Abstract: A magnetic shape memory (MSM) microfluidic device may include a flexible membrane positioned between a channel and an MSM element. The MSM element may engage the flexible membrane to deform the channel at portions of the flexible membrane that are adjacent to non-contracted portions of the MSM element. The flexible membrane may prevent contact between a fluid within the channel and the MSM element. Magnetic field components may be applied to the MSM element and moved along the MSM element enable fluidic flow within the channel while. The device may include an upper portion including the flexible membrane and a lower portion including the MSM element. The upper portion may be interchangeable with additional upper portions.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a substrate comprising an n-type Al/In/GaN semiconductor material. A surface of the substrate is dry-etched to form a trench therein and cause dry-etch damage to remain on the surface. The surface of the substrate is immersed in an electrolyte solution and illuminated with above bandgap light having a wavelength that generates electron-hole pairs in the n-type Al/In/GaN semiconductor material, thereby photoelectrochemically etching the surface to remove at least a portion of the dry-etch damage.

Abstract: A magnetic shape memory (MSM) microfluidic device may include a flexible membrane positioned between a channel and an MSM element. The MSM element may engage the flexible membrane to deform the channel at portions of the flexible membrane that are adjacent to non-contracted portions of the MSM element. The flexible membrane may prevent contact between a fluid within the channel and the MSM element. Magnetic field components may be applied to the MSM element and moved along the MSM element enable fluidic flow within the channel while. The device may include an upper portion including the flexible membrane and a lower portion including the MSM element. The upper portion may be interchangeable with additional upper portions.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a substrate comprising an n-type Al/In/GaN semiconductor material. A surface of the substrate is dry-etched to form a trench therein and cause dry-etch damage to remain on the surface. The surface of the substrate is immersed in an electrolyte solution and illuminated with above bandgap light having a wavelength that generates electron-hole pairs in the n-type Al/In/GaN semiconductor material, thereby photoelectrochemically etching the surface to remove at least a portion of the dry-etch damage.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a substrate comprising an n-type Al/In/GaN semiconductor material. A surface of the substrate is dry-etched to form a trench therein and cause dry-etch damage to remain on the surface. The surface of the substrate is immersed in an electrolyte solution and illuminated with above bandgap light having a wavelength that generates electron-hole pairs in the n-type Al/In/GaN semiconductor material, thereby photoelectrochemically etching the surface to remove at least a portion of the dry-etch damage.

Abstract: Responsive to a detected user access by a user to help content of an application, at least one subsequent detected user interaction with the application is recorded that documents the user's actual use of the application in response to instructions within the accessed help content. The help content includes tracking metrics that include at least one configured expected user interaction with the application to perform the instructions within the accessed help content. The usability of the application is improved by automatically changing the application based upon results of a comparison of the recorded at least one subsequent detected user interaction with the application after the help content was accessed with the at least one configured expected user interaction with the application to perform the instructions within the accessed help content reaching a threshold for modification of the application.

Abstract: Populating a routing dataset for a load balancing system with service capability data is provided. The approach includes requesting a production environment to perform a service. Based on the production environment indicating that it does not have the capability of performing the requested service, the method includes storing data in a routing dataset, the data including an indicator indicating that the production environment is incapable of performing the service.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for detecting and addressing a kick on a drilling rig are provided. A controller on the drilling rig may receive measurements from one or more sensor systems on the drilling rig and determine a severity index value corresponding to the likelihood of a kick. If the severity index level is determined to reach a specified threshold, an operator may be prompted to perform a flow check and/or activate a blow-out preventer.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a substrate comprising an n-type Al/In/GaN semiconductor material. A surface of the substrate is dry-etched to form a trench therein and cause dry-etch damage to remain on the surface. The surface of the substrate is immersed in an electrolyte solution and illuminated with above bandgap light having a wavelength that generates electron-hole pairs in the n-type Al/In/GaN semiconductor material, thereby photoelectrochemically etching the surface to remove at least a portion of the dry-etch damage.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling wireless connection of a device having a wireless communication interface to a wireless access point. The method includes: determining, by the device, if a known wireless access point is available by comparing a determined location of the device with geographical information associated with a set of known wireless access points; if the known wireless access point is available, determining, by the device, a time elapsed since a most recent data communication activity of the device; and disabling the wireless communication interface of the device if the time elapsed is less than an idle time threshold value so as to prevent wireless connection of the device to the known wireless access point.

