Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for evaluating scratch resistance of a plastic resin comprising scratching a surface of a test sample of plastic resin using a scratch apparatus to form a scratch of the surface having a scratch profile; scanning the scratched test sample with a surface profile analysis apparatus to measure the scratch profile; and creating a scratch resistance evaluation index based on the measured scratch profile to evaluate the scratch resistance of the test sample. The method has good reliability and reproducibility, reduces measurement time and errors caused by measurers and measuring conditions, provides easy measurement and can be widely applied to all plastic resins.

Abstract: A polymer composite material includes metal (oxide) nanoparticles chemically bonded to a vinyl polymer. Some embodiments may additionally comprise thermoplastic resin through which the nanoparticles and vinyl polymer are dispersed. In some embodiments, the composite materials have improved impact strength, tensile strength, heat resistance, and flexural modulus.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polycarbonate resin composition and a molded product formed of the same. The polycarbonate resin composition includes a polycarbonate resin and three types of UV stabilizers including a first benzotriazole UV stabilizer, a second benzotriazole UV stabilizer, and a bismalonate UV stabilizer to improve heat stability, weather resistance, and visible light transmittance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes: a substrate; device isolation regions formed in the substrate; an impurity region formed in a region of the substrate between every two adjacent ones of the device isolation regions; a gate electrode formed on the substrate; first and second interlayer insulating films sequentially formed on the substrate; a metal interlayer insulating film formed on the second interlayer insulating film and comprising metal wiring layers; a first contact plug electrically connecting each of the metal wiring layers and the impurity region; and a second contact plug electrically connecting each of the metal wiring layers and the gate electrode, wherein the first contact plug is formed in the first and second interlayer insulating films, and the second contact plug is formed in the second interlayer insulating film.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a catheter, exhibiting high radiopaque properties as well as optical transparency is disclosed. Further, radiopaque materials and process conditions to produce such a material as well as a medical device, such as a catheter, exhibiting high radiopaque and optically transparent properties are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of transistor formation using a capping layer in complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) structures is provided, the method including: depositing a conductive layer over an n-type field effect transistor (nFET) and over a p-type field effect transistor (pFET); depositing a capping layer directly over the conductive layer; etching the capping and conductive layers to form a capped gate conductor to gates of the nFET and pFET, respectively; ion-implanting the nFET transistor with a first dopant; and ion-implanting the pFET transistor with a second dopant, wherein ion-implanting a transistor substantially dopes its source and drain regions, but not its gate region.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a metal semiconductor alloy that includes providing a deposition apparatus that includes a platinum source and a nickel source, wherein the platinum source is separate from the nickel source; positioning a substrate having a semiconductor surface in the deposition apparatus; forming a metal alloy on the semiconductor surface, wherein forming the metal alloy comprises a deposition stage in which the platinum source deposits platinum to the semiconductor surface at an initial rate at an initial period that is greater than a final rate at a final period of the deposition stage, and the nickel source deposits nickel to the semiconductor surface; and annealing the metal alloy to react the nickel and platinum with the semiconductor substrate to provide a nickel platinum semiconductor alloy.

Abstract: A method of transistor formation using a capping layer in complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) structures is provided, the method including: depositing a conductive layer over an n-type field effect transistor (nFET) and over a p-type field effect transistor (pFET); depositing a capping layer directly over the conductive layer; etching the capping and conductive layers to form a capped gate conductor to gates of the nFET and pFET, respectively; ion-implanting the nFET transistor with a first dopant; and ion-implanting the pFET transistor with a second dopant, wherein ion-implanting a transistor substantially dopes its source and drain regions, but not its gate region.

Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming a field effect transistor having a gate electrode, a sacrificial spacer on a sidewall of the gate electrode and silicided source/drain regions. The sacrificial spacer is used as an implantation mask when forming highly doped portions of the source/drain regions. The sacrificial spacer is then removed from the sidewall of the gate electrode. A stress-inducing electrically insulating layer, which is configured to induce a net tensile stress (for NMOS transistors) or compressive stress (for PMOS transistors) in a channel region of the field effect transistor, is then formed on the sidewall of the gate electrode.

Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming a field effect transistor having a gate electrode, a sacrificial spacer on a sidewall of the gate electrode and silicided source/drain regions. The sacrificial spacer is used as an implantation mask when forming highly doped portions of the source/drain regions. The sacrificial spacer is then removed from the sidewall of the gate electrode. A stress-inducing electrically insulating layer, which is configured to induce a net tensile stress (for NMOS transistors) or compressive stress (for PMOS transistors) in a channel region of the field effect transistor, is then formed on the sidewall of the gate electrode.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a metal semiconductor alloy that includes providing a deposition apparatus that includes a platinum source and a nickel source, wherein the platinum source is separate from the nickel source; positioning a substrate having a semiconductor surface in the deposition apparatus; forming a metal alloy on the semiconductor surface, wherein forming the metal alloy comprises a deposition stage in which the platinum source deposits platinum to the semiconductor surface at an initial rate at an initial period that is greater than a final rate at a final period of the deposition stage, and the nickel source deposits nickel to the semiconductor surface; and annealing the metal alloy to react the nickel and platinum with the semiconductor substrate to provide a nickel platinum semiconductor alloy.

Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming a field effect transistor having a gate electrode, sacrificial nitride spacers on opposing sidewalls of the gate electrode and source/drain regions, which are self-aligned to the sacrificial nitride spacers, on a semiconductor substrate. The sacrificial nitride spacers are selectively removed using a diluted hydrofluoric acid solution having a nitride-to-oxide etching selectivity in excess of one. In order to increase charge carrier mobility within a channel of the field effect transistor, a stress-inducing electrically insulating layer is formed on opposing sidewalls of the gate electrode. This insulating layer is configured to induce a net tensile stress (NMOS) or compressive stress (PMOS) in the channel.

Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit devices according to embodiments of the present invention include forming a PMOS transistor having P-type source and drain regions, in a semiconductor substrate, and then forming a diffusion barrier layer on the source and drain regions. A silicon nitride layer is deposited on at least portions of the diffusion barrier layer that extend opposite the source and drain regions. Hydrogen is removed from the deposited silicon nitride layer by exposing the silicon nitride layer to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This removal of hydrogen may operate to increase a tensile stress in a channel region of the field effect transistor. This UV radiation step may be followed by patterning the first and second silicon nitride layers to expose the source and drain regions and then forming silicide contact layers directly on the exposed source and drain regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preparation method of composite silica microparticles with monodispersity, comprising the steps of: (a) adding at least one precursor selected from a titania precursor and an alumina precursor, and a silica precursor to a solvent, which are hydrolyzed to form composite silica microparticles; (b) drying and calcining the composite silica microparticles; and (c) hydrophobically treating the calcined composite silica microparticles.

Abstract: A polymer composite material includes metal (oxide) nanoparticles chemically bonded to a vinyl polymer. Some embodiments may additionally comprise thermoplastic resin through which the nanoparticles and vinyl polymer are dispersed. In some embodiments, the composite materials have improved impact strength, tensile strength, heat resistance, and flexural modulus.

Abstract: A trench is formed in the surface of a provided semiconductor body. An oxide is deposited in the trench and a cap is deposited on the oxide, wherein the combination of the cap and the oxide impart a mechanical stress on the semiconductor body.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a workpiece, and forming a recess in the workpiece. The recess has a depth having a first dimension. A first semiconductive material is formed in the recess to partially fill the recess in a central region to a height having a second dimension. The second dimension is about one-half or greater of the first dimension. A second semiconductive material is formed over the first semiconductive material in the recess to completely fill the recess, the second semiconductive material being different than the first semiconductive material.

Abstract: Resistors, semiconductor devices, and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a resistor includes forming a semiconductive material over a workpiece, and patterning at least the semiconductive material, forming a gate of a transistor in a first region of the workpiece and forming a resistor in a second region of the workpiece. At least one substance is implanted into the semiconductive material of the gate of the transistor or the resistor so that the semiconductive material is different for the gate of the transistor and the resistor.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a workpiece, and forming a recess in the workpiece. The recess has a depth having a first dimension. A first semiconductive material is formed in the recess to partially fill the recess in a central region to a height having a second dimension. The second dimension is about one-half or greater of the first dimension. A second semiconductive material is formed over the first semiconductive material in the recess to completely fill the recess, the second semiconductive material being different than the first semiconductive material.

Abstract: Methods of forming spacers on sidewalls of features of semiconductor devices and structures thereof are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a semiconductor device including a workpiece and at least one feature disposed over the workpiece. A first spacer is disposed on the sidewalls of the at least one feature, the first spacer comprising a first material. A first liner is disposed over the first spacer and over a portion of the workpiece proximate the first spacer, the first liner comprising the first material. A second spacer is disposed over the first liner, the second spacer comprising a second material. A second liner is disposed over the second spacer, the second liner comprising the first material.