Abstract: A hair dryer includes a body having an air inlet and an air outlet, a fan for generating air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet, a heater for heating the air flow, and an attachment secured to the body and in communication with the air outlet to receive the air flow. A plurality of openings through which the air flow blows is formed in a concave surface which is sized and shaped for receiving a convex-shaped hair brush. The body includes a base portion adapted to support the hair dryer in a vertical orientation on a horizontal support surface so that the dryer can be utilized with hands free operation. The body also includes a grip portion between the base portion and the attachment that forms a cylindrically-shaped hand grip. Vertical central axes of the attachment, the grip portion, and the base portion are coaxial.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus including: a cleaning tank for storing a cleaning liquid; an object-to-be-processed holder for insertion into the cleaning tank, the holder holding an object to be processed and immersing the object into the cleaning liquid; a vibrator disposed on a bottom part of the cleaning tank; and an ultrasonic oscillator configured to make the vibrator ultrasonically vibrate. In the cleaning tank, a lateral holding member configured to hold the object is disposed. The holder is configured to be laterally moved by a driving apparatus. The control device is configured to control the driving apparatus such that the holder is laterally moved after the object has been held by the lateral holding member, and the control device is configured to control the ultrasonic oscillator such that the vibrator is made to ultrasonically vibrate so that the ultrasonic vibration from the vibrator is propagated to the object.

Abstract: This invention relates in part to a method for cleaning an ion source component of an ion implanter used in semiconductor and microelectronic manufacturing. The ion source component includes an ionization chamber and one or more components contained within the ionization chamber. The interior of the ionization chamber and/or the one or more components contained within the ionization chamber have at least some deposits thereon of elements contained within a dopant gas, e.g., carborane (C2B10H12). The method involves introducing a cleaning gas into the ionization chamber, and reacting the cleaning gas with the deposits under conditions sufficient to remove at least a portion of the deposits from the interior of the ionization chamber and/or from the one or more components contained within the ionization chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning impurities, such as oxides, from wire stands using a plasma gas.

Abstract: An improved scale conditioning composition and method is disclosed that results in improved dissolution and disruption of tube scale, hardened sludge and other deposits composed primarily of highly densified magnetite such as those found in heat exchange vessels, particularly steam generators. After treatment with the advanced scale conditioning composition, these magnetite rich deposits are more easily removed using known and commercially available high pressure hydro-mechanical cleaning techniques. The present invention further provides effective cleaning in a short period of time and at relatively low temperatures, while reducing the amount of waste produced and reducing the resulting corrosion of carbon and low alloy steel components within the steam generator during the cleaning process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pickling method of steel sheet and pickling system of steel sheet able to efficiently remove oxide scale from steel sheet. That is, it provides a continuous pickling method of steel sheet having a step A of pickling the steel sheet in a pickling tank, a step B of blowing gas toward at least part of the surfaces of the steel sheet in the air after the step A, and a step C of pickling the steel sheet in a pickling tank after the step B, wherein at step B, the steel sheet is temporarily taken out from the pickling solution and gas is blown to at least part of the surfaces of the steel sheet in the air so as to evaporate the acid solution deposited on the surface of the steel sheet and locally increase the acid concentration to thereby efficiently remove even the stubborn Si oxides included in the oxide scale.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method for a roller assembly that may be utilized in a brush cleaning module. In one embodiment, a roller assembly is described. The roller assembly includes an annular groove having at least two substantially parallel opposing sidewalls adapted to contact the major surfaces of a substrate along a periphery of the substrate, each of the opposing sidewalls comprising a compressible material having a pre-compressed dimension that is less than a thickness of the periphery of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an uncoated surface includes providing a composition having a pH of between about 7 and about 11 and applying the composition to the uncoated surface. The composition includes a fatty acid salt constituting between about 5% and about 40% by weight of the composition, a gloss-enhancing agent constituting between about 0.1% and 20% by weight of the composition, an anti-slip agent constituting between about 0.5% and about 10% by weight of the composition, and water constituting between about 20% and about 94.6% by weight of the composition. The composition can be applied at least three times a week.

