Abstract: Methods for forming microelectronic devices include forming a staircase structure in a stack structure having a vertically alternating sequence of insulative and conductive materials arranged in tiers. Steps are at lateral ends of the tiers. Contact openings of different aspect ratios are formed in fill material adjacent the staircase structure, with some openings terminating in the fill material and others exposing portions of the conductive material of upper tiers of the stack structure. Additional conductive material is selectively formed on the exposed portions of the conductive material. The contact openings initially terminating in the fill material are extended to expose portions of the conductive material of lower elevations. Contacts are formed, with some extending to the additional conductive material and others extending to conductive material of the tiers of the lower elevations. Microelectronic devices and systems incorporating such staircase structures and contacts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with energy storage characteristics are presented herein. In some embodiments, a golf club head comprises a hollow body comprising a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a top rail and an inflection point. The inflection point provides increase bending of the strikeface thereby providing performance enhancement over clubs without an inflection point.

Abstract: A payment processing system is discloses. The system comprises a module configured to receive a payment request for a payment transaction from one of a plurality of different merchant applications associated with a computing device wherein the request comprises payment information comprising a merchant code or transaction identifier; in response to receiving the payment request, receive encrypted payment data from a reader coupled to the computing device wherein the payment data comprises an account number associated with a user wherein the account number is encrypted according to a first key; and transmit the payment information and the encrypted payment data to a payment server.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for coupling metals to aluminum surfaces are provided. The compositions are prepared as aqueous solutions or suspensions, and can be applied to the aluminum surface using conventional printing techniques. Rheology of the printable composition can be adjusted to provide a gel or a cream. Curing steps, if necessary, are performed at low temperatures that are compatible with plastic/polymer components of mass produced devices, such as aluminum RFID antennae.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to the generation of a token associated with a status. The status of the token may affect how the token is treated and the types of restrictions placed on the token. The status of the token may indicate that the token is generated based on verification of secure user data. Alternatively, the status of the token may indicate that the token is generated based on insufficient user data and, as such, restrictions may be imposed on the token. The token requestor may be a mobile application, such as a merchant mobile application provisioned on a user device. In response to a token request from the merchant, the token provider issues tokens with varying status based on a confidence level. The status of the token may be indicated in terms of token assurance level.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for coupling metals to aluminum surfaces are provided. The compositions are prepared as aqueous solutions or suspensions, and can be applied to the aluminum surface using conventional printing techniques. Rheology of the printable composition can be adjusted to provide a gel or a cream. Curing steps, if necessary, are performed at low temperatures that are compatible with plastic/polymer components of mass produced devices, such as aluminum RFID antennae.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to the generation of a token associated with a status. The status of the token may affect how the token is treated and the types of restrictions placed on the token. The status of the token may indicate that the token is generated based on verification of secure user data. Alternatively, the status of the token may indicate that the token is generated based on insufficient user data and, as such, restrictions may be imposed on the token. The token requestor may be a mobile application, such as a merchant mobile application provisioned on a user device. In response to a token request from the merchant, the token provider issues tokens with varying status based on a confidence level. The status of the token may be indicated in terms of token assurance level.

Abstract: Methods for forming microelectronic devices include forming a staircase structure in a stack structure having a vertically alternating sequence of insulative and conductive materials arranged in tiers. Steps are at lateral ends of the tiers. Contact openings of different aspect ratios are formed in fill material adjacent the staircase structure, with some openings terminating in the fill material and others exposing portions of the conductive material of upper tiers of the stack structure. Additional conductive material is selectively formed on the exposed portions of the conductive material. The contact openings initially terminating in the fill material are extended to expose portions of the conductive material of lower elevations. Contacts are formed, with some extending to the additional conductive material and others extending to conductive material of the tiers of the lower elevations. Microelectronic devices and systems incorporating such staircase structures and contacts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for forming microelectronic devices include forming a staircase structure in a stack structure having a vertically alternating sequence of insulative and conductive materials arranged in tiers. Steps are at lateral ends of the tiers. Contact openings of different aspect ratios are formed in fill material adjacent the staircase structure, with some openings terminating in the fill material and others exposing portions of the conductive material of upper tiers of the stack structure. Additional conductive material is selectively formed on the exposed portions of the conductive material. The contact openings initially terminating in the fill material are extended to expose portions of the conductive material of lower elevations. Contacts are formed, with some extending to the additional conductive material and others extending to conductive material of the tiers of the lower elevations. Microelectronic devices and systems incorporating such staircase structures and contacts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to the generation of a token associated with a status. The status of the token may affect how the token is treated and the types of restrictions placed on the token. The status of the token may indicate that the token is generated based on verification of secure user data. Alternatively, the status of the token may indicate that the token is generated based on insufficient user data and, as such, restrictions may be imposed on the token. The token requestor may be a mobile application, such as a merchant mobile application provisioned on a user device. In response to a token request from the merchant, the token provider issues tokens with varying status based on a confidence level. The status of the token may be indicated in terms of token assurance level.

