Abstract: A secondary battery with high capacity per unit volume can be provided. A flexible secondary battery with a novel structure can be provided. A secondary battery that can be bent repeatedly can be provided. A highly reliable secondary battery can be provided. A long-life secondary battery can be provided. A secondary battery comprises an inner structure and an exterior body that surrounds the inner structure. The inner structure comprises a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The exterior body comprises a first exterior film and a second exterior film. A region comprising reduced graphene oxide lies between the first exterior film and the second exterior film. The graphene oxide preferably comprises a region where the concentration of oxygen is higher than or equal to 2 atomic percent and lower than or equal to 20 atomic percent.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exhaust duct to guide air inside the image forming apparatus to an outside of the image forming apparatus. A positive ion generator emits a positive ion into the exhaust duct. A negative ion generator emits a negative ion into the exhaust duct. The negative ion generator is shifted from the positive ion generator in one of an air flow direction of the air moving inside the exhaust duct and a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction.

Abstract: An optical transmission device includes: an optical modulation package that includes a plurality of terminals that are exposed to an outside from a front surface thereof, and performs optical modulation on electrical signals input from the terminals; a flexible board that includes: an electrode arrangement part on which electrodes respectively connected to the terminals are arranged side by side to transmit the electrical signals to the terminals; and an arm part that projects more outward than an electrode located on an end of the electrode arrangement part and extends toward the optical modulation package to be locked to the optical modulation package; and an optical transmission member that transmits an optical signal obtained by the optical modulation performed by the optical modulation package.

Abstract: A wafer processing apparatus includes a particle charger for charging particles adsorbed onto a wafer with photoelectrons emitted from an emitter metal layer and a particle remover for applying an electric field to the wafer, which removes the charged particles from the wafer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a generator electrode, a discharge electrode that has an aperture, a dielectric structure between the generator electrode and the discharge electrode, and a charge spreading structure. The dielectric structure includes a charging region under the aperture. The charge spreading structure is on a surface of the charging region facing the aperture. The charge spreading structure is electrically disconnected from the generator electrode and the discharge electrode and spreads electrical charge carriers over underlying areas of the charging region.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes a main body that performs processing to form an image on a recording paper, the image forming apparatus including, an ion generating section that is external to the main body, generates ions and emits those ions to the outside.

Abstract: An ion generator for generating positive ions and negative ions is externally attached above a main body of an image forming apparatus. A ratio between positive ions and negative ions which are generated by the ion generator is switched between two ratios in accordance with whether the image forming apparatus is in an operating state or a standby state so that more negative ions are emitted during the operating state. This makes it possible to suppress an effect of an exhaust gas which contains chemical emissions such as an odor and a VOC and which is discharged from the image forming apparatus and to purify an indoor air.

Abstract: An ion print head and image forming apparatus using the same includes at least one discharge cell array structure having microelectrodes to form an electrostatic latent image on an insulation layer of an electrostatic drum by selectively applying charged particles to the insulation layer. The at least one discharge cell is provided with a plurality of discharge elements to emit the charged particles, and a controller to control the plurality of discharge elements. Each of the plurality of discharge elements includes a base, a microelectrode disposed on the base to emit the charged particles toward the insulation layer, and a control electrode spaced apart from the base and having a hole therein through which the emitted charged particles pass and to control the emission of the charged particle from the microelectrode.

Abstract: An ion generator for generating positive ions and negative ions is externally attached above a main body of an image forming apparatus. A ratio between positive ions and negative ions which are generated by the ion generator is switched between two ratios in accordance with whether the image forming apparatus is in an operating state or a standby state so that more negative ions are emitted during the operating state. This makes it possible to suppress an effect of an exhaust gas which contains chemical emissions such as an odor and a VOC and which is discharged from the image forming apparatus and to purify an indoor air.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes a main body that performs processing to form an image on a recording paper, the image forming apparatus including, an ion generating section that is external to the main body, generates ions and emits those ions to the outside.

Abstract: A charge source is used to create a latent image on an imaging surface. A volume between the charge source and the imaging surface may be pressurized while the latent image is being created.

