Abstract: Provided are aptamer-functionalized graphene sensors, capable of detecting various analytes, including toxins, at comparatively low concentrations. Also provided are methods of fabricating and using such aptamer-functionalized graphene sensors.

Abstract: Provided are aptamer-functionalized graphene sensors, capable of detecting various analytes, including toxins, at comparatively low concentrations. Also provided are methods of fabricating and using such aptamer-functionalized graphene sensors.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductive device comprising forming a mask for a semiconductive device structure over a layer of a semiconductor substrate and partially etching the layer to form lateral and vertical surfaces. Thicknesses of one to several atomic diameters of atoms that comprise said layer are removed from the lateral surfaces and the vertical surfaces that are located under the mask to form a target dimension of a semiconductive device structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is fabricated with a selected critical dimension. A gate dielectric layer is formed over a semiconductor body. A gate layer comprised of a conductive material, such as polysilicon, is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate layer is patterned to form a gate electrode having a first horizontal dimension. One or more growth-stripping operations are performed to reduce a critical dimension of the gate electrode to a second horizontal dimension, where the second horizontal dimension is less than the first horizontal dimension.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are methods of making an integrated circuit, an integrated circuit device, and a computer readable medium. A method can comprise forming a first layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a first mask layer over the semiconductor substrate, and using the first mask layer to pattern first features. The method can also include forming a second mask layer over the first features, using the second mask layer to pattern portions of the first features, removing the second mask layer, and removing the first mask layer.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, methods to eliminate high stress areas in a mask during a gate trim etch are provided. High stress areas can include, for example, gate regions that are anchored at only one end. The exemplary methods can include the use of a double pattern layout, for example, separating printing and etching of a pattern specific geometry in the mask into two or more portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a microelectronics device. In one aspect, the method comprises depositing a protective layer (510) over a spacer material (415) located over gate electrodes (250) and a doped region (255) located between the gate electrodes (250), removing a portion of the spacer material (415) and the protective layer (510) located over the gate electrodes (250). A remaining portion of the spacer material (415) remains over the top surface of the gate electrodes (250) and over the doped region (255), and a portion of the protective layer (510) remains over the doped region (255). The method further comprises removing the remaining portion of the spacer material (415) to form spacer sidewalls on the gate electrodes (250), expose the top surface of the gate electrodes (250), and leave a remnant of the spacer material (415) over the doped region (255).

Abstract: A pressure regulating system having a tamper-proof safety feature. A pair of seats are mounted to an annular pipe. A first bleed pipe, with a fixed restriction, extends from an inlet conduit to a first chamber. The first chamber is separated from a second chamber by a second diaphragm. A second bleed pipe extends from the second chamber to an outlet pipe. A bleed off mechanism is sealed within the outlet conduit and includes a compressible bellows. When compressed, which occurs when a predetermined pressure level is attained in the outlet conduit, a third seat is moved out of sealing relation with the outlet conduit and the first chamber. This creates an imbalance of the pressures in the chambers that leads to the pair of seats being moved to seal off apertures in the inlet conduit, thereby inhibiting flow into the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A pressure regulating system having a tamper-proof safety feature. A pair of seats are mounted to an annular pipe. A first bleed pipe, with a fixed restriction, extends from an inlet conduit to a first chamber. The first chamber is separated from a second chamber by a second diaphragm. A second bleed pipe extends from the second chamber to an outlet pipe. A bleed off mechanism is sealed within the outlet conduit and includes a compressible bellows. When compressed, which occurs when a predetermined pressure level is attained in the outlet conduit, a third seat is moved out of sealing relation with the outlet conduit and the first chamber. This creates an imbalance of the pressures in the chambers that leads to the pair of seats being moved to seal off apertures in the inlet conduit, thereby inhibiting flow into the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A lockable valve having features which impede unauthorized removal of the valve from a conduit to which the valve is connected. The housing of the valve has a passageway. A valve element is movably mounted to the housing for occluding the passageway. A structure operatively associated with the valve element impedes disengagement of the valve from the conduit when the valve element is in a first position. Preferably, the housing of the valve is attachable to the conduit by a fitting which is movably mounted to the housing and such fitting is accessible only through the passageway of the housing when the valve is mounted to a conduit. When the valve element occludes the passageway, it blocks access to the fitting and hence serves as part of the disengagement-impeding structure. The valve may include lugs for connecting the fitting to the housing for movement therewith when valve element is in a second position.

Abstract: A pipe cutter for cutting the wall of a pipe from within the bore of the pipe. The cutter includes a blade and mechanisms for supporting the blade within the pipe to be cut, urging the blade outwardly of the pipe to engage it with the pipe wall and moving the blade relative to the pipe so that the blade cuts the wall. The cutter may include an expansible gripper assembly for engaging the pipe wall to retain the blade against movement axially of the pipe during the cutting operation. The gripper assembly is preferably operative upon operation of the blade movement mechanism. The blade may be a circular saw, the blade movement mechanism may be arranged to move the saw in orbital fashion around the axis of the pipe and the gripper assembly may be connected to the blade so that the gripper assembly prevents rotation of the saw about its axis during the cutting operation. When this arrangement is utilized, all of the teeth of the saw are successively engaged with the pipe wall.

Abstract: A shield is rotatably mounted to a threaded element of the closure on an axis coincident with the axis of the threaded element, so that the shield impedes access to the threaded element. The shield can be removed from the threaded element or connected to the threaded element only upon actuation of the closure by an appropriate key. Absent such actuation, the threaded element cannot be rotated for disengagement from the conduit by rotating the shield. The closure is protected against attempts to disengage it from the conduit by bonding the shield to the threaded element with an adhesive and rotating the shield.