Abstract: Composite magnetic recording media are described. A composite structure is a structure that is formed of multiple components. For example, a composite magnetic recording medium may include a substrate, an underlayer formed over the substrate, the underlayer defining a coating surface, and a magnetic layer formed over the coating surface of the underlayer. Composite magnetic recording media constructed according to the materials and techniques disclosed may provide dimensional flexibility while exhibiting improved physical or electromagnetic characteristics. In some examples, dimensional flexibility may be achieved by pairing a substrate greater than or equal to approximately 4000 nanometers thick with an underlayer less than or equal to approximately 890 nanometers thick.

Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a component having a heat treated hardened layer over a substrate material is disclosed. The method includes removing at least the heat treated hardened layer of the component to expose the substrate material. The method also includes providing a cladding material on the substrate material. The method further includes melting the cladding material via a laser beam to form a single layered coating with hardness greater than or substantially equal to hardness of the heat treated hardened layer, on the substrate material.

Abstract: A free space line of site communication system for communicating between a first destination and a second destination includes a constellation of airborne platforms in a train-like formation, each travelling at a constant speed and distance relative to each other. Each of the airborne platforms includes: one or more inter-airborne platform optical or RF transceivers for communication with a previous and a next neighboring airborne platforms, wherein each inter-airborne platform transceiver is capable of adjusting its velocity to keep a constant speed and distance relative to its neighboring airborne platforms, and one or more up/down link transceivers for communication with multiple ground sites, each ground site having two or more ground optical or RF transceivers. A first airborne platforms closest to the first destination communicates with the first destination and a second airborne platforms closest to the second destination communicates with the second destination.

Abstract: Casing bits include a bit crown having a substantially hollow interior. The bit crown has blades over a face portion thereof, the blades including a plurality of cutting elements attached thereto. The bit crown further includes a composite inlay positioned at least within the substantially hollow interior. The casing bits also include case hardened outer surfaces radially outside a drill-out region. The casing bits further include short-substrate cutting elements. Methods of forming a casing bit are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor structures with metal lines and methods of manufacture which reduce or eliminate extrusion formation. The method includes forming a metal wiring comprising a layered structure of metal materials with an upper constraining layer. The method further includes forming a film on the metal wiring which prevents metal extrusion during an annealing process.

Abstract: An interactive grid display presented on a communications device offers a frontline representative of an enterprise or other user at a work site access to information for addressing a client's request. Available information is sorted and selected via the interactive grid based on a number of primary categories that are identified along one dimension of the grid and a number of subcategories identified along another dimension of the grid. Information is presented in the interactive grid directly, for example, typically without requiring the user to conduct a search for the information. In response to a user selecting a point on the grid for the category and sub-category that best matches the information desired by the representative, based on grid intersection for appropriate primary and secondary categories, the device interface drills down to obtain more specific information for presentation to the user.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system (100) and method including a constellation of several satellites (102). Each of satellites including: several inter-satellite optical telescopes (204) for optical communication with multiple neighboring satellites, each inter-satellite optical telescope is capable of adjusting its elevation angle to accommodate changes in the number of satellites in the constellation; and several up/down link optical telescopes (206) for optical communication with multiple ground sites, where each ground site has several ground optical telescopes. As the constellation passes a given ground site, some of the up/down-link telescopes of a given satellite are configured to track at least two respective ground optical telescopes of the given ground site and send data to the ground optical telescope with the clearest line of sight to the given satellite.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a controlled metal extrusion opening in a semiconductor structure. Various embodiments include a semiconductor structure. The structure includes an aluminum layer. The aluminum layer includes an aluminum island within the aluminum layer, and a lateral extrusion receiving opening extending through the aluminum layer adjacent the aluminum island. The opening includes a lateral extrusion of the aluminum layer of the semiconductor structure. Additional embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method can include forming an aluminum layer over a titanium layer. The aluminum layer includes an aluminum island within the aluminum layer. The method can also include forming an opening extending through the aluminum layer adjacent the aluminum island within the aluminum layer. The opening includes a lateral extrusion of the aluminum layer of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A system directing oxygen enriched air to locations on an aircraft. A nitrogen generating system may be configured for generating nitrogen enriched air and oxygen enriched air.

Abstract: A system for providing an oxygen enriched localized environment in a user compartment on an aircraft that can include a gas separation system having an oxygen output channel that outputs a flow of oxygen enriched air, and a duct network coupled to the oxygen output channel and to direct the flow of oxygen enriched air to the user compartment, localized volume.

