Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes: an ion source; an aperture; a flight region arranged between the ion source and aperture for separating ions according to their mass to charge ratio; and ion optics arranged and configured for causing ions to be reflected or deflected while they separate according to mass to charge ratio in the flight region and such that the ions are focussed to a geometrical focal point at the aperture so that the ions are transmitted through the aperture. The multi-reflecting or multi-deflecting ion optics provides a relatively long flight path for the ions, while naturally converging the ion beam to a focus. As this focus is arranged at the aperture, it enables the aperture to be made relatively small while still maintaining high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A method for analyzing biological reaction systems is provided. The method includes receiving an image of a substrate including a plurality of reaction sites after a biological reaction has taken place. Next, the method includes removing a noise background from the first image. The method includes determining an initial position of each reaction site based on an intensity threshold to generate a initial position set, then refining the initial position set of each reaction site based on an expected pattern of locations of the plurality of reaction sites to generate a first refined position set. The method further includes determining a presence or absence of a fluorescent emission from each reaction site based on the first refined position set and the first image.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for discriminating and tracking a coherently structured feature dynamically defined in evolving manner within a migratory medium. A data set is captured for a plurality of physical points defined within a multi-dimensional physical space, in terms of a plurality of scalar parameter values. At least one pre-selected target feature type is established, as is a scalar field predefined by at least one of the scalar parameters. A sparse set of key points is selectively generated a within the scalar field. Each key point is associated with one of the physical points and descriptive information adaptively determined therefor from the data content within a neighborhood of the physical point coinciding therewith. At least one predetermined feature-based operation is executed responsive to the descriptive information of the key points as a surrogate for execution generally on the data set.

Abstract: Methods are provided for integrating atomic layer etch and atomic layer deposition by performing both processes in the same chamber or reactor. Methods involve sequentially alternating between atomic layer etch and atomic layer deposition processes to prevent feature degradation during etch, improve selectivity, and encapsulate sensitive layers of a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a band limited reference voltage. The band limited reference voltage is generated from a supply voltage combined with a feedback path to provide a band reject power supply rejection ratio (PSRR). The voltage regulator also includes a feedforward path to extend the band reject PSRR.

Abstract: Methods of etching metal by depositing a material reactive with a metal to be etched and a halogen to form a volatile species and exposing the substrate to a halogen-containing gas and activation gas to etch the substrate are provided. Deposited materials may include silicon, germanium, titanium, carbon, tin, and combinations thereof. Methods are suitable for fabricating MRAM structures and may involve integrating ALD and ALE processes without breaking vacuum.

Abstract: Systems and methods for volume dimensioning packages are provided. A method of operating a volume dimensioning system may include the receipt of image data of an area at least a first three-dimensional object to be dimensioned from a first point of view as captured using at least one image sensor. The system can determine from the received image data a number of features in three dimensions of the first three-dimensional object. Based at least on part on the determined features of the first three-dimensional object, the system can fit a first three-dimensional packaging wireframe model about the first three-dimensional object. The system can display of an image of the first three-dimensional packaging wireframe model fitted about an image of the first three-dimensional object on a display device.

Abstract: Vacuum-integrated photoresist-less methods and apparatuses for forming metal hardmasks can provide sub-30 nm patterning resolution. A metal-containing (e.g., metal salt or organometallic compound) film that is sensitive to a patterning agent is deposited on a semiconductor substrate. The metal-containing film is then patterned directly (i.e., without the use of a photoresist) by exposure to the patterning agent in a vacuum ambient to form the metal mask. For example, the metal-containing film is photosensitive and the patterning is conducted using sub-30 nm wavelength optical lithography, such as EUV lithography.

Abstract: A system and method for aiming and alignment of a shell firing weapon includes a portable aiming unit that may be located in close proximity to the weapon that includes a reference head for emitting and/or receiving at least one energy ray. The portable aiming unit can be aligned to a reference azimuth, either absolute or relative. A sighting unit is also included in the system and removably mounted to the weapon. The sighting unit includes a reference head that is complementary to the reference head of the portable aiming unit. The at least one energy ray established between the portable aiming unit and the sighting unit provides an accurate relative reference of directing the weapons fire and monitoring linear and angular displacement of the weapon as it is fired so that corrections can be made in aiming the weapon in response thereto.

Abstract: Each year in North America there are approximately 175,000 non-contact ACL injuries. One of the main causes of these injuries is the rotational and translational forces created when a player makes a sudden change in direction or stops. Every athlete subjects their lower extremities to various forces that are unique to his or her mass, speed, and strength. These forces are affected by composition of the playing field surface, shoe sole design and construction, and other factors. Using these and other factors, the level of force at which injury is inevitable (pre-injury force) is determined and an athletic shoe is created which will provide a mitigating deformation induced by a particular athlete's pre-determined, pre-injury force threshold. A mitigating deformation of as little as 2 degrees can significantly reduce injurious forces. After the athlete has progressed through that particular force-generating movement, the shoe's sole instantly returns to its original shape.

