Abstract: Techniques for implementing IOMMU-based DMA tracking for enabling live migration of VMs that use passthrough physical devices are provided. In one set of embodiments, these techniques leverage an IOMMU feature known as dirty bit tracking which is available in most, if not all, modern IOMMU implementations. The use of this feature allows for the tracking of passthrough DMA in a manner that is device/vendor/driver agnostic, resulting in a solution that is universally applicable to all passthrough physical devices.

Abstract: Execution behavior for processes within a virtual machine is recorded for subsequent replay. The execution behavior comprises a detailed, low-level recording of state changes for processes within the virtual machine. The low-level recording is processed via replay to produce a sliced recording that conforms to time, abstraction, and security requirements for a specific replay scenario. Multiple stages of replay may be arbitrarily stacked to generate different crosscut versions of a common low-level recording.

Abstract: A photonic measurement system, such as an atomic absorption spectrometer, includes source, sample and detection modules that are interconnected by fiber optic cables. A first set of fiber optic cables guides light from one or more light sources in the source module to each of at least two analysis chambers in the sample module. A second set of fiber optic cables guides light from the analysis chambers to a detector in the detection module. The detector provides to a processing sub-system signals that correspond to intensities of the guided light. One analysis chamber is selected to perform a sample analysis at a given time, and the processing sub-system processes the signals associated with the selected analysis chamber as measurement signals. The processing sub-system may further process the signals associated with a given non-selected analysis chamber as reference signals.

Abstract: Execution behavior for processes within a virtual machine is recorded for subsequent replay. The execution behavior comprises a detailed, low-level recording of state changes for processes within the virtual machine. The low-level recording is processed via replay to produce a sliced recording that conforms to time, abstraction, and security requirements for a specific replay scenario. Multiple stages of replay may be arbitrarily stacked to generate different crosscut versions of a common low-level recording.

Abstract: An addressable imaging belt for use in printing applications having embedded anisotropically conductive addressable islands configured for electric contact on a first side of the belt by a write head consisting of an array of compliant cantilevered fingers with contact pads/points to which a voltage can be applied. The conductive addressable islands electrically isolated from one another and extending substantially through the thickness of the belt in order to allow charge to flow through the belt towards a second side of the belt, in order to form a latent electrostatic image on the second side and develop this latent image by attracting colorized toner or other electrically charged particles to the second side.

Abstract: A printing sub-system including same including a pixilated photoconductive member (such as a photobelt) is disclosed. Electrically isolated cells hold surface application material above the photoconductor. The surface application material is first charged. Charge on the surface application material in an individual cell may then be discharged by exposure of a region of the photoconductor proximate that cell to light from an optical addressing system. The surface application material is brought into proximity of an image receiving member such as paper, which is either charged or proximate a charge source. Charged surface application material in a cell may then be electrostatically transferred from the cell onto the image receiving member, while discharged surface application material remains in the cell. The subsystem may form a part of a complete printing system using many existing components. Among other advantages, viscous liquid surface application material may thereby be printed.

Abstract: A stress-engineered microspring is formed generally in the plane of a substrate. A nanowire (or equivalently, a nanotube) is formed at the tip thereof, also in the plane of the substrate. Once formed, the length of the nanowire may be defined, for example photolithographically. A sacrificial layer underlying the microspring may then be removed, allowing the engineered stresses in the microspring to cause the structure to bend out of plane, elevating the nanowire off the substrate and out of plane. Use of the nanowire as a contact is thereby provided. The nanowire may be clamped at the tip of the microspring for added robustness. The nanowire may be coated during the formation process to provide additional functionality of the final device.

Abstract: A stress-engineered microspring is formed generally in the plane of a substrate. A nanowire (or equivalently, a nanotube) is formed at the tip thereof, also in the plane of the substrate. Once formed, the length of the nanowire may be defined, for example photolithographically. A sacrificial layer underlying the microspring may then be removed, allowing the engineered stresses in the microspring to cause the structure to bend out of plane, elevating the nanowire off the substrate and out of plane. Use of the nanowire as a contact is thereby provided. The nanowire may be clamped at the tip of the microspring for added robustness. The nanowire may be coated during the formation process to provide additional functionality of the final device.

Abstract: A photonic measurement system, such as an atomic absorption spectrometer, includes source, sample and detection modules that are interconnected by fiber optic cables. A first set of fiber optic cables guides light from one or more light sources in the source module to each of at least two analysis chambers in the sample module. A second set of fiber optic cables guides light from the analysis chambers to a detector in the detection module. The detector provides to a processing sub-system signals that correspond to intensities of the guided light. One analysis chamber is selected to perform a sample analysis at a given time, and the processing sub-system processes the signals associated with the selected analysis chamber as measurement signals. The processing sub-system may further process the signals associated with a given non-selected analysis chamber as reference signals.

Abstract: Various approaches for virtual appliance management are described. In one approach a virtual appliance repository stores one or more virtual appliances and is coupled to the host computer via a network. A storage device stores a transceiver program capable when executed on said host computer of requesting and receiving the virtual appliances, and generating for each received virtual appliance a respective local copy on the host computer of each received virtual appliance. The local copy is private to the host computer. The transceiver program further binds the virtual appliances to the host computer and obtains user data relevant to the virtual appliances. The transceiver program runs each of the virtual appliances from the respective private local copies on the host computer.

Abstract: A self-aligned, thin-film, top-gate transistor and method of manufacturing same are disclosed. A first print-patterned mask is formed over a metal layer by digital lithography, for example by printing with a phase change material using a droplet ejector. The metal layer is then etched using the first print-patterned mask to form source and drain electrodes. A semiconductive layer and an insulative layer are formed thereover. A layer of photosensitive material is then deposited and exposed through the substrate, with the source and drain electrodes acting as masks for the exposure. Following development of the photosensitive material, a gate metal layer is deposited. A second print-patterned mask is then formed over the device, again by digital lithography. Etching and removal of the photosensitive material leaves the self-aligned top-gate electrode.

