Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is described. The ultrasonic transducer comprises a membrane and a substrate disposed opposite the membrane such that a cavity is formed therebetween. The substrate comprises an electrode region and pedestals protruding from a surface of the substrate and having a height greater than a height of the electrode region, the pedestals being electrically isolated from the electrode region.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein relate to a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) and a heater disposed in the CMUT, and forming a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) and a heater disposed in the CMUT. A voltage may be applied to a heater disposed in a CMUT in an ultrasound imaging device in order to cause the heater to generate heat. Based on determining that the collapse voltage of the CMUT has increased by at least a threshold voltage between two times, a voltage may be automatically applied to a heater in the CMUT such that the heater generates heat.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device includes a bottom electrode layer of a transducer cavity disposed over a substrate. The bottom electrode layer includes a bottom layer of a first type metal; a top layer of the first type metal; a second type metal disposed between the bottom layer and the top layer; and at least one intermediate layer of the first type metal disposed between the bottom layer and the top layer, the at least one intermediate layer configured so as to define at least two discrete layers of the second type metal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for forming an energy storage device. More particularly, embodiments described herein relate to methods of forming electric batteries and electrochemical capacitors. In one embodiment a method of forming a high surface area electrode for use in an energy storage device is provided. The method comprises forming an amorphous silicon layer on a current collector having a conductive surface, immersing the amorphous silicon layer in an electrolytic solution to form a series of interconnected pores in the amorphous silicon layer, and forming carbon nanotubes within the series of interconnected pores of the amorphous silicon layer.

Abstract: Solar cells are provided with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which are used: to define a micron/sub-micron geometry of the solar cells; and/or as charge transporters for efficiently removing charge carriers from the absorber layer to reduce the rate of electron-hole recombination in the absorber layer. A solar cell may comprise: a substrate; a multiplicity of areas of metal catalyst on the surface of the substrate; a multiplicity of carbon nanotube bundles formed on the multiplicity of areas of metal catalyst, each bundle including carbon nanotubes aligned roughly perpendicular to the surface of the substrate; and a photoactive solar cell layer formed over the carbon nanotube bundles and exposed surfaces of the substrate, wherein the photoactive solar cell layer is continuous over the carbon nanotube bundles and the exposed surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for forming an energy storage device. More particularly, embodiments described herein relate to methods of forming electric batteries and electrochemical capacitors. In one embodiment a method of forming a high surface area electrode for use in an energy storage device is provided. The method comprises forming an amorphous silicon layer on a current collector having a conductive surface, immersing the amorphous silicon layer in an electrolytic solution to form a series of interconnected pores in the amorphous silicon layer, and forming carbon nanotubes within the series of interconnected pores of the amorphous silicon layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming energy storage devices are provided. In one embodiment a method of producing an energy storage device is provided. The method comprises positioning an anodic current collector into a processing region, depositing one or more three-dimensional electrodes separated by a finite distance on a surface of the anodic current collector such that portions of the surface of the anodic current collector remain exposed, depositing a conformal polymeric layer over the anodic current collector and the one or more three-dimensional electrodes using iCVD techniques comprising flowing a gaseous monomer into the processing region, flowing a gaseous initiator into the processing region through a heated filament to form a reactive gas mixture of the gaseous monomer and the gaseous initiator, wherein the heated filament is heated to a temperature between about 300° C. and about 600° C., and depositing a conformal layer of cathodic material over the conformal polymeric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for forming an energy storage device. More particularly, embodiments described herein relate to methods of forming electric batteries and electrochemical capacitors. In one embodiment a method of forming a high surface area electrode for use in an energy storage device is provided. The method comprises forming an amorphous silicon layer on a current collector having a conductive surface, immersing the amorphous silicon layer in an electrolytic solution to form a series of interconnected pores in the amorphous silicon layer, and forming carbon nanotubes within the series of interconnected pores of the amorphous silicon layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for formation of a composite material on a substrate. The composite material includes carbon nanotubes and/or nanofibers, and composite intrinsic and doped silicon structures. In one embodiment, the substrates are in the form of an elongated sheet or web of material, and the apparatus includes supply and take-up rolls to support the web prior to and after formation of the composite materials. The web is guided through various processing chambers to form the composite materials. In another embodiment, the large scale substrates comprise discrete substrates. The discrete substrates are supported on a conveyor system or, alternatively, are handled by robots that route the substrates through the processing chambers to form the composite materials on the substrates. The composite materials are useful in the formation of energy storage devices and/or photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for formation of a composite material on a substrate. The composite material includes carbon nanotubes and/or nanofibers, and composite intrinsic and doped silicon structures. In one embodiment, the substrates are in the form of an elongated sheet or web of material, and the apparatus includes supply and take-up rolls to support the web prior to and after formation of the composite materials. The web is guided through various processing chambers to form the composite materials. In another embodiment, the large scale substrates comprise discrete substrates. The discrete substrates are supported on a conveyor system or, alternatively, are handled by robots that route the substrates through the processing chambers to form the composite materials on the substrates. The composite materials are useful in the formation of energy storage devices and/or photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: Precise control over gas delivery is achieved at the micro and nanobar mass levels by incorporating blocks of aligned carbon nanotubes into valves and finely adjusting the flow through the block by controlling a compressing force applied to the block. A valve for controlling gas flow includes: a valve housing; a block of aligned carbon nanotubes, the block and the valve housing being configured to direct the gas through the carbon nanotubes in the block; and a device configured to apply a force to the block in order to compress the block, wherein the block is compressed perpendicular to the walls of the carbon nanotubes in the block; whereby the application of the force to the walls restricts the flow of the gas through the valve. The valve may further comprise an electrical device for monitoring the electrical properties of the carbon nanotube block. This monitoring provides information on the state of compression of the carbon nanotube block and/or the gas that is flowing through the valve.

