Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device comprises forming isolated nitride structures on steps of stair step structures comprising stacked tiers comprising alternating levels of a first insulative material and a second insulative material, forming a photoresist material over some of the stair step structures, and replacing the isolated nitride structures and the second insulative material with an electrically conductive material to respectively form conductive pad structures and electrically conductive lines. Related microelectronic devices and electronic devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide for the creation of holey graphene meshes (HGMs) and composite articles including HGMs. Various embodiments provide solvent-free methods for creating arrays of holes on holey graphene-based articles formed from dry compression (such as films, discs, pellets), thereby resulting in a HGM. In further embodiments, a HGM can used as part of a composite, such as by: 1) embedding a HGM into another matrix material such as carbon, polymer, metals, metal oxides, etc; and/or (2) the HGM serving as a matrix by filling the holes of the HGM or functionalizing the HGM body with another one or more materials. In various embodiments, HGM can also be made as a composite itself by creating holes on dry-compressed articles pre-embedded with one or more other materials.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide for the creation of holey graphene meshes (HGMs) and composite articles including HGMs. Various embodiments provide solvent-free methods for creating arrays of holes on holey graphene-based articles formed from dry compression (such as films, discs, pellets), thereby resulting in a HGM. In further embodiments, a HGM can used as part of a composite, such as by: 1) embedding a HGM into another matrix material such as carbon, polymer, metals, metal oxides, etc; and/or (2) the HGM serving as a matrix by filling the holes of the HGM or functionalizing the HGM body with another one or more materials. In various embodiments, HGM can also be made as a composite itself by creating holes on dry-compressed articles pre-embedded with one or more other materials.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide for the creation of holey graphene meshes (HGMs) and composite articles including HGMs. Various embodiments provide solvent-free methods for creating arrays of holes on holey graphene-based articles formed from dry compression (such as films, discs, pellets), thereby resulting in a HGM. In further embodiments, a HGM can used as part of a composite, such as by: 1) embedding a HGM into another matrix material such as carbon, polymer, metals, metal oxides, etc; and/or (2) the HGM serving as a matrix by filling the holes of the HGM or functionalizing the HGM body with another one or more materials. In various embodiments, HGM can also be made as a composite itself by creating holes on dry-compressed articles pre-embedded with one or more other materials.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the laser surface treatment on stainless steel alloys and nickel alloys may include a computer may be programmed to set a laser path corresponding to a predetermined geometric pattern. A laser may be coupled to the computer and apply a pulsed laser beam to a contact surface of the substrate along the predefined geometric pattern. The pulsed laser beam may have a laser power between 0.1 W and 100 W, single pulse fluence 1 mJ/mm2 and 1025 mJ/mm2 and a laser speed between 25.4 cm/s and 127 cm/s. The laser may generate an open pore oxide layer on the contact surface of the substrate with a thickness of 0.1-1 ?m, an open pore distance of 0.05-1 ?m. The open pore oxide layer may have a topography corresponding to the predefined geometric pattern. The topography may contain open pore structures and promote adhesive bond performance.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may enable simultaneous preparation of a substrate for adhesive bonding and detection of minute contaminants on the substrate. Various embodiments may enable detection of contaminants on a surface of a substrate while the surface of the substrate is being prepared for adhesive bonding by laser ablation. Various embodiments may provide an integrated laser treatment and measurement system.

Abstract: Surface energy of a substrate is changed without the need for any template, mask, or additional coating medium applied to the substrate. At least one beam of energy directly ablates a substrate surface to form a predefined topographical pattern at the surface. Each beam of energy has a width of approximately 25 micrometers and an energy of approximately 1-500 microJoules. Features in the topographical pattern have a width of approximately 1-500 micrometers and a height of approximately 1.4-100 micrometers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may enable simultaneous preparation of a substrate for adhesive bonding and detection of minute contaminants on the substrate. Various embodiments may enable detection of contaminants on a surface of a substrate while the surface of the substrate is being prepared for adhesive bonding by laser ablation. Various embodiments may provide an integrated laser treatment and measurement system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide for the creation of holey graphene meshes (HGMs) and composite articles including HGMs. Various embodiments provide solvent-free methods for creating arrays of holes on holey graphene-based articles formed from dry compression (such as films, discs, pellets), thereby resulting in a HGM. In further embodiments, a HGM can used as part of a composite, such as by: 1) embedding a HGM into another matrix material such as carbon, polymer, metals, metal oxides, etc; and/or (2) the HGM serving as a matrix by filling the holes of the HGM or functionalizing the HGM body with another one or more materials. In various embodiments, HGM can also be made as a composite itself by creating holes on dry-compressed articles pre-embedded with one or more other materials.

