A solar cell assembly and a method of bonding a solar cell component to a flexible support are disclosed. The solar cell assembly comprises a flexible support with a predetermined size, a solar cell component, bonding adhesive between the support and the solar cell component, wherein the support with the predetermined size has substantially uniform borders of 0.003 inches to 0.2 inches in width extending beyond the edges of the solar cell component.

Drive shafts having helical blades and methods of making are disclosed. In one method a helical auger blade is formed by twisting or sculpting a heated polymer tube which has been placed over a cylindrical drive shaft. In another method a drive shaft is placed within a helical winding and heat is applied to melt polymer which has been coated over one or both of the drive shaft and helical winding.

A portable electronic device comprises an electromechanical module having an actuator for positioning a mechanical element between first and second positions, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical module. The controller is configured to detect a mechanical event coupling to the electromechanical module, select an actuation signal to position the mechanical element in a safe position between the first and second positions, and transmit the selected signal, such that the mechanical element is positioned in the safe position during the event.

A method of manufacturing a panel, the panel comprising a composite skin and at least one composite stiffener, the method comprising: positioning first and second mandrels on opposite sides of the stiffener; positioning first and second compaction tools on opposite sides of the skin; and compacting the skin between the first and second compaction tools by moving one or both of the compaction tools, wherein the movement of the compaction tool(s) causes the first and second mandrels to move towards the stiffener along inclined paths so as to compact the stiffener between the mandrels.

Introduced here are carrier tape assemblies that can improve efficiency and reduce costs when utilized in the handling, transport, or storage of semiconductor components. A carrier tape assembly can include an adhesive film affixed to an elongated and/or extruded carrier tape. For example, the adhesive film may be integrally laminated onto the top surface of the elongate carrier tape as a single continuous (i.e., unbroken) sheet. The adhesive film may substantially conform to the top surface of the elongate carrier tape, including any punched cavities for holding semiconductor components. Proper securement of the semiconductor components to the carrier tape assembly depends on the adhesive property of the constituent material(s) of the adhesive film.

This disclosure relates to swellable needles that include a proximal end portion and a swellable distal end portion. Upon exposure to a liquid, the needles are configured to undergo a shape change from a first configuration in which the width of the needle is tapered from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion to a second configuration in which the distal end portion is more swollen than the proximal end portion. The swellable needles can be double layer swellable needles or single material swellable needles.

Introduced here are carrier tape assemblies that can improve efficiency and reduce costs when utilized in the handling, transport, or storage of semiconductor components. A carrier tape assembly can include an adhesive film affixed to an elongated and/or extruded carrier tape. For example, the adhesive film may be integrally laminated onto the top surface of the elongate carrier tape as a single continuous (i.e., unbroken) sheet. The adhesive film may substantially conform to the top surface of the elongate carrier tape, including any punched cavities for holding semiconductor components. Proper securement of the semiconductor components to the carrier tape assembly depends on the adhesive property of the constituent material(s) of the adhesive film.

A method for fabricating a strengthened plastic shell of a safety helmet and a helmet structure fabricated using the method are disclosed. The method includes providing at least one fiber layer and at least one shell that has a thin, flat structure; binding the fiber layer to the shell to form a preform; heating and pressing the preform with a first forming module, so that at least some local, surface texture of the shell is fused with or interlaced with the fiber layer to form an assembly that has a helmet-like shape (or contour); and arranging a foam material at an inner surface of the assembly and attaching the foam material over the inner surface of the assembly using a second forming module, thereby forming a helmet structure. The method makes the overall fabrication less complicated and less time-consuming as compared to the prior art.

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a wearable article assembled by a front belt, a back belt, and a central chassis, the central chassis having a front waist region and a back waist region separated from each other by a crotch region, wherein at least one of the front belt and the back belt is formed by an elastic belt, the method may comprise making the elastic belt and joining to the central chassis by the steps of: 1) advancing a first layer of continuous sheet having a first surface and an opposing second surface in a machine direction and defining a width in a cross machine direction; 2) advancing a second layer of continuous sheet having a first surface and an opposing second surface in the machine direction and having a smaller width than the first layer of continuous sheet; 3) advancing a first group of elastic bodies in the machine direction in a stretched state; 4) joining the first group of elastic bodies between the first surface of the first layer and the first surface of the second layer of continuous sheets to form a primary elastic belt precursor; 5) advancing a second group of elastic bodies in the machine direction in a stretched state; 6) joining the second group of elastic bodies to the first surface of the first layer of continuous sheet of the primary elastic belt precursor; 7) joining the central chassis to the second surface of the second layer of continuous sheet; and 8) folding the first layer of continuous sheet to form a first layer fold over of continuous sheet, such that at least one of the second group of elastic bodies is directly joined between the first surface of the first layer of continuous sheet and the first surface of the first layer fold over of continuous sheet.

A method of manufacturing a wearable article is disclosed. The method includes advancing a first layer of continuous sheet and a second layer of discrete continuous sheet having a smaller width than the first layer of continuous sheet; intermittently joining a first group of elastic bodies between the first layer of continuous sheet and the second layer of discrete continuous sheet; joining a second group of elastic bodies to the first layer of continuous sheets outward of the second layer of discrete continuous sheet; joining a center chassis with the first layer of continuous sheet and overlapping the first group of elastic bodies not joined to the first layer of continuous sheet; folding the first layer of continuous sheet to form a first layer fold over, wherein the first layer fold over overlaps the second group of elastic bodies, the center chassis, and the second layer of discrete continuous sheet.