Abstract: A robust, stand-alone load cell comprises a block of aligned carbon nanotubes with parallel electrodes on opposing sides of the block and an electrical circuit connected between the electrodes for measuring the electrical resistance of the block. The nanotubes are preferably aligned perpendicular to the electrodes. Carbon nanotube-based load cells may be incorporated into a wafer assembly for characterizing semiconductor processing equipment. Such a wafer assembly includes two parallel wafers with a plurality of carbon nanotube load cells positioned between and attached to both wafers. The load cells are independently electrically connected to a device which monitors and records the resistivity of the load cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for formation of a composite material on a substrate. The composite material includes carbon nanotubes and/or nanofibers, and composite intrinsic and doped silicon structures. In one embodiment, the substrates are in the form of an elongated sheet or web of material, and the apparatus includes supply and take-up rolls to support the web prior to and after formation of the composite materials. The web is guided through various processing chambers to form the composite materials. In another embodiment, the large scale substrates comprise discrete substrates. The discrete substrates are supported on a conveyor system or, alternatively, are handled by robots that route the substrates through the processing chambers to form the composite materials on the substrates. The composite materials are useful in the formation of energy storage devices and/or photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for forming an energy storage device. More particularly, embodiments described herein relate to methods of forming electric batteries and electrochemical capacitors. In one embodiment a method of forming a high surface area electrode for use in an energy storage device is provided. The method comprises forming an amorphous silicon layer on a current collector having a conductive surface, immersing the amorphous silicon layer in an electrolytic solution to form a series of interconnected pores in the amorphous silicon layer, and forming carbon nanotubes within the series of interconnected pores of the amorphous silicon layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming energy storage devices are provided. In one embodiment a method of producing an energy storage device is provided. The method comprises positioning an anodic current collector into a processing region, depositing one or more three-dimensional electrodes separated by a finite distance on a surface of the anodic current collector such that portions of the surface of the anodic current collector remain exposed, depositing a conformal polymeric layer over the anodic current collector and the one or more three-dimensional electrodes using iCVD techniques comprising flowing a gaseous monomer into the processing region, flowing a gaseous initiator into the processing region through a heated filament to form a reactive gas mixture of the gaseous monomer and the gaseous initiator, wherein the heated filament is heated to a temperature between about 300° C. and about 600° C., and depositing a conformal layer of cathodic material over the conformal polymeric layer.

