Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming an air gap using etch back of an inter layer dielectric (ILD) with self-alignment to metal pattern. The method entails forming a first metallization layer deposited on a first dielectric, forming a second metallization layer deposited on a second dielectric, wherein the second metallization layer is spaced apart from the first metallization layer, forming a sacrificial ILD between the first and second metallization layers, forming a diffusion layer over the first and second metallization layers and over the sacrificial ILD, and removing the sacrificial ILD to form an air gap between the first and second metallization layers. This method is particular applicable for dual copper damascene processes.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique to improve stability of a pellicle. The pellicle is pre-baked at a predetermined temperature substantially below a glass transition temperature. The pre-baked pellicle is purged with an inert gas. The purged pellicle is radiated by a radiation at a wavelength. In another embodiment, a chamber is sealed with a pellicle membrane which divides the chamber into first and second compartments. The chamber has an inflow opening in the first compartment and an outflow opening in the second compartment. A gas is injected into the inflow opening and penetrates the pellicle membrane to the outflow opening. In another embodiment, the chamber has first inflow and outflow openings and second inflow and outflow openings in the first and second compartments, respectively. A first gas is injected into the first inflow opening and a second gas into the second inflow opening. The first and second gases have a permeability difference.

Abstract: A system for upgrading new and existing gates or barriers to provide improved crash barrier rating. This system comprises a reinforcing attachment to the gate or barrier and improved reinforced bollards with catch hooks to absorb the energy of impact from a vehicle. The reinforcing attachment is an arrangement of cable and structural members that provide for increased reinforcement by ensuring that the load is distributed on the cable to minimize the risk of breakthrough as a result of cable failure. The bollards have been improved by strengthening the catch hook attachments and adding reinforcement positioning elements to facilitate proper assembly.

Abstract: A fluid ejector, such as a printhead for an inkjet printer, comprising a substrate that includes a primary via formed therein, and a nozzle member overlying the substrate and including vertical nozzle chambers at least partially overlying the primary via and a corresponding fluid actuator (e.g., a heater) associated with the substrate.

Abstract: Methods for treatment and/or prevention of nerve degeneration in mammals using aza-peptide epoxide caspase inhibitors are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure include aza-peptide epoxide compositions to treat or prevent diseases, for example stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathies, Huntington's disease, dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy, spinocerebellar atrophies, spinal bulbar muscular atrophy, diabetes, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other motor neuron diseases. The disclosed methods can be used in combination with calpain inhibitors to treat disease or pathological conditions related to the activity of caspases and calpain associated with a specific disease or condition.

Abstract: The present invention allows complex messaging configurations (e.g., server clusters) and messaging activities to be simulated in a single test. A server cluster having two or more mail servers is provided. Each server in the cluster is assigned one or more mail databases that are also replicated to the other servers in the cluster. Thus, each server has a copy of every mail database. Mail clients are then assigned to specific mail servers (e.g., 50% of the mail clients are assigned to mail server “1,” 50% of the mail clients are assigned to mail server “2”). The present invention will drive a messaging workload against the servers (in a single test) that will simulate the type of messaging activity that is typically experienced when the servers are in actual use within an organization or business.

Abstract: In a multimedia call center (MMCC) operating through an operating system, a client-specific self-help wizard is provided for active clients and updated periodically with information related to client transaction history with the MMCC. A connected client is presented by the wizard with a selective media function through which the client may a select a media type for interaction and help, and the MMCC will then re-contact the client through the selected media. The client, for example, may select IP or COST telephony, and the MMCC will place a call to the client to a number or IP address listed for the client, and interactivity will then be through an interactive voice response unit. Help information specific to a client is updated in the client's wizard periodically according to ongoing transaction history with the MMCC. The wizard may also monitor client activity with the wizard and make reports available to various persons.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for high temperature protection of combustor and other components by controlling the temperature of combustor gases in a hybrid fuel cell system combustor using a nozzle or plurality of nozzles to inject water or water vapor, downstream or directly into the combustor. A variable speed pump, actuated valve or other flow metering device regulates the supply of water to the nozzles and a steam generator. Flow regulation is effected by a control algorithm that reacts to combustor temperature, changes in the power production of the fuel cell system and/or other related system parameters.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for high temperature protection of combustor and other components by controlling the temperature of combustion chamber gases in a fuel cell system tail gas burner using a nozzle or plurality of nozzles to inject water or water vapor upstream, downstream or directly into the combustion chamber. A variable speed pump, actuated valve or other flow metering device regulates the supply of water or water vapor to the nozzles. For the case of water vapor, an evaporator is required between the pump and nozzles. Flow regulation is effected by a control algorithm that reacts to combustor temperature, changes in the power production of the fuel cell system and/or other related system parameters.

