Abstract: A method of operating a multi-terminal electronic device. The device includes an active material in electrical communication with three or more electrical terminals. The active material is able to undergo a transformation from one state to another state, where the two states differ in resistance. The method includes the step of providing energy between one pair of terminals of the device, where the provided energy effects a change in the state of the active material adjacent to one or more other terminals of the device. In one embodiment, energy is applied between a first terminal and a second terminal of a three-terminal device and the state of the active material adjacent to the third terminal is altered. In one embodiment, energy is applied in the form of electrical energy and the active material is a phase change material that undergoes a transformation from one structural state to another structural state.

Abstract: A pore cathode for use in a deposition chamber for the plasma enhanced deposition of photovoltaic materials onto one or more webs of substrate material. The cathode is planar and serves the dual functions of (1) an electrode for the plasma deposition process and (2) a distribution conduit for the flow of fresh reaction gas to and for the evacuation of the spent reaction gas from the plasma region to maintain a uniform, constant pressure plasma reaction. The gas outlet pores of the inventive cathode are uniquely sized, shaped and spaced to provide new plasma chemistry and physics to insure optimization of the zoo of chemical species within the plasma regardless of deposition speed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fire resistant laminate and incorporating the laminate into an encapsulant for a photovoltaic module that may be used in a photovoltaic building material. More particularly, the present invention relates to fire resistant encapsulant that may be used in a triple junction amorphous silicon photovoltaic module that is fire resistant on a wide variety of buildings roofs, including residential housing, and that is flexible and lightweight. A fire resistant additive, such as solid glass spheres, may be added to encapsulant material to produce a fire resistant, cut resistant, lightweight photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst. The method comprises the step of leaching a portion of the bulk of an alloy. The alloy may be a hydrogen storage alloy.

Abstract: A molten carbonate fuel cell with intrinsic energy storage. The molten carbonate fuel cell includes a hydrogen electrode utilizing a modified anode active material. The modified anode active material allows for intrinsic energy storage within the hydrogen electrode which provides for transient response, load leveling applications, a decreased start-up time, and ability to accept charge. The molten carbonate fuel cell may also include a modified cathode active material that allows for intrinsic energy storage within the oxygen electrode.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell with intrinsic energy storage. The solid oxide fuel cell includes a hydrogen electrode utilizing a modified anode active material. The modified anode active material allows for intrinsic energy storage within the hydrogen electrode which provides for transient response, load leveling applications, a decreased start-up time, and ability to accept charge. The solid oxide fuel cell may also include a modified cathode active material that allows for intrinsic energy storage within the oxygen electrode.

Abstract: An error reduction circuit for use in arrays of chalcogenide memory and computing devices. The error reduction circuit reduces the error associated with the output response of chalcogenide devices. In a preferred embodiment, the output response is resistance and the error reduction circuit reduces errors or fluctuations in the resistance. The error reduction circuit includes a network of chalcogenide devices, each of which is nominally equivalent and each of which is programmed into the same state having the same nominal resistance. The inclusion of multiple devices in the network of the instant error reduction circuit provides for a reduction in the contributions of both dynamic fluctuations and manufacturing fluctuations to the error in the output response.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process for preparing electrical and optical chalcogenide materials. In a preferred embodiment, the instant CVD-deposited materials exhibit one or more of the following properties: electrical switching, accumulation, setting, reversible multistate behavior, resetting, cognitive functionality, and reversible amorphous-crystalline transformations. In one embodiment, a multilayer structure, including at least one layer containing a chalcogen element, is deposited by CVD and subjected to post-deposition application of energy to produce a chalcogenide material having properties in accordance with the instant invention. In another embodiment, a single layer chalcogenide material having properties in accordance with the instant invention is formed from a CVD deposition process including three or more deposition precursors, at least one of which is a chalcogen element precursor. Preferred materials are those that include the chalcogen Te along with Ge and/or Sb.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process for preparing multilayer structures including Ge or a Ge-containing layer for use in electrical, optical and photovoltaic applications. A preferred Ge precursor is isobutylgermane. The multilayer structures include structures having a layer of Ge formed from isobutylgermane and structures having a layer of SiGe where isobutylgermane is used as a Ge precursor. The instant invention generally includes multilayer structures that include a layer of Ge or a layer of SiGe in combination with a layer of Si. Embodiments include multilayer structures having two or more layers containing an alloy of Si and Ge, where the Si:Ge differs in the two or more layers.

Abstract: Multi-terminal chalcogenide memory cells having multiple binary or non-binary bit storage capacity and methods of programming same. The memory cells include a pore region containing a chalcogenide material along with three or more electrical terminals in electrical communication therewith. The configuration of terminals delineates spatially distinct regions of chalcogenide material that may be selectively and independently programmed to provide multibit storage. The application of an electrical signal (e.g. electrical current or voltage pulse) between a pair of terminals effects a structural transformation in one of the spatially distinct portions of chalcogenide material. Application of electrical signals to different pairs of terminals within a chalcogenide device effects structural transformations in different portions of the chalcogenide material. The structural states produced by the structural transformations may be used for storage of information values in a binary or non-binary (e.g.

