Abstract: A semiconductor wafer processor includes a chamber having a wafer support. A magnetic field generator is configured to generate a magnetic field within the chamber at a location proximate a surface of a wafer received by the wafer support. The magnetic field generator comprises a plurality of conductors within the chamber proximate the support which radiate outwardly from a substantially common origin to a periphery. The origin and periphery can be in the same or multiple planes. In one embodiment, the magnetic field generator includes a first plurality of conductors radiating outwardly from a first origin to a first periphery, and a second plurality of conductors annularly radiating outwardly from an annular second origin to an annular second periphery. The first periphery is received at least partially within the second annular periphery. The generator can be utilized apart from a semiconductor wafer processor, such as for example in an electric motor or plasma generating apparatus.

Abstract: The invention includes a semiconductor processing method of forming a die package. An insulative substrate is provided. Circuitry is over a topside of the substrate, and a slit extends through the substrate. A semiconductive-material-comprising die is provided beneath the substrate, and has a surface exposed through the slit in the substrate. The die has an edge. There is a gap between the die and an underside of the substrate. A radiation-curable material is injected through this slit and into the gap. Radiation is directed from over the edge to the gap to cure at least a portion of the radiation-curable material within the gap and thus form a dam which impedes non-cured radiation-curable material from flowing beyond the edge.

Abstract: The invention encompasses PVD target/backing plate assemblies which include a PVD target having a surface, and a bonding layer on the surface. The bonding layer has a different composition than the target surface, and a backing plate is provided to be separated from the PVD target surface by at least the bonding layer. The bonding layer forms a strong diffusion bond to the target. The invention also includes methods of forming PVD target/backing plate assemblies. Additionally, the invention includes assemblies in which one or more of titanium, zirconium, and copper is incorporated into a bonding layer between a target and a backing plate in a physical vapor deposition target/backing assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a device for sensing a change in an environment proximate the device. The device comprises a planar loop of conductive material extending along a first plane. The conductive material comprises two ends and the loop is configured to be broken upon the change in the environment. The device further comprises a pair of prongs. A first of the pair of prongs extends from one of the two ends of the conductive material and a second of the pair of prongs extends from an other of the two ends of the conductive material. The first and second prongs extend along the first plane. Additionally, the device comprises a circuit support having circuitry supported thereby and a pair of orifices extending therethrough. The prongs extend through the orifices to electrically connect. the circuitry supported by the circuit support to the planar loop of material. In another aspect, the invention includes a device for sensing termites.

Abstract: A bone joining implant, comprising a tubular body having an open leading end and a central aperture, the central aperture similarly sized to the open leading end, the open leading end communicating with the central aperture and configured to entrap a bone projection from each of a pair of adjacent bone bodies being joined together. A method is also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes an isolation region forming method comprising: a) forming an oxide layer over a substrate; b) forming a nitride layer over the oxide layer, the nitride layer and oxide layer having a pattern of openings extending therethrough to expose portions of the underlying substrate; c) etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate to form openings extending into the substrate; d) after etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate, removing portions of the nitride layer while leaving some of the nitride layer remaining over the substrate; and e) after removing portions of the nitride layer, forming oxide within the openings in the substrate, the oxide within the openings forming at least portions of isolation regions.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method of chemically converting a first material to a second material. A first plasma and a second plasma are formed, and the first plasma is in fluid communication with the second plasma. The second plasma comprises activated hydrogen and oxygen, and is formed from a water vapor. A first material is flowed into the first plasma to at least partially ionize at least a portion of the first material. The at least partially ionized first material is flowed into the second plasma to react at least some components of the first material with at least one of the activated hydrogen and activated oxygen. Such converts at least some of the first material to a second material. In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method of forming a synthetic gas by flowing a hydrocarbon-containing material into a hybrid-plasma system.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a single engraved embossing roll to emboss different expanses of material with different patterns. The single engraved embossing roll has at least two projections projecting therefrom. A first of the projections projects to a greater height from the roll than a second of the projections. In another aspect, the invention encompasses an apparatus for embossing different expanses of material with different patterns. The apparatus includes an engraved surface having at least two projections projecting therefrom. A first of the projections projects to a greater height than a second of the projections. The apparatus also includes a backing surface configured to receive the projections of the engraved surface. The backing surface and engraved surface are together configured to receive an expanse of material between them.

