Abstract: A mechanical testing device has a rigid frame and a piezo translator connected to the frame. A Wheatstone bridge is connected to the translator to produce an electrical signal related to the compression of the translator, wherein a sample positioned between the piezo translator and the frame is subjected to loads by the movement of the translator. A sensor detects the force applied to the sample by the piezo translator, and produces a signal indicative of the force. A computer receives the Wheatstone bridge electrical signal and the signal indicative of the force applied to the sample. The computer controls the advancement of the translator to allow the application of precise amounts of compression to the sample.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly (10) comprising a main housing (12) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16). A motor (17a) is disposed within the main housing (12) between the inlet (14) and the outlet (16) for providing motive force to a cooling fan (17b), a blower (17c), and a separator (22). The cooling fan (17b) is mounted within the main housing (12) above the motor (17a) to circulate cooling air around the motor (17a). The blower (17c) is mounted within the main housing (12) below the motor (17a) for drawing air into the inlet (14) and exhausting air outwardly through the outlet (16). The separator (22) is mounted below the blower (17c) for circulating the air and water bath (20) within a water bath pan (36) and providing, in combination with the water bath (20), a primary filter for filtering the air prior to exhausting the air outwardly through the outlet (16).

Abstract: A helical turbine assembly capable of providing high speed unidirectional rotation under a multidirectional ultra low-head fluid flow is disclosed. The assembly comprises an array of helical turbine units or modules arranged, vertically or horizontally, to harness, for example, water or wind power. Each turbine unit or module comprises a plurality of helical blades having an airfoil profile. The modules for wind power may be mounted to rotatable shafts supported by lightweight structures anchored by guy wires to the ground. The helical turbine can also provide ship propulsion by utilizing the power of ocean waves. In a further embodiment, a cylindrical distributor is provided in the helical turbine to channel the fluid flow to the blades of the turbine, thereby increasing efficiency and power output. The helical turbine with distributor may be used to lift or lower a body either being submerged into a fast stream or dragged in the fluid.

Abstract: A gas flow regulating surface portion 37a is the farthest from the front surface of a wafer W in the middle between a peripheral portion of the wafer W and a center portion of a sealing vessel. The gas flow regulating portion 37a protrudes to the front surface of the wafer W in the vicinity of a center portion that surrounds an exhausting opening 35a. In other words, a convex portion 37c is formed in a peripheral area of the gas flow regulating surface portion 37a that surrounds the exhausting opening 35a. Since treatment gas flows along the front surface of the gas flow regulating portion 37a, treatment gas equally contacts the wafer W in the radius direction of the wafer W. Thus, a film with equal thickness is formed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit in which semiconductor elements (2) and a wiring structure connecting the semiconductor elements (2) one another are located on a semiconductor substrate (1). In the method or apparatus, a series of wiring elements (4,6,7,9,10), each of which constructs the wiring structure is formed sequentially, then the semiconductor integrated circuit under manufacturing process is washed by neutral solution containing oxidant during the process of forming of the wiring elements (4,6,7,9,10).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hardening ammonium nitrate by combining ammonium nitrate with a functionally active polymer. The functionally active polymer may be combined with ammonium nitrate by itself as a shell or in intermixed with the ammonium nitrate. The invention is found useful in hardening ammonium nitrate for use in explosives.

Abstract: A cooling device includes a boiling unit and a condensing unit. A diffusion plate having a plurality of holes is formed into a thin-long shape, and is disposed in an upper tank of the condensing unit at an approximate center in an up-down direction so that an inner space of the upper tank of the condensing unit is divided into upper and lower parts in the up-down direction. Each hole opened in the diffusion plate has an opening area smaller than a sectional surface area of an introduction port of a gas-refrigerant introduction pipe, opened in the upper tank of the condensing unit. Thus, gas refrigerant flowing into the upper tank of the condensing unit through the gas-refrigerant introduction pipe is diffused to all the upper part of the upper tank along the surface of the diffusion plate while passing through the holes of the diffusion plate downwardly.

Abstract: A torque limiting device that allows a drill string to rotate relative to the cutting structure of the bit when a predetermined torque is applied between the cutting structure of the drill bit and the drill string. The torque limiting device utilizes a retaining member which restricts rotational movement of a first component of the torque limiting device relative to a second component. When a sufficient torque load is placed on the cutting structure of the drill bit, the retaining member allows rotational movement of the first component relative to the second component and allows the drill string to continue to rotate relative to the cutting structure of the bit until the torque is sufficiently reduced. The torque limiting device may be an integral part of a drill bit, may be a separate device attached between the drill string and the drill bit or between the drill string and a downhole motor, or may be part of a near-bit sub or incorporated in a downhole motor.

