Abstract: A synapse for a neuromorphic network is provided. The synapse includes a time-delay portion having a first end and a second end, a first actuator located at the first end and in operational contact with the time-delay portion, and a second actuator located at the second end and in operational contact with the time-delay portion. The time-delay portion is formed from a phase change material wherein a change in the material of the time-delay portion alters a propagation time of a signal transmitted from the first actuator to the second actuator.

Abstract: A thermoelectric element includes a body formed of a single thermoelectric material and extending in a first direction along which a thermal gradient is established in thermoelectric operation, wherein the body has at least first and second adjacent sections in the first direction; at least one of the sections is subject to stress which is applied to that section substantially all around a central axis of the body in the first direction; and the arrangement is such that the stress results in different strain in the first and second sections producing an energy barrier in the body to enhance thermoelectric operation.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a sensor that senses the absolute temperature of a device, such as an integrated circuit (“IC”). The sensor may be embodied in the IC and have first and second pieces of electrically conductive material each having an intrinsic Seebeck coefficient and a pair of contacts located at proximal and distal ends of the pieces of material. The intrinsic Seebeck coefficients differ between the two pieces of material. At least one heater is disposed at the proximal ends of the first and second pieces material and radiates heat which causes a temperature difference to form across each of the first and second pieces of material, thereby causing a voltage to form across first and second pieces of material. A measure circuit measures the voltage formed across each of the first and second pieces of material and determines an absolute temperature from at least the measured voltages.

Abstract: A method for operating the arrangement for a laboratory room confined by a floor, a ceiling and walls connecting the floor with the ceiling, including inducing an air flow from an air inlet through a platform to an air outlet in a substantially laminar fashion. The arrangement includes a main base suspended on the floor; a tool base arranged on the main base; a platform arranged around the tool base, wherein the platform is permeable for air, and the platform is suspended at the walls; the air inlet arranged below the platform; the air outlet arranged above the tool base; and air guides for directing an air flow upwards.

Abstract: A method of forming nanowire devices. The method includes forming a stressor layer circumferentially surrounding a semiconductor nanowire. The method is performed such that, due to the stressor layer, the nanowire is subjected to at least one of radial and longitudinal strain to enhance carrier mobility in the nanowire. Radial and longitudinal strain components can be used separately or together and can each be made tensile or compressive, allowing formulation of desired strain characteristics for enhanced conductivity in the nanowire of a given device.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of producing a data storage medium comprising the steps of: a) coating a layer comprising a polymer material onto at least a part of a template surface thereby to obtain a modified template surface; b) clamping the modified template surface produced in step (a) with a target surface thereby to obtain an assembly; and c) introducing a liquid to an environment of the assembly obtained in step (b) thereby to transfer the layer comprising the polymer material of the modified template surface onto at least an adjacent region on the target surface.

Abstract: A local probe storage array is provided that includes a substrate, and a polymeric layer over the substrate, the polymeric layer comprising a crosslinking agent comprising at least three alkyne groups.

Abstract: A method of forming nanowire devices. The method includes forming a stressor layer circumferentially surrounding a semiconductor nanowire. The method is performed such that, due to the stressor layer, the nanowire is subjected to at least one of radial and longitudinal strain to enhance carrier mobility in the nanowire. Radial and longitudinal strain components can be used separately or together and can each be made tensile or compressive, allowing formulation of desired strain characteristics for enhanced conductivity in the nanowire of a given device.

Abstract: A local probe storage array is provided that includes a substrate, and a polymeric layer over the substrate, the polymeric layer comprising a crosslinking agent that has been cured, the crosslinking agent comprising at least three alkyne groups.

