Abstract: A pulsed magnetic fusion system can include: a plurality of pulse generators, wherein the pulse generators are configured to generate a pulsed electrical current; a fusion target configured to, when disposed within a target chamber, be driven to fusion conditions by an electromagnetic confinement force generated by the pulsed electrical current; a tank comprising a dielectric fluid; and a plurality of pulse tubes, wherein a pulse tube comprises at least a portion of a transmission line configured to connect a pulse generator to the target chamber, wherein the at least the portion of the transmission line is exterior to the tank.

Abstract: Zero expanded functional gate structures are formed by utilizing a dipole material spacer as a means to prevent expanded void formation during a replacement metal gate process. Notably, the dipole material spacer prevents expanded void formation into the dielectric spacer thus preventing the functional gate structures from being in direct physical contact with the source/drain regions. Improvement in yield loss and reliability is thus provided utilizing a dipole material spacer during a replacement metal gate process.

Abstract: An apparatus and methodology for a back end of line (BEOL) structure in an integrated circuit (IC) die, includes a first BEOL structure layer having a first plurality of self-referential marking features disposed a first distance from a substrate of the IC die in a predefined two-dimensional (2D) arrangement. A second BEOL structure layer has a second plurality of the self-referential marking features a second distance from the substrate in a predefined 2D arrangement. The first and second pluralities of marking features collectively form a three-dimensional (3D) BEOL identifier (3D BEOL ID) self-referencing the IC die.

Abstract: A resource reservation system and method for scheduling and reserving of rooms for meetings of groups of individuals. The method determines an amount of time to allot between scheduled back-to-back meetings for an amount of cleaning of the room between the back-to-back meetings in order to minimize a risk of illness/dirtiness and minimize cross contamination of participants in the next group meeting in the room. The method determines a level of risk corresponding to determined hierarchical relationships between participants of the meeting/group and their personal characteristics. The hierarchical relationships include a determined relationship between and among the participants of a group and their relations with other non-participants of the group and any determined physical distances between participants that have determined relationships. Based on the computed level of risk score for that resource, the method determines an amount of cleaning and the amount of time allotted for the resource cleaning.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for modeling a manufacturing process. Snapshots of the system are received, where each snapshot includes a time that the snapshot was taken and a state of the system at that time. Possible transitions paths in a state diagram exhibited by the system are then identified based on the snapshots. A transition path out of the identified transition paths that most likely corresponds to the sequence of state changes exhibited by the system is selected based on information pertaining to a typical time taken by the system from one state to another. A predicted time that the system entered each state of the selected transition path between selected states of the snapshots is determined based on such information as well as the time at which the snapshots were taken. An issue related to the manufacturing process is predicted based on such predicted times.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for modeling a manufacturing process. Snapshots of the system are received, where each snapshot includes a time that the snapshot was taken and a state of the system at that time. Possible transitions paths in a state diagram exhibited by the system are then identified based on the snapshots. A transition path out of the identified transition paths that most likely corresponds to the sequence of state changes exhibited by the system is selected based on information pertaining to a typical time taken by the system from one state to another. A predicted time that the system entered each state of the selected transition path between selected states of the snapshots is determined based on such information as well as the time at which the snapshots were taken. An issue related to the manufacturing process is predicted based on such predicted times.

Abstract: A method for production analysis includes: receiving production data at a processor from a plurality of tools spatially arranged within a manufacturing facility; creating a hierarchal topology of the data in the processor, wherein each level of the hierarchal topology is based on a different one of a plurality of static parameters that are selected from a list consisting of: a tool identifier, a batch identifier, and a spatial orientation; displaying, at a user interface implemented by the processor, a first analysis of a first level of the hierarchal topology, wherein the analysis contains parameters related to other levels of the hierarchal topology; receiving, via the user interface, a selection by a user of a first parameter displayed on the first analysis; and updating the user interface to display a second analysis of a second level of the hierarchal topology that is related to the first parameter.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, a system, and a computer program product for processing messages. A computer system parses a message to identify key value pairs for confidential information in the message. The computer system creates a redacted message in which values in the key value pairs identified for the confidential information are replaced with plaintext tags. The computer system stores the key value pairs in a secure database. The computer system stores the redacted message in a plaintext database.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method that includes forming an IC layer having an inactive region and an active region. The active region includes a device-under-fabrication (DUF). The inactive region includes a geometric feature having a geometric shape. A film is deposited over the active DUF and the geometric feature such that a first portion of the film will be part of the active DUF, and such that a second portion of the film is over the geometric feature. A geometric shape of the film over the geometric feature matches the geometric shape of the geometric feature. Determining a thickness of the film is based at least in part a difference between a footprint of the geometric shape of the film and a footprint of the geometric shape of the geometric feature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method that includes forming an IC layer having an inactive region and an active region. The active region includes a device-under-fabrication (DUF). The inactive region includes a geometric feature having a geometric shape. A film is deposited over the active DUF and the geometric feature such that a first portion of the film will be part of the active DUF, and such that a second portion of the film is over the geometric feature. A geometric shape of the film over the geometric feature matches the geometric shape of the geometric feature. Determining a thickness of the film is based at least in part a difference between a footprint of the geometric shape of the film and a footprint of the geometric shape of the geometric feature.

