A method is presented for facilitating oxygen vacancy generation in a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device. The method includes forming a RRAM stack having a first electrode and at least one sacrificial layer, encapsulating the RRAM stack with a dielectric layer, constructing a via resulting in removal of the at least one sacrificial layer of the RRAM stack, the via extending to a high-k dielectric layer of the RRAM stack, and forming a second electrode in the via such that the second electrode extends laterally into cavities defined by the removal of the at least one sacrificial layer.

A method for extended driving mode of a hybrid vehicle mounted with a cylinder of an engine deactivation (CDA) device may include controlling to switch cylinders of an engine into an idle state through a variable valve control mechanism in an engine stop mode.

A method for ascertaining a torque accuracy of a torque transmitted from a belt-driven starter-generator of an internal combustion engine to the internal combustion engine, which is similar to a learning process or a calibration of the actual torque of the starter-generator with respect to a setpoint torque, includes controlling the belt-driven starter-generator to transmit a specified test torque to the internal combustion engine during a predefined test time interval during coasting down of the internal combustion engine, determining a speed variable that is dependent on a speed of the internal combustion during the test time interval, comparing the speed variable to a reference variable, and deducing the torque accuracy from this comparison.

While a vehicle is coasting with an engine being automatically stopped and a power transmission path between the engine and wheels being disengaged, when a deceleration request is made and the engine is restarted with the power transmission path being engaged, a deceleration level increases relative to the deceleration level required by a driver or the vehicle, thereby lowering drivability. A vehicle control apparatus includes a deceleration level control unit that controls the deceleration level of the vehicle such that, during travelling of the vehicle continuing to travel with a power transmission mechanism between the engine and the wheels being disengaged, when the deceleration request is made and the engine is started by an engagement of the power transmission mechanism, the deceleration level becomes a target deceleration level calculated from a first target deceleration level generated after the engagement of the power transmission mechanism is complete and a second target deceleration level generated in response to the deceleration request.

An engine control apparatus determines that a piston is at a compression top dead center immediately before engine speed of an engine becomes zero if of the engine speed at the compression top dead center of the engine in a rotation drop period while the engine speed drops to zero after combustion of the engine is stopped. In the case where it is determined that the piston is at the compression top dead center immediately before the engine speed of the engine becomes zero, the engine control apparatus applies counter torque by the rotating electrical machine from the compression top dead center to stop the piston at a rotation angle position in a first half period of expansion process by application of the counter torque.

A method is for the safe starting of a combustion engine in a handheld, portable work apparatus. When starting, start rpm limiting is activated when the rotational speed of the combustion engine exceeds an activation rotational speed that lies above the coupling rotational speed of a centrifugal coupling. After activating the start rpm limiting for at least one working cycle, an intervention in the ignition is carried out such that the rotational speed of the combustion engine decreases. After the rotational speed has decreased below a lower engagement rotational speed, an intervention in the ignition is carried out such that the rotational speed increases. If the rotational speed exceeds an upper engagement rotational speed, an intervention in the ignition is again carried out such that the rotational speed decreases. The upper engagement rotational speed and/or the lower engagement rotational speed is/are changed with an increasing number of consecutive working cycles.

Systems and methods for operating an engine that may be frequently stopped and restarted are described. In one example, an engine is rotated in small crankshaft angle increments and stopped after the engine is rotated through a predetermined actual total number of crankshaft degrees so that the engine position does not change when the engine reaches a desired position.

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.

Methods and systems are provided for aging a new plastic fuel tank in a vehicle. In one example, during a plug-in event to recharge a battery of the vehicle, the fuel tank is isolated and the fuel pump is actuated to agitate fuel within the tank and increase fuel vapors until the plastic fuel tank becomes aged to a predetermined degree by fuel vapors generated therein. In this manner, the fuel tank is aged more rapidly, resulting in more accurate fuel level readings and less noise and vibration.

A start-stop device initiates an automatic switch-off process of a driving machine in a motor vehicle. The start-stop device is designed to automatically switch off the driving machine when predefined switch-off conditions are met. The start-stop device has a stop coordinator which identifies a switch-off behavior suitable for the switch-off process on the basis of available information and ensures that the identified switch-off behavior is implemented when an automatic switch-off process is initiated.