Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising a photovoltaic cell is provided. The photovoltaic cell includes an emitter layer comprising a crystalline semiconductor material and a lightly doped crystalline substrate disposed adjacent the emitter layer. The lightly doped crystalline substrate and the emitter layer are oppositely doped. Further, the photovoltaic device includes a back surface passivated structure coupled to the photovoltaic cell. The structure includes a highly doped back surface field layer disposed adjacent the lightly doped crystalline substrate. The highly doped back surface field layer includes an amorphous or a microcrystalline semiconductor material, wherein the highly doped back surface field layer and the lightly doped crystalline substrate are similarly doped, and wherein a doping level of the highly doped back surface field layer is higher than a doping level of the lightly doped crystalline substrate.

Abstract: A storage media comprises: a substrate comprising a plastic resin portion, wherein to plastic resin portion comprises poly(arylene ether) and a styrene material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, styrenic copolymer(s), and reaction products and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing styrene material(s), and a data layer on the substrate. The data layer can be at least partly read from, written to, or a combination thereof by an energy field. Additionally, when the energy field contacts the storage media, the energy field is incident upon the data layer before it could be incident upon the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system comprises a variable capacitor and a power source. The electrical power generation system is configured to generate electric power via movements of the rail. The power source is used in the form of a generator to prime the variable capacitor that effectively multiplies the priming energy of the power source by extracting energy from the passing vehicle. By alternately priming the variable capacitor using charge from the power source and discharging it at a later time in a cyclic manner to change the capacitance, a significantly large amount of electrical energy is produced due to change in capacitance than from the power source itself.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising a photovoltaic cell is provided. The photovoltaic cell includes an emitter layer comprising a crystalline semiconductor material and a lightly doped crystalline substrate disposed adjacent the emitter layer. The lightly doped crystalline substrate and the emitter layer are oppositely doped. Further, the photovoltaic device includes a back surface passivated structure coupled to the photovoltaic cell. The structure includes a highly doped back surface field layer disposed adjacent the lightly doped crystalline substrate. The highly doped back surface field layer includes an amorphous or a microcrystalline semiconductor material, wherein the highly doped back surface field layer and the lightly doped crystalline substrate are similarly doped, and wherein a doping level of the highly doped back surface field layer is higher than a doping level of the lightly doped crystalline substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are data storage media and methods of making the same. The data storage media, comprises: primary surface features disposed on at least one side of said data storage media; and secondary features superimposed over at least a portion of said surface features. In one embodiment, the method for manufacturing the data storage media comprises: disposing an identifier layer onto a surface of a stamper, said stamper having primary surface features on a first side of said stamper opposite said identifier layer; forming secondary features on an exposed surface of said identifier layer; installing said stamper into a mold; injecting a molten plastic material into the mold, wherein said molten plastic physically contacts said first side; cooling said plastic to form said data storage media, such that a positive image of said primary surface features and of said secondary features are formed into at least a portion of a surface of said plastic; and releasing said data storage media from said mold.

Abstract: A signal obtained from the drive input of a motor or an insulated winding is applied to a sensor that strongly rejects high frequency drive signal components yet passes discharge signal components. This allows discharge signal components to be detected in the presence of harmonics of the drive signal. The voltage of the drive signal may be varied so that the lowest drive signal voltage producing a discharge event may be determined. That voltage is the motor or winding's corona inception voltage.

Abstract: A method for molding an optical disk comprises: applying a thermally insulative insert coating to at least one thermally insulative mold insert to provide at least one coated mold insert having a reduced surface roughness; positioning the coated mold insert between a thermally conductive mold form and a portion of a thermally conductive mold apparatus; injecting a molten thermoplastic material into the mold apparatus; retaining the material in the mold apparatus for a time sufficient for the molten thermoplastic material to cool below its glass transition temperature to form the optical disk; and ejecting the optical disk from the mold apparatus. In another embodiment, the mold insert is coated or laminated on the mold form with the mold insert having a coefficient of thermal expansion compatible with the coefficient of thermal expansion of the mold form. In another embodiment, the mold insert is fabricated by being applied, cured, and then removed from a release layer.

