Abstract: A chalcogenide alloy that optimizes operating parameters of an ovonic threshold switch includes an atomic percentage of arsenic in the range of 9 to 39, an atomic percentage of germanium in the range of 10 and 40, an atomic percentage of silicon in the range of 5 and 18, an atomic percentage of nitrogen in the range of 0 and 10, and an alloy of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium. A ratio of sulfur to selenium in the range of 0.25 and 4, and a ration of sulfur to tellurium in the alloy of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium is in the range of 0.11 and 1.

Abstract: A memory may be implemented with a stable chalcogenide glass which is defined as a generally amorphous chalcogenide material that does not change to a generally crystalline phase when exposed to 200° C. for 30 minutes or less. Different states may be programmed by changing the threshold voltage of the material. The threshold voltage may be changed with pulses of different amplitude and/or different pulse fall times. Reading may be done using a reference level between the threshold voltages of the two different states. A separate access device is generally not needed.

Abstract: A chalcogenide alloy that optimizes operating parameters of an ovonic threshold switch includes an atomic percentage of arsenic in the range of 9 to 39, an atomic percentage of germanium in the range of 10 and 40, an atomic percentage of silicon in the range of 5 and 18, an atomic percentage of nitrogen in the range of 0 and 10, and an alloy of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium. A ratio of sulfur to selenium in the range of 0.25 and 4, and a ration of sulfur to tellurium in the alloy of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium is in the range of 0.11 and 1.

Abstract: A memory may be implemented with a stable chalcogenide glass which is defined as a generally amorphous chalcogenide material that does not change to a generally crystalline phase when exposed to 200° C. for 30 minutes or less. Different states may be programmed by changing the threshold voltage of the material. The threshold voltage may be changed with pulses of different amplitude and/or different pulse fall times. Reading may be done using a reference level between the threshold voltages of the two different states. A separate access device is generally not needed.

Abstract: A memory may be implemented with a stable chalcogenide glass which is defined as a generally amorphous chalcogenide material that does not change to a generally crystalline phase when exposed to 200° C. for 30 minutes or less. Different states may be programmed by changing the threshold voltage of the material. The threshold voltage may be changed with pulses of different amplitude and/or different pulse fall times. Reading may be done using a reference level between the threshold voltages of the two different states. A separate access device is generally not needed.

Abstract: A memory may be implemented with a stable chalcogenide glass which is defined as a generally amorphous chalcogenide material that does not change to a generally crystalline phase when exposed to 200° C. for 30 minutes or less. Different states may be programmed by changing the threshold voltage of the material. The threshold voltage may be changed with pulses of different amplitude and/or different pulse fall times. Reading may be done using a reference level between the threshold voltages of the two different states. A separate access device is generally not needed.

Abstract: A phase-change memory element comprising a phase-change memory material, a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. At least one of the electrical contacts having a sidewall electrically coupled to the memory material.

Abstract: A bipolar battery comprising bipolar electrodes. The bipolar electrodes including corrugated bipolar substrates. The corrugated bipolar substrates may be formed as corrugated foils. The battery may be a nickel metal hydride battery.

Abstract: A nano-particulate reticulated foam-like structure, which includes particles having a size of 10-200 nanometers. The particles are joined together to form a reticulated foam-like structure. The reticulated foam-like structure is similar to the structure of carbon nano-foam. The nano-particulate reticulated foam-like structure may comprise a metal, such as a hydrogen storage alloy, either a gas-phase thermal or an electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy. The nano-particulate reticulated foam-like structure may comprise alternatively comprise a hydroxide such as nickel hydroxide or manganese hydroxide or an oxide, such as a silver oxide or a copper oxide. When the nano-particulate reticulated foam-like structure is a hydrogen storage alloy, the material exhibits substantial immunity to hydrogen cycling decrepitation and an increase in the reversible hydrogen storage capacity by reduction of trapped hydrogen by at least 10% as compared to the same alloy in bulk form.

Abstract: A conductive additive for the positive nickel electrode for electrochemical cells which provides increased performance by suppressing an oxygen evolution reaction occurring parallel to the oxidation of nickel hydroxide, increasing conductivity of the electrode and/or consuming oxygen produced as a result of the oxygen evolution reaction.

