Abstract: Embodiments of semiconductor devices and methods for forming the semiconductor devices are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming device openings includes forming a material layer over a first region and a second region of a substrate, the first region being adjacent to the second region, forming a mask layer over the material layer, the mask layer covering the first region and the second region, and forming a patterning layer over the mask layer. The patterning layer covers the first region and the second region and including openings corresponding to the first region. The plurality of openings includes a first opening adjacent to a boundary between the first region and the second region and a second opening further away from the boundary. Along a plane parallel to a top surface of the substrate, a size of the first opening is greater than a size of the second opening.

Abstract: Surrogates for roadside objects, such as concrete curbs, can be used for vehicle testing. A surrogate for a concrete curb can substantially be similar in size and/or shape as the concrete curb that the surrogate is mimicking. The surrogate can be configured to exhibit substantially the same characteristics as their actual counterpart concrete curb when sensed by one or more vehicle sensors (e.g., cameras, radar sensors, and/or LIDAR sensors). Such surrogates can be used to test automated vehicles, one or more vehicle sensors, a vehicle sensor system, and/or one or more vehicle system (e.g., a road departure mitigation system). The surrogates can be configured to withstand being impacted by a test vehicle without being damaged and without damaging the test vehicle.

Abstract: A caravanning vehicle system includes a lead vehicle having an engine and at least one trailing vehicle having an electric motor. The at least one trailing vehicle is non-mechanically connected to the lead vehicle. The lead vehicle includes a power transfer system that is configured to transfer electric power, wirelessly, to the at least one trailing vehicle.

Abstract: Surrogates for roadside objects, such as concrete curbs, can be used for vehicle testing. A surrogate for a concrete curb can substantially be similar in size and/or shape as the concrete curb that the surrogate is mimicking. The surrogate can be configured to exhibit substantially the same characteristics as their actual counterpart concrete curb when sensed by one or more vehicle sensors (e.g., cameras, radar sensors, and/or LIDAR sensors). Such surrogates can be used to test automated vehicles, one or more vehicle sensors, a vehicle sensor system, and/or one or more vehicle system (e.g., a road departure mitigation system). The surrogates can be configured to withstand being impacted by a test vehicle without being damaged and without damaging the test vehicle.

Abstract: Surrogates for roadside objects can be used for vehicle testing. A grass surrogate can be configured to exhibit substantially the same characteristics as natural grass when sensed by one or more vehicle sensors (e.g., cameras, radar sensors, and/or LIDAR sensors). Such surrogates can be used to test autonomous vehicles, one or more vehicle sensors, a vehicle sensor system, and/or one or more vehicle systems (e.g., a road departure mitigation system). The grass surrogate can help a vehicle to identify road boundaries, particularly in portions of a road that do not include lane markings. The grass surrogate can be configured to withstand being driven over by a test vehicle without being damaged and/or without damaging the test vehicle. In some arrangements, the grass surrogate can include artificial grass that is coated with a mixture of high gloss acrylic paint and high reflectance pigments.

Abstract: Surrogates for roadside objects, such as metal guardrails, can be used for vehicle testing. A surrogate for a metal guardrail can have substantially the same size and/or shape as the metal guardrail that the surrogate is mimicking. The surrogate can be configured to exhibit substantially the same characteristics as their actual counterpart metal guardrail when sensed by one or more vehicle sensors (e.g., cameras, radar sensors, and/or LIDAR sensors). Such surrogates can be used to test autonomous vehicles, one or more vehicle sensors, a vehicle sensor system, and/or one or more vehicle system (e.g., a road departure mitigation system). The surrogates can be configured to withstand being crashed into by a test vehicle without being damaged and without damaging the test vehicle.

Abstract: Surrogates for roadside objects, such as concrete dividers, can be used for vehicle testing. A surrogate for a concrete divider can have substantially the same size and/or shape as the concrete divider that the surrogate is mimicking. The surrogate can be configured to exhibit substantially the same characteristics as their actual counterpart concrete divider when sensed by one or more vehicle sensors (e.g., cameras, radar sensors, and/or LIDAR sensors). Such surrogates can be used to test autonomous vehicles, one or more vehicle sensors, a vehicle sensor system, and/or one or more vehicle system (e.g., a road departure mitigation system). The surrogates can be configured to withstand being crashed into by a test vehicle without being damaged and without damaging the test vehicle.