Abstract: The invention discloses a low-cost apparatus for chemical solution preparation with controlled process parameters such as chemical age, temperature, yield of active ingredients at the point of use. In addition, this apparatus provides chamber-to-chamber consistency on these parameters across multiple processing chambers on a single wafer wet-clean system. The invention also discloses a method to use chemical solution mixture resident time to achieve optimal combined effect of temperature, reactivity and yield of active ingredients of chemical solution mixture for best wafer treatment results.

Abstract: An extractor has a duct door moveably mounted to a working air conduit for movement between a first position at which normal suction at a suction nozzle is reduced and a second position at which normal suction at the suction nozzle is unreduced. An actuator is connected to the duct door for selectively moving the duct door between the first position and second position. In one embodiment, a suction leak hole is formed within the working air conduit and the duct door is moveable with respect to the leek hole to selectively fluidly open and close the leak hole. In another embodiment, the duct door is moveable within the working air conduit to selectively fluidly restrict the working air flow in the working air conduit and the actuator selectively moves the duct door between the first and second positions. The suction reduction selectively increases the cleaning solution dwell time.

Abstract: A device for rinsing a container that dispenses a beverage includes the container that has a wall surrounding a volume that holds ingredients of the beverage and a magnet connected to the wall. A rinsing system includes a nozzle that sprays liquid and a switch that is attracted to the magnet so that when the magnet contacts the switch a rinse cycle is activated.

Abstract: An improved method for post-texturing cleaning, surface conditioning, and rinsing silicon wafers or similar surfaces, with particular, although not exclusive, applicability in photovoltaic applications which includes cleaning the surfaces sequentially with dilute HF/HCl and dilute oxidizing rinse, particularly following texturing with concentrated HF/HNO3 and/or KOH. The method allows for the recycling of the oxidizing rinse in the dilute HF/HCl and other upstream rinse steps.

Abstract: A method for in-situ cleaning of a deposition system is disclosed. The method includes providing a deposition system with portions of the deposition system deposited with at least a group III element or a compound of a group III element. Halogen containing fluid is introduced into the deposition system. The halogen containing fluid is permitted to react with the group III element to form a halide. The halide in solid state is converted to a gaseous state. The halide in gaseous state is purged out of the deposition system.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate processing apparatus wherein, even if a trouble occurs, it is bound to continue a process for the substrate without stopping the substrate processing apparatus entirely. The substrate processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes first and second substrate conveying devices configured to convey wafers, and first and second processing blocks provided on the right and left sides of the substrate conveying device and having processing unit arrays each configured to perform the same process. Processing unit arrays on one side and processing unit arrays on the other side are respectively connected to a processing liquid supply system commonly provided with them. And, when any one of substrate conveying devices, processing liquid supply systems has a problem, the process for the wafer can be performed in the processing unit array to which the substrate conveying device and the processing liquid supply system under normal operation belong.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus in which unevenness of sound pressure among a plurality of oscillating elements is solved by emitting uniform ultrasonic waves, the rate of removal of fine particles is improved, and the uneven cleaning is avoided. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning bath that stores an object to be cleaned and cleaning solvent; a plurality of oscillating elements attached to the cleaning bath; a plurality of oscillators connected respectively to the plurality of oscillating elements for exciting the plurality of oscillating elements; and a controller connected to the plurality of oscillators for controlling the plurality of oscillators to output signals having the same phase or substantially the same phase to the plurality of oscillating elements.