Abstract: A combination of photovoltaic devices and solid state batteries. The solid state battery comprising at least one negative electrode which may include a metal hydride active material, at least one positive electrode including an active material, and an anionic exchange membrane disposed between said negative electrode and said positive electrode. The anionic exchange membrane may be selected from materials allowing the flow of hydroxyl ions therethrough while simultaneously electrically separating the positive and negative electrodes. The anionic exchange membrane may be selected from a number of different materials based on different chemistries which allow the flow of hydroxyl ions therethrough. The anionic exchange membrane may be comprised of a polystyrene-divinylbenzene-polyvinylchloride polymeric material. The photovoltaic devices may be amorphous silicon solar cells. The photovoltaic devices may be triple junction, tandem amorphous silicon solar cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for elevating the operating voltage in a fuel cell having a hydrogen electrode with hydrogen storage capacity and/or an oxygen electrode with oxygen storage capacity. The fuel cell is able to sustain the elevated voltage through application of an electrical current to the fuel cell resulting in the charging of the hydrogen electrode and/or the oxygen electrode.

Abstract: A fuel cell. The anode of the fuel cell comprises a hydrogen oxidation catalyst comprising a finely divided metal alloy particulate. The metal alloy particulate has an average particle size of less than about 100 Angstroms.

Abstract: A apparatus for depositing one or more thin film layers on one or more continuous web or discrete substrates. The apparatus includes a pay-out unit for dispensing one or a plurality of webs, a deposition unit that deposits a series of one or more thin film layers thereon, and a take-up unit that receives and stores the webs following deposition. In a preferred embodiment, deposition occurs through plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition in which a plasma region is formed between a cathode in the deposition unit and one or more vertically-oriented webs. The instant deposition apparatus includes a support system for guiding and stabilizing the transport of one or more webs or substrates through the deposition chambers. The support system includes a magnetic guidance assembly and an edge-stabilizing assembly that operate to inhibit perturbations of the motion of a web or substrate in directions other than the direction of transport through the apparatus.

Abstract: An optical data storage and retrieval system that includes a phase change storage medium and dual energy sources. The phase change material may store information by undergoing a transformation from one structural state to another structural state through application of energy. The system is equipped with two energy sources, neither of which alone provides sufficient energy to effect the transformation. The combination of both energy sources, however, provides sufficient energy to induce the transformation needed to record information. The energy from either source may be optical, thermal, electromagnetic, mechanical or magnetic energy.

Abstract: A metal hydride hydrogen storage unit utilizing compartmentalization to maintain a uniform metal hydride powder density thereby reducing stress on the vessel due to repeated cycling. An hydrogen storage alloy powder occupies at least 60% of the available interior volume of the hydrogen storage unit. Upon cycling of the hydrogen storage alloy powder between hydriding and dehydriding, the rate of increase in the average equivalent pressure exerted on the sidewall is less than 25 psi over at least 20 cycles, the hydriding portion of each of the cycles including the step of charging said hydrogen storage alloy powder to at least 60% of its maximum storage capacity.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy having an atomically engineered microstructure that both physically and chemically absorbs hydrogen. The atomically engineered microstructure has a predominant volume of a first microstructure which provides for chemically absorbed hydrogen and a volume of a second microstructure which provides for physically absorbed hydrogen. The volume of the second microstructure may be at least 5 volume % of atomically engineered microstructure. The atomically engineered microstructure may include porous micro-tubes in which the porosity of the micro-tubes physically absorbs hydrogen. The micro-tubes may be at least 5 volume % of the atomically engineered microstructure. The micro-tubes may provide proton conduction channels within the bulk of the hydrogen storage alloy and the proton conduction channels may be at least 5 volume % of the atomically engineered microstructure.

Abstract: A method for making a catalyst having catalytically active material supported on a carrier matrix. The catalytically active material may be a mixed-valence, nanoclustered oxide(s), an organometallic material or a combination thereof. In one method, a metal salt solution is combined with a metal complexing agent to form a metal complex. The metal complex is then combined with a suspension that includes a carrier matrix and the system is subjected to ultrasonic agitation. A base is then added to induce a controlled crystallization of a catalytic nanocluster metal material onto the carrier matrix. The supported catalytic material is particularly useful for catalyzing oxygen reduction in a fuel cell, such as an alkaline fuel cell.

Abstract: A light-plasmon coupling lens including an optically transparent substrate having a light incident surface and a light-plasmon coupling surface opposite the light incident surface. The light-plasmon coupling surface including at least a set of circular concentric peaks/valleys which form a Fourier sinusoidal pattern in the radial direction of the circular concentric peaks/valleys. A conformal layer of metal is deposited on the light-plasmon coupling surface of the substrate and has aperture at the center of thereof through which plasmons are transmitted. An optical recording medium including a light-plasmon coupling lens.

Abstract: A solid state battery utilizing an anionic ion exchange membrane solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is used to replace the separator and the liquid electrolyte typically utilized in batteries. The solid electrolyte may be a polymeric material allowing the transfer of hydroxyl ions therethrough.