Abstract: The disclosure generally provides for a method of solving a K-SAT problem. The method comprises programming one or more clauses of a Boolean expression for a K-SAT problem written in negated disjunctive normal form (DNF) to a ternary-CAM (TCAM) array comprising columns and rows of TCAM cells, applying an interpretation comprising one or more binary variables expected to solve the Boolean expression as an input along the columns to the TCAM array, returning a binary value for each clause and updating one or more variables within the interpretation if at least one clause is violated.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a therapeutic oxygen supply apparatus. The apparatus includes at least two components, including an intake manifold component configured to receive concentrated oxygen, a compressor component configured to compress concentrated oxygen, an oxygen tank component configured to store concentrated oxygen, a patient manifold component configured to supply concentrated oxygen, or a control structure component configured to route a flow of concentrated oxygen. A sensor circuit acquires data indicative of a respective operational state of the at least two components. A rule-based engine selects a next operational state of a component in response to (i) the acquired data indicative of the respective operational states of the at least two components and (ii) a rule database having at least one rule responsive to an objective providing a therapeutic flow of oxygen to the patient. A configuration manager circuit generates a control signal implementing the selected next operational state.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses for compressing dry ice. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for compressing dry ice includes: a hollow cylinder; a post disposed coaxially in the cylinder; a piston defining an opening therein and being slidably disposed in the cylinder, the opening slidably receiving the post therein; a biasing device operatively coupled to the piston; an inlet port connectable to a source of liquid carbon dioxide and configured to introduce liquid carbon dioxide into the cylinder, the inlet port being further configured to expand liquid carbon dioxide to dry ice and to gaseous carbon dioxide; and an openably closable lid positionable among a first closed position configured to vent gaseous carbon dioxide from the cylinder, a second closed position configured to leakably close the cylinder to permit carbon dioxide flakes to be compressed in the cylinder, and an open position.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a therapeutic oxygen supply apparatus. The apparatus includes at least two components, including an intake manifold component configured to receive concentrated oxygen, a compressor component configured to compress concentrated oxygen, an oxygen tank component configured to store concentrated oxygen, a patient manifold component configured to supply concentrated oxygen, or a control structure component configured to route a flow of concentrated oxygen. A sensor circuit acquires data indicative of a respective operational state of the at least two components. A rule-based engine selects a next operational state of a component in response to (i) the acquired data indicative of the respective operational states of the at least two components and (ii) a rule database having at least one rule responsive to an objective providing a therapeutic flow of oxygen to the patient. A configuration manager circuit generates a control signal implementing the selected next operational state.

Abstract: Devices and systems for dry ice production are described, including a lid structure sized for placement over a storage container, an input tube sized to traverse a first opening in the lid structure and forming a flow conduit for pressurized carbon dioxide into the storage container, a vent tube sized to traverse a second opening in the lid structure and forming a flow conduit for gaseous carbon dioxide, a first end of the vent tube sized to fit into the storage container, a lower vent tube sized to fit in the storage container, the lower vent tube coupled to the first end of the vent tube and having openings to vent gaseous carbon dioxide from the storage container and into the vent tube.

Abstract: A device for application of even pressure on a plunger head includes: a center rod with a pressure plate affixed at a first end and a back plate positioned adjacent to a second end; a positioning spring adjacent to the pressure plate at a surface distal to the center rod; a positioning plate adjacent to an end of the positioning spring distal to the pressure plate; a housing including an aperture at a position adjacent to a distal surface of the positioning plate; a main spring surrounding the center rod between the back plate and the pressure plate; and a mechanism positioned to move the center rod between the pressure plate and the back plate, the mechanism positioned to compress the main spring between the pressure plate and the back plate in response to force applied by a user.

Abstract: Specialty ceramic materials which resist corrosion/erosion under semiconductor processing conditions which employ a corrosive/erosive plasma. The corrosive plasma may be a halogen-containing plasma. The specialty ceramic materials have been modified to provide a controlled electrical resistivity which suppresses plasma arcing potential.

Abstract: A method of creating a plasma-resistant thermal oxide coating on a surface of an article, where the article is comprised of a metal or metal alloy which is typically selected from the group consisting of yttrium, neodymium, samarium, terbium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, scandium, hafnium, niobium or combinations thereof. The oxide coating is formed using a time-temperature profile which includes an initial rapid heating rage, followed by a gradual decrease in heating rate, to produce an oxide coating structure which is columnar in nature. The grain size of the crystals which make up the oxide coating is larger at the surface of the oxide coating than at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate, and the oxide coating is in compression at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and program products relating to a multi-mode game play. A player places a bet through a player station to commence play in a first play mode of a multi-mode game. The first play mode may award a prize specified as a number of plays at a different (“second”) play mode. The second play mode has a different associated prize structure and a higher expected net value per play as compared to the first play mode. Once the player has played the specified number of plays at the second play mode the game switches back to the first play mode for additional plays.

