Abstract: Photovoltaic devices having transparent contact layers are described herein.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices having transparent contact layers are described herein.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices having bifacial enhancement are described herein.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices having transparent contact layers are described herein.

Abstract: A functional block for assembly includes at least one element and a patterned magnetic film comprising at least one magnetic region attached to the element. A wafer includes a host substrate comprising a number of elements. The wafer further includes a patterned magnetic film attached to the elements and comprising a number of magnetic regions. The magnetic regions are attached to respective ones of the elements. A method of manufacture includes forming a number of magnetic regions on a host substrate having an array of elements. The forming step provides at least one of the magnetic regions for a respective group comprising at least one of the elements.

Abstract: An article for assembly includes a substrate, at least one receptor site disposed on the substrate and a patterned magnetic film. The patterned magnetic film includes at least one magnetic region, each magnetic region being disposed within one of the receptor sites. The patterned magnetic film comprises a material with a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. An assembly includes at least one functional block comprising at least one element and a patterned magnetic film comprising at least one region. The assembly further includes an article comprising a substrate, at least one receptor site disposed on the substrate and at least one receptor configured to generate a magnetic field gradient for attracting the region. The receptor is positioned at the receptor site.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a container with a removable cap, and the container includes a seal for freshness or tamper-resistance. The cap is manufactured with an integral seal cutter that is rotated to aid in removing the seal and accessing the container contents.

Abstract: A nanowire structure and device for use in large area electronics and methods of making the same is provided. The nanowire structure includes a nanowire defining an axis, where the nanowire includes a first end and a second end. The first end is axially spaced from the second end. Further, the nanowire structure includes magnetic segments that are coupled to the first and second ends of the nanowire.

Abstract: A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure includes a polymer layer having a plurality of pores; and a ceramic layer disposed on the polymer layer. The ceramic layer has a plurality of substantially unconnected pores. Each of the substantially unconnected pores is in fluid communication with at least one of the pores of the polymer layer. A method of manufacturing a membrane structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a polymer layer having a plurality of pores; and disposing a ceramic layer on the polymer layer. Disposing a ceramic layer includes depositing a metal layer on the polymer layer; and anodizing the metal layer to convert the metal layer into a porous layer. At least one of the depositing step and the anodizing step is performed as a continuous process. Alternatively, at least one of the depositing and the anodizing step is performed as a batch process.

Abstract: A device for emission of electromagnetic radiation comprises a source of atomic particles and a collector disposed to receive atomic particles from the source. The collector comprises an emission medium, the medium comprising a crystal having a spatial dimension in the range from about 10 nanometers to about 50 micrometers, wherein the emission medium has the capability to generate opposing charge pairs upon absorption of atomic particles from the source and to emit electromagnetic radiation upon recombination of the pairs. The emission may be via spontaneous emission or, in certain embodiments, by stimulated emission. A laser assembly comprising this device, and methods for making the device are also presented herein.

Abstract: A fluidic assembly method includes dispersing a number of functional blocks in a fluid to form a slurry. Each of the functional blocks includes at least one element and a patterned magnetic film comprising at least one region. The fluidic assembly method further includes immersing at least a portion of an article in the fluid. The article includes a substrate, a number of receptor sites disposed on the substrate and a number of magnetic receptors, each of the magnetic receptors being disposed within a respective one of the receptor sites. A method of manufacturing an assembly includes disposing a number of functional blocks over at least a portion of an article, agitating the functional blocks relative to the article and assembling at least a subset of the functional blocks to the magnetic receptors on the article.

Abstract: In a field emitter (100) including a substrate (110), the substrate (110) has a substantially non-conductive top substrate surface (112). A conductive cathode member (130) is disposed on the top substrate surface (112) and has a top cathode surface (132). A conductive gate member (120) is disposed on the top substrate surface (112) and is substantially coplanar with the cathode member (130). An emitter structure (140) extends away from the top cathode surface (132). The gate member (120) is spaced apart from the cathode member (130) at a distance so that when a predetermined potential is applied between the cathode member (130) and gate member (120), the emitter structure (140) will emit electrons.

Abstract: A system and method for forming x-rays. One exemplary system includes a target and electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources. Each of the plurality of electron sources is configured to generate a plurality of discrete spots on the target from which x-rays are emitted. Another exemplary system includes a target, an electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources, each of which generates at least one of the plurality of spots on the target, and a transient beam protection subsystem for protecting the electron emission subsystem from transient beam currents and material emissions from the target.

Abstract: A system and method for forming x-rays. One exemplary system includes a target and electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources. Each of the plurality of electron sources is configured to generate a plurality of discrete spots on the target from which x-rays are emitted. Another exemplary system includes a target, an electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources, each of which generates at least one of the plurality of spots on the target, and a transient beam protection subsystem for protecting the electron emission subsystem from transient beam currents, material emissions from the target, and electric field transients.

Abstract: Molded male touch fastener components, and methods of making such components are disclosed. Components include multiple, discrete features that extend laterally from a common side of an upper end of a formation, for engagement of loops.

Abstract: In a method of making an elongated carbide nanostructure, a plurality of spatially-separated catalyst particles is applied to a substrate. The spatially-separated catalyst particles and at least a portion of the substrate are exposed to a metal-containing vapor at a preselected temperature and for a period sufficient to cause an inorganic nano-structure to form between the substrate and at least one of the catalyst particles. The inorganic nano-structure is exposed to a carbon-containing vapor source at a preselected temperature and for a period sufficient to carburize the inorganic nano-structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a fastener is provided, including (a) forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding terminal ends; (b) heating the terminal ends of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, lower than the softening temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base. Fasteners and other methods of forming them are also provided.

Abstract: A self-aligned gated field emission device and an associated method of fabrication are described. The device includes a substrate and a porous layer disposed adjacent to the surface of the substrate, wherein the porous layer defines a plurality of substantially cylindrical channels, each of the plurality of substantially cylindrical channels aligned substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The device also includes a plurality of substantially rod-shaped structures disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of substantially cylindrical channels defined by the porous layer and adjacent to the surface of the substrate, wherein a portion of each of the plurality of substantially rod-shaped structures protrudes above the surface of the porous layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a self-aligned gated carbon nanotube field emitter structure includes providing a substrate, depositing a dielectric material on the surface of the substrate and depositing a conductor layer on the surface of the dielectric material. The method also includes selectively etching the conductor layer to form an opening and selectively etching the dielectric material to form a micro-cavity. The method further includes depositing a base layer structure in the micro-cavity adjacent to the surface of the substrate, wherein the base layer structure has a substantially conical shape, and depositing a catalyst on a portion of the surface of the base layer structure, wherein the catalyst is suitable for growing at least one carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A safe container end closure includes an annular central lid portion, an annular peripheral lid portion, and a score line joining the annular central lid portion to the annular peripheral lid portion to permit removal of the central lid portion from the peripheral lid portion. A opening tab is secured to the central lid portion for pivoting movement relative to the central lid portion, with the opening tab having a nose positioned adjacent the score line so that upon pivoting of the opening tab the nose of the opening tab causes a portion of the score line to sever. The closure is formed so that upon removal of the central lid portion, at least the sharp edge on the removed central lid portion is rendered safe.