Abstract: There is provided a direct memory access apparatus and a direct memory access method. The direct memory access apparatus of the present invention comprises: a variable transmission rule map unit for setting a transmission rule with a variable block length and a variable block interval as a unit of memory transmission rule; a direct memory access unit for sending data line of the variable block length and the variable block interval, in case of access to the unit of memory by using the unit of memory transmission rule determined by the variable transmission rule map unit; and an interface unit for retrieving the unit of memory transmission rule, which is necessary for sending the data line of the variable block length and the variable block interval, from the variable transmission rule map unit and sending the unit of memory transmission rule to the direct memory access unit.

Abstract: Provided are novel multidimensional electrode structures containing high capacity active materials for use in rechargeable electrochemical cells. These structures include main support structures and multiple nanowires attached to the support structures and extending into different directions away from these supports. The active material may be deposited as a layer (uniform or non-uniform) surrounding the nanowires and, in certain embodiments, the main supports and even substrate. The active material layer may be sufficiently thin to prevent pulverization of the layer at given operating conditions. Interconnections between the electrode structures and/or substrate may be provided by overlaps formed during deposition of the active layer. Silicide-based nano wires structures may be formed on the main supports in a fluidized bed reactor by suspending the metal-containing main supports in a silicon-containing process gas. A layer of silicon may be then deposited over these silicide nanowires.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a test socket after removal of a device under test to generate scan data. The scan data is compared to reference data. A presence of at least a portion of a pin in the test socket is identified based on the comparison. A test system includes a test socket, a scanner, and a control unit. The test socket is operable to receive devices under test. The scanner is operable to scan a test socket after removal of a device under test to generate scan data. The control unit is operable to compare the scan data to reference data and identify a presence of at least a portion of a pin in the test socket based on the comparison.

Abstract: Provided are various examples of lithium electrode subassemblies, lithium ion cells using such subassemblies, and methods of fabricating such subassemblies. Methods generally include receiving nanostructures containing electrochemically active materials and interconnecting at least a portion of these nanostructures. Interconnecting may involve depositing one or more interconnecting materials, such as amorphous silicon and/or metal containing materials. Interconnecting may additionally or alternatively involve treating a layer containing the nanostructures using various techniques, such as compressing the layer, heating the layer, and/or passing an electrical current through the layer. These methods may be used to interconnect nanostructures containing one or more high capacity materials, such as silicon, germanium, and tin, and having various shapes or forms, such as nanowires, nanoparticles, and nano-flakes.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells containing nanostructured negative active materials and composite positive active materials and methods of fabricating such electrochemical cells are provided. Positive active materials may have inactive components and active components. Inactive components may be activated and release additional lithium ions, which may offset some irreversible capacity losses in the electrochemical cells. In certain embodiments, the activation releases lithium ion having a columbic content of at least about 400 mAh/g based on the weight of the activated material.

Abstract: Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.

Abstract: Provided are novel negative electrodes for use in lithium ion cells. The negative electrodes include one or more high capacity active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium, and a lithium containing material prior to the first cycle of the cell. In other words, the cells are fabricated with some, but not all, lithium present on the negative electrode. This additional lithium may be used to mitigate lithium losses, for example, due to Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer formation, to maintain the negative electrode in a partially charged state at the end of the cell discharge cycle, and other reasons. In certain embodiments, a negative electrode includes between about 5% and 25% of lithium based on a theoretical capacity of the negative active material. In the same or other embodiments, a total amount of lithium available in the cell exceeds the theoretical capacity of the negative electrode active material.

Abstract: Provided are conductive substrates having open structures and fractional void volumes of at least about 25% or, more specifically, or at least about 50% for use in lithium ion batteries. Nanostructured active materials are deposited over such substrates to form battery electrodes. The fractional void volume may help to accommodate swelling of some active materials during cycling. In certain embodiments, overall outer dimensions of the electrode remain substantially the same during cycling, while internal open spaces of the conductive substrate provide space for any volumetric changes in the nanostructured active materials. In specific embodiments, a nanoscale layer of silicon is deposited over a metallic mesh to form a negative electrode. In another embodiment, a conductive substrate is a perforated sheet with multiple openings, such that a nanostructured active material is deposited into the openings but not on the external surfaces of the sheet.

Abstract: Provided are novel electrodes for use in lithium ion batteries. An electrode includes one or more intermediate layers positioned between a substrate and an electrochemically active material. Intermediate layers may be made from chromium, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, nickel, molybdenum, lithium, as well as other materials and their combinations. An intermediate layer may protect the substrate, help to redistribute catalyst during deposition of the electrochemically active material, improve adhesion between the active material and substrate, and other purposes. In certain embodiments, an active material includes one or more high capacity active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. These materials tend to swell during cycling and may loose mechanical and/or electrical connection to the substrate. A flexible intermediate layer may compensate for swelling and provide a robust adhesion interface. Provided also are novel methods of fabricating electrodes containing one or more intermediate layers.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a test socket after removal of a device under test to generate scan data. The scan data is compared to reference data. A presence of at least a portion of a pin in the test socket is identified based on the comparison. A test system includes a test socket, a scanner, and a control unit. The test socket is operable to receive devices under test. The scanner is operable to scan a test socket after removal of a device under test to generate scan data. The control unit is operable to compare the scan data to reference data and identify a presence of at least a portion of a pin in the test socket based on the comparison.

