Abstract: An integrated circuit having first and second identical layers of circuitry. Each layer includes a substrate having a plurality of components thereon. Each layer also includes circuit selection circuitry for enabling the integrated circuit components on that layer to perform a predetermined function. The circuit selection circuitry includes a circuit selection terminal for receiving a signal that enables the predetermined function. Each layer also includes N input pads and N output pads, where N>1. The input and output pads are labeled from 1 to N. Each input pad is connected to a corresponding one of the output pads. The connection scheme is chosen such that there is a one-to-one mapping between the input pads and the output pads and no input pad is connected to an output pad on that layer having the same label as the input pad. The circuit selection terminal is connected to a predetermined one of the input pads.

Abstract: A method for operating a digital computer to provide a display for inputting values needed in a computation and displaying the results of the computation. The method starts by displaying a graphical element on a computer screen, said graphical element being capable of representing the magnitude of one of the input values. The magnitude is changed by using a pointing device to manipulate a specified region on the graphical element. The computer monitors the graphical element for any change therein. Upon detecting such a change, the computer displays the results of the computation in a first graphical display in response to the detected change in the input value represented by the graphical element. The computer then returns to monitoring the graphical element for another change. In one embodiment of the present invention, the graphical elements are arranged to form a second graphical display.

Abstract: A collar for connecting a duct to a wall having a hole therein bounded by an edge having a predetermined thickness. The collar is constructed from a sheet of material having top, bottom, left and right edges, the sheet forming a tubular structure in which the left and right edges overlap. The sheet includes a groove for engaging the edge of the hole. The sheet also includes first and second detents spaced apart thereon. The overlap of the left and right edges at the top edge changes when the spacing between the first and second detents is changed. The collar also includes a first fastener for fixing the overlap of the left and right edges at the top edge when the edge of the hole is engaged in the groove and a second fastener for fixing the overlap of the left and right edges at the bottom edge. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the groove includes a layer of a sealing material for forming a seal between the sheet of material and the edge of the hole.

Abstract: A reconfigurable memory having M bit lines and a plurality of row lines, where M>1. The memory includes an array of memory storage cells, each memory storage cell storing a data value. The data value is read from or into the storage cells by coupling that data value to one of the bit lines in response to a row control signal on one of the row lines. A row select circuit generates the row control signal on one of the row lines in response to a row address being coupled to the row select circuit. The row select circuit includes a memory for storing a mapping of the row addresses to the row lines that determines which of the row lines is selected for each possible value of the row address. The memory includes a plurality of sense amplifiers, one such sense amplifier being connected to each of the bit lines for measuring a signal value on that bit line. A controller that is part of the memory tests the memory storage cells both at power up and run time to detect defective memory storage cells.

Abstract: An improved ferroelectric FET structure in which the ferroelectric layer is doped to reduce retention loss. A ferroelectric FET according to the present invention includes a semiconductor layer having first and second contacts thereon, the first and second contacts being separated from one another. The ferroelectric FET also includes a bottom electrode and a ferroelectric layer which is sandwiched between the semiconductor layer and the bottom electrode. The ferroelectric layer is constructed from a perovskite structure of the chemical composition ABO3 wherein the B site comprises first and second elements and a dopant element that has an oxidation state greater than +4 in sufficient concentration to impede shifts in the resistance measured between the first and second contacts with time. The ferroelectric FET structure preferably comprises Pb in the A-site. The first and second elements are preferably Zr and Ti, respectively.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory cell for storing information. The information is stored in the remnant polarization of a ferroelectric dielectric layer by setting the direction of the remnant polarization. The ferroelectric memory cell is designed to store the information at a temperature less than a first temperature. The memory cell includes top and bottom contacts that sandwich the dielectric layer which includes a ferroelectric material having a Curie point greater than the first temperature and less than 400° C. The dielectric layer is encapsulated in an oxygen impermeable material such that the encapsulating layer prevents oxygen from entering or leaving the dielectric layer. One of the contacts typically includes a platinum electrode. The other contact may include a similar electrode or a semiconductor layer having electrodes spaced apart thereon.

