Abstract: An approach for heat dissipation in integrated circuit devices is provided. A method includes forming an isolation layer on an electrically conductive feature of an integrated circuit device. The method also includes forming an electrically conductive layer on the isolation layer. The method additionally includes forming a plurality of nanowire structures on a surface of the electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: Atmospheric particle detectors having a hybrid measurement cavity and light baffle are provided. In one aspect, an atmospheric particle detector includes: an optical measurement cavity; a light baffle attached to the optical measurement cavity, wherein the light baffle is configured to i) permit unobstructed airflow into the optical measurement cavity and ii) block ambient light from entering the optical measurement cavity; a photodetector on a first side of the optical measurement cavity; a retro reflector on a second side of the optical measurement cavity opposite the photodetector, and a light source configured to produce a light beam that passes through the optical measurement cavity without illuminating the photodetector. A method for particle detection using the atmospheric particle detector is also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for estimating direct and diffuse sunlight reaching a location as a function of time using color whole sky images are provided. In one aspect, a method for forecasting solar insolation is provided that includes the steps of: obtaining color whole sky images using a digital camera which are taken at different times, and wherein an image of a solar disk is present in at least one of the color whole sky images; creating sky transparency images from the color whole sky images; determining atmospheric solar scattering based on a width of the solar disk in the color whole sky images; determining cloud motion trajectories from a time series of the sky transparency images; and calculating the solar insolation as a function of time using the sky transparency, the atmospheric solar scattering, and the cloud motion trajectories. A system for forecasting solar insolation is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems, methods, and products for prevention and treatment of orthostatic hypotension, edema, and nocturia. Aspects include a tubular compression sleeve having an adjustable effective radius. Aspects also include a position sensor. Aspects also include an actuator in communication with the position sensor, wherein the actuator is capable of modifying the effective radius of the tubular compression sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for monitoring a cell culture comprising a) one or more infrared sensors positioned adjacent to a cell culture, the one or more infrared sensors capable of recording an infrared heat signal from the cell culture; b) a power source in electrical communication with the one or more infrared sensors; c) a data storage and computation device configured to receive and analyze the infrared heat signal from the one or more infrared sensors; and d) a transmitter device in electrical communication with the storage and computation device; wherein the apparatus monitors the pattern of heat production in the cell culture. The present invention is also directed to methods for monitoring and analyzing the metabolic activity of cells using the above apparatus.

Abstract: In one aspect, a spectrometer insert is provided. The spectrometer insert includes: an enclosed housing; a first transparent window on a first side of the enclosed housing; a second transparent window on a second side of the enclosed housing, wherein the first side and the second side are opposing sides of the enclosed housing; and a sample mounting and heating assembly positioned within an interior cavity of the enclosed housing in between, and in line of sight of, the first transparent window and the second transparent window. A method for using the spectrometer insert to locally heat a sample so as to measure temperature-dependent optical properties of the sample is also provided.

Abstract: Atmospheric particle detectors having a hybrid measurement cavity and light baffle are provided. In one aspect, an atmospheric particle detector includes: an optical measurement cavity; a light baffle attached to the optical measurement cavity, wherein the light baffle is configured to i) permit unobstructed airflow into the optical measurement cavity and ii) block ambient light from entering the optical measurement cavity; a photodetector on a first side of the optical measurement cavity; a retro reflector on a second side of the optical measurement cavity opposite the photodetector, and a light source configured to produce a light beam that passes through the optical measurement cavity without illuminating the photodetector. A method for particle detection using the atmospheric particle detector is also provided.

Abstract: Measuring and/or monitoring food doneness using ultrasound. The present invention provides a method, system, computer program product and sensor for measuring and/or monitoring the degree of food doneness. The present invention provides means for non-invasively and continuously determining the degree of food doneness using ultrasound technology. In general, the present invention works by applying ultrasound signals to a food item, receiving the ultrasound signals emitted back from the food item, and analyzing the input and output signals to determine the degree of food doneness. The food doneness sensor can be a stand-alone device, embedded into a cooking tool, embedded into a cooking apparatus, and/or embedded into a food production assembly line. The present invention can be used personally/commercially. User feedback regarding the performance of the present invention can be provided to a cloud database and used to modify/adjust the measuring/monitoring process.

Abstract: Measuring and/or monitoring food doneness using ultrasound. The present invention provides a method, system, computer program product and sensor for measuring and/or monitoring the degree of food doneness. The present invention provides means for non-invasively and continuously determining the degree of food doneness using ultrasound technology. In general, the present invention works by applying ultrasound signals to a food item, receiving the ultrasound signals emitted back from the food item, and analyzing the input and output signals to determine the degree of food doneness. The food doneness sensor can be a stand-alone device, embedded into a cooking tool, embedded into a cooking apparatus, and/or embedded into a food production assembly line. The present invention can be used personally/commercially. User feedback regarding the performance of the present invention can be provided to a cloud database and used to modify/adjust the measuring/monitoring process.

Abstract: One aspect includes a method for use with a plurality of steam assisted gravity drainage wells. The method includes designing a first modeling framework which provides a model of total output for the plurality of wells from one or more input variables for respective ones of the plurality of wells. The method also includes designing a second modeling framework which provides a model of output for a given one of the plurality of wells based at least in part on one or more input variables for the given one of the plurality of wells and one or more input variables for at least another one of the plurality of wells. The method further includes utilizing the first and second modeling frameworks to determine an optimal configuration for the wells and configuring the well to operate with the determined optimal configuration.

Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency in emulsion production for a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system includes generating a model of the SAGD oil well system and training the model of the SAGD oil well system utilizing historical time series data relating to one or more SAGD oil wells at one or more SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The historical time series data is obtained from a plurality of sensors in the SAGD oil well system. The method also includes determining an uncertainty of the model as a function of a control space of the model and utilizing the model to determine values for control variables associated with one or more of the SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system which reduce the model uncertainty while meeting one or more objectives subject to one or more constraints. The method further includes adjusting a set of controls of the SAGD oil well system based on the determined values for the control variables.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system to increase efficiency in emulsion production includes obtaining a predictive model of the SAGD oil well system. The predictive model has control parameters including one or more continuous control parameters and one or more discrete control parameters. The method also includes utilizing the predictive model to determine values for the control parameters that meet one or more objectives for the SAGD oil well system subject to one or more constraints based on a sequence of iterations of solving a mixed integer non-linear problem. The method further includes adjusting controls of the SAGD oil well system based on the determined values of the control parameters.

Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency in emulsion production for a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system includes generating a causal model of the SAGD oil well system and training the causal model of the SAGD oil well system utilizing historical time series data relating to one or more SAGD oil wells at one or more SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The historical time series data is obtained from a plurality of sensors in the SAGD oil well system. The method also includes utilizing the causal model to determine a forecast emulsion production and a forecast set of control parameters associated with one or more of the SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The method further includes adjusting a set of controls of the SAGD oil well system based on the forecast emulsion production and the forecast set of control parameters and subject to one or more constraints associated with the SAGD oil well system.

Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency in emulsion production for a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system includes generating a multiple time step model of the SAGD oil well system and training the multiple time step model of the SAGD oil well system utilizing historical time series data relating to one or more SAGD oil wells at one or more SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The historical time series data is obtained from a plurality of sensors in the SAGD oil well system. The method also includes utilizing the multiple time step model to determine, based on a set of objectives and subject to one or more constraints, two or more sets of values for control parameters associated with one or more of the SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system for respective ones of two or more time steps.

Abstract: One aspect includes a method for use with a steam assisted gravity drainage well. The method includes generating an analytical framework for the well at least in part by modeling one or more observable variables as a function at least of one or more control variables; and modeling one or more output variables as a function at least of at least one of the one or more control variables; and at least one of the one or more observable variables. The method further includes utilizing the analytical framework to determine an optimal configuration for the well, the optimal configuration including a set of one or more values for the one or more control variables which produce one or more desired values for the one or more output variables; and configuring the well to operate with the determined optimal configuration.

Abstract: Techniques for solar thermal water purification by recycling photovoltaic reflection losses are provided. In one aspect, a solar thermal water purification system includes: a water purification component for desalinating salt water, the water purification component having multiple stages through which the salt water passes, and condensers in each of the stages; and a photovoltaic component configured to heat the salt water prior to the salt water entering a first stage of the water purification component, wherein desalinated water evaporates and condenses in each of the stages to be collected as pure water. A system using reverse osmosis and a heat-driven water pump is also provided. Methods for water purification are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic energy collection are provided. In one aspect, a photovoltaic concentrating thermal collector (PVCTC) includes: a thermal absorber collector; and bent solar panels forming a parabolic shaped trough reflector partially surrounding the thermal absorber collector so as to reflect incident light onto the thermal absorber collector. A PVCTC system including an array of PVCTC units and a method for hybrid electrical and thermal energy production are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a spectrometer apparatus comprising a mobile device including an integrated camera, having a camera lens and an image sensor. The camera lens is located within a body of the mobile device that comprises a detachable housing coupled to the body of the mobile device. The detachable housing includes a first end and a second end opposed to the first end. The first end includes an optical input and the second end includes an opening that is substantially aligned with the camera lens. An optical spectrometer device is located within the housing and optically coupled to both the optical input at the first end of the housing and the camera lens at the second end of the housing. The optical spectrometer device receives a target image from the optical input and generates a spectral image that is received by the image sensor via the camera lens.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for detecting and measuring the concentration of non-reactive gases in a given environment, without having to increase the reactivity of the non-reactive gases through thermal heating. For example, a gas sensor device includes a sensing chamber, a chemical getter element disposed in the sensing chamber, and a pressure sensor device. The sensing chamber is configured to capture a gas sample. The chemical getter element is configured to remove reactive gas species of the gas sample through chemical reaction of the reactive gas species with the chemical getter element at room temperature. The pressure sensor device is configured to measure a pressure of non-reactive gas species of the gas sample, which remains in the sensing chamber after removal of the reactive gas species from the sensing chamber. The pressure measurement is used to determine an amount of the non-reactive gas species present in the sample.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a cell culture includes one or more electrochemical sensors configured to be positioned adjacent to or embedded within a medium of a cell culture. The one or more electrochemical sensors are configured to generate signals in accordance with the cell culture. A data storage device is configured to receive and store the signals from the one or more electrochemical sensors. A computation device is configured to analyze the signals from the one or more electrochemical sensors to determine cell activity over time using sensitivity information.