Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of removing particles from over surfaces of semiconductor substrates. Liquid may be flowed across the surfaces and the particles. While the liquid is flowing, electrophoresis and/or electroosmosis may be utilized to enhance transport of the particles from the surfaces and into the liquid. In some embodiments, temperature, pH and/or ionic strength within the liquid may be altered to assist in the removal of the particles from over the surfaces of the substrates.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of removing particles from over surfaces of semiconductor substrates. Liquid may be flowed across the surfaces and the particles. While the liquid is flowing, electrophoresis and/or electroosmosis may be utilized to enhance transport of the particles from the surfaces and into the liquid. In some embodiments, temperature, pH and/or ionic strength within the liquid may be altered to assist in the removal of the particles from over the surfaces of the substrates.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of removing particles from over surfaces of semiconductor substrates. Liquid may be flowed across the surfaces and the particles. While the liquid is flowing, electrophoresis and/or electroosmosis may be utilized to enhance transport of the particles from the surfaces and into the liquid. In some embodiments, temperature, pH and/or ionic strength within the liquid may be altered to assist in the removal of the particles from over the surfaces of the substrates.

Abstract: A method of removing a material from a surface includes providing a substrate comprising a material having a surface, contacting the surface with a polishing medium, applying a voltage to the substrate to remove material from the surface, and changing the voltage during the removing material from the surface. An electrochemical mechanical polishing method includes providing a substrate having a surface, applying a platen to the surface, applying a first voltage to the substrate, rotating the platen and surface relative to each other at a first rotational speed, increasing to a second voltage, and decreasing to a second rotational speed.

Abstract: A core logic device of a computer system includes a programmable interrupt controller (PIC), an input/output advanced programmable interrupt controller (I/O APIC) and a virtual wire unit. The PIC outputs a control signal to the virtual wire unit via an interrupt pin in response to an external interrupt signal asserted by a peripheral device before an operating system is loaded in the computer system. The virtual wire unit outputs an interrupt control packet to the CPU in response to the control signal wherein the interrupt vector contents carried by the interrupt control packet are ignored by the CPU. After the operating system is loaded in the computer system, the I/O APIC outputs another interrupt control packet to the CPU in response to the external interrupt signal.

Abstract: A method for determining blocking signals is used to judge whether to block a return signal transmitted to a CPU or not when a system management interrupt (SMI) signal is transmitted to the CPU, wherein the return signal is a signal transmitted by a system chip in response to a triggering command transmitted to the system chip by the CPU. The blocking method includes detecting whether the CPU has transmitted the triggering command to the system chip, and detecting whether the system management interrupt signal is transmitted to the CPU. When the CPU has transmitted the triggering command to the system chip, and subsequently the system management interrupt signal has been transmitted to the CPU, it is judged that the system management interrupt signal is used to extract the values in registers of a computer system. Thereby the return signal transmitted to the CPU is blocked.

Abstract: We disclose a system that includes a fuel cell which during operation exhausts a fluid composition that includes an acid or a derivative of the acid, and an acid trap arranged to receive the fluid composition and configured to reduce a concentration of the acid or the derivative of the acid in the fluid composition.

Abstract: Fuel cell system reformers for converting an input fluid to a reformate for a fuel cell is disclosed, where the reformers include: (a) a first heat exchanger configured to heat input fluid from a first input fluid temperature Ti1 to a second input fluid temperature Ti2, and to cool reformate from a first reformate temperature Tr1 to a second reformate temperature Tr2; (b) a second heat exchanger configured to heat input fluid from a third input fluid temperature Ti3 to a fourth input fluid temperature Ti4, and to cool an intermediate fluid from a first fluid temperature Tf1 to a second fluid temperature Tf2; and (c) a reactor configured to receive intermediate fluid from the second heat exchanger, to form reformate from intermediate fluid, and to direct reformate to the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for determining blocking signals is used to judge whether to block a return signal transmitted to a CPU or not when a system management interrupt (SMI) signal is transmitted to the CPU, wherein the return signal is a signal transmitted by a system chip in response to a triggering command transmitted to the system chip by the CPU. The blocking method includes detecting whether the CPU has transmitted the triggering command to the system chip, and detecting whether the system management interrupt signal is transmitted to the CPU. When the CPU has transmitted the triggering command to the system chip, and subsequently the system management interrupt signal has been transmitted to the CPU, it is judged that the system management interrupt signal is used to extract the values in registers of a computer system. Thereby the return signal transmitted to the CPU is blocked.

