Abstract: A stacked interconnect structure includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a first dielectric layer disposed between the first and second conductive layers and having an air gap in a portion of the first dielectric layer that separates the first and second conductive layers. A second dielectric layer is parallel to the first conductive layer, a third dielectric layer overlays a portion of the second dielectric layer and contacts two opposing surfaces of the second conductive layer. A first via extends into the air gap of the first dielectric layer, wherein the second conductive layer is separated from the first via by a portion of the third dielectric layer that extends from a given surface of the third dielectric layer to the second dielectric layer, and a second via that extends from the given surface of the third dielectric layer to the second conductive layer.

Abstract: Glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding GPT proteins, and uses thereof are disclosed. Provided herein are various GPT proteins and GPT gene coding sequences isolated from a number of plant species. As disclosed herein, GPT proteins share remarkable structural similarity within plant species, and are active in catalyzing the synthesis of 2-hydroxy-5-oxoproline (2-oxoglutaramate), a powerful signal metabolite which regulates the function of a large number of genes involved in the photosynthesis apparatus, carbon fixation and nitrogen metabolism.

Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting dramatically enhanced growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, more efficient nitrogen utilization, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express both glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) are provided. The GPT+GS double-transgenic plants of the invention consistently exhibit enhanced growth characteristics, with T0 generation lines showing an increase in biomass over wild type counterparts of between 50% and 300%. Generations that result from sexual crosses and/or selfing typically perform even better, with some of the double-transgenic plants achieving an astounding four-fold biomass increase over wild type plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting enhanced growth rates, seed and fruit yields, and overall biomass yields, as well as methods for generating growth-enhanced transgenic plants. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting dramatically enhanced growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, more efficient nitrogen utilization, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express both glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) are provided. The GPT+GS double-transgenic plants of the invention consistently exhibit enhanced growth characteristics, with T0 generation lines showing an increase in biomass over wild type counterparts of between 50% and 300%. Generations that result from sexual crosses and/or selfing typically perform even better, with some of the double-transgenic plants achieving an astounding four-fold biomass increase over wild type plants.

Abstract: A method is provided of forming an interconnect structure. The method comprises forming a first dielectric layer overlying a first conductive layer, etching a trench opening in the first dielectric layer, depositing a sacrificial material layer in the trench opening, and forming a second conductive layer overlying the sacrificial layer. The method also comprises forming a via to the sacrificial layer, and performing an etch to remove the sacrificial material layer through the via and leave a resultant air gap between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer increasing the effective dielectric constant between the first and second conductive layers.

Abstract: Glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding GPT proteins, and uses thereof are disclosed. Provided herein are various GPT proteins and GPT gene coding sequences isolated from a number of plant species. As disclosed herein, GPT proteins share remarkable structural similarity within plant species, and are active in catalyzing the synthesis of 2-hydroxy-5-oxoproline (2-oxoglutaramate), a powerful signal metabolite which regulates the function of a large number of genes involved in the photosynthesis apparatus, carbon fixation and nitrogen metabolism.

Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting dramatically enhanced growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, more efficient nitrogen utilization, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express both glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) are provided. The GPT+GS double-transgenic plants of the invention consistently exhibit enhanced growth characteristics, with T0 generation lines showing an increase in biomass over wild type counterparts of between 50% and 300%. Generations that result from sexual crosses and/or selfing typically perform even better, with some of the double-transgenic plants achieving an astounding four-fold biomass increase over wild type plants.

Abstract: A method is provided of forming an interconnect structure. The method comprises forming a first dielectric layer overlying a first conductive layer, etching a trench opening in the first dielectric layer, depositing a sacrificial material layer in the trench opening, and forming a second conductive layer overlying the sacrificial layer. The method also comprises forming a via to the sacrificial layer, and performing an etch to remove the sacrificial material layer through the via and leave a resultant air gap between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer decreasing the effective dielectric constant between the first and second conductive layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to transgenic algae having increased growth characteristics, and methods of increasing growth characteristics of algae.

