Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing a unique scheme by which to execute digital vapor phase patterning on metals, semiconductor substrates and other surfaces using a proposed variable data digital lithographic image forming architecture or technique. For certain substrate printing and manufacturing applications, including some printed electronics applications, the disclosed schemes implement techniques to digitally pattern metal layers with bulk material properties in a manner that is aligned with underlying layers on the fly. The disclosed digital printing process may pattern a release oil on a substrate in support of a metal deposition process. Changeable patterning is implemented with an ability to modify the alignment of the patterns on-the-fly. The release layer on a drum is laser patterned in order that the patterned release layer is transferred to the substrate, or the patterning of the release layer is accomplished directly on the substrate.

Abstract: System and methods for relational time-series learning are provided. Unlike traditional time series forecasting techniques, which assume either complete time series independence or complete dependence, the disclosed system and method allow time series forecasting that can be performed on multivariate time series represented as vertices in graphs with arbitrary structures and predicting a future classification for data items represented by one of nodes in the graph. The system and methods also utilize non-relational, relational, temporal data for classification, and allow using fast and parallel classification techniques with linear speedups. The system and methods are well-suited for processing data in a streaming or online setting and naturally handle training data with skewed or unbalanced class labels.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for distributed activity detection is provided. Contextual data collected for a user performing an activity is processed on a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device extracts features from the contextual data and compares the features with a set of models. Each model represents an activity. A confidence score is assigned to each model based on the comparison with the features and the mobile computing device transmits the features to a server when the confidence scores for the models are low. The server trains a new model using the features and sends the new model to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining a causal inference in a manufacturing process. During operation, the system can receive data associated with a processing system which includes a set of interconnected machines and an associated set of processes. The system can generate, based on the data, a graph indicating flows of outputs between the machines as part of the processes. The system can determine, based on a set of variables, one or more candidate clusters in the graph. The system can perform, based on one or more variables of interest, root cause analysis on the one or more candidate clusters by: applying an additive noise model to prune the one or more candidate clusters from the graph; and determining, based on the pruned graph, a candidate pathway likely to cause an issue in at least one process, thereby facilitating improved efficiency in the processing system.

Abstract: Microorganisms present within a plurality of microorganism clusters immobilized in a porous support material may collectively define a supported bio-catalyst. When the microorganisms are effective to convert methane into one or more oxidized carbon compounds (e.g., methanotrophic bacteria), the supported bio-catalysts may be utilized to remove methane from methane-containing gas streams, such as those obtained from mining ventilation. Methods for processing a methane-containing gas stream may comprise interacting the gas stream with the supported bio-catalyst in substantial absence of a liquid phase, and obtaining a methane-depleted gas stream downstream from the supported bio-catalyst. Systems for processing a methane-containing gas stream may comprise the supported bio-catalysts housed in one or more vessels fluidly coupled to a source of methane-containing gas stream.

Abstract: A method for producing a design includes receiving a set of design constraints. A spatial field is created based on the design constraints. The spatial field is represented with a linear combination of one or more bases. A number of the one or more bases is less than a number of elements in the spatial field. Respective weights are optimized for each of the one or more bases. A design is produced based on the spatial field and the weights.

Abstract: A cassette for optical fiber includes one or more optical sensors. The cassette has a spool for handling optical fiber. An adjustable shaft is disposed such that the spool is configured to rotate about the adjustable shaft. The adjustable shaft is configured to handle spools having different diameters. A spool controller is coupled to the adjustable shaft and configured to rotate the adjustable shaft to perform one or more of extract and retract the optical fiber. One or more bushings are disposed proximate the spool and are configured to prevent the optical fiber from jumping off the spool.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a stressed glass member and an actuator mounted on the stressed glass member. A power source is coupled to the actuator. An abrasion structure is disposed between the actuator and the stressed glass member. The abrasion structure comprises abrading features in contact with the stressed glass member. The abrading features have a hardness higher than a hardness of the stressed glass member. When energized by the power source, the actuator is configured to induce movement of the abrasion structure that causes the abrading features to create scratches in the stressed glass member to a depth sufficient to initiate fracture of the stressed glass member.

Abstract: A system for hydrocarbon decomposition comprising a reactor volume, a mechanism to distribute the liquid catalyst as a liquid mist, a distributor to distribute a hydrocarbon reactant, a heat source, a separator to separate the solid product from the liquid catalyst, a re-circulation path and mechanism to re-circulate the liquid catalyst, and an outlet for at least one gaseous product. A system to distribute a liquid to an enclosed volume as a mist has a plurality of orifices designed to break the liquid into a mist. A method to decompose a hydrocarbon reactant includes generating a mist of a liquid catalyst, heating the reactor volume, introducing a hydrocarbon reactant into the reactor volume to produce a solid product and a gaseous product, separating the solid product from the liquid catalyst, removing the solid and gaseous products from the reactor volume, and recirculating the liquid catalyst to the reactor volume.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for building context models in real time is provided. A database of models for a user is maintained. Each model represents a contextual situation and includes one or more actions. Contextual data is collected for the user and a contextual situation is identified for that user based on the collected contextual information. Models related to the identified situation are selected and merged. One or more actions from the merged model are then selected.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a system and method for performing collaborative learning of machine representations of a concept. During operation, the system can receive a user-specified object associated with a user's concept of interest. The system can compute a similarity score between a target feature vector associated with the user-specified object and a respective feature vector for a set of candidate objects. The system can determine, based on the similarity score, a first subset of candidate objects that satisfy a similarity threshold. The system can receive, via a GUI, a first user-feedback associated with a visual representation of the first subset of candidate objects. The first user-feedback can represent an elaboration of a current user's concept of interest. The system can then modify, based on the first user-feedback, the target feature vector and the similarity function, thereby providing an improved model for machine representations of a current user's concept of interest.

