Other

Hewlett-packard Company

Free Form Fibers, LLC

Optisolar, Inc.

Hewlett-packard Development, L.p.

Etm Electromatic, Inc.

Novasolar Holdings Limited

Marvin S Keshner

Erik Garth Vaaler

Josh N Hogan

Shay Llewellyn Harrison

Richard E Elder

Warren Bruce Jackson

Krzysztof Nauka

Chandrakant D Patel

Theodore I Kamins

Gary A Gibson

Paul H McClelland

John L Schneiter

Joseph Pegna

Philip B Rettger

Chung Ching Yang

Lawrence R Hanlon

Jackson Moore

Michael O King

Steven G Eaton

Alexandra Katrina Pligavko

Bodo W Littmmann

Craig M Perlov

Rajeewa Arya

Steven L Neberhuis

Gautam Ganguly

A chemical processing method includes decomposing a metal carbonate in a first tube by exposure to a first quantity of heat, producing a metal oxide and carbon dioxide; and hydrating the metal oxide in a second tube concentric with the first, by exposure to steam, producing a metal hydroxide and a second quantity of heat. The partial pressure of the steam and/or of the carbon dioxide is controlled so that the hydration reaction occurs at a second temperature above a first temperature at which the decomposition reaction occurs. The inner one of the concentric tubes has an inner tube wall. At least some of the second quantity of heat flows from the second tube through the inner tube wall to the first tube, providing at least a part of the first quantity of heat.

High-efficiency method for converting limestone to slaked lime

A fiber comprises a bulk material comprising: one or more of carbon, silicon, boron, silicon carbide, and boron nitride; and a metal or metal alloy whose affinity for oxygen is greater than that of the bulk material. At least a first portion of the metal or metal alloy is present at the entrance to grain boundaries at the surface of the fiber and within the fiber to a depth of at least 1 micron from the fiber surface. A method of improving a fiber comprises heating a fiber in an inert atmosphere to 900-1300 C for sufficient time to allow at least some of a metal or metal alloy, placed on the fiber, to diffuse and/or flow into and along grain boundaries to a depth of at least 1 micron. The metal or metal alloy has a greater affinity for oxygen than that of the fiber bulk material.

Fibers fabricated with metals incorporated into grain boundaries for high temperature applications

A lithium battery includes a solid cathode and a solid electrolyte (SSE), wherein a structurally continuous block of material comprises the solid cathode and the SSE. The structurally continuous solid block of material has a first chemical composition in the solid cathode and a second chemical composition, different from the first chemical composition, in the SSE. The SSE overlies the solid cathode, without any physical separation or interface therebetween. A method for fabricating a lithium battery includes placing a first layer of particles of an electrolyte material of a first composition on top of a second layer of particles of a cathode material of a second composition, forming a stack; and compressing and heating the stack of first and second layers to form a continuous solid material. The formed material has a solid electrolyte (SSE) characterized by the first composition and a solid cathode characterized by the second composition.

Solid-state rechargeable lithium battery with solid-state electrolyte

A system for large scale capture of atmospheric carbon dioxide while exposed to air and weather in an outdoor environment, includes a large flat slab with a perimeter wall projecting above its surface; one or more rotary fans, providing uniform, high volume, low velocity, turbulent air flow over the entire slab surface; a transport system transferring powder&#x2014;a particulate material mixed with air&#x2014;to and from all locations on the slab or on an overlying mesh screen, a kiln, closed to outside air, and a compressor. The transport system includes either a vacuum/deposition system or a conveyor system with one or more conveyors. The kiln heats the particulate material, delivered by the transport system from the slab, to output released carbon dioxide, previously absorbed by the particulate material in the powder, to the compressor for compression, and either the heated particulate material, or a processed version of it.

Direct capture of carbon dioxide from air

A fiber comprises a bulk material comprising one or more materials selected from the group consisting of carbon, silicon, boron, silicon carbide, and boron nitride; and a metal whose affinity for oxygen is greater than the affinity for oxygen of any of the one or more materials. The metal may be selected from the group consisting of beryllium, titanium, hafnium and zirconium. At least a first portion of the metal may be present in un-oxidized form at the entrance to and/or within grain boundaries within the fiber. A method of improving at least one of the strength, creep resistance, and toughness of a fiber comprises adding to a fiber, initially comprising a bulk material having a first affinity for oxygen, a metal that has a second affinity for oxygen higher than the first affinity. The metal may be selected from the group consisting of beryllium, titanium, hafnium and zirconium.