Abstract: Solar cells are provided with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which are used: to define a micron/sub-micron geometry of the solar cells; and/or as charge transporters for efficiently removing charge carriers from the absorber layer to reduce the rate of electron-hole recombination in the absorber layer. A solar cell may comprise: a substrate; a multiplicity of areas of metal catalyst on the surface of the substrate; a multiplicity of carbon nanotube bundles formed on the multiplicity of areas of metal catalyst, each bundle including carbon nanotubes aligned roughly perpendicular to the surface of the substrate; and a photoactive solar cell layer formed over the carbon nanotube bundles and exposed surfaces of the substrate, wherein the photoactive solar cell layer is continuous over the carbon nanotube bundles and the exposed surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides an optically transparent electrically conductive layer with a desirable combination of low electrical sheet resistance and good optical transparency. The conductive layer comprises a multiplicity of compound magnetic nanowires in a plane, the compound nanowires being aligned roughly (1) parallel to each other and (2) with the long axes of the compound nanowires in the plane of the layer, the compound nanowires further being configured to provide a plurality of continuous conductive pathways, and wherein the density of the multiplicity of compound magnetic nanowires allows for substantial optical transparency of the conductive layer. A compound magnetic nanowire may comprise a silver nanowire covered by a layer of magnetic metal such as nickel or cobalt. Furthermore, a compound magnetic nanowire may comprise a carbon nanotubes (CNT) attached to a magnetic metal nanowire.

Abstract: A robust, stand-alone load cell comprises a block of aligned carbon nanotubes with parallel electrodes on opposing sides of the block and an electrical circuit connected between the electrodes for measuring the electrical resistance of the block. The nanotubes are preferably aligned perpendicular to the electrodes. Carbon nanotube-based load cells may be incorporated into a wafer asssembly for characterizing semiconductor processing equipment. Such a wafer assembly includes two parallel wafers with a plurality of carbon nanotube load cells positioned between and attached to both wafers. The load cells are independently electrically connected to a device which monitors and records the resistivity of the load cell.

Abstract: Precise control over gas delivery is achieved at the micro and nanobar mass levels by incorporating blocks of aligned carbon nanotubes into valves and finely adjusting the flow through the block by controlling a compressing force applied to the block. A valve for controlling gas flow includes: a valve housing; a block of aligned carbon nanotubes, the block and the valve housing being configured to direct the gas through the carbon nanotubes in the block; and a device configured to apply a force to the block in order to compress the block, wherein the block is compressed perpendicular to the walls of the carbon nanotubes in the block; whereby the application of the force to the walls restricts the flow of the gas through the valve. The valve may further comprise an electrical device for monitoring the electrical properties of the carbon nanotube block. This monitoring provides information on the state of compression of the carbon nanotube block and/or the gas that is flowing through the valve.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to energy storage devices, e.g., capacitors and batteries, that may include a composite article of elongated conductive structures embedded in a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, a liquid containing ionic species may be dispersed within the polymer matrix of the article. The liquid may contact the elongated conductive structures within the polymer matrix. When the composite article is used as an energy storage device, the large surface area at the interface between the elongated conductive structures and the liquid can provide high energy storage. Embodiments of the invention enable storing energy using a composite article that exhibits both high and low temperature stability, high cyclic repeatability, and mechanical flexibility. The composite article can also be non-toxic, biocompatible and environmentally friendly. Thus, the composite article may be useful for a variety of energy storage applications, such as in the automotive, RFID, MEMS and medical fields.