 111) of material with conduction through carriers of positive charge and a second element (12; 112) of a material with conduction through carriers of negative charge, said plurality of junctions defining a plurality of couples (10; 111, 112) comprising a hot junction (19) and a cold junction (18), said plurality of couples (10; 110) receiving a thermal flow (FT) generated by a radiation (R) incident in the direction of a region (172) including the hot junction (19), said apparatus (20; 30; 70; 170; 190) including a device (25; 75; 175) to guide said radiation (R) towards said plurality of couples (10; 111, 112).

Abstract: Described herein is a transparent-display device for motor vehicles, to be used for presentation of information to the driver and/or to the passengers, said device comprising a plurality of LED sources, addressable individually or in groups through a series of conductive paths, deposited on a transparent underlayer and connected to a control electronics, in which: i) said LED sources are integrated in the form of dice, i.e., of elements obtained by dividing up a semiconductor wafer and without package; ii) said dice are integrated on, and electrically connected to, said underlayer via technologies of the chip-on-board type; and iii) said transparent underlayer 1 is pre-arranged for being at least in part superimposed on the windscreen of the vehicle, in such a way that at least part of the information presented to the user is superimposed on the background, said background being visible to the user through said windscreen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical biosensor comprising a porous matrix. In the specific case, reference is made to anodized porous alumina, on the surface of which the biological component specific for the analyte in question is immobilized, and to an optical-signal detector connected to said matrix. The present patent further relates to a biosensor having the porous matrix and the optical detector integrated in a single structure, in particular to biosensors with porous matrix other than porous alumina, for example porous silicon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical biosensor comprising a porous matrix. In the specific case, reference is made to anodized porous alumina, on the surface of which the biological component specific for the analyte in question is immobilized, and to an optical-signal detector connected to said matrix. The present patent further relates to a biosensor having the porous matrix and the optical detector integrated in a single structure, in particular to biosensors with porous matrix other than porous alumina, for example porous silicon.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing magnetic field detection devices comprises the operations of manufacturing a magneto-resistive element comprising regions with metallic conduction and regions with semi-conductive conduction. The method comprises the following operations: forming metallic nano-particles to obtain regions with metallic conduction; providing a semiconductor substrate; and applying metallic nano-particles to the porous semiconductor substrate to obtain a disordered mesoscopic structure. A magnetic device comprises a spin valve, which comprises a plurality of layers arranged in a stack which in turn comprises at least one free magnetic layer able to be associated to a temporary magnetisation (MT), a spacer layer and a permanent magnetic layer associated to a permanent magnetisation (MP). The spacer element is obtained by means of a mesoscopic structure of nanoparticles in a metallic matrix produced in accordance with the inventive method for manufacturing magneto-resistive elements.

Abstract: An emitter (F) for incandescent light sources, in particular a filament, capable of being brought to incandescence by the passage of electric current is obtained in such a way as to have a value of spectral absorption ? that is high in the visible region of the spectrum and low in the infrared region of the spectrum, said absorption ? being defined as ?=1????, where ? is the spectral reflectance and ? is the spectral transmittance of the emitter.

Abstract: A system for the production of electrical energy, comprising: a combustion chamber (14) made of material that is able to withstand high temperatures, an injection device (16) connected to said combustion chamber (14) by means of an injection conduit (15), means (17) for supplying combustion support substance into the combustion chamber (14) and means (18) for the removal of gaseous combustion products, means (26) for the selective emission of radiation onto the outer surface of the combustion chamber (14). The combustion chamber (14) is enclosed in a conversion chamber (20) within which are maintained sub-atmospheric pressure conditions, so that a substantial part of the heat developed by the combustion reaction is converted into electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of continuous silver wires having micrometric or sub-micrometric diameter comprising a step of thermal decomposition of silver dodecyl-mercaptide in the presence of metallic aluminum.

