Abstract: This invention relates seed layers and a process of manufacturing seed layers for casting silicon suitable for use in solar cells or solar modules. The process includes the step of positioning tiles with aligned edges to form seams on a suitable surface, and the step of joining the tiles at the seams to form a seed layer. The step of joining includes heating the tiles to melt at least a portion of the tiles, contacting the tiles at both ends of at least one seam with electrodes, using plasma deposition of amorphous silicon, applying photons to melt a portion of the tiles, and/or layer deposition. Seed layers of this invention include a rectilinear shape of at least about 500 millimeters in width and length.

Abstract: A method for affixing an electronic device having an elongate dipole antenna to a substrate surface includes: positioning picking apparatus adjacent to the electronic device, the picking apparatus having at least one antenna positioning means such as a magnet positioned adjacent the electronic device; activating the antenna positioning means; moving the opposite antenna ends into a captured relationship with the picking apparatus by means of the antenna positioning means; moving the picking apparatus to a position adjacent the substrate surface; engaging the substrate surface with the picking apparatus; and depositing the electronic device to the substrate surface.

Abstract: Hologram production devices can include holographic recording material deposition systems to deposit holographic recording material as needed by the hologram production device. Various nozzles, ink jets, and similar devices can be used to deposit one or more components of the holographic recording material on to an appropriate substrate. If needed, the material is pre-processed to, for example, provide material stability for the holographic recording material. Once holograms are recorded in the holographic recording material, the material can be post-processed as desired.

Abstract: Method in connection with the continuous joining of a first layer (10, 38) of a first material and a second layer (16, 40) of a second material, to produce a packaging laminate (44, 48) comprising said first and second layers. According to the invention, a free surface of said first layer (10, 38) and/or a free surface of said second layer (16, 40) is subjected both to plasma treatment (24) and to flame treatment (20), where after said free surfaces are joined together (12, 14). The invention relates also to a packaging laminate thus produced and to a packaging container manufactured from such a packaging laminate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of at least one layer (1) of a shoe upper or of a part of a shoe upper, wherein a nonwoven fabric (2) made of thermoplastic elastomere (TPE) is used as the basic material for at least a section of the layer (1) of the shoe upper. To influence the local properties of the material selectively in a cost efficient manner the invention suggests that at least partitions (3) of the surface of the nonwoven fabric (2) are exposed to a welding beam (4) in such a manner, that in those partitions (3) at least a partial melting of the nonwoven fabric (2) takes place, so that the density of the material is increased in the molten partitions (3).

Abstract: A method of selectively transferring devices arrayed on a first substrate to a second substrate on which an adhesive resin layer is previously formed is provided. The method includes steps of selectively heating the adhesive resin layer on the second substrate by laser irradiation from the back surface side of the second substrate, and curing the selectively heated portions of the adhesive resin layer, thereby adhesively bonding those to be transferred of the devices to the second substrate. At this time, portions, corresponding to the devices, of the adhesive layer are heated directly or indirectly via the devices or wiring portions by laser irradiation from the back surface side of the substrate. The heated portions of the adhesive resin layer selectively exhibit the adhesive forces. The heated portions of the adhesive layer are then cured, so that only the devices to be transferred are selectively transferred to the second substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a multiwell filtration plate comprising of first gluing a filter to a major surface of a multiwell plate so as to close off one entrance to the wells of the plate. The filter is then heat sealed so as to collapse the pores of the filter in the area between the wells so as to prevent lateral migration of fluid from one well to another.

