Abstract: Systems and methods taught herein advantageously provide extended dynamic range capabilities to detect low intensity and high intensity emitted or scattered light from particles at high speeds with high sensitivity. Independently controlled first and second optical detector elements that handle light intensities in different dynamic ranges, large overall dynamic range is created. Signals from the detector elements can be combined to create a single combined signal that has excellent sensitivity over a large dynamic range. The detector systems and methods taught herein are particularly advantageous in particle processing where the population of particles can emit or scatter light over a large range of intensity values.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments are directed to a streamlined computer device and a graphical user interface that organizes interface elements into views of computer content for presentation to a user. Various views of digital media content permits users to easily and efficiently access various digital media content. Different views are used to provide an interface that is responsive to configurations of the device and responsive to activity being performed by the user. Aspects include permitting the user to maintain and manage digital media content libraries. According to some embodiments, the libraries comprise user digital media content and references digital media content. Functionality provided to a user can be tailored to the type of content displayed, accessed and/or managed. According to various aspects, methods and systems are provided for accessing and managing digital media libraries on a streamlined computing device with a plurality selectable I/O profiles.

Abstract: Disclosed are passive reflector radio communications systems, such as for UHF frequencies or greater than UHF frequencies, and related deployment systems and devices that provide underground communications. Embodiments of the system include reflector elements to provide passive radio communications, structural frameworks to support and orient the reflector elements, methods for calculating reflector size, shape, and position corresponding to a desired wavelength, and deployment methods and devices to install the communication system at a desired location. The passive reflectors can be placed in a folded or otherwise compact mode, for transport into underground tunnels. Once at the desired installation location, the system can be installed, with the reflectors positioned appropriately for the radio frequencies used at the location.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip assembly having a plurality of microfluidic flow channels is provided. Each channel has a switching region. The microfluidic chip may further include at least one bubble jet actuator configured to generate a pressure pulse in the switching regions of the channels to selectively deflect particles in the flow. The bubble jet actuator may be configured as a blind chamber, as an operative non-through flow chamber and/or as a self-replenishment chamber. The bubble jet actuator may include a trapped air bubble. The bubble jet actuator may include a plurality of heating elements individually controlled for pre-nucleation warmup and/or for triggering vapor bubble nucleation.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments are directed to a graphical user interface that organizes interface elements into views of computer content for presentation to a user. Different views of are used to provide an interface that is responsive to configurations of the device and activities performed by the user. Aspects include permitting the user to transition the device from one configuration to another during its use. The elements that comprise the graphical user interface are configured to present a summarized view of available actions and content to simplify user interaction. The different views present different organizations of the interface elements and in some examples display only certain modes of content in order to reduce the number of options a user must navigate. Methods and systems for streamlining user interaction with computer content are also provided. Streamlining includes, for example, pre-configuring a user device based on received information.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved optical systems for particle processing (e.g., cytometry including microfluidic based sorters, drop sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous micro-lens array optical detection assemblies for particle (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) processing systems and methods (e.g., for analyzing, sorting, processing, purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching particles).

Abstract: Systems and methods taught herein enable simultaneous forward and side detection of light originating within a microfluidic channel disposed in a substrate. At least a portion of the microfluidic channel is located in the substrate relative to a first side surface of the substrate to enable simultaneous detection paths with respect to extinction (i.e., 0°) and side detection (i.e., 90°). The location of the microfluidic channel as taught herein enables a maximal half-angle for a ray of light passing from a center of the portion of the microfluidic channel through the first side surface to be in a range from 25 to 90 degrees in some embodiments. By placing at least the portion of the microfluidic channel proximate to the side surface of the substrate, a significantly greater proportion of light emitted or scattered from a particle within the microfluidic channel can be collected and imaged on a detector as compared to conventional particle processing chips.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments are directed to a streamlined computer device and a graphical user interface that organizes interface elements into views of computer content for presentation to a user. Various views of digital media content permits users to easily and efficiently access various digital media content. Different views are used to provide an interface that is responsive to configurations of the device and responsive to activity being performed by the user. Aspects include permitting the user to maintain and manage digital media content libraries. According to some embodiments, the libraries comprise user digital media content and references digital media content. Functionality provided to a user can be tailored to the type of content displayed, accessed and/or managed. According to various aspects, methods and systems are provided for accessing and managing digital media libraries on a streamlined computing device with a plurality selectable I/O profiles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method of forming portions of a multi-layer integrated circuit (IC) structure. The method includes forming a back-end-of-line (BEOL) layer having a BEOL layer topography. An etch-stop layer is formed over the BEOL layer topography. A metal is formed over the etch-stop layer. A first planarization operation is applied to remove a first portion of the metal. The etch-stop layer is used to stop the first planarization operation. A second planarization operation is applied to remove the etch-stop layer and a second portion of the metal.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a resistance tunable fuse stack structure. A fabrication method for forming the same includes forming on a substrate layer a first fuse conductive layer, directly on, and contacting a top surface of, the substrate layer, followed by forming a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer, directly on, and contacting a top surface of, the first fuse conductive layer. The method forms a second fuse conductive layer, directly on, and contacting a top surface of, the first ILD layer, followed by forming a second ILD layer, directly on, and contacting a top surface of, the second fuse conductive layer, the layers are interleaved in a stack forming a fuse stack structure. First and second fuse contacts are formed in the fuse stack structure vertically extending through the layers and contacting the first and second fuse conductive layers.

