Abstract: Stable, macroscopic single-crystal chiral liquid crystal compositions are described. The compositions include a single-crystal chiral liquid crystal material on a patterned surface. The patterned surface seeds a particular crystallographic orientation at the substrate-liquid crystal interface. Also described are methods of forming the single-crystal chiral liquid crystal compositions.

Abstract: A nozzle device includes a nozzle body and at least one second electrode. The nozzle body extends along a longitudinal axis, and has a top surface, a bottom surface for confronting a first electrode of a workpiece, a recess provided in the bottom surface, and a longitudinal channel extending downwardly from the top surface along the longitudinal axis to be in fluid communication with the recess. The longitudinal channel has an upper section and a lower tapered section which is tapered downwardly to form a lower communication port. The least one second electrode is disposed in the recess for being spaced apart from the first electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method in a Next Generation Core Control Function (NG-CCF) node for communication with a Next Generation Policy Control Function (NG-PCF) node. The method comprises: communicating network related parameters with the NG-PCF node via a direct interface between the NG-CCF node and the NG-PCF node.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an outer conductor and an inner conductor coaxially arranged with each other with an insulator therebetween. The outer conductor includes a base and a plurality of arc protrusions formed on a rear face of the base and coaxially sharing the same circle center. The protrusions are optimally located around a peripheral region of the circle defined by the cross-section of the cylindrical contour. A metallic box includes a top wall, opposite front and rear walls and opposite two side walls. The front wall forms a plurality of arc holes coaxially arranged with regard to a common center so as to snugly receive the corresponding arc protrusions of the outer conductor, respectively.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative housing defining a space. A connection module is received within the space. The connection module includes a pair of contact modules commonly sandwiching a grounding module therebetween in the transverse direction. Each contact module includes a plurality of contacts integrally formed within the corresponding insulative wafer via insert-molding. The grounding module includes a grounding plate embedded within an insulative wafer. The grounding plate forms a plurality of fingers respectively electrically and mechanically connecting to the corresponding grounding contacts of the contact modules. The wafer forms a plurality of transverse grooves to receive corresponding grounding bars each having a plurality of inward parts respectively mechanically and electrically connecting to the grounding plate, and a plurality of outward parts respectively mechanically and electrically connecting to the grounding contacts of the contact modules.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a method includes receiving, from a client system of a first user, a structured query comprising references to one or more objects associated with the online social network, identifying a set of target objects corresponding to the structured query, wherein each target object in the set is an object that is connected within the online social network to at least one of the objects referenced in the structured query, filtering the set of target objects based on a privacy setting of each of the connections to the target object, and generating search results comprising references to each target object from the post-filtered set that is connected to the first user within the online social network by a series of connections that have a visibility that is visible to the first user.

Abstract: A system for measuring an overlay error of a sample is disclosed. The system may include a broadband illumination source configured to emit broadband illumination. The system may also include one or more optical elements configured to direct the broadband illumination to a target disposed on the sample, wherein the one or more optical elements are configured to collect illumination from the target and direct it to a spectrometer, wherein the spectrometer is configured to disperse multiple wavelengths of the illumination collected from the sample to multiple elements of a sensor to generate a plurality of signals. The system may also include a controller configured to calculate an overlay error between a first structure and a second structure of the target by comparing the plurality of signals with a plurality of calculated signals.

Abstract: A device such as a network-attachable data transfer device may be configured to operate in a cluster to coordinate the storage of data. A cluster manifest may include data and/or metadata related to devices of the cluster. In some cases, a cluster manifest may include, for each of one or more devices of a cluster: an encrypted payload; an identifier associated with the particular device; and an encrypted data entry. The encrypted payload may encode a cryptographic payload key used in part to perform storage operations. The encrypted data entry may include one or more encrypted partitions that are each decryptable by a different security module of the device. The decrypted partitions may be assembled to form a cryptographic key that may decrypt the encrypted payload. The cluster manifest may be provided to a locked device of a cluster as part of a process for unlocking the locked device.

Abstract: Shear assisted extrusion processes (ShAPE) for forming Metal-NCCF extrusions are provided. The processes can include: using a die tool, applying a rotational shearing force and an axial extrusion force to a feedstock material comprising a metal and NCCF (NanoCrystalline Carbon Films); and extruding a mixture comprising the metal and NCCF through an opening in the die tool to form the Metal-NCCF extrusion. ShAPE feedstock materials are provided that can include a metal and NCCF. Conductive solid material mixtures are provided that can include a metal and a NCCF. Portions of the metals and NCCF of the material mixtures can have an isotropic crystallographic orientation. Assemblies relying in part on conductivity can include: a conductive solid material mixture that includes: a metal; and a NCCF.

Abstract: A visualization system for simulating excavation of a fluid-structure interaction tunnel includes a fluid-structure interaction tunnel model system, a tunnel model solution supply system, a detection system and an excavation system. The tunnel model solution supply system is configured to inject a nuclide solution to simulate a fluid pressure. The detection system is configured to detect a 3D deformation state of a tunnel surrounding rock and a 3D migration process of the nuclide solution. The excavation system is provided between the detection system and the tunnel model system to simulate tunnel excavation. During the tunnel excavation, a lifting device in the excavation system controls a drilling device to ascend to a set height for operation. During 3D detection, the lifting device controls the drilling device to descend to an initial height to avoid affecting the detection of a detection device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending, customizing and validating a simulation-based digital twin model is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device transmits a model to a client, where the model is a simulation-based digital twin model. In addition, the device receives a customization to the model, the where the customization adds a functionality to the model. Furthermore, the device deploys the model in a model platform, where the model is used in a simulation with the model platform and the model is coupled with the model platform.