Abstract: A method for fabricating lenticulars includes applying (104) a rubbing layer (208) on a lenticular structure (206). The rubbing layer (208) is baked (106) on the lenticular structure (206) before installation of the lenticular structure (206) on a plate (226). After baking, the lenticular structure (206) is applied (110) to the plate (226).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition of adhering together first and second materials. The composition features a multi-functional reactive compound that includes a backbone group and first and second functional groups; a cross-linker, and a catalyst. The first functional group is responsive to a first actinic energy to form cross-linked molecules and to adhere a subset of the cross-linked molecules to the first material. The second functional group is responsive to a second actinic energy, differing from the first actinic energy to adhere to the second material.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a seamless hat that uses cloth material having a chemical fiber component, which is cut to form cut-out pieces having specific pattern outlines, then, after affixing superimposed edges of the stitched cut-out pieces, supersonic or high frequency equipment is used to administer heat processing on the fixedly joined edges of the cut-out pieces. Thereupon, any surplus material from the stitched cut-out pieces can be cut away, only leaving the very minimum of connecting gathered edges. Then, heating art is implemented to externally apply and cover the joined areas of the gathered edges with hold-down strips containing thermosol or thermal polyurethane (TPU) membrane, thereby fabricating a hat.

Abstract: The invention concerns a security element (3?) having a top side and an underside and a process for the production thereof. The security element has a transparent layer (33?) with a non-homogenous refractive index, in which a plurality of Bragg planes are formed by a refractive index variation. The transparent layer (33?) is of a layer thickness of between 5 ?m and 200 ?m and the transparent layer (33?) has a plurality of first zones (41) of a smallest dimension of less than 300 ?m, which are arranged in accordance with a first grid raster in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional succession in mutually adjacent relationship and in which the Bragg planes of the transparent layer are respectively shaped to provide a respective transmissive optical imaging function.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a substrate layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, a first chamber layer and a second chamber layer, and all of which are integrally formed by co-firing. The substrate layer includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the second surface, and the first electrode, the second electrode are formed on the first and second surfaces, respectively. The first chamber layer, disposed on the first electrode, includes a first flow passage and a first fuel chamber connected thereto, and a first gas passes the first flow passage, enters the first fuel chamber and contacts the first electrode. The second chamber, disposed on the second electrode, includes a second flow passage and a second fuel chamber connected thereto, and a second gas passes the second flow passage, enters the second fuel chamber and contacts the second electrode.

Abstract: A double-sidedly bondable planar element which has an electrical contacting layer via which it is self-regulatingly intrinsically heatable and at the same time has a high flexibility. The particular features of this planar element are that the planar element in the storage condition is adhesive on one side only, and is therefore particularly easy to handle, and that, on bonding, the adhesive passes through cutouts in the contacting layer, and the planar element thus becomes double-sidedly bondable. The invention further provides a method for the bonding of this planar element, including as a key step the passage of the adhesive through the cutouts in the contacting layer, thus turning a single-sidedly adhesive planar element into a double-sidedly adhesive planar element.

Abstract: A method for processing elongate substrates, including forming a plurality of parallel elongate openings (102) through a semiconductor wafer (104) to form a corresponding plurality of elongate substrates (106) between the openings, each of the elongate substrates (106) having opposite edges coplanar with opposite surfaces of the wafer, opposite faces (112) orthogonal to the wafer surfaces, and opposite ends by which the elongate substrates are interconnected; and applying securing means (402) to at least one of the opposite edges of each elongate substrate to engage the edges and thereby inhibit relative movement of the elongate substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resin composition for an optical material which contains a base polymer (A), a photopolymerizable compound (B), and a photopolymerization initiator (C). Also disclosed is a resin film for an optical material which is made of such a resin composition for an optical material. Specifically disclosed is a resin composition for an optical material which has high transparency and high heat resistance, while enabling formation of a thick film with high precision. This resin composition is particularly useful for a resin film which is used for forming optical waveguides. Also specifically disclosed are a resin film for an optical material using such a resin composition and an optical waveguide using such a resin film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cladding element (10) with a base board (12) that is provided with a paper ply (14, 18) impregnated with resin on a surface (12a, 12b). According to the invention in a first step (BID, BIR) the resin is applied to the surface (12a, 12b) of the base board (12), in a second step (DS, RS) the paper ply (14, 18) is applied to the surface (12a, 12b) of the base board (12), and in a third step (HP) the base board (12) provided on the surface (12a, 12b) with resin and the paper ply (14, 18) are pressed to one another.

