Abstract: A method of producing compound nanorods and thin films under a controlled growth mode is described. The method involves ablating compound targets using an ultrafast pulsed laser and depositing the ablated materials onto a substrate. When producing compound nanorods, external catalysts such as pre-deposited metal nanoparticles are not involved. Instead, at the beginning of deposition, simply by varying the fluence at the focal spot on the target, a self-formed seed layer can be introduced for nanorods growth. This provides a simple method of producing high purity nanorods and controlling the growth mode. Three growth modes are covered by the present invention, including nanorod growth, thin film growth, and nano-porous film growth.

Abstract: A p-type semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) film and a process for preparing the film are disclosed. The film is co-doped with phosphorous (P) and lithium (Li). A pulsed laser deposition scheme is described for use in growing the film. Further described is a process of pulsed laser deposition using transparent substrates which includes a pulsed laser source, a substrate that is transparent at the wavelength of the pulsed laser, and a multi-target system. The optical path of the pulsed laser is arranged in such a way that the pulsed laser is incident from the back of the substrate, passes through the substrate, and then focuses on the target. By translating the substrate towards the target, this geometric arrangement enables deposition of small features utilizing the root of the ablation plume, which can exist in a one-dimensional transition stage along the target surface normal, before the angular width of the plume is broadened by three-dimensional adiabatic expansion.

Abstract: A one-step and room-temperature process for depositing nanoparticles or nanocomposite (nanoparticle-assembled) films of metal oxides such as crystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) onto a substrate surface using ultrafast pulsed laser ablation of Titania or metal titanium target. The system includes a pulsed laser with a pulse duration ranging from a few femtoseconds to a few tens of picoseconds, an optical setup for processing the laser beam such that the beam is focused onto the target surface with an appropriate average energy density and an appropriate energy density distribution, and a vacuum chamber in which the target and the substrate are installed and background gases and their pressures are appropriately adjusted.

Abstract: A p-type semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) film and a process for preparing the film are disclosed. The film is co-doped with phosphorous (P) and lithium (Li). A pulsed laser deposition scheme is described for use in growing the film. Further described is a process of pulsed laser deposition using transparent substrates which includes a pulsed laser source, a substrate that is transparent at the wavelength of the pulsed laser, and a multi-target system. The optical path of the pulsed laser is arranged in such a way that the pulsed laser is incident from the back of the substrate, passes through the substrate, and then focuses on the target. By translating the substrate towards the target, this geometric arrangement enables deposition of small features utilizing the root of the ablation plume, which can exist in a one-dimensional transition stage along the target surface normal, before the angular width of the plume is broadened by three-dimensional adiabatic expansion.

Abstract: A method of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) capable of continuously tuning formed-film morphology from that of a nanoparticle aggregate to a smooth thin film free of particles and droplets. The materials that can be synthesized using various embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, metals, alloys, metal oxides, and semiconductors. In various embodiments a ‘burst’ mode of ultrashort pulsed laser ablation and deposition is provided. Tuning of the film morphology is achieved by controlling the burst-mode parameters such as the number of pulses and the time-spacing between the pulses within each burst, the burst repetition rate, and the laser fluence. The system includes an ultrashort pulsed laser, an optical system for delivering a focused onto the target surface with an appropriate energy density, and a vacuum chamber in which the target and the substrate are installed and background gases and their pressures are appropriately adjusted.

Abstract: A method of ultrashort pulsed laser deposition (PLD) capable of continuously tuning formed-film morphology from that of a nanoparticle aggregate to a smooth thin film completely free of particles and droplets. The materials that can be synthesized using various embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, metals, alloys, metal oxides, and semiconductors. A ‘burst’ mode of ultrashort pulsed laser ablation and deposition is provided, where each ‘burst’ contains a train of laser pulses. Tuning of the film morphology is achieved by controlling the burst-mode parameters such as the number of pulses and the time-spacing between the pulses within each burst, the burst repetition rate, and the laser fluence.

Abstract: A method of producing compound nanorods and thin films under a controlled growth mode is described. The method involves ablating compound targets using an ultrafast pulsed laser and depositing the ablated materials onto a substrate. When producing compound nanorods, external catalysts such as pre-deposited metal nanoparticles are not involved. Instead, at the beginning of deposition, simply by varying the fluence at the focal spot on the target, a self-formed seed layer can be introduced for nanorods growth. This provides a simple method of producing high purity nanorods and controlling the growth mode. Three growth modes are covered by the present invention, including nanorod growth, thin film growth, and nano-porous film growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one-step and room-temperature process for depositing nanoparticles or nanocomposite (nanoparticle-assembled) films of crystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) onto a substrate surface using ultrafast pulsed laser ablation of Titania or metal titanium target. The system includes a pulsed laser with a pulse duration ranging from a few femtoseconds to a few tens of picoseconds, an optical setup for processing the laser beam such that the beam is focused onto the target surface with an appropriate average energy density and an appropriate energy density distribution, and a vacuum chamber in which the target and the substrate are installed and background gases and their pressures are appropriately adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one-step process for producing and depositing size-selected nanoparticles onto a substrate surface using ultrafast pulsed laser ablation of solid target materials. The system includes a pulsed laser with a pulse duration ranging from a few femtoseconds to a few tens of picoseconds, an optical setup for processing the laser beam such that the beam is focused onto the target surface with an appropriate average energy density and an appropriate energy density distribution, and a vacuum chamber in which the target and the substrate are installed and the background gases and their pressures are appropriately adjusted.

