Abstract: The present invention is realized by apparatus and methods for harvesting, storing, and generating energy by permanently placing a large rigid buoyant platform high in the earth's atmosphere, above clouds, moisture, dust, and wind. Long, strong and light tethers can connect the buoyant structure to the ground which can hold it in position against wind forces. Weights suspended from the buoyant platform with cables are raised and lowered by electric winches to store and release gravitational potential energy. High voltage transmission lines electrically connect the platform to the earth's surface. Electrical energy from the high voltage transmission lines or from photovoltaic arrays on the platform can be stored as gravitational potential energy and subsequently released as electricity from generators driven from the stored gravitational potential energy and used on the platform or transmitted via the high voltage transmission lines.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for generating for each company in a set of companies a rating score that represents the desirability of employment with the company. The rating score for each company is derived by analyzing the member profiles of members of an online system to identify employee transitions between companies over certain time periods. At the beginning of a first time period, each company is assigned a baseline score. Each transition represents an employee departure (loss), for one company, and an employee hire (win), for the other company. With each transition by an employee to/from a company, the rating score of the impacted companies are adjusted—increased for a win, decreased for a loss—in some proportion that is relative to the current rating scores of the impacted companies. Accordingly, company A hires an employee from Company B, the rating scores of companies A and. B will impact the level of the adjustment that is made to their respective rating scores as a result of the transition.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit with an interconnect structure and a method for forming the integrated circuit. In one embodiment, a method of the present disclosure includes receiving a workpiece that includes a first recess in a dielectric layer over the workpiece, depositing a contact fill in the first recess and over the dielectric layer to form a contact feature, planarizing a top surface of the workpiece to remove the contact fill over the dielectric layer, depositing an interlayer dielectric layer over the planarized top surface of the workpiece, forming a second recess in the interlayer dielectric layer to expose the contact fill in the dielectric layer, recessing the contact fill by soaking the workpiece in a room temperature ionic liquid, and depositing a conductive layer over the recessed contact fill. The material forming the contact fill is soluble in the room temperature ionic liquid.

Abstract: A method of semiconductor fabrication includes positioning a substrate on a susceptor in a chamber and growing an epitaxial feature on the substrate. The growing includes providing UV radiation to a first region of a surface of the substrate and while providing the UV radiation, growing a first portion of the epitaxial feature on the first region of the surface while concurrently growing a second portion of the epitaxial feature on a second region of the surface of the substrate. The first portion of the epitaxial feature can be greater in thickness than the second portion of the epitaxial feature.

Abstract: Gamma titanium aluminide intermetallic compositions (gamma TiAl intermetallics) based on the TiAl (gamma) intermetallic compound. The gamma TiAl intermetallics contain chromium and niobium, as well as controlled amounts of carbon that achieve a desirable balance in room temperature mechanical properties and high temperature creep capabilities at temperatures approaching and possibly exceeding 1600° F. (about 870° C.).

Abstract: A steering robot for operating a steering wheel of a test automobile is disclosed. The robot includes an actuator mounted to the automobile, and an electromechanical connector that detachably connects the actuator to the steering wheel. A steering processor is connected to the actuator and to the electromechanical connector, and the steering processor (1) actuates the actuator, thereby operating the steering wheel when the actuator is connected to the steering wheel by way of the electromechanical connector; and (2) actuates the electromechanical connector, thereby disconnecting the actuator from the steering wheel.

Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor fin on a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor fin comprising germanium, silicon, silicon germanium or any of III-V elements; forming a mask layer on a top portion of the semiconductor fin; and trimming the semiconductor fin, wherein trimming the semiconductor fin comprises: immersing the semiconductor substrate in a first electrolyte bath; and laterally removing a first portion of the semiconductor fin by supplying a first voltage to a counter electrode in the electrolyte bath and a second voltage to the semiconductor substrate, wherein the second voltage is negative.

Abstract: The present invention is realized by apparatus and methods for harvesting, storing, and generating energy by permanently placing a large rigid buoyant platform high in the earth's atmosphere, above clouds, moisture, dust, and wind. Long, strong and light tethers can connect the buoyant structure to the ground which can hold it in position against wind forces. Weights suspended from the buoyant platform with cables are raised and lowered by electric winches to store and release gravitational potential energy. High voltage transmission lines electrically connect the platform to the earth's surface. Electrical energy from the high voltage transmission lines or from photovoltaic arrays on the platform can be stored as gravitational potential energy and subsequently released as electricity from generators driven from the stored gravitational potential energy and used on the platform or transmitted via the high voltage transmission lines.

Abstract: A transport service system identifies a map matched trajectory for a transport vehicle based on planned route information and location data associated with a trip. The system receives planned route information and location data for a transport vehicle. For each location data point, the transport service system identifies a set of candidate road segments. Sequential pairs of candidate road segments represent transitions. The system uses a map of the corresponding area to calculate a transition probability, the likelihood of traversing from the first candidate road segment to the second candidate road segment. The system identifies transitions that correspond to the planned route and adjusts the transition probabilities based on the identified planned route transitions. Based on the adjusted probabilities, the transport service system determines a most-likely traversed path for the transport vehicle.