Abstract: In an ion generating element according to the present invention, a discharge electrode and an inductive electrode are provided to face each other with a dielectric body therebetween, and a heater electrode for producing heat with Joule heat generated by electrification and the inductive electrode are provided independently on the same surface of the dielectric body. Further, the heater electrode and the inductive electrode are connected and positioned such that a heater current does not flow into the inductive electrode. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately set a size or a shape of the inductive electrode according to a condition at low costs, allowing stable and effective discharge.

Abstract: A print head includes a first electrode layer including a plurality of generator electrodes, a second electrode layer including a plurality of discharge electrodes, and an insulating layer disposed between the generator electrodes of the first electrode layer and the discharge electrodes of the second electrode layer. The discharge electrodes include at least one discharge aperture extending therethrough. Each discharge aperture has an undercut region defining a discharge surface spaced from and substantially parallel to an opposed surface of the insulating layer.

Abstract: An image forming element includes a drum body including a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of insulating layers stacked on one another in an alternate pattern, in which a portion of each of the conductive layers extends towards a cavity defined within the conductive layers to form a plurality of electrodes, and a control unit disposed in the cavity, and including a plurality of electrode pads corresponding to the electrodes to provide an electrical connection to the respective electrodes. Structure and processes to fabricate an image forming element are simplified, and fabricating cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A head 2 has a through hole 7 into which compressed air is supplied and flows, and a discharge electrode 11 is disposed inside the through hole 7. When a voltage required for discharging is applied to the head 2 made of a conductor and the discharge electrode 11, a corona C is generated at a tip end 11a of the discharge electrode 11, whereby flowing air is ionized. By a cylindrical housing tube portion 17 made of an insulator and receiving most of the discharge electrode 11 and a tapered guide portion (transfer fluid guiding member) 18 formed at a downstream-side end thereof, an air flow is biased and guided on a side of an outer circumference thereof so as not to rush directly against the corona generating region. Thus, even when air supply pressure is increased, an ion balance can be stabilized without almost changing pressure or a flow rate in the corona generating region.

Abstract: To provide an ion generator and an image forming apparatus which control selective ion generation by a voltage lower than the conventional voltage, and are inexpensive and sized as small as possible. In an ion generator which selectively generates ions, ion generation is controlled by temperature control of discharge electrode parts, whereby an ion generator that is inexpensive and sized as small as possible is provided in which discharge electrodes and an electrode are disposed via dielectrics disposed between these, heating elements are provided corresponding to the discharge electrodes, the temperatures of the discharge electrodes are controlled, and an appropriate high voltage is applied between the discharge electrodes and the an electrode, the discharge of the discharge electrodes is controlled by heating of the heating elements, and generation of ions by discharge of the discharge electrodes can be controlled by a low voltage in response to heating control of the heating elements.

Abstract: An electrode array printer has a housing, an image roller, and a plurality of developer modules. Each of the developer modules has an electrode array printhead, a toner cartridge and a developer roller. The electrode array printhead is installed on a side surface of the image roller for emitting an electron array onto the side surface of the image roller to form an electrostatic image. The developer roller is capable of attracting toner contained in a corresponding toner cartridge. The electrostatic image formed on the side surface of the image roller is capable of attracting toner from a developer roller corresponding to the electrode array printhead when the image roller rotates to a position where the electrostatic image is adjacent to the developer roller. The printer further includes a transfer roller, a fuser and a toner blade.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of printing on electrically writable media and electrically writable displays are described. In one aspect, a printer for printing on an electrically writable medium includes a source of an invisible charge species, and a charge species projector. The charge species projector is operable to project charge species from the source onto the medium to electrically reorient switchable display elements in the medium. In another aspect, a portable storage device that includes a memory and an electrically writable medium is received. Data is written to the memory of the portable data storage device. The electrically writable medium of the portable data storage device is printed on by electrically reorienting switchable display elements in the medium. In another aspect, an electrically writable display includes an electrically writable medium that is incorporated into a continuous web having an outward-facing side and an inward-facing side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to a unique printhead configuration is disclosed. The printhead configuration is based on a coplanar arrangement of two sets of electrodes. The electrodes are electrically separated from each other by a dielectric layer, and together create a matrix of charge generating sites. Such a printhead has a very low internal capacitance and therefore is suitable for high speed and high resolution printing.

