Abstract: Nanoparticles having designed or engineered coatings that provide enhanced or improved characteristics to the coated nanoparticles and methods for forming the improved nanoparticles from oxide or ceramic coated nanoparticles.

Abstract: A single-electron transistor includes a projecting feature, such as a pyramid, that projects from a face of a substrate. A first electrode is provided on the substrate face that extends onto the projecting feature. A second electrode is provided on the substrate face that extends onto the projecting feature and that is spaced apart from the first electrode. Accordingly, the geometric configuration of the projecting feature can define the spacing between the first and second electrodes. At least one nanoparticle is provided on the projecting feature between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A single-electron transistor includes a projecting feature, such as a pyramid, that projects from a face of a substrate. A first electrode is provided on the substrate face that extends onto the projecting feature. A second electrode is provided on the substrate face that extends onto the projecting feature and that is spaced apart from the first electrode. Accordingly, the geometric configuration of the projecting feature can define the spacing between the first and second electrodes. At least one nanoparticle is provided on the projecting feature between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Nanopores for single-electron devices may be used as templates for placing of a desired number of nanoparticles at a desired location in the devices. Nanopores may be fabricated by providing on a substrate spaced apart electrode regions, a spacer region therebetween, and a cover layer on the spaced apart electrode regions and on the spacer region. A wet etching solution is contacted to the cover-layer. At least one of the spaced apart electrode regions is energized, to selectively wet etch the cover layer adjacent the spacer region and define a nanopore in the cover layer adjacent the spacer region. At least one nanoparticle is placed in the nanopore. Accordingly, nanopores can be aligned to a buried spacer region.

Abstract: A single-electron transistor includes a projecting feature, such as a pyramid, that projects from a face of a substrate. A first electrode is provided on the substrate face that extends onto the projecting feature. A second electrode is provided on the substrate face that extends onto the projecting feature and that is spaced apart from the first electrode. At least one nanoparticle is provided on the projecting feature between the first and second electrodes. Accordingly, the geometric configuration of the projecting feature can define the spacing between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A programmable integrated signal processor ("SPROC") is provided having a multiported central memory unit (RAM), a program memory, at least one, and preferably a plurality of digital processors coupled to the multiported RAM and to the program memory, a data flow manager which controls external data flowing into the SPROC and processed data flowing out of the SPROC by acting as an interface of such data with the multiported RAM, input and output ports coupled to the DFM and acting as serial interfaces for the SPROC, and a host port permitting the programming of the SPROC and acting as a parallel interface to the SPROC. SPROCs may be coupled via the input and output ports to provide a system. The SPROC architecture permits the SPROC system to be computationally expandable, to have low latency and parasitic overhead for real time I/O, to efficiently execute a multiple of asynchronous processes, and to easily interface with microprocessors of various formats.

Abstract: Architectures and methods are provided for efficiently dividing a processing task into tasks for a programmable real time signal processor (SPROC) and tasks for a decision-making microprocessor. The SPROC is provided with a non-interrupt structure where data flow is through a multiported central memory. The SPROC is also programmed in an environment which requires nothing more than graphic entry of a block diagram of the user's design. In automatically implementing the block diagram into silicon, the SPROC programming/development environment accounts for and provides software connection and interfaces with a host microprocessor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the resistance to the flow of a liquid from an upper liquid supply container to a lower vacuum receptor tank through an interconnecting port while permitting air displaced from said tank to enter said container through said port. The apparatus includes a valve element which is mounted for opening and closing movement with respect to the port and is biased into normal closed position. The valve element comprises a lower buoyant seating member or ball located in said lower tank and designed to seal said port from below, and an air conduit attached to the seating member or ball for movement therewith. The lower end of the air conduit is open adjacent the ball in the lower tank and the upper end is open to an air space above the liquid level within the upper supply container. Preferably, the valve element also includes a splash member to disrupt the liquid flow from the upper container and facilitate the air flow from the lower tank into and through the air conduit.

