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 a superlattice structure wherein a mini-band is formed. The energy filter is operative to control an injection of carriers from the first source/drain into the channel. The energy filter, in combination with the first source/drain, is configured to produce an effective zero-Kelvin first source/drain.

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 microfluidic device for applying a liquid to a surface comprises a chamber for carrying the liquid, an aperture in the chamber for communicating liquid from the chamber to the surface via a conduit having outer sides of limited wetability to the liquid. This device provides a solution for confining liquids to defined areas of a surface without involving physical seals and additionally permits moving the device and confined liquid on the surface.

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 process is provided for the production of linear saturated alkanes from one or more primary alcohols, wherein the carbon chain of the one or more primary alcohols has one carbon atom more than the alkane, including conducting reductive dehydroxymethylation of one or more primary fatty alcohols containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms, at a temperature ranging from 100 to 300° C. and pressures from 1 to 250 bar in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst, and removing water formed during the reaction.

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: 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: Mixtures comprising at least one alk(en)yl polyglycoside ether carboxylate, and one or more fatty alcohols are described along with methods for preparing the same, wherein a starting mixture comprising (i) at least one alk(en)yl polyglycoside, and (ii) one or more fatty alcohols is provided, and the starting mixture is reacted with a compound selected from the group consisting of ?-halocarboxylic acids, ?-halocarboxylic acid salts, ?-halocarboxylic acid esters, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an application-independent and engine-independent middleware layer (204) between applications (202) and engines (206, 208). The middleware provides speech-related services to both applications (202) and engines (206, 208), thereby making it far easier for application vendors and engine vendors to bring their technology to consumers.

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: 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 low-foaming surfactant composition comprising: (a) a hydroxy mixed ether corresponding to formula I: R1O[CH2CH(CH3)O]x(CH2CHR2O)y[CH2CH(OH)R3]z??(I) wherein R1 is an alkyl and/or alkylene group containing from 4 to 18 carbon atoms, R2 is hydrogen, R3 is an alkyl group having from 2 to 22 carbon atoms, x is 0, y is a number from 1 to 30, and z is a number from 1 to 3; and (b) a low-foaming nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of an optionally end-capped fatty alcohol polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol ether corresponding to formula II: R4O(CH2CH2O)n[CH2(CH3)CHO]mR5 ??(II) wherein R4 is an alkyl and/or alkylene group containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, R5 is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, n is a number from 1 to 15 and m is a number up to 10, an optionally end-capped fatty alcohol polypropylene glycol/polyethylene glycol ether corresponding to formula II: R6O[CH2(CH3)CHO]p(CH2CH2O)qR7 ??(III) wherein R6 is an alkyl and/or alkylene group having f

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 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: An aqueous surfactant mixture comprised of an alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycoside ether carboxylic acid is made by a process comprising reacting in an aqueous solution an alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycoside and an ?-halocarboxylic acid or a salt or ester thereof in the presence of alkali.

Abstract: The present invention includes a context-free grammar (CFG) engine which communicates through an exposed interface with a speech recognition engine. The context-free grammar engine, in one illustrative embodiment, handles loading and unloading of grammars, as well as maintaining a desired activation state of the grammars which are loaded. Further, the CFG engine represents all loaded grammars, and their corresponding activation states, as a single grammar to the speech recognition engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an application-independent and engine-independent middleware layer between applications and engines. The middleware provides speech-related services to both applications and engines, thereby making it far easier for application vendors and engine vendors to bring their technology to consumers.

Abstract: A speech platform architecture is described that provides standardized methods of interaction for users across multiple speech-enabled applications. Listener objects corresponding to speech-enabled applications are used to provide speech functionality to the speech-enabled applications. A common “What Can I Say?” user interface allows users to easily understand what voice commands are available for a particular speech-enabled application. A common configuration user interface is provided that allows users to configure each listener object. Utilization of particular interfaces provides for the common functionality described. As a result of providing common interfaces, users can more easily learn and use multiple speech-enabled applications utilized with a speech system.

Abstract: The present invention includes a context-free grammar (CFG) engine which communicates through an exposed interface with a speech recognition engine. The context-free grammar engine, in one illustrative embodiment, handles loading and unloading of grammars, as well as maintaining a desired activation state of the grammars which are loaded. Further, the CFG engine represents all loaded grammars, and their corresponding activation states, as a single grammar to the speech recognition engine.