Abstract: A nanostructure barrier for copper wire bonding includes metal grains and inter-grain metal between the metal grains. The nanostructure barrier includes a first metal selected from nickel or cobalt, and a second metal selected from tungsten or molybdenum. A concentration of the second metal is higher in the inter-grain metal than in the metal grains. The nanostructure barrier may be on a copper core wire to provide a coated bond wire. The nanostructure barrier may be on a bond pad to form a coated bond pad. A method of plating the nanostructure barrier using reverse pulse plating is disclosed. A wire bonding method using the coated bond wire is disclosed.

Abstract: Described examples include a process that includes forming a diffusion barrier layer on a backside of a semiconductor wafer. The process also includes forming a seed copper layer on the diffusion barrier layer. The process also includes forming a copper layer on the seed copper layer. The process also includes immersion plating a silver layer on the copper layer.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to method for producing products, particularly alcohols, by microbial fermentation. In particular, the invention relates to methods for increasing the efficiency of the fermentation, by providing a method for treating the used fermentation broth to produce a treated permeate which is then passed back to the bioreactor. The invention provides a method whereby at least one treatment step used to treat the permeated, produces a gaseous product which is then used in one or more stages of the fermentation process.

Abstract: An air quality monitoring system that enables a wide scale deployment of instruments with enough accuracy for meaningful and actionable data is provided. In one aspect, an advanced technique is used to calibrate limited-capability gaseous chemical sensors to obtain accurate measurements by cross-calibrating those sensors with reference sensors to correct sensitivities to parameters that cause errors to measurements of targeted gases. In another aspect, air quality measurements are used to identify sources of chemicals in a localized level by accounting for local conditions using data such as ambient condition data and user-provided data about the local environment. In yet another aspect, a gaseous chemical sensor with an improved encasement having a cell for reflecting and lengthening light path is provided to reduce the limitations and enhance the accuracy of a conventional spectrophotometric gaseous chemical sensor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a system for transforming sparse elements to a dense matrix. The system is configured to receive a request for an output matrix based on sparse elements including sparse elements associated with a first dense matrix and sparse elements associated with a second dense matrix; obtain the sparse elements associated with the first dense matrix fetched by a first group of sparse element access units; obtain the sparse elements associated with the second dense matrix fetched by a second group of sparse element access units; and transform the sparse elements associated with the first dense matrix and the sparse elements associated with the second dense matrix to generate the output dense matrix that includes the sparse elements associated with the first dense matrix and the sparse elements associated with the second dense matrix.

Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes a metal substrate having a center aperture with a plurality of raised traces around the center aperture including a metal layer on a dielectric base layer. A semiconductor die that has a back side metal (BSM) layer is mounted top side up in a top portion of the center aperture. A single metal layer directly between the BSM layer and walls of the metal substrate bounding the center aperture to provide a die attachment that fills a bottom portion of the center aperture. Leads having at least one bend that contact the metal layer are on the plurality of traces and include a distal portion that extends beyond the metal substrate. Bond wires are between the traces and bond pads on the semiconductor die. A mold compound provides encapsulation.

Abstract: Electronic navigation systems may be provided with user and/or demo profiles. Each user or demo profile may define a specific settings regarding display layout, user preferences, and various functions and features displayed or provided at an electronic navigation system. A user profile may define specific display preferences on a menu screen for a profile owner. A demo profile may define specific functions/features displayed on a screen for demonstrating use with a specific type of vehicle or a specific type of activity. Each demo profile also may store simulation data that allow the electronic navigation system to simulate the use of the navigation system with a specific type of vehicle or a specific type of activity. The electronic navigation system may allow users to create a new profile, edit an existing profile, and/or activate or deactivate an existing profile.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery system including remote machine updating and control is disclosed. An example medical fluid delivery system includes a first fluid delivery device for a first patient and a second fluid delivery device for a second patient. The medical fluid delivery system also includes a server in communication with the first and second fluid delivery devices and a software application for a mobile device. The software application causes a first icon to be displayed representing the first fluid delivery device and a second icon to be simultaneously displayed representing the second fluid delivery device. The medical fluid delivery system further includes a first communication link between the first and second fluid delivery devices and the server, and a second communication link between the server and the software application. The software application receives status updates from the fluid delivery devices via the server and the first and second links.

