Abstract: A restraint system is used to restrain a movable switch blade of a disconnect switch in order to prevent accidental closure of the switch blade. In this regard, the restraint system has a sheath that is positioned over an end of the switch blade, and the sheath is tethered to a support structure so that tension in the tether resists movement of the switch blade toward a conductive jaw. Thus, current is prevented from flowing through the disconnect switch until the sheath is manually removed from the switch blade.

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 electromechanical connector, 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: Methods for manufacturing semiconductor structures are provided. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a source/drain structure over a substrate and forming a metal layer over the source/drain structure. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure further includes reacting a portion of the metal layer with the source/drain structure to form a metallic layer by using an etching solvent. In addition, the etching solvent includes (a) a first component and (b) a second component. The first component includes an acid, and the second component includes propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An etching method with a surface modification treatment for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a silicon nitride (SiN) layer on the semiconductor substrate, and forming a silicon-containing layer on the semiconductor substrate and beside the SiN layer. The silicon-containing layer includes a silicon dioxide layer, a n-type silicon-containing layer, a p-type silicon-containing layer or a combination thereof. The method further includes performing a surface modification treatment onto the SiN layer and the silicon-containing layer by using a surface modification solution, thereby forming a modified layer on the SiN layer and the silicon-containing layer. The method further includes removing a portion of the modified layer and its underlying SiN layer by a wet etching operation, while the other portion of the modified layer and its underlying silicon-containing layer remain, and removing the other portion of the modified layer.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a catheter, and a drug coated angioplasty balloon mounted on the catheter. The balloon has a wrapped or folded delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. A protective sleeve surrounds the drug coated balloon in the delivery configuration to minimise wash-off of drug from the balloon during delivery. The protective sleeve is retractable, so that once the drug coated balloon is at or near the treatment site, the sleeve can be retracted to allow the drug coated balloon to operate effectively. The protective sleeve can have a spacer mounted to or integral with the protective sleeve. The spacer in one case can comprise of interior ribs or ridges on the sleeve which minimise the surface area of the sleeve in direct contact with the drug coating on the balloon.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first high-k (HK) dielectric layer over a substrate, performing a wet treatment process to the first HK dielectric layer. The wet treatment includes a dopant. The method also includes performing an annealing process to the first HK dielectric layer such that the dopant diffuses into the first HK dielectric layer to form a modified HK dielectric layer. Therefore the modified HK dielectric layer has a second dielectric constant which is different than the first dielectric constant.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a source/drain structure in a substrate and forming a metal layer over the source/drain structure. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure further includes performing an annealing process such that a portion of the metal layer reacts with the source/drain structure to form a metallic layer on the source/drain structure. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure further includes performing an etching process to remove an unreacted portion of the metal layer on the metallic layer and forming a contact over the metallic layer. In addition, the etching process includes using an etching solvent, and the etching solvent includes (a) a first component, including H2SO4, HCl, HF, H3PO4, or NH4OH and (b) a second component, including propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, acetonitrile, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a casing for the thermal management and protection of an electrochemical cell. The casing may comprise an inner surface configured to be in physical contact with at least a portion of an outer surface of an electrochemical cell. The inner surface may be substantially solid at room temperature. The casing may also comprise a polymer matrix which itself comprises two or more temperature management materials. At least one of the two or more temperature management materials may comprise a microencapsulated 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 at least one other of the two or more temperature management materials may comprise an elastomeric material. The polymer matrix may be substantially homogeneous.

Abstract: A method to provide an isolation feature over a semiconductor structure is disclosed. The method includes forming a fin structure over a semiconductor substrate, forming an oxide layer over the fin structure, wherein forming the oxide layer includes performing a wet chemical oxidation process on the fin structure with a solvent mixture, forming a dielectric layer over the oxide layer, and forming at least one isolation feature over the semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A process is provided for synthesizing a lithium, nickel, manganese and oxygen composition, LiwNixMnyOz, where w is from about 0.8 to about 1.2, x is from about 0.3 to about 0.8, y is from about 1.3 to about 1.8, and z is from about 3.8 to about 4.2. The composition has a lattice parameter “a” value and wt % crystalline spinel value within the bounds defined by the following lattice parameter “a” and wt % crystalline spinel coordinate values of about (8.1690 ?, 98.5%), about (8.1765 ?, 98.5%), about (8.1810 ?, 96.2%), about (8.1810 ?, 93.4%), about (8.1771 ?, 93.4%), and about (8.1690 ?, 97.6%).