Abstract: A method for molding an optical disk includes applying a thermally insulative mold insert onto a thermally conductive mold form by coating the mold insert on the mold form. The mold insert has a coefficient of thermal expansion compatible with the coefficient of thermal expansion of the mold form and includes an adhesion promoting material. The method further includes positioning the coated mold form in a thermally conductive mold apparatus with the mold insert positioned between the mold form and the mold apparatus; injecting a molten thermoplastic material into the mold apparatus; retaining the molten thermoplastic material in the mold apparatus for a time sufficient for the molten thermoplastic material to cool below its glass transition temperature to form the optical disk; and ejecting the optical disk from the mold apparatus.

Abstract: A method for determining the water strain of an article is provided in the present invention by predetermining a maximum tilt range and radius for the article. Further embodiments of the present invention include a storage medium for data and a polymer for use in a storage medium for data where the storage medium comprises a plurality of layers wherein the aforementioned water strain is calculated for the plurality of layers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are data storage media and methods of making the same. The data storage media, comprises: primary surface features disposed on at least one side of said data storage media; and secondary features superimposed over at least a portion of said surface features. In one embodiment, the method for manufacturing the data storage media comprises: disposing an identifier layer onto a surface of a stamper, said stamper having primary surface features on a first side of said stamper opposite said identifier layer; forming secondary features on an exposed surface of said identifier layer; installing said stamper into a mold; injecting a molten plastic material into the mold, wherein said molten plastic physically contacts said first side; cooling said plastic to form said data storage media, such that a positive image of said primary surface features and of said secondary features are formed into at least a portion of a surface of said plastic; and releasing said data storage media from said mold.

Abstract: A signal obtained from the drive input of a motor or an insulated winding is applied to a sensor that strongly rejects high frequency drive signal components yet passes discharge signal components. This allows discharge signal components to be detected in the presence of harmonics of the drive signal. The voltage of the drive signal may be varied so that the lowest drive signal voltage producing a discharge event may be determined. That voltage is the motor or winding's corona inception voltage.

Abstract: A storage media comprises: a substrate comprising at least one plastic resin portion, wherein the plastic resin portion comprises poly(arylene ether) and a styrene material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, styrenic copolymer(s), and reaction products and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing styrene material(s), and at least one data layer on the substrate. The data layer can be at least partly read from, written to, or a combination thereof by at least one energy field. Additionally, when the energy field contacts the storage media, the energy field is incident upon the data layer before it could be incident upon the substrate.

Abstract: A method of sealing an ultracapacitor substantially free of water is disclosed. The method includes providing a multilayer cell comprising two solid, non porous current collectors, separated by two porous electrodes with a separator between the two electrodes, sealing the cell with a reclosable hermetic closure. Water inside the closure is dissociated by an applied voltage to the cell and escapes in the form of hydrogen and oxygen when the closure is unmated, the closure is then mated to hermetically seal the cell which is substantially free of water.

Abstract: An ultracapacitor comprises at least one cell comprising two solid, nonporous current collectors, two porous electrodes separating the current collectors, a porous separator between the electrodes and an electrolyte occupying pores in the electrodes and separator. The cell is sealed with a reclosable hermetic closure.

Abstract: A method for molding an optical disk comprises: applying a thermally insulative insert coating to at least one thermally insulative mold insert to provide at least one coated mold insert having a reduced surface roughness; positioning the coated mold insert between a thermally conductive mold form and a portion of a thermally conductive mold apparatus; injecting a molten thermoplastic material into the mold apparatus; retaining the material in the mold apparatus for a time sufficient for the molten thermoplastic material to cool below its glass transition temperature to form the optical disk; and ejecting the optical disk from the mold apparatus. In another embodiment, the mold insert is coated or laminated on the mold form with the mold insert having a coefficient of thermal expansion compatible with the coefficient of thermal expansion of the mold form. In another embodiment, the mold insert is fabricated by being applied, cured, and then removed from a release layer.

Abstract: Polyimide compositions can be substantially improved by incorporating in the composition an inorganic, low hardness, thermally stable, sheet silicate, such as muscovite mica, talc, and kaolinite, which results in improved wear resistance and reduced coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A product and process are disclosed that relate to electroconductive powders based on tantalum, niobium, or phosphorus or any combination thereof doped tin oxide and coatings containing such powders. These powders can be used for making transparent coated films that are conductive and have desirable properties for a number of end uses. Some important end uses are in static dissipative fiber and films, coatings for recyclable containers, materials involved in packaging, where the presence of certain heavy metals is undesirable, transparent conductive coatings, among other uses.