Abstract: A method of determining a configuration of a projection system for a lithographic apparatus, wherein manipulators of the projection system manipulate optical elements so as to adjust its optical properties, the method comprising: receiving dependencies of the optical properties of the projection system on a configuration of the manipulators, receiving a plurality of constraints of the manipulators, formulating a cost function, wherein the cost function represents a difference between the optical properties of the projection system for a given configuration of the manipulators and desired optical properties, wherein the cost function is formulated using the dependency of the optical properties on the configuration of the manipulators, scaling the cost function into a scaled variable space, wherein the scaling is performed by using the plurality of constraints and finding a solution configuration of the manipulators which substantially minimizes the scaled cost function subject to satisfying the plurality of co

Abstract: In an example implementation, a processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to receive a list of print jobs, and calculate a preparation time and a printing time for each job in the list. The instructions further cause the processor to generate an ordered print job queue that minimizes printing press downtime by maximizing an amount of the preparation time fulfilled during the printing time.

Abstract: A semiconductor die has internal circuitry formed on two more internal layers, and die bonding pads arranged on a top surface of the die. The bonding pads are connected to the internal circuitry for providing input and output signals to the internal circuitry. One or more connecting lines electrically connect one or more pairs of the die bonding pads, thereby defining a bonding pad layout. The die bonding pads are arranged and connected with the connecting lines such that the bonding pad layout is reversible, which allows the die to be used in different package types (e.g., TSSOP or DFN) yet maintain a standardized pin arrangement without the necessity for long or crossed bond wires.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: based on a determined match between a user travel profile and a navigation data update, providing an option to update user navigation data for the user, in respect one or more parts of the user navigation data which are matched to the user travel profile, the user travel profile representing one or more of a location travelled by the user and a location searched by the user within a particular defined time-frame.

Abstract: A print head has a tile made of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The tile carries a chip that forms a number of printing elements and is in thermal contact with the tile. The chip is mainly made of a material having a second CTE different from the first CTE. A stress relief plate is made of a material having a third CTE that is closer to the second CTE than the first CTE and is bonded to the tile with a first adhesive layer having a first thickness d1. The chip is bonded to the stress relief plate with a second adhesive layer having a second thickness d2 smaller than the first thickness d1.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection device and a method of making the same. The device includes a device area located on a semiconductor substrate. The device also includes an array of coextensive, laterally spaced fingers located within the device area. Each finger includes an elongate source and an elongate drain separated by an elongate gate. The fingers are electrically connected in parallel for conducting an electrostatic discharge current during an electrostatic discharge event. The device further includes a plurality of body contact regions. A layout of the body contact regions is graded such that a greater number of the body contact regions, larger body contact regions, or both are located towards a periphery of the device area than towards a central part of the device area. The layout of the body contact regions may encourage triggering of the electrostatic discharge protection device within the central part of the device area.

Abstract: An electronic system includes two power supplies to supply an operating voltage to a switching power converter. The first power supply, referred to as a start-up power supply, includes a first source follower transistor to conduct a start-up current for a controller and supply an operating voltage for the controller. The controller controls operation of the switching power converter. A second power supply, referred to as an auxiliary power supply, includes a second source follower transistor to conduct a steady-state operational current for the controller and supply an operating voltage for the controller. In at least one embodiment, once the second power supply begins supplying the operating voltage to the controller, the start-up power supply automatically ceases supplying the start-up current to the controller.

Abstract: A mechanical driver comprising a wedge shaped member operatively coupled to a shape memory alloy such that the shape memory alloy is able to displace the wedge shaped member in an essentially linear direction. The wedge shaped member is in constant contact with a lever arranged so that it can rotate about a fixed pivot point. A piston is arranged such that it is constant contact with the lever at a point between the pivot point of the lever and the contact point between the lever and the wedge shaped member. Activation of the shape memory alloy displaces the wedge shaped member along its linear direction and this causes the lever to be deflected about its pivot point and the piston to be deflected in an essentially linear direction that is perpendicular to the linear direction of travel of the wedge shaped member.

Abstract: A phenylene ether oligomer is prepared by a process that includes partially converting 2,6-dimethylphenol to 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyl-4,4?-dihydroxybiphenyl and/or 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyldiphenoquinone, converting the residual 2,6 dimethylphenol to poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) and any 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyl-4,4?-dihydroxybiphenyl to 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyldiphenoquinone, and reacting the poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) and 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyldiphenoquinone to form the phenylene ether oligomer. The preparation can be conducted without isolation of intermediates.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method, apparatus and computer program product for the generation of a route. In particular, the method may include receiving a plurality of trace points, where each of the plurality of trace points includes location information, receiving a distance tolerance value for each trace point, generating a first portion of a route using a first subset of the plurality of trace points, generating a second portion of the route using a second subset of the plurality of trace points, and concatenating the first portion of the route with the second portion of the route to generate a route. Generating the first portion of the route or the second portion of the route may optionally include removing a trace point that is less than a proximity tolerance distance away from a trace point immediately preceding the removed trace point in sequence.

