Abstract: A coaxial probe interconnection system includes a carrier assembly and a probe holder. The carrier assembly contains first coaxial connector halves. Each first coaxial connector half is terminated to an associated coaxial cable. The probe holder assembly contains coaxial probe connectors. Each coaxial probe connector includes a spring probe at a first end and a second coaxial connector half at a second end. Each second coaxial connector half slidably mates with a corresponding first coaxial connector half in the carrier assembly.

Abstract: A device or an enclosed area that can cause or is sensitive to electromagnetic interference (EMI) is shielded by at least partially surrounding the device or the area with a visible light-transmissive film comprising a flexible support, an extensible visible light-transmissive metal or metal alloy layer and a visible light-transmissive crosslinked polymeric protective layer, and connecting at least one grounding electrode to the metal or metal alloy layer. The film has reduced susceptibility to fracture or corrosion compared to commercially available EMI shielding films.

Abstract: A flexible circuit incorporating an electrostatic discharge limiting feature, comprising a dielectric substrate selected from polyimide or liquid crystal polymer film having at least one conductive trace coated on at least one surface of the substrate wherein the discharge limiting feature includes a thin conductive polymer coating selectively applied over a at least a portion of the non-critical region of the circuit, said feature reducing the surface resistivity of the circuit to about 104 ohms to about 108 ohms and having tribocharging of less than about 50 V.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multi-layer double-sided wiring boards having an insulating layer with an opening, conductive layers on both surfaces of the insulating layer and on the inside of the opening, and an interface layer between the insulating layer and portions of the conductive layers wherein the conductive layers are in direct contact in the opening. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating such multi-layer double-sided wiring boards.

Abstract: A composition for electrophoretic deposition of an insulating, protective coating. The composition comprises a cationic resin emulsion; and a curative mixed with the cationic resin emulsion. The composition after electrophoretic deposition and curing provides the protective coating that has a concentration of extractable ionic contaminants less than about 200 nanograms/cm2; and a concentration of labile components less than about 36,000 nanograms/cm2. A coating composition according to the present invention provides an article in the form of a flexible printed circuit, used as an interconnect, comprising a film substrate and a plurality of conductive traces adjacent to a surface of the film substrate to receive the insulating protective coating using electrophoretic deposition techniques.

Abstract: A glass article comprising a glass substrate and a diamond-like film deposited on the substrate is disclosed. The glass article is desirably responsive to actinic radiation, such as being capable of demonstrating a change in refractive index upon exposure to actinic radiation. The film permits passage of the actinic radiation. through the film and into the substrate. In specific implementations, the film comprises at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, and from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis.

Abstract: Methods for producing circuit elements the resultant circuit elements, and methods for making circuits therefrom are disclosed. A precursor circuit element includes a first insulating layer with conductor thereon and an electrically conducting member or bump, protruding from the conductor, that provide a shape to one surface of the precursor circuit element. A second insulating layer, including an adhesive, is placed onto the precursor circuit element and assumes the shape of the aforementioned surface of the precursor circuit element.

Abstract: A method for making full color display panel pixels is described. One aspect of the method relates to simultaneously depositing red, green, and blue dopants such that the blue dopant is dispersed in at least one non-blue subpixel. Another aspect of the method relates to using an integrated or removable mask to deposit components. In an angled evaporation method, the mask can correct for parallax.

Abstract: A method of biological assay comprises the steps of providing an enzyme substrate comprising two fluorescence dye groups bound to a flexible peptide, the dye groups being of proximity sufficiently close so as to allow free energy attractions to draw the dyes together to essentially self-quench fluorescence of the dye groups, wherein self quenching of fluorescence of the dye groups is effected by dye dimerization or stacking, and enzymatically cleaving the peptide to release the fluorescence dye groups from dye dimerization or stacking, thereby producing an increase in fluorescence intensity. A protease substrate for use in the method of the invention is also disclosed. This invention finds use in detection and identification of microorganisms, sterilization assurance, pharmaceutical discovery, enzyme assays, immunoassays, and other biological assays.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly including an elongated polymeric base member having a plurality of traces formed directly on a first surface thereof and a reference voltage layer formed on a second surface thereof. A support member is formed directly on at least a portion of the reference voltage layer. The plurality of traces overlay at least a portion of the reference voltage layer. The reference voltage layer is formed from a first electrically conductive material and the support member is formed from a second electrically conductive material. The first electrically conductive material providing substantially greater electrical conductivity and substantially less tensile strength than the second electrically conductive material. The support member includes a head gimbal portion having a first thickness and a load beam portion having a second thickness. The second thickness is substantially greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A covercoated base substrate, comprising a base substrate and a photoimageable covercoat layer having a lead portion extending beyond at least one, wherein the lead portion has a controlled offset distance from the edge, and a printed circuit made from such base substrate having at least one conductor including a trace and a lead wherein the covercoat has a lead portion covering at least one lead. A base substrate may also have an opening formed therethrough, the opening defining an interior edge wherein the covercoat extends beyond that interior edge.