Abstract: Surface energy of a substrate is changed without the need for any template, mask, or additional coating medium applied to the substrate. At least one beam of energy directly ablates a substrate surface to form a predefined topographical pattern at the surface. Each beam of energy has a width of approximately 25 micrometers and an energy of approximately 1-500 microJoules. Features in the topographical pattern have a width of approximately 1-500 micrometers and a height of approximately 1.4-100 micrometers.

Abstract: Surface energy of a substrate is changed without the need for any template, mask, or additional coating medium applied to the substrate. At least one beam of energy directly ablates a substrate surface to form a predefined topographical pattern at the surface. Each beam of energy has a width of approximately 25 micrometers and an energy of approximately 1-500 microJoules. Features in the topographical pattern have a width of approximately 1-500 micrometers and a height of approximately 1.4-100 micrometers.

Abstract: Surface energy of a substrate is changed without the need for any template, mask, or additional coating medium applied to the substrate. At least one beam of energy directly ablates a substrate surface to form a predefined topographical pattern at the surface. Each beam of energy has a width of approximately 25 micrometers and an energy of approximately 1-500 microJoules. Features in the topographical pattern have a width of approximately 1-500 micrometers and a height of approximately 1.4-100 micrometers.

Abstract: Dimensional data with attributed categorical variables is mined against a continuous target with any data mining method by ranking variables. The ranked variables are used to generate a tree. A population and a target value, obtained from a top node of the tree, are stored. The top node is removed from the tree to create a new tree with a next top node. Obtaining and storing a next population and a next target value for the next top node, and removing the top node or top field to create a new tree, are repeated. The listing of sequential top node parameters is plotted on a tree cusp curve that provides a graphical user interface enabling identification of a field which affect a greatest or a least number of records, based upon a magnitude of departure of the field from a norm.

Abstract: Dimensional data with attributed categorical variables is mined against a continuous target with any data mining method by ranking variables. The ranked variables are used to generate a tree. A population and a target value, obtained from a top node of the tree, are stored. The top node is removed from the tree to create a new tree with a next top node. Obtaining and storing a next population and a next target value for the next top node, and removing the top node or top field to create a new tree, are repeated. The listing of sequential top node parameters is plotted on a tree cusp curve that provides a graphical user interface enabling identification of a field which affect a greatest or a least number of records, based upon a magnitude of departure of the field from a norm.

Abstract: Mowing blades which include a one-piece member having a drive mechanism coupling section, a deformation section and a cutting section. When the mowing blades receive a particular load from an obstructing object, the deformation section deforms, dissipates energy and reduces damage to drive mechanisms of mowing machines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mowing blades, which in one embodiment, include a one-piece member having a drive mechanism coupling section, a deformation section and a cutting section. When the mowing blades receive a particular load from an obstructing object, the deformation section deforms, dissipates energy and reduces damage to drive mechanisms of mowing machines.

Abstract: A business method is disclosed wherein a company promotes health awareness, education and access to a healthcare system. The company advertises its services to reach prospective patients with a specified medical condition and has patient advocate personnel to answer inquiries. The company arranges with doctors and medical suppliers who specialize in the specified medical condition and with other entities to become contributors for funding of a healthcare pathway. A patient advocate shepherds assigned patients through the healthcare pathway at no cost to the patient. The company arranges with not-for-profit associations to provide affinity grant funding in return for supplying prospective patients. The healthcare pathway provides the patients with expedited treatment and enables doctors and suppliers specializing in the specific medical condition to be more efficient and enables the company to be financially self-sustaining.

Abstract: Broadcasting system digitizes audio input signals before RF modulating and transmitting over airwaves to one or more remote receiving stations. Receiving station recovers the digitized signal by demodulating and exponentially expanding the received RF signal. Recovered digital signal is subsequently frequency modulated and sent, via an electrically conductive cable, to an FM radio, over which the original audio input signals are faithfully reproduced. A time switch in series with the RF receiver and the FM modulator is capable of temporarily disabling modulated transmissions to radio through the electrically conductive cable. Relay stations, (either land-based or satellite), allow for transmission beyond the range (i.e. "line-of-sight") of common FM radio transmissions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a crankcase, an output crankshaft, and an input shaft assembly. The input shaft assembly has an input shaft and a crank plate press-fit connected to the input shaft. The crank plate comprises a single sheet metal member with slightly elongate radial slots adapted to receive the crankpin of the output crankshaft. The slots are open ended to allow for misalignment between the output crankshaft and the input shaft whereby the crankpin can longitudinally move in its crank plate slot.