Abstract: A system for servicing a data center using an autonomous vehicle (AV) is provided. The system comprises the AV and the AV is configured to: receive a task to perform within the data center, wherein the data center comprises a plurality of servers associated with a plurality of enterprise organizations; navigate from an initial location within the data center to a new location within the data center along a path extending through a portion of the data center, the path being determined automatically; and while navigating the path and in response to encountering a movable barrier disposed along the path, performing a procedure to bypass the movable barrier such that the AV can continue navigating along the path.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a machine includes an inspection vehicle constructed for wireless operation while submersed in a dielectric liquid medium. The inspection vehicle is self-propelled. A controller is operative to direct the activities of the inspection vehicle. A plurality of status interrogation systems is disposed on the inspection vehicle. The status interrogation systems are operative to capture inspection data regarding a plurality of inspection procedures performed on the machine.

Abstract: A semiconductor component includes an insulative layer having a lowermost surface arranged on top of a bottom dielectric material. The semiconductor component further includes a first interconnect structure arranged in the bottom dielectric material such that an uppermost surface of the first interconnect structure is arranged at a first height relative to the lowermost surface of the insulative layer. The semiconductor component further includes a pillar connected to the first interconnect structure and extending through the insulative layer. The semiconductor component further includes a second interconnect structure arranged in the bottom dielectric material such that an uppermost surface of the second interconnect structure is arranged at a second height relative to the lowermost surface of the insulative layer. The second height is different than the first height.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to subtractive processing methods and resulting structures for semiconductor devices having decoupled interconnects. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a first conductive line is formed in a dielectric layer. A conductive pillar is formed over the first conductive line and a liner is formed in a trench adjacent to the first conductive line. A portion of the liner extends over the conductive pillar. A lower metal line and a top via are subtractively formed on the liner in the trench.

Abstract: Methods, electrodes, and electrochemical devices using surface-modified pseudo-graphite are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a method may include depositing a pseudo-graphite material onto a surface of an electrode substrate to produce a pseudo-graphite material surface. The method may also include modifying the pseudo-graphite material surface to alter electrochemical characteristics of the electrode.

Abstract: An MRAM device is provided. The MRAM device includes a semiconductor device comprising a bottom contact electrode (BEC), and an MRAM stack formed on the BEC. A width of an upper portion of the BEC is less than a width of the MRAM stack.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to in-situ wafer feedback schemes and systems for providing localized process-based compensation on a semiconductor wafer. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a plurality of test structures are formed on a surface of a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer is placed under a detection surface of an in-situ feedback tool comprising one or more sensors. The in-situ feedback tool measures a property of each of the plurality of test structures and determines a local condition of the semiconductor wafer for each measured property of the plurality of test structures. A localized process-based compensation is provided on the surface of the semiconductor wafer for each local condition.

Abstract: A system includes a wafer including at least an electronic component and a probe pad including a built-in back-end-of-line (BEOL) interconnect structure to test the electronic component. The electronic component is tested by the probe pad without building full BEOL interconnect circuits on the wafer. The probe pad is aligned with the wafer by using alignment marks. A prober alignment camera is employed to locate the alignment marks.

Abstract: A technique relates to an integrated circuit (IC). Pillars of a set of memory elements are formed. A bilayer dielectric is formed between the pillars, the bilayer dielectric having an upper dielectric material formed on a lower dielectric material without requiring an etch of the lower dielectric material prior to forming the upper dielectric material, thereby preventing a void in the bilayer dielectric, the lower dielectric material including one or more flowable dielectric materials.

Abstract: A semiconductor component includes an insulative layer having a lowermost surface arranged on top of a bottom dielectric material. The semiconductor component further includes a first interconnect structure arranged in the bottom dielectric material such that an uppermost surface of the first interconnect structure is arranged at a first height relative to the lowermost surface of the insulative layer. The semiconductor component further includes a pillar connected to the first interconnect structure and extending through the insulative layer. The semiconductor component further includes a second interconnect structure arranged in the bottom dielectric material such that an uppermost surface of the second interconnect structure is arranged at a second height relative to the lowermost surface of the insulative layer. The second height is different than the first height.

