Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention is a method that comprises testing a first number of physical devices using a first test sequence that comprises an item. A second number of physical devices are tested using a second test sequence. It is noted that the second test sequence comprises the item of the first test and a second item.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention is a method for measuring a track width for a magnetic recording head comprising writing a first track and a second track on a disk at two different positions. Note that the first track is written at a frequency plus a frequency shift value while the second track is written at the frequency minus the frequency shift value.

Abstract: A magnetic reading head comprising: a bottom shield; a top shield; an AMR device with MR and SAL separated by a thin insulating layer; a first insulting gap layer between said bottom shield and said AMR; a second insulating gap layer between said AMR and said top shield; a conductive layer contact at one end region of said MR and SAL. Furthermore, magnetic reading heads with GMR device free of electric-pop noise also are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining head-disk contact (HDC) in a disk drive uses the signal from the magnetoresistive (MR) read head and does not require the presence of magnetic transitions on the disk. The method thus has application in head-disk testers or “spin stands” to facilitate the design and testing of slider-suspension assemblies and fly-height actuators, as well as in disk drives to take corrective action before HDC and/or to control fly-height actuators. The invention is also a magnetic recording disk drive that has a fly-height actuator and a low-pass filter and comparator circuit for the MR signal. When the output of the filter exceeds a threshold the comparator circuit output indicates the onset of HDC. The comparator circuit output is input to a digital processor or controller. When the controller determines the onset of HDC or that HDC has occurred, it generates a control signal that can be used to cause the disk drive to take corrective action.

Abstract: A dynamic electrical tester (DET) for testing head gimbal assemblies (HGA) is disclosed. The DET simulates disk drive operation while significantly reducing tester capital investment. Multiple HGAs are tested simultaneously using modular spin stands with shared electronics. This design increases utilization of electronics and minimizes the effect of spindle start/stop time. A parallel array of spin stands with shared electronics is used to reduce tester component and materials cost by multiplexing between the spin stands. The DET has the significant advantage of reducing wait time by making use of the electronics while they are idle during mechanical-related delays. In addition, the DET includes more channels per test head that can readily switch back and forth between the products being tested.

Abstract: A system and method for determining head-disk contact (HDC) in a disk drive uses the signal from the magnetoresistive (MR) read head and does not require the presence of magnetic transitions on the disk. The method thus has application in head-disk testers or “spin stands” to facilitate the design and testing of slider-suspension assemblies and fly-height actuators, as well as in disk drives to take corrective action before HDC and/or to control fly-height actuators. The invention is also a magnetic recording disk drive that has a fly-height actuator and a low-pass filter and comparator circuit for the MR signal. When the output of the filter exceeds a threshold the comparator circuit output indicates the onset of HDC. The comparator circuit output is input to a digital processor or controller. When the controller determines the onset of HDC or that HDC has occurred, it generates a control signal that can be used to cause the disk drive to take corrective action.

Abstract: A magnetic reading head comprising: a bottom shield; a top shield; an AMR device with MR and SAL separated by a thin insulating layer; a first insulting gap layer between said bottom shield and said AMR; a second insulating gap layer between said AMR and said top shield; a conductive layer contact at one end region of said MR and SAL. Furthermore, magnetic reading heads with GMR device free of electric-pop noise also are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic recording head comprising: a bottom shield; a top shield; and AMR device with MR and SAL separated by a thin insulating layer; a first insulting gap layer between said bottom shield and said AMR; a second insulating gap layer between said AMR and said top shield; a conductive layer contact at one end region of said MR and SAL. Furthermore, magnetic recording heads with GMR device free of electric-pop noise also are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel supply control system for fuel cells, controlling fuel concentration in a fuel unit. The fuel supply control system comprises a first thermal meter detecting a system temperature of the fuel cell, a fuel supply device comprising a fuel tank storing highly concentrated fuel and a fuel deliver device delivering fuel from the fuel tank to the reaction unit to adjust fuel concentration thereof, and a controller calculating a difference between a predetermined and an environmental temperature, generating a first velocity by adjusting the predetermined fuel supply velocity according to the temperature difference, and setting the delivery velocity of the fuel delivering device according to the first velocity.

Abstract: A magnetic write head assembly has a head surface and a track width at the head surface wherein the head surface forms a first vertical plane and wherein the head assembly includes first and second pole pieces, a write gap located between the first and second pole pieces, the second pole piece having first and second components wherein the first component is located between the write gap and the second component and each of the first and second components has a height into the head which extends from and which is oriented perpendicular to said head surface, the first component having a uniform thickness throughout its height into the head with the height into the head forming a zero throat (ZTH) which lies in a second vertical plane that is parallel to said first vertical plane, the height into the head of the second component being greater than the height into the head of the first component, and each of the first and second components having said track width at the head surface.

Abstract: A dynamic electrical tester (DET) for testing head gimbal assemblies (HGA) is disclosed. The DET simulates disk drive operation while significantly reducing tester capital investment. Multiple HGAs are tested simultaneously using modular spin stands with shared electronics. This design increases utilization of electronics and minimizes the effect of spindle start/stop time. A parallel array of spin stands with shared electronics is used to reduce tester component and materials cost by multiplexing between the spin stands. The DET has the significant advantage of reducing wait time by making use of the electronics while they are idle during mechanical-related delays. In addition, the DET includes more channels per test head that can readily switch back and forth between the products being tested.