Abstract: A core logic device is provided to a computer system having a central processing unit (CPU) and a peripheral device. The core logic device includes a programmable interrupt controller (PIC), an input/output advanced programmable interrupt controller (I/O APIC) and a virtual wire unit. The PIC outputs a control signal to the virtual wire unit via an interrupt pin in response to an external interrupt signal asserted by the peripheral device before an operating system is loaded in the computer system. Accordingly, the virtual wire unit outputs an interrupt control packet to the CPU wherein the interrupt vector contents carried by the interrupt control packet is ignored by the CPU. Alternatively, after the operating system is loaded in the computer system, the I/O APIC outputs another interrupt control packet to the CPU in response to the external interrupt signal.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack that includes PEM fuel cells. Each fuel cell has an operating temperature of at least 120° C. The fuel cell stack has a cathode inlet to receive a flow of ambient air and a cathode outlet to provide a cathode exhaust flow. The fuel cell system includes a fuel processing reactor that has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with a catalyst that is suitable for converting a hydrocarbon into a gas that contains hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The outlet is in fluid communication with an anode chamber of the fuel cell, and the outlet of the fuel processing reactor is in fluid communication with the cathode outlet.

Abstract: A slim modular jack (7) has a shell (1), a housing (2), and a terminal insert module (3) received in the housing. The shell has a front wall (10) and a pair of side walls (11) bending from the front wall. The housing has a substantially U-shaped body portion with an upper wall (21), a lower wall (22) and a rear side (23). The side walls of the shell act as side walls of the housing after the shell is assembled to surround the housing.

Abstract: A transceiver module (1) having a release mechanism includes a connector assembly (3), a driving device (43), and a pull tab (45). The connector assembly includes a tab (362) for being received in a hole (242) of a bendable portion (240) of a receptacle (2), which receptacle receives the transceiver module therein. The driving device includes, a release member (42) and a wedge member (46). Both the pull tab and the wedge member are mechanically linked to the release member. When the pull tab is pulled outwardly, the release member rotates with respect to the connector assembly, driving the wedge member to press against the bendable portion of the receptacle, thus disengaging the tab from the hole. The transceiver module is then easily withdrawn from the receptacle. This arrangement allows the transceiver modules to be closely stacked together while still being readily accessible. This advantage decreases a stacking height of multiple transceiver modules.

Abstract: A battery comprising a control means and a plurality of metal-air cell assemblies that are electronically connected in parallel. Each cell assembly comprises a casing with a controllable air vent thereon and at least a metal-air cell inside the casing. The controllable air vent is closed during a battery storage period and is opened in response to a programmed signal in order to allow outside air or oxygen to enter the assembly through the air vent to activate the operation of the corresponding cell assembly. The control means, preferably including a sampling unit, a power control unit and a logic control unit, is capable of sensing the battery output voltage and sending programmed signals to open or close up the air vents at the same time or at different moments of time in a programmed fashion.

Abstract: A small form factor pluggable transceiver module (100) comprises an RJ connector (1) with a robust interface, a printed circuit board assembly (2), a cage (4), a frame (5) and a latch mechanism (6). The RJ connector further includes a shielding shell (11), a housing (12) received in the shielding shell, an RJ contact module (13) received in the housing, and an engaging clamp (3). The RJ connector attaches to the printed circuit board assembly. The engaging clamp provides a stronger, more reliable mechanical connection between the printed circuit board assembly and the RJ connector.

Abstract: A slim modular jack (7) has a shell (1), a housing (2), and a terminal insert module (3) received in the housing. The shell has a front wall (10) and a pair of side walls (11) bending from the front wall. The housing has a substantially U-shaped body portion with an upper wall (21), a lower wall (22) and a rear side (23). The side walls of the shell act as side walls of the housing after the shell is assembled to surround the housing.

Abstract: A small form factor pluggable transceiver module (100) comprises an RJ connector (1), a printed circuit board assembly (2), an engaging clamp (3), a cage (4), a frame (5) and a latching mechanism (6). The RJ connector attaches to the printed circuit board assembly. The engaging clamp engages both with the RJ connector and the printed circuit board assembly to strengthen the connection between the RJ connector and the printed circuit board assembly.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a nano-structured material, including four primary steps: (A) providing a reaction chamber wherein the nano-structured material is generated from at least a starting material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a metal compound, and a ceramic; (B) operating a twin-wire arc nozzle, comprising two wires and a working gas being controllably fed into the chamber, to form an arc between two converging leading tips of the two wires to heat and melt the starting material at the leading tips for providing a stream of liquid droplets traveling in a predetermined direction (preferably vertically downward); (C) operating at least a second high energy source for producing a vaporizing zone adjacent to the arc and inside the chamber wherein the liquid droplets are vaporized to form vapor species; and (D) cooling the vapor species for forming the nano-structured material.