Abstract: The carton can be used both as a shipper carton and a display carton. The carton comprises two or more channels for containing products. The channels can be opened to maintain the integrity of the carton for use as a display carton by maintaining the integrity of the base wall, but with the removal of substantially all of the top wall of each channel and a significant portion of the sidewalls of each channel. The remaining part of the sidewalls, a rear wall and the base provide the structure for the use of the carton as a display carton. If used as a shipper, a tear strip on the base wall is removed and the carton fully opened and emptied. The carton is made from a unique carton blank and a unique folding of the panels of the blank to make the carton. In particular the abutting walls of the channels are of a unique structure with each having a separate sidewall and these separate sidewalls not connected to the base wall.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing tumor cells from tumor cell-contaminated stem cells products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method relies on an in-line filtration device that includes a tumor cell reduction filter means, preferably comprised of one or more tumor cell reduction filter pads. Preferably, the tumor cell reduction filter means provides at least a ten-fold reduction in filter cells while allowing for at least a 30% recovery of stem cells in a filtered stem cell product.

Abstract: An apparatus for the reusable interim storage of partially consumed medicated oral dosage forms and methods for employing such an apparatus in order to use medicated oral dosage forms in the safest possible manner. The apparatus of the present invention in its broadest terms comprises (1) a container sized to hold a medicated oral dosage form, (2) means for allowing a medicated oral dosage form easy access into the container but substantially preventing the medicated oral dosage form from passing out of the container, and (3) a child resistant means for allowing an adult to remove a medicated oral dosage form from within the container despite the one-way access means. The preferred embodiment comprises an opaque container having one opening, a child resistant closure with an aperture there through that extends over said opening, and a plastic slitted membrane covering said aperture.

Abstract: A method for producing stable atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasmas using RF excitation and the use of said plasmas for modifying the surface layer of materials. The plasma generated by this process and its surface modification capability depend on the type of gases used and their chemical reactivity. These plasmas can be used for a variety of applications, including etching of organic material from the surface layer of inorganic substrates, as an environmentally benign alternative to industrial cleaning operations which currently employ solvents and degreasers, as a method of stripping paint from surfaces, for the surface modification of composites prior to adhesive bonding operations, for use as a localized etcher of electronic boards and assemblies and in microelectronic fabrication, and for the sterilization of tools used in medical applications.

Abstract: A method for producing stable atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasmas using RF excitation and the use of said plasmas for modifying the surface layer of materials. The plasma generated by this process and its surface modification capability depend on the type of gases used and their chemical reactivity. These plasmas can be used for a variety of applications, including etching of organic material from the surface layer of inorganic substrates, as an environmentally benign alternative to industrial cleaning operations which currently employ solvents and degreasers, as a method of stripping paint from surfaces, for the surface modification of composites prior to adhesive bonding operations, for use as a localized etcher of electronic boards and assemblies and in microelectronic fabrication, and for the sterilization of tools used in medical applications.

Abstract: Circuit chips, such as known good die (KGD) chips, are removed from an assembly including a plurality of circuit chips attached to at least one chip carrier, or substrate. The substrate is held within a top plate with the circuit chips positioned within successive chip cavities within a bottom plate. Each chip cavity includes a load surface separated by a cascade effect pitch with respect to adjacent chip cavities. A cascade effect shear force is sequentially applied to the circuit chips to remove them from the substrate. The chips may be heated to a temperature facilitating shear within a temperature range at which solder connections are solid, and the chips further heated following disassembly to a temperature at which the solder is liquid to facilitate reforming the solder for subsequent attachment of the chip into an electronic device.

Abstract: The invention is a method for designing semiconductor light emitting devices such that the side surfaces (surfaces not parallel to the epitaxial layers) are formed at preferred angles relative to vertical (normal to the plane of the light-emitting active layer) to improve light extraction efficiency and increase total light output efficiency. Device designs are chosen to improve efficiency without resorting to excessive active area-yield loss due to shaping. As such, these designs are suitable for low-cost, high-volume manufacturing of semiconductor light-emitting devices with improved characteristics.

