Abstract: A thermoelectric energy harvesting device including a first thermal-coupling interface, a second thermal-coupling interface, and a membrane. The membrane arranged between the first thermal-coupling interface and the second thermal-coupling interface and connected to the first thermal-coupling interface by a supporting frame. A thermal bridge between the second thermal-coupling interface and a thermal-coupling portion of the membrane. A thermoelectric converter on the membrane configured to supply an electrical quantity as a function of a temperature difference between the thermal-coupling portion of the membrane and the supporting frame.

Abstract: A thermoelectric energy harvesting device including a first thermal-coupling interface, a second thermal-coupling interface, and a membrane. The membrane arranged between the first thermal-coupling interface and the second thermal-coupling interface and connected to the first thermal-coupling interface by a supporting frame. A thermal bridge between the second thermal-coupling interface and a thermal-coupling portion of the membrane. A thermoelectric converter on the membrane configured to supply an electrical quantity as a function of a temperature difference between the thermal-coupling portion of the membrane and the supporting frame.

Abstract: A composite product is for an electrode of a fuel cell including a catalyst, an electrically conductive phase which supports such catalyst, a protonically conductive phase, and a porous phase. At least the contact between the catalyst and the electrically and protonically conductive phases, and preferably also the contact of the porous phase with the catalyst and with the electrically and protonically conductive phases, is improved or maximized. Each of the phases is individually continuous, and such phases are continuous with each other.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a device integrated on a semiconductor substrate of a type comprising at least one first portion for the integration of at least one microfluidic system, and a second portion for the integration of an additional circuitry. The microfluidic system comprises at least one cavity realized in a containment layer of the integrated device closed on top by at least one portion of a polysilicon layer, this polysilicon layer being a thin layer shared by the additional circuitry and the closing portion of the cavity realizing a piezoresistive membrane for the microfluidic system.

Abstract: A cartridge for biochemical analysis includes a support, a structure, which is set on the support and contains wells for receiving a solution, and photodetectors on the support, in positions corresponding to respective wells.

Abstract: A process is described for integrating, on an inert substrate, a device having at least one passive component and one active component. The process comprises: deposition of a protection dielectric layer on the inert substrate; formation of a polysilicon island on the protection dielectric layer; integration of the active component on the polysilicon island; deposition of the covering dielectric layer on the protection dielectric layer and on the active component; integration of the passive component on the covering dielectric layer; formation of first contact structures in openings realised in the covering dielectric layer in correspondence with active regions of the active component; and formation of second contact structures in correspondence with the passive component. An integrated device obtained through this process is also described.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a sensor being integrated on a semiconductor substrate and comprising at least a vertical double-junction photodiode, in turn comprising at least one first and one second p-n junction formed in said semiconductor substrate, as well as at least an anti-reflection coating formed on said photodiode. Said at least one anti-reflection coating comprises at least one first and one second different anti-reflection layer being suitable to obtain a responsivity peak in correspondence with a predetermined wavelength of an incident optical signal on said sensor. An embodiment also relates to an integration process of such a sensor, as well as to an ambient light sensor made by means of such a sensor.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device includes at least first and second radiation emitter devices arranged on a common substrate. Each radiation emitter devise includes a first active layer and a second layer of organic material for generating the radiation, respectively. This device includes isolation means of dielectric material which are at least partially interposed between the first and second active layers to electrically isolate the first layer from the second active layer.

Abstract: A cartridge for biochemical analyses includes a support, a structure, which is set on the support and contains wells for receiving a solution, and photodetectors on the support, in positions corresponding to respective wells.

Abstract: A microfluidic system through which a solution of at least an oxidable compound is fed to a feed manifold of an energy converting electrochemical device includes a flow connector. The flow connector includes a silicon platform having a bottom side and an opposing top side, and through holes extending therethough. The silicon platform includes first and second channels defined on the bottom side for communicating with the through holes. The second channel forms an inlet for the feed manifold of the energy converting electrochemical device when the bottom side of the silicon platform is coupled to a flat coupling area of the device. A micropump module is coupled to the top side of the silicon platform for communicating with the through holes in the first and second channels. First and second supply cartridges are coupled to the top side of the silicon platform for communicating with the through holes in the first channel.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen for micro fuel cells, comprises the successive steps of: continuously supplying a catalytic bed with an aqueous solution of sodium borohydride, the catalytic bed being made of at least one metal chosen among cobalt, nickel, platinum, ruthenium with obtainment of hydrogen and of a by-product comprising sodium metaborate, continuously recovering the hydrogen thus obtained and supplying, with said hydrogen as it is as obtained, a micro fuel cell which transforms hydrogen into electric energy. An apparatus provides continuous supply of hydrogen to a micro fuel cell. An integrated system structured for continuously producing and supplying hydrogen to a micro fuel cell and for converting the continuously supplied hydrogen into electric energy.

