Abstract: In a replacement gate approach, a superior cross-sectional shape of the gate opening may be achieved by performing a material erosion process in an intermediate state of removing the placeholder material. Consequently, the remaining portion of the placeholder material may efficiently protect the underlying sensitive materials, such as a high-k dielectric material, when performing the corner rounding process sequence.

Abstract: In a replacement gate approach, the polysilicon material may be efficiently removed during a wet chemical etch process, while the semiconductor material in the resistive structures may be substantially preserved. For this purpose, a species such as xenon may be incorporated into the semiconductor material of the resistive structure, thereby imparting a significantly increased etch resistivity to the semiconductor material. The xenon may be incorporated at any appropriate manufacturing stage.

Abstract: A method for the on-board functional diagnosis of a soot sensor and detection of further constituents in the soot in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The soot sensor is connected electrically to an evaluation circuit in the motor vehicle. A faulty soot sensor and/or further constituents in the soot can be detected in an inexpensive way. The evaluation circuit measures the voltage coefficient of the soot sensor and detects the defectiveness of the soot sensor and/or the presence of further constituents in the soot using the voltage coefficient of the soot sensor.

Abstract: A method for on-vehicle functional diagnosis of a soot sensor and/or for detecting further components in the soot in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the soot sensor connected electrically to an evaluation circuit. To specify a method for functional diagnosis of a soot sensor and/or for detecting further components in the soot, by which it is possible to detect a faulty soot sensor and/or further components in the soot in an economical manner, the evaluation circuit measures a temperature coefficient of the soot sensor and detects the faultiness of the soot sensor and/or the presence of further components in the soot from the temperature coefficient of the soot sensor.

Abstract: An element which generates a magnetic field for securing a compressor wheel to a turboshaft of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, includes a base body that receives an annular-shaped magnet that rotates with the turboshaft. In order to provide an element which generates a magnetic field for securing a compressor wheel to a turboshaft of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, where the magnet is securely fixed and no change in the distribution of mass in the magnetic field occurs even when the magnet breaks, the magnet is connected in a force-fitting manner to the base body.

Abstract: A magnetized nut for fastening a compressor wheel of an exhaust turbocharger to a turbo shaft. The nut has a base body made of a non-magnetic material forming a hollow space for accommodating a magnetic material, and a method for the production of the magnetized nut. In order to provide a magnetized nut that is produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and ensures as equal a distribution of mass as possible with regard to the rotational axis of the nut, the magnetic material is introduced into the hollow space using injection molding.

Abstract: A threshold adjusting semiconductor material, such as a silicon/germanium alloy, may be provided selectively for one type of transistors on the basis of enhanced deposition uniformity. For this purpose, the semiconductor alloy may be deposited on the active regions of any transistors and may subsequently be patterned on the basis of a highly controllable patterning regime. Consequently, threshold variability may be reduced.

Abstract: A strain-inducing semiconductor alloy may be formed on the basis of cavities which may have a non-rectangular shape, which may be maintained even during corresponding high temperature treatments by providing an appropriate protection layer, such as a silicon dioxide material. Consequently, a lateral offset of the strain-inducing semiconductor material may be reduced, while nevertheless providing a sufficient thickness of corresponding offset spacers during the cavity etch process, thereby preserving gate electrode integrity. For instance, P-channel transistors may have a silicon/germanium alloy with a hexagonal shape, thereby significantly enhancing the overall strain transfer efficiency.

Abstract: An element for generating a magnetic field, having an annular frame for receiving an annular magnet which rotates with a turboshaft. The magnet is mounted in the frame such that the frame stabilizes and guides the magnet mechanically. In order to specify an element for generating a magnetic field which reliably fixes and guides the magnet, the magnet is connected to the frame by at least one spot weld.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring a normal force affecting a disk brake that is used particularly in motor vehicles. In order to further develop a device for measuring an effective normal force so as to significantly decrease the additional mounting space required in the area of a disk brake and reduce sensitivity to thermal influences, a shearing movement of a part of the disk brake relative to a reference is detected by a sensor such that a test signal-processing logic circuit can draw conclusions about an actually effective normal force based on a sensor test signal.

