Abstract: A fenestration unit for a dwelling is disclosed. The fenestration unit, in the form of a window unit or a door unit includes a frame supporting a movable panel. A power supply module includes a battery pack disposed in one of the frame and the moveable panel. A power outlet module is also mounted in one of the frame and the movable panel. The power outlet module has a power outlet connector electrically coupled to the battery pack and is configured to resist water penetration therein. A homeowner device may be electrically coupled to the power outlet connector such that the power supply module powers the homeowner device.

Abstract: Sealants, vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) units having seals formed from the sealants, and methods for producing the VIG units using the sealants are provided. The sealants include a mixture of glass materials in powder form, a foaming agent in powder form, and a carrier medium. The foaming agent includes carbon black, carbide(s), or a combination thereof. The glass materials have compositions including: 50 to 70 wt. % SiO2; 1 to 7 wt. % CaO; 0 to 7 wt. % MgO; 0 to 6 wt. % Al2O3; 1 to 6 wt. % Fe2O3 or FeO; 0 to 7 wt. % TiO2; 0 to 16 wt. % R2O, wherein R is chosen from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, or a combination thereof; 0 to 1 wt. % SO3; 0 to 2 wt. % MnO; and 0 to 6 wt. % SrO+BaO.

Abstract: Sealants, vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) units having seals formed from the sealants, and methods for producing the VIG units using the sealants are provided. The sealants include a mixture of glass materials in powder form and a carrier medium. The glass materials have compositions including: 0 to 55 wt. % Bi2O3; 10 to 65 wt. % SiO2; 1 to 10 wt. % Al2O3; 10 to 30 wt. % R2O, wherein R is chosen from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, or a combination thereof; 0.01 to 20 wt. % of RO, wherein R is chosen from the group consisting of Ca, Mg, or a combination thereof; 2 to 15 wt. % of BaO; 0 to 5 wt. % TeO2; 0.01 to 20 wt. % of Fe2O3 or FeO; 2 to 30 wt. % of B2O3; 0.1 to 2 wt. % of P2O5; 0.1 to 2 wt. % of ZnO; and 0.1 to 2 wt. % of CuO or Cu2O.

Abstract: Methods and vacuum insulated glazing units are provided. The methods include providing a first pane, applying a primary sealant to the first pane adjacent to and along a perimeter of the first pane, positioning support pillars on the first pane, positioning an evacuation tube on the first pane, positioning a second pane on the support pillars, heating the primary sealant with a laser beam sufficient to sinter the primary sealant to form a primary seal joining the first and second pane, evacuating an intermediate space defined between the first and second pane, and the primary seal to produce a low-pressure environment in the intermediate space by drawing gas from the intermediate space through the evacuation tube, and sealing the evacuation tube and thereby hermetically sealing the intermediate space within the first and second pane, the primary seal, and the evacuation tube to maintain the low-pressure environment therein.

Abstract: Methods and vacuum pump heads are provided. The vacuum pump head includes a body having sidewalls and a rear wall, wherein interior surfaces of the sidewalls and the rear wall define a chamber therebetween and distal ends of the sidewalls define an opening to the chamber, a sealing member located at the distal ends of the sidewalls and surrounding the opening defined thereby, the sealing member configured to contact and form a vacuum-tight seal against a surface upon generation of a low-pressure environment within the chamber, a vacuum hose port configured to couple to a vacuum hose of a vacuum pump and to provide a fluidic outlet from the chamber to remove gas from the chamber and thereby generate the low-pressure environment, and an aperture in the body configured to allow a laser beam to be directed therethrough toward the surface while the low-pressure environment is maintained.