Abstract: The present invention provides for a relatively simple method to decrease the electrical resistivity of conductive adhesives by in-situ nanoparticle formation and sintering using a reducing agent. The reducing agent was found to cause sintering within the conductive adhesive by facilitating the reduction of the silver salts of fatty acids on the surface of silver flakes, leading to the formation of nano-/submicron-silver necks. These silver necks bridge neighboring silver flakes, decreasing the contact resistance between flakes within the conductive adhesives. The reducing agent also removes at least a portion of the lubricant commonly found on silver flakes used in conductive adhesives, thus reducing the tunneling resistance between the silver flakes.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for metal-assisted chemical etching of a semiconductive substrate comprises forming a patterned coating on a top surface of a substrate layer of a silicon wafer; applying a noble metal layer over the patterned coating such that a portion of the noble metal layer is in contact with the top surface of the substrate layer; and immersing the silicon wafer in a wet etching solution to form a trench under the portion of the noble metal layer that is contact with the top surface of the substrate layer. Further, the trench may be filled with copper material to form a through silicon via structure. Such embodiments provide etching techniques that enable etched formations that are deep (e.g., high-aspect-ratio) and uniform as opposed to shallow etchings (i.e., low-aspect-ratio) or non-uniform deep etchings.

Abstract: Disclosed are oscillating systems and/or apparatus for generating motive force or torque. The oscillating systems and/or apparatus described herein are capable of providing suitable oscillating motion to a workpiece of, for example, a personal care appliance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conducting a payment card system payment transaction initiated from a customer's mobile device. In an embodiment, the customer's mobile device processor receives transaction information from a payment services provider computer, and generates a request for a payment transaction including a customer identification code that identifies the customer's payment card account, the transaction amount, and instructions to transfer funds from the payment card account to a merchant payment card account. The method includes transmitting the payment transaction request to the payment services provider computer, receiving a challenge to provide at least one item of security information, transmitting the security information to the payment services provider, and then receiving a confirmation message indicating execution of the payment transaction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include structures including a layer of carbon nanotubes, methods of making structures including a layer of carbon nanotubes, and the like.

Abstract: A method includes a processor receiving transaction information from a merchant device, which includes a transaction amount, merchant identifying information and customer addressing information. The processer transmits the merchant identifying information to a customer mobile device, and receives a payment transaction request to transfer funds from a customer account to a merchant. The processor translates the customer addressing information into a customer payment card account number, and the merchant identifying information into a merchant payment card account number. The processor then transmits the payment transaction request to the customer's issuer financial institution, which request includes the customer payment card account number, the transaction amount, and the merchant payment card account number.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a financial transaction using a co-brand proprietary payment card through a multi-party payment card interchange network is provided. The method includes storing within a database a list of merchants participating in a co-brand program with the interchange network, receiving an authorization request for the transaction involving the co-brand payment card wherein the authorization request includes a merchant identifier, determining whether the transaction originated at one of the participating merchants by comparing the received merchant identifier to the list of participating merchants stored within the database, manipulating the authorization request to include a private label identifier when the transaction is determined to have originated at one of the participating merchants, and transmitting an authorization response from the interchange network to the acquirer.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference shielding arrangement comprises a first and a second electro-conductive components that are arranged to be joined. The first electro-conductive component includes a first electro-conductive contact surface. The second electro-conductive component includes a second electro-conductive contact surface and a shielding member extending from the second electro conductive component at a location adjacent the second electro-conductive surface. The arrangement is such that, in the joined configuration of the first and the second electro-conductive components the first and the second electro-conductive surfaces abut to create an electro conductive engagement region that is adjacent the shielding member.

Abstract: A method of operating a merchant device includes the merchant device receiving an input from a customer mobile device concerning a financial transaction. The method further includes the merchant device selecting a payment transaction mode of operation when the input is a request for a payment card system transaction, or selecting a payment card purchase transaction mode of operation when the input from the customer mobile device is a payment card account number. In the payment transaction mode of operation the merchant device provides transaction data to the customer's mobile device, whereas in the payment card purchase transaction mode the merchant device transmits a payment card authorization request to an acquirer financial institution.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance coil comprises a first set of coil elements (54, 56, 80) operatively connectable with a transmit channel (66, 74) to couple with a transmit region of sensitivity for a selected load at a magnetic field strength greater than 3 Tesla, and a second set of coil elements (52, 54, 82) operatively connectable with a receive channel (66, 74) to couple with a receive region of sensitivity for the selected load at the magnetic field strength greater than 3 Tesla. The first set of coil elements is arranged proximate to but not surrounding the transmit region of sensitivity, and the second set of coil elements is arranged proximate to but not surrounding the receive region of sensitivity. The first set of coil elements and the second set of coil elements having at least one coil element (52, 56) not in common.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus and computer program products for implementing a mobile remote payment system that allows consumers and merchants to engage in mobile remote payment transactions regardless of their registration point are described. In an embodiment, a mobile remote payment (MRP) switch computer receives from an originating service manager computer, a payment authorization request that comprises payment data, an originating service manager identifier, and a merchant identifier of a merchant.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a relatively simple method to decrease the electrical resistivity of conductive adhesives by in-situ nanoparticle formation and sintering using a reducing agent. The reducing agent was found to cause sintering within the conductive adhesive by facilitating the reduction of the silver salts of fatty acids on the surface of silver flakes, leading to the formation of nano-/submicron-silver necks. These silver necks bridge neighboring silver flakes, decreasing the contact resistance between flakes within the conductive adhesives. The reducing agent also removes at least a portion of the lubricant commonly found on silver flakes used in conductive adhesives, thus reducing the tunneling resistance between the silver flakes.