Abstract: The present invention is a disposable element for assaying food samples and a method for using the element. The disposable element includes a container having first, second, and third ports, a prefilter disposed in the container, an immuno-sorbent layer having antibodies to a target microbe affixed thereto, the immuno-sorbent layer also being disposed in the container, and an electrode in contact with the immuno-sorbent layer. The prefilter and immuno-sorbent layers are positioned in the container such that a sample introduced into the first port passes through the prefilter and the immuno-sorbent layer when a pressure differential is created between the first and third ports. In addition, liquid entering the second port passes through the immuno-sorbent layer, but not the prefilter, when a pressure differential is created between the second and third ports. The prefilter preferably has a pore size between 10 and 30 microns.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory based on a unique EEPROM memory. The non-volatile memory includes a plurality of data memory cells, a data programming circuit, and a first data line. Each data memory cell includes an EEPROM cell having a separate programming electrode and first and second isolation transistors. The programming electrode is coupled to the floating gate by a tunneling window. The first isolation transistor connects the EEPROM cell to the first data line. The second isolation transistor connects the programming electrode to the data programming circuit in response to a write enable signal. The data programming circuit programs a selected data memory cell by receiving a data value to be stored in that data memory cell and generating and coupling a programming signal to the second isolation transistors, the programming signal having a duration that is determined by the received data value.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a web. The apparatus includes a charging electrode disposed on one side of the web and an insulating roller for supporting the web. The insulating roller is disposed on the other side of the web and is in contact with the web. A discharging electrode is provided in contact with the insulating roller for removing charge from a surface of the insulating roller as the roller rotates. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the charging electrode is held at a first constant potential, and the discharge electrode is held at a second constant potential.

Abstract: A memory constructed from a plurality of data storage words. Each data storage word includes a plurality of data storage cells and a plurality of reference storage cells, each data storage cell and each reference storage cell having at least 4 states. The memory has a plurality of reference lines, one such reference line corresponding to each reference storage cell. The corresponding reference storage cell is connected to that reference line by a gate included in that storage cell. Each reference cell assumes one of the states in response to a signal on the corresponding reference line and a write signal, the state being determined by the signal on the corresponding reference line. The memory also includes a plurality of data lines, one such data line corresponding to each data storage cell, the corresponding data storage cell being connected to that data line by a gate in that storage cell.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory cell for storing information and a method for fabricating the same. The information is stored in the remnant polarization of a ferroelectric dielectric layer by setting the direction of the remnant polarization. The ferroelectric memory cell is designed to store the information at a temperature less than a first temperature. During the fabrication process, the memory cell is subjected to an annealing operation in the presence of hydrogen at a second temperature and a packaging operation at a third temperature. The memory cell includes top and bottom contacts that sandwich the dielectric layer which includes a ferroelectric material having a Curie point greater than the first temperature and less than the second and third temperatures. The dielectric layer is encapsulated in an oxygen impermeable material such that the encapsulating layer prevents oxygen from entering or leaving the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A ferroelectric based capacitor structure and method for making the same. The capacitor includes a bottom electrode having a layer of Pt in contact with a first layer of an ohmic material. The capacitor dielectric is constructed from a layer of lead zirconium titanate doped with an element having an oxidation state greater than +4. The top electrode of the capacitor is constructed from a second layer of ohmic material in contact with a layer of Pt. The preferred ohmic material is LSCO; although RuO.sub.2 may also be utilized. The capacitor is preferably constructed over the drain of a FET such that the bottom electrode of the capacitor is connected to the drain of the FET. The resulting capacitor structure has both low imprint and low fatigue.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an air compressor and a combustion chamber connected to the air compressor for burning fuel with air from the air compressor. The combustion chamber also has water and/or steam as input. The water and/or steam is combined with the gases generated by the burning of the fuel to generate a gaseous output that drives first and second turbines. A heat recovery system recovers heat and water from the gaseous output after the gaseous output has passed through the turbines. The water is used as the water source for the combustion chamber and for cooling the turbines. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heat recovery system utilizes a supercritical heat exchanger. Some of the recovered heat is preferably utilized to drive a third expander.

