Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: receiving an energy consumption profile which spans multiple intervals in a period of time, and predicting a net energy demand of a consumer system over the period of time. Moreover, a first multiple is determined which, when applied to the received energy consumption profile, produces an updated energy consumption profile which corresponds to an amount of energy that is capable of satisfying the predicted net energy demand of the consumer system. A greatest amount of underprediction is estimated. A greatest amount of overprediction is also estimated. Furthermore, an initial state of an energy storage device electrically coupled to the consumer system is computed according to the updated energy consumption profile. The initial state of the energy storage device is also based on a second multiple applied to each of the greatest amount of underprediction, and the greatest amount of overprediction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: receiving an energy consumption profile which spans multiple intervals in a period of time, and predicting a net energy demand of a consumer system over the period of time. Moreover, a first multiple is determined which, when applied to the received energy consumption profile, produces an updated energy consumption profile which corresponds to an amount of energy that is capable of satisfying the predicted net energy demand of the consumer system. A greatest amount of underprediction is estimated. A greatest amount of overprediction is also estimated. Furthermore, an initial state of an energy storage device electrically coupled to the consumer system is computed according to the updated energy consumption profile. The initial state of the energy storage device is also based on a second multiple applied to each of the greatest amount of underprediction, and the greatest amount of overprediction.

Abstract: Attractive heat sinks are used to cool the central processing unit and other solid state electronic components in electronic devices such as computers. In preferred embodiments, heat sinks snap onto one or both sides of a laptop computer to provide cooling. The heat sinks may consist of one or more sealed tubes of various cross sections containing a fluid mixture or solution. Preferred embodiments of the heat sinks rely on the principle of Rayleigh-Benard convection to provide a visually attractive “bubble lamp” display, “glitter lamp” display, or other convective fluid lamp display.

Abstract: Attractive heat sinks are used to cool the central processing unit and other solid state electronic components in electronic devices such as computers. In preferred embodiments, heat sinks snap onto one or both sides of a laptop computer to provide cooling. The heat sinks may consist of one or more sealed tubes of various cross sections containing a fluid mixture or solution. Preferred embodiments of the heat sinks rely on the principle of Rayleigh-Benard convection to provide a visually attractive “bubble lamp” display, “glitter lamp” display, or other convective fluid lamp display.

Abstract: A multilayer magnetoresistive (MR) sensor formed on a substrate includes alternating layers of a ferromagnetic material and a non-magnetic metallic material. The ferromagnetic material and the non-magnetic material form bilayers which exhibit the property that the magnetoresistance of the multilayered structure oscillates as a function of thickness of the non-magnetic material. A current flow is produced through the MR sensor, and the variations in the resistivity of the MR sensor are sensed as a function of the magnetic field being sensed.

Abstract: An improved thin film magnetoresistive (MR) sensor uses an alloy comprising Fe.sub.(1-x) Mn.sub.x, where x is within the range of 0.3 to 0.4, as an antiferromagnetic layer to provide longitudinal exchange bias in the ferromagnetic MR layer. In a specific embodiment the exchange bias is at a high level and is independent of thickness of the antiferromagnetic layer over a wide range.