Abstract: A method of making a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer film includes continuously heat treating of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer film 2 while the latter is jointed to a sheet-like support member 4, and subsequently separating the heat-treated thermotropic liquid crystal polymer film 2 from the support member 4. The continuous heat treatment of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer film 2 then jointed to the support member 4 is carried out for a predetermined heating time within the range of 5 to 60 seconds at a predetermined heating temperature T° C. equal to or higher than the melting point Tm° C. of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer film less 15° C. (i.e., Tm?15° C.), but lower than the melting point Tm° C. (thus, Tm?15° C.?T° C.<Tm° C.), to thereby increase the thermal expansion coefficient of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer film.

Abstract: Techniques for bonding two disks with a minimized eccentricity (ECC) are disclosed. A positioning header includes an ECC controlling structure that further includes a positioning header. In one embodiment, the position header includes three members that form a round stand with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the disks. The round stand expands to the inner diameter of the disks to close the gap as a result of the difference between the two diameters when the three members are caused to expand. In one embodiment, the movement of the three members is controlled by magnetic means. Depending on the positions of the ECC controlling structure, the three members are expanded from or restored to their default positions.

Abstract: A system and method for bonding and unbonding of small objects using small adhesive particles. The system and method includes the use of a plurality of optical tweezers to manipulate objects to be bonded and adhesive particles suspended in a fluid. The objects to be bonded (or unbonded) and the adhesive particles are positioned by lower power optical tweezers and then an intense bonding optical tweezer is activated to cause the adhesive to join the objects together (or used to unbond objects).

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers comprising absorption pigments, which are distinguished by the fact that they have high absorption in the near IR region, and to the use thereof, in particular in thermoforming and in IR light welding.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a fiber placement head assembly and an infrared heating assembly is provided. The fiber placement head assembly includes a compaction roller assembly and a feeder assembly. An infrared heating assembly, a cooling mechanism, temperature sensors, and a controller are operably coupled to the fiber placement head assembly. The infrared heating assembly includes an infrared heater that generates a heating profile. The heating profile defines a heating zone on either a tool or previously laid tows. If the burn point of either the tool or previously laid tows within the heating zone is approached, the controller, which receives temperature readings from the temperature sensors, simultaneously disables the infrared heater and activates the cooling mechanism. As such, the tool and the previously laid tows are protected from being ruined due to an over temperature condition.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a device for displaying an interlaced image. The method includes providing a film of transparent material and creating a lens array in the film by forming parallel lens sets on a first side of the film, and then bonding an interlaced image including sets of elongate image elements to a second side of the film. Each of the lens sets is configured with lenses for focusing light from one of the image elements in a particular paired set of image elements rather than all the elements as with lenticular material. The bonding of the interlaced image to the film may include printing the interlaced image directly onto the second side with the printing facilitated by the small lens array thickness. Lens array creating includes embossing the lens sets into the film with a flat die or cylinder/roller engraved with a reverse image of the lens array.

Abstract: A method for sterile connection of tubing includes welding the tubing sections together using an efficient laser. The ends of the tubing sections are brought together prior to the initiation of welding, facilitating isolation of interior passage of the tubing sections. The method can be carried out by an apparatus which is relatively inexpensive and compact.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to anti-reflective coatings comprising ordered layers of nanowires, methods to prepare the coatings, and products prepared by the methods.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate, an opposite substrate and a liquid crystal display layer. The array substrate includes a pixel electrode and a lower reactive mesogen layer. The pixel electrode includes a plurality of slit portions disposed on a plurality of domains in different directions. The lower reactive mesogen layer is disposed on the pixel electrode to induce an inclined direction of liquid crystal molecules. The opposite substrate includes an upper substrate. An upper reactive mesogen layer is disposed on a common electrode of the opposite substrate. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules arranged to have a pretilt angle between a surface of the lower reactive mesogen layer and a surface of the upper reactive mesogen layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compensation element for joining components made of fusible plastics, designed as a hollow cylinder, at least some sections of which are conical and having at least one heating element which when supplied with energy heats at least some regions of the inner surface or the outer surface of the compensation element or of both surfaces to produce a welded connection between the components. Said compensation element is characterised in that cuts are provided, starting from each outer edge of the hollow body, at least one section of the cuts extending up to or beyond a plane of the compensation element that guarantees flexibility. The invention also relates to methods in which a sleeve consisting of an outer sheath and at least one compensation element is used.