Abstract: The invention describes a kit for detection of a target polynucleotide using a CRISPR effector system that comprises CAS9 from Francisella novicida, a synthetic sgRNA and a detection scheme based on binding and subsequent enzymatic cleavage of the target polynucleotide. The invention also describes a method for detection of a target polynucleotide using the kit. The kit can be el applied to both pathogenic and non-pathogenic polynucleotides and can be used to distinguish polynucleotides different by a single mismatch without the need for sequencing. The kit can also be used for detection of COVID-19. The kit is economical, easy to assemble and provides a robust and rapid readout that can be appropriately adapted for point of care applications.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting data regarding operation of a robot using, at least in part, responses from a first operation model to an input of sensed data from a plurality of sensors. The collected data can be used to optimize the first operation model to generate a second operation model. While the first operation model is being optimized, a train data-driven model that utilizes an end-to-end learning approach can be generated that is based, at least in part, on the collected data. Both the second operation model and the train data-driven model can be evaluated, and, based on such evaluation, a determination can be made as to whether the train data-driven model is reliable. Moreover, based on a comparison of the models, one of the second operation model and the train data-driven model can be selected for validation, and if validated, used in the operation of the robot.

Abstract: A system and method that automatically resolves conflicts among sensor information in a sensor fusion robot system. Such methods can accommodate converging ambiguous and divergent sensor information in a manner that can allow continued, and relatively accurate, robotic operations. The processes can include handling sensor conflict via sensor prioritization, including, but not limited, prioritization based on the particular stage or segment of the assembly operation when the conflict occurs, overriding sensor data that exceeds a threshold value, and/or prioritization based on evaluations of recent sensor performance, predictions, system configuration, and/or historical information. The processes can include responding to sensor conflicts through comparisons of the accuracy of workpiece location predictions from different sensors during different assembly stages in connection with arriving at a determination of which sensor(s) is providing accurate and reliable predictions.

Abstract: A tether control system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The tether system includes a tether connected between the inspection vehicle and an electronic controller. A controllable buoyancy system associated with the tether is operable for moving the tether in a desired location. The controllable buoyancy system includes one or more floating bodies having a propulsion system and one or more buoyant elements having variable buoyancy capabilities.

Abstract: A system and method for use of artificial and nature racking features to calibrate sensors and tune a robotic control system of a sensor fusion guided robotic assembly. The artificial tracking features can have a configuration, or be at a location, that may be less susceptible to noise and error. Thus, the sensors can at least initially be calibrated, and the control system initially tuned, using the first tracking features until the sensors and control system satisfy operation performance criteria. Second tracking features, which may correspond to features on a workpiece that will be utilized in an assembly operation performed by the robot. By pre-calibrating the sensors, and pre-tuning the control system prior to calibration using the second tracking features, sensor calibration and system tuning based on the second tracking features can be attained faster and with less complexity.

Abstract: A system and method for determining performance of a robot. In one form the robot is constructed as you assembling automotive workpieces onto an automobile assembly. In one form the robot accomplishes the task of assembling an automotive workpiece onto the automotive assembly by using vision feedback and force feedback. The vision feedback can use any number of features perform its function. Such features can include an artificial feature such as but not limited to a QR code, as well as a natural feature such as a portion of the workpiece or automotive assembly. In one embodiment the robot is capable of detecting a collision event and assessing the severity of the collision event. In another embodiment the robot is capable of evaluating its performance by attracting a performance metric against a performance threshold, and comparing a sensor fusion output with a sensor fusion output reference.

Abstract: A submersible remotely operable vehicle used for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras and sensors for mapping and navigating the internal structure of the transformer with liquid coolant remaining in the transformer. The remotely operable vehicle can be wirelessly controlled to perform various inspection functions while the number of cameras provide video streams for processing to produce a three dimensional field of view based on an observation position of the remotely operable vehicle.

Abstract: A robotic system is provided for assembling parts together. In the assembly process, both parts are moving separately with one part moving on an assembly base and another part moving on a moveable arm of a robot base. Motion data is measured by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor. Movement of the robot base or moveable arm is then compensated based on the measured motion to align the first and second parts with each other and assemble the parts together.

Abstract: A submersible vehicle which includes a plurality of cameras can be used to collect visual images of an object of interest submerged in a liquid environment, such as in a tank (e.g. transformer tank). In one form the submersible vehicle is remotely operated such as an ROV or an autonomous vehicle. Image information from the submersible along with inertial measurements in some embodiments is used with a vision based modelling system to form a model of an internal object of interest in the tank. The vision based modelling system can include a number of processes to form the model such as but not limited to tracking, sparse and dense reconstruction, model generation, and rectification.

Abstract: An inspection vehicle operable for performing one or more maintenance and repair operations in a housing filled at least partially with a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The inspection vehicle includes a propulsion device operable in the liquid medium and includes at least one sensor operable for sensing and transmitting data associated therewith. A control system including an electronic controller is in electronic communication with the inspection vehicle to transmit and receive communication signals to/from the inspection vehicle. One or more maintenance tools operable with the inspection vehicle are configured to perform maintenance and/or repair operations within the liquid filled housing.