Abstract: Methods for synthesizing carbon nanotubes and structures formed thereby. The method includes forming carbon nanotubes on a plurality of synthesis sites supported by a first substrate, interrupting nanotube synthesis, mounting a free end of each carbon nanotube to a second substrate, and removing the first substrate. Each carbon nanotube is capped by one of the synthesis sites, to which growth reactants have ready access. As the carbon nanotubes lengthen during resumed nanotube synthesis, access to the synthesis sites remains unoccluded.

Abstract: Non-volatile and radiation-hard switching and memory devices using vertical nano-tubes and reversibly held in state by van der Waals' forces and methods of fabricating the devices. Means for sensing the state of the devices include measuring capacitance, and tunneling and field emission currents.

Abstract: Structures and methods for operating the same. The structure includes (a) a substrate; (b) a first and second electrode regions on the substrate; and (c) a third electrode region disposed between the first and second electrode regions. In response to a first write voltage potential applied between the first and third electrode regions, the third electrode region changes its own shape, such that in response to a pre-specified read voltage potential subsequently applied between the first and third electrode regions, a sensing current flows between the first and third electrode regions. In addition, in response to a second write voltage potential being applied between the second and third electrode regions, the third electrode region changes its own shape such that in response to the pre-specified read voltage potential applied between the first and third electrode regions, said sensing current does not flow between the first and third electrode regions.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing carbon nanotubes and structure formed thereby. The method includes forming carbon nanotubes on a plurality of synthesis sites supported by a first substrate, interrupting nanotube synthesis, mounting a free end of each carbon nanotube to a second substrate, and removing the first substrate. Each carbon nanotube is capped by one of the synthesis sites, to which growth reactants have ready access. As the carbon nanotubes lengthen during resumed nanotube synthesis, access to the synthesis sites remains unoccluded.

Abstract: An exemplary method involves creating a master session over a first connection through a server; and creating a virtual channel over the connection, the virtual channel operable to communicate a feature session. The method may involve establishing a direct connection that bypasses the server, and switching communication of the feature session to the direct connection. A system for network communication includes a plurality of transport bridges, each transport bridge corresponding to an active network device configuration, and a switching module operable to choose one of the transport bridges to form a connection between two computing devices based on the active network device configuration.

Abstract: A high-resolution, per-packet measurement tool for analyzing a computer network that operates by sending a predetermined number of packets from a sender machine to a receiver machine with measurement information inserted into the packet. The system kernel at the sending machine stamps a sequence number and the sender's local time into the data section of each packet. When packets arrive at the receiver machine, they are similarly stamped by the receiving machine's kernel with the receiving machine's local time. The maintained packet information serves as the basis for latency analysis. For example, one set of latencies can be obtained with QoS mechanisms turned on, and another set with QoS mechanisms turned off, whereby the benefits of the QoS mechanisms can be accurately determined. To analyze the latencies, the present invention normalizes each time and each latency into relative latency information. Clock skew and timer jumps may be handled as part of the normalization.

Abstract: Vertical field effect transistors having a channel region defined by at least one semiconducting nanotube and methods for fabricating such vertical field effect transistors by chemical vapor deposition using a spacer-defined channel. Each nanotube is grown by chemical vapor deposition catalyzed by a catalyst pad positioned at the base of a high-aspect-ratio passage defined between a spacer and a gate electrode. Each nanotube grows in the passage with a vertical orientation constrained by the confining presence of the spacer. A gap may be provided in the base of the spacer remote from the mouth of the passage. Reactants flowing through the gap to the catalyst pad participate in nanotube growth.

Abstract: A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel is disclosed. The shock absorbing thumb wheel includes a central hub that can be secured to an electro-mechanical switch, a rim encircling the central hub, and force dispersion spokes extending from the central hub and connected to the rim. The configuration of the force dispersion spokes and the resilient material of the force dispersion spokes and the rim allow for radial and lateral deflection of the rim in response to an applied impact force. The impact force is thereby at least partially absorbed by the radial and lateral deflection of the rim and spokes, such that less impact force is transferred to connections between the electro-mechanical switch and any assembly to which the switch is attached. Hence, the probability of connection failures is reduced, and the lifetime of a device that uses the thumb wheel can be extended.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a standardized way to interact with and extend instant messaging applications. A platform is provided and enables developers and other third parties to create extensions for instant messaging applications. Through a set of APIs, interacting applications or plug-ins are “sandboxed” in their own areas where they are unable to perform unpermitted or unauthorized actions. The plug-in platform or architecture is integrated with the platform of the instant messaging application and can allow developers to create plug-ins that can interact with a local user and their buddies. Any number of various types of plug-ins can be developed and incorporated into the instant messaging application in a standardized manner.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs is disclosed. In order to operate within the limited space available on a hand-held electronic device, the present invention optimizes the placement and shape of the keys, preferably using keys that are oval or oblong in shape, and that are placed at angles designed to facilitate thumb-typing. The angles at which keys on either side of the keyboard are placed is complimentary.