Abstract: Structures and manufacturing processes of an ACF array using a non-random array of microcavities of predetermined configuration, shape and dimension. The manufacturing process includes fluidic filling of conductive particles onto a substrate or carrier web comprising a predetermined array of microcavities, or selective metallization of the array followed by filling the array with a filler material and a second selective metallization on the filled microcavity array. The thus prepared filled conductive microcavity array is then over-coated or laminated with an adhesive film. Cavities in the array, and particles filling the cavities, can have a unimodal, bimodal, or multimodal distribution.

Abstract: To reduce cracks in a functional unit of a semiconductor element in a process for manufacturing an electronic device, a frame member surrounds a functional unit and an optically-transparent layer is formed on a wafer. A resin layer is formed by injecting resin into a cavity of an encapsulating metallic mold while a molding surface of the encapsulating metallic mold segment contacts an upper surface of the frame member. After forming the resin layer, an optically-transparent layer is formed inside the frame member. The resin layer is formed by injecting resin while the frame member contacts the molding surface of the encapsulating metallic mold segment. Therefore, pressure applied in the encapsulation is exerted over the frame member around the functional unit. Further, the optically-transparent layer is formed after encapsulation. This avoids pressure applied to the functional unit from the contact of the encapsulating metallic mold segment with the optically-transparent layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a unique nonwoven fabric which has the appearance of a woven fabric includes a supply station for parallel warp yarns, a support structure for orienting the parallel warp yarns into a cylindrical orientation, a weft yarn applicator for wrapping weft yarns around the cylindrically oriented warp yarns after an adhesive scrim has been overlaid onto the warp yarns, a heating station for activating the adhesive and a cooling station for setting the adhesive, and a cutter for severing the cylindrically formed fabric laminate so that it can be flattened and wrapped onto a take-up roller. The weft yarn applicator including a rotating drum wherein a plurality of spools of weft yarn material are mounted in circumferentially spaced relationship and a tensioner is provided for applying the weft yarn material around the warp yarns in a predetermined tension which may be the same as, greater than, or less than the tension in the warp yarns.

Abstract: A stitchless seam comprises a first portion of material folded upon itself proximate an edge to define an overfolded end portion having overlapping edge and nonedge portions and a second portion of material positioned adjacent the overfolded end portion. A first portion of adhesive is interposed between the overlapping edge and nonedge portions and a second portion of adhesive is interposed between the second portion of material and the edge portion of the overfolded end portion. Energy may be applied, via an ultrasonic seam bonding machine or other means, to activate the adhesive portions. The seams may be used for items made of waterproof breathable laminate fabric material, such as garments and sports articles.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for manufacturing piezoelectric devices. An exemplary method comprises the step of bonding a lid wafer, a piezoelectric frame wafer (having a vibrating piece and a outer frame surrounding the vibrating piece), and a base wafer (having at least one wiring through-hole) together. A surface of a unit (typically ball-shaped) of eutectic metal is cleaned and then arranged on the through-hole. The unit of eutectic metal is then melted in a vacuum or inert gas environment to allow the eutectic metal to enter the through-hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a micro-mirror actuator and the corresponding actuator. In the method, the actuator is generated from a layered construction made of at least three main layers (101, 103, 107), which are at least sectionally electrically insulated from one another via intermediate layers (102, 104, 106). The layers are structured to form the micro-mirror element and the electrodes, the structuring being performed in such a way that a closed frame (310) is formed from at least the uppermost layer (107) around the inner area of the actuator, which allows a hermetic encapsulation of the inner area by application of a cover plate onto the frame.

