Abstract: A customisable, modular storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. The stacks are contained within towers formed of stacks of bin receiving units. A grid network of tracks is provided on the top of the bin receiving units upon which load handling devices run. The load handling 30 devices take containers from the stacks and deposit them at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out.

Abstract: Use of diverse biomass feedstock in a process for the recovery of target C5 and C6 alditols and target glycols via staged hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis processes is disclosed. Particular alditols of interest include, but are not limited to, xylitol and sorbitol. Various embodiments of the present invention synergistically improve overall recovery of target alditols and/or glycols from a mixed C5/C6 sugar stream without needlessly driving total recovery of the individual target alditols and/or glycols. The result is a highly efficient, low complexity process having enhanced production flexibility, reduced waste and greater overall yield than conventional processes directed to alditol or glycol production.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a substrate with a compressive layer, a neutral stress buffer layer and a tensile stress compensation layer. The stress buffer layer and the stress compensation layer may each be formed with aluminum nitride using different processing parameters to provide a different intrinsic stress value for each layer. The aluminum nitride tensile layer is configured to counteract stresses from the compressive layer in the device to thereby control an amount of substrate bow in the device. This is useful for protecting fragile materials in the device, such as mercury cadmium telluride. The aluminum nitride stress compensation layer also can compensate for forces, such as due to CTE mismatches, to protect the fragile layer. The device may include temperature-sensitive materials, and the aluminum nitride stress compensation layer or stress buffer layer may be formed at a temperature below the thermal degradation temperature of the temperature-sensitive material.

Abstract: An electrical device includes an aluminum nitride passivation layer for a mercury cadmium telluride (Hg1-xCdxTe) (MCT) semiconductor layer of the device. The AlN passivation layer may be an un-textured amorphous-to-polycrystalline film that is deposited onto the surface of the MCT in its as-grown state, or overlying the MCT after the MCT surface has been pre-treated or partially passivated, in this way fully passivating the MCT. The AlN passivation layer may have a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that closely matches the CTE of the MCT layer, thereby reducing strain at an interface to the MCT. The AlN passivation layer may be formed with a neutral inherent (residual) stress, provide mechanical rigidity, and chemical resistance to protect the MCT.

Abstract: A Cu3Sn electrical interconnect and method of making same in an electrical device, such as for hybrid bond 3D-integration of the electrical device with one or more other electrical devices. The method of forming the Cu3Sn electrical interconnect includes: depositing a Sn layer in the via hole; depositing a Cu layer atop and in contact with the Sn layer; and heating the Sn layer and the Cu layer such that the Sn and Cu layers diffuse together to form a Cu3Sn interconnect in the via hole. During the heating, a diffusion front between the Sn and Cu layers moves in a direction toward the Cu layer as initially deposited, such that any remaining Cu layer or any voids formed during the diffusion are at an upper region of the formed Cu3Sn interconnect in the via hole, thereby allowing such voids or remaining material to be easily removed.

Abstract: Use of diverse biomass feedstock in a process for the recovery of target C5 and C6 alditols and target glycols via staged hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis processes is disclosed. Particular alditols of interest include, but are not limited to, xylitol and sorbitol. Various embodiments of the present invention synergistically improve overall recovery of target alditols and/or glycols from a mixed C5/C6 sugar stream without needlessly driving total recovery of the individual target alditols and/or glycols. The result is a highly efficient, low complexity process having enhanced production flexibility, reduced waste and greater overall yield than conventional processes directed to alditol or glycol production.

Abstract: An automated packaging station is capable of being used to package objects. The automated packaging station includes a supply of web material, a surface (202), an aperture (206) therein, and a closing system. The automated packaging station is configured to form the web material into a pouch. The aperture (206) is configured such that an object can be inserted therethrough. The automated packaging station is configured to bias open the pouch beneath the surface such that the object inserted through the aperture falls into the pouch. The closing system is configured to close the pouch to form a package around the object in response to the object being inserted through the aperture. The object is capable of being shipped to a recipient in the package.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes forming an electrical path between p-type mercury cadmium telluride and a metal layer. The forming of the electrical path includes depositing a layer of polycrystalline p-type silicon directly on to the p-type mercury cadmium telluride and forming the metal layer on the layer of polycrystalline p-type silicon. In another aspect, an apparatus includes an electrical path. The electrical path includes a p-type mercury cadmium telluride layer, a polycrystalline p-type silicon layer in direct contact with the p-type mercury cadmium telluride layer, a metal silicide in direct contact with the polycrystalline p-type silicon layer, and an electrically conductive metal on the metal silicide. In operation, holes, indicative of electrical current on the electrical path, flow from the p-type mercury cadmium telluride layer to the electrically conductive metal.

Abstract: A coreflood experiment may be modeled by generating a three dimensional computer simulation model of a core plug and modeling within the three dimensional computer simulation model one or both of a fluid introduction element or a fluid extraction element of a core holder used in the coreflood experiment. Once generated, the model may be loaded and used when running a simulation to model a heterogeneous distribution of fluid flow proximate one or more faces of the core plug.

Abstract: Sag propensity of a fluid can be determined by applying an oscillatory strain at an amplitude in excess of a linear region and below a yield strain of the drilling fluid. This may include use of medium amplitude oscillatory shear (MAOS), from which an elastic modulus of the fluid is determined. The elastic modulus may be determined over time, from which a time to reach maximum elastic modulus can be determined. The time to reach maximum elastic modulus is then converted or correlated to a drilling fluid sag propensity for the drilling fluid either in absolute terms or in relation to base or comparison fluids. Such an evaluation can be performed using a torsional resonance device in which the oscillatory strain is controllable so as to be maintained relatively constant during the measurement.

Abstract: A through-wafer via substrate includes a substrate having an intermediate layer and a bonding layer formed on a surface of the intermediate layer. A via cavity extends through the bonding layer and into the intermediate layer, and a stress buffer liner is deposited directly on inner sidewalls and a base of the via cavity. An electrically conductive through-wafer via is disposed in the via cavity such that the stress buffer liner is interposed completely between the intermediate layer and the through-wafer via.

Abstract: Analytical methods and systems applied to sequential event data are disclosed. An exemplary system and method analyzes datasets containing events in a plurality of journeys. The methods and systems described analyze and quantify the relative importance of events and sequences leading to outcomes where the data is complex and interconnected. In some embodiments, a graphical user interface illustrates the quantification of these datasets. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface maps the journey paths to show the relative importance of each journey path. In some embodiments, the maps of journey paths are interactive, allowing selection of paths of interest for detailed analysis. In some embodiments, the methods and systems calculate paths similar to a journey path of interest. An exemplary method and system also provides detailed recommendations for changing events within a sequence to either increase or decrease the likelihood of achieving a selected outcome.