Abstract: A water system for supplying chilled water to a food production line. The chilled water is held in a holding tank which is sampled by a pump which delivers water to an analyzer. The water is first filtered to remove debris that would hamper the analysis. The analyzer determines the disinfectant level in the water, and generates a signal indicative of that level. When the disinfectant level falls below a predetermined level, a disinfection pump is activated to deliver additional disinfectant to the tank. The preferred disinfectant is Liquid Chlorine(sodium hypochlorite). The analyzer can measure the free available chlorine level, pH or oxidation-reduction potential of the water.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating CO.sub.2 from a mixture of gases includes CO.sub.2 and a second gas, the apparatus includes an active heat exchanger and a regenerating heat exchanger. The active heat exchanger includes a heat exchange surface in contact with the mixture of gases. The mixture of gases is present in the active heat exchanger at a predetermined pressure which is chosen such that CO.sub.2 freezes on the heat exchange surface when the surface is cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below that at which CO.sub.2 freezes at the predetermined pressure. The regenerating heat exchanger includes a heat exchange surface in contact with the refrigerant and also in contact with a layer of frozen CO.sub.2. The refrigerant enters the regenerating heat exchanger at a temperature above that at which the CO.sub.2 in the frozen layer of CO.sub.2 sublimates. The sublimation of the solid CO.sub.

Abstract: A method for constructing a device having a bottom electrode in contact with a layer of a ferroelectric dielectric material. In the method of the present invention, a layer of a field ferroelectric material is deposited on a substrate and etched to form a trench in which the bottom electrode is constructed. The bottom electrode is then deposited and a layer of the ferroelectric dielectric material is deposited over the bottom electrode and at least a portion of the field ferroelectric material. The ferroelectric layers are deposited in a perovskite state. These layers are etched back to the substrate in those areas that are outside of the device.

Abstract: A dual cycle engine which includes both a steam turbine and a gas turbine. The engine includes an air compressor and a combustion chamber connected to the air compressor for burning fuel with air from the air compressor to generate a first gaseous output which drives a gas turbine. The engine also includes a heat recovery system for recovering heat from the gaseous output of the gas turbine after the gaseous output has passed through the gas turbine. The heat recovery system includes a heat exchanger for extracting heat from the gaseous output and for heating an input water stream to generate steam. The steam is heated further in a superheater that burns fuel and air at the same pressure as the combustion chamber to generate a second gaseous output that is combined with the output of the combustion chamber prior to the output from the combustion chamber being passed through the gas turbine. The steam from the superheater is expanded in a steam turbine to generate work therefrom.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory cell for storing information. The information is stored in the remnant polarization of a ferroelectric dielectric layer by setting the direction of the remnant polarization. The ferroelectric memory cell is designed to store the information at a temperature less than a first temperature. The memory cell includes top and bottom contacts that sandwich the dielectric layer which includes a ferroelectric material having a Curie point greater than the first temperature and less than 400.degree. C. The dielectric layer is encapsulated in an oxygen impermeable material such that the encapsulating layer prevents oxygen from entering or leaving the dielectric layer. The memory also includes a hydrogen barrier layer that inhibits the flow of oxygen to the top and bottom electrodes when the memory cell is placed in a gaseous environment containing hydrogen. In one embodiment of the invention, a hydrogen absorbing layer is included.

Abstract: A printing sheet that is adapted for printing in an inkjet printer or the like. The sheet has a plurality of pits in the top surface. The pits accept the ink and hold the ink in place. The bottom surface of the sheet has a permanent electrostatic charge. The sheet may be constructed by etching an electreet compatible plastic sheet and then polling the sheet. Alternatively, the sheet may be constructed by bonding a porous sheet to an electreet sheet.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for generating a mixed oxidant that is rich in ozone is disclosed. The cell disassociates a brine solution to generate ozone and chlorine based oxidants. The improved cell design allows the ratio of ozone to the other oxidants to be optimized, thereby providing a more efficient sterilization solution. The ozone production is adjusted by adjusting the residence time of the brine solution in the cell and the orientation of the cell.