Abstract: Systems and methods taught herein enable simultaneous forward and side detection of light originating within a microfluidic channel disposed in a substrate. At least a portion of the microfluidic channel is located in the substrate relative to a first side surface of the substrate to enable simultaneous detection paths with respect to extinction (i.e., 0°) and side detection (i.e., 90°). The location of the microfluidic channel as taught herein enables a maximal half-angle for a ray of light passing from a center of the portion of the microfluidic channel through the first side surface to be in a range from 25 to 90 degrees in some embodiments. By placing at least the portion of the microfluidic channel proximate to the side surface of the substrate, a significantly greater proportion of light emitted or scattered from a particle within the microfluidic channel can be collected and imaged on a detector as compared to conventional particle processing chips.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments are directed to a graphical user interface that organizes interface elements into views of computer content for presentation to a user. Different views of are used to provide an interface that is responsive to configurations of the device and activities performed by the user. Aspects include permitting the user to transition the device from one configuration to another during its use. The elements that comprise the graphical user interface are configured to present a summarized view of available actions and content to simplify user interaction. The different views present different organizations of the interface elements and in some examples display only certain modes of content in order to reduce the number of options a user must navigate. Methods and systems for streamlining user interaction with computer content are also provided. Streamlining includes, for example, pre-configuring a user device based on received information.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical crosstalk reduction in particle processing (e.g., cytometry including flow cytometry using microfluidic based sorters, drop formation based sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods in order to improve performance. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to assemblies, systems and methods for minimizing optical crosstalk during the analyzing, sorting, and/or processing (e.g., purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching) of particles (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.). The exemplary systems and methods for crosstalk reduction in particle processing systems (e.g., cell purification systems) may be particularly useful in the area of cellular medicine or the like. The systems and methods may be modular and used singly or in combination to optimize cell purification based on the crosstalk environment and specific requirements of the operator and/or system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved optical systems for particle processing (e.g., cytometry including microfluidic based sorters, drop sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous micro-lens array optical detection assemblies for particle (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) processing systems and methods (e.g., for analyzing, sorting, processing, purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved optical systems for particle processing (e.g., cytometry including microfluidic based sorters, drop sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous micro-lens array optical detection assemblies for particle (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) processing systems and methods (e.g., for analyzing, sorting, processing, purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching particles.

Abstract: Techniques regarding self-sterilizing touch sensors are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise an apparatus, which can comprise a heating element. Also, the apparatus can comprise a protective layer adjacent to the heating element. The heating element can generate heat based on a pressure applied to the protective layer and can sterilize the protective layer.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cutting holes and slicing through a web of formed, filled and sealed product packages in a thermoforming packaging machine. The apparatus uses a single actuator to move a row of film-cutting punches between extended and retracted positions for cutting holes and corresponding chads in a marginal film area of the web of thermoformed product packages and a cross cut knife to slice through the marginal film area to separate rows of the thermoformed product packages.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cutting holes and slicing through a web of formed, filled and sealed product packages in a thermoforming packaging machine. The apparatus uses a single actuator to move a row of film-cutting punches between extended and retracted positions for cutting holes and corresponding chads in a marginal film area of the web of thermoformed product packages and a cross cut knife to slice through the marginal film area to separate rows of the thermoformed product packages.