Fibers fabricated to incorporate metals for high temperature applications

Composite materials are provided which include a glass-ceramic matrix composition that is lightly crystallized, a fiber reinforcement within the glass-ceramic matrix composition which remains stable at temperatures greater than 1400&#xb0; C., and an interphase coating formed on the fiber reinforcement. A method of making a composite material is also provided, which includes applying heat and pressure to a shape including fiber reinforcements and glass particles. The heat and pressure lightly crystallize a matrix material formed by the heat and pressure on the glass particles, forming a thermally stable composite material.

High temperature glass-ceramic matrix with embedded reinforcement fibers

An apparatus comprises a separator, a compressor, a mixer and a pump. The separator operates on an input gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide gas and one or more other gases, providing a separated carbon dioxide gas output. A compressor compresses the separated carbon dioxide gas output, providing a second output comprising at least one of gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid carbon dioxide. A mixer mixes the second output with liquid water under pressure to provide a third output comprising: at least one of liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide; and water with dissolved carbon dioxide. A pump pumps the third output into an underground structure such that components of the third output react with available rock surfaces to form stable carbonates.

Sequestration of carbon dioxide into underground structures

A method of lowering the temperature of the Earth comprises placing particles of sand into the upper atmosphere, wherein the particles are selected on the basis of size and refractive index such that the particles will scatter and reflect incoming sunlight having a wavelength in the near-IR back into space. The average diameter of the particles may be selected based on the index of refraction and the Mie scattering intensity for dielectric particles, to maximize the amount of light scattered at wavelengths between 0.8 &#x3bc;m and 2 &#x3bc;m. The average diameter of the particles may be selected based on the index of refraction and the Mie scattering intensity for dielectric particles, to minimize the amount of light scattered at wavelengths between 5 &#x3bc;m and 20 &#x3bc;m.

Modifying sunlight scatter in the upper atmosphere

Embodiments generally relate to long-distance, 3-phase, AC electricity transmission structures. In one embodiment, the structure comprises an array of beams, the array comprising a sub-array of 3N active beams, wherein N is an integer, one passive beam on the right side of the sub-array of active beams; and one passive beam on the left side of the sub-array of active beams. The centers of the cross-section of each of the active and passive beams lie in a single plane. In another embodiment, the structure comprises an array of 3N metal active beams, wherein N is an integer; and a tunnel of rectangular cross-section with either 90 degree or rounded corners. The array of beams is mounted within the tunnel, and the two side walls of the tunnel are lined with a highly conductive metal having a thickness similar to the thickness of metal used in the active beams.

Compact, high power, high voltage, long-distance electrical transmission line structure

A power source affected by a geographically propagating condition (e.g. a weather-related condition) is monitored to detect changes in its power output. Characteristics of the monitored changes are analyzed to detect whether the changes are being caused by a geographically-propagating condition that could affect other power sources nearby. The information obtained from the measurements is used to extrapolate impending power-output changes in the same source, in one or more other sources, or in a collection of sources subject to effects of the propagating condition. The extrapolations enable one or more power generating systems associated with the source(s) to maintain the changes in its total power output within operating requirements.

Local power tracking for dynamic power management in weather-sensitive power systems

A front transparent conductor assembly and, in one embodiment, a photovoltaic cell, includes at least three transparent conductor layers. In one embodiment, first and second transparent conductors comprised of SnO2 are positioned above and below a third transparent conductor comprised of ZnO2. In one embodiment, the second transparent conductor layer is significantly thicker than either the first or third transparent conductor layers. In one embodiment of a photovoltaic cell incorporating such an assembly, a sealing layer of SiO2 is interposed between a superstrate and the first transparent conductor. In another embodiment, first and second intermediate layers of ZnSnO3 are incorporated into the assembly, with the first intermediate layer interposed between the first and second transparent conductors and with the second intermediate layer interposed between the second and third transparent conductors.