Abstract: A structure and method are provided to allow a die to be packaged more uniformly and in parallel with a package by utilizing a lead frame having at least one cavity within the lead frame, thereby allowing excess die-attach epoxy can flow into the cavity or cavities and reducing the amount of contact surface area between the die and lead frame.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a housing and a pivot pin mounted for pivoting movement about an axis of rotation with respect to the housing. A clamp member is connected to the pivot pin and is moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to rotation of the pivot pin. The pivot pin has an arm extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation. A drive member is mounted for linear reciprocal movement along a fixed path with respect to the housing, and a linkage connects the drive member to the arm of the pivot pin for converting reciprocal movement of the drive member into pivoting movement of the pivot pin. An electric motor is connected to an output shaft with an axis of rotation, and an adjustable converting mechanism connects the drive member to the electric motor for adjustably converting the rotary motion driving force into a linear reciprocal harmonic motion of the drive member.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes one or more rechargeable cells and means for providing information to control charging. Information is provided in a form for being read or sensed by mechanical, optical, electromagnetic, or electronic techniques including combinations of these techniques. The information may indicate battery performance history, present state of the battery, and parameters for how it may be charged. As to performance history, the information may include, for the battery or a cell of the battery, indicia describing: one or more previous charging or discharging processes, of the last charging process, of the last discharging process, of the time period lapsed since the last charging or discharging process. The information may include indicia of the present charge state and condition of the battery or its individual cells.

Abstract: The present invention is a current-mirror-based bias generator for a load less four transistor SRAM as well as associated methods of controlling or modifying the current conducted by the access transistors of such an SRAM. The present invention may be thought of as an adjustable temperature coefficient, bias generator that references, via a current mirror, a reference bank of SRAM cells. The bank of reference cells provides an indication of the necessary conduction characteristics (e.g., gate to source voltage) of the access transistors under various conditions. By applying a bias voltage to the word line the desired current is sourced from the digit line. The bank of reference SRAM cells inherently compensates for process variations. The adjustable temperature coefficient bias generator allows the current sourced by the digit lines to vary greatly as a result of temperature variations. Thus, the present invention compensates for both process variations and temperature variations.

Abstract: An oscillator is composed of a feedback circuit and an amplifying circuit. The feedback circuit has first and second terminals. The feedback circuit shifts a phase of a first signal inputted to the first terminal by substantially 180° to output a second signal from the second terminal. The amplifying circuit includes an inverter and a variable resistor element. The inverter has an output terminal and an input terminal. The output terminal of the inverter is electrically connected to the first terminal. The input terminal of the inverter is electrically connected to the second terminal. The variable resistor element has first and second variable resistor terminals. A resistance between the first and second variable resistor terminals is variable. The first variable resistor terminal is electrically connected to the first terminal and the second variable resistor terminal is electrically connected to the second terminal.

Abstract: A chip device and a manufacturing method therefor are disclosed, in which the resistivity of the chip resistor device is constantly maintained even without using silver for lowering the self resistance in portions other than the upper electrode, thereby curtailing the manufacturing cost of the chip resistor. The chip resistor device 1 includes a chip block 10 having an upper face 12 and a pair of mutually oppositely facing side faces 14. An electrode part 20 has an upper electrode 22 formed on the upper face 12 of the chip block 10, and a side electrode 24 formed on the side faces 14 of the chip block 10. A special electrical property layer 30 is connected to the upper electrode 22 of the chip block 10. A protecting layer 40 is formed upon the special electrical property layer 30 to protect it. A terminal electrode layer 50 is formed on the electrode part 20 of the chip block 10, and a terminal connection part S is necessarily provided to form a signal bypassing path.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention is directed to architectures for signal processing, such as for performing analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversions, in which the source signal is decomposed into subband signals by an analysis filter, processed, and the processed subband signals combined to form a reconstructed signal that is representative of the source signal.

Abstract: In a period from temporal storage of a video signal to reading and displaying of the video signal, an average value 121 of the brightness levels obtained from a video signal before the video signal is stored in a storage means 3 and a predetermined target value 122 are used to perform a calculation by using a proportionality term and an integration term so that a quantity of limited electric currents is obtained. Moreover, the quantity of limited electric currents is provided with a non-response region or a hysteresis characteristic.

Abstract: A semiconductor device of SOI structure with improved ESD resistance is provided. In an I/O protection circuit of a semiconductor device of SOI structure, each unit channel width resistance value of drain resistance of a plurality of NMOS transistors, each being provided in parallel to an external terminal by a reverse bias connection, is set to have an HBM surge resistance voltage equal to that in a forward bias connection.

