Abstract: In at least one general aspect, an apparatus can include a first trench disposed in a semiconductor region and including a gate electrode, and a second trench disposed in the semiconductor region. The apparatus can include a mesa region disposed between the first trench and the second trench, and a source region of a first conductivity type disposed in a top portion of the mesa region. The apparatus can include an epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type, and a body region of a second conductivity type disposed in the mesa region and disposed between the source region and the epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type. The apparatus can include a pillar of the second conductivity type disposed in the mesa region such that a first portion of the source region is disposed lateral to the pillar and a second portion of the source region is disposed above the pillar.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid drive train assembly for a motor vehicle drive train includes an electric motor; a differential configured for connecting a first front axle and a second front axle of the motor vehicle drive train to each other; a motor output gearing connecting an output of the electric motor to the differential; and a transmission output gearing configured for connecting an output of a transmission to the differential.

Abstract: A hybrid module for a vehicle includes a damper, a pulley, a clutch, and a torque converter. The damper is arranged for fixing to a crank shaft of an engine. The pulley circumscribes the damper and is arranged for connecting to an electric motor via a belt drive. The clutch has a first output flange for drivingly engaging the damper with the pulley. The torque converter has a pilot drivingly engaged with the first output flange.

Abstract: A method of forming a shielded gate field effect transistor includes forming a trench within a substrate and depositing a shield oxide material within the trench, which is then recessed. The method further includes depositing a shield electrode material on the shield oxide material and recessing the shield oxide material within the trench to widen an upper portion of the trench. The method further includes recessing the shield electrode material thus forming a recession and depositing an inter-poly oxide material on the shield electrode material into the recession, thus filling the recession. The method further includes forming a gate electrode above the inter-poly oxide material.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating articles having porous outer surfaces. The method includes providing a decontamination chamber; conveying the articles through the decontamination chamber at a predetermined speed wherein the speed is selected such that the articles are disposed in the decontamination chamber for a predetermined period of time; providing a source of sterliant vapor, the source providing the sterilant vapor at a temperature within a predetermined acceptable temperature range and at a concentration within a predetermined acceptable concentration range; conveying a sterilant vapor from the source of sterilant vapor to the decontamination chamber; and exposing the articles to the sterilant vapor. The predetermined period of time and the predetermined acceptable concentration range of the sterilant vapor are selected such that the sterilant vapor does not penetrate the porous outer surfaces of the articles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating articles having porous outer surfaces. The method includes providing a decontamination chamber; conveying the articles through the decontamination chamber at a predetermined speed wherein the speed is selected such that the articles are disposed in the decontamination chamber for a predetermined period of time; providing a source of sterliant vapor, the source providing the sterilant vapor at a temperature within a predetermined acceptable temperature range and at a concentration within a predetermined acceptable concentration range; conveying a sterilant vapor from the source of sterilant vapor to the decontamination chamber; and exposing the articles to the sterilant vapor. The predetermined period of time and the predetermined acceptable concentration range of the sterilant vapor are selected such that the sterilant vapor does not penetrate the porous outer surfaces of the articles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.

Abstract: An amperometric gas sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte includes: a solid configured as an insulator without being contacted by the analyte and configured for diffusion of the analyte therethrough, the solid including a non-conductive polymer, the solid further configured to increase in electrical conductivity when in contact with the analyte; a working electrode positioned on and in contact with the solid; and a reference electrode positioned on and in contact with the solid, the reference electrode spaced apart and insulated from the working electrode without the solid being contacted by the analyte, the working electrode and the reference electrode configured to measure electrical conductivity of the solid when the solid is in contact with the analyte.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an amperometric gas sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte, comprising: a solid support; and a working electrode in contact with the solid support; wherein the analyte comprises a dopant which when in contact with the solid support increases the electrical conductivity of the solid support. A sterilization process employing the amperometric gas sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an amperometric gas sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte, comprising: a solid support; and a working electrode in contact with the solid support; wherein the analyte comprises a dopant which when in contact with the solid support increases the electrical conductivity of the solid support. A sterilization process employing the amperometric gas sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating articles having porous outer surfaces. The method includes steps of: providing a decontamination chamber; conveying the articles through the decontamination chamber at a predetermined speed wherein the speed is selected such that the articles are disposed in the decontamination chamber for a predetermined period of time; providing a source of sterilant vapor, the source providing the sterilant vapor at a temperature within a predetermined acceptable temperature range and at a concentration within a predetermined acceptable concentration range; conveying a sterilant vapor from the source of sterilant vapor to the decontamination chamber; and exposing the articles to the sterilant vapor. The predetermined period of time and the predetermined acceptable concentration range of the sterilant vapor are selected such that the sterilant vapor does not penetrate the porous outer surfaces of the articles.

Abstract: Mitochondria are central to the intrinsic apoptotic pathway of programmed cell death. Commitment to cell death occurs upon mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, and dysregulation of this vital apoptotic control point is implicated in various pathologies. Provided herein are novel sensors which can detect, in real time and with great sensitivity, the release of protons from intact mitochondria caused by mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization. Embodiments include graphene based ion-sensitive field effect transistors.

Abstract: A process of forming electronic device can include providing a substrate having a first portion and a second portion; introducing a nitrogen-containing species into the second portion of the substrate; and exposing the substrate to an oxidizing ambient, wherein a thicker oxide is grown from the first portion as compared to the second portion. In an embodiment, the process can include removing the first portion while the second portion of the substrate that includes the nitrogen-containing species remains. In another embodiment, the process can be used to form different thicknesses of an oxide layer at different portions along a sidewall of a trench. The process may be used in other applications where different thicknesses of oxide layers are to be formed during the same oxidation cycle, such as forming a tunnel dielectric layer and a gate dielectric layer for a floating gate memory cell.