Abstract: A method of controlling a slot die comprises, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the position of the actuators with the controller to either increase the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators or substantially close the fluid flow path adjacent the actuators, and after changing the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, repositioning each of the actuators with the controller according to the set of discrete settings to resume operating the slot die with the actuators positioned according to the set of discrete settings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to adjust bleed ports on an aircraft engine are disclosed. An example apparatus for bleeding air from a multi-stage compressor of an aircraft engine includes a compressor case having a plurality of bleed ports. A first bleed port is associated with a first stage of a compressor, and a second bleed port is associated with a second stage of the compressor. The apparatus includes a plenum connected to the compressor case to define a plenum cavity. The plenum fluidly coupling the first and second bleed ports to a fluid conduit for providing bleed air to one or more systems of an aircraft. The apparatus also includes a bleed port selection mechanism located within the plenum cavity. The bleed port selection mechanism including a first portion proximate the first bleed port and operable to prevent fluid flow through the first bleed port.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to method for reducing lateral extrusion formed in semiconductor structures and semiconductor structures formed thereof. Various embodiments include a method for reducing lateral extrusion formed in semiconductor structures. The method can include removing a portion of a first lateral extrusion in an aluminum layer of the semiconductor structure, and determining a post-removal thickness of a dielectric layer positioned adjacent the aluminum layer. The post-removal thickness may be determined subsequent to the removing of the portion of the first lateral extrusion. The method can also include determining a difference between the post-removal thickness of the dielectric layer and a pre-removal thickness of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system (100) and method including a constellation of several satellites (102). Each of satellites including: several inter-satellite optical telescopes (204) for optical communication with multiple neighboring satellites, each inter-satellite optical telescope is capable of adjusting its elevation angle to accommodate changes in the number of satellites in the constellation; and several up/down link optical telescopes (206) for optical communication with multiple ground sites, where each ground site has several ground optical telescopes. As the constellation passes a given ground site, some of the up/down-link telescopes of a given satellite are configured to track at least two respective ground optical telescopes of the given ground site and send data to the ground optical telescope with the clearest line of sight to the given satellite.

Abstract: A request for quote system and method are described. The system may allow a user to request a quote for healthcare in a geographic region from a practitioner that has a specialty and/or has the expertise to treat a particular disease or condition.

Abstract: Enhanced methods are disclosed for performing operations such as cleaning, inspection or data acquisition on an external surface of a hollow cylindrical tubular. Preferred embodiments include providing a fluid dispenser and an abrasion assembly on a buggy that travels up and down the length of the tubular as the tubular rotates. The fluid dispenser includes nozzles that dispense cleaning fluids onto the tubular's external surface. The abrasion assembly includes a swivel brush and a brush train providing different styles of abrasion cleaning of the tubular's external surface. Preferred embodiments of the buggy also carry a range finding laser and an optical camera generating samples that may be processed in real time into data regarding the surface contours and the diameter variations on the tubular's external surface. Cleaning and inspection variables such as tubular rotational speed, or buggy speed, may be adjusted responsive to measured surface contour data.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system (100) and method including: several optical beam expanders (414) for receiving incoming optical signals from ground sites and neighboring satellites; several optical preamplifiers (412) for preamplifying the received optical signals; one or more optical main amplifiers (404) for amplifying the preamplified optical signals; and an optical switch (408) for directing respective amplified optical signals to respective destinations via a respective optical beam expander. The respective amplified optical signals are inputted to a respective optical beam expander (414) for transmission to said respective destinations, as outgoing optical signals.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to method for reducing lateral extrusion formed in semiconductor structures and semiconductor structures formed thereof. Various embodiments include a method for reducing lateral extrusion formed in semiconductor structures. The method can include removing a portion of a first lateral extrusion in an aluminum layer of the semiconductor structure, and determining a post-removal thickness of a dielectric layer positioned adjacent the aluminum layer. The post-removal thickness may be determined subsequent to the removing of the portion of the first lateral extrusion. The method can also include determining a difference between the post-removal thickness of the dielectric layer and a pre-removal thickness of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for harvesting recombinant proteins from mammalian cell culture fluid. The method makes use of cationic polymers, non-ionic polymers and non-ionic surfactants.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide logic for decentralized request routing. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method routes a request. The method includes receiving, by a client server, the request. The client server evaluates feedback information received by the client server from at least one of a plurality of host servers. The client server selects one of the plurality of host servers to process the request, based on the evaluation, and transmits the request to the selected one of the plurality of host servers.