Abstract: An FET has a T-shaped gate. The FET has a halo diffusion self-aligned to the bottom portion of the T and an extension diffusion self aligned to the top portion. The halo is thereby separated from the extension implant, and this provides significant advantages. The top and bottom portions of the T-shaped gate can be formed of layers of two different materials, such as germanium and silicon. The two layers are patterned together. Then exposed edges of the bottom layer are selectively chemically reacted and the reaction products are etched away to provide the notch. In another embodiment, the gate is formed of a single gate conductor. A metal is conformally deposited along sidewalls, recess etched to expose a top portion of the sidewalls, and heated to form silicide along bottom portions. The silicide is etched to provide the notch.

Abstract: To isolate two active regions formed on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, a shallow trench isolation region is filled with liquid phase deposited silicon dioxide (LPD-SiO2) while avoiding covering the active areas with the oxide. By selectively depositing the oxide in this manner, the polishing needed to planarize the wafer is significantly reduced as compared to a chemical-vapor deposited oxide layer that covers the entire wafer surface. Additionally, the LPD-SiO2 does not include the growth seams that CVD silicon dioxide does. Accordingly, the etch rate of the LPD-SiO2 is uniform across its entire expanse thereby preventing cavities and other etching irregularities present in prior art shallow trench isolation regions in which the etch rate of growth seams exceeds that of the other oxide areas.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating alternating phase shift masks or reticles used in semiconductor optical lithography systems. The methods generally include forming a layer of phase shift mask material on a handle substrate and patterning the layer to define recessed phase shift windows. The patterned layer is transferred from the handle wafer to a mask blank. The depth of the phase shift windows is determined by the thickness of the layer of phase shift mask material and is independent of the patterning process. In particular, the depth of the phase shift windows is not dependent upon the etch rate uniformity of an etch process across a surface of a mask blank.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for connecting at least one electrical contact pad on a first structure with at least one electrical contact pad on an opposing second structure. The connector assembly has a body and electrical connectors extending from the body, and is mountable relative to the first and second structures such that the electrical connectors engage electrical contact pads on the first and second structures. The electrical connectors are of a springy metal and are configured to be suitably biased against the contact pads when the connector assembly is assembled with the first and second structures, so as to provide a contact biasing force preferably in the range of 0.7 N±0.2 N.

Abstract: A housing for a mobile communication device includes a housing member that encloses the mobile communication device. An opening is positioned in the housing member for accepting a battery. A door is positioned over the opening in the housing member, with an access port defined through the housing member positioned under the door for contacting an internal element of a mobile communication device, such as an antenna. A method for testing an antenna in a mobile communication device having a housing with an antenna access port defined therethrough, an antenna, a battery compartment, and a removable cover positioned over at least part of the housing is also described.

Abstract: A faucet mounted water filtration system includes a base having an inlet, a water receiving chamber, and at least one outlet. The inlet is configured to be coupled to a faucet. A body is coupled to the base. The body includes a filter compartment configured to house a filter cartridge. A cover is rotatably coupled to the body. A cam is operatively coupled to the cover. A valve operatively engages a surface of the cam. The cam is rotatable to move the valve to open and close a passageway to the filter compartment. A biasing element biases the cover to a default position.

Abstract: A pitcher includes a container body defining a liquid storage cavity therein and having an open end and a cover removably coupled to the container body. The cover extends along the open end, and the cover defining a fill opening configured to receive a liquid therein. The fill opening is in communication with the liquid storage cavity. The pitcher also includes a lid assembly having a lid closing access to the fill opening. A slide mechanism is coupled to the lid, and the slide mechanism is slidably coupled to the cover.

Abstract: A dielectric in an integrated circuit is formed by creating oriented cylindrical voids in a conventional dielectric material. Preferably, voids are formed by first forming multiple relatively long, thin carbon nanotubes perpendicular to a surface of an integrated circuit wafer, by depositing a conventional dielectric on the surface to fill the area between the carbon nanotubes, and by then removing the carbon nanotubes to produce voids in place of the carbon nanotubes. A layer of dielectric and voids thus formed can be patterned or otherwise processed using any of various conventional processes. The use of a conventional dielectric material having numerous air voids substantially reduces the dielectric constant, leaving a dielectric structure which is both structurally strong and can be constructed compatibly with conventional processes and materials.

Abstract: In a method for testing the thermally induced unbalance of a rotating machine part, in particular the rotor of a turbogenerator, the rotating machine part or the rotor balanced at normal temperature is brought in the demounted state first to nominal rotational speed and held at this, while its temperature is varied and, at the same time, the transient variations in oscillations of the rotating machine part or rotor which are caused are measured. During the test, the rotating machine part or the rotor is surrounded at least partially by a closed heating cell, a cooling medium flows around and/or flows through the rotating machine part or the rotor in the heating cell, and the heating of the rotating machine part or of the rotor takes place essentially due to the flow-dynamic losses arising from the interaction of the rotating machine part or of the rotor with the circulating cooling medium.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs is disclosed. In order to operate within the limited space available on a hand-held electronic device, the present invention optimizes the placement and shape of the keys, preferably using keys that are oval or oblong in shape, and that are placed at angles designed to facilitate thumb-typing. The angles at which keys on either side of the keyboard are placed is complimentary.