Abstract: A method of making an electrically programmable memory element, comprising: providing a conductive sidewall spacer; and forming a phase-change material in electrical communication with said conductive sidewall spacer.

Abstract: A power generation and supply system utilizing one or more solar cells to produce electricity and hydrogen. The power generation and supply system includes an electrolyzer powered by the one or more solar cells for producing hydrogen, a hydrogen distribution system for distributing the hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer, a rechargeable battery for storing electricity produced by the solar cells, and an electricity distribution. The power generation and supply system according may further comprise a hydrogen fueled fuel cell which receives hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer and produces electricity as needed to recharge the rechargeable battery and/or power one or more electrical devices.

Abstract: A modified A2B7 type hydrogen storage alloy having reduced hysteresis. The alloy consists of a base AxBy hydrogen storage alloy, where A includes at least one rare earth element and also includes magnesium, B includes at least nickel, and the atomic ratio of x to y is between 1:2 and 1:5. The base alloy is modified by the addition of at least one modifier element which has an atomic volume less than about 8 cm3/mole, and is added to the base alloy in an amount sufficient to reduce the absorption/desorption hysteresis of the alloy by at least 10% when compared with the base alloy.

Abstract: In an assist mechanism, a control shaft, manual means for rotating said shaft, a pair of oppositely rotating gears, means for rotating said gears, electrically controlled clutches being normally disengaged, normally open switch means in the circuits of said clutches, means responsive to a predetermined torque applied to said manual means for closing one of said switches and engaging its corresponding clutch, whereby one of said gears drives said control shaft in a direction aiding the turning effort, and means for opening said switch upon a decrease in torque below said predetermined amount.

Abstract: A steering assist mechanism for use in a vehicle having a steering linkage and an engine. The steering assist mechanism includes a driving unit having input and output ends. The output end being connected to the steering linkage. The steering assist mechanism also includes power take-off means adapted to connect the engine to the input end of the driving unit. The steering assist mechanism further includes an electromagnetic clutch in the driving unit between the input and output ends, and control means which are responsive to the torque exerted through the steering linkage to increase the energization of the clutch, whereby the steering linkage is driven by the power take-off means in a direction tending to reduce the torque.

Abstract: A BCC phase hydrogen storage alloy capable of storing approximately 4.0 wt. % hydrogen and delivering reversibly up to 3.0 wt. % hydrogen at temperatures up to 110° C. The hydrogen storage alloys also possess excellent kinetics whereby up to 80% of the hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage alloy may be reached in 30 seconds and 80% of the total hydrogen storage capacity may be desorbed from the hydrogen storage alloy in 90 seconds. The hydrogen storage alloys also have excellent stability which provides for long cycle life.

Abstract: A deposition apparatus and method for continuously depositing a polycrystalline material such as polysilicon or polycrystalline SiGe layer on a mobile discrete or continuous web substrate. The apparatus includes a pay-out unit for dispensing a discrete or continuous web substrate and a deposition unit that receives the discrete or continuous web substrate and deposits a series of one or more thin film layers thereon in a series of one or more deposition or processing chambers. In a preferred embodiment, polysilicon is formed by first depositing a layer of amorphous or microcrystalline silicon using PECVD and transforming said layer to polysilicon through heating or annealing with one or more lasers, lamps, furnaces or other heat sources. Laser annealing utilizing a pulsed excimer is a preferred embodiment. By controlling the processing temperature, temperature distribution within a layer of amorphous or microcrystalline silicon etc.

Abstract: A method of factoring numbers in a non-binary computation scheme and more particularly, a method of factoring numbers utilizing a digital multistate phase change material. The method includes providing energy in an amount characteristic of the number to be factored to a phase change material programmed according to a potential factor of the number. The programming strategy provides for the setting of the phase change material once for each time a multiple of a potential factor is present in the number to be factored. By counting the number of multiples and assessing the state of the phase change material upon execution of the method, a determination of whether a potential factor is indeed a factor may be made. A given volume of phase change material may be reprogrammed for different factors or separate volumes of phase change material may be employed for different factors.

Abstract: A Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell including a hydrogen electrode utilizing non-noble metal hydrogen oxidation catalysts, and/or an oxygen electrode utilizing non-noble metal oxygen reduction catalysts. The non-noble metal hydrogen oxidation catalysts and the non-noble metal oxygen reduction catalysts provide for a long catalyst cycle life due to increased stability and poisoning resistance in an acidic environment.

Abstract: A fuel cell. The anode of the fuel cell comprises a hydrogen oxidation catalyst comprising a finely divided metal particulate. The metal particulate may be a nickel and/or nickel alloy particulate having a particle size less than about 100 Angstroms.