Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and processor-readable storage media for automated storage system performance validation are provided herein. An example computer-implemented method includes obtaining user input pertaining to performance testing associated with one or more storage systems deployed in at least one user environment; generating, based at least in part on the obtained user input, a storage system performance test deployment environment comprising at least one controller and at least one data collection mechanism; executing, using the storage system performance test deployment environment, at least one performance test on at least a portion of the one or more storage systems deployed in the at least one user environment; and performing one or more automated actions based at least in part on results from the at least one executed performance test.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating item bundles. An item bundle includes more than one item from an item universe that can be bundled together. For example, in an electronic marketplace, two items can be linked together as a bundle that is sold. An order document can be created that includes a reference to the item bundle that is associated with an entry for each of the items in the bundle.

Abstract: A universal security agent deployed on a computing endpoint includes one or both of a base agent and a security agent plugin module. The base agent loads the security agent plugin module and, in response, receives plugin tasks from the security agent plugin module for registration. The base agent schedules the received plugin tasks based on a policy and/or a system access information associated with the security agent plugin module. Further, the base agent executes the plugin tasks based on the scheduling. The base agent controls system access requests generated during the execution of the plugin tasks based on the policy associated with the security agent plugin module. Additionally, the base agent monitors and logs system access information associated with the security agent plugin module.

Abstract: A universal security agent deployed on a computing endpoint includes one or both of a base agent and a security agent plugin module. The base agent loads the security agent plugin module and, in response, receives plugin tasks from the security agent plugin module for registration. The base agent schedules the received plugin tasks based on a policy and/or a system access information associated with the security agent plugin module. Further, the base agent executes the plugin tasks based on the scheduling. The base agent controls system access requests generated during the execution of the plugin tasks based on the policy associated with the security agent plugin module. Additionally, the base agent monitors and logs system access information associated with the security agent plugin module.

Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) substrate inspection system and method of manufacturing thereof, includes: an EUV source directing EUV illumination through an aperture; a light detector detecting mask illumination with reduced off axis rays reflected off from a substrate; and a computing device processing image data detected by the light detector.

Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) substrate inspection system and method of manufacturing thereof, includes: an EUV source directing EUV illumination through an aperture; a light detector detecting mask illumination with reduced off axis rays reflected off from a substrate; and a computing device processing image data detected by the light detector.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for charge material includes a preheater having a housing with a combustion chamber therein constructed and arranged to receive the charge material, at least one oxy-fuel burner mounted to the housing for providing a combustion flame to the combustion chamber wherein a combustion atmosphere is created to provide heat sufficient to increase a temperature of the charge material, a fuel supply and an oxidant supply connected to the at least one oxy-fuel burner, an exhaust in communication with the combustion chamber for removing a portion of the combustion atmosphere from the combustion chamber; and a melter separate from the preheater for coaction therewith to receive the heated charge material for being melted in the melter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a troubleshooter to reuse existing indicators, such as displays, LEDs, or specialized indicators, for a purpose other than the indicator's usual purpose. In response to an initial occurrence of a problem, the troubleshooter modifies the indicator's behavior to indicate a later occurrence of a fault or a set of faults, which may be the cause of the problem. Upon the later occurrence of the problem, the indicator is monitored for simultaneous notification of occurrence of the fault. After the problem is triaged, the modified indicator is returned to its original use. The notification from the indicator can be sensory, i.e., auditory, visible, or tactile. The indicator's change in behavior can occur after the fault happens once or an administrable threshold number of times, or intermittently. Alternatively, the change in behavior may become semi-permanent if the fault continues to occur for some administrable number of times.

Abstract: A burner for melting material in a furnace includes an elongated member having a first end with a heat source, a second end with an exhaust, and a combustion chamber disposed in the elongated member interconnecting the first and second ends, a portion of the elongated member between the first and second ends in contact with the material to be melted. A method for melting the material is also provided.

Abstract: In an axial-flow cylindrical preparative chromatography column that utilizes a piston to close off the top of the resin space inside the column and thereby eliminate void spaces at the top of the resin, one or more proximity detectors are incorporated in the piston head to either generate a signal indicating the proximity of the piston had to the resin, or to collect a signal, such as a optical signal, emitted from the resin. The value of the signal or any change in the signal is compared to a threshold value to ascertain when the piston head is in proximity to the resin so that the motion of the piston toward the resin can be halted before contact pressure from the piston head damages the resin.

