Abstract: A low aspect ratio interconnect is provided and includes a metallization layer, a liner and a metallic interconnect. The metallization layer includes bottommost and uppermost surfaces. The uppermost surface has a maximum post-deposition height from the bottommost surface at first metallization layer portions. The metallization layer defines a trench at second metallization layer portions. The liner includes is disposed to line the trench and includes liner sidewalls that have terminal edges that extend to the maximum post-deposition height and lie coplanar with the uppermost surface at the first metallization layer portions. The metallic interconnect is disposed on the liner to fill a trench remainder and has an uppermost interconnect surface that extends to the maximum post-deposition height and lies coplanar with the uppermost surface at the first metallization layer portions.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-aligned pattern of vias in a semiconductor device comprises etching a pattern of lines that contain notches that are narrower than other parts of the line. Thereafter, vias are created where the notches are located. The locations of the vias are such that the effect of blown-out areas is minimized. Thereafter, the lines are etched and the vias and line areas are filled. The layers are planarized such that the metal fill is level with a surrounding ultra-low-k dielectric. Additional metal layers, lines, and vias can be created. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure using first and second conductive materials, and having first and second trenches with first and second critical dimensions. The second conductive material exhibits a lower resistivity than the first conductive material at a film thickness corresponding to the second critical dimension and the second conductive material exhibits a higher resistivity than the first conductive material at a film thickness corresponding to the first critical dimension. An initial semiconductor structure has the first trench having the first critical dimension and the second trench having the second critical dimension. The second critical dimension is larger than the first critical dimension. A first conductive structure made from one of the first and second conductive materials is formed in the first trench. A second conductive structure made from another of the first and second conductive materials is formed in the second trench.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for alerting drivers of hazardous driving conditions using the sensing capabilities of wearable mobile technology. In one aspect, a method for alerting drivers of hazardous driving conditions includes the steps of: collecting real-time data from a driver of a vehicle, wherein the data is collected via a mobile device worn by the driver; determining whether the real-time data indicates that a hazardous driving condition exists; providing feedback to the driver if the real-time data indicates that a hazardous driving condition exists, and continuing to collect data from the driver in real-time if the real-time data indicates that a hazardous driving condition does not exist. The real-time data may also be collected and used to learn characteristics of the driver. These characteristics can be compared with the data being collected to help determine, in real-time, whether the driving behavior is normal and whether a hazardous driving condition exists.

Abstract: Low-temperature techniques for doping of Cu interconnects based on interfacially-assisted thermal diffusion are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming doped copper interconnects includes the steps of: patterning at least one trench in a dielectric material; forming a barrier layer lining the trench; forming a metal liner on the barrier layer; depositing a seed layer on the metal liner; plating a Cu fill into the trench to form Cu interconnects; removing a portion of a Cu overburden to access an interface between the metal liner and the Cu fill; depositing a dopant layer; and diffusing a dopant(s) from the dopant layer along the interface to form a Cu interconnect doping layer between the metal liner and the Cu fill. Alternatively, the overburden and the barrier layer/metal liner can be completely removed, and the dopant layer deposited selectively on the Cu fill. An interconnect structure is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided and includes first and second dielectrics, first and second conductive elements, a self-formed-barrier (SFB) and a liner. The first and second dielectrics are disposed with one of first-over-second dielectric layering and second-over-first dielectric layering. The first and second conductive elements are respectively suspended at least partially within a lower one of the first and second dielectrics and at least partially within the other one of the first and second dielectrics. The self-formed-barrier (SFB) is formed about a portion of one of the first and second conductive elements which is suspended in the second dielectric. The liner is deposited about a portion of the other one of the first and second conductive elements which is partially suspended in the first dielectric.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes depositing an insulating layer over a semiconductor substrate, etching the insulating layer to form trenches for receiving copper (Cu), selectively recessing the Cu at one or more of the trenches corresponding to circuit locations requiring electromigration (EM) short-length, and forming self-aligned conducting caps over the one or more trenches where the Cu has been selectively recessed. The conducting caps can be tantalum nitride (TaN) caps. The method further includes forming a via extending into each of the trenches for receiving Cu. Additionally, the via for trenches including recessed Cu extends to the self-aligned conducting cap, whereas the via for trenches including non-recessed Cu extends to a top surface of the Cu.

Abstract: A method for via alignment includes forming first airgaps between interconnect structures and depositing a pinch off layer to close off openings to the first airgaps. A protection layer is formed in divots in the pinch off layer. The protection layer and the pinch off layer are planarized to form a surface where the protection layer remains in the divots. An interlevel dielectric layer (ILD) is deposited on the surface. The ILD and the pinch off layer are etched using the protection layer as an etch stop to align a via and expose the interconnect structure through the via.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a support apparatus. The support apparatus might comprise a body configured to support an entity. The body might comprise a material that has a physical property. The support apparatus might further comprise a coupler system configured to couple electric current from a power source to the material. The material is arranged such that coupling an electric current to the material changes the physical property of the material. Embodiments are further directed to a method. The method might comprise forming one or more cavities in a support apparatus. The method might further comprise providing one or more couplers in electrical contact with each of the one or more channels. The method further comprises filling each of the one or more cavities with a fluid that has electrically changeable rigidity. Finally, the method might comprise connecting a power source to each of the one or more couplers.

