Abstract: Metallization of semiconductor substrates using a laser beam, and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, solar cell circuit, solar cell strings, and solar cell arrays are described. A solar cell string can include a plurality of solar cells. The plurality of solar cells can include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contact structures is electrically connected to the plurality semiconductor regions. Each conductive contact structure includes a locally deposited metal portion disposed in contact with a corresponding one of the semiconductor regions.

Abstract: This document describes radar tracking with model estimates augmented by radar detections. An example tracker analyzes information derived using radar detections to enhance radar tracks having object measurements estimated from directly analyzing data cubes with a model (e.g., a machine-learning model). High-quality tracks with measurements to objects of importance can be quickly produced with the model. However, the model only estimates measurements for classes of objects its training or programming can recognize. To improve estimated measurements from the model, or even in some cases, to convey additional classes of objects, the tracker separately analyzes detections. Detections that consistently align to objects recognized by the model can update model-derived measurements conveyed initially in the tracks. Consistently observed detections that do not align to existing tracks may be used to establish new tracks for conveying more classes of objects than the model can recognize.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for ordering entries of an input command queue are described. A memory system may include an interface (e.g., a host interface) that includes a queue (e.g., an input command queue). The host interface may receive commands from a host system, and the commands may be inserted into the input command queue in an order they are received. In some examples, the memory system may determine a range of logical block addresses (LBAs) associated with one or more entries in the input command queue. The memory system may order (e.g., reorder) the commands such that the respective LBA ranges are contiguous.

Abstract: Approaches for the metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a barrier layer on a semiconductor region disposed in or above a substrate. The semiconductor region includes monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. The method also involves forming a conductive paste layer on the barrier layer. The method also involves forming a conductive layer from the conductive paste layer. The method also involves forming a contact structure for the semiconductor region of the solar cell, the contact structure including at least the conductive layer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a partitioned cache for random read operations are described. Implementations may determine a target compression factor that is used during read operations. Larger compression factors may be associated with more frequent penalties, but may allow for a larger high-performance benchmark on a large address range. As described herein, a compression factor may indicate certain mappings that are stored to a volatile memory. The compression factor may be chosen at product design time or may be chosen dynamically at run time based on statistics such as extended cache hit or miss rate. If a read command associated with a logical block address not stored by the volatile memory is received, the memory system may “guess” the physical address by assuming that data was written to the memory system sequentially. If the data is correct, the data may be read out to the host system.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing users within a predefined range to discover each other through their Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enabled user devices, wherein each device acts as a central and a peripheral. Peripherals broadcast a BLE service that includes at least a first service UUID and a second service UUID. The first service UUID identifies the participation of respective user devices. The second service UUID includes a unique token that uniquely identifies the user device in the system. Centrals periodically scan the peripherals within a predefined range. First, the central, by filtering, verifies the first service UUID to ensure the respective user device is registered with the system and open for discovery. Thereafter, centrals can initiate a process to read the second service UUID. Centrals can then decode the unique tokens and fetch user profiles associated with the unique tokens.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for address mapping table compression are described. A memory system may identify, for a region of an address mapping table, sets of sequentially indexed logical addresses that are mapped to sets of sequentially indexed physical addresses. The memory system may select a compression factor for the region based on the sets of sequentially indexed logical addresses. And the memory system may remove subsets of physical addresses from the sets of sequentially indexed physical addresses in the region based on the compression factor.

Abstract: Hydrogel particles (microgels) generated using microfluidic methods have superb properties such as high size uniformity and precise control over degradation and release profiles, making them useful for applications in wound healing and injectable drug delivery. However, the throughput of microfluidics is constrained by the physics governing the flow of immiscible fluids confined within microchannels. This throughput tends to be several orders of magnitude lower than what would be necessary for commercial and clinical applications. Here, we demonstrate the scaling up of on-chip synthesis of microgels by parallelizing the microfluidic channels. Taking advantage of the established fabrication technologies developed by the semiconductor industry and a high flow control system, a 4-inch silicon microfluidic chip integrating more than 4,000 microfluidic devices is developed.