Abstract: A casing for the thermal management and protection of an electrochemical cell, the casing comprises a first material, an inner surface configured to be in physical contact with an electrochemical cell, wherein the inner surface is substantially solid at room temperature; and a polymer matrix dispersed within the first material and comprising two or more temperature management materials. At least one of the two or more temperature management materials comprise a phase change material having a latent heat of at least 5 Joules per gram and a transition temperature between 0° C. and 100° C., and an elastomeric material. The polymer matrix is substantially homogeneous, and in an environment where the electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell operate under the same charging and discharging conditions, the casing reduces a first operating temperature of the electrochemical cell by at least 10° C.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon (1) comprises an elongate tube (16) having a relaxed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The elongate tube (16) comprises aproximal neck portion (10), a distal neck portion (8), a main body region, a tapered proximal portion (11) extending between the main body region and the proximal neck portion (10); and a tapered distal portion (9) extending between the main body region (3) and the distal neck portion (8), the elongate tube has only three fins (4, 5, 6) which are integrally formed with the tube and which are spaced equidistant from one another about the exterior of the tube. The fins (4, 5, 6) project radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the tube and the fins (4, 5, 6) extending longitudinally only along part of the main body region (3), resulting in the end-sections of the balloon main body being fin-free.

Abstract: A method includes holding a semiconductor substrate by a substrate holder of an electrochemical apparatus. The electrochemical apparatus includes a reaction cell and a counter electrode, and the semiconductor substrate has an exposed surface containing germanium, silicon, silicon germanium or any of III-V elements. The exposed surface of the semiconductor substrate is immersed in an electrolyte bath in the reaction cell. A portion of the semiconductor substrate is removed by supplying a first current to the counter electrode and a second current to the semiconductor substrate. The second current has a negative bias. The negative bias is smaller than 0V and equal to or larger than minus 5V.

Abstract: This disclosure provides casings and materials for the thermal management and protection of an electrochemical cell. The casing may also comprise a composite polymeric material for electrochemical cell thermal management, the composite polymeric material comprising a crosslinked polyether polyol phase change material configured to be in physical contact with at least a portion of an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for entropy balanced population measurement. Entropy balancing is a statistical technique for preprocessing data to achieve covariate balance. Weighting coefficients may be dynamically adjusted to satisfy balance conditions or constraints to adjust for inequalities in representation, thereby improving covariate moments. Using entropy balancing and linear regression analysis with panel content exposure and results data provides a mechanism to estimate the effects of multiple exposure vectors simultaneously, including instances where panelists are exposed to a vector multiple times. Data may be obfuscated or anonymized for preprocessing via a double-encrypted intersection-based extraction mechanism, allowing both measurement systems and panel providers to retain confidential information.

Abstract: An HVAC system is provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to heat exchangers having tubing with a reduced diameter compared to traditional systems. In one embodiment, a ducted HVAC system comprises an outdoor heat exchanger with tubing that has an outer diameter of eight millimeters (8 mm) or less and an indoor heat exchanger with tubing that has an outer diameter of nine millimeters (9 mm) or less. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An HVAC system is provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an HVAC system in which multiple indoor units are coupled to central outdoor unit, where at least one of the indoor units is configured to provide conditioned air through ductwork and at least one indoor unit is configured to provide conditioned air without ductwork. Moreover, a gas furnace can be provided in the system, for harsher environments that benefit from more robust heating. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bot framework receives a request message for data maintained by at least one of a plurality of autonomous data sources, and determines, based on a knowledge graph, a relationship between a first data set maintained by a first autonomous data source and a second data set maintained by a second autonomous data source. The bot framework transmits a first request to the first autonomous data source for a first set of corporate data using a first API. In response to receiving the first set of corporate data, the bot framework transmits a second request to the second autonomous data source for a second set of corporate data based on the first set of corporate data. The second request is transmitted using a second API. In response to receiving the second set of corporate data, the bot framework generates and transmits a response to the request message.

Abstract: A method includes holding a semiconductor substrate by a substrate holder of an electrochemical apparatus. The electrochemical apparatus includes a reaction cell and a counter electrode, and the semiconductor substrate has an exposed surface containing germanium, silicon, silicon germanium or any of III-V elements. The exposed surface of the semiconductor substrate is immersed in an electrolyte bath in the reaction cell. A portion of the semiconductor substrate is removed by supplying a first current to the counter electrode and a second current to the semiconductor substrate. The second current has a negative bias. The negative bias is smaller than 0V and equal to or larger than minus 5V.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a semiconductor fin comprising a channel region for a fin field effect transistor (finFET). A gate oxide layer is then formed on the channel. The gate oxide layer is treated with a nitrogen containing agent so as to form a nitrogenous layer and an interfacial layer. The nitrogenous layer is then removed. A high-k dielectric layer is formed on the interfacial layer. A metal gate is formed on the high-k dielectric layer. The nitrogenous layer is removed by rinsing the semiconductor fin with deionized water. The gate oxide and interfacial layer contains the same material.