Abstract: In some implementations, one or more semiconductor processing tools may form a metal cap on a metal gate. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may form one or more dielectric layers on the metal cap. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may form a recess to the metal cap within the one or more dielectric layers. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may perform a bottom-up deposition of metal material on the metal cap to form a metal plug within the recess and directly on the metal cap.

Abstract: A water-soluble and biodegradable antimicrobial agent is provided, comprising a polymer composed of a segment A and a segment B, in which, the segment A has the following formula I: the segment B has the following formula II: wherein the segment A and the segment B in the polymer have a molar ratio of 1:0.007-1.2, and n is 0 or 1, m is an integer of 0-2, m+n?0, X is H, Na, K, NH4, ½Ca, or ½Mg, and Y is Cl, Br, or I.

Abstract: A method of preparing a water-soluble and biodegradable antimicrobial agent is provided. The method includes treating a polypeptide compound with sodium hypochlorite for at least 1 min, such that the polypeptide compound has at least one N-halamine group and has good antimicrobial effect. By using the method of the present invention, a chemical synthesis process is not required and an organic solvent is not required either, and thus, an antimicrobial agent having high water solubility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, good sterilization effect, and regeneration can be prepared with reduced harms to the environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a silicone hydrogel having a high water content. The method comprises the following steps: (a) polymerizing a monomer mixture to form the silicone hydrogel, wherein the monomer mixture comprises at least one silicon-containing monomer and at least one ionic monomer; and (b) placing the silicone hydrogel in an alkaline solution for at least 20 minutes, wherein the alkaline solution has a pH not less than 7.5 and the ionic monomer is present in an amount not less than 0.7 wt % based on the total dry weight of the silicone hydrogel.

Abstract: A water-insoluble polyglutamic acid (PGA) fiber and a preparation method thereof are provided. In the preparation method, the PGA is cross-linked by a cross-linking agent and then passes through a spinning nozzle to form PGA fibers. Therefore, the highly water-absorbing PGA, which cannot be spun by conventional methods, can be spun to form PGA fibers and maintain the high water-absorption ability.

Abstract: A biocompatible implant composite particle and the method of making the same are provided. The implant composite particle includes a bone filler particle and a plurality of fibers, in which each fiber is partially embedded in the bone filler particle, and has a free portion extending from a surface of the bone filler particle. Both bone filler particle and fibers are biocompatible. The biocompatible implant composite can be used in a bone filler material for bone defects.

Abstract: A water-insoluble polyglutamic acid (PGA) fiber and a preparation method thereof are provided. In the preparation method, the PGA is cross-linked by a cross-linking agent and then passes through a spinning nozzle to form PGA fibers. Therefore, the highly water-absorbing PGA, which cannot be spun by conventional methods, can be spun to form PGA fibers and maintain the high water-absorption ability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicone hydrogel comprising a reaction product of a monomer mixture for forming the silicone hydrogel and water, wherein the water is present in an amount not less than 50 wt % based on the total weight of the silicone hydrogel. The monomer mixture comprises at least one silicon-containing monomer and at least one ionic monomer, wherein the ionic monomer is present in an amount not less than 0.7 wt % based on the total dry weight of the silicone hydrogel. The present invention also provides ocular articles made from the silicone hydrogel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a silicone hydrogel having a high water content. The method comprises the following steps: (a) polymerizing a monomer mixture to form the silicone hydrogel, wherein the monomer mixture comprises at least one silicon-containing monomer and at least one ionic monomer; and (b) placing the silicone hydrogel in an alkaline solution for at least 20 minutes, wherein the alkaline solution has a pH not less than 7.5 and the ionic monomer is present in an amount not less than 0.7 wt % based on the total dry weight of the silicone hydrogel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dental etching gel composition including phosphoric acid in aqueous solution form, a viscosity-enhancing agent and optionally additives, in which the viscosity-enhancing agent is carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with the following properties: (a) having a viscosity of about 100 to about 2000 cps when formulated as an aqueous solution containing 1 wt % of CMC; and (b) having an average degree of substitution of sodium salts in molecular formula of about 21% to about 33%. The dental etching gel composition of the present invention can be used to pre-treat the surface of teeth prior to repair or filling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactive hydrophilic polymer comprising units of Formulae (I) and (II): wherein the ratio of the mole number of the unit of Formula (I) to the total mole number of the units of Formulae (I) and (II) is from 0.002 to 0.04, and the reactive hydrophilic polymer has a molecular weight from 10,000 to 2,000,000. The present invention also provides a silicone hydrogel comprising the reactive hydrophilic polymer and ocular articles made therefrom.

