Abstract: Methods and structures for fabricating a semiconductor device that includes a reduced programming current phase change memory (PCM) are provided. The method includes forming a bottom electrode. The method further includes forming a PCM and forming a conductive bridge filament in a dielectric to serve as a heater for the PCM. The method also includes forming a top electrode.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments disclose an apparatus, a system and method, and a computer program product for removing dental plaque. The exemplary embodiments may include emitting light, detecting reflections of the light, analyzing the reflected light, and determining an amount or location of dental plaque based on the reflected light.

Abstract: A method of tuning a PCM device is disclosed. The method includes receiving a command and determining if the command is a SET command or a RESET command. When the command is a RESET command, the method provides a short pulse across a resistive electrode and a top electrode through a phase change material generating amorphous PCM at the point of highest voltage across the PCM region.

Abstract: Devices, systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products that can facilitate estimating orientation and/or identity of an entity that touches a touch screen device are provided. According to an embodiment, a device can comprise a pixelated touch screen that provides a two-dimensional capacitance map in response to detection of one or more entities touching the pixelated touch screen. Capacitance data of the two-dimensional capacitance map is inversely proportional to a distance between fingers of the one or more entities and the pixelated touch screen. The device can further comprise a processor that applies an analytic method to the two-dimensional capacitance map to estimate orientation or identity of the one or more entities.

Abstract: Low-cost techniques for sensing ambient temperatures in a container or package using phase change materials are provided. In one aspect, a temperature sensor is provided. The temperature sensor includes: at least one phase change material configured to transition from an amorphous state to a crystalline state upon exposure to temperatures above a predetermined threshold temperature for a given duration. A method of monitoring temperature exposure of a consumer good using the temperature sensor is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cleaning an optic include cleaning an optic with ultrasonic vibrations. The locations of nodes in a standing wave of the ultrasonic vibrations are changed by changing a frequency of vibration during cleaning.

Abstract: A cognitive state prediction method, system, and non-transitory computer readable medium, include providing an initial label associated with an electronic message, matching the initial label with a sender and data of the sender at a time of the electronic message, and predicting a second label associated with a second electronic message from the sender according to an analysis that compares a second data of the sender at a second time of the second electronic message with the data of the sender at the time of the electronic message.

Abstract: A cognitive state prediction method, system, and non-transitory computer readable medium, include a receiving circuit configured to receive an electronic message sent by a first user, a labeling circuit configured to query a second user to associate a label with the electronic message based on a cognitive state of the first user, and a correlating circuit configured to correlate the label with user data at a time of sending the electronic message, the user data corresponding to data output by at least one of the wearable and an external sensor in a database.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is presented for optimal experimental design to correct a misspecified model approximating a behavior of a dynamic system. The method includes formulating an experiment, determining experimental settings for configuring controllable experimental parameters based on mutual information and submodularity, measuring informative values associated with each choice of experimental design, as prescribed by the controllable experimental parameters, and learning a correction function based on the measured informative values. The computer-implemented method further includes determining an experimental design setup for gaining information content, and combining the experimental design setup with the experimental settings to construct a corrected model of the dynamic system.

Abstract: Low-cost techniques for sensing ambient temperatures in a container or package using phase change materials are provided. In one aspect, a temperature sensor is provided. The temperature sensor includes: at least one phase change material configured to transition from an amorphous state to a crystalline state upon exposure to temperatures above a predetermined threshold temperature for a given duration. A method of monitoring temperature exposure of a consumer good using the temperature sensor is also provided.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming first contacts to a heater for programming, and forming second contacts to a phase-change material layer for resistance readout. The phase-change material layer is formed in proximity to the heater, and the first contacts are electrically isolated from the second contacts to provide separate programming and resistance readout control.

Abstract: A structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a buffer layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate, an oxide layer disposed over the buffer layer, and a fin including a semiconductor material disposed over the oxide layer.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically eradicating microorganisms (e.g., germs, bacteria, and/or viruses) from appliance handles using ultraviolet (UV) light are provided. In one aspect, a system for eradicating biological contaminants from a handle on an appliance door is provided. The system includes a UV light emitter for producing UV disinfecting light during a cleaning cycle; and a waveguide coating on the handle, coupled to the UV light emitter, for propagating the UV disinfecting light over a surface of the handle. The system can also include a control module for controlling the UV light emitter; and at least one sensor for providing data to the control module as to when to initiate or halt a cleaning cycle. A method for eradicating biological contaminants from a handle on an appliance door using the present system is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and structures for fabricating a semiconductor device that includes a reduced programming current phase change memory (PCM) are provided. The method includes forming a bottom electrode. The method further includes forming a PCM and forming a conductive bridge filament in a dielectric to serve as a heater for the PCM. The method also includes forming a top electrode.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming first contacts to a heater for programming, and forming second contacts to a phase-change material layer for resistance readout. The phase-change material layer is formed in proximity to the heater, and the first contacts are electrically isolated from the second contacts to provide separate programming and resistance readout control.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system is provided. The LiDAR system includes an emitter for emitting a light beam, a configurable light processing control unit to affect the light beam, a receiver for receiving the light beam and a computer system. The computer system controls operations of the light processing control unit, computes a distance to a target using a time of flight of the light beam from the emitter to the target and from the target to the receiver and simultaneously corroborates the computed distance by controlling the operations of the light processing control unit to focus and defocus the light beam.

Abstract: An approach is provided in which an information handling system loads a set of encrypted binary code into a processor that has been encrypted based upon a unique key of the processor. The processor includes an instruction decoder that transforms the set of encrypted binary code into a set of instruction control signals using the unique key. In turn, the processor executes a set of instructions based on the set of instruction control signals.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a cell structure. The method includes constructing a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, constructing a phase change memory (PCM) device in series with the RRAM device such that one of the electrodes of the PCM device is connected to a reactive electrode of the RRAM device, and connecting a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) inverter to the RRAM and PCM devices to individually control switching behaviors of the RRAM and PCM devices.

Abstract: Variable resistance devices and neural network processing systems include a first phase change memory device that has a first material that increases resistance when a set pulse is applied. A second phase change memory device has a second material that decreases resistance when a set pulse is applied.

Abstract: A technique relates to a semiconductor device. A bipolar transistor includes an emitter layer and a base layer, where the emitter layer and the base layer are doped with an impurity, the impurity being a same for the emitter and base layers. The bipolar transistor includes a collector layer.