Abstract: A pneumatic method and apparatus for causing the rapid recirculation of a liquid between a plurality of containers 10, 11 by adjusting the pressure of a gas exerted within each of said containers to superatmospheric, atmospheric and subatmospheric pressures, thereby avoiding the passing of the liquid through a mechanical flow-inducing pump. The containers 10, 11 are connected to each other by means of a liquid circulation system comprising a circulation conduit which includes a work station. A filled first container 10 is subjected to superatmospheric pressure to force the liquid into the circulation system while a second empty container 11 is subjected to subatmospheric pressure to suck the liquid from the circulation system. After each container is empty and before it is subjected to subatmospheric pressure, for refilling purposes, it is exposed to atmospheric pressure to release the elevated pressure therefrom.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a controlled pressure liquid circulation system comprising a circulation conduit through which a liquid can be circulated and recirculated to accomplish a desired function, such as heating and/or cooling of a work station such as a mold. The invention involves opening and closing said circulation conduit to a source of supply liquid, such as city water, at elevated pressure while maintaining the controlled pressure of the liquid within said circulation conduit at a substantially lower pressure, and is characterized by maintaining the circulation conduit open to a drain line at all times and providing or maintaining a drain pressure which is at least slightly above atmospheric and is equal to the pressure desired within the circulation conduit in the area thereof which is open to the drain.

Abstract: A negative pressure cooling system for cooling passageways in plastic molds includes a closed reservoir that is maintained under a high vacuum by a vacuum fluid pump with the outlet of the cooling passageway being connected to the reservoir inlet and with the reservoir outlet being connected to the cooling passageway inlet through a pressure pump and a fluid pressure regulator.

Abstract: A system for cooling plastic molds with a flowing liquid while obviating leaking of the fluid and still enabling the mold to basically determine the quantity of liquid flowing, by providing a less than atmospheric pressure within the mold and increasing where needed, the cooling effect of the flowing liquid by in effect, providing a controlled adjustable air leak.

Abstract: A tumbler is formed of injected plastic material that has different directional strengths by injecting the plastic material somewhat tangentially to cause the plastic material to move peripherally in the rim defining portion of the mold cavity in order to have the weaker directional strength also extend peripherally to thereby increase the tumbler's resistance to lengthwise splitting from the rim to the bottom and in which the mold is vented into a cooling passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for motivating an operator's performance by measuring the durations in a plural step repeating work cycle of a machine of at least a step whose duration is mostly controlled by an operator and displaying for the operator's observation the duration of the immediately prior step, the average duration of said operator's steps from the beginning of a work period, the average of all operator's steps, a standard predetermined duration of the step and the maximum duration of the step that is added to the average together with displaying at least some of the same durations for at least one or more other steps performed during the cycle and/or of the complete cycle together with the number of down or non-operating occurrences and the elapsed time thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a continuous cooling liquid passageway through two separable injection mold dies when they are closed with a supply system flowing cooling liquid at a less than atmospheric pressure at least at the junction of the dies through the passageway only when the dies are closed and air when the dies are opened and the passageway is discontinuous.

Abstract: A method and system for cooling an injection molded plastic article by forming a portion of a mold cavity of fluid permeable porous material that communicates with a cooling liquid passageway and subjecting the cooling liquid to different pressures to vary the flow of fluid through the porous plug.

Abstract: A method and system for cooling an injection molded plastic article by forming a portion of a mold cavity of fluid permeable porous material that communicates with a cooling liquid passageway and subjecting the cooling liquid to different pressures to vary the flow of fluid through the porous plug.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a continuous cooling liquid passageway through two separable injection mold dies when they are closed with a supply system flowing cooling liquid at a less than atmospheric pressure at least at the junction of the dies through the passageway only when the dies are closed and air when the dies are opened and the passageway is discontinuous.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a signal that measures the extent of the separation of injection mold dies during the injection of plastic material into the mold cavity and uses this signal to reduce the possibility of flash damage to the mold dies by decreasing the pressure clamping the molds together if the separation exceeds a value that is known to cause flash and/or further utilizes the signal to alter the rate of injection of plastic material.