Abstract: Zero expanded functional gate structures are formed by utilizing a dipole material spacer as a means to prevent expanded void formation during a replacement metal gate process. Notably, the dipole material spacer prevents expanded void formation into the dielectric spacer thus preventing the functional gate structures from being in direct physical contact with the source/drain regions. Improvement in yield loss and reliability is thus provided utilizing a dipole material spacer during a replacement metal gate process.

Abstract: An example operation may include one or more of connecting, by a load leveler, to a blockchain network comprising a plurality of nodes and configured to store a common work item, computing, by the load leveler, loads across the plurality of the nodes that need to execute the common work item upon completion of current tasks, determining, by the load leveler, a network load impact based on execution of a common blockchain consensus checking process on the network nodes, executing, by the load leveler, a work assessment process based on the loads computed across the plurality of the nodes and on the determined network load impact of the blockchain network, and assigning, by the load leveler, new tasks to the nodes based on results of the execution of the work assessment process.

Abstract: A micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) valve is provided. The MEMS valve includes first and second bodies, a medium and a thermal element. The first body defines a first channel and a second channel intersecting the first channel. The second body defines a third channel and is movable within the first channel between first and second positions. When the second body is at the first positions, the second and third channels align and permit flow through the second and third channels. When the second body is at the second positions, the second and third channels misalign and inhibit flow through the second channel. The medium is charged into the first channel at opposite sides of the second body. The thermal element is proximate to the first channel and is operable to cause the medium to drive movements of the second body to the first or the second positions.

Abstract: Microfluidic chips incorporating liquid level sensors for precise sensing of liquid levels in microfluidic system structures, e.g., channels, cavities or reservoirs without moving parts. The microfluidic system uses liquid level photosensors and use optical properties to measure liquid volumes. A light coupling emitter or waveguide transmits the light toward the fluid channel at a critical angle. Multiple light coupling emitters and photosensor array can detect light for a variety of scenarios (based on fluid refraction index) and exploit the phenomenon of critical angles to measure exact angles of reflection/refraction. The waveguide coupler(s) and photosensors are manufactured at the microscale, and use both reflected light and refracted light as monitor signals. A feedback control system (e.g.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method executed by a processor for reducing exposure of a plurality of objects to environmental conditions by employing a smart room tracking system is presented. The computer-implemented method includes counting a number of individuals within a space including the plurality of objects via one or more image capture devices and determining whether each individual makes direct eye contact with any of the plurality of objects by evaluating orientation, posture, and eye movement of each individual. The computer-implemented method further includes shielding, via an object viewing controller, an object of the plurality of objects from view when no direct eye contact is determined and making an object of the plurality of objects viewable, via the object viewing controller, when direct eye contact is determined.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a base visualization having first data in a first set of channels, where each channel in the first set of channels is associated with a respective range in the base visualization. It is detected that the respective ranges of the first set of channels fall outside a perceptual bandwidth of a first user. The base visualization is automatically transformed to a second visualization, based on the perceptual bandwidth of the first user. The second visualization includes second data in a second set of channels, where each channel in the second set of channels is associated with a respective range in the second visualization. The respective ranges of the second set of channels fall within the perceptual bandwidth of the first user.

Abstract: A method for production analysis includes: receiving production data at a processor from a plurality of tools spatially arranged within a manufacturing facility; creating a hierarchal topology of the data in the processor, wherein each level of the hierarchal topology is based on a different one of a plurality of static parameters that are selected from a list consisting of: a tool identifier, a batch identifier, and a spatial orientation; displaying, at a user interface implemented by the processor, a first analysis of a first level of the hierarchal topology, wherein the analysis contains parameters related to other levels of the hierarchal topology; receiving, via the user interface, a selection by a user of a first parameter displayed on the first analysis; and updating the user interface to display a second analysis of a second level of the hierarchal topology that is related to the first parameter.

Abstract: A blockchain may be used as a stochastic timer. The posting of a blockchain solution for verification may be a trigger that determines an event schedule. Because the only entity that knows when the solution will be posted is the solving entity, the solving entity may be rewarded with the ability to potentially exploit this knowledge. However, because the solving of a blockchain is a competitive process, there is a risk that if the solving entity retains the solution for greater exploitation, then another entity will post the solution and therefore gain the benefit. A blockchain stochastic timer can thus provide the necessary incentive for entities to invest computational resources into blockchain solutions.

Abstract: An opto-mechanical fuse is provided. The opto-mechanical fuse includes a chassis component, an extrusion disposed on a monitored component proximate to the chassis component and a sensor. The sensor includes an optical conductor mounted to the chassis component to assume one of an optically transmitting state and an optically non-transmitting state in both power-on and power-off conditions. An assumption of the optically non-transmitting state by the optical conductor occurs due to an interaction of the optical conductor and the extrusion resulting from a predefined magnitude of deflection of the monitored component.

Abstract: A thermal interface material and systems and methods for forming a thermal interface material include depositing a layer of a composite material, including at least a first material and a second material, the first material including a carrier fluid and the second material including a filler particle suspended within the first material. A particle manipulator is positioned over the layer of the composite material, the particle manipulator including at least one emitter to apply a particle manipulating field to bias a movement of the filler particles. The second material is redistributed by applying the particle manipulating field to interact with the second material causing the second material to migrate from a surrounding region in the composite material into a high concentration region in the composite material to form a customized thermal interface such that the high concentration region is configured and positioned corresponding to a hotspot.