Abstract: A radiation-curable desiccant-filled adhesive/sealant composition comprising a radiation-curable resin, one or more desiccant fillers, one or more photoinitiators or photosensitizers, and optionally, one or more inorganic or organic fillers.

Abstract: A production layout for an LCD is provided. The production layout for an LCD includes a bonding part operable to bond a pair of substrates for the LCD with a sealant and a hardening part operable to harden the sealant. The hardening part includes an ion provider operable to supply ions to the substrates during a hardening process of the sealant. The production layout further includes a transfer unit that loads and unloads the bonded substrates. Footprint and tact time for manufacturing the LCD may be reduced. Electrostatic removal effect of the bonded substrates may improve.

Abstract: A substrate bonding method for mutually bonding substrates, has a first radiation step for irradiating the surfaces of the individual substrates with an oxygen particle beam, a second radiation step for irradiating the surfaces of the individual substrate with a nitrogen particle beam simultaneously with or subsequently to the first radiation step, and a step for stacking the individual substrates and bringing the surfaces thereof into close contact. Particularly, the substrates which have been irradiated first with an oxygen plasma and subsequently with a nitrogen plasma are stacked and bonded.

Abstract: A welding apparatus is provided with a lamp unit having a light source such as a halogen lamp and a multiple reflection surface. The light source applies incoherent electromagnetic waves that belong to a visible region and a near-infrared region in which a wavelength is 500 nm (nanometer) or more. The multiple reflection surface reflects and collects the light from the light source in the shape of a desired dot or line. The housing and the transparent cover are superimposed, and the light from the light source is collected by the multiple-reflection surface on the portion where the housing is superimposed on the transparent cover.

Abstract: An electric-field-sensitive element (1) includes: an optical function layer (5) that includes a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of tin dioxide, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and an insulating material covering the metal oxide, the optical function layer (5) having a visible light transmittance that changes through application of an electric field; and a first and second electrode layer (7, 9) that sandwich the optical function layer (5) therebetween.

Abstract: A sharpened metallic probe having a top of main body including a carbon-containing metal and a method and an apparatus for fabricating the metallic probe. A metallic probe with an extremely sharpened tip is obtained by inducing a field emission from the tip of the main body of the metallic probe where a nanotube is joined thereto, heating and melting locally the tip of the main body of the metallic probe by a Joule heating, and tearing the nanotube toward a counter electrode by a Coulomb attractive force.

Abstract: A test structure for polymer characterization over a wide frequency range, temperature range and under an applied DC electric field is disclosed. A high resistivity silicon substrate is topped by an adhesion layer. A polymer thin-film is deposited on a patterned metal1 layer which is deposited on top of the adhesion layer. A top metal2 layer is deposited on the polymer thin-film and patterned to form a CPW transmission line. A single bias voltage is applied to the center conductor of the CPW transmission line on metal2 and influences dielectric properties of the polymer. The dielectric permittivity and the loss-tangent of the polymer can be derived as functions of electric field and temperature by measuring the swept frequency scattering parameters and matching the experimental frequency response to the modeled frequency response. The electrical conductance properties of the polymer can be accurately characterized using the test structure over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A system and method for bonding and unbonding of small objects using small adhesive particles. The system and method includes the use of a plurality of optical tweezers to manipulate objects to be bonded and adhesive particles suspended in a fluid. The objects to be bonded (or unbonded) and the adhesive particles are positioned by lower power optical tweezers and then an intense bonding optical tweezer is activated to cause the adhesive to join the objects together (or used to unbond objects).

