Abstract: A wireless communication system based on a directional speaker is disclosed. The system can include an interface unit and a base unit. The audio signals from the speaker can be generated by transforming ultrasonic signals in air. This allows the production of directional audio signals even when the aperture of the speaker has dimensions in the order of a few centimeters. The audio signals from the speaker can be heard hands-free. Further, privacy protection is enhanced. In one embodiment, the interface unit can be attached or integrated to a piece of clothing at the shoulder of the user, with the audio signals from the speaker directed towards one of the user's ears. The wireless communication system can be applied to a number of different areas, including a communication device, such as a cell phone; a hearing aid; an entertainment system; and a computation system, such as a personal digital assistant or a computer.

Abstract: A method and system for elimination of spatial artifacts in digital imaging. Aperiodicity is applied to periodic data to mitigate spatial artifacts. The data can be received aperiodically and reformatted to be rendered by a periodic output device. The data can be received in periodic format and rendered on an aperiodic output device. The system has aperiodic input and output devices.

Abstract: A method and structure for semiconductor structure includes a plurality of adjacent wiring levels, conductors within each of the wiring levels, and liners at least partially surrounding each of the conductors. The liners of adjacent wiring levels are made of different materials which have different etching characteristics and are selectively etchable with respect to one another. The liners can be tantalum, tungsten, etc. The liners surround at least three sides of the conductors. Each of the wiring levels has a first insulator layer which has a first dielectric material. The liners and the conductors are positioned within the first dielectric material. A second insulator layer has a second dielectric material over the first insulator layer. The first dielectric material has a lower dielectric constant than the second dielectric material. The first dielectric material can be silicon dioxide, fluorinated silicon dioxide (FSD), microporous glasses, etc.

Abstract: A patient support is disclosed having an adjustable length deck and a mattress positionable on the deck.

Abstract: A crustacean or rotifer is infected with a recombinant infectious virus that expresses a protein exogenous to the virus. The genome of the crustacean or rotifer itself remains unaltered. Crustacean, rotifer, insect, or viral promoters drive the transcription of a gene inserted into the recombinant virus genome, and the virus replicates in the crustacean or rotifer cell cytoplasm. The infected crustacean or rotifer can be provided directly to humans or non-human animals, or, following production and harvest of the crustaceans or rotifers, purified recombinant protein or polypeptide can be provided. Large quantities of biopharmaceuticals can be produced rapidly and inexpensively using this production system.

Abstract: Particles of electroluminescent phosphor having a moisture proof coating are re-coated by treating the phosphor in a fluidized bed with a mixture of water vapor and an organotrichlorosilane compound for approximately thirty minutes. The resultant siloxane coating further improves the moisture resistance of the phosphor.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing reinforced, three-zone, microporous membrane having a plurality of different possible pore sizes from at least a single mother dope batch, including formulating at least a single mother dope batch, controllably formulating the dope in at least one vessel such that the dope temperature does not exceed a predetermined maximum mixing temperature and is maintained at a temperature lower than the mixing temperature, heating a small portion of the dope to a target temperature corresponding to a specific desired pore size to be formed in at least one zone of the microporous membrane in at least one thermal manipulation apparatus cooling the dope to about room temperature or a temperature which results in a suitable and/or optimal coating viscosity, operatively connecting at least one dope application apparatus is to the at least one thermal manipulation apparatus for transporting the manipulated dope to a dope processing site.

Abstract: A head includes a bearing surface portion disposed between two transition surface portions which progressively diverge away from a plane containing the bearing surface portion. The bearing surface portion and transition surface portions collectively form a generally continuous surface which is substantially free of abrupt discontinuities in a head travel direction. A method of making the head involves use of a gray-scale mask to pattern a photoresist on a substrate, after which the photoresist is developed and the substrate is etched through the photoresist in order to create on the substrate a three-dimensional surface which includes the bearing surface portion and transition surface portions.

Abstract: A fan (10) is disclosed having a downrod (11), a motor (12), a motor housing (13) substantially encasing the motor (12), and blades (14) mounted to the motor housing (13). Each blade (14) has an air intake scoop (16 adjacent to and extending from the motor housing (13). The interior space (17) created by the intake scoop (16) is in fluid communication with an opening (18) extending through the motor housing (13). Rotational movement of the air intake scoops (16) create airstreams which are directed to the electric motor for ventilation purposes.

Abstract: A method of reworking BEOL (back end of a processing line) metallization levels of damascene metallurgy comprises forming a plurality of BEOL metallization levels over a substrate, forming line and via portions in the BEOL metallization levels, selectively removing at least one of the BEOL metallization levels to expose the line and via portions, and replacing the removed BEOL metallization levels with at least one new BEOL metallization level, wherein the BEOL metallization levels comprise a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer, and wherein the first dielectric layer comprising a lower dielectric constant material than the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: Phase inversion microporous membranes including at least two different pore size regions are provided, wherein two membrane sheets are placed, back-to-back, such that the qualifying pore zones are positioned internally within the structure. Exemplary membranes according to the present disclosure provide excellent thermal stability and retention characteristics. Methods for fabricating and using the disclosed membrane structures are also provided according to the present disclosure.

Abstract: A fan (10) is disclosed having a downrod (11), a motor (12), a motor housing (13) substantially encasing the motor (12), and blades (14) mounted to the motor housing (13). Each blade (14) has an air intake scoop (16 adjacent to and extending from the motor housing (13). The interior space (17) created by the intake scoop (16) is in fluid communication with an opening (18) extending through the motor housing (13). Rotational movement of the air intake scoops (16) create airstreams which are directed to the electric motor for ventilation purposes.

Abstract: A wireless electronic device includes a first application to output a first packet through a first virtual interface as a wireless electronic device moves from a home subnetwork to a foreign subnetwork. The wireless electronic device also includes a second application utilizing the Mobile Internet Protocol (Mobile IP protocol) to output a second packet through a second interface as the wireless electronic device moves from the home subnetwork to the foreign subnetwork. A common physical interface is tied to the first virtual interface and the second interface of the wireless electronic device, wherein the physical interface of the wireless electronic device receives the first packet and the second packet, and outputs the first packet and the second packet from the wireless electronic device after the wireless electronic device has moved.