Abstract: A modular fitting for conduits such as tube and pipe comprises a universal body (12) having at least two selectable configurations and at least one or more connecting parts that when joined with the body form a fitting. The body includes a drive member (24) and a conduit gripping member (28), and in an exemplary embodiment the conduit gripping member may be in the form of a conical spring (28) that grips the conduit (c) when axially compressed during pull-up. The modular design for a fitting facilitates postponement of final fitting configuration and assembly beyond the manufacturing facility to an end user or other location and time.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling the delivery of CO2 from a bulk storage tank to at least one gas-driven pump is disclosed. By monitoring certain conditions, the flow of CO2 can be quickly and easily terminated if necessary, thereby reducing or eliminating undesirable consequences of CO2 gas flow in abnormal operational scenarios. The invention is particularly well suited for deployment in conjunction with beverage dispensing machines and can be configured to shut down the flow of CO2 if a drop in pressure occurs due to a leak in the system or if a syrup delivery system runs out of product.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a vehicle door is provided. The drive assembly includes a motor having a driving member. The drive assembly further includes a housing having a shaft rotatably received therein. The drive assembly further includes an input member being rotatably received upon the shaft. The input member is operatively associated with the driving member. The drive assembly further includes a rotor fixedly secured to the shaft. The drive assembly further includes first and second Hall effect sensor modules mounted to the housing in a facing spaced relationship with respect to the plurality of teeth of the rotor that generate first and second signals, respectively. The first and second signals have a quadrature relationship with respect to one another and indicate a rotational direction of the rotor when the plurality of teeth are rotating past the first and second Hall effect sensor modules.

Abstract: Nanotube and metal composite interconnects are generally described. In one example, an apparatus includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) and one or more interconnect structures coupled to the ILD, the one or more interconnect structures including a composite of metal and one or more nanotubes.

Abstract: Modifications to the extracellular polymeric substance, predominantly extracellular polysaccharide, of a biopolymer produced by Rhizobium tropici ATCC 49672 yield a stable dry salt transported more easily than a fluid or gel and more stable than either. The salt may be re-constituted with water on-site. Embodiments may be employed as a soil amendment for soil strengthening, reducing hydraulic conductivity, erosion control and dust control as well as a metal chelator for contaminant remediation. Based on comparison with dextran standards, an embodiment demonstrated a molecular weight over 511,000 D. Embodiments include a day salt that is precipitated from solution and in use is re-hydrated back to original form. When added to a sandy soil at 0.1% by dry weight, an embodiment decreased the hydraulic conductivity by three orders of magnitude.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling the delivery of CO2 from a bulk storage tank to at least one gas-driven pump is disclosed. By monitoring certain conditions, the flow of CO2 can be quickly and easily terminated if necessary, thereby reducing or eliminating undesirable consequences of CO2 gas flow in abnormal operational scenarios. The invention is particularly well suited for deployment in conjunction with beverage dispensing machines and can be configured to shut down the flow of CO2 if a drop in pressure occurs due to a leak in the system or if a syrup delivery system runs out of product.

Abstract: A semiconductor process technique to help reduce semiconductor process effects, such as undesired line edge roughness, insufficient lithographical resolution, and limited depth of focus problems associated with the removal of a photoresist layer. More particularly, embodiments of the invention use a photoacid generator (PAG) material in conjunction with a sacrificial light absorbing material (SLAM) to help reduce these and other undesired effects associated with the removal of photoresist in a semiconductor manufacturing process. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention allow a PAG to be applied in a semiconductor manufacturing process in an efficient manner, requiring fewer processing operations than typical prior art techniques.

Abstract: A semiconductor process technique to help reduce semiconductor process effects, such as undesired line edge roughness, insufficient lithographical resolution, and limited depth of focus problems associated with the removal of a photoresist layer. More particularly, embodiments of the invention use a photoacid generator (PAG) material in conjunction with a sacrificial light absorbing material (SLAM) to help reduce these and other undesired effects associated with the removal of photoresist in a semiconductor manufacturing process. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention allow a PAG to be applied in a semiconductor manufacturing process in an efficient manner, requiring fewer processing operations than typical prior art techniques.

Abstract: Modifications to the extracellular polymeric substance, predominantly extracellular polysaccharide, of a biopolymer produced by Rhizobium tropici ATCC 49672 yield a stable dry salt transported more easily than a fluid or gel and more stable than either. The salt may be re-constituted with water on-site. Embodiments may be employed as a soil amendment for soil strengthening, reducing hydraulic conductivity, erosion control and dust control as well as a metal chelator for contaminant remediation. Based on comparison with dextran standards, an embodiment demonstrated a molecular weight over 511,000 D. Embodiments include a day salt that is precipitated from solution and in use is re-hydrated back to original form. When added to a sandy soil at 0.1% by dry weight, an embodiment decreased the hydraulic conductivity by three orders of magnitude.