Abstract: Provided are electrode assemblies that contain electrochemically active materials for use in batteries, such as lithium ion batteries. Provided also are methods for fabricating these assemblies. In certain embodiments, fabrication involves one or more electrospinning operations such as, for example, electrospinning to deposit a layer of fibers on a conductive substrate. These fibers may include one or more electrochemically active materials. In the same or other embodiments, these or similar fibers can serve as templates for depositing one or more electrochemically active materials. Some examples of active materials include silicon, tin, and/or germanium. Also provided are electrode fibers that include cores containing a first active material and shells or optionally second shells (surrounding inner shells) containing a second active material. The second active material is electrochemically opposite to the first active material. One or more shells can function as a separator and/or as an electrolyte.

Abstract: Provided are electrode layers for use in rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, and related fabrication techniques. These electrode layers have interconnected hollow nanostructures that contain high capacity electrochemically active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. In certain embodiments, a fabrication technique involves forming a nanoscale coating around multiple template structures and at least partially removing and/or shrinking these structures to form hollow cavities. These cavities provide space for the active materials of the nanostructures to swell into during battery cycling. This design helps to reduce the risk of pulverization and to maintain electrical contacts among the nanostructures. It also provides a very high surface area available ionic communication with the electrolyte. The nanostructures have nanoscale shells but may be substantially larger in other dimensions.

Abstract: Provided are nanostructures containing electrochemically active materials, battery electrodes containing these nanostructures for use in electrochemical batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, and methods of forming the nanostructures and battery electrodes. The nanostructures include conductive cores, inner shells containing active materials, and outer shells partially coating the inner shells. The high capacity active materials having a stable capacity of at least about 1000 mAh/g can be used. Some examples include silicon, tin, and/or germanium. The outer shells may be configured to substantially prevent formation of Solid Electrolyte lnterphase (SEI) layers directly on the inner shells. The conductive cores and/or outer shells may include carbon containing materials. The nanostructures are used to form battery electrodes, in which the nanostructures that are in electronic communication with conductive substrates of the electrodes.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery electrode includes silicon nanowires used for insertion of lithium ions and including a conductivity enhancement, the nanowires growth-rooted to the conductive substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a cache controller device, an interfacing method and a programming method using the same. The cache controller device prefetching and supplying data distributed in a memory to a main processor, includes: a cache temporarily storing data in a memory block having a limited size; a cache controller circularly reading out the data from the memory block to a cache memory, or transferring the data from the cache memory to the cache; and a memory input/output controller controlling prefetching the data to the cache, or transferring the data from the cache to a memory.

Abstract: There is provided a direct memory access apparatus and a direct memory access method. The direct memory access apparatus of the present invention comprises: a variable transmission rule map unit for setting a transmission rule with a variable block length and a variable block interval as a unit of memory transmission rule; a direct memory access unit for sending data line of the variable block length and the variable block interval, in case of access to the unit of memory by using the unit of memory transmission rule determined by the variable transmission rule map unit; and an interface unit for retrieving the unit of memory transmission rule, which is necessary for sending the data line of the variable block length and the variable block interval, from the variable transmission rule map unit and sending the unit of memory transmission rule to the direct memory access unit.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method for replying to a received text message received at the electronic device. The method comprises composing a reply text message on a common display screen of the device whist concurrently displaying, on the common display screen, a body of text contained in the received text message. The method performs transmitting the reply text message without the body of text contained in the received text message and automatically removing, in response to the transmitting, the reply text message from the common display screen.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a test socket after removal of a device under test to generate scan data. The scan data is compared to reference data. A presence of at least a portion of a pin in the test socket is identified based on the comparison. A test system includes a test socket, a scanner, and a control unit. The test socket is operable to receive devices under test. The scanner is operable to scan a test socket after removal of a device under test to generate scan data. The control unit is operable to compare the scan data to reference data and identify a presence of at least a portion of a pin in the test socket based on the comparison.

Abstract: A connector. The connector includes a USB socket and a USB plug. The USB plug is detachably connected with the USB socket. When the USB plug is connected to the USB socket, a closed space is formed by the USB plug and the USB socket, which prevents static discharge being occurred.

Abstract: A shareable application program interface infrastructure which is used in combination with a relational database to provide data storage and processing functions for location-dependent objects, and includes a mechanism for easily associating an object, such a service, with a geographic region, such as an area served by the service. The service designer is provided with a tool to choose a geographic region or a point location (specified by an address), and to associate that selected geographic region with a service. Each service is associated with a geographic region chosen from a hierarchy of predetermined system-defined regions that are preferably organized into a hierarchy composed of levels organized in order of decreasing size so that the boundaries of each child region lie within the boundaries of its parent region. The services designer is also provided with the option of creating “user defined regions” that are composed of existing system defined regions or a region centered around a selected location.