Abstract: This invention provides an actively controlled battery with a programmed-timing actuation capability. The battery comprises a first electrochemical assembly, at least a second electrochemical cell assembly electronically connected in parallel with the first assembly, and control means in control relation to the first assembly and the second assembly, wherein at least one of the assemblies comprises a metal-air cell comprising a cathode being isolated from outside air through a controllable air vent and at least one of the assemblies comprising an electrochemical cell comprising an anode active material being initially isolated from an electrolyte fluid through a control valve, with both the air vent and control valve being regulated by the control means in a programmed-timing fashion. The battery has an exceptionally long operating life and is particularly useful for powering microelectronic or communication devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and palm computers.

Abstract: A direct write process and apparatus for fabricating a desired circuit component onto a substrate surface of a microelectronic device according to a computer-aided design (CAD).

Abstract: This invention provides an actively controlled battery with a programmed-timing actuation capability. As a preferred embodiment, the battery comprises (a) a first metal-air cell assembly and at least a second metal-air cell assembly electronically connected in parallel and (b) electronic control devices. The first cell assembly comprises at least a first metal-air cell comprising an active anode enclosed in an anode compartment, an air cathode, a first air access vent, a separator separating the anode from the cathode, an electrolyte fluid reservoir, and a first controllable fluid valve being in flow communication with the electrolyte fluid reservoir on one side and in control relation to the anode compartment on another side.

Abstract: A nano-scaled graphene plate material and a process for producing this material. The material comprises a sheet of graphite plane or a multiplicity of sheets of graphite plane. The graphite plane is composed of a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice of carbon atoms and the plate has a length and a width parallel to the graphite plane and a thickness orthogonal to the graphite plane with at least one of the length, width, and thickness values being 100 nanometers or smaller. The process for producing nano-scaled graphene plate material comprises the steps of: a). partially or fully carbonizing a precursor polymer or heat-treating petroleum or coal tar pitch to produce a polymeric carbon containing micron- and/or nanometer-scaled graphite crystallites with each crystallite comprising one sheet or a multiplicity of sheets of graphite plane; b). exfoliating the graphite crystallites in the polymeric carbon; and c).

Abstract: This invention provides an actively controlled battery with a programmed-timing actuation capability. As a preferred embodiment, the battery comprises (a) a first metal-air cell assembly and at least a second metal-air cell assembly electronically connected in parallel and (b) electronic control devices. The first cell assembly comprises at least a first metal-air cell comprising an active anode enclosed in an anode compartment, an air cathode, a first air access vent, a separator separating the anode from the cathode, an electrolyte fluid reservoir, and a first controllable fluid valve being in flow communication with the electrolyte fluid reservoir on one side and in control relation to the anode compartment on another side.

Abstract: A direct-write method and apparatus for depositing a functional material with a preferred orientation onto a target surface. The method comprises the following steps: (1) forming a precursor fluid to the functional material, with the fluid containing a liquid component; (2) operating a dispensing device to discharge and deposit the precursor fluid onto the target surface in a substantially point-by-point manner and at least partially removing the liquid component from the deposited fluid to form a thin layer of the functional material which is substantially solidified and is of a predetermined pattern; and (3) during the liquid-removing step, subjecting the deposited fluid to a highly localized electric or magnetic field for poling until a preferred orientation is attained in the deposited functional material.

Abstract: A quantitative radiographic method and apparatus of determining the depth of a selected feature inside a three-dimensional object from a stereoscopic pair of left and right radiographic images to be presented to the left eye and right eye, respectively, of an operator. The method includes the steps of (a) producing the pair of images on the same object at slightly different angles, (b) operating image display devices to present the two images, and (c) performing and measuring horizontal shifting motions of the two images and obtaining the coordinates (XGA,YGA,ZGA) of an internal feature A with respect to a marker G according to a specified procedure. The procedure begins with aligning the image points of the marker G with their respective reference lines. The two reference lines lie on or very close to the image plane. Preferably, the same procedure is followed again for a second marker.

Abstract: A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional object. The process comprises the steps of (1) operating a multiple-channel material deposition sub-system for dispensing droplets of selected liquid compositions and solid powders at predetermined proportions; (2) providing an object platform in close working vicinity to the deposition sub-system to receive the deposition materials therefrom; and (3) during the material deposition process, moving the deposition sub-system and the platform relative to each other in an X-Y plane defined by first and second directions and in a Z direction orthogonal to the X-Y plane so that the materials are deposited to form a first layer of the object. These steps are repeated to deposit multiple layers for forming a three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A freeform fabrication process and apparatus for making a colorful 3-D object. The process includes (1) operating a multiple-channel droplet deposition device for supplying and, on demand, ejecting droplets of multiple liquid compositions containing a solidifiable baseline body-building material and different colorants; (2) providing a support platform a distance from this deposition device to receive the droplets therefrom; and (3) during the droplet ejecting process, moving the deposition device and the platform relative to one another in an X-Y plane and in a Z direction orthogonal to the X-Y plane so that the droplets are deposited to form multiple layers to build a colorful 3-D object.

Abstract: A new Schottky diode structure, Pt/Al/n-InP, is disclosed in the present invention. The thickness of Al layer of the Schottky diode structure is restricted in a range of about 80-120 .ANG.. This structure gives a barrier height of 0.74 eV and an ideality factor of 1.11 after it was annealed at 300.degree. C. for 10 min. This is due to the formation of Aluminum-oxide, as the interfacial layer to improve barrier height. A method of preparing this Schottky diode structure is also disclosed in the present invention.

Abstract: A new Schottky diode structure, Pt/Al/n-InP, is disclosed in the present invention. The thickness of Al layer of the Schottky diode structure is restricted in a range of about 80-120 .ANG.. This structure gives a barrier height of 0.74 eV and an ideality factor of 1.11 after it was annealed at 300.degree. C. for 10 min. This is due to the formation of Aluminum-oxide, as the interfacial layer to improve barrier height. A method of preparing this Schottky diode structure is also disclosed in the present invention.