Abstract: Solder joints comprising two different solder materials having different melting points, an outer solder material extending over an inner solder material bonded to a conductive pad, the inner solder material having a lower melting point than a melting point of the outer solder material and being in a solid state at substantially ambient temperature. A metal material having a higher melting point than a melting point of either solder material may coat at least a portion of the inner solder material. Microelectronic components, assemblies and electronic systems incorporating the solder joints, as well as processes for forming and repairing the solder joints are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes forming a working surface of a substrate material. The example apparatus includes trench formed between two semiconductor structures on the working surface of the substrate material. The example apparatus further includes access lines formed on neighboring sidewalls of the semiconductor structures opposing a channel region separating a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The example apparatus further includes a time-control formed inhibitor material formed over a portion of the sidewalls of the semiconductor structures. The example apparatus further includes a dielectric material formed over the semiconductor structures to enclose a non-solid space between the access lines.

Abstract: A visual test system for a secondary generation or decomposition of a hydrate includes a hydrate conveying device, a computerized tomography (CT) imaging device, a temperature control device, a pressure control device and a flow control device. The hydrate conveying device includes an annular pipeline structure composed of a plurality of straight pipeline sections and a plurality of curved pipeline sections. The straight pipeline section is able to rotate around an axis thereof under the drive of a pipeline driving device. The CT imaging device is used to perform a three-dimensional (3D) detection inside the pipeline, and includes a turntable, a ray source and a detector. The ray source is able to rotate under the drive of the turntable driving device. The temperature control device, the pressure control device and the flow control device are used to control a gas-liquid mixture's temperature, pressure and flow rate, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor die assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology includes first and second semiconductor dies and a package substrate carrying the first and second semiconductor dies. The second semiconductor die includes a first peripheral portion extending laterally outward beyond a first edge surface of the first semiconductor die. Similarly, the package substrate includes a second peripheral portion extending laterally outward beyond a second edge surface of the second semiconductor die. The semiconductor die assembly further includes a first volume of molded underfill material between the first and second semiconductor dies, a second volume of molded underfill material between the package substrate and the second semiconductor die, a first molded peripheral structure laterally adjacent to the first edge surface of the first semiconductor die, and a second molded peripheral structure laterally adjacent to the second edge surface of the second semiconductor die.

Abstract: An image sensor for short-wavelength light includes a semiconductor membrane, circuit elements formed on a first surface of the semiconductor membrane, and a boron-coated, textured surface on a second surface of the semiconductor membrane. The textured surface comprises pseudo-random, periodic, and/or random distribution of upright pyramids, inverted pyramids, and/or nanocones. The textured surface reduces the reflection of incident light across wide bands in the DUV and VUV regimes, thus increasing the amount of light absorbed and improving the efficiency of the image sensor. Reflectance may be further reduced by applying an antireflective coating on the textured surface. The image sensor may be a two-dimensional area sensor, or a one-dimensional array sensor. and incorporated in an inspection system.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least one contact structure. The at least one contact structure comprises a contact, an insulating material overlying the contact, and at least one contact via in the insulating material. The at least one contact structure also comprises a dielectric liner material adjacent the insulating material within the contact via, a conductive material adjacent the dielectric liner material, and a stress compensation material adjacent the conductive material and in a central portion of the at least one contact via. The stress compensation material is at least partially surrounded by the conductive material. Memory devices, electronic systems, and methods of forming the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A monocular vision six-dimensional measurement method for high-dynamic large-range arbitrary contouring error of a CNC machine tool of the present invention belongs to the field of dynamic error detection of machine tools, and relates to a six-dimensional measurement method for high-dynamic large-range arbitrary contouring error of a CNC machine tool using a monocular vision measurement technology with short-time stroboscopic illumination and a priori standard plate. The method designs a measurement fixture and a measurement system, and uses a monocular vision pose algorithm to improve both the visual measurable dimension and range of interpolated contour in combination with priori knowledge. In light of the principle of error distribution, a small field of view is used to enhance the measurement accuracy of the coded primitives in the images.

Abstract: A triaxial rock mechanics test system for high-strain-rate cyclic dynamic loading is provided, including: a host loading module, a dynamic cyclic loading module, and a dynamic measurement module. The host loading module includes a loading frame, a triaxial pressure mechanism and an actuator that are provided inside the loading frame. The dynamic cyclic loading module includes a driving mechanism, a fixed mechanism and a mobile mechanism. The dynamic measurement module is configured to acquire axial pressure data, radial deformation data and axial deformation data of the rock sample during a test. In the triaxial rock mechanics test system for high-strain-rate cyclic dynamic loading of the present invention, an energetic rod is driven by an electrical explosion of a metal wire to generate a strong shock wave with controllable peak pressure, duration and waveform.

Abstract: The invention discloses a plate holder for simulating flowing of multiphase fluids in fractures, comprising a rectangular box, provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet at the left and right sides respectively, the fluid inlet is connected to a piston at the fluid inlet, the fluid outlet is connected to a piston at the fluid outlet, an internal flow channel of the piston is arranged as a flared guide groove, and the cavity between the pistons is a rock plate cavity; a pair of horizontally-overlapped rectangular rock plates are installed in the rock plate cavity, four sides parallel to the length direction of the rock plate are completely attached and covered with rubber, the outer side of the rubber is covered with steel plate, fastening screws are installed vertically on the four sides of the box that are directly opposite to the steel plate.