Abstract: A rotary impingement cleaning apparatus is configured for use in sanitary environments with a minimum of components to enable easy inspection and cleaning. The components of the cleaning apparatus are formed to fit relatively loosely to one another and promote self flushing and self drainage of cleaning liquid. A stator is mounted within a housing for diverting the flow of the pressurized cleaning liquid from axial to angular to impinge and rotationally drive a rotator stem or a rotor. The rotator stem or rotor causes an elbow to rotate around the vertical axis and a number of nozzles mounted to a nozzle housing to rotate around the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an screen in a manufacturing process step that employs a chamber including a drain line having a screen configured and disposed in the chamber above the drain line to trap soluble materials includes detecting a build-up of soluble material on the screen, ceasing a work operation in the chamber, and initiating a screen cleaning operation. The screen cleaning operation includes closing a computer operated valve fluidly connected to the drain line to fluidly isolate a portion of the chamber, automatically introducing an amount of solvent into the chamber once the computer operated valve is closed with the amount of solvent filling the chamber and/or the drain line to fully immerse the screen, and opening the operated valve after a predetermined amount of time to empty the chamber and the drain line of solvent once the soluble materials trapped on the screen are dissolved.

Abstract: A grip handle adapted to be fixed to the end of a pole for use in an outdoor activity, such as skiing or hiking, including a body and a support member affixed to the body and projecting from a transverse wall of the body, the support member being arranged to support the thumb of a user holding the handle. The support member includes a structure to selectively modify and lock its position with respect to the body.

Abstract: Attenuating, while hunting or observing wildlife, one's own emanated electromagnetic field by remaining within a hunting blind that includes an electromagnetically shielding fabric. The shielding fabric comprises a substantially continuous system of conductive fibers combined with non-conductive fabric. Or attenuating, while a hunter is hunting or an observer is observing wildlife, the electromagnetic field emanated by the hunter or observer, by (i) providing to the hunter or observer a hunting blind that includes the electromagnetically shielding fabric, and (ii) instructing the hunter or observer to remain within it while hunting or observing wildlife, respectively. The attenuation of the emanated electromagnetic field decreases the likelihood of detection by an animal.

Abstract: A blind accessory support bracket is disclosed. The bracket is configured to fit into the X-shaped framework of a hunting blind, tent, or portable structure. Abutments are located on either side of the bracket, containing the framework therebetween, and securing the bracket in place. The bracket may provide a variety of different supports, including a gun brace, a camera mount, or a shelf. When the bracket is located on framework near an opening of the blind, it may assist in aiming or shooting of a camera or gun at a target outside the blind.

Abstract: A covering apparatus or play tent is designed to sit disposed around a suspended platform swing. The tent is attached to a platform swing. The swing which is suspended by a rope from the ceiling has the ability to move forward, backward, laterally, and to rotate in both directions. Thus, the occupants have the ability to experience all of these movements while remaining inside the tent that is attached to the swing. The tent can be made of light weight canvas and has four isosceles trapezoidal sides with one side acting as a door. The door has a small inset window made of mesh with a material flap for closure. The tent may have both a ceiling and a floor. The outside of the tent has three small panels of felt which are attached to the tent for use with stories and literacy concepts.

Abstract: A hinged door (26) is provided for a tent (20). The hinged tent door (26) in one embodiment includes a frame (46) for supporting the outer edges of the door. The hinged tent door (26) may include a removable frame (46) so that the door may be folded along with the tent into a compact configuration for storage. As an example, the frame (46) may be one or more poles (48, 50) that are removably attached to the door.

Abstract: A joint assembly is mounted between adjacent supports of a frame of a tent and has a female joint, a male joint and a slide. The male joint covers on the female joint. The slide is mounted slidably between the joints and abuts a resilient member. The female joint has a partition with at least one through hole to allow a protrusion of the slide to selectively pass through. When the slide moves to mount the protrusion in the through hole, the joints are held from rotating relative to each other. When the slide moves to completely retract between the joints, the protrusion leaves the through hole to allow the joints to rotate relative to each other. Therefore, when the frame is folded, the slide is completely retracted to avoid damage other components.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a diffusing agent composition used in printing an impurity-diffusing component onto a semiconductor substrate, wherein the diffusing agent composition contains: a hydrolysis product of alkoxysilane (A); a component (B) containing at least one selected from the group consisting of a hydrolysis product of alkoxy titanium, a hydrolysis product of alkoxy zirconium, titania fine particle, and zirconia fine particle; an impurity-diffusing component (C); and an organic solvent (D).