Abstract: Methods for forming microelectronic devices include forming a staircase structure in a stack structure having a vertically alternating sequence of insulative and conductive materials arranged in tiers. Steps are at lateral ends of the tiers. Contact openings of different aspect ratios are formed in fill material adjacent the staircase structure, with some openings terminating in the fill material and others exposing portions of the conductive material of upper tiers of the stack structure. Additional conductive material is selectively formed on the exposed portions of the conductive material. The contact openings initially terminating in the fill material are extended to expose portions of the conductive material of lower elevations. Contacts are formed, with some extending to the additional conductive material and others extending to conductive material of the tiers of the lower elevations. Microelectronic devices and systems incorporating such staircase structures and contacts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to the generation of a token associated with a status. The status of the token may affect how the token is treated and the types of restrictions placed on the token. The status of the token may indicate that the token is generated based on verification of secure user data. Alternatively, the status of the token may indicate that the token is generated based on insufficient user data and, as such, restrictions may be imposed on the token. The token requestor may be a mobile application, such as a merchant mobile application provisioned on a user device. In response to a token request from the merchant, the token provider issues tokens with varying status based on a confidence level. The status of the token may be indicated in terms of token assurance level.

Abstract: Methods of patterning electroless metals on a substrate are presented. The substrate is covered by a blocking reagent. After formation of a catalyst blocking layer on the substrate, portions of the catalyst blocking layer are removed to form a circuit pattern. A catalyst is placed the surfaces of both the catalyst blocking layer and the exposed substrate. The catalyst blocking layer prevents or reduces catalytic activity of the catalyst. Electroless metal plating is performed to plate a metal at the active portions of the catalyst.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are contemplated for depositing metals to the surface of a substrate. A first precursor ink including a metal is applied to a surface of the substrate, and the precursor ink is reduced to deposit the metal to the substrate, preferably by thermal reduction, forming a first metal layer. A second precursor ink having a second metal is then applied to the substrate, at least partially over the first metal layer. The second precursor ink is then reduced, typically by chemical reduction, depositing the second metal over the first metal layer in a globular fashion. Precursor inks are also disclosed having an alkyl metal carboxylate, a cyclic amine, and at least one of an ester, a hydrocarbon, or an ether.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for coupling metals to aluminum surfaces are provided. The compositions are prepared as aqueous solutions or suspensions, and can be applied to the aluminum surface using conventional printing techniques. Rheology of the printable composition can be adjusted to provide a gel or a cream. Curing steps, if necessary, are performed at low temperatures that are compatible with plastic/polymer components of mass produced devices, such as aluminum RFID antennae.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to the generation of a token associated with a status. The status of the token may affect how the token is treated and the types of restrictions placed on the token. The status of the token may indicate that the token is generated based on verification of secure user data. Alternatively, the status of the token may indicate that the token is generated based on insufficient user data and, as such, restrictions may be imposed on the token. The token requestor may be a mobile application, such as a merchant mobile application provisioned on a user device. In response to a token request from the merchant, the token provider issues tokens with varying status based on a confidence level. The status of the token may be indicated in terms of token assurance level.

Abstract: A securing device for a power supply adapter includes a first tube extending through a cap and having a cutout defined in two opposed sides of the first tube and a second tube extending from a bottom face of a plug to be rotatably received in and extended out of the first tube and having a stop axially formed on a free end of the second tube to correspond to and be received in the cutout when the second tube is received in the first tube and the stop abuts a bottom peripheral edge of the first tube when the second tube is rotated relative to the first tube such that engagement between the plug and the cap is secured.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for managing a network using business information based on data from the network elements, where the data includes real time data. One preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a method for managing a network having a network element. First, a real time variable of the network element is selected for dynamic monitoring in a cell on a spreadsheet. Next, the real time variable is measured. And then the measured real time variable is used, for example, displayed, in the cell. In addition, the measured real time variable can be combined with other business data to form a flexible business analysis application.