Abstract: A modular system for illuminated signs, in particular for road signs, includes a plurality of bars that can be put together so as to form a frame structure. Each bar has a full body made of a material usable as light-guide, for example polycarbonate, substantially transparent to the color of the light that propagates inside it, in which a LED light source is integrated. The system moreover comprises a plurality of modules in the form of letters, figures or symbols, which can be positioned within the aforesaid frame and are each also constituted by a body of material usable as light-guide, for example polycarbonate, substantially transparent to the color of the light that propagates inside it, with at least one LED light source integrated within each module. Each of the aforesaid modules is provided with at least one pair of terminals for connection of the respective LED source with a source of electrical supply.

Abstract: An electric generator device comprising a panel bearing one or more electric generating machines each including a stator and a rotor concentric and substantially co-planar. The rotor is supported in rotation by the stator and presents a central part bearing one or more blades of a fan. A flow of fluid causes the fan and in consequence the rotor (R) to rotate. The rotor bears along its periphery a plurality of magnetic poles whose magnetic fields link with windings borne by the stator, for the induction of an electric current in the windings. The rotor is supported in rotation within the stator through magnetic means of support.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprises a light source in the form of an incandescent filament, a substantial part of which is integrated in a host element having at least one portion structured according to nanometric dimensions. The nano-structured portion is in the form of a photonic crystal or of a Bragg grating for the purpose of obtaining an amplified or increased emission of radiation in the region of the visible.

Abstract: An electric generator device comprising a panel bearing one or more electric generating machines each including a stator and a rotor concentric and substantially co-planar. The rotor is supported in rotation by the stator and presents a central part bearing one or more blades of a fan. A flow of fluid causes the fan and in consequence the rotor (R) to rotate. The rotor bears along its periphery a plurality of magnetic poles whose magnetic fields link with windings borne by the stator, for the induction of an electric current in the windings. The rotor is supported in rotation within the stator through magnetic means of support.

Abstract: A voice connection system comprises a sensor matrix sending to a control unit signals indicating an animal's status in terms of stimuli, feelings, events, actions or behavior of said animal. The control unit selects—depending on the signals received—a voice message recorded into memory means associated to the unit, and activates a loudspeaker belonging to the system, in order to issue said voice message. The system further comprises voice recognition means, which activate pulse generators depending on the content of a voice message uttered by the human user.

Abstract: A magnetic pressure sensor device comprises at least one magnetic layer able to vary a magnetisation associated thereto in response to a pressure (P) exerted thereon. The device comprises a plurality of layers arranged in a stack, the magnetic layer able to vary a magnetisation associated thereto in response to a pressure (P) comprising a free magnetic layer, able to be associated to a temporary magnetisation (MT), the free magnetic layer belonging to said plurality of layers, which further comprises at least a spacer layer and a permanent magnetic layer associated to a permanent magnetisation (MP). The sensor device further comprises a compressible layer and a layer with high magnetic coercivity associated to the plurality of layers.

Abstract: Described herein is a fuel-cell stack, which comprises a plurality of direct-alcohol fuel cells electrically connected together. Each cell has a miniaturized structure comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte set between the first electrode and the second electrode, means for conducting electrical current to the first electrode, and means for conducting electrical current to the second electrode. The miniaturized structure of each cell is made up of a plurality of layers set on top of one another, and the various miniaturized structures are associated in an unremovable way to a flexible substrate capable of being wound up in a roll.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electroluminescent device comprising the steps of: making an organic or inorganic templating frame, comprising monodispersed nanoelements, in particular nanospheres; providing said nanoelements with a sheath consisting of metal nanoparticles, each nanoelement with its sheath of metal nanoparticles forming a core shell. The core shells are assembled together so as to make the three-dimensional percolated layer, having cavities whose size is around wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical biosensor comprising a porous matrix. In the specific case, reference is made to anodized porous alumina, on the surface of which the biological component specific for the analyte in question is immobilized, and to an optical-signal detector connected to said matrix. The present patent further relates to a biosensor having the porous matrix and the optical detector integrated in a single structure, in particular to biosensors with porous matrix other than porous alumina, for example porous silicon.