PASSIVATION OF LIGHT-RECEIVING SURFACES OF SOLAR CELLS WITH HIGH ENERGY GAP (EG) MATERIALS

Methods of passivating light-receiving surfaces of solar cells with high energy gap (Eg) materials, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a light-receiving surface. A passivating dielectric layer is disposed on the light-receiving surface of the substrate. A Group III-nitride material layer is disposed above the passivating dielectric layer. In another example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a light-receiving surface. A passivating dielectric layer is disposed on the light-receiving surface of the substrate. A large direct band gap material layer is disposed above the passivating dielectric layer, the large direct band gap material layer having an energy gap (Eg) of at least approximately 3.3. An anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer disposed on the large direct band gap material layer, the ARC layer comprising a material different from the large direct band gap material layer.

Methods and systems for advanced harmonic energy

Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a medical instrument configured to adjust the power level for sealing procedures to account for changes in tissue impedance levels over time. In some aspects, a medical instrument may be configured to apply power according to a power algorithm to seal tissue by applying a gradually lower amount of power over time as the tissue impedance level begins to rise out of the “bathtub region,” which is the time period during energy application where the tissue impedance is low enough for electrosurgical energy to be effective for sealing tissue. In some aspects, the power is then cut once the tissue impedance level exceeds the “bathtub region.” By gradually reducing the power, a balance is achieved between still applying an effective level of power for sealing and prolonging the time in which the tissue impedance remains in the “bathtub region.”

Multiple voice services

Disclosed herein are example techniques to identify a voice service to process a voice input. An example implementation may involve an NMD receiving, via a microphone, voice data indicating a voice input. The NMD may identify, from among multiple voice services registered to a media playback system, a voice service to process the voice input and cause, via a network interface, the identified voice service to process the voice input.

Systems and methods for blockchain rule synchronization

The disclosed embodiments relate to implementation of a syntax for altering one or more rules by which a blockchain may be modified wherein the software implementing each client of a blockchain network are programmed to be responsive to requests or directives to alter one or more rules by which blocks may be added to a blockchain responsive to transactions received for storage therein, the requests/directives being processed by the client as a transaction and added to the block in accordance with the current state of the operating rules, thereby adding a new rule or modifying an existing rule for subsequent operation of the client.

Ultra-broadband virtualized telecom and internet

A system provides a connection between a core network and at least one user device responsive to an application or service being used by the at least one user device. The system includes a dynamically configurable network including a plurality of control layers for connecting the core network and the at least one user device. At least one server implements the dynamically configurable network. The at least one server is configured to select a first slice portion of the plurality of control layers of the dynamically configurable network to support operation of a first application or service and to select a second slice portion of the plurality of control layers of the configurable network to support operation of a second application or service.

Method of reducing fraud in on-line transactions

The invention provides a method for verifying the identity of an internet user, or for detecting the misuse of an identity, during an on-line transaction. The method involves comparing the geographic location of the transaction to the geographic location of the user's cell phone or other mobile device, and taking a geographically close location relationship between the two as a positive indication of identity. Various additional factors are taken into account so as to reduce the incidence of false negatives, and to improve the reliability of positive identifications.

Program, method and system for authenticating control device

An authentication system, is provided, which includes a control device configured to confirm validity of using a program installed in the control device by confirming whether identification information of the control device satisfies a given condition, and to confirm whether the target device having a function to be used by the control device falls under a valid range of use based on device restriction information that indicates a restriction on the target device permitted to be used and is stored in the control device.

Hydraulic fracturing system and method for detecting pump failure of same

A hydraulic fracturing system with pump failure detection includes an engine, transmission, hydraulic fracturing pump and a driveshaft coupled between the transmission and the hydraulic fracturing pump to transfer torque from the engine to the hydraulic fracturing pump. A torque sensor is positioned and configured to measure torque acting on the driveshaft, with the torque sensor generating torque measurement data. A controller is programmed to analyze the torque measurement data and identify a pump failure mode based on the torque measurement data.

Method for a Prepaid, Debit and Credit Card Security Code Generation System

This invention is a comprehensive “Dynamic Security Code” (“DSC”) System (“DSC System”) that can change the security code of a prepaid, debit, or credit card (“Payment Card”). In an effort to thwart Card-Not-Present (“CNP”) fraud, the DSC System provides dynamic security code values (“DSC Values”) that have a limited use. The DSC Values provided by this DSC System can be calculated by various methodologies and can be used within existing standard payment card infrastructures. The DSC System can also be used with other form factors and in other environments not related to payments such as balance inquiries. The DSC Values can be calculated by a DSC Generator Server or on the card itself.

Optimizing keepalive and other background traffic in a wireless network

Systems and methods for optimizing keepalives or other non-interactive or background traffic from applications on a mobile device are disclosed. A keepalive optimizer can detect keepalive and other background traffic and optimize such traffic by blocking keepalives, advancing or delaying execution of keepalives, delaying repeatable background requests based on radio state, device state or characteristics, policy, transaction characteristics, application characteristics, and/or the like. The disclosed keepalive optimization methods facilitate management of traffic and/or conservation of resources on the mobile device and the network. The keepalive optimization can be performed by an application sending the keepalives or by a local proxy on the mobile device.