Abstract: Thin films of lithium-containing materials and methods for fabricating them are generally described. In some embodiments, the formation of a first vapor is induced from a first target and the formation of a second vapor is induced from a second target, resulting in the formation of a thin film. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the formation of the first vapor and the formation of the second vapor occurs under vacuum conditions. In some embodiments, the thin film has a relatively high ionic conductivity, mixed ionic/electronic conductivity, or other properties beneficial for applications such as active electrode materials or solid-state electrolytes.

Abstract: A clamping circuit for protection against ESD events is described. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the circuit comprises the following: a first transistor having a control terminal and a load current path connected between a first contact and a second contact; an amplifier circuit having an amplifier input and an amplifier output connected to the control terminal of the transistor; and a trigger circuit, which is connected between the first contact and the second contact, and comprises a second transistor. The trigger circuit is configured to generate a voltage swing at the amplifier input as a reaction to a discharge current at the first contact by virtue of the fact that at least part of the discharge current drives a control terminal of the second transistor via an intrinsic capacitance of the second transistor.

Abstract: A method for determining a switching point of a solenoid valve. A solenoid coil is energized to raise a solenoid armature to unblock a flow opening. For a signal profile characteristic of a current profile in the solenoid coil, multiple periods each different from one another and each having the same predefined temporal length are determined. Within each period, a minimal and a maximal value of the signal profile and associated points in time are ascertained and a product of a difference between the maximal and minimal value and a difference between the associated points in time are ascertained. On the basis of the points in time of the minimal and maximal value of that period, which corresponds to a maximal value of the product, the switching point is determined.

Abstract: A method for determining a switching point of a solenoid valve. A solenoid coil is energized to raise a solenoid armature to unblock a flow opening. For a signal profile characteristic of a current profile in the solenoid coil, multiple periods each different from one another and each having the same predefined temporal length are determined. Within each period, a minimal and a maximal value of the signal profile and associated points in time are ascertained and a product of a difference between the maximal and minimal value and a difference between the associated points in time are ascertained. On the basis of the points in time of the minimal and maximal value of that period, which corresponds to a maximal value of the product, the switching point is determined.

Abstract: In the case of mono sewage sludge incineration, a solution may be created that enables sewage sludge ash, which may still have a low proportion of unburned carbon, to be discharged from a mono sewage sludge incineration plant. This is achieved by a method for the post-combustion of sewage sludge ash obtained in a mono sewage sludge incineration in a rotary kiln by means of a hot and a low oxygen content, such as an oxygen content of 5-10 vol. % oxygen. The gas stream from the rotary kiln may escape the sewage sludge ash and is fed to the gas flow. This sufficiently hot gas flow may cause oxidation or afterburning of unburned carbon contained in the sewage sludge ash.

Abstract: A clamping circuit for protection against ESD events is described. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the circuit comprises the following: a first transistor having a control terminal and a load current path connected between a first contact and a second contact; an amplifier circuit having an amplifier input and an amplifier output connected to the control terminal of the transistor; and a trigger circuit, which is connected between the first contact and the second contact, and comprises a second transistor. The trigger circuit is configured to generate a voltage swing at the amplifier input as a reaction to a discharge current at the first contact by virtue of the fact that at least part of the discharge current drives a control terminal of the second transistor via an intrinsic capacitance of the second transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a body region of a second conductivity type, a body contact region of the second conductivity type formed in the body region and having a higher average doping concentration than the body region, a source region of a first conductivity type opposite the second conductivity type formed in the body region adjacent the body contact region, a drift zone of the first conductivity type spaced apart from the source region by a section of the body region which forms a channel region of the semiconductor device, and a gate electrode configured to control the channel region. The body contact region extends under a majority of the source region in a direction towards the channel region and has a doping concentration of at least 1e18 cm?3 under the majority of the source region. Additional semiconductor device embodiments and methods of manufacture are described.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one switchable valve, a brake impulse that slows down the valve movement being produced during the controlling of the at least one valve. At least one parameter of the brake impulse determines the position and/or the duration of the brake impulse. A parameter is modified, and the reaction of a measurement quantity or of a characteristic feature derived from the measurement quantity is evaluated.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a body region of a second conductivity type, a body contact region of the second conductivity type formed in the body region and having a higher average doping concentration than the body region, a source region of a first conductivity type opposite the second conductivity type formed in the body region adjacent the body contact region, a drift zone of the first conductivity type spaced apart from the source region by a section of the body region which forms a channel region of the semiconductor device, and a gate electrode configured to control the channel region. The body contact region extends under a majority of the source region in a direction towards the channel region and has a doping concentration of at least 1e18 cm?3 under the majority of the source region, Additional semiconductor device embodiments and methods of manufacture are described.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one switchable valve, a brake impulse that slows down the valve movement being produced during the controlling of the at least one valve, the position and/or the length of the brake impulse being specified as a function of a switching time of the valve, it being checked whether a characteristic feature occurs that indicates the switching time, and, upon occurrence of the characteristic feature, the position and/or the length of the brake impulse being adapted based on the position of the characteristic feature.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one switchable valve, a brake impulse that slows down the valve movement being produced during the controlling of the at least one valve. At least one parameter of the brake impulse determines the position and/or the duration of the brake impulse. A parameter is modified, and the reaction of a measurement quantity or of a characteristic feature derived from the measurement quantity is evaluated.

