A duty cycle correction circuit may include: a phase mixing section capable of mixing a first integrated signal generated by integrating a positive clock signal, with a first compensation signal generated by differentiating and integrating the positive clock signal and a negative clock signal, respectively, to generate a first phase-mixed signal, and mixing a second integrated signal generated by integrating the negative clock signal, with a second compensation signal generated by integrating and differentiating the positive clock signal and the negative clock signal, respectively, to generate a second phase-mixed signal; and a noise removal section capable of receiving and removing a common mode noise between the first phase-mixed signal and the second phase-mixed signal by adjusting a cross-point therebetween, and outputting first and second duty-corrected clock signals.

Described is an apparatus comprising: a first phase frequency detector (PFD) to determine a coarse phase difference between a first clock signal and a second clock signal, the first PFD to generate a first output indicating the coarse phase difference; and a second PFD, coupled to the first PFD, to determine a fine phase difference between the first clock signal and the second clock signal, the second PFD to generate a second output indicating the fine phase difference.

A clock generation circuit may include a reference clock generator configured to generate a pair of first reference clocks in an offset code generation mode, a correction code generator configured to generate a reference correction code according to a duty detection signal based on a phase difference between the pair of first reference clocks, and an offset code generator configured to generate an offset code based on the reference correction code and a preset reference code.

A loop filter with an active discrete-level loop filter capacitor can be used in a VCO (such as for CDR). A loop filter capacitor function is simulated by sensing input loop filter current (such as with a current mirror and source follower in the input leg), and forcing back a loop filter (VCO) control voltage. Loop filter voltage control is provided using a VDAC with a discrete-level VDAC feedback voltage, incremented/decremented based on the sensed loop filter current. In one embodiment, the VDAC voltage is provided as the non-inverting input to an amplifier, with the inverting input providing the control voltage, forced to the VDAC feedback voltage. The VDAC feedback voltage can be provided by increment/decrement comparators based on a voltage deviation on a C2 capacitor (from a reference voltage) that receives the sensed loop filter current (effectively multiplying the C2 capacitance to provide a simulated loop filter capacitance).

A phase locked loop (PLL) includes a controllable oscillator, a charge pump, a type II loop filter, a frequency divider, a phase error processing circuit, a phase frequency detector and a phase alignment circuit. The controllable oscillator generates an oscillating signal. The charge pump circuit generates a charge pump output in a calibration mode. The type II loop filter generates a first control signal to the controllable oscillator according to the charge pump output. The frequency divider performs frequency division upon the oscillating signal for generating a feedback signal. The phase error processing circuit outputs an adjusting signal by comparing a reference signal with the feedback signal. The phase frequency detector generates a detection signal by comparing the feedback signal and the reference signal. The phase alignment circuit generates a second control signal in the calibration mode.

An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a power controller, which includes a regulator and a controller. The regulator receives a plurality of input voltages and provides a regulated output voltage. The controller controls the regulator to generate the regulated output voltage from the plurality of input voltages. The power controller provides power to a load integrated in the IC from a set of arbitrary input voltages. The set of arbitrary input voltages includes the plurality of input voltages.

A power conversion system may include a plurality of power devices and a sensor operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of power devices and configured to detect a voltage, current, or electromagnetic signature signal associated with the plurality of power devices. The power converter may also include circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of power devices and the sensor. The circuitry may send a respective gate signal to each respective power device of the plurality of power devices, such that each respective gate signal is delayed by a respective compensation delay that is determined for the respective power device based on a respective time delay of the respective power device and a maximum time delay of the plurality of power devices.

A circuit suitable for data backup of a logic circuit is provided. The circuit includes first to fourth nodes, a capacitor, first to third transistors, and first and second circuits. Data can be loaded and stored between the circuit and the logic circuit. The first node is electrically connected to a data output terminal of the logic circuit. The second node is electrically connected to a data input terminal of the logic circuit. The capacitor is electrically connected to the third node. The first transistor controls electrical continuity between the first node and the third node. The second transistor controls electrical continuity between the second node and the third node. The third transistor controls electrical continuity between the second node and the fourth node. The first and second circuits have functions of raising gate voltage of the first transistor and raising gate voltage of the second transistor, respectively.

Devices are provided in which a metastable state can be detected in a memory device by means of a metastability detector. Corresponding information can be conveyed to a further device which, in dependence thereon, can process data from the memory device.

A clock-signal generator circuit, for generating an output clock signal starting from an input clock signal, includes: a monostable stage having a clock input configured to receive the input clock signal, a control input configured to receive a control signal, and an output configured to supply the output clock signal having a duty cycle variable as a function of the control signal; and a feedback loop, operatively coupled to the monostable stage for generating the control signal as a function of a detected value, and of a desired value, of the duty cycle of the output clock signal.

