Author: claimsbot

1. A polishing apparatus, comprising:
a conductive polishing pad;
an electrode; and
a spacer disposed between the electrode and the conductive polishing pad, the spacer having a first surface facing the electrode extending from a center of the spacer to an edge of the spacer, wherein a portion of the first surface proximate the edge is closer to the conductive pad than a portion of the first surface proximate the center of the spacer.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the spacer comprises at least a portion of a cone, an ellipsoid, a sphere or a planar surface.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the spacer is orientated at an acute angle relative to a centerline of the conductive polishing pad.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spacer is permeable to electrolyte.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spacer is comprise a plurality of apertures formed therethrough.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spacer is formed of a dielectric material.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spacer is formed of a polymer.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spacer is formed of a ceramic.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the spacer includes a plurality of ribs extending therefrom.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one permeable membrane disposed adjacent the first surface.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the membrane is adhered to the first surface.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tray supporting the electrode, the tray having a port adapted to flow electrolyte to the conductive polishing pad.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the tray further comprises:
a basin having sides and a bottom adapted to retain the electrode; and
a plenum cap disposed on the bottom of the basin and defining a plenum therebetween that is in fluid communication with the port.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plenum cap further comprises:
a cap plate having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, the apertures in fluid communication with the plenum.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plenum cap further comprises:
a cap plate having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, the apertures in fluid communication with the plenum and orientated at an acute angle relative to a center axis of the plenum cap.
16. A polishing apparatus, comprising:
a conductive polishing pad having a substantially planar polishing surface;
an electrode; and
a permeable membrane disposed between the electrode and the conductive polishing pad, the membrane having a non-parallel orientation relative the polishing surface of the conductive pad.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the membrane has a form comprising at least a portion of a cone, an ellipsoid, a sphere or a planar surface.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the membrane is orientated at an acute angle relative to a centerline of the conductive polishing pad.
19. A polishing apparatus, comprising:
a conductive polishing pad having a substantially planar polishing surface;
an electrode;
a spacer disposed between the electrode and the conductive polishing pad, the spacer having a first surface facing and substantially parallel to the polishing surface, and a second surface facing the electrode; and
a permeable membrane disposed adjacent the second side of the spacer, the membrane having a first portion disposed closer to the conductive pad than a second portion.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:
a spacer disposed between the membrane and the conductive polishing pad, the spacer having a first surface facing and substantially parallel to the polishing surface, and a second surface following a contour of the membrane.
21. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:
a basin having sides and a bottom adapted to retain the electrode;
a port formed through the bottom; and
a plenum cap disposed on the bottom of the basin and having a plurality of apertures therethrough, the basin and plenum cap defining a plenum therebetween, the port and apertures in fluid communication with the plenum.
22. A polishing apparatus, comprising:
a conductive polishing pad having a polishing surface substantially perpendicular having a central axis;
an electrode disposed adjacent the tray bottom; and
a permeable membrane disposed between the electrode and conductive polishing pad in an orientation non-perpendicular to the central axis.
23. Apparatus for polishing a substrate, comprising:
a basin having sides and a bottom adapted to contain electrolyte during a polishing process;
a plenum cap disposed on the bottom of the basin and plenum cap defining a plenum therebetween;
a plurality of apertures formed through the plenum cap and coupled to the plenum; and
a port formed through the bottom of the basin and coupled to the plenum.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the bottom comprises:
a first recess formed therein that accepts at least a portion of the plenum cap; and
a second recess formed in the bottom inwards of the first recess, the second recess forming the plenum.
25. Apparatus for polishing a substrate, comprising
a basin having sides and a bottom adapted to contain electrolyte during a polishing process;
a plenum cap coupled to the bottom of the basin and having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, the basin and plenum cap defining a plenum therebetween;
a port formed through the bottom of the basin and coupled to the plenum;
a plurality of apertures formed through the plenum cap and coupled to the plenum;
an electrode disposed adjacent the plenum cap;
a membrane disposed adjacent the electrode, the membrane having a center section disposed closer to the bottom of the basin than an edge of a membrane; and
a conductive polishing pad disposed adjacent the membrane.