Abstract: A low-temperature plasma treatment is applied to a surface of an aramid paper so as to allow the surface to have a compositional atomic ratio X (O/C) of the number of oxygen atoms (O) to the number of carbon atoms (C) ranging from 110% to 220% of a theoretical atomic ratio. The treatment is performed at an intensity ranging from 120 to 1500 W·min/m2 with a low-temperature plasma treatment apparatus of internal electrode system. The aramid paper is superposed with a nonhydrolyzable resin film and the resulting article is pressurized to give an aramid-resin film laminate. The laminate is inexpensive, has both superior electrical properties and high mechanical strength, excels in elasticity, and is useful as an insulation material.

Abstract: A method of manufacture and assembly of multiwell plates employing targeted radiation at an interface in order to achieve bonding is disclosed. The method accommodates glass and polymer attachment as well as polymer to polymer attachment. Resultant plates have unique flatness and optical properties.

Abstract: Self-adhesive tape comprising a laminate composed of at least two pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) layers A and B laminated directly to one another, one or both of the surfaces to be laminated to one another of the PSA layers A and B having been chemically and/or physically pretreated prior to lamination, and the shear strength tSA/B of the self-adhesive tape at 25° C., 40° C. and 70° C. under a weight load of 1000 g being at least 80% of the shear strength tSo of the PSA layer A and/or of the PSA layer B, where tSo represents the shear strength of the PSA layer having the lower shear strength.

Abstract: A microactuator may be configured by activating a source of electromagnetic radiation to heat and melt a selected set of phase-change plugs embedded in a substrate of the microactuator, pressurizing a common pressure chamber adjacent to each of the plugs to deform the melted plugs, and deactivating the source of electromagnetic radiation to cool and solidify the melted plugs.

Abstract: The multilayer film serves as a laminate. The film is a multilayered structure that, in its base form, encompasses an intermediate layer with first and second outer layer affixed to opposing sides of the intermediate layer. The first outer layer is a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer. The intermediate layer includes a polyester and the second outer layer is an olefinic polymer. The layers are bonded together in the noted order to provide the multilayer film.

Abstract: The invention describes a fluoropolymer laminate that includes a first substrate that can be a modified fluoropolymer having polar functionality and a second substrate. The substrates are laminated at an elevated temperature suitable for lamination to occur and then are subsequently treated with radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation, gamma radiation and/or electron beam.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solid oxide fuel cell is described herein, as well as the fuel cell itself. The method comprises forming a cathode layer comprising a strontium composition on a ceramic electrolyte layer; and forming a barrier layer between the cathode layer and an overlying interconnect structure comprising chromium, so as to substantially prevent the formation of strontium chromate.

Abstract: A flexible electro-optic display comprises a layer of solid electro-optic material; a backplane comprising at least one electrode arranged to apply an electric field to the layer of electro-optic material; and an adhesive layer disposed between the layer of electro-optic material and the backplane and adhesively securing the layer of electro-optic material to the backplane, the adhesive layer having a storage modulus (G?) of at least about 104 Pascals at 10?3 Hz and 70° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to sheet materials, having at least one layer of an adhesive mass, within which heat can be produced, wherein the adhesive mass is a hot melt adhesive mass and a PTC resistor.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises an outer shaft having a distal end, an inner shaft situated therein to form an annular fluid line and projecting beyond the distal end of the outer shaft, and a balloon which is dilatable under the influence of a fluid introduced through the fluid line under pressure. At its proximal end the balloon is attached in a fluid-tight manner to the distal end region of the outer shaft at a first attachment zone, and at its distal end is attached in a fluid-tight manner to the distal end region of the inner shaft at a second attachment zone. Between the attachment zones, in the undilated state the balloon is placed in longitudinal folds along its length. The balloon, at least at its distal end, has an untapered design with a thin wall thickness (d) which is essentially unchanged over the length of the balloon, and the longitudinal folds extend into the attachment zone at that location.