Abstract: Intelligent speech recognition is used to provide users with the ability to utter more user friendly commands. Satisfaction is increased when a user can vocalize a subset of a formal command name and still have the intended command identified and processed. Moreover, greater accuracy in identifying a command application from a user's utterance can be achieved by ignoring command choices associated with unlikely user utterances. An intelligent speech recognition system can identify differing acceptable verbal command phrase forms, e.g., but not limited to, complete commands, command subsequences and command subsets, for different commands supported by the system. Subset blocking words are identified for assistance in reducing the ambiguity in matching user verbal command phrases with valid commands supported by the intelligent speech recognition system.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of a semiconductor structure that includes areas that have different crystalline orientation and semiconductor structure formed thereby. The disclosed method allows fabrication of a semiconductor structure that has areas of different semiconducting materials. The method employs templated crystal growth using a Vapor-Liquid-Solid (VLS) growth process. A silicon semiconductor substrate having a first crystal orientation direction is etched to have an array of holes into its surface. A separation layer is formed on the inner surface of the hole for appropriate applications. A growth catalyst is placed at the bottom of the hole and a VLS crystal growth process is initiated to form a nanowire. The resultant nanowire crystal has a second different crystal orientation which is templated by the geometry of the hole.

Abstract: A method for transferring a pattern from an elastic stamp to a substrate in the presence of a third medium is described. A proximity contact is achieved between the stamp and the substrate. A layer of the third medium between the stamp and the substrate is controlled to a predetermined thickness. Stamps for carrying out this method are also described.

Abstract: An Impact Ionization Field-Effect Transistor (I-MOS) device in which device degradation caused by hot carrier injection into a gate oxide is prevented. The device includes source, drain, and gate contacts, and a channel between the source and the drain. The channel has a dimension normal to the direction of a charge carrier transport in the channel such that the energy separation of the first two sub-bands equals or exceeds the effective energy band gap of the channel material.

Abstract: A method for transferring a pattern from an elastic stamp to a substrate in the presence of a third medium is described. A proximity contact is achieved between the stamp and the substrate. A layer of the third medium between the stamp and the substrate is controlled to a predetermined thickness. Stamps for carrying out this method are also described.

Abstract: Rinse agents for machine dishwashing which contain alkoxylated carboxylic acid ester(s), and other optional additives, are described. Methods of rinsing tableware surfaces using the described rinsing agents during machine washing are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glycerol ether mixture which consists essentially of a) at least one C12-22 glycerol monoalkyl ether, b) at least one C12-22 glycerol dialkylether and optionally c) at least one C12-22 glycerol trialkyl ether and/or d) at least one C12-22 fatty alcohol, components a) and b) together making up at least 50% by weight of the glycerol ether mixture and the ratio by weight of component a) to component b) being in the range from 3:1 to 1:2. The invention also relates to a process for producing the glycerol ether mixture and to cosmetic compositions containing the glycerol ether mixture.

Abstract: Quaternary surfactants of the formula (I), wherein R1CO is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally hydroxy-functionalized acyl radical having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds, R2 is a CH2COOH radical, an alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a CH2CH2OH or a CH2CH2OCH2CH2OH group, and X is halide, alkyl sulfate, alkyl carbonate or alkyl phosphate, are useful as surfactants in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations. Aqueous solutions above 50% by weight of the surfactants are flowable and pumpable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glycerol ether mixture which consists essentially of a) at least one C12-22 glycerol monoalkyl ether, b) at least one C12-22 glycerol dialkylether and optionally c) at least one C12-22 glycerol trialkyl ether and/or d) at least one C12-22 fatty alcohol, components a) and b) together making up at least 50% by weight of the glycerol ether mixture and the ratio by weight of component a) to component b) being in the range from 3:1 to 1:2. The invention also relates to a process for producing the glycerol ether mixture and to cosmetic compositions containing the glycerol ether mixture.

Abstract: A method for transferring a pattern from an elastic stamp to a substrate in the presence of a third medium is described. A proximity contact is achieved between the stamp and the substrate. A layer of the third medium between the stamp and the substrate is controlled to a predetermined thickness. Stamps for carrying out this method are also described.