Abstract: A feedforward equalizer for equalizing a sequence of signal samples received by a receiver from a remote transmitter. The feedforward equalizer has a gain and is included in the receiver which includes a timing recovery module for setting a sampling phase and a decoder. The feedforward equalizer comprises a non-adaptive filter and a gain stage. The non-adaptive filter receives the signal samples and produces a filtered signal. The gain stage adjusts the gain of the feedforward equalizer by adjusting the amplitude of the filtered signal. The amplitude of the filtered signal is adjusted so that it fits in the operational range of the decoder. The feedforward equalizer does not affect the sampling phase setting of the timing recovery module of the receiver.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a reliable estimate of the transmitter clipping error compliant with T1.413 ADSL standard is disclosed. An architecture is disclosed that uses the clipping error estimate at the receiver to reconstruct a frequency-domain compensation signal. The method for computing the compensation signal is disclosed along with an asymmetric digital subscriber line modem supporting T1.413 standard transmission/reception functions over a discrete multi-tone communications system capable of estimating clipping errors and computing clipping compensation signals.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting zero rate frames in a received data transmission. A modulated signal is received and demodulated in accordance with a particular demodulation format to generate demodulated symbols. The demodulated symbols are partitioned into a number of received frames. For each received frame, a quality metric is computed and compared against a threshold value. The threshold value is selected based, in part, on the quality metrics of received frames. Based on the comparison result, the received frame is indicated as being either transmitted and received in error (i.e., erased or bad) or not transmitted at all (i.e., zero rate or empty). The quality metric can relate to an energy of a received frame, a distance between a received frame and a codeword corresponding to the received frame, or other metrics.

Abstract: Image data representing an image to be printed is captured, and a cutting pattern for cutting the outer form of an image printed on recording paper is selected from a plurality of different cutting patterns. In accordance with the captured image data, one or more images are printed on the recording paper in sizes and layout proper for the selected cutting pattern. Then, the outer forms of one or more images are cut on the recording paper in the selected cutting pattern. This eliminates the necessity of entering the size and layout of the image to be printed on the recording paper and editing a cutting method. Moreover, one or more images can be printed on the recording paper in a desired size and layout, and the outer forms of one or more images are cut on the recording paper in a desired cutting pattern.

Abstract: A cutting tool (500) has a longitudinally extending shaft portion (588) with a chucking part (509) and a cutting head (506). A pressed powder cutting insert (518) with a cutting edge (520) is on the cutting head (506). The cutting edge (520) includes at least one cutting portion. A rake surface (524) is formed adjacent to at least one of the cutting portions (520) with the rake face (524) being at a rake angle from about 0° to 10°. A clearance face (526) is formed adjacent to the at least one cutting portion opposite the rake face (524). The clearance face (526) is at a clearance angle from about 10° to 50°. An edge radius (540) between the rake face (524) and the clearance face (526) is at a radius of from about 0.0015 to about 0.004 inch. The edge radius 540 is formed during pressing of the powder to form the insert, thus, enabling the insert to be directly braised into the cutting head (506).

Abstract: A cutting tool (200, 202) has a longitudinally extending shaft portion (208) with a chucking part (204) and a cutting head (206). A cutting edge (220) is formed on the cutting head (206). The cutting edge (220) includes at least one cutting portion. A rake surface (224) is formed adjacent to at least one of the cutting portions (220) with the rake face being at a rake angle in the range from about −10° to about 10°. A clearance face (226) is formed adjacent to the at least one cutting portion opposite the rake face (224). The clearance face (226) is at a clearance angle in the range from about 10° to about 50°. An edge radius between the rake face and the clearance face is at a radius of from about 0.0003 to about 0.0040 inch.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the bending stress imparted to threaded fasteners in flanged connections is disclosed. The apparatus includes a radially tapered surface machined in the backface of the flanges to coact with the head of the threaded fastener as the threaded fastener is tightened to a predetermined torque value. This coaction compensates for flange deflection as the threaded fastener is tightened.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit having a compressor that includes a cast member, a cavity formed in the cast member, and an oil filter element dividing the cavity into an inlet cavity and an outlet cavity. An inlet port for directing the unfiltered oil into the inlet cavity and an outlet port for directing filtered oil out of the outlet cavity are also included. The filter element is secured in the cavity between an integral plate on one end and ears on the opposite end. A seal between the cast member and the removable cover is included. Also included is another seal positioned between the inlet and outlet cavities. The filter element may be cylindrical. At least one isolation valve that prevents or allows flow into and out of the filter cavity may be included. The inlet port may be formed in the cast member and the outlet port may be formed in the removable cover, or vice versa. At least one lubrication point and an oil conduit communicating between the lubrication port and the outlet port are included.