Abstract: In some implementations, a memory device may detect that data is to be written for a set of temperature profiles. The memory device may write, at respective temperatures corresponding to the set of temperature profiles, multiple copies of the data. The memory device may receive, from a host device, a read request associated with the data. The memory device may detect, based on receiving the read request, a current temperature of the memory device. The memory device may read a copy, from the multiple copies, that is associated with a temperature profile, from the set of temperature profiles, that corresponds to the current temperature of the memory device. The memory device may provide, to the host device, the copy of the data.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions particularly for laundry, can include one or more subtilisin variant and cleaning adjunct. Methods of treating surfaces, particularly fabrics, can include contacting the surface with an aqueous wash liquor having the cleaning composition therein. The subtilisin variant may have improved stability and/or soil removal compared to one or more reference subtilisin.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with example embodiments may provide a user-loadable stored value card. Additionally, a system and method in accordance with example embodiments may allow an institution to receive a user-loadable stored value card activation request from a sender, activate a user-loadable stored value card using the information received in the activation request, and provide card management capabilities to the sender.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for valid data aware media reliability scanning are described. An apparatus may include a memory array comprising a plurality of blocks and a controller coupled with the memory array. The controller may be configured to select a block of the plurality of blocks for a scan operation to determine a margin of reliability for a first set of data stored in the block. The controller may identify information associated with a status of a validity of sub-blocks of the first set of data in the block. The controller may determine a first subset of the sub-blocks storing valid data of the first set of data and a second subset of sub-blocks that are invalid based on identifying the information. The controller may perform the scan operation on the first subset of sub-blocks and not on the second subset of sub-blocks in the block.

Abstract: Local metallization of semiconductor substrates using a laser beam, and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, are described. For example, a solar cell includes a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contact structures is electrically connected to the plurality of semiconductor regions. Each conductive contact structure includes a locally deposited metal portion disposed in contact with a corresponding a semiconductor region.

Abstract: A dedicated access assembly for a conveyor belt forms a dedicated opening and closing point for the conveyor belt. The dedicated access assembly includes a female portion having one or more open hooks and a male portion including a hinge rod extending between linking elements. The open hook disengages from and engages the hinge rod to selectively open and close the conveyor belt. A latching mechanism can selectively lock the dedicated access assembly.

Abstract: A method of maintenance optimization for production equipment in a factory includes specifying a time period and determining maintenance tasks to be performed on each piece of production equipment over the specified time period. The technician skills required to perform each maintenance task are determined. The availability of each technician during the specified time period and their certifications are then determined. The parts required for each maintenance task and a parts inventory are determined. A production schedule for the specified time period is then determined. A recommended maintenance schedule is generated which minimizes production impact during the specified time period based on the determined maintenance tasks, technician availability and certifications and parts availability. The recommended maintenance schedule includes a recommended time to perform each maintenance task and a recommended technician to perform each maintenance task.

Abstract: The present invention relates to IoT devices existing in a deployed ecosystem. The various computers in the deployed ecosystem are able to respond to requests from a device directly associated with it in a particular hierarchy, or it may seek a response to the request from a high order logic/data source (parent). The logic/data source parent may then repeat the understanding process to either provide the necessary response to the logic/data source child who then replies to the device or it will again ask a parent logic/data sources for the appropriate response. This architecture allows for a single device to make one request to a single known source and potentially get a response back from the entire ecosystem of distributed servers.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for determining state data for agricultural parameters during agricultural applications and providing spatial state maps. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method comprises obtaining as applied data of an agricultural implement as the agricultural implement passes through a field for an agricultural application. The computer implement method also includes processing the as applied data to calculate data for a parameter of the agricultural application and determining state data (e.g., quality indicator state) for each row unit based on the data for the parameter and at least one of default configuration settings or user configuration settings for the quality indicator state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to IoT devices existing in a deployed ecosystem. The various computers in the deployed ecosystem are able to respond to requests from a device directly associated with it in a particular hierarchy, or it may seek a response to the request from a high order logic/data source (parent). The logic/data source parent may then repeat the understanding process to either provide the necessary response to the logic/data source child who then replies to the device or it will again ask a parent logic/data sources for the appropriate response. This architecture allows for a single device to make one request to a single known source and potentially get a response back from the entire ecosystem of distributed servers.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that monitor the carbon and hydrogen production of a pyrolysis reactor system and adjust one or more inputs to the reactor system to improve performance when one or both of the monitored carbon and hydrogen production falls outside of a target performance specification. In particular, the ratio of fuel to oxidant (“fuel/oxidant ratio”) supplied to a combustion chamber of the reactor system is adjusted to below a fuel/oxidant equivalence ratio range, defined as 0.9-1.1, when both carbon and hydrogen production falls below a target carbon and hydrogen specification, and adjusted above the fuel/oxidant equivalence ratio range when only the carbon production falls below a target carbon specification. The target specification can include a number of parameters including production rate, morphology (of carbon), and operating temperature.

Abstract: A receptacle delivery system for an instrument includes a carriage, a puck rotatably supported by the carriage, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor. The puck comprises a plurality of spring-loaded fingers arranged around a vertical axis and configured to removably support a receptacle therebetween. The first electric motor is configured to move the carriage between a first location and a second location of the instrument. The second electric motor is configured to rotate the puck about the vertical axis.