Abstract: Impurities are added to a conductor layer in a semiconductor process to prevent formation of void spaces and encourage complete filling of contacts. The impurities reduce the melting point and surface tension of a conductor layer, thereby improving filling characteristics during a reflow step. The impurities may be added at any time during the process, including during conductor deposition and/or reflow.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the generation of density maps using one or more basis material decomposition tables or functions. The basis material decomposition tables or functions are generated by simulating the system response to various lengths of basis materials using component characteristics of the CT system as well as the attenuation coefficient for the desired basis material. Measured projection data may be processed using the basis material decomposition tables or functions to provide a set of density line-integral projections that may be reconstructed to form a density map or image.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the estimation and correction of bone induced spectral (BIS) artifacts. Spectral matching is employed to approximate the incident X-ray spectrum attenuated by bone and water with an X-ray spectrum attenuated by water alone. A table can be built to express the amount in apparent projection value shift for objects containing bone and water compared with water-like object when their corresponding normalized spectra match. The BIS error may thereby be determined from existing spectral error data obtained from spectral calibration. A corresponding correction factor may be determined from the shift value.

Abstract: A tomosynthesis system for scanning a region in an object comprises a radiation source configured to traverse in a plurality of positions yielding a plurality of scanning directions. Each of the plurality of positions corresponds to a respective scanning direction. Further, the plurality of scanning directions comprise at least a scanning direction along a first axis and a direction along a second axis, the second axis being transverse to the first axis.

Abstract: A switching circuit configured to substantially linearly conduct current between a source and a load includes a switching device and a steering circuit. The switching device has a conductive state in which a first portion of the current flows between the source and the load, the conductive state being dependent on the magnitude of the current. The steering circuit has a conductive state in which a second portion of the current flows, such that substantially the entire current is conducted between the source and the load. The switching circuit is particularly suited for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system to conduct gradient current between the gradient amplifiers and the gradient coils.

Abstract: An assembly of an internally threaded fastener and a stemmed washer is provided, such as for applications in which a standoff is desired between a washer and a mating externally threaded fastener. The stemmed washer includes a washer portion, a retaining portion and a standoff portion. The retaining portion interfaces with the internally threaded fastener to retain the fastener in the assembly. The stemmed washer may include a skirt which is plastically deformed to capture the fastener. The fastener may include a skirt which similarly plastically to mate with a retaining lip on the stemmed washer. The fastener and washer may be secured in the assembly to permit relative rotation of the fastener with respect to the washer.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a superconductor. The system may comprise a current sensor operable to detect a current flowing through the superconductor. The system may comprise a coolant temperature sensor operable to detect the temperature of a cryogenic coolant used to cool the superconductor to a superconductive state. The control circuit is operable to estimate the superconductor temperature based on the current flow and the coolant temperature. The system may also be operable to compare the estimated superconductor temperature to at least one threshold temperature and to initiate a corrective action when the superconductor temperature exceeds the at least one threshold temperature.

Abstract: There is provided a field emitter array on a substrate. The field emitter array includes field emitter devices. At least one of the field emitter devices includes a conducting gate layer having a top surface and at least one side surface, disposed over the substrate. The at least one of the field emitter devices also includes a field emitter tip disposed on the substrate adjacent the at least one side surface, and an insulating layer disposed at least on at least one side surface adjacent the field emitter tip to prevent arcing between the field emitter tip and the conducting gate layer.

Abstract: A threaded fastener includes a lead having bosses separated from one another by bases along the thread crest. Two such leads may be formed such that lead-in profiles for of one lead are disposed at locations corresponding to locations of lead-out profiles for the other lead. The lead-in and lead-out profiles of the bossed, and other features of the bosses and bases may differ from one another along the fastener shank. The boss profiles may be selected to reduce insertion torque and to provide excellent resistance to pullout. The fastener may be formed by roll threading via a tool made by a plunge EDM process.