Abstract: A method of preparing a water-soluble and biodegradable antimicrobial agent is provided. The method includes treating a polypeptide compound with sodium hypochlorite for at least 1 min, such that the polypeptide compound has at least one N-halamine group and has good antimicrobial effect. By using the method of the present invention, a chemical synthesis process is not required and an organic solvent is not required either, and thus, an antimicrobial agent having high water solubility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, good sterilization effect, and regeneration can be prepared with reduced harms to the environment.

Abstract: A water-soluble and biodegradable antimicrobial agent is provided, comprising a polymer composed of a segment A and a segment B, in which, the segment A has the following formula I: the segment B has the following formula II: wherein the segment A and the segment B in the polymer have a molar ratio of 1:0.007-1.2, and n is 0 or 1, m is an integer of 0-2, m+n?0, X is H, Na, K, NH4, ½Ca, or ½Mg, and Y is Cl, Br, or I.

Abstract: A biocidal polymer including at least one repeating unit of formula (A): wherein: R1 in each occurrence independently represents a divalent aromatic group containing 6 to 30 carbon atoms, a C2-C16 alkylene group or an alkylene biscyclohexyl; Y in each occurrence independently represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; and Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 in each occurrence independently represent a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; wherein at least one of Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 in the at least one repeating unit of formula (A) is a halogen atom.

Abstract: A platelet adhesion-resistant material is provided, which includes polytriuret-urethane consisting essentially of repeating structural units of formulae (I) to (III) in a random order, in which when the total number of the three repeating structural units in the polytriuret-urethane is 100, the number of the repeating structural units (I) is about 5 to about 50: in which each R independently represents a C2-C16 alkylene group, a C6-C30 aromatic group, a C6-C30 alicyclic group; n is an integer of 2 to 16; and R1 represents —(OCmH2m)p, in which m is an integer of 2 to 5, and p is an integer of 3 to 150.

Abstract: A polysiloxane-based prepolymer of a three-dimensional network structure produced by hydrolysis-condensation of a first mixture having a tetra-alkoxysilane compound, an ethylenically unsaturated organosiloxane monomer, and a hydrophilic silicon-containing polyfunctional monomer. A hydrogel is prepared by polymerizing a second mixture having the aforesaid polysiloxane-based prepolymer, an acrylated silicon-containing monomer, and an ethylenically unsaturated hydrophilic monomer.

Abstract: A water-insoluble polyglutamic acid (PGA) fiber and a preparation method thereof are provided. In the preparation method, the PGA is cross-linked by a cross-linking agent and then passes through a spinning nozzle to form PGA fibers. Therefore, the highly water-absorbing PGA, which cannot be spun by conventional methods, can be spun to form PGA fibers and maintain the high water-absorption ability.

Abstract: A contact lens-treating solution contains polyelectrolyte complex particulates and an aqueous solution for dispersing the polyelectrolyte complex particulates. Each of the polyelectrolyte complex particulates is formed of a cationic polymer and an anionic polymer. The aqueous solution contains water and an additive including a surfactant, an antibacterial agent, a cleaning agent, a thickening agent, a chelating agent, and combinations thereof for cleaning or maintaining the contact lens. A method for treating a contact lens using a contact lens-treating solution containing water and polyelectrolyte complex particulates is also disclosed.

Abstract: A porous chamber for tissue culture in vitro. The porous chamber includes a main body made of porous biologically absorbable polymer material, comprising an inner surface surrounding a hollow cavity, the hollow cavity having an aperture opened at an upper surface of the main body, wherein the aperture is communicated with outside of the main body for seeding tissue blocks in the hollow cavity, and an upper cover passing through the upper surface of the main body to seal the aperture to prevent the tissue blocks from outflowing.

Abstract: An amphiphilic polymer having the following formula (I): wherein Z is a hydroxyl-substituted aliphatic group having formula (Z1) or (Z2): wherein R11 and R21 are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl, methyl, or a C1-C20 alkyl group, and R12, R13, R14, R22, R23, and R24 are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, or a sugar moiety; X is a C1-C6 divalent aliphatic group; and Y is a biodegradable group having the following formula (II): wherein R? is a hydrocarbyl group or a polyester block having the following formula (II-A), wherein, in each occurrence, R is hydrogen or a C1-C18 alkyl group, m is an integer ranging from 0 to 5, and n is an integer ranging from 10 to 300.