Abstract: A circuit is described comprising electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuitry, keep-off circuitry and ESD detection circuitry. When the ESD detection circuitry detects an ESD event, the ESD detection circuitry is configured to both enable the ESD protection circuitry and disable the keep-off circuitry.

Abstract: A combined electro static discharge clamp for cascaded voltage pins can include an electronic switch, a plurality of discharge paths, and a plurality of trigger circuits. In response to detecting a voltage event across any two voltage pins, the trigger circuitry can turn on the electronic switch causing current caused by the voltage event to flow through one or more of the discharge paths instead of through functional circuitry which could potentially be damaged by the current caused by the voltage event.

Abstract: In a method for calibrating a fuel metering system including an injector of an internal combustion engine performing a pilot injection chronologically prior to a main injection, at least two test injections chronologically prior to the pilot injection are provided for the injector, the first test injection being carried out using a first activation duration, in which the injector does not yet open, at least one second test injection being carried out in a subsequent injection cycle using an activation duration which is progressively increased in each case in relation to the first test injection until a change of an operating variable of the fuel metering system or the internal combustion engine results, which activation duration corresponds to a minimum activation duration of the injector.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an injection quantity of an injection system, using which fuel is to be injected into at least one combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine of a device, in which data of at least one zero point quantity calibration, which is carried out in an idling operation of the mechanical device, and data of at least one zero point quantity calibration, which is carried out in an overrun condition of the device, are combined.

Abstract: A circuit is described comprising electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuitry, keep-off circuitry and ESD detection circuitry. When the ESD detection circuitry detects an ESD event, the ESD detection circuitry is configured to both enable the ESD protection circuitry and disable the keep-off circuitry.

Abstract: A combined electro static discharge clamp for cascaded voltage pins can include an electronic switch, a plurality of discharge paths, and a plurality of trigger circuits. In response to detecting a voltage event across any two voltage pins, the trigger circuitry can turn on the electronic switch causing current caused by the voltage event to flow through one or more of the discharge paths instead of through functional circuitry which could potentially be damaged by the current caused by the voltage event.

Abstract: In a method for calibrating a fuel metering system including an injector of an internal combustion engine performing a pilot injection chronologically prior to a main injection, at least two test injections chronologically prior to the pilot injection are provided for the injector, the first test injection being carried out using a first activation duration, in which the injector does not yet open, at least one second test injection being carried out in a subsequent injection cycle using an activation duration which is progressively increased in each case in relation to the first test injection until a change of an operating variable of the fuel metering system or the internal combustion engine results, which activation duration corresponds to a minimum activation duration of the injector.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle having an uneven running ascertaining unit and an injection quantity correction unit, in which one group of cylinders being associated with a lambda sensor, in which the uneven running ascertaining unit determines the uneven running of a cylinder and compares it with a predefinable threshold value. If the ascertained uneven running exceeds the predefinable threshold value, the injection quantity correction unit adjusts the injection quantity of the cylinder in the rich direction and adjusts the injection quantities of the other cylinders of the group, so that on the whole a predefinable lambda value of the group, which may be a lambda value of 1, is achieved, and a lambda deviation is determinable for each individual cylinder in an adaption unit.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has an electrode which includes a zinc-indium alloy as electrochemically active material, wherein the alloy is present in the form of particles and the entirety of the particles is composed of at least two particle fractions differing in indium concentration.