Abstract: A sports training apparatus that is particularly suitable for teaching close ball control to soccer players. The apparatus preferably assumes the form of a ring surrounding a player. The ring rests on the ground. The ring is preferably formed by a series of interlocking planar elements. Each planar element has an impact face oriented toward the player. Each impact face includes at least one target area. The invention includes a control device that activates a stimulus associated with one or more target areas in any desired sequence or randomly.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to prevent reliability failures in semiconductor devices. A trench is patterned in a polyimide layer over a guard ring having a top metal layer. A passivation layer is etched at bottom of the trench. A capping layer is deposited on the trench over the etched passivation layer. The capping layer and the top metal layer form a mechanical strong interface to prevent a crack propagation.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to prevent reliability failures in semiconductor devices. A trench is patterned in a polyimide layer over a guard ring having a top metal layer. A passivation layer is etched at bottom of the trench. A capping layer is deposited on the trench over the etched passivation layer. The capping layer and the top metal layer form a mechanical strong interface to prevent a crack propagation.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to prevent reliability failures in semiconductor devices. A trench is patterned in a polyimide layer over a guard ring having a top metal layer. A passivation layer is etched at bottom of the trench. A capping layer is deposited on the trench over the etched passivation layer. The capping layer and the top metal layer form a mechanical strong interface to prevent a crack propagation.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to prevent reliability failures in semiconductor devices. A trench is patterned in a polyimide layer over a guard ring having a top metal layer. A passivation layer is etched at bottom of the trench. A capping layer is deposited on the trench over the etched passivation layer. The capping layer and the top metal layer form a mechanical strong interface to prevent a crack propagation.

Abstract: Sports practising apparatus 1 for practising close ball control, includes a plurality of generally planar elements 2 arranged in a generally circular array, each planar element 2 having thereon an impact face 3 having at least one target area 8 facing in a generally inward direction. The apparatus 1 includes means to selectively activate individual target areas 8 sequentially in a predetermined or random manner, the target areas 8 being responsive to being hit by a ball impacting on the target to de-activate the target area 8 and to activate the next individual target area 8 in the sequence.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to prevent reliability failures in semiconductor devices. A trench is patterned in a polyimide layer over a guard ring having a top metal layer. A passivation layer is etched at bottom of the trench. A capping layer is deposited on the trench over the etched passivation layer. The capping layer and the top metal layer form a mechanical strong interface to prevent a crack propagation.

Abstract: An unleaded gasoline fuel of about 87 octane suitable for use in automobile spark-ignition (internal combustion) engines, the gasoline having a low sulfur content (below 100 ppmw) and a relatively high olefin content (between 15 and 25 vol. %). Gasoline fuels meeting these requirements generally have emissions characteristics satisfying the requirements of RFG under EPA regulations.

Abstract: A computer database for storing information in tuple form wherein each tuple comprises fields with corresponding fields in the tuples constituting a column, generates for each data domain a domain dictionary which matches each distinct data value in that domain with a corresponding distinct token, and stores each domain dictionary. A tokenised store for each data field column is created. All of the tokens for a domain are initially of the same size being substantially the minimum size necessary to provide the required plurality of distinct tokens for initialize size of that domain. When further tuples are received for storage for each field of the tuple, the data value is compared in the corresponding domain dictionary.