Abstract: Surrogates for roadside objects, such as metal guardrails, can be used for vehicle testing. A surrogate for a metal guardrail can have substantially the same size and/or shape as the metal guardrail that the surrogate is mimicking. The surrogate can be configured to exhibit substantially the same characteristics as their actual counterpart metal guardrail when sensed by one or more vehicle sensors (e.g., cameras, radar sensors, and/or LIDAR sensors). Such surrogates can be used to test autonomous vehicles, one or more vehicle sensors, a vehicle sensor system, and/or one or more vehicle system (e.g., a road departure mitigation system). The surrogates can be configured to withstand being crashed into by a test vehicle without being damaged and without damaging the test vehicle.

Abstract: Surrogates for roadside objects, such as concrete dividers, can be used for vehicle testing. A surrogate for a concrete divider can have substantially the same size and/or shape as the concrete divider that the surrogate is mimicking. The surrogate can be configured to exhibit substantially the same characteristics as their actual counterpart concrete divider when sensed by one or more vehicle sensors (e.g., cameras, radar sensors, and/or LIDAR sensors). Such surrogates can be used to test autonomous vehicles, one or more vehicle sensors, a vehicle sensor system, and/or one or more vehicle system (e.g., a road departure mitigation system). The surrogates can be configured to withstand being crashed into by a test vehicle without being damaged and without damaging the test vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for detecting internal cell faults using online and real-time sensing techniques, and providing an accurate and reliable early warning for the incoming failure of battery cells hours or days prior to failure. A system is configured to perform real-time and direct measurement of battery cell parameters of temperature, voltage, and AC impedance through online sensing. These parameters may be simultaneously processed using advanced probabilistic and/or fuzzy logic-based algorithms to provide an early warning for the incoming failure of battery cells in a battery pack. This technology may safeguard the LIB battery packs while allowing them to operate at or near 100% capacity in both transportation and stationary applications.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for detecting internal cell faults using online and real-time sensing techniques, and providing an accurate and reliable early warning for the incoming failure of battery cells hours or days prior to failure. A system is configured to perform real-time and direct measurement of battery cell parameters of temperature, voltage, and AC impedance through online sensing. These parameters may be simultaneously processed using advanced probabilistic and/or fuzzy logic-based algorithms to provide an early warning for the incoming failure of battery cells in a battery pack. This technology may safeguard the LIB battery packs while allowing them to operate at or near 100% capacity in both transportation and stationary applications.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for detecting internal cell faults using online and real-time sensing techniques, and providing an accurate and reliable early warning for the incoming failure of battery cells hours or days prior to failure. A system is configured to perform real-time and direct measurement of battery cell parameters of temperature, voltage, and AC impedance through online sensing. These parameters may be simultaneously processed using advanced probabilistic and/or fuzzy logic-based algorithms to provide an early warning for the incoming failure of battery cells in a battery pack. This technology may safeguard the LIB battery packs while allowing them to operate at or near 100% capacity in both transportation and stationary applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and controlling distributed generation resources are disclosed. Monolithic or distributed controllers control the power requests sent to each distributed generation resource to achieve optimal efficiency using rule-based and/or fuzzy logic-based control techniques. High-impedance fault (HIF) detection circuitry allows power export to the utility grid in normal operating circumstances, and when an islanding condition is detected, ceases that export within two seconds and prevents further export until the condition is cleared.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and controlling distributed generation resources are disclosed. Monolithic or distributed controllers control the power requests sent to each distributed generation resource to achieve optimal efficiency using rule-based and/or fuzzy logic-based control techniques. High-impedance fault (HIF) detection circuitry allows power export to the utility grid in normal operating circumstances, and when an islanding condition is detected, ceases that export within two seconds and prevents further export until the condition is cleared.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and controlling distributed generation resources are disclosed. Monolithic or distributed controllers control the power requests sent to each distributed generation resource to achieve optimal efficiency using rule-based and/or fuzzy logic-based control techniques. High-impedance fault (HIF) detection circuitry allows power export to the utility grid in normal operating circumstances, and when an islanding condition is detected, ceases that export within two seconds and prevents further export until the condition is cleared.

Abstract: A neural network characterized by a minimal architecture suitable for implementation in conventional microprocessor battery pack monitoring hardware includes linear and non-linear processing elements and battery parameter measurements representative of real time and temporal quantities whereby state of charge estimations actually converge with 100% and 0% states-of-charge.

Abstract: A computer-based remote visual monitoring system is provided for in-home patient health care from a remote location via ordinary telephone lines. The system includes a supervisory control center having access to patient and health care professional databases for assigning patients to appropriate health care professionals and for performing task planning. A number of master monitoring computers are linked to the control center and are accessible by a corresponding number of health care professionals. A slave monitoring computer is located within the homes of a plurality of patients and may be linked via telephone modems to any of the master monitoring computers. Audio/visual equipment at both locations permits real-time two-way communications during an "in-home" visit to a patient by a health care professional from a remote location.