Abstract: An interlocking fastener, preferably in the form of an elongate strip, holds at least one object in a substantially immobile condition. The interlocking fastener comprises a backing sheet having a first side opposite a second side and a first end opposite a second end. A plurality of first connecting elements, attached to the first side of the backing sheet, releasably engage a plurality of second connecting elements attached to the second side of the backing sheet during formation of a wrapped fastening strip. The interlocking fastener has a deposit of a pliable material at a plurality of boundaries between areas of the connecting elements on at least the first side of the backing sheet to provide at least frictional contact immobilizing the object to substantially prevent it from moving following formation of the wrapped fastening strip by overlap of the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A process for providing a metal-seeded liquid crystal polymer comprising the steps of providing a liquid crystal polymer substrate to be treated by applying an aqueous solution comprising an alkali metal hydroxide and a solubilizer as an etchant composition for the liquid crystal polymer substrate. Further treatment of the etched liquid crystal polymer substrate involves depositing an adherent metal layer on the etched liquid crystal polymer substrate. An adherent metal layer may be deposited using either electroless metal plating or vacuum deposition of metal such as by sputtering. When using electroless metal plating, a tin(II) solution applied to the liquid crystal polymer provides a treated liquid crystal polymer substrate to which the application of a palladium(II) solution provides the metal-seeded liquid crystal polymer. The etchant composition comprises a solution in water of from 35 wt. % to 55 wt. % of an alkali metal salt, and from 10 wt. % to 35 wt.

Abstract: A diamond-like glass film is disclosed. In specific implementations, the film includes a diamond-like glass containing at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, at least about 25 atomic percent silicon, and less than or equal to about 45 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis. The diamond-like glass film may be applied to various substrates. The invention is also directed to articles having a diamond-like glass film, methods of making the articles, and apparatus for making the film and to articles.

Abstract: A method of laminating a structure comprises at least two layers and a photopolymerizable adhesive composition between the layers, at least one of the layers being opaque, colored, or reflective. One or both of the layers is transmissive to actinic radiation in wavelengths in the range of greater than 400 nm and up to 1200 nm. The photopolymerizable adhesive composition absorbs radiation in the identified spectral region of the radiation transmissive layer. Curing is effected by directing radiation in the identified spectral region through the radiation transmissive layer and produces a laminated structure. An underfilled flip chip assembly on an integrated circuit board substrate can be prepared by the method described above.

Abstract: The invention provides a flexible electrode antenna having a layer of conductive material laminated between a layer of flame retardant material and a layer of protective material. The layer of conductive material is preferably a metalized polymer substrate having corrosion resistant properties. The flame retardant material is preferably a glass cloth, while the protective material is preferably a non-woven material.

Abstract: Microporous materials and articles are disclosed. The microporous materials contain a crystallizable propylene-containing polymer, a beta-nucleating agent, and a diluent that is miscible with the polymer at a temperature above the melting temperature of the polymer and that phase separates from the polymer at a temperature below the polymer crystallization temperature. The invention is also directed to methods of forming the microporous material using thermal induced phase separation and subsequent processing.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising a blend of at least two components, wherein the first component is at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive and the second component is at least one thermoplastic material, wherein the components form a blended composition having more than one domain and, wherein one domain is substantially continuous (generally, the pressure-sensitive adhesive) and the other domain is substantially fibrillous to schistose (generally, the thermoplastic material). The second component can be (a) at least one thermoplastic elastomer, (b) at least one elastomer with a tackifying resin or (c) at least one elastomer.

Abstract: The invention discloses reduced density foams and methods of making the foams by applying or creating a nonfoaming barrier layer on a foamable layer, which barrier layer inhibits the escape of fugitive gases during the foaming process.