Abstract: A wire saw for cutting hard materials includes a carbon nanotube fiber wire spun from carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube fiber wire may be made from a plurality of fibers, each fiber being spun from carbon nanotubes, the fibers being twisted together to form the wire. Furthermore, the wire may also include diamond particles, silicon carbide particles and/or extra carbon nanotubes to enhance the abrasive properties of the wire. A method is provided for slicing a silicon boule including: linearly translating a carbon nanotube fiber wire between rotating drums while maintaining the wire under tension; using a fixture, moving the silicon boule onto the moving tensioned wire, whereby the wire cuts into the silicon; delivering lubricating fluid to the surface of the silicon where contact is made with the wire; and collecting the lubricating fluid after it leaves the surface of the silicon.

Abstract: In an axial-flow cylindrical preparative chromatography column that utilizes a piston to close off the top of the resin space inside the column and thereby eliminate void spaces at the top of the resin, one or more proximity detectors are incorporated in the piston head to either generate a signal indicating the proximity of the piston had to the resin, or to collect a signal, such as a optical signal, emitted from the resin. The value of the signal or any change in the signal is compared to a threshold value to ascertain when the piston head is in proximity to the resin so that the motion of the piston toward the resin can be halted before contact pressure from the piston head damages the resin.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a drinking vessel or “glass” comprised of two separate chambers. The glass is designed for two separate liquids to be contained within the glass yet held separate until the time that the user of the glass drinks the liquid. The two chambers are of the same height as the vessel to ensure that liquids held within are not combined until they enter the users mouth.

Abstract: The method of the invention involves depositing a plurality of thin layers of film, each layer having a thickness ranging from about 500Å to about 2000Å. Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition or other techniques known in the art maybe used to deposit each thin layer of film. The film is polysilicon or silicon-germanium, where the germanium content ranges from about 4% by weight to about 20% by weight germanium. A Rapid Thermal Anneal (“RTA”) is performed on a deposited thin film layer to relieve residual film stress in at least that film layer. The use of RTA rather than furnace annealing permits much shorter annealing times. Optionally, but advantageously, hydrogen may be present during RTA to permit the use of lower processing temperatures, typically about 20% lower relative to a customary anneal. A series of film deposition/rapid thermal anneal cycles is used to produce the desired, nominal total thickness polysilicon film.

Abstract: An integrated wafer loader is provided for use with a vacuum process chamber. At least one semipermeable membrane provided in the separator between upper and lower chambers of a load lock permits air flow while preventing particulate matter transfer. A micro-environment container is sealed within the upper chamber and a vacuum simultaneously produced in both upper and lower chambers. A movable carrier plate opens the micro-environment container and removes a cassette of wafers from therein and into the lower chamber. The micro-environment container remains supported by the separator and forms an impermeable barrier between the chambers. Wafers are transferred from the cassette to the process environment, and returned to the cassette after processing has been completed. The carrier plate returns the cassette containing the processed wafers to the micro-environment container for removal from the load lock chamber.

Abstract: A wafer processing system includes an autoloader mounted within a load lock for providing batch, cassette-to-cassette automatic wafer transfer between the semiconductor processing chamber and cassette load and unload positions within the load lock. The system provides rapid, contamination-free loading and unloading of semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A wafer processing system includes an autoloader mounted within a load lock for providing batch, cassette-to-cassette automatic wafer transfer between the semiconductor processing chamber and cassette load and unload positions within the load lock. The system provides rapid, contamination-free loading and unloading of semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A wafer processing system includes an autoloader mounted within a load lock for providing batch, cassette-to-cassette automatic wafer transfer between the semiconductor processing chamber and cassette load and unload positions within the load lock. The system provides rapid, contamination-free loading and unloading of semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A system for generating heat and sensing the temperature in an internal body organ such as in a tumor and for gaining information about the tumor for diagnosis and other purposes comprising a first system portion which is preferably entirely implantable beneath the skin of the person being treated or diagnosed including a probe device having electrical heater and sensor elements in it for implanting extending into the tumor to be treated and including an internal control unit also implantable under the skin and operatively connected to the heater and sensor elements in the probe, the internal control unit also including an electronic control unit for controlling the energizing of the heater element and having a sensor responsive portion responsive to the temperature sensed by the sensor element, and a transmitter/receiver device and a second system portion including an external control unit having a transmitter/receiver device for positioning on the skin adjacent to the internal transmitter/receiver device fo