Abstract: A seismic survey uses a central control and a seismic source. The seismic source has a vibrator that acoustically couples to the ground using a moveable pad. A method for performing a seismic survey includes sending a first message from the seismic source to the central control indicating a time at which the pad is being lowered; estimating a time at which the pad will be acoustically coupled to the ground based on the first message; and sending a message from the central control to the seismic source to begin a sweep, the sweep beginning no sooner than the estimated time. Another method includes: mapping a surface of a terrain to be traversed by the truck using at least one sensor carried by the truck; positioning a moveable pad based on the mapped surface to provide a physical gap between the surface and the moveable pad; and traversing the mapped terrain with the truck.

Abstract: A power conversion system is coupled between a power grid and a load. The power conversion system includes a battery, a first converter, a second converter and a DC/DC converter. The first converter is configured to selectively convert an input power from the power grid into a first charging power when the power grid is operated normally. The second converter is configured to convert the input power from the power grid into an output power when the power grid is operated normally. The DC/DC converter is electrically connected between the battery and the second converter. The DC/DC converter is configured to convert a storage power in the battery into a backup power when the power grid is not operated normally.

Abstract: A battery cell balance circuit includes an AC/DC converter, a plurality of battery cells, a plurality of switches, an isolated DC/DC converter, a circuit switch, and a control unit. The AC/DC converter receives an AC power. The battery cells are connected in series to form a battery link. Each switch is correspondingly connected to one battery cell. The isolated DC/DC converter is coupled to the switches and coupled to the battery link in series. The circuit switch is coupled between the AC/DC converter, the isolated DC/DC converter, and the plurality of switches. The control unit provides a plurality of control signals to correspondingly control the plurality of switches and the circuit switch.

Abstract: An energy regulation method for a fuel cell energy supply system including a plurality of fuel cell power generation modules, a plurality of power conversion modules, and a communication control module connected to the plurality of power conversion modules includes: calculating a parameter average value based on an energy state parameter of the fuel cell power generation module; calculating a compensation factor depending on the energy state parameter and the parameter average value; calculating a control parameter reference value of each of the power conversion modules based on a droop algorithm, and multiplying the control parameter reference value by the corresponding compensation factor to obtain a control parameter set value of the power conversion module; and regulating the corresponding fuel cell power generation modules depending on the control parameter set value.

Abstract: A spin transfer torque (STT) device has a free ferromagnetic layer that includes a Heusler alloy layer and a template layer beneath and in contact with the Heusler alloy layer. The template layer may be a ferromagnetic alloy comprising one or more of Co, Ni and Fe and the element X, where X is selected from one or more of Ta, B, Hf, Zr, W, Nb and Mo. A CoFe nanolayer may be formed below and in contact with the template layer. The STT device may be a spin-torque oscillator (STO), like a STO incorporated into the write head of a magnetic recording disk drive. The STT device may also be a STT in-plane or perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) cell for magnetic random access memory (MRAM). The template layer reduces the critical current density of the STT device.

Abstract: Interconnects and methods for forming interconnects are described and disclosed herein. The interconnect contains a stack formed on a substrate having a via and a trench formed therein, a first metal formed from a first material of a first type deposited in the via, and a second metal formed from a second material of a second type deposited in the trench.

Abstract: A light emitting element driving device includes a first energy storage element, a power source, and a converter circuit. The power source is electrically connected to the first energy storage element via the light emitting element in order to provide current to the light emitting element and to charge the first energy storage element. The converter circuit is electrically connected to the power source and the first energy storage element, and includes an inductance. When the converter circuit is in the first operational status, the first energy storage element charges the inductance. When the converter circuit is in the second operational status, the inductance is fed back to the power source.

Abstract: A sporting apparatus comprises a structure body, an endless belt, an electricity generating unit, a position sensing unit and a modulation unit for continuously outputting electricity as the sporting apparatus is continuously operated. The electricity generating unit transforms kinetic energy, which is transmitted from the endless belt, into electric power. The position sensing unit senses a position of a user on the endless belt so as to generate a sensing signal. The modulation unit includes a DC/AC inverter, a current sensing element, an inductor and a semiconductor switch with a controller. The current sensing element senses an armature current outputted from the electricity generating unit and outputs a signal to the controller. The controller controls the duty ratio of the semiconductor switch to control the armature current, so that the armature current is adjusted according to the sensing signal for controlling the rotation speed of the endless belt.

Abstract: A spin transfer torque (STT) device has a free ferromagnetic layer that includes a Heusler alloy layer and a template layer beneath and in contact with the Heusler alloy layer. The template layer may be a ferromagnetic alloy comprising one or more of Co, Ni and Fe and the element X, where X is selected from one or more of Ta, B, Hf, Zr, W, Nb and Mo. A CoFe nanolayer may be formed below and in contact with the template layer. The STT device may be a spin-torque oscillator (STO), like a STO incorporated into the write head of a magnetic recording disk drive. The STT device may also be a STT in-plane or perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) cell for magnetic random access memory (MRAM). The template layer reduces the critical current density of the STT device.

