Abstract: An N session distributed architecture provides a software solution to the major computational challenges faced with providing secure communication. A registration entity is identified as the session arbitrator through which N devices on a network dynamically participate in establishing, maintaining and destroying cryptographic sessions. Session keys are generated by one or more devices registered with the registration server. Multiparty key agreement and device (or another form of) authentication is used to pass session keys and security policies to all parties involved in the encrypted session. Network discovery techniques are used to discover parties that will participate in the secure communications. All sessions appear to be local to the arbitration server, however individual sessions are maintained by several devices operating as a collective.

Abstract: A pinch valve is described wherein the critical flow path is modified to form a space between two opposing metal disks that transition between an open and a closed state. The disks are characterized by a spring constant and act like a diaphragm. A closure force is applied externally to completely close the disks and truncate flow, while providing a substantially perfect seal. Removal of the external force enables the disks to spring open and initiate flow. The pinch valve advantageously eliminates valve bodies, dead space, moving parts and seals, such as elastomers, that are subject to wear and corrosion.

Abstract: A wire saw and wafer stabilizing system are provided for holding wafer sections invariantly against vibration and unwanted movement during the sawing process. A stabilizing means is applied to the ends of partially defined wafer sections at an early stage when the wafer sections are partially cut through a silicon ingot or block of silicon material. The stabilizing means serves to stabilize the wafer sections immovably against vibration, oscillation, or unwanted contact during the subsequent sawing process. The stabilizing system also accelerates handling of the wafers after slicing is completed, facilitates the cleaning process, and allows for more rapid or automated placement of the wafers in cassettes. Wafers produced by the stabilizing system are characterized by a minimized total thickness variation, substantially uniform planarity, and substantially without bow or warp.

Abstract: An improved flow measurement device is provided in a flow path for direct measurement of flow. An internal heat source solves the problem of heat transfer in conventional mass flow meters. The heat transfer associated with the internal heater forms the basis of flow measurement, and improved accuracy is achieved. The flow measurement device advantageously eliminates the introduction of inaccuracies, bypass errors, or inaccurate assumptions that are inherent in a conventional bypass structure. The present measurement device eliminates the need for one or more bubblers and thus overcomes bubbler pressure sensitivity and the bubbler requirement for exact (and unstable) gas vapor saturation of conventional flow measurement. The flow measurement device works equally well with gases, liquids or mixtures of gases and liquids and provides greater control over flow rates with very high degree of precision.

Abstract: A community of collaborative software agents works together in a domain to provide functionality such as provision of communications services or control of a chemical process. A scheduler is built into each collaborative agent which schedules tasks allocated to that particular agent and tasks sub-allocated by the agent. The scheduler has a mechanism for over-booking tasks for any one agent. It can also make tentative booking which can be overwritten of timed out.