Abstract: A self-aligned, thin-film, top-gate transistor and method of manufacturing same are disclosed. A first print-patterned mask is formed over a metal layer by digital lithography, for example by printing with a phase change material using a droplet ejector. The metal layer is then etched using the first print-patterned mask to form source and drain electrodes. A semiconductive layer and an insulative layer are formed thereover. A layer of photosensitive material is then deposited and exposed through the substrate, with the source and drain electrodes acting as masks for the exposure. Following development of the photosensitive material, a gate metal layer is deposited. A second print-patterned mask is then formed over the device, again by digital lithography. Etching and removal of the photosensitive material leaves the self-aligned top-gate electrode.

Abstract: An addressable imaging belt for use in printing applications having embedded anisotropically conductive addressable islands configured for electric contact on a first side of the belt by a write head consisting of an array of compliant cantilevered fingers with contact pads/points to which a voltage can be applied. The conductive addressable islands electrically isolated from one another and extending substantially through the thickness of the belt in order to allow charge to flow through the belt towards a second side of the belt, in order to form a latent electrostatic image on the second side and develop this latent image by attracting colorized toner or other electrically charged particles to the second side.

Abstract: A stress-engineered microspring is formed generally in the plane of a substrate. A nanowire (or equivalently, a nanotube) is formed at the tip thereof, also in the plane of the substrate. Once formed, the length of the nanowire may be defined, for example photolithographically. A sacrificial layer underlying the microspring may then be removed, allowing the engineered stresses in the microspring to cause the structure to bend out of plane, elevating the nanowire off the substrate and out of plane. Use of the nanowire as a contact is thereby provided. The nanowire may be clamped at the tip of the microspring for added robustness. The nanowire may be coated during the formation process to provide additional functionality of the final device.

Abstract: Various approaches for virtual appliance management are described. In one approach a virtual appliance repository stores one or more virtual appliances and is coupled to the host computer via a network. A storage device stores a transceiver program capable when executed on said host computer of requesting and receiving the virtual appliances, and generating for each received virtual appliance a respective local copy on the host computer of each received virtual appliance. The local copy is private to the host computer. The transceiver program further binds the virtual appliances to the host computer and obtains user data relevant to the virtual appliances. The transceiver program runs each of the virtual appliances from the respective private local copies on the host computer.

Abstract: A cache-based system management architecture named “the Collective” automates system management and supports mobile computing. The Collective manages systems by manipulating virtual appliances, each encapsulating a system state. A virtual appliance (VA) may comprise a virtual network of VAs. Distributed repositories separately storing the VAs and user data. Publishers create and maintain VAs. A user plugs a bootable portable storage device implementing a VA transceiver (VAT) into a host computer. The VAT, comprising a Manager, a Cache Client, and a virtual machine monitor (VMM), authenticates the user, retrieves a copy of the latest version of a subscribed VA from the appropriate network repository, obtains user data, and automatically backs up the user data over the network in the background while running the subscribed VA. Multiple VAs can be run at the same time. With the novel caching protocol and cache charging process, the Collective performs well and has numerous advantages.

Abstract: Xerographic micro-assembler systems and methods are disclosed. The systems and methods involve manipulating charge-encoded micro-objects. The charge encoding identifies each micro-object and specifies its orientation for sorting. The micro-objects are sorted in a sorting unit so that they have defined positions and orientations. The sorting unit has the capability of electrostatically and magnetically manipulating the micro-objects based on their select charge encoding. The sorted micro-objects are provided to an image transfer unit. The image transfer unit is adapted to receive the sorted micro-objects, maintain them in their sorted order and orientation, and deliver them to a substrate. Maintaining the sorted order as the micro-objects are delivered to the substrate may be accomplished through the use of an electrostatic image, as is done in xerography.

Abstract: A method to pattern films into dimensions smaller than the printed pixel mask size. A printed mask is deposited on a thin film on a substrate. The second mask layer is selectively deposited onto the film, but not to the printed mask. A third mask is then printed onto the substrate to pattern a portion of the second mask. Certain solvents are then used to remove the printed mask but not the mask layer on the thin film. The mask layer is then used to form a pattern on the thin film in combination with etching. The features formed in the thin film are smaller than the smallest dimension of the printed mask. The coated mask layer can be a self-assembled mono-layer or other material that selectively binds to the thin film.

Abstract: A process for fabricating fine features such as small gate electrodes on a transistor. The process involves the jet-printing of a mask and the plating of a metal to fabricate sub-pixel and standard pixel size features in one layer. Printing creates a small sub-pixel size gap mask for plating a fine feature. A second printed mask may be used to protect the newly formed gate and etch standard pixel size lines connecting the small gates.

Abstract: A contact spring applicator is provided which includes an applicator substrate, a removable encapsulating layer and a plurality of contact springs embedded in the removable encapsulating layer. The contact springs are positioned such that a bond pad on each contact spring is adjacent to an upper surface of the removable encapsulating layer. The contact spring applicator may also include an applicator substrate, a release layer, a plurality of unreleased contact springs on the release layer and a bond pad at an anchor end of each contact spring. The contact spring applicators apply contact springs to an integrated circuit chip, die or package or to a probe card by aligning the bond pads with bond pad landings on the receiving device. The bond pads are adhered to the bond pad landings. The encapsulating or release layer is then removed to separate the contact springs from the contact spring applicator substrate.