Abstract: Systems and methods are herein disclosed for efficiently allowing current to bypass a group of solar cells having one or more malfunctioning or shaded solar cells without overwhelming a bypass diode. This can be done using a switch (e.g., a MOSFET) connected in parallel with the bypass diode. By turning the switch on and off, a majority of the bypass current can be routed through the switch, which is configured to handle larger currents than the bypass diode is designed for, leaving only a minority of the current to pass through the bypass diode.

Abstract: A solar cell module and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed. The solar cell module includes a substrate including an electricity generation area and an edge area that are divided by an insulating area, and a plurality of solar cells positioned in the electricity generation area. Each of the solar cells includes a transparent electrode on the substrate, a silicon electricity generation layer on the transparent electrode, and a back electrode on the silicon electricity generation layer. The back electrode of one solar cell is electrically connected to the transparent electrode of another solar cell adjacent to the one solar cell. A side of a transparent electrode of an outermost solar cell adjacent to the insulating area is covered by a side portion of a silicon electricity generation layer of the outermost solar cell exposed in the insulating area.

Abstract: A power generating system is manufactured, integrated and operated within an exterior shell or façade of a building structure. The system components—energy generating devices (which can be photovoltaic), control units and associated power/signal wiring are incorporated and operated within individual unitized curtain wall units making up the façade including both in vision and spandrel areas.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of solar panels and a control device. The panel further comprises a plurality of solar modules, a supporting, pivoting and tilting mechanism, a controller and a short range communication unit. The control device further comprises an orientation detector for determining the optimized orientation of a panel towards the sun for receiving maximum sun radiation. According to one of the embodiments of the present invention, the orientation detector is an illumination detector on a top surface of a panel controlled by a pivoting and tilting mechanism of the control device. The control device further comprises a communication unit. The communication units from the solar panels and from the control device form an ad hoc communication network. The optimized orientation determined by the control device may be transmitted to the solar panels through the ad hoc communication network.

Abstract: A concentration system or solar concentrator for supplying concentrated solar energy. The system includes a lens array with linear lenses focusing light received on an outer surface onto a number of focal point or focused lines of light. The system includes a light wafer with a substantially planar body formed of a thickness of a light transmissive material. The body includes a top surface facing the lens array and receiving the focused light from at least one the linear lens and further includes a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The light wafer includes a ray splitter, in the form of a triangular air gap, paired to each linear lens at or near a focal point of the paired lens to direct the received focused light into the body or towards edges or sides of the body where a solar collector such as a thermal or photovoltaic collector is positioned.

Abstract: A solar array for collecting sunlight that is converted into electricity. The array includes an arrangement of solar collectors strategically positioned on a frame to maximize the amount of sunlight collected in relation to the size of the array. The collectors are plate like members with a reflective side and shaped so that sunlight collected by the reflective side is concentrated at a location away from the reflective side. The collectors are recumbently positioned in rows with their respective reflective sides directed away from the array frame. The collectors are spaced apart so that no collector casts shade on any part of another collector and substantially no sunlight between adjacent collectors.

Abstract: A solar conversion system with a solar collector that is shaped to focus reflected sunlight along an area with a substantially constant flux density. The area shape can be resemble a rectangular, square, circular, or other shape. Included with the system is a solar conversion module having a photovoltaic cell that is alignable with the area. The cell converts the focused reflected sunlight into electrical energy when aligned with the area.

Abstract: There is disclosed a concentrator solar cell, having one or more radially elongate bus bars extending into a central region of the cell for collecting current from gridlines. Each bus bar terminates in a separate bond pad region at a periphery of the device.

Abstract: A photovoltaic energy converting system includes: (a) a first photovoltaic converter operable to receive incident solar radiation and convert to electricity those photons of the incident solar radiation having energies less than a predetermined bandgap energy; (b) a fluorescing member positioned for receiving reflected photons having reflected from the first photovoltaic converter, the fluorescing member being operable to produce, in response to the reflected photons, wavelength-shifted photons having energies less than the predetermined bandgap energy; and (c) a second photovoltaic converter operable to convert into electricity the wavelength-shifted photons. The system is thereby advantageously suitable for operation under either direct or diffuse solar irradiation.

