Abstract: A semiconductor device structure may include a substrate having a substrate base comprising a first dopant type; a semiconductor layer disposed on a surface of the substrate base, the semiconductor layer comprising a second dopant type and having an upper surface; and a semiconductor plug assembly comprising a semiconductor plug disposed within the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor plug extending from an upper surface of the semiconductor layer and having a depth at least equal to a thickness of the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor plug having a first boundary, the first boundary formed within the semiconductor layer, and having a second boundary, the second boundary formed within the semiconductor layer and disposed opposite the first boundary, wherein the first boundary and second boundary extend perpendicularly to the surface of the substrate base.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure may include a substrate having a substrate base comprising a first dopant type; a semiconductor layer disposed on a surface of the substrate base, the semiconductor layer comprising a second dopant type and having an upper surface; and a semiconductor plug assembly comprising a semiconductor plug disposed within the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor plug extending from an upper surface of the semiconductor layer and having a depth at least equal to a thickness of the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor plug having a first boundary, the first boundary formed within the semiconductor layer, and having a second boundary, the second boundary formed within the semiconductor layer and disposed opposite the first boundary, wherein the first boundary and second boundary extend perpendicularly to the surface of the substrate base.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure may include a substrate having a substrate base comprising a first dopant type; a semiconductor layer disposed on a surface of the substrate base, the semiconductor layer comprising a second dopant type and having an upper surface; and a semiconductor plug assembly comprising a semiconductor plug disposed within the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor plug extending from an upper surface of the semiconductor layer and having a depth at least equal to a thickness of the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor plug having a first boundary, the first boundary formed within the semiconductor layer, and having a second boundary, the second boundary formed within the semiconductor layer and disposed opposite the first boundary, wherein the first boundary and second boundary extend perpendicularly to the surface of the substrate base.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure may include a substrate having a substrate base comprising a first dopant type; a semiconductor layer disposed on a surface of the substrate base, the semiconductor layer comprising a second dopant type and having an upper surface; and a semiconductor plug assembly comprising a semiconductor plug disposed within the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor plug extending from an upper surface of the semiconductor layer and having a depth at least equal to a thickness of the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor plug having a first boundary, the first boundary formed within the semiconductor layer, and having a second boundary, the second boundary formed within the semiconductor layer and disposed opposite the first boundary, wherein the first boundary and second boundary extend perpendicularly to the surface of the substrate base.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes steps for identifying a plurality of similar users that are similar to a target user, and providing a notification to the target user, the notification comprising a suggested action for the target user. In certain aspects, a method of the subject technology can further include steps for providing comparison information to the target user, wherein the comparison information includes participation information regarding participation for the plurality of similar users, with respect to the suggested action.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for receiving physiological data of occupants of a building and using the information to control or regulate a controllable setpoint of a climate-control system for the building. The system may operatively interface with biofeedback sensors including wearable sensors and mountable sensors placed within a controlled space within the building. The system may adjust the controllable setpoint of the climate-control system based on a comfort metric associated with at least one of the occupant of the building, the comfort metric derived from the biofeedback data.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure may include a substrate having a substrate base comprising a first dopant type; a semiconductor layer disposed on a surface of the substrate base, the semiconductor layer comprising a second dopant type and having an upper surface; and a semiconductor plug assembly comprising a semiconductor plug disposed within the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor plug extending from an upper surface of the semiconductor layer and having a depth at least equal to a thickness of the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor plug having a first boundary, the first boundary formed within the semiconductor layer, and having a second boundary, the second boundary formed within the semiconductor layer and disposed opposite the first boundary, wherein the first boundary and second boundary extend perpendicularly to the surface of the substrate base.

Abstract: Techniques for determining efficiency ratings for businesses are disclosed. A computing device can identify energy efficient entities (e.g., homes, buildings, businesses, points of interest, etc.) for a geographic region. The efficiency of an entity can be determined based on that entity's consumption of resources including, for example, electricity, water, natural gas, etc., that are delivered to a dwelling or commercial structure of the entity, for example. Entities can be scored and ranked based on their respective energy efficiencies. Such entity efficiency information can be presented to users, for example, in the form of a listing of entities (e.g., “green business guide”) that provides various information describing those entities, together with respective efficiency ratings for each of the businesses. Users can reference the listing, for example, when deciding which businesses to support in an effort to promote businesses that value energy conservation.

Abstract: A business model/process is described for conducting business transactions over the Internet, allowing buyers to reduce the price of the selected product/service based on the buyer's performance during a collateral activity. Sellers offer the product/service within a specified price range, and buyers accept the offer, in exchange for the opportunity to close the transaction at the lowest price offered by achieving a high score or performance rating during the collateral activity. The ultimate price is within the agreed upon range, but is determined based upon the buyer's performance and scaled to the performance at the collateral activity. The price may change throughout performance of the collateral activity, and the available price at any given time may be displayed or otherwise made available to the buyer. The price change may be continuous, at intervals, in response to certain events, etc.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes steps for identifying a plurality of similar users that are similar to a target user, and providing a notification to the target user, the notification comprising a suggested action for the target user. In certain aspects, a method of the subject technology can further include steps for providing comparison information to the target user, wherein the comparison information includes participation information regarding participation for the plurality of similar users, with respect to the suggested action.

Abstract: Techniques for providing personalized energy use information are described herein. An energy information system can obtain one or more of demographic, psychographic, behavioral, or consumption data for each of a plurality of utility customers, and segment the plurality of utility customers into a plurality of categories based on the demographic, psychographic, behavioral, or consumption data. The energy information system can select a target category from the plurality of categories based on a predetermined achievement goal and generate communications content based on historic energy consumption data for the target category. The energy information system can select an outbound communication channel for communicating with the target category. The energy information system can deliver one or more communications to the target category through the outbound communication channel at a specified time, where the one or more communications include at least a portion of the communications content.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for receiving physiological data of occupants of a building and using the information to control or regulate a controllable setpoint of a climate-control system for the building. The system may operatively interface with biofeedback sensors including wearable sensors and mountable sensors placed within a controlled space within the building. The system may adjust the controllable setpoint of the climate-control system based on a comfort metric associated with at least one of the occupant of the building, the comfort metric derived from the biofeedback data.

Abstract: A business model/process is described for conducting business transactions over the Internet, allowing buyers to reduce the price of the selected product/service based on the buyer's performance during a collateral activity. Sellers offer the product/service within a specified price range, and buyers accept the offer, in exchange for the opportunity to close the transaction at the lowest price offered by achieving a high score or performance rating during the collateral activity. The ultimate price is within the agreed upon range, but is determined based upon the buyer's performance and scaled to the performance at the collateral activity. The price may change throughout performance of the collateral activity, and the available price at any given time may be displayed or otherwise made available to the buyer. The price change may be continuous, at intervals, in response to certain events, etc.

Abstract: A business model/process is described for conducting business transactions over the Internet, allowing buyers to reduce the price of the selected product/service based on the buyer's performance during a collateral activity. Sellers offer the product/service within a specified price range, and buyers accept the offer, in exchange for the opportunity to close the transaction at the lowest price offered by achieving a high score or performance rating during the collateral activity. The ultimate price is within the agreed upon range, but is determined based upon the buyer's performance and scaled to the performance at the collateral activity. The price may change throughout performance of the collateral activity, and the available price at any given time may be displayed or otherwise made available to the buyer. The price change may be continuous, at intervals, in response to certain events, etc.