A device (442) for producing a dynamic reference signal (UREF) for a control circuit for a power semiconductor switch comprises a reference signal generator (442) for providing a dynamic reference signal (UREF), which has a stationary signal level after elapse of a predefined time following a switching process of the power semiconductor switch, a passive charging circuit (450) which is configured to increase a signal level of the dynamic reference signal in reaction to a switching of a control signal of the power semiconductor switch from an OFF state to ON state for at least one part of the predefined time above the stationary signal level, in order to produce the dynamic reference signal and an output (A) for tapping the dynamic reference signal (UREF).

In accordance with an embodiment, an adjustable capacitance circuit comprising a first branch comprising plurality of transistors having load paths coupled in series with a first capacitor. A method of operating the adjustable capacitance circuit includes programming a capacitance by selectively turning-on and turning-off ones of the plurality of transistors, wherein the load path of each transistor of the plurality of transistors is resistive when the transistor is on and is capacitive when the transistor is off.

A system includes a SiC semiconductor power device; a power supply board that is configured to provide power to a first gate driver board via a connector; the first gate driver board that is coupled and configured to provide current to the SiC semiconductor power device, wherein the first gate driver board is coupled to the power supply board via the connector, and wherein the first gate driver board is separated from the power supply board; and an interconnect board that is coupled to the first gate driver board, wherein the interconnect board is configured to couple the first gate driver board a second gate driver board.

A semiconductor apparatus may include a noise determination circuit, a strobe signal control circuit, and a reception circuit. The noise determination circuit may sense and determine noise of a reference voltage, and generate an up control signal and a down control signal. The strobe signal control circuit may adjust a transition timing of a strobe signal in response to the up control signal and the down control signal, and output a control strobe signal. The reception circuit may generate internal data signal in response to external data signal, the reference voltage, and the control strobe signal.

A device for controlling a first control gate transistor, including: a second transistor and a third transistor series-connected between a first and a second terminals of application of a power supply voltage, the junction point of these transistors being connected to the gate of the first transistor; a terminal of application of a digital control signal; a circuit for generating an analog signal according to variations of the power supply voltage; and for each of the second and third transistors, a circuit of selection of a control signal of the first transistor representative of said digital signal or of said analog signal.

A radio-frequency (RF) switch includes a field-effect transistor (FET) disposed between a first node and a second node, the FET having a source, a drain, a gate, and a body. The RF switch further includes a coupling circuit including a first path and a second path, the first path being connected between the gate and one of the source or the drain via a first resistor in series with a first capacitor, the second path being connected between the body and the one of the source or the drain via a second resistor in series with a second capacitor, the coupling circuit configured to allow discharge of interface charge from either or both of the gate and body.

Methods and systems include constructing and operating a semiconductor device with a mid-band dopant layer. In various implementations, carriers that are optically excited in a mid-band dopant region may provide injection currents that may reduce transition times and increase achievable operating frequency in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT). In various implementations, carriers that are optically excited in a mid-band dopant region within a thyristor may improve closure transition time, effective current spreading velocity, and maximum rate of current rise.

The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery separator that achieves an excellent rate characteristic by having a tensile creep compliance J satisfying at least one of the following three conditions in a case where stress of 30 MPa is applied for t seconds: (i) when t=300 seconds, J=4.5 GPa−1 to 14.0 GPa−1, (ii) when t=1800 seconds, J=9.0 GPa−1 to 25.0 GPa−1, (iii) when t=600 seconds, J=12.0 GPa−5 to 32.0 GPa−1.

A separator for a rechargeable battery and a rechargeable lithium battery, the separator including a porous substrate; and a heat-resistant porous layer on at least one surface of the porous substrate, wherein the heat-resistant porous layer includes a filler and a copolymer including a structural unit of vinylidenefluoride, a structural unit of hexafluoropropylene, and a structural unit of a carboxyl-containing monomer, the structural unit of hexafluoropropylene is present in an amount of about 4 wt % to about 10 wt %, based on a total weight of the copolymer, and the structural unit of a carboxyl-containing monomer is present in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 7 wt %, based on the total weight of the copolymer.

The present invention relates to processes that may be used singly or in combination to prevent lithium (or alkali metal) plating or dendrite buildup on bare substrate areas or edges of electrode rolls during alkaliation of a battery or electrochemical cell anode composed of a conductive substrate and coatings, in which the electrode rolls may be coated on one or both sides and may have exposed substrate on edges, or on continuous or discontinuous portions of either or both substrate surfaces.

