Patents by Inventor Charles J. Neef

Charles J. Neef has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10280369
    Abstract: Thermal barrier mixtures and method of making the thermal barrier mixtures are described herein. The thermal barrier mixtures may be used to make thermal barrier coatings. Thermal barrier mixture may include halloysite and one or more silicon compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Charles J. Neef, John Lee Massingill, Jr., Clois E. Powell
  • Patent number: 9482951
    Abstract: This invention describes compositions and methods of using non-covalently crosslinked resin coatings for lithographic applications. These materials are designed to undergo, after coating, a change that provides solvent resistance and, with some materials, simultaneous aqueous-base solubility. Non-covalent interactions allow for easier removal of these coatings than of covalently crosslinked materials. These types of materials are well-suited for trench and gap fill applications, as well as for anti-reflective coatings, spin-on carbon layers, and etch masks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Sullivan, Runhui Huang, Charles J. Neef, Jinhua Dai, Michael B. Swope
  • Publication number: 20150080508
    Abstract: Thermal barrier mixtures and method of making the thermal barrier mixtures are described herein. The thermal barrier mixtures may be used to make thermal barrier coatings. Thermal barrier mixture may include halloysite and one or more silicon compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Charles J. Neef, John Lee Massingill, JR., Clois E. Powell
  • Patent number: 8647809
    Abstract: Metal-oxide films for lithographic applications are provided. The films are formed from compositions comprising metal-oxide precursor compounds including metals and metalloids other than silicon. These films are easily produced and can be modified with a variety of ligands, including alkoxides, phenoxides, carboxylates, beta-diketones, and beta-ketoesters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Sullivan, Charles J. Neef, Yubao Wang, Tantiboro Ouattara
  • Publication number: 20130011630
    Abstract: Metal-oxide films for lithographic applications are provided. The films are formed from compositions comprising metal-oxide precursor compounds including metals and metalloids other than silicon. These films are easily produced and can be modified with a variety of ligands, including alkoxides, phenoxides, carboxylates, beta-diketones, and beta-ketoesters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: BREWER SCIENCE INC.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Sullivan, Charles J. Neef, Yubao Wang, Tantiboro Ouattara
  • Publication number: 20100040988
    Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. In a preferred embodiment, the polymers of the composition include recurring monomers having the formulas where: (1) each R is individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OH, aliphatics, and phenyls; and (2) L is selected from the group consisting of —SO2— and —CR?2—, where each R? is individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, aliphatics, phenyls, and —CX3, where each X is individually selected from the group consisting of the halogens. The resulting compositions are spin bowl compatible (i.e., they do not crosslink prior to the bake stages of the microlithographic processes or during storage at room temperature), are wet developable, and have superior optical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Christian Cox, Charles J. Neef
  • Patent number: 7608380
    Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. In a preferred embodiment, the polymers are copolymers of a compound having the formulas and a compound having the formula where: (1) each R is individually selected from the group consisting of —OH, —NH2, hydrogen, aliphatics, and phenyls; and (2) L is selected from the group consisting of —SO2— and —CR?2—. The resulting compositions are spin bowl compatible (i.e., they do not crosslink prior to the bake stages of the microlithographic processes or during storage at room temperature), are wet developable, and have superior optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Christian Cox, Charles J. Neef
  • Patent number: 7510004
    Abstract: A swellable polymer gel composition for use in subterranean formations. The composition comprises water, a water soluble polymer, a water soluble crosslinking system and a swelling agent. The crosslinking system may be either a redox system or a chelating system. The amounts of the polymer and the crosslinking system are effective to form a substantially uniformly reacted tri-dimensional gel structure. To the gel solution, is added a swelling agent in an amount sufficient to increase the volume of the gel a predetermined percentage. The swelling agent may be a natural or a synthetic agent. A strengthening agent may be added to increase the gel strength of the composition. The composition has numerous uses and is particularly useful in oil industry applications such as plugging wells, sealing casing leaks and reducing water production from water-bearing hydrocarbon formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: James E. Hessert, D. Daniel Wallace, Jimmy D. DeLong, Charles J. Neef
  • Publication number: 20090035590
    Abstract: This invention describes compositions and methods of using non-covalently crosslinked resin coatings for lithographic applications. These materials are designed to undergo, after coating, a change that provides solvent resistance and, with some materials, simultaneous aqueous-base solubility. Non-covalent interactions allow for easier removal of these coatings than of covalently crosslinked materials. These types of materials are well-suited for trench and gap fill applications, as well as for anti-reflective coatings, spin-on carbon layers, and etch masks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel M. Sullivan, Runhui Huang, Charles J. Neef, Jinhua Dai, Michael B. Swope
  • Patent number: 7323289
