Abstract:
This invention provides batteries with improved calendar and cycle lifetimes. A rechargeable battery comprises an additional electrode that includes active ions, such as lithium ions. Cell capacity of the battery can be increased by supplying these active ions to the anode or the cathode. In some variations, this invention provides a lithium-ion battery comprising an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte, and an additional lithium-containing electrode, wherein the additional lithium-containing electrode is capable of supplying lithium ions to the anode or the cathode in the presence of an electrical current.
Abstract:
This invention provides metal-foam electrodes for batteries and fuel cells. In some variations, an electrode includes a first metal layer disposed on a second metal layer, wherein the first metal layer comprises an electrically conductive, open-cell metal foam with an average cell diameter of about 25 μm or less. The structure also includes smaller pores between the cells. The electrode forms a one piece monolithic structure and allows thicker electrodes than are possible with current electrode-fabrication techniques. These electrodes are formed from an all-fluidic plating solution. The disclosed structures increase energy density in batteries and power density in fuel cells.
Abstract:
Systems and methods that facilitate on-chip testing are provided. An integrated circuit can include a transmitter configured to transmit a communications signal via a communications channel. The integrated circuit can also include a receiver configured to receive the communications signal via the communications channel. A jitter creation module also can form part of the integrated circuit and can introduce jitter into the system thereby allowing for on-chip jitter testing. The jitter creation module can form either part of the transmitter or receiver and can introduce the jitter by phase interpolation.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a granular perpendicular magnetic recording medium with improved corrosion resistance comprises sequential steps of providing a non-magnetic substrate including a surface; forming a soft magnetic underlayer (SUL) over the surface; post-deposition heating the SUL; forming an intermediate layer stack over the heated SUL; and forming at least one granular, magnetically hard perpendicular magnetic recording layer over the intermediate layer stack. Heating of the SUL prior to formation of the intermediate layer stack results in formation of an intermediate layer stack with a smoother surface and a granular perpendicular recording layer with increased corrosion resistance than when SUL post-deposition heating is not performed.
Abstract:
A circuit is used for driving a plurality of lamps, such as Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFLs). The lamps are paired to form a plurality of pairs of lamps. Each of the plurality of pairs of lamps has two lamps which are coupled to each other in series. The plurality of pairs of lamps are coupled in parallel. The circuit comprises a switch circuit, a transformer, and a plurality of balance chokes. The switch circuit is used for converting a DC electric power into a first AC electric power. The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding of the transformer is coupled to the switch circuit for receiving said first AC electric power and energizing the secondary winding to generate a second AC electric power from the secondary winding to energize the plurality of lamps. Each of the balance chokes includes a first winding and a second winding. The first winding and the second winding of each of the balance chokes are coupled to two of the plurality of pairs of lamps in series, respectively, so as to balance currents flowing through those two pairs of lamps.
Abstract:
The invention provides a jet propeller for air-charging, and an outboard motor having the same. In addition to the propelling function, the present invention can be coupled with special function nozzle device to use the same apparatus achieving the following functions: air-charging, air pumping, as a spray gun, high-pressure water spray (fire fighting or cleaning), and water pumping. The present invention does not use the ordinary propeller blade, which is not easy to harm the human being or marine creatures, or to be collided and wrapped by miscellaneous objects in the water, and provides a multi-purpose, safe and environment-friendly propeller.
Abstract:
A rudder of aquatic carrier is described, which includes a fixing component, a retractable component, and a first elastic component. The retractable component is pivoted to the fixing component; the first elastic component connects the fixing component and the retractable component and supports the retractable component. When the retractable component experiences an external force, the first elastic component is compressed and causes the retractable component to rotate with respect to the fixing component. When surfers or swimmers are hit by the rudder of aquatic carrier described in this invention, the rotation of the retractable component with respect to the fixing component reduces the force exerted on them, thus preventing them from being hurt. In addition, an aquatic carrier with a rudder is also described.
Abstract:
A key management system includes secured data stored on a first system secured by a control key stored securely on a key server. The secured data is secured against attacks such as unauthorized use, modification or access, where authorization to access the secured data is determined by knowledge of an access private key of an access key pair. When an authorized user is to access the secured data, the first system generates a request to the key server, signed with the access private key, wherein the request is for a decryption control key and the request includes a one-time public key of a key pair generated by the first system for the request. The first system can decrypt the decryption control key from the response, using a one-time private key. The first system can then decrypt the secured data with the decryption control key remaining secured in transport.
Abstract:
Access control systems and methods regulate access to shared content items in a corpus using visibility tokens. A user provides other users with access to a content item by associating a content token with the content item and associating a matching user token with each user who is to be granted access. A user who attempts to access the content item succeeds only if that user has a user token matching the content token associated with the content item. User tokens can be propagated automatically from one user to another, e.g., based on trust relationships among the users. Content tokens can be indexed with content items so that when a user searches the corpus, a search engine can detect matches between user tokens and content tokens and filter the search results based on whether they are visible to the querying user.
Abstract:
Heterolayered thin films having ferroelectric/piezoelectric layers of alternating crystal structures and methods of their preparation are provided. In the ferroelectric/piezoelectric thin film, a first layer has a rhombohedral crystal structure and a second layer adjacent the first layer has a tetragonal crystal structure. The layers have a (100) preferred orientation with α-axis normal to the surface of the film. The first layer can be a Zr-rich lead ziroconate titanate layer (e.g., PbZr0.8Ti0.2O3) and the second layer can be a Ti-rich PZT layer (e.g., PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3). Heterolayered ferroelectric/piezoelectric thin film comprising a plurality of such first and second layers in alternating sequence exhibits particularly improved electrical properties.
Abstract translation:提供了具有交替晶体结构的铁电/压电层的非均相薄膜及其制备方法。 在铁电/压电薄膜中,第一层具有菱形晶体结构,与第一层相邻的第二层具有四方晶体结构。 这些层具有(100)优选的取向,其中α轴垂直于膜的表面。 第一层可以是富锆的锆钛酸铅钛酸盐层(例如,PbZr 0.8 O 13 O 0.2 O 3 O 3),第二层可以是 富Ti的PZT层(例如PbZr 0.2Ni 0.8 O 3 O 3)。 包含多个这样的第一和第二层的交替层叠的非均相铁电/压电薄膜表现出特别改善的电性能。