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, which comprises a semiconductor structure having a surface, the semiconductor structure comprising a material whose oxide is water soluble; and an oxide layer formed on the surface of the semiconductor structure by a wet chemical oxidation treatment utilizing a solvent mixture that comprises a water soluble substance and an aprotic solvent. The layer of oxide may be as thin as approximately 0.7 nanometers in width or less. The semiconductor structure comprises at least one of Ge, SiGe, and III-V compound semiconductor materials. A solution mixture for oxidizing selective semiconductor materials is also provided, which comprises a solvent mixture that includes: a water soluble oxidizing agent; and an aprotic solvent.

Abstract: A loudspeaker device includes a frame having a bottom portion with a curved surface along a first direction and a pair of lateral portions provided at lateral sides of the bottom portion in the first direction; a plurality of magnets curved and extended along the curved surface of the bottom portion, and arranged to be spaced apart from each other; a diaphragm supported by the pair of lateral portions, curved in parallel with the curved surface of the bottom portion, and spaced apart at a predetermined distance from top surfaces of the plurality of magnets; and a coil provided on the diaphragm at positions corresponding to spaces between the plurality of magnets in the first direction, the coil being configured to drive the diaphragm to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the curved surface of the bottom portion of the frame by a magnetic field formed by the plurality of magnets as an audio signal is electrically applied.

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 Dynamic Motion Element (DME) is disclosed that includes a platform, and a pair of foot movement mechanisms. The foot movement mechanisms each include a drive pulley connected to at least one wheel of the DME, a second pulley and a foot drive belt that has a foot connection structure constructed to detachably connect to the foot of the mannequin. The foot connection structure is constructed to move about each pulley. The first and second foot movement mechanisms are constructed such that when the DME moves in a longitudinal direction relative to the ground, the foot connection structure of the first foot movement mechanism remains in substantially the same longitudinal position relative to the ground while the foot connection structure of the second foot movement mechanism moves in the same longitudinal direction as the DME. When a mannequin is connected to the foot connection structures, the DME produces a more natural looking gait.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure in accordance with some embodiments. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor feature, a passivation layer that includes indium sulfide formed over a surface of the semiconductor feature. More particularly, the surface of the semiconductor feature comprises indium-based III-V compound semiconductor material.

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 tray for stacking golf balls into a truncated, inverted pyramidal shape and upon which may be stacked on top a regular pyramidal stack of golf balls that self-supports to retain its shape. The tray includes a base, four diverging walls and a rim. The walls are between the rim and the base. The base has a plurality of curved rails that have convex surfaces within an inward facing side of the tray. The curved rails are separated from each other in succession by flattened regions. The rim has holes for securing rope handles. Golf balls may be poured into a hopper on the rim of the tray to stack the golf balls in the tray first in an inverted pyramid shape manner and then in a regular pyramid shape manner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for crowdsourcing e-mail filtering. An embodiment operates by receiving an input from a community member indicating that an e-mail received by the community member is unwanted, counting a number of inputs received from community members indicating that e-mail is unwanted based on one or more criteria, flagging future e-mails based on the criteria when the number of inputs counted reaches a threshold for penalizing an originator or a group associated with the originator of the unwanted e-mail, and denying delivery of future e-mails from the originator or the group associated with the originator until a penalty period expires.

Abstract: A loudspeaker device includes a frame having a bottom portion with a curved surface along a first direction and a pair of lateral portions provided at lateral sides of the bottom portion in the first direction; a plurality of magnets curved and extended along the curved surface of the bottom portion, and arranged to be spaced apart from each other; a diaphragm supported by the pair of lateral portions, curved in parallel with the curved surface of the bottom portion, and spaced apart at a predetermined distance from top surfaces of the plurality of magnets; and a coil provided on the diaphragm at positions corresponding to spaces between the plurality of magnets in the first direction, the coil being configured to drive the diaphragm to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the curved surface of the bottom portion of the frame by a magnetic field formed by the plurality of magnets as an audio signal is electrically applied.