Abstract: One embodiment can provide a system for detecting anomaly for high-dimensional sensor data associated with one or more machines. During operation, the system can obtain sensor data from a set of sensor associated with one or machines, apply data exploration techniques on the sensor data to automatically process sensor data to identify a subset of feature sensors from the available set of feature sensors, apply an unsupervised machine-learning technique to the identified subset of feature sensors and the target sensor to learn a set of pair-wise univariate models, and determine whether and how an anomaly occurs in the operation of the one or more machines based on the set of pair-wise univariate models.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system for improving a classifier by computing a statistic for the utility of sharing data with a second party. The system may encrypt a set of class labels based on a public key/private key pair to obtain a set of encrypted class labels. The system may send a public key and the set of encrypted class labels to a second computing device. The system may receive an encrypted value computed by the second computing device based on the public key. The system may decrypt the encrypted value based on a private key to obtain a decrypted value. The system may then send a pair of encrypted values computed based on the decrypted value to the second computing device. The system may subsequently receive an encrypted utility statistic from the second computing device, and decrypt the encrypted utility statistic to obtain a decrypted utility statistic.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing compositions and methods for fabricating a conductive article with the same are provided. The additive manufacturing composition may include a 3D printable material and a metal precursor disposed in the 3D printable material. The metal precursor may include a metal salt, a metal particle, or combinations thereof. The method may include forming a first layer of the article on a substrate, where the first layer includes the additive manufacturing composition, forming a second layer of the article adjacent the first layer, and binding the first layer with the second layer to fabricate the article. The method may also include plating a metal on at least a portion of the article to fabricate the conductive article.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a system and method for modeling a shared resource in a multi-layer reasoning graph based on configuration security. During operation, the system can obtain a multi-layer graph for a system with a plurality of components that can include a set of subgroups of components. The system can generate, based on the multi-layer graph, an abstract component to represent a shared resource model for a respective subgroup of components. The shared resource model can be associated with a set of resource constraints. The system can generate a set of values for resource configuration parameters that satisfy the resource constraints. The system can map the shared resource model to a respective component and can then determine, based on the mapping and the set of values for the resource configuration parameters, a set of values for the component configuration parameters thereby facilitating optimization of a security objective function.

Abstract: A device includes a first transistor having a first source, a first gate, a first drain, and one or more electrodes. The first transistor serves as an inverter. The device also includes a second transistor having a second source, a second gate, and a second drain. The first and second sources are connected together. The first and second drains are connected together. The second transistor serves as an output, a driver, or both. The one or more electrodes, the second gate, or a combination thereof serve as tapped drains that are configured to sample a stepped voltage of the second transistor.

Abstract: A device includes a first stage having a first optical switch, a first transistor connected to the first optical switch, and a second transistor connected to the first optical switch and the first transistor. The device also includes a second stage having a second optical switch, a third transistor connected to the second transistor and the second optical switch, and a fourth transistor connected to the second transistor, the second optical switch, and the third transistor.

Abstract: Water removal from humidified air and other water-laden gases may be complicated due to the need for large and expensive capital equipment or use of powder-form desiccants that may lead to pressure drops, poor throughput and energy-intensive recovery of water. Reversible water-absorbing constructs may alleviate these difficulties and comprise: a phase change polymer exhibiting a reversible hydrophilic-hydrophobic phase transition, and at least one additional material in contact with the phase change polymer, such as a water-sorptive material. The phase change polymer and the at least one additional material are formed as a plurality of filaments. Filaments formed from the phase change polymer may be generated through an electrospinning process, which may be arranged in various higher level constructs, such as in fibers, fabrics and non-woven filament mats capable of absorbing water from humidified air or other water-laden gases.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system for facilitating dynamic assistance to a user in an augmented reality (AR) environment of an AR device. During operation, the system detects a first element of an object using an object detector, wherein the object is associated with a task and the first element is associated with a step of the task. The system then determines an orientation and an alignment of the first element in the physical world of the user, and an overlay for the first element. The overlay can distinctly highlight one or more regions of the first element and indicate how the first element fits in the object. The system then applies the overlay to the one or more regions of the first element at the determined orientation in the AR environment.

Abstract: Sheets of a thin film material are attached to a carrier wafer. The carrier wafer and the attached sheets of thin film material are separated to form chiplet carriers. Each chiplet carrier includes a portion of the sheets of thin film material attached to a portion of the carrier wafer. The chiplet carriers are placed on an assembly surface in a random pattern. The chiplet carriers are arranged from the random pattern to a predetermined pattern, and the portions of the thin film material are transferred from the chiplet carriers to a target substrate.