Abstract: A printhead having a set of redundant rows of electrodes. The set of redundant rows is formed by providing additional rows of a first set of electrodes that repeats the charge-deposition pattern of another electrode in the set. The redundant electrodes are selectively activated to allow line to line variation of the charge deposition sequence when forming a latent image.

Abstract: A printhead having a set of redundant rows of electrodes. The set of redundant rows is formed by providing additional rows of a first set of electrodes that repeats the charge-deposition pattern of another electrode in the set. The redundant electrodes are selectively activated to allow line to line variation of the charge deposition sequence when forming a latent image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a universal printhead is disclosed that functions independently of the diameter of a charge receiving dielectric drum, while optimizing print quality. The printhead includes two sets of electrodes mutually separated by a dielectric. Each of the electrodes from the first layer crosses each of the electrodes from the second layer forming a plurality of charge generating sites. The charge generating sites are generally disposed in only two rows.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a universal printhead is disclosed that functions independently of the diameter of a charge receiving dielectric drum, while optimizing print quality. The printhead includes two sets of electrodes mutually separated by a dielectric. Each of the electrodes from the first layer crosses each of the electrodes from the second layer forming a plurality of charge generating sites. The charge generating sites are generally disposed in only two rows.

Abstract: A xerographic printer includes a rotatable photoreceptor which is exposed, with each cycle, by a regular exposure device to create an image desired to be printed. Elsewhere along the photoreceptor is disposed a supplemental discharge device which discharges only those small areas on the photoreceptor which were not discharged by the regular exposure device within the cycle. In this way, every small area of the photoreceptor is evenly discharged within each cycle, and thus every small area of the photoreceptor experiences the same amount of aging. The system is particularly useful for full-color xerographic printers, in which the photoreceptor is repeatedly discharged by different exposure devices within each cycle.

Abstract: An electron beam printer assembly for operating a standard electron beam print cartridge (such as an eighteen inch 600 DPI print cartridge) includes an RF generator which has a powdered iron core transformer, and a dual pulse width generator operatively connected to the transformer. The RF generator also includes a power driver, control logic, and an oscillator feedback circuit. The dual pulse width generator may comprise a NOR gate, a capacitor, two resistors, and a diode, all connected to an adjustable voltage source. The transformer core may be toroid-shaped, and of carbonyl SF. Using this RF generator it is possible to image a substrate moving at a speed of greater than 200 FPM, and to operate at a frequency of about 5 MHz in an efficient manner, to eliminate print gradients due to an overdriven transformer, to eliminate transformer temperature failures due to core loss, and to provide greater flexibility in transformer construction and design, and less power loss in the transformer drive transistor.

Abstract: A shielding conductive plane, such as a copper layer, which acts as an intermediary layer between an electrically active area and a mechanical substrate of an electron beam cartridge, provides a direct electrical path to control and direct RF currents, minimizing stray electrical noise which interferes with other sensor devices of the printer, such as data system lines and low voltage controlling electronics. The intermediary layer is electrically insulated from the active area and the mechanical substrate by insulating material and through suitable electrical connections provides an adequate way to dissipate the current path of the RF high voltage burst to return to a grounding source. Capacitive coupling of the electrode drivers or the finger electrodes themselves to the mechanical substrate is unnecessary.

Abstract: An electronic display device includes a two-dimensional array of point charge sources, which are aligned with a plurality of apertures defined in a substrate. Associated with each aperture is a set of electrodes, including a focusing electrode, which in effect funnels the ions from the charge source into a narrow stream, and a plurality of displacing electrodes, through which the ion stream can be caused to scan over a small two-dimensional area on a phosphor. Modulating the bias on the focusing electrode can be used to control the ion stream passing through an individual aperture according to image data. The combined action of a two-dimensional array of charge sources and associated control devices can create a single composite image on the phosphor.