Front transparent conductor assembly for thin-film photovoltaic cells and method

A system comprises a processing chamber for maintaining a hydrogen plasma at low pressure. The processing chamber has a long, wide, thin geometry to favor deposition of thin-film silicon on sheet substrates over the chamber walls. The sheet substrates are moved through between ends. A pair of opposing radio frequency electrodes above and below the workpieces are electrically driven hard to generate a flat, pancaked plasma cloud in the middle spaces of the processing chamber. A collinear series of gas injector jets pointed slightly up on a silane-jet manifold introduce 100% silane gas at high velocity from the side in order to roll the plasma cloud in a coaxial vortex. A second such silane-jet manifold is placed on the opposite side and pointed slightly down to further help roll the plasma and maintain a narrow band of silane concentration. A silane-concentration monitor observes the relative amplitudes of the spectral signatures of the silane and the hydrogen constituents in the roll-vortex plasma and outputs a process control feedback signal that is used to keep the silane in hydrogen concentration at about 6-7%.

Roll-vortex plasma chemical vapor deposition system

A chemical vapor deposition method includes a step of maintaining a hydrogen plasma at low pressure in a processing chamber. The processing chamber has a long, wide, thin geometry to favor deposition of thin-film silicon on sheet substrates over the chamber walls. The sheet substrates are moved through between ends. A pair of opposing radio frequency electrodes above and below the workpieces are electrically driven hard to generate a flat, pancaked plasma cloud in the middle spaces of the processing chamber. A collinear series of gas injector jets pointed slightly up on a silane-jet manifold introduce 100% silane gas at high velocity from the side in order to roll the plasma cloud in a coaxial vortex. A second such silane-jet manifold is placed on the opposite side and pointed slightly down to further help roll the plasma and maintain a narrow band of silane concentration. A silane-concentration monitor observes the relative amplitudes of the spectral signatures of the silane and the hydrogen constituents in the roll-vortex plasma and outputs a process control feedback signal that is used to keep the silane in hydrogen concentration at about 6-7%.

Roll-vortex plasma chemical vapor deposition method

An optical disk and compatible optical disk drive enabling erasable (rewritable) optical disks to have the same format and capacity as read-only or (recordable) write-once optical disks. A reference clock track and optional additional prerecorded phase synchronization patters are provided to enable writing of any random sector with frequency and phase matching of a random sector to the preceding and following sectors. The reference clock track and other phase synchronization patterns eliminate the need for preambles and extra space for speed variation. In a first embodiment, a disk has multiple layers, with at least one rewritable data layer and at least one reference layer. A spiral track on a surface of the reference layer has prerecorded patterns to be used for clocking. In a variation of first embodiment, the reference layer is also used for radial tracking control, eliminated the need for predefined tracks in the rewritable data layers. The reference layer is produced using the same technology as for read-only media, and is therefore very precise, low cost, and permanent. An additional laser system may be required to read the reference layer. The rewritable data layers may be unpatterned prior to writing. Alternatively, the rewritable data layers may include embossed sector or block headers to augment clock phase precision. In a second example embodiment, a single circular permanent (non-erasable) clock track is provided on a rewritable medium. The disk is then divided into radial zones, so that within each zone, the angular velocity of the disk is constant. A clock signal from the permanent clock track is then ratioed for each radial zone.

Erasable digital video disk with reference clock track

The invention provides a chassis member, which may be made of a cast material such as magnesium, aluminum, or plastic, for mechanically supporting a heat producing electronic device in which the chassis member has a base and a cavity integral to the chassis member. In a preferred embodiment, the cavity is in the form of a channel that is created by boring. The channel may be evacuated and has an evaporator section, a condenser section, and a working fluid confined therein by a seal. The channel receives heat from an electronic device in an evaporator section of the channel and dissipates heat from the condenser section of the channel. Different types of wicks may be employed. In one embodiment, a completely fabricated heat pipe is inserted into the integrated channel. In other embodiments, a cavity in the form of a heat dissipating channel matrix, serpentine shape, flat shape, or in other forms or shapes are provided.

Growing community of inventors

Sonora, CA, United States of America

Marvin S Keshner