Abstract: A MOS device includes first and second source/drains spaced apart relative to one another. A channel is formed in the device between the first and second source/drains. A gate is formed in the device between the first and second source/drains and proximate the channel, the gate being electrically isolated from the first and second source/drains and the channel. The gate is configured to control a conduction of the channel as a function of a potential applied to the gate. The MOS device further includes an energy filter formed between the first source/drain and the channel. The energy filter includes an impurity band operative to control an injection of carriers from the first source/drain into the channel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for applying a fluid to a surface, the device comprising a first conduit for directing a flow of a first fluid towards the surface and a second conduit for directing a flow of a second fluid away from the surface, the first conduit being arranged relative to the second conduit such that in operation of the device the second fluid comprises substantially the first fluid, and wherein said first conduit comprises a first aperture and the second conduit comprises a second aperture, the first aperture arranged at a distance from the second aperture.

Abstract: A device for flowing a liquid on a surface comprises: a flow path. A first port supplies the liquid to one end of the flow path and applies a first port pressure for retaining the liquid when the flow path is remote from the surface. A second port receives the liquid from the other end of the flow path and applies a second port pressure such that the difference between the first and second negative port pressures is oriented to promote flow of the liquid from the first port to the second port via the flow path in response to the flow path being located proximal to the surface and the liquid in the device contacting the surface. The first and second port pressures are such that the liquid is drawn towards at least the second port in response to withdrawal of the flow path from the surface. Such devices may employ microfluidic technology and find application in surface patterning.

Abstract: A capillary system for performing surface assays comprising a capillary pump containing at least two zones having different capillary pressures for obtaining controlled flow rate of liquids. The different pressure zones may be created by various means such as by creating posts in the walls of the capillary pump, by having different sized capillary of the different zones, by changing the wetting properties, by defining friction at the walls of the pump or by combinations of any of the above. The capillary system finds use in various surface assays and can be programmed for defining the volume and rate of liquid flowing through the test sites. A microfluidic chip containing assembly of programmed capillary systems for performing need based specific assays and modifications thereof.

Abstract: A method for forming a structure of a desired cross-section on a substrate is provided. The method provides a seed structure comprising at least one support layer on the substrate. The support layer has a geometric shape related to the desired cross-section of the structure and is diffusive to a precursor constituent. The method further includes growing the structure by supplying at least one precursor constituent on the substrate. The desired cross-section of the structure is defined by the geometric shape of at least one support layer.

Abstract: An electronic device and method of manufacturing the device. The device includes a semiconducting region, which can be a nanowire, a first contact electrically coupled to the semiconducting region, and at least one second contact capacitively coupled to the semiconducting region. At least a portion of the semiconducting region between the first contact and the second contact is covered with a dipole layer. The dipole layer can act as a local gate on the semiconducting region to enhance the electric properties of the device.

Abstract: A MOS device includes first and second source/drains spaced apart relative to one another. A channel is formed in the device between the first and second source/drains. A gate is formed in the device between the first and second source/drains and proximate the channel, the gate being electrically isolated from the first and second source/drains and the channel. The gate is configured to control a conduction of the channel as a function of a potential applied to the gate. The MOS device further includes an energy filter formed between the first source/drain and the channel. The energy filter includes an impurity band operative to control an injection of carriers from the first source/drain into the channel.

Abstract: A method for printing a binary hologram on a manufactured product comprises the provision of a stamp with a pattern corresponding to the hologram (30). The product is initially coated with a metal layer. The stamp is inked with a masking solution (40) and pressed against the manufactured product (50). Then, the hologram print is obtained by selective etching of parts of the metal layer which are not masked (60). The method is adapted for printing holograms on optical lenses.

Abstract: A stamp for patterning onto a receiving surface of an object (101) according to a defined pattern (P) comprises a stamping surface (21) of a resilient diaphragm (20). The stamping surface is planar at rest. The pattern is reproduced on the stamping surface and the diaphragm is affixed to a rigid body (13) along a peripheral edge, so that a middle part of the diaphragm can move along a direction perpendicular to the stamping surface. The diaphragm (20) is more flexible near the peripheral edge than in the middle part. Then, the pattern (P) printed on a pseudo-spherical receiving surface (103) using the stamp exhibits few distortion.

Abstract: A MOS device includes first and second source/drains spaced apart relative to one another. A channel is formed in the device between the first and second source/drains. A gate is formed in the device between the first and second source/drains and proximate the channel, the gate being electrically isolated from the first and second source/drains and the channel. The gate is configured to control a conduction of the channel as a function of a potential applied to the gate. The MOS device further includes an energy filter formed between the first source/drain and the channel. The energy filter includes an impurity band operative to control an injection of carriers from the first source/drain into the channel.