26. A polishing apparatus, comprising
a tray;
a conductive polishing pad disposed in the tray;
an electrode disposed between the conductive polishing pad and a bottom of the tray;
a membrane disposed between the conductive polishing pad and the electrode, the membrane having an outer edge and a center portion, wherein the outer edge is disposed closer to the conductive pad than the center portion; and
at least one polishing head adapted to place a substrate retained in the polishing head in contact with the conductive polishing pad.
27. A polishing apparatus, comprising:
a) a chemical mechanical polishing station comprising:
at least one platen;
a polishing material disposed on the platen;
a polishing fluid delivery system adapted to provide a polishing fluid to the polishing material;

b) an electrochemical polishing station comprising:
at least one tray disposed adjacent the platen;
a conductive polishing pad retained by the tray;
an electrode disposed between the conductive polishing pad and the tray;
a membrane disposed between the conductive polishing pad and the electrode, the membrane having an outer edge and a center portion, wherein the outer edge is disposed closer to the conductive pad than the center portion; and

c) a transfer device comprising:
at least one polishing head adapted to selectively place a substrate retained in the polishing head in contact with the conductive polishing pad or the polishing material.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising an electrolyte delivery system coupled to the tray, the electrolyte delivery system comprising a tank having a plurality of baffles disposed therein and at least one pump adapted to flow electrolyte between the tank and the tray.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the tank further comprises an aperture adapted to allow removal andor escape of gas from said tank.
30. A method for electrochemical polishing a substrate, the method comprising:
placing the substrate parallel to a surface of a conductive pad;
moving the substrate relative to the conductive polishing pad;
flowing electrolyte between an electrode and the substrate, the electrolyte providing a conductive path between the electrode and the substrate through the conductive polishing pad and through a membrane disposed between the electrode and the conductive pad, the membrane having an edge and a center portion, the edge disposed closer to the conductive pad than the center portion.
31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:
flowing the electrolyte to the electrode through a plurality of apertures formed in a tray supporting the electrode.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the apertures are coupled to a common plenum formed in the tray.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein gas entrained in the electrolyte is moved radially outward along the surface of the spacer of the membrane.
34. The method of claim 30 further comprising:
removing gas from the electrolyte prior to contacting the electrode.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of removing gas further comprises flowing the electrolyte through a series of baffles disposed in a tank.
36. The method of claim 34, further comprising venting gas the tank.
37. The method of claim 34, further comprising reducing pressure of an atmosphere above the electrolyte in the tank.
38. The method of claim 34 further comprising filtering the electrolyte prior to flowing electrolyte to the electrode.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1.-10. (canceled)
11. A method of charging an electrochemical cell comprising a host material, the method comprising the steps of:
characterizing the state of health of the electrochemical cell;
selecting a charging voltage andor current according to the characterized state of health of the electrochemical cell; and
providing the selected voltage andor current to electrodes of the electrochemical cell to charge the electrochemical cell.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the state of health of the electrochemical cell is a function of the number of chargedischarge cycles the electrochemical cell has experienced.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the voltage andor current provided to the electrochemical cell is preselected according to the number of chargedischarges cycles the electrochemical cell has experienced.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of characterizing the state of health of the electrochemical cell comprises the steps of:
determining \u0394G, \u0394S andor \u0394H of the electrochemical cell for a plurality of selected electrochemical cell compositions;
determining states of charge of the electrochemical cell for each of the plurality of selected electrochemical cell compositions;
identifying the states of charge and \u0394G, \u0394S andor \u0394H corresponding to an event or condition of the electrochemical cell; and
comparing the \u0394G, \u0394S andor \u0394H corresponding to the event or condition of the electrochemical cell to reference \u0394G, \u0394S andor \u0394H corresponding to the event or condition of a reference electrochemical cell.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein when the characterized state of health corresponds to a first state of health of the electrochemical cell, a first charging voltage is selected and wherein when the characterized state of health corresponds to a second state of health of the electrochemical cell, a second charging voltage less than the first charging voltage is selected.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein when the characterized state of health corresponds to a chargedischarge cycle number of 20 to 2000, the charging voltage is selected over the range of 1.5-5.5 volts.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein when the characterized state of health corresponds to a chargedischarge cycle number of 200 to 1000, the charging voltage is selected over the range of 2.5-5.3 volts.