Abstract: A device (500) and method (600) control a dimming level of one or more lighting units (130) in response to a user interaction with a reference-free user interface (410), such as a rocker-type interface. A bidirectional triode thyristor (460) supplies an AC input voltage (110) to the lighting unit(s) when it is triggered. A triggering circuit (510) triggers the bidirectional triode thyristor. The triggering circuit includes a capacitor (554) and a variable resistance element (510) which sets a time constant during each half cycle of a period of the AC input voltage for charging the capacitor to a triggering voltage which triggers the bidirectional triode thyristor. The resistance of the variable resistance element is controlled in response to a dimming input signal from the reference-free user interface. The dimming input signal indicates only relative changes in the output level of the lighting unit(s) with respect to the present level.

Abstract: A transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle comprises a control device, a machine power electronics system, and an electric machine. The electric machine includes a plurality of windings which are connected to the machine power electronics system via particular phase conductors. The machine power electronics system is connected to the control device. The control device includes a temperature detection portion which is connected to at least one phase conductor and is designed for feeding an excitation signal into the phase conductor. The temperature detection portion is designed for capturing a response signal in the phase conductor, and from the response signal, deriving a winding temperature of the winding assigned to the phase conductor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of spinach breeding, in particular to a new dominant resistance gene, designated RPF11, which confers resistance against races 7 to 14 of Peronospora farinosa and to spinach plants comprising said gene.

Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus has a controller configured to control a substrate table to move along an exposure route including in order: an entry motion in which the substrate moves from an off-substrate position at which the immersion space does not overlap the substrate to an on-substrate position at which the immersion space at least partially overlaps the substrate, a transfer motion in which the substrate table changes speed and/or direction and moves for at least a transfer time after the substrate moves to the on-substrate position, and an expose motion in which the substrate is scanned and the patterned beam is projected onto the substrate, wherein throughout the transfer motion at least a part of the immersion space overlaps the substrate and wherein the patterned beam is not projected onto the substrate during the entry motion and the transfer motion.

Abstract: A deep sea mining method includes providing a deep sea mining system for mining matter from a bottom of a body of water, the mining system including: a slurry line coupled with a pump system to transport the slurry from the bottom of the body of water; and a return line in fluid communication with the slurry line and distinguishable from the slurry riser, for transporting non valuable slurry part to the bottom of the body of water, the return line having a return line outlet proximate the bottom. The deep sea mining method further includes spreading the non valuable slurry part over the bottom of the body of water in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An example method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a nitride, carbide, or metal film on a substrate in a chamber using PE-ALD, Pulse-PE-CVD or PE-CVD, purging an interior of the chamber, forming an oxide film on the substrate in the chamber using PE-ALD, Pulse-PE-CVD or PE-CVD, and supplying a reducing gas into the chamber to create a reduction atmosphere and purging the interior of the chamber. The forming of the nitride film, carbide, or metal, purging, forming an oxide film, and supplying the reducing gas may be repeated a plurality of times.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated process to convert crude oil into petrochemical products comprising crude oil distillation, aromatic ring opening, and olefins synthesis, which process comprises subjecting a hydrocarbon feed to aromatic ring opening to produce LPG and subjecting the LPG produced in the integrated process to olefins synthesis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process installation to convert crude oil into petrochemical products comprising a crude distillation unit comprising an inlet for crude oil and at least one outlet for kerosene and/or gasoil; an aromatic ring opening unit comprising an inlet for a hydrocarbon feed to aromatic ring opening and an outlet for LPG; and a unit for the olefins synthesis comprising an inlet for LPG produced by the integrated petrochemical process installation and an outlet for olefins.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘G19FON06PI’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and uniformly rounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dense and full plant habit; dark green-colored leaves; uniform and freely flowering habit; long flowering period; and decorative-type inflorescences with greyed purple-colored ray florets.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Fichrybrepin’, characterized by its upright to outwardly spreading and uniformly mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dense and full plant form; uniform and freely flowering habit; large semi-decorative type inflorescences with light purple-colored ray florets; response time about 50 days under controlled photoperiodic treatments; and good postproduction longevity.