Abstract: A magnetic head having an air bearing surface (ABS) and a first pole tip. A second pole tip is spaced apart from and facing the upper end of the first pole tip across a write gap. A bump extends into a portion of the upper end of the first pole tip and a portion of the bottom end of the second pole tip, the bump being positioned away from the ABS. The bump defines a throat height of the first and second pole tips.

Abstract: The invention provides a power management method for a hybrid power supply, comprising providing a primary power source, providing a rechargeable battery, providing a DC-DC converter, acquiring an amount of the power stored in the rechargeable battery, and when the energy level of the rechargeable battery does not exceed a first predetermined value, the DC-DC converter controls the primary power source to output a first value of a first electrical parameter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods for enhancing the downstream product yield without significantly affecting the yield of components from which downstream products are made or enhancing yield of the components without significantly affecting the downstream product yield and performance. In one embodiment, a method comprises obtaining a failure rate of the downstream manufacturing process as a function of each of a plurality of component performance parameters of the current manufacturing process of the component; optimizing weighted factors based on correlation between the current manufacturing process of the component and the downstream product, the weight factors each corresponding to one of the plurality of component performance parameters; and calculating figure of merits (FOM) with respect to the plurality of component performance parameters of the current manufacturing process of the component, the FOM including the weighted factors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods for enhancing the downstream product yield without significantly affecting the yield of components from which downstream products are made or enhancing yield of the components without significantly affecting the downstream product yield and performance. In one embodiment, a method comprises obtaining a failure rate of the downstream manufacturing process as a function of each of a plurality of component performance parameters of the current manufacturing process of the component; optimizing weighted factors based on correlation between the current manufacturing process of the component and the downstream product, the weight factors each corresponding to one of the plurality of component performance parameters; and calculating figure of merits (FOM) with respect to the plurality of component performance parameters of the current manufacturing process of the component, the FOM including the weighted factors.

Abstract: A magnetic head having read and write elements is provided according to one embodiment. The head includes a substrate. An undercoating is coupled to the substrate. The undercoating has a preferred thickness of between about 1.5 and 0.5 microns or less in a direction perpendicular to the planar surface of the substrate engaging the undercoating. Preferably, the undercoating is reduced to a desired thickness during fabrication using chemical mechanical polishing. The undercoating is constructed of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than that of amorphous Al2O3. An electric contact pad is operatively coupled to a layer positioned between the pad and the undercoating. Electric contact pads of read and write elements are preferably separated from the undercoating by insulation planarization layers. A write element is coupled to the undercoating. The write element has an electrically conductive coil.

Abstract: An immuno-chromatographic detection device for detecting an analyte in sample, such as estrogen in a urine or saliva sample, the device comprising (a) a binding membrane having immobilized thereon (i) an test antibody against said analyte in at least one detection region, and (ii) a control antibody against a control antigen known to be present in the sample in a control region, (b) a sample membrane located at a first end of the binding membrane for receiving the sample, wherein the sample membrane is in chromatographic connection with the binding membrane, and (c) a label membrane containing (iii) a labeled antigen that is capable of binding to the test antibody and upon binding with the test antibody exhibits an observable change at the at least one detection region, and (iv) a labeled control antigen that is capable of binding to the control antibody and upon binding with the control antibody exhibits an observable change at the control region, wherein the sample membrane is separated from the label membr

Abstract: A magnetic head which includes a pole piece with a double pedestal structure has improved overwrite capabilities and reduced fringing fields. The magnetic head has first and second pole pieces and a gap layer which separates the first and the second pole pieces. The first pole piece includes a first pole piece layer, a bottom pedestal portion formed over the first pole piece layer at an air bearing surface (ABS), and a top pedestal portion formed over the bottom pedestal portion. The top pedestal portion has a thickness that is no more than half of that of the bottom pedestal portion and a length that is no more than half of that of the bottom pedestal portion. Advantageously, a throat height of the magnetic head is reduced from use of the top pedestal portion whereas the mechanical reliability of the first pole piece is increased from use of the bottom pedestal portion.

Abstract: A portable or wearable device and related methods of use that provide an altered microenvironment surrounding the respiratory path, specifically a person's mouth or nose, wherein the air in the microenvironment is either filtered to remove pollutants or pathogens, or wherein the air is altered by therapeutic or pharmaceutical or other agents, which disinfect the air or otherwise provide a desirable characteristic. In an alternative embodiment, a therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent is delivered to the air path to the individual wearing the device of the present invention.

Abstract: A power supply device comprises a secondary cell group and a fuel cell group. The secondary cell group has an operative voltage range and may receive a voltage converted from a voltage converter that coupled to the fuel cell group. The fuel cell group is characterized with a maximum output power and a corresponding voltage. The corresponding voltage is not higher than the upper limit of the operative voltage range.