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: 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: 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: 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: 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 electrical contacts are formed in the fuse stack structure vertically extending through the layers and contacting the first and second fuse conductive layers.

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 electrical 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 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: 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: The present disclosure provides improved particle processing (e.g., cytometry and/or cell purification) systems and methods that can operate in an autonomous fashion. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for assemblies, systems and methods for analyzing, sorting, and/or processing (e.g., purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting and/or enriching) particles (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) where human intervention is not required and/or is minimized. The systems, assemblies and methods of the present disclosure advantageously improve run performance of particle processing systems (e.g., cell purification systems, cytometers) by significantly reducing and/or substantially eliminating the burden of operation for human intervention by automating numerous functions, features and/or steps of the disclosed systems and methods.

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: 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: 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: 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: A fraud remediation tool includes a memory, a network interface, a fraud detection engine, and a clearance engine. The memory stores a plurality of fraud detection rules. The network interface receives a first transaction and a second transaction. The fraud detection engine determines, based on the plurality of fraud detection rules, that the transaction is fraudulent. In response to the determination that the transaction is fraudulent, the fraud detection engine stops the transaction, blocks use of the first card, and communicates a first message to the user indicating that the card is blocked. The clearance engine receives, from the user, a response to the message indicating that the transaction is not fraudulent. Based on the response, the clearance engine releases the block on the second card and the block on the first card.

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: 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: 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: Techniques that facilitate a copper microcooler structure are provided. In one example, a device includes a first copper microcooler structure and a second copper microcooler structure. The first copper microcooler structure includes a first copper plate and a first set of copper channels attached to the first copper plate. The second copper microcooler structure includes a second copper plate and a second set of copper channels attached to the second copper plate. A surface of the second copper plate associated with the second copper microcooler structure is bonded to one or more surfaces of the first set of copper channels associated with the first copper microcooler structure via a fusion bond.