Abstract: The present invention includes integrated circuitry, an interface circuit of an integrated circuit device, cascode circuitry, method of protecting an integrated circuit, method of operating integrated circuitry, and method of operating cascode circuitry. One aspect of the present invention provides integrated circuitry including a driver adapted to couple with a pad and internal circuitry of an integrated circuit device, the driver includes a first transistor coupled with the pad; cascode circuitry including a second transistor coupled with the pad and a third transistor coupled with ground, the cascode circuitry configured to remain in an untriggered state during the presence of stress currents at the pad; and protection circuitry intermediate the pad and ground and configured to shunt stress currents from the pad to ground.

Abstract: An excavating implement which includes a blade defining a top surface, an opposed bottom surface, a rear edge, a front edge, and opposed end surfaces. Primary cutting edges are spaced apart along the front edge, and secondary cutting edges positioned between the primary cutting edges. The secondary cutting edges are recessed relative to the primary cutting edges. The secondary and primary cutting edges intersect with the bottom surface. The blade also defines primary and secondary beveled surfaces forming acute angles with the bottom surface, and which extend angularly toward the rear edge from the respective primary and secondary cutting edges to intersect with the top surface.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method of depositing a nitrogen enriched metal layer over a semiconductor substrate includes providing a sputter deposition reactor chamber having an inductive coil positioned therein, a metallic target position therein, and a semiconductor substrate positioned therein. A nitrogen containing source gas and a sputtering gas are fed to the reactor chamber. The reactor is operated to provide a selected target power, inductive coil power and substrate bias during the feeding effective to deposit an MNx comprising layer on the substrate, where “M” is an elemental metal and “x” is greater than 0 and less than 1. One implementation also includes forming a silicide contact to silicon from such layer, preferably with a silicon layer being formed over the MNx comprising layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a button-type battery includes, a) providing a conductive first terminal housing member, a conductive second terminal housing member, an anode, and a cathode; b) providing an anode/cathode separator, the separator being pre-configured with a self-aligning shape for self-aligning receipt relative to one of the first or second terminal housing members or the cathode; c) positioning the pre-configured separator relative to the one of the first or second terminal housing members or cathode, the pre-configured separator shape facilitating final alignment of the separator relative to the one of the first or second terminal housing members or the cathode; and d) joining the first and second terminal housing members together into a sealed battery assembly, with the anode, cathode and separator being received within the sealed battery assembly. A button-type battery construction is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the concurrent inspection of partially completed welds is described in which is utilized in combination with a moveable welder for forming a partially completed weld, and an ultrasonic generator mounted on a moveable welder in which is reciprocally moveable along a path of travel which is laterally disposed relative to the partially completed weld.

Abstract: An object detecting optical unit for detecting a direction or a position of an object placed on a detecting plane surface is disclosed. The optical unit detects existence or non existence of a retroreflective light reflected by a retroreflective member. A light projection device is formed by a plurality of light sources and corresponding lenses, arranged in to form a fan shaped projection pattern parallel to the detecting plane surface, the projection pattern being as if projected from a virtual one point light source. A light receiving device is included which has a slit or lens and linear photoreceptive group, arranged in such a manner as to form a light receiving pattern with a view field corresponding to the fan shaped projection pattern. A position coordinate input apparatus using the optical unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of peach tree denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachfive’, and which is characterized as to novelty by a date of maturity for commercial harvesting and shipment of, approximately June 27 to July 10 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachthree’, and which is characterized as to novelty by producing an attractively colored fruit which is ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment approximately August 30 to September 5 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of nectarine tree denominated varietally as ‘Burnectone’, and which is characterized as to novelty by a date of maturity for commercial harvesting and shipment of approximately May 25 to June 5, under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of nectarine tree denominated varietally as ‘Burnectwo’ and which is characterized as to novelty by date of maturity for commercial harvesting and shipment of approximately July 1 to July 8 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of nectarine tree denominated varietally as ‘Burnecthree’, and which is characterized as to novelty by a date of maturity for commercial harvesting and shipment of approximately July 8 to July 15, under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.