Abstract: An ion generator for the generation of a plasma is assembled from module subassemblies. The first subassembly includes a dielectric plate 1, on the first surface 1a of which are located a large number of first electrodes 3, and the second surface 1b of which is coated with a structured conductive layer 2. The second subassembly includes an aperatured spacer plate with a large number of dielectric spacers with a second electrode 5 on the side facing away from the dielectric plate 1. In joining the subassemblies together, the aperatured spacer plate is connected to the dielectric plate 1 at its first surface 1a in such a way that cavities 6 for accommodating plasma are formed by the first electrodes 3, parts of the first surface 1a of the dielectric plate 1 and the spacers 4 with the second electrodes 5. The first set of electrodes 3 shield the points where the subassemblies are bonded together from plasma in the cavities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording apparatus comprising a recording member having a recording surface with a variably conductive surface. The recording member may also have a conductive layer under a dielectric layer. Print heads for recording electronic images on dielectric surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A printing head suitable for imaging a ferroelectric printing form is sealed relative to the printing form by a spring-elastic seal. In the discharge chamber of the printing head, at a low pressure, preferably less than 10 hPa, and especially in the presence of a gas with high ionization probability, a discharge plasma is created, from which charge carriers emerge onto the printing form as the result of activation between electrodes, with simultaneous focussing by the application of electric and/or magnetic fields between plates.

Abstract: A field emission print head capable of converging electrons and having a structure such that odd order gate lines are connected to a first gate lead electrode, even order gate lines are connected to a second gate lead electrode. When the first gate lead electrode is selected and operated, the potential of the second gate lead electrode is made to be a low level. Since the odd order gate line is disposed between the low level even order gate lines, emitted electrons can be converged. When the second gate lead electrode is selected and operated, also emitted electrons can be converged. Each gate line has field emission cathodes disposed in a zigzag configuration. Since the first gate lead electrode is made to always be a low level as a converting electrode, the field emission print head can easily be manufactured.

Abstract: An erase unit for an ion deposition web-fed print engine includes a plenum extending the width of the electrostatic image on the image cylinder and defining an ionization chamber with the image cylinder surface. The plenum has first and second electrodes separated by a dielectric. Upon application of a time-varying potential having a frequency of 0.2 to 50 mHz across the electrodes, ionization occurs, causing an ion current flowing in relation to the image surface until the image surface and the biasing electrode are at the same potential, thus erasing any residual electrostatic image on the cylindrical surface. By providing a DC biasing voltage, the residual electrostatic image may be erased when equalization occurs, with the image cylinder maintaining a pre-charged potential.

Abstract: A device for recording an image includes a recording surface and a write head positioned next to the recording surface. The write head has at least one microtunnel, with each microtunnel having an anode placed near the recording surface and a cathode located further away from the recording surface than the anode, so as to permit generation of a gas plasma between the anode and the cathode. A voltage source varies the voltage of the anode so as to permit recording of the image on the recording surface. In another embodiment, an additional anode is located near the cathode further away from the recording surface than the first anode.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic member having fine throughholes, includes the steps of: producing a first green sheet for a thin ceramic plate; forming a plurality of fine throughholes having a minimum diameter of 150 .mu.m or less after firing in the first green sheet and having a minimum distance of 150 .mu.m or less between two of the throughholes after firing, the throughholes being disposed zigzag; producing a second green sheet to be used for a ceramic substrate; forming at least one window portion in the second green sheet; laminating the first green sheet on the second green sheet for obtaining a unitary laminate so that the plurality of fine throughholes in the first green sheet match the window portion(s) of the second green sheet; and firing the laminate so as to obtain a unitary sintered body; wherein a shorter side (maximum width) W of the window portion of the ceramic substrate satisfies the formula: W(mm).gtoreq.0.

Abstract: An ionographic printer directs a sheet of ions from a source to a charge receptor to create an electrostatic latent image thereon. An ion sheet splitting rod is positioned between the ion source and the charge receptor that splits the ion sheet into two separate streams of ions and insulating wedges serve to focus the separate ion streams into two rows of apertures in an ion control device. The ion streams pass through relatively large apertures having associated therewith a pinch electrode for narrowing the ion streams to a preselected width, and displacing electrodes for positioning the narrowed ion streams within the apertures.