Abstract: A method for arranging detector sections for an imaging system that has a field of view that is defined by a rotational axis and imaging geometry is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of detector sections, and arranging the detector sections in an asymmetric arrangement about a central axis of the field of view.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for providing programs, such as operational protocols, to medical diagnostic institutions and systems. The protocols are created and stored on machine readable media. A description of the protocols is displayed at the diagnostic institution or system. A user may select a desired protocol or program from a user interface, such as a listing of protocols. The protocol listing may include textual and exemplary image descriptions of the protocols. Selected protocols are transferred from the machine readable media to the diagnostic institution or system. The transfer may take place over a network link, and may be subject to fee arrangements, subscription status verifications, and so forth. Protocols may be loaded for execution on system scanners by selection from the same or a similar protocol listing screen.

Abstract: Searching and matching a set of query strings used for accessing information in a database directory. In this disclosure, a user community administration tool queries a database directory containing user information associated with a user community. In the user community administration tool, there is an input query generation component that generates an input query having a search pattern that includes a combination of attribute names, logical, operators and attribute values. An accessing component accesses a library of queries used for accessing the user information in the database directory. A partitioning component partitions each of the queries in the library into logical units. Each logical unit comprises a combination of an attribute name, logical operator and attribute value. A comparing component compares the search pattern of the input query to each partitioned logical unit for each of the queries in the library.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprises a container, configured to be pressurized. A fuel cell is disposed in the container and a thermal shield substantially surrounds an inner periphery of the container to provide generally uniform thermal shielding around the fuel cell. The thermal shield is disposed between the container and the fuel cell and is spaced from the container to form a flow path therebetween for a cooling fluid.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiments relate to reducing variable retention time in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) integrated circuit devices. Memory cells that comprise the DRAM device are placed in a reverse bias condition. While under reverse bias, the DRAM device is maintained at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time.

Abstract: An improved die edge contacting socket incorporates particles of a thermally conducting material into an elastomeric compression pad disposed in the sealing cap of the socket. The elastomeric compression pad is preferably composed of an electrically insulating material, such as a silicone-based gel. The thermally conducting material is preferably either diamond, beryllium oxide, silicon nitride, or a like material.

Abstract: A technique for compensating for duty cycle distortion in an output data signal generated by a synchronous dynamic random access memory device (SDRAM) is provided. The output latch of the SDRAM is driven by an output clock signal generated by a delay lock loop (DLL). The output clock signal is phase-shifted relative to a reference clock signal received by the DLL such that the data removed from the output latch is synchronous with the reference clock signal. Further the duty cycle of the output clock signal is adjusted in a phase inverse relationship to the duty cycle distortion introduced by the output latch. As a result, the output data signal has reduced duty cycle distortion.

Abstract: A lighting system that includes a lamp and a control circuit configured to apply signals to the lamp in pulsed mode operation. The lamp may employ ferroelectric ceramic cathodes to enhance life of the lamp when used with the pulsed mode drive circuitry. The drive circuitry applies signals within a desired frequency range to lower input power while providing enhance output within a desired wavelength band, such as 365 nm to make use of an afterglow regime from an emissive medium within the lamp.

Abstract: A system for detecting motion and proximity by determining capacitance between a sensor and an object. The sensor includes sensing surfaces made of a thin film of electrically conductive material mounted on a non-conductive surface. In another embodiment, the sensor is a human body. The sensor senses the capacitance between a sensor's surface and an object in its vicinity and provides the capacitance to a control system that directs machine movement. Because the sensor does not require direct contact or line-of-sight with the object, a machine can be controlled before harm occurs to the object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a plurality of uniformly sized solder balls utilize a stencil having a plurality of holes of uniform volume disposed on a substrate. Solder is disposed in the holes of the stencil on the substrate. Typically, the solder is in the form of solder paste which is distributed into the holes using a squeegee. While within the holes of the stencil on the substrate, the solder is melted to form solder balls. The stencil may then be removed to leave the solder balls on the substrate, or the solder balls may be removed while the stencil remains on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and associated structure for forming an electrostatically-doped carbon nanotube device. The method includes providing a carbon nanotube having a first end and a second end. The method also includes disposing a first metal contact directly adjacent to the first end of the carbon nanotube, wherein the first metal contact is electrically coupled to the first end of the carbon nanotube, and disposing a second metal contact directly adjacent to the second end of the carbon nanotube, wherein the second metal contact is electrically coupled to the second end of the carbon nanotube.