Abstract: A method of and system for sterilizing the internal surfaces of one or more elongate relatively narrow passages of interest contained in a device of interest, said passages having end openings and being susceptible of sustaining flow there along by inducing a positive flow of sterilizing gas through each passage of interest in a selected direction. Gas flow through a device of interest is caused by a passive two-chamber device which generates a transient pressure gradient between the ends of the lumens of the device in response to externally imposed variations of pressure. Sterilant gas is provided from outside the two chamber systems.

Abstract: Modified baculovirus particles containing prophylactic and/or therapeutic nucleic acid are provided, together with their use in treating liver conditions such as viral infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active oxygen scavenging agent and a cancer chemopreventing agent both comprising a dried Grifola, a dry Grifola powder and/or a Grifola extract, and to a food or animal feed comprising the active oxygen scavenging agent or the cancer chemopreventing agent.

Abstract: A lipid or other hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound (collectively referred to herein as “hydrophobic compounds”) is integrated into a polymeric matrix for drug delivery to alter drug release kinetics. In embodiments where the drug is water soluble, the drug is released over longer periods of time as compared to release from the polymeric matrix not incorporating the hydrophobic compound into the polymeric material. In contrast to methods in which a surfactant or lipid is added as an excipient, the hydrophobic compound is actually integrated into the polymeric matrix, thereby modifying the diffusion of water into the microparticle and diffusion of solubilized drug out of the matrix. The integrated hydrophobic compound also prolongs degradation of hydrolytically unstable polymers forming the matrix, further delaying release of encapsulated drug.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing an agglomerate of N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester and a carrier comprising the steps of: (a) providing a premix solution comprising N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester and a binding agent; (b) fluidizing a carrier; and (c) applying the premix solution of step (a) onto said fluidized carrier to form an agglomerate of said N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester and said carrier. This invention is also directed to the novel agglomerates prepared by the process of this invention.

Abstract: Aqueous formulations comprising as film-forming constituent at least one copolymer P, synthesized from ethylenically unsaturated monomers M, are used for coating shaped mineral articles, the copolymer P having a glass transition temperature in the range from −25° to +80° C. and the monomers M comprising more than 0.2% by weight and up to 5% by weight, based on their overall weight, of itaconic acid as monomer M1.

Abstract: A floor mat is disclosed which is releasably attachable to loop-pile fibers of a carpet of the carpeted floor board of a vehicle. The floor mat includes a generally planar member having a top surface, a carpet material attached and/or bonded to the top surface, a plurality of integrally formed, spaced-apart, downwardly-depending nibs, and a plurality of integrally formed, spaced-apart, downwardly-depending, carpet-engaging members interlockably engageable with the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floor board. The planar member, and thus, the integrally formed carpet-engaging members are desirably formed from a heat curable, elastomeric or rubber-like material so that the plurality of carpet-engaging members is disengageable from the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floor board generally without damaging the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floor board. Also disclosed are a mold and a method for forming such a floor mat.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for injecting an additive directly into a polymer melt stream. The method comprises supplying a melt flow of a polymeric host material to a die assembly having a thin-plate assembly and injecting at least one additive into at least one predetermined location in a cross-section of the melt flow of the polymeric host material while the melt flow passes through the die assembly. The method achieves uniform dosing of the one or more additives in the extrusion direction in the polymeric host material without homogeneously mixing the one or more additives and the polymeric host material. The apparatus for directly injecting one or more additives into a polymer melt stream comprises a pumping system, a die assembly having a thin-plate assembly, and a distribution line.

Abstract: A multilayer structure with improved permeation for atmospheric diffusion of aromatic products wherein the structure comprises: a permeable membrane wherein said permeable membrane comprises at least two polymeric layers wherein the polymer of each layer is independently selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, very low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, ethylene methylacrylate copolymer; a release layer wherein said release layer comprises a nylon polymer or a ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer wherein the release layer is adhered to most inner polymeric layer of the permeable member which comprises the permeable membrane and wherein the adhesion between release layer and the adjacent layer of the polymeric permeable membrane is a relatively weak bond compared to the bond between the layers of the polymeric permeable membrane; and an impermeable membrane wherein said impermeable membrane comprises one or more layers wherein the materials which comprise the individual layers of the imper

Abstract: A laminated multilayer film substrate for use in the production of banknotes having an oriented polypropylene core layer and at least one high density polyethylene layer on each side of the oriented polypropylene layer. The core layer may contain microcavities formed by the addition of a cavitating agent. The outer surfaces of the multilayer film substrate are coated with one or more epoxy layers, filed or unfilled, and one or more antistatic layers. The resultant films exhibit good embossability, dead-fold characteristics and other properties, making them highly suited for the production of bank notes and other security documents.