Abstract: Method and structure for minimizing the downsides associated with microelectronic device processing adjacent porous dielectric materials are disclosed. In particular, chemical protocols are disclosed wherein porous dielectric materials may be sealed by attaching coupling agents to the surfaces of pores. The coupling agents may form all or part of caps on reactive groups in the dielectric surface or may crosslink to seal pores in the dielectric.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing scalability of multiple graphic processor units (GPU) that work together in a multi-coprocessor fashion to provide parallel graphics rendering methodology for an information handling system. The total number of active GPUs working together to provide parallel graphics rendering methodology for a given information handling system may be increased in a modular manner beyond one or two GPUs, e.g., so as allow as many GPUs as desired to be attached to a given information handling system such as a desktop computer or notebook computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and assays for determining the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin A in a sample through detection of a nucleic acid encoding staphylococcal enterotoxin A.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating interconnect structures utilizing barrier material layers formed with an electroless deposition technique utilizing a coupling agent complexed with a catalytic metal and structures formed thereby. The fabrication fundamentally comprises providing a dielectric material layer having an opening extending into the dielectric material from a first surface thereof, bonding the coupling agent to the dielectric material within the opening, and electrolessly depositing the barrier material layer, wherein the electrolessly deposited barrier material layer material adheres to the catalytic metal of the coupling agent.

Abstract: Several techniques are described for modulating the etch rate of a sacrificial light absorbing material (SLAM) by altering its composition so that it matches the etch rate of a surrounding dielectric. This particularly useful in a dual damascene process where the SLAM fills a via opening and is etched along with a surrounding dielectric material to form trenches overlying the via opening.

Abstract: A magnetic rotational position sensor that employs a single magnet mounted on a rotating turret that rotates on a housing that is fixedly mounted about a fixed ball stud. The turret is arranged to rotate around the ball stud in a first plane. A magnetic field orientation sensor is mounted to the housing, such that the magnet rotates along an arc tangent to the Hall effect sensor. The ball of the ball stud forms one half of a universal joint, the other half being formed by a shaft termination that is mounted to rotate with the turret, and also mounted for rotation in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane of the turret.

Abstract: A liquid cooling system for an internal combustion engine includes a coolant pump, an air-to-liquid heat exchanger, and a bypass loop for allowing coolant to circulate from the coolant pump to the engine without passing through the heat exchanger. A thermostatic valve mounted within a thermostat housing and including a temperature-responsive primary valve element and bypass flow control will control the flow of coolant with a spring-loaded valve disc having a conical, annular sealing surface configured for linear contact with the valve seat.

Abstract: Method and structure for minimizing the downsides associated with microelectronic device processing adjacent porous dielectric materials are disclosed. In particular, chemical protocols are disclosed wherein porous dielectric materials may besealed by attaching coupling agents to the surfaces of pores. The coupling agents may form all or part of caps on reactive groups in the dielectric surface or may crosslink to seal pores in the dielectric.

Abstract: Three-dimensional stacked substrate arrangements with reliable bonding and inter-substrate protection.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal carbide layer begins with providing a substrate, an organometallic precursor material, at least one doping agent such as nitrogen, and a plasma such as a hydrogen plasma. The substrate is placed within a reaction chamber; and heated. A process cycle is then performed, where the process cycle includes pulsing the organometallic precursor material into the reaction chamber, pulsing the doping agent into the reaction chamber, and pulsing the plasma into the reaction chamber, such that the organometallic precursor material, the doping agent, and the plasma react at the surface of the substrate to form a metal carbide layer. The process cycles can be repeated and varied to form a graded metal carbide layer.

Abstract: Utilization of the E-Metro Community and Personal Information Agents assure an effective and comprehensive agent-rule based command and control of informational assets in a networked computer environment. The concerns of informational privacy and informational self-determination are addressed squarely by the invention affording persons and entities a trusted means to author, secure, search, process, and exchange personal and/or confidential information in a networked computer environment. The formation of trusted electronic communities wherein members command and control their digital persona, exchanging or brokering for value the trusted utility of their informational assets is made possible by the invention. The present invention provides for the trusted utilization of personal data in electronic markets, providing both communities and individuals aggregate and individual rule-based control of the processing of their personal data.