Methods of manufacturing electrochromic windows are described. An electrochromic device is fabricated to substantially cover a glass sheet, for example float glass, and a cutting pattern is defined based on one or more low-defectivity areas in the device from which one or more electrochromic panes are cut. Laser scribes and/or bus bars may be added prior to cutting the panes or after. Edge deletion can also be performed prior to or after cutting the electrochromic panes from the glass sheet. Insulated glass units (IGUs) are fabricated from the electrochromic panes and optionally one or more of the panes of the IGU are strengthened.

Cards made in accordance with the invention include a decorative layer attached to a core layer, where the decorative layer is designed to provide selected color(s) and/or selected texture(s) to a surface of the metal cards. At least one of the decorative layers is a layer derived from animal matter (e.g. leather). The cards may be dual interface smart cards configured to be read in a contactless manner and/or via contacts.

Various break-resistant anode assemblies and method of installing the same in the ground are disclosed. Each anode assembly basically comprises an anode, at least one pulling cable, and a protective nose cone. The nose cone is a hollow member receiving the leading end of the anode and from which the anode's electrical conductor extends. The nose cone includes a tapered leading surface that facilitates and guides the anode assembly as it is pulled through the ground, while protecting the anode. A break-away mechanism may also be provided to ensure that no more than a maximum pulling force is applied to the anode assembly during its installation to ensure that the anode is not damaged.

An assembly structure is formed of generally rigid layers of material bonded to generally flexible layers so as to form apparatus including hinges, bearings, and other translating and rotating subunits along with embedded functional devices.

A method for laying multiple conductors in a container may be provided. The method may comprise receiving the multiple conductors at a monitoring station; receiving the multiple conductors at a drive; and receiving the multiple conductors at the container.

Because reprocessing or refurbishing of physiological sensors reuses large portions of an existing sensor, the material costs for refurbishing sensors is significantly lower than the material costs for making an entirely new sensor. Typically, existing reprocessors replace only the adhesive portion of an adhesive physiological sensor and reuse the sensing components. However, re-using the sensing components can reduce the reliability of the refurbished sensor and/or reduce the number of sensors eligible for refurbishing due to out-of-specification sensor components. It is therefore desirable to provide a process for refurbishing physiological sensors that replaces the sensing components of the sensor. While sensing components are replaced, generally, sensor cable and/or patient monitor attachments are retained, resulting in cost savings over producing new sensors.

An exemplary method of verifying that a service disconnect is seated includes indicating that the service disconnect is seated using a position indicator that selectively engages a handle of the service disconnect. The position indicator is separate and distinct from all portions of the service disconnect.

A transaction card includes a monolithic ceramic card body having one or more pockets, and at least one of a magnetic stripe, a barcode, and a laser signature portion. The one or more pockets may be configured to receive at least one of the magnetic stripe, the barcode, a contact chip module, a contactless chip module, a dual interface chip module, a booster antenna, a hologram or commercial indicia. A transaction card may also include a substrate layer having a first side and a second side. A first ceramic layer is connected to the first side of the substrate layer.

A solar power conversion kit allows converting of a standard umbrella into a solar charging umbrella, which can then use solar power to charge electronic devices. The solar charging umbrella is self-sustained, capable of charging electronic devices in locations away from electrical outlets. The umbrella has a rechargeable battery that is recharged by sunlight. When charged, the umbrella's battery can charge devices when sunlight is not available. The umbrella supports simultaneous charging of higher power devices such as tablet computers.

High resolution active matrix nanowire circuits enable a flexible platform for artificial electronic skin having pressure sensing capability. Comb-like interdigitated nanostructures extending vertically from a pair of opposing, flexible assemblies facilitate pressure sensing via changes in resistance caused by varying the extent of contact among the interdigitated nanostructures. Electrically isolated arrays of vertically extending, electrically conductive nanowires or nanofins are formed from a doped, electrically conductive layer, each of the arrays being electrically connected to a transistor in an array of transistors. The nanowires or nanofins are interdigitated with further electrically conductive nanowires or nanofins mounted to a flexible handle.