Abstract: A structure for a semiconductor device includes a copper (Cu) layer and a first nickel (Ni) alloy layer with a Ni grain size a1. The structure also includes a second Ni alloy layer with a Ni grain size a2, wherein a1<a2. The first Ni alloy layer is between the Cu layer and the second Ni alloy layer. The structure further includes a tin (Sn) layer. The second Ni alloy layer is between the first Ni alloy layer and the Sn layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for recovering at least one product from a fermentation broth. The invention relates to the use of a vacuum distillation vessel to recover products, such as ethanol, from a fermentation broth, where the fermentation broth comprises viable microbial biomass, and where the recovery of the product is completed in such a manner to ensure the viability of the microbial biomass. The invention provides for product recovery at an effective rate so as to prevent the accumulation of product in the fermentation broth. To ensure the viability of the microbial biomass, the invention is designed to reduce the amount of stress on the microbial biomass. By ensuring the viability of the microbial biomass, the microbial biomass may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, which may result in an increased efficiency of the fermentation process.

Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes a metal substrate having a center aperture with a plurality of raised traces around the center aperture including a metal layer on a dielectric base layer. A semiconductor die that has a back side metal (BSM) layer is mounted top side up in a top portion of the center aperture. A single metal layer directly between the BSM layer and walls of the metal substrate bounding the center aperture to provide a die attachment that fills a bottom portion of the center aperture. Leads having at least one bend that contact the metal layer are on the plurality of traces and include a distal portion that extends beyond the metal substrate. Bond wires are between the traces and bond pads on the semiconductor die. A mold compound provides encapsulation.

Abstract: A microelectronic device is formed by thinning a substrate of the microelectronic device from a die attach surface of the substrate, and forming a copper-containing layer on the die attach surface of the substrate. A protective metal layer is formed on the copper-containing layer. Subsequently, the copper-containing layer is attached to a package member having a package die mount area. The protective metal layer may optionally be removed prior to attaching the copper-containing layer to the package member. Alternatively, the protective metal layer may be left on the copper-containing layer when the copper-containing layer is attached to the package member. A structure formed by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide casting guidance for users of mobile structures, including watercraft. A casting guidance system includes a sonar transducer assembly and a logic device configured to communicate with the sonar transducer assembly. The sonar transducer assembly is adapted to be mounted to a mobile structure and placed in a body of water. The logic device is configured to identify one or more underwater targets in sonar data received from the sonar transducer assembly, determine casting guidance parameters corresponding to the one or more identified underwater targets, and generate at least one casting guidance identifier based, at least in part, on the determined casting guidance parameters. Subsequent user input, the sonar data, and/or the casting guidance parameters may be used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for manufacturing a blade component for a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The method includes arranging a fiber material in a mold of the blade component. The method also includes placing at least one pre-cured laminate material atop the fiber material. Another step includes infusing the fiber material and the pre-cured laminate material together via a resin material so as to form the blade component. The method also includes allowing the blade component to cure, the pre-cured laminate material forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the blade component.

Abstract: Described examples include a process that includes forming a diffusion barrier layer on a backside of a semiconductor wafer. The process also includes forming a seed copper layer on the diffusion barrier layer. The process also includes forming a copper layer on the seed copper layer. The process also includes immersion plating a silver layer on the copper layer.

Abstract: An air quality monitoring system that enables a wide scale deployment of instruments with enough accuracy for meaningful and actionable data is provided. In one aspect, an advanced technique is used to calibrate limited-capability gaseous chemical sensors to obtain accurate measurements by cross-calibrating those sensors with reference sensors to correct sensitivities to parameters that cause errors to measurements of targeted gases. In another aspect, air quality measurements are used to identify sources of chemicals in a localized level by accounting for local conditions using data such as ambient condition data and user-provided data about the local environment. In yet another aspect, a gaseous chemical sensor with an improved encasement having a cell for reflecting and lengthening light path is provided to reduce the limitations and enhance the accuracy of a conventional spectrophotometric gaseous chemical sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving airway patency are disclosed. An oral device is positioned in the oral cavity and applies a negative pressure to the oral cavity. The oral device has pressure delivery ports directed toward an anterior surface of the soft palate when positioned therein. The negative pressure generates an air flow out of the oral cavity. A pressure tube is coupled to the oral device to provide the applied negative pressure. A pressure source is coupled to the pressure tube to generate the applied negative pressure. A collector is coupled to the pressure tube and/or pressure source to collect liquid, typically saliva, from the air flow out of the oral cavity. The collector is disposed outside of the oral cavity and coupled to the oral device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for joining rotor blade components using thermoplastic welding.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating an analyte from a test sample, such as bacteria from blood components, based on their dielectric properties, localizing or condensing the analyte, flushing substantially all remaining waste products from the test sample, and detecting low concentrations of the analyte. The module array includes a plurality of microfluidic channels with connecting microfluidic waste channels for directing undesired material away from the analyte. An electric field is applied causing a positive dielectrophoretic force to the analyte to capture the analyte. The electric field is applied to at least one electrode having a plurality of concentric rings or concentric arcs extending radially outwards from a center point, electrically connected to a voltage source such that when voltage is applied to the at least one electrode, the concentric rings or concentric arcs alternate in voltage potential.