Abstract: A via connecting the front surface of a substrate to its rear surface, this substrate including a porous region extending from at least a portion of the periphery of the via, the via including outgrowths extending in pores of the porous region.

Abstract: Human sebum mimetics and methods for producing human sebum mimetics are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a human sebum mimetic comprises a wax ester derived from interesterification of refined botanical oil comprising palmitoleic acid and refined jojoba oil, a phytosterol, and phytosqualene. A method for producing a human sebum mimetic comprises mixing refined macadamia oil and refined jojoba oil, interesterifying the refined macadamia oil and the refined jojoba oil, adding a phytosterol after the interesterifying, and adding phytosqualene after the interesterifying.

Abstract: A structure for protecting an integrated circuit against electrostatic discharges, comprising an assembly of identical cells, each of which is connected to a terminal forming a pad of the circuit, a first supply rail, or a second supply rail, the cells forming between any two of said terminals an assembly of four alternated layers of different conductivity types.

Abstract: A via connecting the front surface of a substrate to its rear surface and having, in cross-section in a plane parallel to the surfaces, the shape of a scalloped ring.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communication and data transfer according to various aspects of the present invention include a communication system configured to transfer data to and from a mobile customer device. The communication system may receive customer data for a customer, such as a communication carrier for and a type of remote device. The communication system may include a storage system to store communication information associated with a plurality of wireless carriers and/or device types, such as the wireless carrier and the remote device identified for the user. The communication system may further include a host configured to access the storage system and communicate with the remote device according to the communication information associated with the wireless carrier and/or the remote device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of tubular solid oxide fuel cells each comprising concentric inner and outer electrode layers sandwiching a concentric electrolyte layer. The fuel cells extend in the same direction and are arranged in a cluster with at least one fuel cell having an electrolyte layer with a different composition and different maximum operating temperature than another fuel cell in the cluster. The fuel cell having the electrolyte layer with a higher maximum operating temperature is located closer to the core of the cluster than the fuel cell having the electrolyte layer with a lower maximum operating temperature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for launching an effector according to various aspects of the present invention may include a fire control system. The fire control system may be responsive to a sensor, such as a radar, and may be connected to the effector, such as via a launcher. The file control system may be adapted to generate a fire control solution according to the data from the sensor, initiate a launch of the effector, and provide the fire control solution to the effector after initiating the launch.

Abstract: An integrated circuit protected against electrostatic discharges, including: first and second supply rails; first and second intermediary rails normally connected to the first and second supply rails; inverters formed of a P-channel MOS transistor series-connected to an N-channel MOS transistor, the sources of the P-channel and N-channel MOS transistors being respectively connected to the first and second supply rails and the bodies of the P-channel and N-channel transistors being respectively connected to the first and second intermediary rails; a positive overvoltage detector between the first and second supply rails; and a switch for connecting the first and second intermediary rails to the second and first supply rails when a positive overvoltage is detected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ceiling suspended systems according to various aspects of the present invention include a modular platform for supporting and supplying multiple devices. A wire way bar may facilitate connection and support for the devices, such as light sources and other systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electromagnetic components comprise a core and a winding. The core and winding are configured to provide smaller and more effective electromagnetic components.

Abstract: Band-edge aligned carrier blocking layers are introduced into wurtzite or zinc blend Gallium Nitride based diode laser and LEDs in order to prevent thermionic emission and the overflow of carriers at elevated operating temperatures. These blocking layers are located in the direct vicinity of the active zone of the light emitter, and are designed with material composition such that one of the band-edges of the layers is, either partially or fully, aligned with that of adjacent barrier or waveguide layer. This invention proposes GaN based QW structure with a AlGaN(AsPSb) electron-blocking layer on the p-side of quantum well and (InGa)AlN as hole-blocking layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrical components according to various aspects of the present invention may be implemented in conjunction with an electrical system comprising a heat generating component and a cooling system. The cooling system may comprise a cooling channel and a coolant. The coolant is disposed within the cooling channel and in thermal contact with the heat generating component.

Abstract: A method for forming a nanotube/nanofiber growth catalyst on the sides of portions of a layer of a first material, comprising the steps of depositing a thin layer of a second material; opening this layer at given locations; depositing a very thin catalyst layer; depositing a layer of the first material over a thickness greater than that of the layer of the second material; eliminating by chem./mech. polishing the upper portion of the structure up to the high level of the layer of the second material; and eliminating the second material facing selected sides of the layer portions of the first material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for foundation systems generally include a vertical support. a horizontal support configured to couple to the vertical support, and a composite material configured to couple to the horizontal support. The vertical support may be configured to resist fluctuation in soil elevation. The composite material may comprise a block material and a fibrous material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing financial data generally includes a predictive modeling system. The predictive modeling system may include an artificial agent responsive to an input data set. The artificial agent may produce an estimated data set including a market conditions data set. The market conditions data may include an estimate of at least one of liquidity of a market, strategy of a counterparty, and an effect of information leakage. The artificial agent may determine a predictability value for the estimated data set. The predictive modeling system may also include an agent factory responsive to the input data set. The agent factory may generate an artificial agent in response to the input data set.

Abstract: A hazard control system according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a control material in response to detection of a hazard. In one embodiment, the hazard control system comprises a pressure tube having an internal pressure and configured to leak in response to exposure to heat. The leak changes the internal pressure and generates a pneumatic signal. A fire detector may also detect a fire condition associated with fire. A valve may be coupled to the fire detector and the pressure tube. The valve is configured to change the internal pressure and generate the pneumatic signal in response to a signal from the fire detector. The pneumatic signal triggers a delivery system to deliver the control material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an efficient peer-to-peer (p2p) system generally includes a server selection mechanism connected to a p2p network. The server selection mechanism may be configured to maintain a list that describes the servers which are storing at least a portion of a specified file. The server selection mechanism may be configured to selectively distribute at least a portion of the file between servers, for example according to the description in the list.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a fast action impulse thruster according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a projectile comprising an impulse thruster system. The impulse thruster system may comprise a guidance system and a fast action impulse thruster system. The guidance system may control the trajectory of the projectile, for example by activating the fast action impulse thruster system to adjust the projectile's trajectory. The fast action impulse thruster system may be configured such that it may provide an impulse force to guide the projectile with a reaction time that is not affected by the rotational velocity of the projectile. The impulse force may be achieved by ejecting at least one mass from the projectile at high velocity such that a resulting momentum exchange may alter the trajectory of the projectile.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an ionizer according to various aspects of the present invention include an amplifier disposed within an open ended housing. The air amplifier is used to supply an amplified airflow that may then be passed through an air neutralization system thereby neutralizing the amplified airflow before exiting the housing. A pressurized gas may be injected into an internal portion of the air amplifier where it is mixed with an ambient airflow before exiting the air amplifier as an amplified airflow.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-axisymmetric radome according to various aspects of the present invention include a non-symmetric housing for a forward portion of a projectile. Multiple sensors may be positioned in an off-axis configuration within the non-symmetric housing reducing the possibility of one sensor interfering with the operation of another sensor. The non-symmetric housing may also be configured with a strengthening member suitably adapted to provide additional resistance to bending moments caused by external loading along a surface of the non-symmetric housing.