Abstract: The preparation of phenol-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehyde resin-based binders extended with a cyclic urea-formaldehyde prepolymer and to products prepared using the binders. More particularly, the invention relates to a cyclic urea prepolymer comprising urea, formaldehyde, and ammonia or a primary amine which, when added to a phenol-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde based resin, results in a useful binder for the manufacturer numerous articles.

Abstract: A battery having an array of rectangular cells with cylindrical ends housed in a rectangular battery container and a battery having a single rectangular electrochemical cell with a cylindrical end. Each cell has a rectangular section substantially housing the active cell materials and a cylindrical end with a round cover/seal assembly assembled thereto.

Abstract: In a lead-acid battery, a positive active material includes tin in an amount of from not less than 0.2% to not more than 5% based on the weight thereof. The density of the positive active material after formation is from not less than 3.75 g/cc to not more than 5.0 g/cc. When the lead-acid battery is produced by a battery container formation, a time required between the infection of an electrolyte and the beginning of battery container formation is from not less than 0.1 hours to not more than 3 hours.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a phase shifting mask and a structure mask for shrinking integrated circuit designs. One embodiment of the invention includes using a two mask process. The first mask is a phase shift mask and the second mask is a single phase structure mask. The phase shift mask primarily defines regions requiring phase shifting. The single phase structure mask primarily defines regions not requiring phase shifting. The single phase structure mask also prevents the erasure of the phase shifting regions and prevents the creation of undesirable artifact regions that would otherwise be created by the phase shift mask. Both masks are derived from a set of masks used in a larger minimum dimension process technology.

Abstract: Human G-protein chemokine receptor polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptides for identifying antagonists and agonists to such polypeptides and methods of using the agonists and antagonists therapeutically to treat conditions related to the underexpression and overexpression of the G-protein chemokine receptor polypeptides, respectively. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the G-protein chemokine receptor nucleic acid sequences and detecting a level of the soluble form of the receptors in a sample derived from a host.

Abstract: A method for making DRAM devices having reduced parasitic capacitance between closely spaced capacitors is achieved. After forming FETs for the memory cells and bit lines having bit-line contacts, a planar insulating layer is formed having an etch-stop layer thereon. Contact openings are etched in the insulating layer and are filled with polysilicon to make contact to capacitor node contact plugs. A relatively thick insulating layer having a low dielectric constant (k) is deposited, and an array of recesses are etched over the node contact plugs for crown-shaped capacitors. A polysilicon layer and an interelectrode dielectric layer are formed in the array of recesses, and another polysilicon layer is patterned to complete the crown capacitors. The low-k insulator between adjacent capacitors reduces the parasitic capacitance and improves data retention of DRAM cells. Alternatively, higher density of memory cells can be formed without increasing parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: A polycrystalline thin film of good quality is obtained by improving a crystallization process of a semiconductor thin film using laser light. After conducting a film forming step of forming a non-single crystal semiconductor thin film on a surface of a substrate, an annealing step is conducted by irradiating with laser light to convert the non-single crystal semiconductor thin film to a polycrystalline material. The annealing step is conducted by changing and adjusting the cross sectional shape of the laser light to a prescribed region. The semiconductor thin film is irradiated once or more with a pulse of laser light having an emission time width from upstand to downfall of 50 ns or more and having a constant cross sectional area, so as to convert the semiconductor thin film contained in an irradiated region corresponding to the cross sectional area to a polycrystalline material at a time. At this time, the energy intensity of laser light from upstand to downfall is controlled to apply a desired change.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a crown capacitor is able to form a deep UV photoresist layer having a cylindrical structure by using only one mask. A conductive layer, the main structure of a bottom electrode, is formed on the sidewall of the deep UV photoresist layer by performing a silylation process. A fairly small and high cylindrical structure is formed by the invention, so that the crown capacitor can be used in DRAM having a storage capacity higher than 64 MB. Also, there is no problem of registration because only one mask is used.