18. A system for charging an electrochemical cell comprising a host material, the system comprising:
means for delivering a voltage andor current to electrodes of the electrochemical cell;
means for characterizing a state of health of the electrochemical cell; and
a control circuit for:
receiving the characterized state of health; and
controlling the means for delivering a voltage andor current.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for delivering a voltage andor current comprises a voltage andor current source.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for delivering a voltage andor current comprises a voltage andor current controller.
21. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for characterizing the state of health of the electrochemical cell comprises a system configured for performing the method of claim 1.
22. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for characterizing the state of health of the electrochemical cell comprises a system configured for performing a method comprising the steps of:
determining changes in entropy, enthalpy or free energy of the electrochemical cell for a plurality of selected electrochemical cell compositions;
determining states of charge of the electrochemical cell for each of the plurality of selected electrochemical cell compositions;
identifying the states of charge and changes in entropy, enthalpy or free energy corresponding to an event or condition of the electrochemical cell; and
comparing the changes in entropy, enthalpy or free energy corresponding to the event or condition of the electrochemical cell to reference changes in entropy, enthalpy or free energy corresponding to the event or condition of a reference electrochemical cell.
23. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for characterizing the state of health of the electrochemical cell comprises:
a means for measuring open circuit voltages of the electrochemical cell as a function of time;
a composition controller electrically connected to the electrochemical cell for establishing selected electrochemical cell compositions corresponding to different stoichiometries of a species incorporated with a host material of the electrochemical cell, the composition controller configured for establishing a plurality of the selected compositions;
a temperature controller in thermal contact with the electrochemical cell for establishing a plurality of selected electrochemical cell temperatures for each of the selected compositions, thereby establishing a plurality of selected electrochemical cell temperature and composition combinations; and
an open circuit voltage analyzer for receiving open circuit voltage measurements as a function of time from the means for measuring open circuit voltages and for identifying open circuit voltages for thermochemically stabilized conditions of the electrochemical cell for the selected electrochemical cell temperature and compositions combinations.
24. The system of claim 18, wherein the control circuit selectively provides voltage andor current to electrodes of the electrochemical cell from the means for delivering a voltage andor current.
25. The system of claim 18, wherein the voltage andor current delivered to the electrodes of the electrochemical cell from the means for delivering a voltage andor current is determined by the control circuit based upon the characterized state of health of the electrochemical cell.
26. The system of claim 18, wherein the electrochemical cell is a battery in a mobile electronic device.
27. The system of claim 18, wherein the system comprises a component of a mobile electronic device.
28. The system of claim 18, configured for performing a method comprising the steps of:
characterizing the state of health of the electrochemical cell;
selecting a charging voltage andor current according to the characterized state of health of the electrochemical cell; and
providing the selected voltage andor current to electrodes of the electrochemical cell to charge the electrochemical cell.
29. A method of charging an electrochemical cell in a mobile electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:
monitoring a voltage profile of the electrochemical cell over at least one discharge cycle;
determining a charging voltage andor current based upon the monitored discharge voltage profile; and
providing the charging voltage andor current to electrodes of the electrochemical cell, thereby charging the electrochemical cell.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the monitoring step comprises measuring a plurality of open circuit voltages of the electrochemical cell.
31. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of monitoring a voltage profile of the electrochemical cell over at least one charge cycle.
32. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of monitoring a temperature of the electrochemical cell over at least one discharge cycle.
33. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of monitoring a temperature of the electrochemical cell over at least one charge cycle.

1. A programmable integrated circuit device, comprising:
first and second megacells of a first plurality of megacells, each of the first and second megacells having a plurality of inputoutput ports;
a first line of a first plurality of lines, wherein:
the first plurality of lines comprises a bus associated with the first plurality of megacells,
the first line is programmably coupleable to a first inputoutput port of the first megacell, and
the first line is programmably coupleable to a second inputoutput port of the second megacell; and

a first programmable combinatorial logic element programmably coupleable to the first line.
2. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1, further comprising:
third and fourth megacells of a second plurality of megacells, each of the third and fourth megacells having a plurality of inputoutput ports;
a second line of a second plurality of lines, wherein:
the second plurality of lines comprises a bus associated with the second plurality of megacells,
the second line is programmably coupleable to a third inputoutput port of the third megacell, and
the second line is programmably coupleable to a fourth inputoutput port of the fourth megacell; and

a second programmable combinatorial logic element programmably coupleable to the second line.
3. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 2, wherein the first line is programmably coupleable to the second line.
4. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 3, wherein:
the first plurality of lines is a core bus; and
the second plurality of lines is a core bus.
5. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 3, wherein:
the first plurality of lines is a core bus; and
the second plurality of lines is a peripheral bus.
6. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1, further comprising:
a third inputoutput port of the first megacell;
a fourth inputoutput port of the second megacell;
a second programmable combinatorial logic element; and
a second line of the first plurality of lines, wherein:
the third inputoutput port is programmably coupleable to the second line,
the fourth inputoutput port is programmably coupleable to the second line, and
the second programmable combinatorial logic element is programmably coupleable to the second line.
7. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 6, wherein:
the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus;
the first and second inputoutput ports are outputs; and
the third and fourth inputoutput ports are inputs.
8. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 6, wherein:
the first plurality of lines is a core bus;
the first and second inputoutput ports are outputs; and
the third and fourth inputoutput ports are inputs.
9. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 6, wherein the first line and second lines are bidirectional.
10. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus.
11. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of lines is a core bus.
12. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the first inputoutput port is an output.
13. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the first inputoutput port is an input.
14. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1, further comprising:
a second line of a second plurality of lines, wherein the first line of the first plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to the second line of the second plurality of lines; and
a first inputoutput pad coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines.
15. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 14, wherein the first inputoutput pad is coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines through a programmable connection.
16. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 14, wherein the first line of the first plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to the second line of the second plurality of lines through a three-statable connection.
17. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 14, wherein the first inputoutput pad is coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines through a direct hardwired connection.
18. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 14, wherein:
the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus; and
the second plurality of lines comprises I-matrix lines.
19. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 14, wherein the first and second lines are bidirectional.
20. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the first line is bidirectional.
21. A programmable integrated circuit device, comprising:
a first plurality of lines comprising a bus associated with a first plurality of megacells;
a first megacell of the plurality of megacells having a first plurality of inputoutput ports, wherein:
each inputoutput port of the first plurality of inputoutput ports is programmably coupleable to at least one line of the first plurality of lines, and
each line of the first plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to at least one of the inputoutput ports of the first plurality of inputoutput ports; and

a programmable combinatorial logic element programmably coupleable to a first line of the first plurality of lines.
22. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 21, wherein the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus.
23. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 21, wherein the first plurality of lines is a core bus.
24. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 21, further comprising:
a second line of a second plurality of lines programmably coupleable to the programmable combinatorial logic element;
an inputoutput pad coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines.
25. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 24, wherein the inputoutput pad is coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines through a direct hardwired connection.
26. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 24, wherein the first inputoutput pad is coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines through a programmable connection.
27. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 26, wherein:
the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus; and
the second plurality of lines comprises I-matrix lines.
28. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 24, wherein:
the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus; and
the second plurality of lines comprises I-matrix lines.
29. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 24, further comprising a second megacell of the plurality of megacells having a second plurality of inputoutput ports, wherein:
each inputoutput port of the first plurality of inputoutput ports is programmably coupleable to at least one line of the first plurality of lines, and
each line of the first plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to at least one of the inputoutput ports.
30. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 29, wherein the first plurality of lines is a core bus.
31. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 21, further comprising a second megacell of the plurality of megacells having a second plurality of inputoutput ports, wherein:
each inputoutput port of the first plurality of inputoutput ports is programmably coupleable to at least one line of the first plurality of lines, and
each line of the first plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to at least one of the inputoutput ports.
32. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 31, wherein the first plurality of lines is a core bus.
33. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 24, further comprising:
a third plurality of lines comprising a bus associated with the first plurality of megacells; and
a second plurality of inputoutput ports of the first megacell, wherein:
each inputoutput port of the second plurality of inputoutput ports is programmably coupleable to at least one line of the third plurality of lines, and
each line of the third plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to at least one of the inputoutput ports of the second plurality of input ports.
34. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 21, further comprising:
a second plurality of lines comprising a bus associated with the first plurality of megacells; and
a second plurality of inputoutput ports of the first megacell, wherein:
each inputoutput port of the second plurality of inputoutput ports is programmably coupleable to at least one line of the second plurality of lines, and
each line of the second plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to at least one of the inputoutput ports of the second plurality of input ports.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A track for traction of an off-road vehicle, the track being mountable around a track-engaging assembly of the off-road vehicle, the track-engaging assembly comprising a drive wheel for driving the track, the track being elastomeric to be flexible around the track-engaging assembly, the track comprising:
an inner surface for facing the track-engaging assembly;
a ground-engaging outer surface for engaging the ground;
a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface; and
a plurality of stiffening rods extending transversally to a longitudinal direction of the track, each stiffening rod of the plurality of stiffening rods having a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stiffening rod, the cross-section of the stiffening rod being elongate.
2. The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the stiffening rod has an aspect ratio of at least 4.
3. The track claimed in claim 2, wherein the aspect ratio of the cross-section of the stiffening rod is at least 6.
4. The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the stiffening rod is substantially flat.
5. The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the stiffening rod is oblong.
6. The track claimed in claim 5, wherein the cross-section of the stiffening rod is oblong rectangular.
7. The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the stiffening rod is plate-like.
8. The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the stiffening rod is constant along at least a majority of a length of the stiffening rod.
9. The track claimed in claim 8, wherein the cross-section of the stiffening rod is constant along an entirety of the length of the stiffening rod.
10. The track claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of reinforcing cables extending generally in the longitudinal direction of the track.
11. The track claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of stiffening cables extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track.
12. The track claimed in claim 10, wherein the reinforcing cables are located between the stiffening rods and the inner surface in a thickness direction of the track.
13. The track claimed in claim 10, wherein the reinforcing cables are located between the stiffening rods and the ground-engaging outer surface in a thickness direction of the track.
14. The track claimed in claim 11, wherein the stiffening cables are located between the stiffening rods and the ground-engaging outer surface in a thickness direction of the track.
15. The track claimed in claim 11, wherein the stiffening cables are located between the stiffening rods and the inner surface in a thickness direction of the track.
16. The track claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of driveguide projections projecting from the inner surface.
17. The track claimed in claim 16, wherein the driveguide projections are configured for engaging the drive wheel to drive the track.
18. An off-road vehicle comprising the track claimed in claim 1.
19. The off-road vehicle claimed in claim 18, wherein the off-road vehicle is a snowmobile.
20. A track for traction of an off-road vehicle, the track being mountable around a track-engaging assembly of the off-road vehicle, the track-engaging assembly comprising a drive wheel for driving the track, the track being elastomeric to be flexible around the track-engaging assembly, the track comprising:
an inner surface for facing the track-engaging assembly;
a ground-engaging outer surface for engaging the ground;
a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface; and
a plurality of stiffening rods extending transversally to a longitudinal direction of the track, each stiffening rod of the plurality of stiffening rods having a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stiffening rod, the cross-section of the stiffening rod having an aspect ratio of at least 4.
21. A track for traction of an off-road vehicle, the track being mountable around a track-engaging assembly of the off-road vehicle, the track-engaging assembly comprising a drive wheel for driving the track, the track being elastomeric to be flexible around the track-engaging assembly, the track comprising:
an inner surface for facing the track-engaging assembly;
a ground-engaging outer surface for engaging the ground;
a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface; and
a plurality of stiffening rods extending transversally to a longitudinal direction of the track, each stiffening rod of the plurality of stiffening rods having a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stiffening rod, a ratio of (i) a thickness of the cross-section of the stiffening rod in a thickness direction of the track over (ii) a thickness of a carcass of the track from the inner surface to the ground-engaging outer surface in the thickness direction of the track is less than 0.7.
22. A track for traction of an off-road vehicle, the track being mountable around a track-engaging assembly of the off-road vehicle, the track-engaging assembly comprising a drive wheel for driving the track, the track being elastomeric to be flexible around the track-engaging assembly, the track comprising:
an inner surface for facing the track-engaging assembly;
a ground-engaging outer surface for engaging the ground;
a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface; and
a plurality of stiffening rods extending transversally to a longitudinal direction of the track, each stiffening rod of the plurality of stiffening rods having a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stiffening rod, a thickness of the cross-section of the stiffening rod in a thickness direction of the track being less than 3.5 mm.