Abstract: An element which generates a magnetic field for fastening a compressor wheel to a turboshaft of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, has a basic body and a thread. In order to specify an element which generates a magnetic field for fastening a compressor wheel to a turboshaft, which element generates as high a magnetic field strength as possible and nevertheless can absorb without damage the forces and the tightening torques which occur during fastening of the compressor wheel to the turboshaft, the entire basic body includes a magnetic material and a sleeve is arranged in the basic body, which sleeve includes a non-magnetic material and has the thread which can be screwed to a mating thread of the turboshaft.

Abstract: By exposing a wet chemical cleaning solution, such as hydrofluoric acid, to a pressurized inert gas ambient prior to applying the solution to patterned dielectric materials of semiconductor devices, the incorporation of oxygen into the liquid during storage and application may be significantly reduced. For instance, by generating a substantially saturated state in the pressurized inert gas ambient, a substantially oversaturated state may be achieved during the application of the liquid in ambient air, thereby enhancing efficiency of the treatment, for instance, by reducing the amount of material removal of exposed copper surfaces after trench patterning, without requiring sophisticated modifications of process chambers.

Abstract: In the process sequence for replacing conventional gate electrode structures by high-k metal gate structures, the number of additional masking steps may be maintained at a low level, for instance by using highly selective etch steps, thereby maintaining a high degree of compatibility with conventional CMOS techniques. Furthermore, the techniques disclosed herein enable compatibility to front-end process techniques and back-end process techniques, thereby allowing the integration of well-established strain-inducing mechanisms in the transistor level as well as in the contact level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling at least one air conducting element (15) in a motor vehicle. Said device comprises a first gas sensor (51) and a second gas sensor (52) which generate signals in accordance with the harmful gas concentration in the ambient air. An output signal that is used for triggering the air conducting element is generated with the aid of a signal evaluation unit. The aim of the invention is to create a method and a device which are used for controlling an air conducting element, accurately detect and distinguish the different development of harmful gas concentrations in the atmosphere and trigger the air conducting elements accordingly, and are embodied in an inexpensive, reliable, and durable manner. Said aim is achieved by configuring an electronic decision unit (4) that determines which of the two sensor signals is fed to a single signal evaluation unit during the current interval.

Abstract: A force sensor for an electromechanical brake has a closed ring having a C-shaped profile that is open inwardly. Force is introduced along the inner circumference of the ring.

Abstract: Sensor for determining measured variables which are suitable for controlling an air-conditioning system and other apparatuses which influence the climate of an area, including a motor vehicle, has a single sensor housing and a printed circuit board which is equipped with sensor elements for determining the measured variables and with electronic components for processing electrical signals produced by the sensor elements, as a function of the measured variables. In the sensor, at least one light-sensitive sensor element and one gas-sensitive sensor element are arranged in the single sensor housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a force sensor for an electromechanical brake. The force sensor comprises a closed ring having a C-shaped profile that is open inward. Force is introduced along the inner circumference of the ring.

Abstract: A pressure sensor device is described that has a diaphragm acted upon by a working medium, on a first side, and a sensor chip, which is disposed on a second side of the diaphragm that is remote from the working medium. There is formed in the sensor chip a measuring bridge having four sensor elements, which form two pairs disposed parallel, and the pairs are disposed at right angles to one another. The sensor elements are disposed such that they are closely spaced apart from one another in the edge region of the sensor chip that faces toward the central point of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A pressure sensor device is described that has a diaphragm acted upon by a working medium, on a first side, and a sensor chip, which is disposed on a second side of the diaphragm that is remote from the working medium. There is formed in the sensor chip a measuring bridge having four sensor elements, which form two pairs disposed parallel, and the pairs are disposed at right angles to one another. The sensor elements are disposed such that they are closely spaced apart from one another in the edge region of the sensor chip that faces toward the central point of the diaphragm.

Abstract: 1-nonen-3-one is added to food, pharamaceutical, cosmetic and perfume compositions to flavor the products and so that they impart aroma. It is added particularly to dairy products and coffee extract for enhancing the aroma imparted by those compositions. The 1-nonen-3-one may be combined with other compounds which provide flavor and aroma, and the combined compounds are added to the compositions.