Abstract: Interconnects and methods for forming interconnects are described and disclosed herein. The interconnect contains a stack formed on a substrate having a via and a trench formed therein, a first metal formed from a first material of a first type deposited in the via, and a second metal formed from a second material of a second type deposited in the trench.

Abstract: A power drawing device using a single live wire includes a first and second mechanical switches, and a power drawing circuit, wherein the first mechanical switch includes a first contact connected to a live wire, a third contact connected to a first light adjusting circuit, and a fifth contact connected to the first light adjusting circuit; the second mechanical switch includes a first contact connected to the live wire, a third contact connected to a second light adjusting circuit, a fifth contact connected to the second light adjusting circuit, and a sixth contact connected to the first mechanical switch; and the power drawing circuit includes a first terminal connected to the live wire, a second terminal connected to the second mechanical switch, a third terminal connected to the first light adjusting circuit, and a fourth terminal connected to the second light adjusting circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate an interconnect formed on a substrate and a method of forming the interconnect thereon. In an embodiment, a via and trench in a stack formed on the substrate. A bottom of the via is pre-treated using a first pre-treatment procedure. A sidewall of the via is pre-treated using a second pre-treatment procedure. A first metal fill material of a first type is deposited on the stack, in the via. A second metal fill material of a second type is deposited on the stack, in the trench.

Abstract: Methods for selectively depositing a cobalt layer are provided herein. In some embodiments, methods for selectively depositing a cobalt layer include: exposing a substrate to a first process gas to passivate an exposed dielectric surface, wherein the substrate comprises a dielectric layer having an exposed dielectric surface and a metal layer having an exposed metal surface; and selectively depositing a cobalt layer atop the exposed metal surface using a thermal deposition process.

Abstract: Methods to selectively deposit capping layers on a copper surface relative to a dielectric surface comprising separately the copper surface to a cobalt precursor gas and a tungsten precursor gas, each in a separate processing chamber. The copper surface and the dielectric surfaces can be substantially coplanar. The combined thickness of cobalt and tungsten capping films is in the range of about 2 ? to about 60 ?.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a panel includes at least one step as below. A pre-treatment is performed on a first bonding component between two substrates, so that a part of a first bonding portion of the first bonding component becomes a first transformation portion, in which at least one characteristic of the first bonding portion is different from that of the first transformation portion.

Abstract: A power drawing device using a single live wire includes a first and second mechanical switches, and a power drawing circuit, wherein the first mechanical switch includes a first contact connected to a live wire, a third contact connected to a first light adjusting circuit, and a fifth contact connected to the first light adjusting circuit; the second mechanical switch includes a first contact connected to the live wire, a third contact connected to a second light adjusting circuit, a fifth contact connected to the second light adjusting circuit, and a sixth contact connected to the first mechanical switch; and the power drawing circuit includes a first terminal connected to the live wire, a second terminal connected to the second mechanical switch, a third terminal connected to the first light adjusting circuit, and a fourth terminal connected to the second light adjusting circuit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a panel includes at least one step as below. A pre-treatment is performed on a first bonding component between two substrates, so that a part of a first bonding portion of the first bonding component becomes a first transformation portion, in which at least one characteristic of the first bonding portion is different from that of the first transformation portion.

Abstract: A computer has a processor and nontransitory memory. The computer receives a list of search keywords to propose to a search engine. For search keywords that are too infrequently used to have historical data to estimate keyword performance, the computer computes linguistic similarity between the sparse-data keyword to other keywords that have sufficient historical keyword performance data to permit a statistically sound estimate for keyword performance. The estimates are submitted to a search engine, and updated by grouping the sparse-data keywords into groups, including at least a high-performing group and a low-performing group, and reallocating budget from the keywords of the low-performing group to keywords of the high-performing group, by reducing estimates for keywords of the low-performing group and increasing estimates of keywords of the high-performing group.

Abstract: A sporting apparatus comprises a structure body, an endless belt, an electricity generating unit, a position sensing unit and a modulation unit for continuously outputting electricity as the sporting apparatus is continuously operated. The electricity generating unit transforms kinetic energy, which is transmitted from the endless belt, into electric power. The position sensing unit senses a position of a user on the endless belt so as to generate a sensing signal. The modulation unit includes a DC/AC inverter, a current sensing element, an inductor and a semiconductor switch with a controller. The current sensing element senses an armature current outputted from the electricity generating unit and outputs a signal to the controller. The controller controls the duty ratio of the semiconductor switch to control the armature current, so that the armature current is adjusted according to the sensing signal for controlling the rotation speed of the endless belt.

Abstract: Methods for selectively depositing a cobalt layer are provided herein. In some embodiments, methods for selectively depositing a cobalt layer include: exposing a substrate to a first process gas to passivate an exposed dielectric surface, wherein the substrate comprises a dielectric layer having an exposed dielectric surface and a metal layer having an exposed metal surface; and selectively depositing a cobalt layer atop the exposed metal surface using a thermal deposition process.