The object of the present invention is to provide a positive electrode active material usable for a lithium ion battery capable of high charge/discharge cycle performance and high discharge capacity. The positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery has a layered structure and comprises at least nickel, cobalt and manganese. Further, the positive electrode active material satisfies requirements (1) to (3) below: (1) a primary particle size of 0.1 μm to 1 μm, and a 50% cumulative particle size D50 of 1 μm to 10 μm, (2) a ratio (D90/D10) of volume-based 90% cumulative particle size D50 to volume-based 10% cumulative particle size D10 of 2 to 6, and (3) a lithium carbonate content in a residual alkali on particle surfaces of 0.1% by mass to 0.8% by mass as measured by neutralization titration.

The positive electrode as an embodiment includes a positive electrode current collector mainly composed of aluminum, a positive electrode mixture layer containing a lithium-containing transition metal oxide and disposed above the positive electrode current collector, and a protective layer disposed between the positive electrode current collector and the positive electrode mixture layer. The protective layer contains inorganic particles, an electro-conductive material, and a binding material; is mainly composed of the inorganic particles; and is disposed on the positive electrode current collector to cover the positive electrode current collector in approximately the entire area where the positive electrode mixture layer is disposed and at least a part of the exposed portion of the positive electrode current collector where the positive electrode mixture layer is not disposed on the surface of the positive electrode current collector.

The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material for a sodium secondary battery, and a method for preparing the same. The positive electrode active material for the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention is structurally more stable by replacing a part of the transition metal with Li, and accordingly, the thermal stability and life characteristics of the sodium battery including the positive electrode active material are greatly improved.

A carbon material for a non-aqueous secondary battery containing a graphite capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions, and having a cumulative pore volume at pore diameters in a range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm of 0.08 mL/g or more, a roundness, as determined by flow-type particle image analysis, of 0.88 or greater, and a pore diameter to particle diameter ratio (PD/d50 (%)) of 1.8 or less, the ratio being given by equation (1A): PD/d50 (%)=mode pore diameter (PD) in a pore diameter range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm in a pore distribution determined by mercury intrusion/volume-based average particle diameter (d50)×100 is provided.

Disclosed are a reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode in which IrO2 is electrodeposited and formed on a porous carbon material and platinum is applied thereon to form a porous platinum layer, a reversible fuel cell including the same, and a method for preparing the same. According to the corresponding reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode, as the loading amounts of IrO2 and platinum used in the reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode can be lowered, it is possible to exhibit excellent reversible fuel cell performances (excellent fuel cell performance and water electrolysis performance) by improving the mass transport of water and oxygen while being capable of reducing the loading amounts of IrO2 and platinum. Further, it is possible to exhibit a good activity of a catalyst when the present disclosure is applied to a reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode and to reduce corrosion of carbon.

Disclosed is an anode for a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) having improved creep property by adding an additive for imparting creep resistance to nickel-aluminum alloy and nickel as materials for an anode. Improved sintering property, creep property and increased mechanical strength of a molten carbonate fuel cell may be obtained accordingly.

A catalyst composition and a use thereof are provided. The catalyst composition includes a support and at least one RuXMY alloy attached to the surface of the support, wherein M is a transition metal and X≧Y. The catalyst composition is used in an alkaline electrochemical energy conversion reaction, and can improve the energy conversion efficiency for an electrochemical energy conversion device and significantly reduce material costs.

A means of inhibiting the occurrence of overvoltage in an electrode catalyst for fuel cells so as to substantially prevent reduction of fuel cell performance includes an anode electrode catalyst for fuel cells, which contains a carbon support having at least one pore having a pore size of 10 nm or less and a pore volume of 1.1 to 8.4 cm3/g and catalyst particles having particle sizes of 3.1 nm or less and supported by the carbon support so that the density of supported catalyst particles is 15% to 40% by mass.

In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel system is provided. The solid oxide fuel cell system may include a chromium-getter material. The chromium-getter material may react with chromium to remove chromium species from chromium vapor. The solid oxide fuel cell system may also include an inert substrate. The chromium-getter material may be coated onto the inert substrate. The coated substrate may remove chromium species from chromium vapor before the chromium species can react with a cathode in the solid oxide fuel cell system.

A hydrogen purging device for a fuel cell system includes a humidifier that humidifies dry air supplied from an air blower, using moist air discharged from a cathode of a stack and supplies the humidified air to the cathode. A water trap and a hydrogen recirculation blower are sequentially connected to an outlet of an anode, wherein a hydrogen outlet of the water trap and an inlet of the humidifier are connected by a cathode-hydrogen purging line for purging hydrogen to the cathode so that the hydrogen discharged from the anode of the fuel stack is purged to the cathode during idling or during normal driving.