Abstract: An optical spectrometer contains a photodiode and a straining mechanism for imposing adjustable strain on the photodiode. The spectrometer includes a measurement apparatus for measuring variation of photocurrent with strain at different values of the adjustable strain imposed by the straining mechanism. Adjusting the strain allows adjustment of the band gap Eg of the photosensitive region of the photodiode, and this determines the cut-off energy for absorption of photons. Measuring variation of photocurrent with strain at different values of the adjustable strain imposed by the straining mechanism allows study of photons within a desired energy range of the band gap energy corresponding to each strain value.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of producing a data storage medium comprising the steps of: a) coating a layer comprising a polymer material onto at least a part of a template surface thereby to obtain a modified template surface; b) clamping the modified template surface produced in step (a) with a target surface thereby to obtain an assembly; and c) introducing a liquid to an environment of the assembly obtained in step (b) thereby to transfer the layer comprising the polymer material of the modified template surface onto at least an adjacent region on the target surface.

Abstract: A method of forming nanowire devices. The method includes forming a stressor layer circumferentially surrounding a semiconductor nanowire. The method is performed such that, due to the stressor layer, the nanowire is subjected to at least one of radial and longitudinal strain to enhance carrier mobility in the nanowire. Radial and longitudinal strain components can be used separately or together and can each be made tensile or compressive, allowing formulation of desired strain characteristics for enhanced conductivity in the nanowire of a given device.

Abstract: A method of forming nanowire devices. The method includes forming a stressor layer circumferentially surrounding a semiconductor nanowire. The method is performed such that, due to the stressor layer, the nanowire is subjected to at least one of radial and longitudinal strain to enhance carrier mobility in the nanowire. Radial and longitudinal strain components can be used separately or together and can each be made tensile or compressive, allowing formulation of desired strain characteristics for enhanced conductivity in the nanowire of a given device.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus is provided for sensing relative position of two objects. First and second molecular components, each comprising at least one electronic system, are connected to respective objects. The molecular components are arranged in mutual proximity such that an interaction between the electronic systems of respective components varies with relative position of the objects, the interaction affecting an electrical or optical property of the components. A detector detects the property to produce an output dependent on relative position of the objects.

Abstract: A method of forming nanowire devices. The method includes forming a stressor layer circumferentially surrounding a semiconductor nanowire. The method is performed such that, due to the stressor layer, the nanowire is subjected to at least one of radial and longitudinal strain to enhance carrier mobility in the nanowire. Radial and longitudinal strain components can be used separately or together and can each be made tensile or compressive, allowing formulation of desired strain characteristics for enhanced conductivity in the nanowire of a given device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging and manipulation tool is provided. Techniques for creating a three-dimensional imaging and manipulation tool include combining high-resolution capability of a probe with three-dimensional imaging capability of a heater sensor. Also, techniques for positioning a nano-manipulation device relative to a surface are provided. The techniques include using a heater sensor for non-contact imaging, linking the heater sensor to the nano-manipulation device, and positioning the nano-manipulation relative device to a surface.

Abstract: A local probe storage array is provided that includes a substrate, and a polymeric layer over the substrate, the polymeric layer comprising a crosslinking agent that has been cured, the crosslinking agent comprising at least three alkyne groups.

Abstract: An arrangement for a laboratory room that is confined by a floor, a ceiling and walls connecting the floor with the ceiling, the arrangement comprises: a main base suspended on the floor; a tool base arranged on the main base; a platform arranged around the tool base, wherein the platform is permeable for air, and the platform is suspended at the walls; an air inlet arranged below the platform; an air outlet arranged above the tool base; and air guides for directing an air flow upwards at least partially parallel to the main base and/or the tool base.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing a data storage medium on a surface of a substrate for storing data in the form of topographic features. The method comprises a first step wherein a crosslinking agent containing at least three alkyne groups is deposited on the surface of the substrate. In a second step the deposited cross linking agent is cured so as to obtain the data storage medium in the form of a crosslinked polymeric layer on the surface of the substrate. The invention is further directed to a data storage medium obtained by this method and a data storage device comprising this data storage medium.

Abstract: A thermoelectric element includes a body formed of a single thermoelectric material and extending in a first direction along which a thermal gradient is established in thermoelectric operation, wherein the body has at least first and second adjacent sections in the first direction; at least one of the sections is subject to stress which is applied to that section substantially all around a central axis of the body in the first direction; and the arrangement is such that the stress results in different strain in the first and second sections producing an energy barrier in the body to enhance thermoelectric operation.