Abstract: An End-Point Prediction scheme is described for voltage-mode buck regulators to generate adaptive output voltage to integrated-circuit systems. Internal nodal voltages of the regulator controller are predicted and set automatically by the proposed algorithms and circuits. The settling time of the regulator can therefore be significantly reduced for faster dynamic responses, even with dominant-pole compensation.

Abstract: A technique has been developed to fabricate micro- or nanopumps based on porous alumina thin films. The main body of the nanopump consists of a porous alumina thin film (containing nano-sized channels of about 40-300 nm in diameter) with conductive surfaces (e.g. Au coating layers) on both sides of the film. Through the fabrication of nanochannels in (the alumina films) and the subsequent annealing and surface activation processes, high-efficiency micro- or nanopumps can be made. The nanofluidic flow through the nanochannels of the alumina thin films is driven by an electric field with no moving parts. The flow rate (up to 50 millilitres/(min·cm2)) of water through the alumina thin film can be continuously tuned through the intensity of the electric field, i.e., the DC electric potential applied across the nanochannels.

Abstract: A low-dropout regulator with a single-transistor-control providing improved transient response and stability is disclosed. The single-transistor-control provides a dynamic resistance at the output of the regulator for minimizing undershoot and overshoot, and hence improves transient response. Since the single-control transistor reduces the output resistance of the regulator, the output pole is pushed to a sufficiently high frequency without affecting stability. Therefore, the limited choice of combinations of the output capacitance and its equivalent-series-resistance is substantially relaxed.

Abstract: Crystallization-inducing metal elements are introduced onto an amorphous silicon thin film. A first, low-temperature, heat-treatment induces nucleation of metal-induced crystallization (MIC), resulting in the formation of small polycrystalline silicon “islands”. A metal-gettering layer is formed on the resulting partially crystallized thin film. A second, low-temperature, heat-treatment completes the MIC process, whilst gettering metal elements from the partially crystallized thin film. The process results in the desired polycrystalline silicon thin film.

Abstract: There is disclosed a structure for a stacked organic light emitting device in which a plurality of emissive units are disposed between the anode and the cathode. The emissive units comprise at least a hole-transport layer and an electron-transport layer. An intermediate layer is disposed between two adjacent emissive units and the intermediate layer comprises at least two sub-layers, a first sub-layer being formed of a material that can inject electrons into one emissive unit and a second sub-layer being formed of a material that can inject holes into the adjacent emissive unit. The sub-layers are formed of metals or inorganic materials only and a surface of the intermediate layer may be treated by a low pressure CF4-plasma.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing streaming data to multiple clients involves the provision of intelligent gateway at the edge of a network. The gateway is designed so that if it receives a request from a second client within the network for a data stream already being supplied to a first client in the network, that data stream is duplicated by the gateway rather than making a second request for the same stream from a server. Multiple such gateways can be combined to form a large load balancing network. An important aspect of the invention is a software interface in the gateway that enables a data packet address type to be changed from unicast to multicast and vice versa.

Abstract: A switched-capacitor regulator is provided for regulating the output voltage of a voltage supply. The switched-capacitor regulator includes a supply input terminal capable of receiving a supply voltage, two or more flying capacitors, a regulation switch located between each flying capacitor and the supply input terminal, and a voltage control circuit. The activity of the regulation switches is controlled by the voltage control circuit. In one embodiment of the invention, the voltage control circuit includes a feedback resistance area having one or more feedback resistors located between the output of the flying capacitors and a ground terminal, a first gain stage connected to the feedback resistance area, and two or more second switchable gain stages, which are each connected to a regulation switch and the first gain stage. The switched-capacitor regulator operates in pseudo-continuous regulator mode using three-stage switchable operational amplifiers with time-multiplexed pole-splitting compensation.

Abstract: A capped trimming hard-mask patterning process to form ultra-thin structures can include depositing a hard-mask layer over a layer of patterning material, depositing an imaging layer over the hard-mask layer, patterning the imaging layer and the hard-mask layer, selectively trim etching the hard-mask layer to form a pattern hard mask, and removing the portions of the patterning layer using the pattern hard mask formed from the trimmed hard-mask. Thus, the use of thin imaging layer, that has high etch selectivity to the hard-mask layer, allows the use of trim etch techniques without a risk of hard-mask erosion or the aspect ratio pattern collapse. That, in turn, allows for the formation of the ultra-thin pattern with widths less than the widths of the pattern of the imaging layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of forming polycrystalline silicon comprising the steps of: forming a layer of amorphous silicon, forming a layer of metal or metal-containing compound on the layer of amorphous silicon, annealing the layer of amorphous silicon and said layer of metal to form a polycrystalline silicon layer, and irradiating the polycrystalline silicon layer with two different harmonics of a pulsed laser. The pulsed laser is preferably a solid-state laser such as a Nd-Yag laser. One harmonic is chosen such that it is preferentially absorbed by defects in the polycrystalline silicon layer, the other harmonic is absorbed by the bulk polycrystalline silicon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a polarizing material comprising exposing a layer of dichroic material to activating light illumination to provide an ordered structure with a distinguished absorption axis and thus photo-induce polarization, and fixing the induced polarization by polymerisation of the dichroic layer. The present invention also provides novel polarizing materials formed thereby. By selectively exposing regions of the dichroic material to differing activating radiation, different regions with different polarization axes can be created. The polarizing material can also be provided with a coating or coatings to alter the spectral response, and a stack formed of a plurality if dichroic layers may be provided.