A fuel cell system for supplying anode gas and cathode gas to a fuel cell and causing the fuel cell to generate power according to a load includes a component that circulates discharged gas of either the anode gas or the cathode gas discharged from the fuel cell to the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a power generation control unit that controls a power generation state of the fuel cell on the basis of the load, a freezing prediction unit that predicts the freezing of the component on the basis of a temperature of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes an operation execution unit that executes a warm-up operation without stopping the fuel cell system or after the stop of the fuel cell system in the case of receiving a stop command of the fuel cell system when the freezing of the component is predicted.

A flowing electrolyte fuel cell system design (DHCFC-Flow) is provided. The use of a flowing oxygen-saturated electrolyte in a fuel cell offers a significant enhancement in the cell performance characteristics. The mass transfer and reaction kinetics of the superoxide/peroxide/oxide ion (mobile oxygen ion species) in the fuel cell are enhanced by recirculating an oxidizing gas-saturated electrolyte. Recirculating oxygen-saturated electrolyte through a liquid channel enhances the maximal current observed in a fuel cell. The use of a oxygen saturated electrolyte ensures that the reaction kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction are fast and the use of convection ameliorates concentration gradients and the diffusion-limited maximum current density. The superoxide ion is generated in situ by the reduction of the oxygen dissolved in the gaseous electrolyte. Also, a dual porosity membrane allows the uniform flow of fuel (e.g., methane) on the fuel side, without allowing phase mixing. The capillary pressure for liquid intrusion into the gas phase and vice versa is quite large, estimated to be 1-10 psi. This makes it easier to control the fluctuations in gas/liquid velocity which might otherwise lead to phase mixing and the loss of fuel cell performance. In one variation, a dual-porosity membrane structure is incorporated in the system to allow uniform flow of fuel and prevent mixing of fuel with a liquid electrolyte.

A method for starting the normal operation of an electrical system with a fuel cell and a transducer from a stop mode is disclosed. The transducer absorbs the electrical power of the fuel cell, in which at least one reactant supply of the fuel cell was interrupted, where the interrupted reactant supply is resumed from a restart signal, and where a fuel cell voltage is prescribed and then regulated by the transducer. The prescribed fuel cell voltage is prescribed in a way that an electrical unloaded fuel cell supplied with reactants will exceed the prescribed fuel cell voltage in every case, and the current of the transducer necessary for maintaining the prescribed fuel cell voltage is measured, where the normal operation is released as of a prescribed current necessary to that effect.

Embodiments of the invention provide a fuel cell system including a fuel cell coupled to a controller configured to route power generated by the fuel cell to at least one peripheral device. Embodiments include a hydrogen generator including a reactor vessel enclosed by a housing. The hydrogen generator is fluidly coupled to the fuel cell and configured to deliver hydrogen to the fuel cell. Embodiments include at least one water harvesting system fluidly coupled to the hydrogen generator and configured to deliver water or water vapor to the hydrogen generator using a controller. Some embodiments include at least one waste heat recovery system used to heat harvested water or water vapor delivered to the hydrogen generator. Some embodiments include a fuel cell system fueling method using the hydrogen generator fluidly coupled to the fuel cell including delivery of captured water or water vapor to the hydrogen generator.

A flow battery includes a positive electrode, a positive electrode electrolyte, a negative electrode, a negative electrode electrolyte, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode electrolyte includes water and a first redox couple. The first redox couple includes a first organic compound which includes a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The first organic compound is reduced during discharge while during charging the reduction product of the first organic compound is oxidized to the first organic compound. The negative electrode electrolyte includes water and a second redox couple. The second couple includes a second organic compound including a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The reduction product of the second organic compound is oxidized to the second organic compound during discharge.

A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight of methyl (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl) carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and other carbonate solvents. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability.

Composites of lithium-ion-conducting ceramic and polymeric materials make superior separators and electrolytes for use in lithium batteries. The ceramic material provides a high conductivity pathway for lithium-ions, enhancing the properties of the less conductive polymeric material. The polymeric material provides flexibility, binding, and space-filling properties, mitigating the tendency of rigid ceramic materials to break or delaminate. The interface between the polymer and ceramic can be made to have a low ionic resistance through the use of additives and coatings.

Provided is a positive electrode active material that can be used to fabricate a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent output characteristics not only in an environment at normal temperature but also in all temperature environments from extremely low to high temperatures. A positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, the positive electrode active material includes a boron compound and lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide of general formula (1) having a layered hexagonal crystal structure. The lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide includes secondary particles composed of agglomerated primary particles. The boron compound is present on at least part of the surface of the primary particles, and contains lithium. Li1+sNixCoyMnzMotMwO2 (1)

Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (

A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight of ethyl (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl) carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and either or both of diethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability.

