Abstract: The present invention is related to a novel positive electrode active material for lithium-ion battery. The positive electrode active material is expressed by the following formula: Li1.2NixMn0.8-x-yZnyO2, wherein x and y satisfy 0<x?0.8 and 0<y?0.1. In addition, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing the positive electrode active material. The present invention further provides a lithium-ion battery which uses said positive electrode active material.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses an optical sensing device. The device includes a carrier body; a first light-emitting device disposed on the carrier body; and a light-receiving device including a group III-V semiconductor material disposed on the carrier body, including a light-receiving surface having an area, wherein the light-receiving device is capable of receiving a first received wavelength having a largest external quantum efficiency so the ratio of the largest external quantum efficiency to the area is ?13.

Abstract: A self-aligned plug may be formed between deep trench isolation (DTI) etching cycles. Accordingly, etch depth in areas of a pixel sensor with large CDs (e.g., at an X-road) is reduced, which prevents trench loading. As a result, a floating diffusion (FD) region, associated with photodiodes of the pixel sensor, is not damaged during the DTI etching cycles. Reduced chances of damage to the FD region improves performance of the pixel sensor and prevents electrical shorts and failures, which increases yield and conserves time and raw materials used in forming the pixel sensor.

Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having a surface such that a first hard mask layer is formed over the surface and a second hard mask layer is formed over the first hard mask layer, forming a first pattern in the second hard mask layer, where the first pattern includes a first mandrel oriented lengthwise in a first direction and a second mandrel oriented lengthwise in a second direction different from the first direction, and where the first mandrel has a top surface, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and depositing a material towards the first mandrel and the second mandrel such that a layer of the material is formed on the top surface and the first sidewall but not the second sidewall of the first mandrel.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided and includes a first gate structure, a second gate structure, and at least one local interconnect that extend continuously across a non-active region from a first active region to a second active region. The semiconductor structure further includes a first separation spacer disposed on the first gate structure and first vias on the first gate structure. The first vias are arranged on opposite sides of the first separation spacer are isolated from each other and apart from the first separation spacer by different distances.

Abstract: A method of operating a security system includes accessing a database and obtaining a user PIN. A normal keypad is defined in which a plurality of alphanumeric characters are displayed in defined normal positions. A scrambled keypad is also defined including the PIN so that at least some of a plurality of alphanumeric characters are displayed on the scrambled keypad in positions which are different to the positions in which they would be displayed in the defined normal keypad. In addition, for each of the alphanumeric characters of the PIN the alphanumeric character which is normally displayed in the normal keypad in the position in which the alphanumeric characters of the PIN are displayed in the scrambled keypad is determined thereby to arrive at a scrambled PIN Data defining the scrambled keypad is then transmitted to a user over a first communications network.