Abstract: A portable server assembly system includes a container structure configured to be transported between data center locations, such as a shipping container. The portable server assembly system also includes a plurality of robots that are stowed in the container when being transported between data center locations, and that assemble servers when deployed at a particular data center location. In some embodiments, when a first data center location is substantially populated with servers assembled by the portable server assembly system (or another system), the portable server assembly system is re-deployed to another data center for use in assembling servers for populating the other data center.

Abstract: A system for storing data includes a discrete cooling module that can enable discrete cooling of mass storage devices installed in the chassis interior of a data storage module coupled to a rack. The discrete cooling module includes an air moving device and an air cover. The air moving device can induce and airflow through the chassis interior of the data storage module to remove heat from heat producing components of mass storage devices installed in the chassis interior. The air cover directs the airflow through the chassis interior. The discrete cooling module can isolate rotational vibrations generated by the air moving device from the mass storage devices installed in the chassis. Partial isolation can include indirectly coupling the discrete cooling module to the chassis via directly coupling with the rack.

Abstract: A near real-time custom server system includes robots deployed at a data center location and a server assembly controller configured to receive requests for near-real time custom servers. The requests may specify one or more characteristics for the custom servers and the server assembly controller may cause the robots deployed at the data center location to assemble the custom servers and install the custom servers in a server mounting structure of the data center in near real-time. For custom server types requested in lower volumes, the custom servers may be assembled autonomously by respective ones of the robots; and for custom server types requested in higher volumes, the custom servers may be assembled by respective groups of robots working in coordination with one another via an assembly line.

Abstract: A novel amphiphilic graft copolymer is described. A process to make amphiphilic graft copolymers via grafting either poly(ethylene oxide) or polylactide side chains onto an EVA platform using oxo-anion ring-opening polymerization chemistry is also described. Polyethylene or polypropylene based graft copolymers are prepared starting from poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) or maleic anhydride grafted isotactic polypropylene respectively. The amphiphilic character will result from the incorporation of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) side-chains. Various applications of the novel amphiphilic graft copolymer are also described including, but not limited to, thermoplastic elastomer, films, fibers, fabrics, gels, breathable packaging materials, additive for biodegradable system, surfactant, antistatic additives, polymer compatibilizers, phase transfer catalysts, solid polymer electrolytes, biocompatible polymers, or incorporation into the materials listed above.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling resources in a computer system differently in certain situations, such as catastrophic events, based upon an assigned layer of the resource in the system. The layer can be based, for example, on criticality of the resource to the system. Services or devices can be assigned a criticality level representing a layer. The different layers can be treated differently in the case of an event, such as fire, a power outage, an overheating situation and so forth. In response to receiving information about such an event, the different layers can be handled in accordance with their criticality.

Abstract: A polyester or polyester copolymer based composition, such as a polylactic acid based composition, is provided herein. The polyester or polyester copolymer based composition may include a plasticizer, such as an ether based, an ester based, and/or an ether-ester based plasticizer.

Abstract: A system for storing data includes a rack and one or more data storage modules mounted on the rack. The data storage modules may include a chassis, two or more vertically-oriented backplanes coupled to the chassis, two or more mass storage devices coupled to the backplanes, and one or more air passages extending beneath one or more of the backplanes. Each backplane is configured to preclude airflow through the backplane between opposite vertical faces and can couple mass storage devices on one or more of the opposite vertical faces. One or more of the air passages can supply an upwards-directed airflow along one of the opposite vertical faces of a backplane to remove heat from a heat producing component of a mass storage device coupled to the vertical face of the vertically-oriented backplane.

Abstract: Generation of expressive content is provided. An expressive synthesized speech system provides improved voice authoring user interfaces by which a user is enabled to efficiently author content for generating expressive output. An expressive synthesized speech system provides an expressive keyboard for enabling input of textual content and for selecting expressive operators, such as emoji objects or punctuation objects for applying predetermined prosody attributes or visual effects to the textual content. A voicesetting editor mode enables the user to author and adjust particular prosody attributes associated with the content for composing carefully-crafted synthetic speech. An active listening mode (ALM) is provided, which when selected, a set of ALM effect options are displayed, wherein each option is associated with a particular sound effect and/or visual effect. The user is enabled to rapidly respond with expressive vocal sound effects or visual effects while listening to others speak.

Abstract: A system for storing data includes a rack and one or more data storage modules mounted on the rack. The data storage modules may include a chassis, two or more vertically-oriented backplanes coupled to the chassis, two or more mass storage devices coupled to the backplanes, and one or more air passages extending beneath one or more of the backplanes. Each backplane is configured to preclude airflow through the backplane between opposite vertical faces and can couple mass storage devices on one or more of the opposite vertical faces. One or more of the air passages can supply an upwards-directed airflow along one of the opposite vertical faces of a backplane to remove heat from a heat producing component of a mass storage device coupled to the vertical face of the vertically-oriented backplane.

Abstract: Components of medical devices include polypropylene-poly(ethylene oxide) amphiphilic graft copolymers (PP-g-PEO) in their base polymer formulations. The base polymeric formulations comprise at least a polymer or co-polymer of propylene. These components are suitable for solvent-bonding with other components and enhance bond strength of the medical devices.

Abstract: Films for medical devices and/or packaging include polyethylene-poly(ethylene oxide) amphiphilic graft copolymers (PE-g-PEO) in their base polymer formulations of polyethylene and poly(ethylene oxide). The films may be treated to include a nitric-oxide releasing agent incorporated into the PE-g-PEO. Also, microbial agents for inclusion in medical devices are provided, which comprise: an olefin-poly(ethylene oxide) amphiphilic graft copolymer, wherein a portion of the poly(ethylene oxide) comprises end groups converted to a nitric oxide-releasing agent.

