Abstract: An overcoat layer and method to make an overcoated photoconductor drum of an electrophotographic image forming device using irradiation such as with electron beam (EB) or ultraviolet (UV) light is provided. The photoconductor drum is then cured using EB dose of between 10 and 100 kiloGrays (kGy), preferably between 20 and 40 kGys or UV irradiation with an exposure of between 0.1 and 2 J/cm2. The unique overcoat layer of the present invention is formed having a biphasic morphology comprised of a highly cured crosslinked phase and a second phase enriched in uncured material. The desired amount of uncured uncrosslinked material found in the second phase of the biphasic structure, is between 2-70 wt % range, with particularly good combination of long-life and electrical performance when present at the 5-50 wt % level, and the best performance at the 15-40 wt % level.

Abstract: An improved overcoat layer for an organic photoconductor drum of an electrophotographic image forming device is provided. The overcoat layer is prepared from a curable composition including a triphenylamine charge transport containing two ethyl acrylate functional groups and a urethane resin containing six radical polymerizable functional groups. The amount of the triphenylamine charge transport containing two ethyl acrylate functional groups in the curable composition is about 20 to about 80 percent by weight. The amount of the urethane resin containing six radical polymerizable functional groups in the curable composition is about 20 to about 80 percent by weight. This overcoat layer improves wear resistance of the organic photoconductor drum without negatively altering the electrophotographic properties, thus protecting the organic photoconductor drum from damage and ultimately providing a photoconductor with a longer useful life when compared to other organic photoconductors commercially available.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integration of carrier-based service functionality with API-based functionality emanating from a single service provider or service network.

Abstract: A method of processing a semiconductor assembly is presented. The method includes fabricating a photovoltaic module including a semiconductor assembly. The fabrication step includes performing an efficiency enhancement treatment on the semiconductor assembly, wherein the efficiency enhancement treatment includes light soaking the semiconductor assembly, and heating the semiconductor assembly. The semiconductor assembly includes a window layer having an average thickness less than about 80 nanometers, wherein the window layer includes cadmium and sulfur. A related system is also presented.

Abstract: Methods for provisioning wireline or wireless services and goods to at least one prepaid or postpaid customer in a communications network are provided. In one such method, a request is received for at least one service or good from a prepaid customer and it is determined based upon the request if sufficient funds are available to pay for the requested service and, if not, a warning message is sent to the customer. If funds are available a payment for the requested service or good is deducted from the customer's account, the account balance is updated, and an authorization is sent to the service node that facilitates the requested service or good. Upon receipt of the authorization, the service node is permitted to access the requested service or good in accordance with a parameter. Other similar methods are provided for postpaid customers.

Abstract: An overcoat layer and method to make an overcoated photoconductor drum of an electrophotographic image forming device using irradiation such as with electron beam (EB) or ultraviolet (UV) light is provided. The photoconductor drum is then cured using EB dose of between 10 and 100 kiloGrays (kGy), preferably between 20 and 40 kGys or UV irradiation with an exposure of between 0.1 and 2 J/cm2. The unique overcoat layer of the present invention is formed having a biphasic morphology comprised of a highly cured crosslinked phase and a second phase enriched in uncured material. The desired amount of uncured uncrosslinked material found in the second phase of the biphasic structure, is between 2-70 wt % range, with particularly good combination of long-life and electrical performance when present at the 5-50 wt % level, and the best performance at the 15-40 wt % level.

Abstract: An overcoat layer for an organic photoconductor drum of an electrophotographic image forming device is provided. The overcoat layer is prepared from a curable composition including a urethane resin having at least six radical polymerizable functional groups and a charge transport molecule having at least one radical polymerizable functional group. The amount of the urethane resin having at least six radical polymerizable functional groups in the curable composition is about 35 percent to about 65 percent by weight. The amount of the charge transport molecules having at least one radical polymerizable functional group in the curable composition is about 35 percent to about 65 percent by weight. This overcoat layer improves wear resistance of the organic photoconductor drum without negatively altering the electrophotographic properties, thus protecting the organic photoconductor drum from damage and extending its useful life.

Abstract: A method of preparing a photoconductor drum having an overcoat layer is provided. The photoconductor drum is used in an electrophotographic image forming device. The photoconductor drum is prepared from a curable composition including a urethane resin having at least six radical polymerizable functional groups and a charge transport molecule having at least one radical polymerizable functional group. The amount of the urethane resin having at least six radical polymerizable functional groups in the curable composition is about 35 percent to about 65 percent by weight. The amount of the charge transport molecules having at least one radical polymerizable functional group in the curable composition is about 35 percent to about 65 percent by weight. This overcoat layer improves wear resistance of the photoconductor drum without negatively altering the electrophotographic properties, thus protecting the photoconductor drum from damage and extending its useful life.

Abstract: Methods for provisioning wireline or wireless services and goods to at least one prepaid or postpaid customer in a communications network are provided. In one such method, a request is received for at least one service or good from a prepaid customer and it is determined based upon the request if sufficient funds are available to pay for the requested service and, if not, a warning message is sent to the customer. If funds are available a payment for the requested service or good is deducted from the customer's account, the account balance is updated, and an authorization is sent to the service node that facilitates the requested service or good. Upon receipt of the authorization, the service node is permitted to access the requested service or good in accordance with a parameter. Other similar methods are provided for postpaid customers.