Abstract: Monitoring and analysis of a user's speech to detect symptoms of a mental health disorder by continuously monitoring a user's speech in real-time to generate audio data based, transcribing the audio data to text and analyzing the text of the audio data to determine a sentiment of the audio data is disclosed. A trained machine learning model may be applied to correlate the text and the determined sentiment to clinical information associated with symptoms of a mental health disorder to determine whether the symptoms are a symptom event. The initial determination may be transmitted to a second device to determine (and/or verify) whether or not the symptom event was falsely recognized.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer program product for generating a personality shift determination. The computer program product can include a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the instructions are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method. The method can include receiving a real-time audio input. The method can also include generating a real-time personality trait identification. The method can also include generating a current trait classification for the real-time personality trait identification. The method can also include comparing the current trait classification to a historic rate classification. The method can also include generating a personality shift determination.

Abstract: Monitoring and analysis of a user's speech to detect symptoms of a mental health disorder by continuously monitoring a user's speech in real-time to generate audio data based, transcribing the audio data to text and analyzing the text of the audio data to determine a sentiment of the audio data is disclosed. A trained machine learning model may be applied to correlate the text and the determined sentiment to clinical information associated with symptoms of a mental health disorder to determine whether the symptoms are a symptom event. The initial determination may be transmitted to a second device to determine (and/or verify) whether or not the symptom event was falsely recognized.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer program product for generating a personality shift determination. The computer program product can include a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the instructions are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method. The method can include receiving a real-time audio input. The method can also include generating a real-time personality trait identification. The method can also include generating a current trait classification for the real-time personality trait identification. The method can also include comparing the current trait classification to a historic rate classification. The method can also include generating a personality shift determination.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect that in one embodiment includes forming an opening in a dielectric layer, and treating a dielectric surface of the opening in the dielectric layer with a nitridation treatment to convert the dielectric surface to a nitrided surface. The method may further include depositing a tantalum containing layer on the nitrided surface. In some embodiments, the method further includes depositing a metal fill material on the tantalum containing layer. The interconnect formed may include a nitrided dielectric surface, a tantalum and nitrogen alloyed interface that is present on the nitrided dielectric surface, a tantalum layer on the tantalum and nitrogen alloy interface, and a copper fill.

Abstract: Methods and systems for printing accurate three-dimensional structures include printing a three-dimensional structure according to an original three-dimensional model. The original three-dimensional model is adjusted to reduce measured differences between the printed three-dimensional structure and the original three-dimensional model. A three-dimensional structure is printed according to the adjusted three-dimensional model.

Abstract: A system for a touch screen interface that includes a coating including a plurality of a touch activated microchips; and a projector for projecting a light image onto the coating that is applied to a touch screen substrate. The system also includes an image calibrator that calibrates touch activated microchips in the coating to features of the light image projected onto the coating. The system further includes a receiver for receiving signal from the touch activated microchips when said feature of the light image is activated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a semiconductor wafer test system. A non-limiting example of the test system includes a controller, a sensing system communicatively coupled to the controller, and a stress source communicatively coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to control the stress source to deliver an applied stress to a targeted stress area of a semiconductor wafer. The sensing system is configured to detect the applied stress and provide data of the applied stress to the controller. The controller is further configured to control the stress source based at least in part on the data of the applied stress.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a semiconductor wafer test system. A non-limiting example of the test system includes a controller, a sensing system communicatively coupled to the controller, and a stress source communicatively coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to control the stress source to deliver an applied stress to a targeted stress area of a semiconductor wafer. The sensing system is configured to detect the applied stress and provide data of the applied stress to the controller. The controller is further configured to control the stress source based at least in part on the data of the applied stress.

Abstract: A method for forming a conductive structure for a semiconductor device includes depositing a barrier layer in a trench formed in a dielectric material and forming an interface layer over the barrier layer. A main conductor is formed over the interface layer, and the main conductor is recessed selectively to the interface layer and the barrier layer to a position below a top surface of the dielectric layer. The interface layer is selectively wet etched to the main conductor and the barrier layer using a chemical composition having an oxidizer, wherein the chemical composition is buffered to include a pH above 7. The barrier layer is selectively etching to the main conductor and the interface layer.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for identifying advertisements targeted to individuals based on analysis of audio recordings. The method includes recording audio input from at least one media transmission, analyzing the recorded media audio to identify content of the at least one media transmission, recording audio input from at least one individual, analyzing the recorded individual audio to classify the at least one individual into at least one segment, analyzing the recorded individual audio to identify at least one sentiment related to the identified media content, analyzing the at least one sentiment in context with the identified media content and identifying at least one advertisement targeted to the at least one segment based on the contextual analysis.