Abstract: A print head having a plurality of voltage delivery points for recording electronic images on a dielectric recording surface is also disclosed, along with the recording member. The print head may write using alternating current sources.

Abstract: Marking device for controlled application of charge carriers to a substrate includes a charge carrier source for generating the charge carriers, a voltage source having a first pole and a second pole connected to the charge carrier source and forming therewith a current circuit wherein a control device is located, the voltage source having a third pole for generating a predeterminable electrical potential on the substrate, so that the charge carriers are applicable thereat by corresponding triggering of the control device, the control device being assigned to at least one of the first and the second poles and being located at approximately 0-volt potential.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging an ionographic member, comprising an electrically insulating substrate containing affixed thereto a plurality of electroded grooves each capable of retaining a single wettable fiber, thereby forming a collection of fibers in contact with the substrate; a resin layer that isolates said fibers from each other, and that adheres the fibers to the electroded grooves; providing an ionically conductive fluid to said collection of fibers; applying an electrical bias to said fibers thereby transporting ions through the fibers to the surface of said ionographic member and which ions charge said member.

Abstract: Odd-order patch-like gate electrodes are, by gate lead lines, connected to a first electrode, even-order patch-like gate electrodes are, by gate lead lines, connected to a second gate electrode. The first and second gate electrodes are selectively and alternately operated. By making the potential of gate electrodes, which are not being selected, to be a low level, the patch-like gate electrodes, which are being operated, can be surrounded by low-level conductors. Thus, electrons emitted from the patch-like gate electrodes can be converged.

Abstract: An ionographic printer bar directs a stream of ions from an integral ion source having a planar surface for emitting ions to a charge receptor to create an electrostatic latent image thereon. The ion stream passes through an aperture having associated therewith a focusing pinch electrode for narrowing the ion stream to a preselected width, displacing electrodes for positioning the narrowed ion stream within the aperture, and focus electrodes. The integral ion source is placed in propinquity in relation to the ionographic printer bar. The planar design of ion source allows reduce size of the ionographic printer bar because no support frame is needed and allow increase robustness of the ionographic printer bar which makes it easy to install in a machine and easy to clean.

Abstract: An ionographic printer directs a stream of ions from a source to a charge receptor to create an electrostatic latent image thereon. The ion stream passes through a relatively large aperture having associated therewith a focusing pinch electrode for narrowing the ion stream to a preselected width, displacing electrodes for positioning the narrowed ion stream within the aperture, and focus electrodes. Varying the biases of the displacing electrodes causes the ion stream to scan across the aperture to deposit multiple spots of charged areas at desired locations on the receptor. Varying the biases of the focus electrodes cures positional and ion-stream cross-section anomalies.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ion flow electrostatic recording head including: a plurality of first electrodes extending in parallel to one another on an insulating substrate; a plurality of second electrodes intersecting the plurality of first electrodes to form a matrix and having openings at positions corresponding intersections of the matrix; and a dielectric layer interposed between the plurality of first and second electrodes. The plurality of the first and second electrodes jointly constitute ion generating portions arranged in a matrix pattern. The method includes: (a) forming a conductive film on the dielectric layer which constitutes a multilayer structure on the insulating substrate together with the first electrodes; and applying a plating to the conductive film to form the plurality of second electrodes, the plating including applying a nickel chemical plating to the conductive film and applying an electroless plating thereto.

Abstract: An image recording head, for one of a image recording apparatus in which a voltage is applied to fine pattern electrodes to directly record an image on a recording medium and a image recording apparatus in which a voltage is applied to fine pattern electrodes to form an electrostatic latent image on an intermediate recording medium, the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a developed image, and the developed image is transferred and fixed to a recording medium, wherein at least a part of the fine pattern electrodes comprises a member selected from the group consisting of the elements of one of transition metals which is acid-resistant and electrolytically noncorrosive, and an alloy of titanium including at least one of group VIII metals of the periodic table. Accordingly, the image recording head which has a long life particularly under an environment of high temperature and humidity is provided.