Abstract: Populating a routing dataset for a load balancing system with service capability data is provided. The approach includes requesting a production environment to perform a service. Based on the production environment indicating that it does not have the capability of performing the requested service, the method includes storing data in a routing dataset, the data including an indicator indicating that the production environment is incapable of performing the service.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating a HEMT (high-electron-mobility transistor) that involve sequential epitaxial growth of III-nitride channel and barrier layers, followed by epitaxial regrowth of further III-nitride material through a window in a mask layer. The regrowth takes place on the barrier layer, only in the access region or regions. Devices made according to the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: Populating a routing dataset for a load balancing system with service capability data is provided. The approach includes requesting a production environment to perform a service. Based on the production environment indicating that it does not have the capability of performing the requested service, the method includes storing data in a routing dataset, the data including an indicator indicating that the production environment is incapable of performing the service.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element configured to compress locally at a portion of the MSM element in response to a perpendicular concentrated portion of a magnetic field. The apparatus may further include a plurality of conductive coils laterally offset from the MSM element. Central axes of each conductive coil of the plurality of conductive coils may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the MSM element. The apparatus may also include at least one permanent magnet in proximity to the MSM element. The permanent magnet may generate a significant portion of the magnetic field. By successively applying, reversing, and reducing or eliminating electrical currents applied to the conductive coils, a position of the perpendicular concentrated portion of the magnetic field may be moved relative to the MSM element.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating a HEMT (high-electron-mobility transistor) that involve sequential epitaxial growth of III-nitride channel and barrier layers, followed by epitaxial regrowth of further III-nitride material through a window in a mask layer. In examples, the regrowth takes place over exposed portions of the channel layer in the source and drain regions of the device, and the regrown material has a composition different from the barrier layer. In other examples, the regrowth takes place on the barrier layer, only in the access region or regions. Devices made according to the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: Translating user interface sounds into 3D audio comprises: receiving an audio request call from a process relating to a user interface event; converting the audio request call into a position in 3D audio space representative of the process from which the call has been received; and playing a corresponding sound in a surround sound system in the position in 3D audio space. Each open application in a graphical user interface may be provided with a sound space, in the 3D audio space, from which any event sounds are played.

Abstract: Translating user interface sounds into 3D audio comprises: receiving an audio request call from a process relating to a user interface event; converting the audio request call into a position in 3D audio space representative of the process from which the call has been received; and playing a corresponding sound in a surround sound system in the position in 3D audio space. Each open application in a graphical user interface may be provided with a sound space, in the 3D audio space, from which any event sounds are played.

Abstract: Responsive to a detected user access by a user to help content of an application, at least one subsequent detected user interaction with the application is recorded that documents the user's actual use of the application in response to instructions within the accessed help content. The help content includes tracking metrics that include at least one configured expected user interaction with the application to perform the instructions within the accessed help content. The usability of the application is improved by automatically changing the application based upon results of a comparison of the recorded at least one subsequent detected user interaction with the application after the help content was accessed with the at least one configured expected user interaction with the application to perform the instructions within the accessed help content reaching a threshold for modification of the application.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein automatically process data from a data source, optionally extract certain content such as advertisements, and optionally insert personalized content in place of the extracted content to generate customized data. The customized data in turn can be distributed to client devices in multiple ways, such as through Internet streaming or podcast downloads.

Abstract: Responsive to a detected user access by a user to help content of an application, at least one subsequent detected user interaction with the application is recorded that documents the user's actual use of the application in response to instructions within the accessed help content. The help content includes tracking metrics that include at least one configured expected user interaction with the application to perform the instructions within the accessed help content. The effectiveness of the instructions within the accessed help content at improving the user's proficiency in using the application is determined by comparison of the recorded at least one subsequent detected user interaction with the application after the help content was accessed with the at least one configured expected user interaction with the application to perform the instructions within the accessed help content.