Abstract: A p-type semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) film and a process for preparing the film are disclosed. The film is co-doped with phosphorous (P) and lithium (Li). A pulsed laser deposition scheme is described for use in growing the film. Further described is a process of pulsed laser deposition using transparent substrates which includes a pulsed laser source, a substrate that is transparent at the wavelength of the pulsed laser, and a multi-target system. The optical path of the pulsed laser is arranged in such a way that the pulsed laser is incident from the back of the substrate, passes through the substrate, and then focuses on the target. By translating the substrate towards the target, this geometric arrangement enables deposition of small features utilizing the root of the ablation plume, which can exist in a one-dimensional transition stage along the target surface normal, before the angular width of the plume is broadened by three-dimensional adiabatic expansion.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a multi-layered thin film electrochemical device is provided. The method comprises: providing a first target material in a chamber; providing a substrate in the chamber; emitting a first intermittent laser beam directed at the first target material to generate a first plasma, wherein each pulse of the first intermittent laser beam has a pulse duration of about 20 fs to about 500 ps; depositing the first plasma on the substrate to form a first thin film; providing a second target material in the chamber; emitting a second intermittent laser beam directed at the second target material to generate a second plasma, wherein each pulse of the second intermittent laser beam has a pulse duration of about 20 fs to about 500 ps; and depositing the second plasma on or above the first thin film to form a second thin film.

Abstract: A secondary power source, which comprises a positive electrode containing activated carbon, a negative electrode containing a carbon material capable of doping and undoping lithium ions, and an organic electrolyte containing a lithium salt, wherein the negative electrode has a density of from 0.6 to 1.2 g/cm3.

Abstract: A secondary power source, which comprises a positive electrode containing activated carbon, a negative electrode containing Li4Ti5O12, and an organic electrolyte containing a lithium salt.

Abstract: Provided is a novel method of forming an electrode composition suitable for use in an electrochemical cell. The method involves (a) forming a carbon-containing coating on a metal-oxide material; and (b) forming an electrode paste or slurry from components comprising a solvent, a polymeric binder material and the coated metal-oxide material. Also provided is an electrode composition suitable for use in an electrochemical cell. The electrode composition includes a polymeric binder material and an active material. The active material includes a metal oxide with a carbon-containing coating thereon. Also provided is an electrochemical cell which includes an electrode formed from the electrode composition. The invention results in an electrochemical cell having improved charge-discharge cycle life and improved coulomb efficiency.

Abstract: Provided is a novel method of forming an electrode composition suitable for use in an electrochemical cell. The method involves (a) forming a carbon-containing coating on a metal-oxide material; and (b) forming an electrode paste or slurry from components comprising a solvent, a polymeric binder material and the coated metal-oxide material. Also provided is an electrode composition suitable for use in an electrochemical cell. The electrode composition includes a polymeric binder material and an active material. The active material includes a metal oxide with a carbon-containing coating thereon. Also provided is an electrochemical cell which includes an electrode formed from the electrode composition. The invention results in an electrochemical cell having improved charge-discharge cycle life and improved coulomb efficiency.

Abstract: A secondary power source, which comprises a positive electrode containing activated carbon and a lithium-containing transition metal oxide, a negative electrode containing a carbon material capable of doping and undoping lithium ions, and an organic electrolyte containing a lithium salt.

Abstract: A secondary power source, which comprises a positive electrode containing activated carbon, a negative electrode containing Li4Ti5O12, and an organic electrolyte containing a lithium salt.

Abstract: A secondary power source, which comprises a positive electrode containing activated carbon, a negative electrode containing a carbon material capable of doping and undoping lithium ions, and an organic electrolyte containing a lithium salt, wherein the negative electrode has a density of from 0.6 to 1.2 g/cm3.

Abstract: A secondary power source, which comprises a positive electrode containing activated carbon, a negative electrode containing a carbon material capable of doping and undoping lithium ions, and an organic electrolyte containing a lithium salt, wherein the ratio of the positive electrode capacity (C+) to the negative electrode capacity (C−), i.e. C+/C−, is from 0.1 to 1.2.

Abstract: A spindle motor device has an integrated rotor in place of a separated turntable. An optical disc is loaded to the turntable when driving means move a tray which can hold at least one optical disc. A bracket is mounted to a deck and has a fixed coil. A rotating shaft is rotatably held on the bracket by bearing means while rotor with turntable function rotates an optical disk chucked by a chucking device.