Abstract: Glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding GPT proteins, and uses thereof are disclosed. Provided herein are various GPT proteins and GPT gene coding sequences isolated from a number of plant species. As disclosed herein, GPT proteins share remarkable structural similarity within plant species, and are active in catalyzing the synthesis of 2-hydroxy-5-oxoproline (2-oxoglutaramate), a powerful signal metabolite which regulates the function of a large number of genes involved in the photosynthesis apparatus, carbon fixation and nitrogen metabolism.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for increasing the leaf-to-root ratio of the signal metabolite 2-oxoglutaramate and related proline molecules in plants by modulating levels of ?-amidase to increase nitrogen use efficiency, resulting in enhanced growth, faster growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields.

Abstract: Photo-conducting infrared sensors are provided including a substrate (e.g., silicon) with one or more trenches formed on a first surface. An infrared-reflective film can be deposited directly or indirectly onto and conforming in shape with the first surface of the substrate. A lead chalcogenide film can be deposited directly or indirectly over the top of the infrared-reflective film and conforming in shape with the first surface of the substrate. Accordingly, the infrared-reflective film is directly or indirectly sandwiched between the substrate and the lead chalcogenide film.

Abstract: A method is provided of forming an interconnect structure. The method comprises forming a first dielectric layer overlying a first conductive layer, etching a trench opening in the first dielectric layer, depositing a sacrificial material layer in the trench opening, and forming a second conductive layer overlying the sacrificial layer. The method also comprises forming a via to the sacrificial layer, and performing an etch to remove the sacrificial material layer through the via and leave a resultant air gap between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer increasing the effective dielectric constant between the first and second conductive layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for increasing the leaf-to-root ratio of the signal metabolite 2-oxoglutaramate and related proline molecules in plants by modulating levels of ?-amidase to increase nitrogen use efficiency, resulting in enhanced growth, faster growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to transgenic algae having increased growth characteristics, and methods of increasing growth characteristics of algae. In particular, the disclosure relates to transgenic algae comprising a glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase transgene and to transgenic algae comprising a glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase transgene and a glutamine synthetase.

Abstract: The present invention describes a composition including a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to about 97:3 , and, a carrier medium for application of the L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers to a target plant. The composition can also be used as a germination medium and may be incorporated into a seed coat for assisting in germination. The present invention further describes a method of increasing the agronomic performance of a target plant by treating a target plant with a composition including a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to about 97:3 and a carrier medium for said L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers.

Abstract: Photo-conducting infrared sensors are provided including a substrate (e.g., silicon) with one or more trenches formed on a first surface. An infrared-reflective film can be deposited directly or indirectly onto and conforming in shape with the first surface of the substrate. A lead chalcogenide film can be deposited directly or indirectly over the top of the infrared-reflective film and conforming in shape with the first surface of the substrate. Accordingly, the infrared-reflective film is directly or indirectly sandwiched between the substrate and the lead chalcogenide film.

Abstract: The present invention describes a composition including a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to about 97:3, and, a carrier medium for application of the L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers to a target plant. The composition can also be used as a germination medium and may be incorporated into a seed coat for assisting in germination. The present invention further describes a method of increasing the agronomic performance of a target plant by treating a target plant with a composition including a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to about 97:3 and a carrier medium for said L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus are disclosed for providing improved backside metal contacts to silicon carbide. Embodiments include depositing a barrier layer on the bottom surface of a silicon carbide wafer. The barrier layer is located between the silicon carbide wafer and a silicon layer. The silicon carbide wafer is separated into individual silicon carbide die. Embodiments further include mechanically scrubbing each silicon carbide die on the top surface of a package, forming a gold-silicon eutectic solder that bonds the silicon carbide die to the package. The barrier layer reduces or eliminates diffusion of species into the gold-silicon eutectic solder to reduce or eliminate voids in the gold-silicon eutectic solder.