A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight N of (2,2-difluoroethyl) ethyl carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and other carbonate solvents. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability.

The invention relates to a method for operating a secondary battery (1, 4) which comprises multiple interconnected, bridgeable battery subunits (A, B) and is situated in a compartment (3) of an electrically driven vehicle, in particular a watercraft, characterized in that the accessibility of each battery subunit (A, B) is detected, and the battery subunits (A, B) are activated in accordance with the accessibility of the particular battery subunits.

A protective layer system for a metallic lithium-containing anode of a lithium cell, for example a lithium-sulfur cell and/or lithium-oxygen cell. To increase the service life and reliability of the cell, the protective layer system includes a lithium ion-conducting layer, in particular an inorganic layer, on the anode side. The anode-side layer has an anode contact side which rests against or which may be placed against the anode. At least one lithium ion-conducting layer, in particular a polymer layer, which contains at least one agent which is reactable with metallic lithium to form an electrically insulating solid is situated on a side of the anode-side layer opposite from the anode contact side. Moreover, the invention relates to an anode which is equipped with such a protective layer system, a lithium cell, and a lithium battery.

An additive formulation for a lithium ion battery is provided, which includes an ionic conductor and a compound having a maleimide structure. An electrode slurry composition is also provided, which includes an active material, a conductive additive, an adhesive, and an additive formulation containing an ionic conductor and a compound having a maleimide structure modified by a compound having a barbituric acid structure.

The invention relates to a housing (10) for accommodating a plurality of battery cells (20), in particular lithium-ion battery cells, wherein the housing (10), in particular a plastic housing, comprises a cooling device with an inlet point (30) and an outlet point (40) for an air stream (22) for cooling the battery cells (20). In addition, the housing (10) is designed as a single piece together with the cooling device integrated in the housing (10), and the cooling device additionally has spacers (34; 34a, 34b) for arranging all accommodated battery cells (20) with an intermediate space (23) for guiding air between the battery cells (20), by which means an air channel (25) is provided for the air stream (22) between the battery cells (20). The invention further relates to a battery pack (50) and to a motor vehicle comprising such a battery pack (50).

Systems and methods for treating small elongated fibrous and particles of certain materials, e.g., PTFE materials in a suspension are presented. In some instances, high-intensity ultrasound (or acoustical energy) is applied to a sample of the material, through a fluid coupling medium or suspension, to achieve a material transformation in the sample. In various embodiments, fibrillation of particles of PTFE or similar materials is accomplished, or the formation of extended structures of these materials is caused or enhanced. Also, the ability to separate long fiber samples by ultrasonic or acoustic cavitation action is provided.

A crosslapper receives a card web and folds it into a lap intended to be needle-punched or consolidated by other ways. The web includes zones which are more condensed, having a spectrum of orientation of fibers with a component parallel to the width of the web, alternating with less condensed zones having a longitudinal unidirectional spectrum of orientations. The zones which are less condensed are used to form the edge zones of the lap. The result is that the lap has different respective spectra of orientation which pre-compensate for the unwanted changes produced by the needle-punching or other consolidation which follows. A needle-punched lap is obtained having a uniform MD/CD ratio (relationship between longitudinal and respectively transverse tensile strengths) or having a sought profile of the MD/CD ratio across the width of the lap.

A method for mixing short staple and down cluster by a dry processing utilizes an air tool to blow the short staple over, so that the scattered short staple is mixed in the down cluster. Stirring blades are further applied for stirring. Chemical agents are needless, no pollution is generated, and processing time is preferably reduced since the mixture does not have to be soaked in the chemical agent. Both the processing time and the manufacturing cost are decreased. Preferably, a proportion of the short staple to the down cluster is adjustable for different needs and divergent warmth retaining effects.

The present invention refers to a process of making a fibrous structure, wherein roughly graded material is provided to rotating, apertured drums. The drums have at least one needle roll in their inside. The roughly graded material is agitated inside the drums, whereby fibers or small fiber clusters are separated from each other. These fibers and small fiber clusters are flung through the apertures to the outside of the drum, where they are directed onto a foraminous carrier to form a fibrous structure. The fibrous structures are especially useful in absorbent articles.

An applicator head for cutting yarn into segments of yarn and depositing the segments of yarn on a deposition surface. The applicator head includes a single mechanism that moves the yarn towards said deposition surface and also cuts the yarn into segments.