Abstract: Method and device for high quality printing with substantially reduced cross-coupling while reducing the manufacturing cost of printers that use a matrix of individual control electrode units by connecting individual control electrode segments in series to reduce the number of electronic drive circuits. An information carrier such as paper is placed between a back electrode and an electrode matrix both of which are connected to voltage sources. Voltage sources connected to the control electrode unit matrix at least partially open and close passages through the electrode matrix; charged pigment particles attracted from a particle carrier through the open passages are deposited on the information carrier to form visible images.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including electric field control member for directly controlling the flow of charged particles with an electric field, supply device for supplying the charged particles to the electric field control member, and a counter electrode disposed so as to face the supply device through the electric field control member. The electric field control member includes control electrodes for controlling the electric field and a base member disposed at the counter electrode side of the control electrodes. The control electrode and the base member have apertures and each aperture of the base member, at least at a side away from the apertures in the control electrode, is larger in diameter than the aperture of the control electrodes. The control electrode is pressed against the supply device such that the control electrode is equally bent to either side of a plane passing through the apertures in the control electrode.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of forming developer through-holes in a print head which has a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes arranged in matrix with an insulating layer sandwiched therebetween. A main portion of each of the first electrodes is comprised of a couple of electrodes disposed in parallel with each other at a specified gap between them, and a main portion of each of the second electrodes is comprised of a couple of electrodes disposed in parallel with each other at a specified gap between them. An intersecting portion of each of the first electrodes and each of the second electrodes is irradiated with laser light to form a hole in the insulating layer. Thus, the gap between the parallel electrodes of each of the first electrodes, the hole formed in the insulating layer, and the gap between the parallel electrodes of each of the second electrodes together define a developer through-hole.

Abstract: An electrographic printing system moves a dielectric imaging member past a charge transfer print cartridge or bulk charging source, and a landing electrode arrangement directs charged particles with enhanced precision to dot positions on the imaging member. The arrangement includes a central, point-like, target electrode and a field electrode that, together with the target electrode, provides a corrective electric field component to form a focusing, or at least a non-diverging field over the target position. Field deflection artifacts such as "venetian blinding" are substantially corrected. The target electrodes are located behind the imaging member, in registry with the charging cartridge which is opposed to the other side of the member. Different landing electrode arrangements may include one- or two-dimensional arrays of targeting electrodes and are adapted to either bulk or pointwise arrays of charge emitter.

Abstract: An ionographic printer directs a stream of ions from a source to a charge receptor to create an electrostatic latent image thereon. The ion stream passes through a relatively large aperture having associated therewith a pinch electrode for narrowing the ion stream to a preselected width, and displacing electrodes for positioning the narrowed ion stream within the aperture. Varying the biases of the displacing electrodes causes the ion stream to scan across the aperture to deposit multiple spots of charged areas at desired locations on the receptor. The electrodes can be designed to compensate for spot placement skew and anomalies in the cross-sectional shape of the displaced ion stream.

Abstract: A printing ink comprises a clear, transparent, polymeric carrier material and uniform, colloidal size charged color particles evenly dispersed therein. The carrier and the particles are adhesively bonded to one another so as to form a matrix which can collectively respond to an externally imposed electrostatic field to promote co-movement of a "bite" of ink to an imaging medium without change of the bulk particle/carrier ratio. During the printing process, the ink is melted and exposed to electrostatically charged latent image areas on a heated image cylinder, resulting in the transfer of the ink thereto in proportion to the electrostatic field strength. The ink exhibits a relatively sharp liquid-to-solid transition, thereby enabling rapid ink solidification and complete transfer from the imaging medium to the relatively cool printing substrate. Also disclosed is a printing method and apparatus that facilitate continuous, variable and on-demand color printing in conjunction with the ink.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image with a high-resolution. The image forming apparatus comprises an aperture electrode wherein toner particles are controlled so as to pass through each of the apertures or not so as to pass through each of the apertures. The image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by forming toner dots on a recording medium, has an aperture electrode having a plurality of elliptical apertures such that an minor axis of the aperture is parallel to the direction of movement of the supporting member.