In accordance with the invention, features can be directly imprinted into the surface of a solid substrate. Specifically, a substrate is directly imprinted with a desired pattern by the steps of providing a mold (20) having a molding surface (21) to imprint the pattern, disposing the molding surface adjacent or against the substrate (24) surface (25) to be imprinted, and irradiating the substrate surface with radiation to soften or liquefy the surface. The molding surface is pressed into the softened or liquefied surface to directly imprint the substrate. The substrate can be any one of a wide variety of solid materials such as semiconductors, metals, or polymers. In a preferred embodiment the substrate is silicon, the laser is a UV laser, and the mold is transparent to the UV radiation to permit irradiation of the silicon workpiece through the transparent mold. Using this method, applicants have directly imprinted into silicon large area patterns with sub-10 nanometer resolution in sub-250 nanosecond processing time. The method can also be used with a flat molding surface to planarize the substrate.

Laser assisted direct imprint lithography

In accordance with the invention, an article comprising a nanoscale surface pattern, such as a grating, is provided with a nanoscale patterns of reduced edge and/or sidewall roughness. Smooth featured articles, can be fabricated by nanoimprint lithography using a mold having sloped profile molding features. Another approach uses a mold especially fabricated to provide smooth sidewalls of reduced roughness, and a third approach adds a post-imprint smoothing step. These approaches can be utilized individually or in various combinations to make the novel articles.

Articles Comprising Nanoscale Patterns With Reduced Edge Roughness and Methods of Making Same

The present invention provides an integrated self-contained lighting module which can be used on its own, or in conjunction with other modules to produce white light, or light of any other colour within the colour spectrum. Each module comprises one or more light-emitting elements, a drive and control system, a feedback system, thermal management system, optical system, and optionally a communication system enabling communication between modules and/or other control systems. Depending on the configuration, the lighting module can operate autonomously or its functionality can be determined based on either or both internal signals and externally received signals.

Integrated Modular Light Unit

System and method for selectively applying electrical energy to structures within or on the surface of a patient's body and controlling the flow of an electrically conductive fluid from the application site to provide or maintain a desired operating condition of the electrosurgical device. An electrosurgical probe is in communication with a fluid transport apparatus through a fluid transport lumen having an opening at an end proximate the application site and disposed proximate the electrosurgical probe. A controller in communication with the fluid transport apparatus provides control signals to the fluid transport apparatus in response to at least one operating parameter associated with the system. Based on the received control signals, the fluid transport apparatus adjusts a flow rate of the electrically conductive fluid at the application site through the fluid transport lumen in response to at least one operating parameter associated with the system.

Electrosurgical system with suction control, apparatus, system and method

A solid state sub-nanometer-scale electron beam emitter comprising a multi-layered structure having a nano-tip electron emitter and tunnel emission junction formed on substrate, an initial electron beam extraction electrode, a “nano-sandwich Einzel” electrode, and a topmost protective layer.

Integrated sub-nanometer-scale electron beam systems

An aircraft passenger boarding system is provided for aircraft equipped for pilot-controllable engines-off taxi that enables a pilot to drive the aircraft without engines in a forward direction into and out of an optimum parallel or angled gate parking orientation that permits terminal connections to both forward and aft doors on a terminal-facing side of the aircraft. Selected defined classes of passengers board the aircraft separately, through a designated loading bridge connected to a forward door or through a designated loading bridge connected to an aft door, to be seated in a designated front or rear aircraft section. An airline may flexibly allocate variably sized sections of the aircraft interior for each defined class, depending on the relative numbers of passengers in each class. Airport terminal interior gate space may be used to separate passenger classes as required for separate boarding through a forward door or an aft door.

Aircraft passenger boarding system

A powered aircraft wheel is provided that is designed to include multiple wheel sections configured to define a cavity within the wheel and to support completely within the wheel cavity an onboard non-engine drive means controllable to move an aircraft autonomously without reliance on aircraft engines during taxi and ground travel. Each part of the powered wheel may be constructed of a material specifically selected to emphasize a functional property of the material that is optimal for the function of the wheel part at a specific location. The selected combination of functionally distinct materials gives the powered aircraft wheel a unique optimal structural and functional capability.

Powered aircraft wheel design

A method for enhancing pilot and cockpit crew efficiency and increasing aircraft safety during aircraft ground travel between landing and takeoff is provided. The present method is most effective in enhancing pilot efficiency and aircraft safety in an aircraft equipped with at least one powered, self-propelled drive wheel that drives the aircraft on the ground independently of the aircraft main engines or external tow vehicles that is controlled by the pilot and cockpit crew to maneuver the aircraft during ground travel.

Method for enhancing pilot efficiency and aircraft safety during ground travel

A diode device is disclosed, comprising a pair of electrodes separated by bellows. The corrugated walls of the bellows create a tortuous thermal pathway thereby reducing parasitic heat losses and increasing the device's efficiency. The bellows' also allow for a controlled environment to be sustained within the device. In a preferred embodiment the controlled environment is a vacuum. In one embodiment, a modified electrode for use in a diode device of the present invention is disclosed, in which indents are made on the surface of the electrode. In a further embodiment the bellows comprise shape memory alloys: previously deformed bellows are attached to the diode device and then grown to set the gap between the electrodes. In further embodiments the use of corrugation is applied to other parts of the diode device to elongate its thermal pathway and thereby increase its efficiency. For example, in one embodiment the outer rims of electrodes in a diode device are corrugated to increase the device's thermal pathway.

Diode device utilizing bellows

A system and method for generating artificial light for interior or exterior illumination are provided to illuminate interior and exterior underground, underwater, ground level, and above ground structures and spaces by employing various combinations of solar photovoltaic-generated power and conventional power to directly power LED or other light sources to provide interior or exterior illumination of a desired optimal intensity. One embodiment of this system provides a virtual skylight that illuminates interior structures and spaces with the benefits of illumination provided by a conventional skylight but without the disadvantages. A direct connection between a solar photovoltaic cell and the LED or other light-producing source eliminates complex and costly circuitry in both interior and exterior applications. The system is configured to provide, alternatively, solar PV power and/or conventional power as required to maintain artificial illumination at a desired optimum threshold intensify.

Isaiah W. Cox

Papers

Aircraft passenger boarding system

Powered aircraft wheel design

Method for enhancing pilot efficiency and aircraft safety during ground travel

Diode device utilizing bellows

System and method for generating artificial light