Abstract: A pallet car for conveying material to be processed is disclosed. The pallet car includes first and second sidewalls formed from sidewall members that each include a metal frame and a heat-resistant liner, such as formed from refractory. The refractory formed on the metal frame of the sidewall members provides insulation for the metal frame without the need for a hearth layer of pre-processed material in the material bed of the pallet car. The sidewall member including the refractory layer increases the effective volume of the pallet car, which increases the overall efficiency of the furnace and material processing procedure.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for discriminating the nature of traffic flowing through a computer network. Various types of traffic are distinguished. For example, traffic sourced by a software application that generates them may be distinguished. The problem of detecting malicious traffic either originating outside a target network, or inside a target network from a compromised computer is addressed, as is the problem of distinguishing malicious traffic from legitimate web surfing or other applications activity. Traffic distinctions are made based on signal envelope characteristics in such manner as to preserve robust performance even when the subject traffic is encrypted.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to a method and system for normalizing spectra across multiple instruments. In an embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises at least one reference instrument and a test instrument. Each instrument comprises at least one excitation filter and at least one emission filter arranged in pairs. Each instrument further comprises a pure dye plate comprising a plurality of wells. Each well contains a plurality of dyes where each dye comprises a fluorescent component. Fluorescent spectra are obtained from each instrument for each dye across multiple filter combinations to contribute to a pure dye matrix Mref for the reference instrument and pure dye matrix M for the test instrument. The pure dye spectra can then be multiplied by correction factors for each filter pair to result in corrected pure dye spectra, then normalized and the multicomponenting data can be extracted.

Abstract: Methods of etching metal by depositing a material reactive with a metal to be etched and a halogen to form a volatile species and exposing the substrate to a halogen-containing gas and activation gas to etch the substrate are provided. Deposited materials may include silicon, germanium, titanium, carbon, tin, and combinations thereof. Methods are suitable for fabricating MRAM structures and may involve integrating ALD and ALE processes without breaking vacuum.

Abstract: A system and method for indicating an alert associated with a mobile device are provided. The system includes a device detector to detect whether the mobile device is in a state of wireless charging; an exit signal receiver to detect an event associated with an exit; a device determiner to determine, after the event is detected, whether the mobile device is in an area associated with the wireless charging; and a vehicle notifier to transmit an alert based the determination by the device determiner. Also provided is a method for augmenting a wireless charging system with a notification system.

Abstract: Methods are provided for integrating atomic layer etch and atomic layer deposition by performing both processes in the same chamber or reactor. Methods involve sequentially alternating between atomic layer etch and atomic layer deposition processes to prevent feature degradation during etch, improve selectivity, and encapsulate sensitive layers of a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Vacuum-integrated photoresist-less methods and apparatuses for forming metal hardmasks can provide sub-30 nm patterning resolution. A metal-containing (e.g., metal salt or organometallic compound) film that is sensitive to a patterning agent is deposited on a semiconductor substrate. The metal-containing film is then patterned directly (i.e., without the use of a photoresist) by exposure to the patterning agent in a vacuum ambient to form the metal mask. For example, the metal-containing film is photosensitive and the patterning is conducted using sub-30 nm wavelength optical lithography, such as EUV lithography.

Abstract: Systems and methods for volume dimensioning packages are provided. A method of operating a volume dimensioning system may include the receipt of image data of an area at least a first three-dimensional object to be dimensioned from a first point of view as captured using at least one image sensor. The system can determine from the received image data a number of features in three dimensions of the first three-dimensional object. Based at least on part on the determined features of the first three-dimensional object, the system can fit a first three-dimensional packaging wireframe model about the first three-dimensional object. The system can display of an image of the first three-dimensional packaging wireframe model fitted about an image of the first three-dimensional object on a display device.

Abstract: A résumé tool used to build a résumé includes a résumé customization tool that adds and removes items to a selected résumé. The résumé customization tool includes for each résumé a list of included items, a list of items or grouping of items omitted from the résumé, a hide selection that moves an item or grouping of items from the list of included items to the list of items omitted from the résumé, and a selection that moves an item from the list of items omitted from the résumé to the list of included items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for volume dimensioning packages are provided. A method of operating a volume dimensioning system may include the receipt of image data of an area at least a first three-dimensional object to be dimensioned from a first point of view as captured using at least one image sensor. The system can determine from the received image data a number of features in three dimensions of the first three-dimensional object. Based at least on part on the determined features of the first three-dimensional object, the system can fit a first three-dimensional packaging wireframe model about the first three-dimensional object. The system can display of an image of the first three-dimensional packaging wireframe model fitted about an image of the first three-dimensional object on a display device.