    Abstract: Novel anti-reflective coatings comprising small molecules (e.g., less than about 5,000 g/mole) in lieu of high molecular weight polymers and methods of using those coatings are provided. In one embodiment, aromatic carboxylic acids are used as the chromophores, and the resulting compounds are blended with a crosslinking agent and an acid. Anti-reflective coating films prepared according to the invention exhibit improved properties compared to high molecular weight polymeric anti-reflective coating films. The small molecule anti-reflective coatings have high etch rates and good via fill properties. Photolithographic processes carried out with the inventive material result in freestanding, 110-nm profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Neef, Mandar Bhave, Michelle Fowler, Michelle Windsor
  • Patent number: 7261997
    Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. In a preferred embodiment the polymers of the composition include recurring monomers having the formulas where: (1) each R is individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OH, aliphatics, and phenyls; and (2) L is selected from the group consisting of —SO2— and —CR?2—, where each R? is individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, aliphatics, phenyls, and —CX3, where each X is individually selected from the group consisting of the halogens. The resulting compositions are spin bowl compatible (i.e., they do not crosslink prior to the bake stages of the microlithographic processes or during storage at room temperature), are wet developable, and have superior optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Christian Cox, Charles J. Neef
  • Patent number: 6872506
    Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. In a preferred embodiment, the polymers include a light-attenuating moiety having a structure selected from the group consisting of: where: each of X1 and Y is individually selected from the group consisting of electron withdrawing groups; R2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyls and aryls; and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyls. The resulting compositions are spin bowl compatible (i.e., they do not crosslink prior to the bake stages of the microlithographic processes or during storage at room temperature), are wet developable, and have superior optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Neef, Vandana Krishnamurthy
  • Publication number: 20040210034
    Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Christian Cox, Charles J. Neef
  • Publication number: 20040110089
    Abstract: Novel anti-reflective coatings comprising small molecules (e.g., less than about 5,000 g/mole) in lieu of high molecular weight polymers and methods of using those coatings are provided. In one embodiment, aromatic carboxylic acids are used as the chromophores, and the resulting compounds are blended with a crosslinking agent and an acid. Anti-reflective coating films prepared according to the invention exhibit improved properties compared to high molecular weight polymeric anti-reflective coating films. The small molecule anti-reflective coatings have high etch rates and good via fill properties. Photolithographic processes carried out with the inventive material result in freestanding, 110-nm profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Neef, Mandar Bhave, Michelle Fowler, Michelle Windsor
  • Patent number: 6740469
    Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. In a preferred embodiment, the polymers of the composition include recurring units having the formula where X is a light-attenuating moiety, M is a metal, and each R is individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyls, aryls, alkoxys, and phenoxys. The resulting compositions are spin bowl compatible (i.e., they do not crosslink prior to the bake stages of the microlithographic processes or during storage at room temperature), are wet developable, and have superior optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Vandana Krishnamurthy, Charles J. Neef, Juliet A. M. Snook
  • Publication number: 20040058275
    Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Brewer Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Neef, Vandana Krishnamurthy
  • Publication number: 20030235786
    Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: BREWER SCIENCE, INC.
    Inventors: Vandana Krishnamurthy, Charles J. Neef, Juliet A.M. Snook
  • Patent number: 6667279
    Abstract: A swellable polymer gel composition for use in subterranean formations. The composition comprises water, a water soluble polymer, a water soluble crosslinking system and a swelling agent. The crosslinking system may be either a redox system or a chelating system. The amounts of the polymer and the crosslinking system are effective to form a substantially uniformly reacted tri-dimensional gel structure. To the gel solution, is added a swelling agent in an amount sufficient to increase the volume of the gel a predetermined percentage. The swelling agent may be a natural or a synthetic agent. A strengthening agent may be added to increase the gel strength of the composition. The composition has numerous uses and is particularly useful in oil industry applications such as plugging wells, sealing casing leaks and reducing water production from water-bearing hydrocarbon formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Wallace, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hessert, D. Daniel Wallace, Jimmy D. DeLong, Charles J. Neef
  • Publication number: 20030166828
    Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: BREWER SCIENCE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Christian Cox, Charles J. Neef
  • Patent number: 6426399
    Abstract: The present invention describes an improved method for the polymerization of &agr;,&agr;-dihalo-p-xylene's such as the &agr;,&agr;′-dihalo-2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-xylene's. The procedure for synthesis is based on the specific order of addition of reagents and the use of an anionic initiator that allows control of the molecular weight of the polymer. The molecular weight control allows processability of the polymer which is important for its utility in applications including in light-emitting-diodes, field effect transistors and photovoltaic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: John P. Ferraris, Charles J. Neef