Abstract: Carborane may be used as a precursor to form low dielectric constant dielectrics. The carborane material may be modified to enable it to be deposited by chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprises a separating structure configured for separating a first reactant and a second reactant wherein the separating structure has an opening therein. The fuel cell assembly further comprises a fuel cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte interposed between the first and second electrodes, and a passage configured to introduce the second reactant to the second electrode. The electrolyte is bonded to the separating structure with the first electrode being situated within the opening, and the second electrode being situated within the passage.

Abstract: A method of making flow feature structures for a micro-fluid ejection head. The method includes the steps of laser ablating a nozzle plate material to provide an elongate fluid chamber and fluid supply channel therein for connecting the fluid chamber with a fluid supply. The fluid chamber has a first length and a first width. An elongate nozzle hole is laser ablated in the nozzle plate material co-axial with the fluid chamber. The nozzle hole has entrance dimensions having a longitudinal axis dimension and a transverse axis dimension such that the longitudinal axis dimension is from about 1.1 to about 4.0 times the transverse axis dimension.

Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection head structure having multiple arrays of fluid ejection actuators. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first array of fluid ejection actuators for ejecting a first fluid therefrom, and a second array of fluid ejection actuators for ejecting a second fluid therefrom. The first array of fluid ejection actuators is disposed in a first location on the substrate, and the second array of fluid ejection actuators is disposed in a second location on the substrate. A thick film layer having a thickness is attached adjacent the semiconductor substrate. The thick film layer has fluid flow channels formed therein solely for the first array of fluid ejection actuators. A nozzle plate is attached to the thick film layer opposite the semiconductor substrate. The nozzle plate has fluid flow channels formed therein for both the first array of fluid ejection actuators and the second array of fluid ejection actuators.

Abstract: A system for causing routing of a communication event includes a sending platform for initiating and sending the communication event, a communications network for carrying the communication event, a receiving platform for receiving the communication event for final routing, and a router resident at least in the receiving platform for preparing and executing or forwarding for execution a routing instruction for handling the incoming communication event or notification thereof, the routing instruction thus executed, overriding a default routing instruction, the overriding routing instruction initiated upon discovery by the router of some level of trust metric between the sender and intended recipient of the event.

Abstract: A nozzle plate structure having nozzle bores therein in flow communication with corresponding fluid chambers. The nozzle bores have an overall nozzle bore length dimension and each of the nozzle bores includes two or more exit bores in fluid flow communication with each of the nozzle bores. Each of the exit bores having a length dimension ranging from about 5 to about 100 percent of the overall nozzle bore length dimension.

Abstract: An improved ink jet printhead and method therefor. The printhead includes a single semiconductor substrate with ink ejection devices and a nozzle plate adjacent to the semiconductor substrate, the nozzle plate with first ink ejection nozzles for ejecting first ink drops having a first volume and second ink ejection nozzles for ejecting second ink drops having a second volume different from the first volume, wherein the first volume is defined by first flow features of the printhead having a first thickness and the second volume is defined by second flow features having a second thickness that is different from the first thickness.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions for inhibiting proteases, methods for synthesizing the compositions, and methods of using the disclosed protease inhibitors. Aspects of the disclosure include a peptidyl propenoyl hydrazide compositions that inhibit proteases, for example cysteine proteases, either in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: A software suite for managing the publishing and consumption of information and payload data across one or more transport protocols supported by a data-packet-network includes a posting application for publishing the information and payload data, and a consuming application for accessing and consuming the information and payload data. In a preferred embodiment the posting application enables posting of information that is consumable separately from the payload data wherein the information richly describes the payload data including provision of instructions for sampling the payload data before consuming the payload data.

Abstract: A software application for managing routing of communiqués across one or more communication channels supported by a data-packet-network includes one or more workspaces for segregating communication activity; one or more unique user identities assigned per workspace; and one or more contact identities assigned to and approved to communicate with a workspace administrator of the one or more workspaces using the assigned user identities. In a preferred embodiment the application enforces a policy implicitly defined by the existing architecture of the workspaces and associated user and contact identities.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and anode for plating copper or other metals onto a barrier or seed layer of a wafer surface is described. A copper layer of uniform thickness is plated on the surface by, for instance, maintaining a constant current density between the anode and wafer surface. Several configurations of anodes are described for obtaining the constant current density.