Abstract: A thin-film photoelectric converter in which a first electrode layer formed of a transparent conductive material, a photoelectric conversion layer for photoelectric conversion, and a second electrode layer formed of a conductive material that reflects light are stacked in that order on an insulating light-transmitting substrate. The photoelectric conversion layer and the second electrode layer are divided by dividing grooves into islands that form a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells separated from each other, adjacent ones of the plurality of photoelectric conversion cells separated by the dividing grooves being electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a heterojunction between different semiconductor materials which are present in charge transporting layers. The charge transporting layer can be a hole or electron transporting layer. The device can include an interstitial layer between two layers of the device.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device designed according to a ratio of a line width to a pitch of a grid collector electrode is provided. The photoelectric conversion device includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a first electrode between the first substrate and the second substrate, the first electrode including a first grid electrode. A first ratio (W/P) of a line width of the first grid electrode to a pitch of the first grid electrode is configured in accordance with a photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photoelectric conversion device, thereby the photoelectric conversion device may have improved photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Abstract: Composite electrode materials for DSSCs, DSSCs incorporating the composite electrode materials and methods for making the composite electrode materials are provided. The composite electrode materials are composed of semiconductor nanofibers embedded in a matrix of semiconductor nanoparticles. DSSCs incorporating the composite electrode materials exhibit both increased carrier transport and improved light harvesting, particularly at wavelengths of 600 nm or greater (e.g., 600 nm to 800 nm or greater).

Abstract: With a view to realizing a titanium oxide structure that has a large surface area and enables efficient transfer of ions and electrons by virtue of titanium oxide particles connected to one another, an object of the invention is to develop a material useful as an active material for dye-sensitized solar cells, and a process for producing the material; a porous titanium oxide composition and a process for producing the composition; and a photoelectric conversion element comprising the titanium oxide structure or porous titanium oxide composition.

Abstract: A polyimide-metal laminate comprising a polyimide film and a metal layer for use as an electrode, which is formed on the side (Side B) of the polyimide film which was in contact with a support when producing a self-supporting film in the production of the polyimide film, is used to produce a CIS solar cell.

Abstract: A photovoltaic semiconductor solution comprising at least an equimolar mixture of cadmium, tellurium, gallium and indium; propylene glycol flux; carbon; resin in an organic solvent; strontium titanate; and high molecular weight polymer. The photovoltaic semiconductor solution provides charged free electrons on application of light to the photovoltaic semiconductor solution. Another embodiment relates to a solar cell comprising first and second electrode layers; a photovoltaic semiconductor layer disposed between the first and second electrodes; a first membrane disposed between the first electrode and the semiconductor layer and a second membrane disposed between the second electrode and the semiconductor layer. The first membrane is an electron acceptor layer and the second membrane in an insulator. The PV semiconductor layer includes the PV semiconductor solution. Each of the layers of the solar cell are formed on a substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module may include forming a photovoltaic device including a constituent material; forming a hydrophilic material adjacent to the constituent material, where the hydrophilic material includes cellulose; and depositing a remediation agent adjacent to the hydrophilic material, such that the remediation agent is proximate to, but not contacting the constituent material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module may include forming a photovoltaic device including a constituent material; forming a hydrophilic material adjacent to the constituent material, where the hydrophilic material includes polyethylene; and depositing a remediation agent adjacent to the hydrophilic material, such that the remediation agent is proximate to, but not contacting the constituent material.