Abstract: A device for producing energy for portable applications including at least one micro fuel cell and a microreactor, having a reaction chamber including a catalyst, for producing hydrogen gas to be fed to the micro fuel cell. The microreactor includes at least one substrate of a composite material for making printed circuits micromachined with printed circuit technology suitable for making the reaction chamber and having a semipermeable membrane on top of it. The substrate and the membrane are connected to the micro fuel cell to make a single body through a single pressure assembly step.

Abstract: A driving circuit of an OLED diode is inserted between a first and a second voltage reference and having at least one input terminal receiving an input voltage signal and an output terminal for the generation of a driving current of the OLED diode, the driving circuit having at least one driver transistor having a first conduction terminal connected to the first voltage reference, a second conduction terminal connected to the output terminal and a control terminal connected to at least one first capacitor and one second capacitor.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a device integrated on a semiconductor substrate of a type comprising at least one first portion for the integration of at least one microfluidic system, and a second portion for the integration of an additional circuitry. The microfluidic system comprises at least one cavity realized in a containment layer of the integrated device closed on top by at least one portion of a polysilicon layer, this polysilicon layer being a thin layer shared by the additional circuitry and the closing portion of the cavity realizing a piezoresistive membrane for the microfluidic system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composite polymeric material containing nanometric inorganic inclusions comprising the steps of: mixing a polymer with a thermolytic precursor to provide a homogeneous dispersion of said at least one precursor and of said at least one polymer; subjecting said homogeneous dispersion to heating to provide a molten polymer and thermolytic fission of the precursor, generating the inclusions dispersed in the molten polymer.

Abstract: An embodiment of a cartridge for hydrogen production comprises a reaction chamber having a catalyst and a tank chamber comprising a reactant suitable for reacting with said catalyst for the production of gaseous hydrogen and comprising a fluidic conduit of connection between the tank chamber and the reaction chamber, the cartridge comprising a single body associated with a piston element, said piston element being suitable for defining in said single body said tank chamber and said reaction chamber, said piston element being activated for regulating the flow of the reactant in said fluidic conduit.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electronic semiconductor device, wherein a SOI wafer is provided, formed by a bottom layer of semiconductor material, an insulating layer, and a top layer of semiconductor material, stacked on top of one another; alignment marks are formed in the top layer; an implanted buried region is formed, aligned to the alignment marks; a hard mask is formed on top of the top layer so as to align it to the alignment marks; using the hard mask, the top layer is selectively removed so as to form a trench extending up to the insulating layer; there a lateral-insulation region in the trench, that is contiguous to the insulating layer and delimits with the latter an insulated well of semiconductor material; and electronic components are formed in the top layer.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a thin-film transistor device includes forming a dielectric insulation layer on a substrate, forming an amorphous silicon layer on the dielectric insulation layer, crystallizing the amorphous silicon layer, so as to obtain polycrystalline silicon, forming gate structures on the polycrystalline silicon, and forming first doped regions within the polycrystalline silicon laterally with respect to the gate structures. The crystallizing step includes forming first capping dielectric regions on the amorphous silicon layer, and then irradiating the amorphous silicon layer using a laser so as to form active areas of polycrystalline silicon separated by separation portions of amorphous silicon underlying the first capping dielectric regions.

Abstract: A fuel cell is entirely fabricated on a single monocrystalline silicon substrate, and substantially overcomes leak proofing and wafer bonding difficulties and criticalities while ensuring an intrinsic sturdiness of the planarly integrated functional structure of the fuel cell. The integrated fuel cell is formed in an oxidized porous silicon region on a monocrystalline silicon substrate that is pervious to fluid flow and is electrically nonconductive with the monocrystalline silicon substrate.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a sensor integrated on a semiconductor substrate and comprising at least one first and second photodiode including at least one first and one second p-n junction made in such a semiconductor substrate as well as at least one first and one second antireflection coating made on top of such a first and second photodiode. At least one antireflection coating of such a first and second photodiode comprises at least one first and one second different antireflection layer to make a double layer antireflection coating suitable for obtaining for the corresponding photodiode a responsivity peak at a predetermined wavelength of an optical signal incident on the sensor. An embodiment also refers to an integration process of such a sensor, as well as to an ambient light sensor made with such a sensor.