Abstract: We propose methods for generating a halftone image, in which each pixel takes one of two tone values. The generated image contains hidden data, which is present at data storage pixels chosen using a pseudo-random number generator. In a first case, the data is hidden within an existing halftone image by reversing the tone value at certain of the data storage pixels, and at pixels neighboring the data storage pixels. In a second case, the halftone image is generated from a grey-scale image, and data is hidden during this conversion process.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fluorescent proteins modified such that said modified fluorescent protein incorporates a cleavage site for a protease, cleavage of said modified fluorescent protein at said cleavage site by said protease causing the alteration of at least one of the emission and excitation spectra of said modified fluorescent protein. In particular, the invention is concerned with using these modified fluorescent proteins as probes for detecting protease activity in living cells during the programmed cell death process (apoptosis). Also provided are nucleic acid sequence encoding same, recombinant DNA constructs expressing same, cells transformed or transfected with same, methods for detecting protease activity, and methods of detecting agents which affect protease activity, and kits for same.

Abstract: Metal induced polycrystallized silicon is used as the anode in a light emitting device, such as an OLED or AMOLED. The polycrystallized silicon is sufficiently non-absorptive, transparent and made sufficiently conductive for this purpose. A thin film transistor can be formed onto the polycrystallized silicon anode, with the silicon anode acting as the drain of the thin film transistor, thereby simplifying production.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated circuit (IC) optical detector. The IC optical detector comprises a substrate and an IC. The substrate comprises a plurality of test sites defined thereon. The test sites comprise a surface suitably treated for coating of at least one test sample. The at least one test sample is capable of being changed by a reaction. The IC comprises at least one optical sensor array for simultaneously receiving and sensing optical signals from the test sites during operations Presence of at least one changed test sample at a test site changes the quantity of light directed through the test site. The change in quantity of light is detectable by the sensor array. The optical sensor array further converts the sensed optical signals to electrical signals. The IC automatically processes and outputs the electrical signals during operation. This invention further provides a method for detecting a specific sample within at least one test sample.

Abstract: A novel form of an integrated variable inductor uses an on-chip transformer together with a variable capacitor. The variable capacitor can either be a varactor or a switched capacitor array and is connected to the secondary coil of the transformer. By changing the capacitance at the secondary coil of a transformer, the equivalent inductance looking into the primary coil of the transformer can be adjusted. With another capacitor in parallel to the primary coil, two different modes of resonance inherently exist, and a very wide frequency tuning range can be achieved by combining the two modes.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is disclosed in which the negative electrode material comprises carbon nanostructures having no dimension greater than 2 ?m. The battery has a high reversible capacity of the order of 400 mAh/g to 500 mAh/g which can be maintained over a long cycle-life (at least 30 cycles). The carbon nanostructures may be mixed with graphite to improve conductivity. The carbon nanostructues may be synthesized using an AFI template material followed by calcination.

Abstract: A method for forming carbon nanostructures is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) synthesising a microporous template material comprising crystals having no dimension greater than about 2 ?m, (b) heating the crystals in the presence of an inert gas or a mixture of an inert gas and a carbon-containing gas at a temperature of between 500° C. and 900° C., and (c) recovering carbon nanostructures by washing the heated crystals in an acid to remove the template material.

Abstract: A pixel element for an image sensor comprising, a photodiode and a reset transistor connected to an input node, wherein said reset transistor is a PMOSFET connected between said input node and the supply voltage, and wherein said pixel further comprises parallel complementary signal paths.

Abstract: A voltage mirror circuit using a symmetrically matched transistor structure is provided. The circuit includes an input reference voltage node on a first side of said circuit and an output mirror voltage node on a second side of said circuit, and a plurality of matched transistor pairs wherein the transistors in each pair have the same aspect ratio and wherein one transistor in each pair is provided on the first side of the circuit and the second transistor in each pair is provided on the second side of said circuit.

Abstract: A single inductor multiple-input multiple-output (SI-MIMO) switching converter time-multiplexes different input power sources through only one inductor to provide multiple regulated output voltages, which can be used to power up different blocks of a portable electronic device (or whatever else it is used for) and at the same time to charge up a rechargeable battery. Power multiplexing is achieved by input switches that are also the switching elements of the switching converter, thus eliminating an additional power multiplexer.