Abstract: A solar cell comprising a base layer of p-doped silicon and an emitter layer of n-doped silicon, where an electrode is arranged regionally on the emitter layer and optionally it passivation layer is arranged regionally on the back surface of the base layer and a layer of a dielectric, the entire area of which is covered with a metal layer, is arranged regionally thereon, where the metal layer is in electrically conducting contact via an interlayer with the base layer over the regions not covered by the layer of dielectric and the interlayer comprises a mixed phase from the material of the passivation layer and the material of the metal layer. The present invention further relates to a method of production of said solar cell.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module may include forming a photovoltaic device including a constituent material; forming a hydrophilic material adjacent to the constituent material, where the hydrophilic material includes a polyvinyl acetate or alcohol; and depositing a remediation agent adjacent to the hydrophilic material, such that the remediation agent is proximate to, but not contacting the constituent material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module may include forming a photovoltaic device including a constituent material; forming a hydrophilic material adjacent to the constituent material, where the hydrophilic material includes an acrylate-based polymer; and depositing a remediation agent adjacent to the hydrophilic material, such that the remediation agent is proximate to, but not contacting the constituent material.

Abstract: In a structure and method for connecting junction box to solar cell module, at least one support pin is embedded in the laminated layers of the solar cell module. The support pin includes at least a plug section, a support section and a stop section. The support section is embedded in the laminated layers of the solar cell module and can therefore provide support strength to the junction box. The stop section is pressed against an end surface of the solar cell module to enable a limiting and lateral supporting effect. The plug section is exposed from a layer of fixing sealant applied on the end surface of the solar cell module for plugging in and accordingly holding to a socket section of the junction box, protecting the junction box against separating from the solar cell module before the fixing sealant is fully cured.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a polymer solar cell is illustrated. A substrate and a first conductive layer formed thereon are provided. An organic active semiconductor material and a functional organic material, which features modifying an interface between an organic layer and electrodes, are dissolved in an organic solvent to form a blend. The blend is deposited on the first conductive layer by solution process. The organic solvent is removed, such that the functional organic material and the organic active semiconductor material exhibit phase separation so as to form an organic modified layer on the top of the organic active semiconductor layer. A second conductive layer is deposited by thermal coating on the organic modified layer. Importantly, the organic modified layer formed by spontaneous phase separation effectively modifies the interface between the organic active semiconductor layer and a second conductive layer, thereby enhancing efficiency of an organic solar cell.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) includes a housing (12) including an inlet (14) and an outlet (16). A tubular inlet spool (18) is located in the inlet (14) and has a closed downstream end (22) and a plurality of spool openings (24) through an outer surface (26) of the inlet spool (18). A tubular sleeve (28) is located over the circumference of the inlet spool (18) and is movable to substantially uncover the plurality of spool openings (24) thereby allowing a fluid flow (54) through the valve assembly (10). A method of flowing a fluid (54) through a valve assembly (10) includes urging the fluid (54) into a tubular inlet spool (18) of the valve assembly (10) to a closed downstream end (22) of the inlet spool (18). The fluid (54) is directed toward a plurality of spool openings (24) disposed in an outer surface (26) of the inlet spool (18).

Abstract: Disclosed is a cylindrical, single-component two-stage regulator for controlling a pressure and a flow rate of a gas. The regulator includes a housing for holding the two stages having an ingress adapted for connection to a source of gas at a high input pressure and an egress adapted for supplying gas at a lower output pressure than the high input pressure; a first stage for reducing the pressure of the gas from the high input pressure to a fixed intermediate pressure; and a second stage for reducing the pressure of the gas from the fixed intermediate pressure to the lower output pressure and regulating the flow rate of the gas out of the egress. One application of the present invention is for use in SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) applications, where it replaces the traditional two-component user-adjustable regulator. The regulator may be made out of stainless steel, and is small enough to fit into a user's mouthpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing energy leakage from a transmission line treats the line as a “partially closed” vessel. A gas stream with a pressure slightly different from ambient pressure is provided to the interior of the transmission line and a conduit that allows gas to pass between the transmission line and the ambient environment is provided. The gas flow rate at the conduit is then detected and monitored. If the flow rate falls outside a predetermined threshold, an electrical energy leakage is indicated. In another embodiment, the pressure of the input gas to the transmission line is continuously checked by a pressure switch, which will detect a change in pressure if the transmission integrity is compromised and disable the energy source.