Abstract: Components of medical devices include polyethylene-poly(ethylene oxide) amphiphilic graft copolymers (PE-g-PEO) in their base polymer formulations. The base polymeric formulations comprise at least a polymer or co-polymer of ethylene. These components are suitable for solvent-bonding with other components and enhance bond strength of the medical devices.

Abstract: An array of backup battery units that can be reconfigured to provide different currents and/or voltages depending upon load conditions. The backup battery units are attached to a bus and can be reconfigured, for example, between a configuration in which the battery backup units are wired in series to a configuration where the battery backup units are wired in parallel. Additional embodiments are directed to an array of backup battery units that can isolate a single battery backup unit so that the battery backup unit can be removed from the bus while the bus is under load. The removed battery backup unit can then be tested, maintained, and/or replaced.

Abstract: A rack-mountable computer system enables an airflow that cools components in an upstream portion of the computer system interior to be cooled through mixing with a bypass airflow downstream of the components in the upstream portion. The mixed airflow can cool components in a downstream portion of the interior. The bypass airflow is directed by a bypass plenum that is unencompassed by the separate plenum that directs the airflow to cool the upstream portion components. The bypass plenum can be at least partially established by an external surface the computer system and one or more external structures, including an external surface of an adjacently mounted computer system. Relative flow rates through the separate plenums can be adjusted, via flow control elements, to separately control heat removal from components upstream and downstream of the air mixing, based at least in part upon air temperatures in the separate interior portions.

Abstract: A backup battery unit that can be reconfigured to provide different currents and/or voltages depending upon load conditions. The backup battery unit can be reconfigured, for example, between a configuration in which battery cells for the battery unit are wired in series to a configuration where the battery cells are wired in parallel. Additional embodiments are directed to a backup battery unit that can isolate a battery cell and remove the cell from a circuit for the battery while the battery is under load or being charged. The isolated cell can then be serviced or tested.

Abstract: A rack-mountable computer system enables an airflow that cools components in an upstream portion of the computer system interior to be cooled through mixing with a bypass airflow downstream of the components in the upstream portion. The mixed airflow can cool components in a downstream portion of the interior. The bypass airflow is directed by a bypass plenum that is unencompassed by the separate plenum that directs the airflow to cool the upstream portion components. The bypass plenum can be at least partially established by an external surface the computer system and one or more external structures, including an external surface of an adjacently mounted computer system. Relative flow rates through the separate plenums can be adjusted, via flow control elements, to separately control heat removal from components upstream and downstream of the air mixing, based at least in part upon air temperatures in the separate interior portions.

Abstract: A novel amphiphilic graft copolymer is described. A process to make amphiphilic graft copolymers via grafting either poly(ethylene oxide) or polylactide side chains onto an EVA platform using oxo-anion ring-opening polymerization chemistry is also described. Polyethylene or polypropylene based graft copolymers are prepared starting from poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) or maleic anhydride grafted isotactic polypropylene respectively. The amphiphilic character will result from the incorporation of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) side-chains. Various applications of the novel amphiphilic graft copolymer are also described including, but not limited to, thermoplastic elastomer, films, fibers, fabrics, gels, breathable packaging materials, additive for biodegradable system, surfactant, antistatic additives, polymer compatibilizers, phase transfer catalysts, solid polymer electrolytes, biocompatible polymers, or incorporation into the materials listed above.

Abstract: A novel amphiphilic graft copolymer is described. A process to make amphiphilic graft copolymers via grafting either poly(ethylene oxide) or polylactide side chains onto an EVA platform using oxo-anion ring-opening polymerization chemistry is also described. Polyethylene or polypropylene based graft copolymers are prepared starting from poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) or maleic anhydride grafted isotactic polypropylene respectively. The amphiphilic character will result from the incorporation of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) side-chains. Various applications of the novel amphiphilic graft copolymer are also described including, but not limited to, thermoplastic elastomer, films, fibers, fabrics, gels, breathable packaging materials, additive for biodegradable system, surfactant, antistatic additives, polymer compatibilizers, phase transfer catalysts, solid polymer electrolytes, biocompatible polymers, or incorporation into the materials listed above.

Abstract: A novel amphiphilic graft copolymer is described. A process to make amphiphilic graft copolymers via grafting either poly(ethylene oxide) or polylactide side chains onto an EVA platform using oxo-anion ring-opening polymerization chemistry is also described. Polyethylene or polypropylene based graft copolymers are prepared starting from poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) or maleic anhydride grafted isotactic polypropylene respectively. The amphiphilic character will result from the incorporation of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) side-chains. Various applications of the novel amphiphilic graft copolymer are also described including, but not limited to, thermoplastic elastomer, films, fibers, fabrics, gels, breathable packaging materials, additive for biodegradable system, surfactant, antistatic additives, polymer compatibilizers, phase transfer catalysts, solid polymer electrolytes, biocompatible polymers, or incorporation into the materials listed above.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling resources in a computer system differently in certain situations, such as catastrophic events, based upon an assigned layer of the resource to the system. The layer can be based, for example, on criticality of the resource to the system. Services or computing device resources can be physically segregated in accordance with layers and can be managed in accordance with the segregation. In response to receiving information about an event, the different layers can be handled in accordance with their criticality, for example by shutting some of the resources down and/or slowing some of the resources down.