Abstract: A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided where the ice maker includes a fluid inlet, a filtration element in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a control housing configured to engage the filtration element, and a filter cover disposed adjacent the control housing and configured to support the filtration element, wherein the filter cover comprises a plurality of fluid draining slots.

Abstract: A vehicle speed determination system and method receive image data of a field of view of a camera operably disposed onboard a vehicle. A speed and/or heading of the vehicle are determined as the vehicle is moving based at least in part on one or more differences in the image data. In one aspect, pixel intensities in different images or frames may be examined to identify one or more features of interest in the images or frames. Movement of the one or more features of interest in the images or frames is correlated to movement of the vehicle along the route, and the time difference between when the images or frames are obtained can be used to determine the vehicle speed.

Abstract: Methods for treating a semiconductor layer including a semiconductor material are presented. A method includes contacting at least a portion of the semiconductor material with a passivating agent. The method further includes forming a first region in the semiconductor layer by introducing a dopant into the semiconductor material; and forming a chalcogen-rich region. The method further includes forming a second region in the semiconductor layer, the second region including a dopant, wherein an average atomic concentration of the dopant in the second region is greater than an average atomic concentration of the dopant in the first region. Photovoltaic devices are also presented.

Abstract: A method of processing a semiconductor assembly is presented. The method includes fabricating a photovoltaic module including a semiconductor assembly. The fabrication step includes performing an efficiency enhancement treatment on the semiconductor assembly, wherein the efficiency enhancement treatment includes light soaking the semiconductor assembly, and heating the semiconductor assembly. The semiconductor assembly includes a window layer having an average thickness less than about 80 nanometers, wherein the window layer includes cadmium and sulfur. A related system is also presented.

Abstract: An improved overcoat layer for an organic photoconductor drum of an electrophotographic image forming device is provided. The overcoat layer is prepared from a curable composition including a triphenylamine charge transport containing two ethyl acrylate functional groups and a urethane resin containing six radical polymerizable functional groups. The amount of the triphenylamine charge transport containing two ethyl acrylate functional groups in the curable composition is about 20 to about 80 percent by weight. The amount of the urethane resin containing six radical polymerizable functional groups in the curable composition is about 20 to about 80 percent by weight. This overcoat layer improves wear resistance of the organic photoconductor drum without negatively altering the electrophotographic properties, thus protecting the organic photoconductor drum from damage and ultimately providing a photoconductor with a longer useful life when compared to other organic photoconductors commercially available.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face. The body has an impact-influencing structure in the form of a channel positioned on at least one surface of the body. A majority of a force generated by impact with a ball is absorbed by the impact-influencing structure, and a majority of a response force generated by the head upon impact with the ball is generated by the impact-influencing structure. The face may have increased stiffness as compared to existing faces, and may include a stiffening structure to create the increased stiffness, such as a porous or cellular stiffening structure.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face. The body has an impact-influencing structure in the form of a channel positioned on at least one surface of the body. A majority of a force generated by impact with a ball is absorbed by the impact-influencing structure, and a majority of a response force generated by the head upon impact with the ball is generated by the impact-influencing structure. The face may have increased stiffness as compared to existing faces, and may include a stiffening structure to create the increased stiffness, such as a porous or cellular stiffening structure.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face. The body has an impact-influencing structure in the form of a channel positioned on at least one surface of the body. A majority of a force generated by impact with a ball is absorbed by the impact-influencing structure, and a majority of a response force generated by the head upon impact with the ball is generated by the impact-influencing structure. The face may have increased stiffness as compared to existing faces, and may include a stiffening structure to create the increased stiffness, such as a porous or cellular stiffening structure.

Abstract: A method for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material, such as CdTe, onto substrates in a continuous, non-stop manner through the apparatus is provided. The sublimated source material moves through a distribution plate and deposits onto the upper surface of the substrates as they are conveyed through the deposition area. The substrates move into and out of the deposition area through entry and exit slots that are defined by transversely extending entrance and exit seals. The seals are disposed at a gap distance above the upper surface of the substrates that is less than the distance or spacing between the upper surface of the substrates and the distribution plate. The seals have a ratio of longitudinal length (in the direction of conveyance of the substrates) to gap distance of from about 10:1 to about 100:1.

Abstract: The boiler cleaning apparatus and method provides for cleaning the exterior surfaces of a heat exchanger. The apparatus and method include tools and steps, respectively, for temporarily spreading tubes and holding open the tubes to gain access to tube lanes. Once access to a lane is attained, a nozzle assembly having an outlet for blowing high velocity cleaning fluid is selected from a group of nozzle assemblies. The selected nozzle assembly will have an outlet for blowing fluid in a direction that effectively cleans the tubes adjacent the opened lane. After the tubes are cleaned the tool for holding the lane opened is removed and the process is repeated for another lane.