Abstract: Specialty ceramic materials which resist corrosion/erosion under semiconductor processing conditions which employ a corrosive/erosive plasma. The corrosive plasma may be a halogen-containing plasma. The specialty ceramic materials have been modified to provide a controlled electrical resistivity which suppresses plasma arcing potential.

Abstract: Specialty ceramic materials which resist corrosion/erosion under semiconductor processing conditions which employ a corrosive/erosive plasma. The corrosive plasma may be a halogen-containing plasma. The specialty ceramic materials have been modified to provide a controlled electrical resistivity which suppresses plasma arcing potential.

Abstract: A method of creating a plasma-resistant thermal oxide coating on a surface of an article, where the article is comprised of a metal or metal alloy which is typically selected from the group consisting of yttrium, neodymium, samarium, terbium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, scandium, hafnium, niobium or combinations thereof. The oxide coating is formed using a time-temperature profile which includes an initial rapid heating rage, followed by a gradual decrease in heating rate, to produce an oxide coating structure which is columnar in nature. The grain size of the crystals which make up the oxide coating is larger at the surface of the oxide coating than at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate, and the oxide coating is in compression at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate.

Abstract: An article which is resistant to corrosion or erosion by chemically active plasmas and a method of making the article are described. The article is comprised of a metal or metal alloy substrate having on its surface a coating which is an oxide of the metal or metal alloy. The structure of the oxide coating is columnar in nature. The grain size of the crystals which make up the oxide is larger at the surface of the oxide coating than at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate, and wherein the oxide coating is in compression at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate. Typically the metal is selected from the group consisting of yttrium, neodymium, samarium, terbium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, scandium, hafnium, niobium or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are exemplary methods and apparatuses for fabricating a gas distribution showerhead assembly in accordance with one embodiment. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a gas distribution plate having a first set of through-holes for delivering processing gases into a semiconductor processing chamber. The first set of through-holes is located on a backside of the plate (e.g., Aluminum substrate). The method includes spraying (e.g., plasma spraying) a coating material (e.g., Ytrria based material) onto a cleaned surface of the gas distribution plate. The method includes removing (e.g., surface grinding) a portion of the coating material from the surface to reduce a thickness of the coating material. The method includes forming (e.g., UV laser drilling, machining) a second set of through-holes in the coating material such that the through-holes are aligned with the first-set of through-holes.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and program products relating to a multi-mode game play. A player places a bet through a player station to commence play in a first play mode of a multi-mode game. The first play mode may award a prize specified as a number of plays at a different (“second”) play mode. The second play mode has a different associated prize structure and a higher expected net value per play as compared to the first play mode. Once the player has played the specified number of plays at the second play mode the game switches back to the first play mode for additional plays.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for quickly disconnecting a wetted parts subassembly from a paint spray gun wherein the wetted parts subassembly includes a spray tip, pump cylinder and piston and paint cup components including a pump housing cylinder support carrying the pump cylinder and having a pair of protrusions formed on a pump housing cylinder support, a frame having a pair of slots aligned to receive the protrusions when the pump housing cylinder support is received in the frame, a locking lever pivotably attached to the frame adjacent at least one of the slots and movable between a latched position wherein the pump housing cylinder support is retained to the frame, and an unlatched position wherein the pump housing cylinder support is removable from the frame. A passive retention feature frictionally engages the wetted parts subassembly with the frame when the wetted parts subassembly is received in the frame.

Abstract: Particulate generation has been a problem in semiconductor device processing in highly corrosive plasma environments. The problem is exacerbated when the plasma is a reducing plasma. Empirically produced data has shown that the formation of a plasma spray coated yttrium-comprising ceramic such as yttrium oxide, Y2O3—ZrO2 solid solution, YAG, and YF3 provides a low porosity coating with smooth and compacted surfaces when such ceramics are spray coated from a powder feed having an average effective diameter ranging from about 22 ?m to about 0.1 ?m. These spray-coated materials reduce the generation of particulates in corrosive reducing plasma environments.

Abstract: An article which is resistant to corrosion or erosion by chemically active plasmas and a method of making the article are described. The article is comprised of a metal or metal alloy substrate having on its surface a coating which is an oxide of the metal or metal alloy. The structure of the oxide coating is columnar in nature. The grain size of the crystals which make up the oxide is larger at the surface of the oxide coating than at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate, and wherein the oxide coating is in compression at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate. Typically the metal is selected from the group consisting of yttrium, neodymium, samarium, terbium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, scandium, hafnium, niobium or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Method of removing damaged silicon carbide crystalline structure from the surface of a silicon carbide component. The method comprises at least two liquid chemical treatment processes, where one treatment converts silicon carbide to silicon oxide, and another treatment removes silicon oxide. The liquid chemical treatments are typically carried out at a temperature below about 100° C. The time period required to carry out the method is generally less than about 100 hours.

Abstract: Specialty ceramic materials which resist corrosion/erosion under semiconductor processing conditions which employ a corrosive/erosive plasma. The corrosive plasma may be a halogen-containing plasma. The specialty ceramic materials have been modified to provide a controlled electrical resistivity which suppresses plasma arcing potential.