Abstract: A method includes adding a coating on a substrate, wherein the coating is a protective coating for the substrate and adding a chemistry to an outer portion or surface of the coating on the substrate. The chemistry is configured to better facilitate a creation of a chemical bond between the coating and a second layer to be applied to the coating.

Abstract: A plasma ashing system includes a plasma generator configured to generate a plasma from a gas source. The system further includes a plasma reaction chamber configured to house a substrate comprising a Parylene coating, wherein the plasma reaction chamber is configured to expose surfaces of the Parylene coating on the substrate to the plasma, wherein the plasma is configured to remove portions of the Parylene coating on the substrate. The plasma reaction chamber comprises a sensor or analyzer configured to determine when to stop plasma ashing the substrate.

Abstract: A mask material is readily discernible from a substrate to which the mask material is applied. The mask material may have a discernible characteristic, such as its color, luminescence or the like, which may render it visibly distinct from the substrate or detectable using automated inspection equipment. The discernible characteristic of the mask material may render it detectable through a protective coating.

Abstract: A modular multilayer deposition system includes a plurality of modular deposition chambers, including at least one parylene deposition chamber and at least one ALD deposition chamber. The parylene deposition chamber is connected in series with the ALD deposition chamber. Substrates are automatically moved from within the parylene deposition chamber to within the ALD deposition chamber or from within the ALD deposition chamber to the parylene deposition chamber.

Abstract: Described herein is a composite coating on a substrate including a parylene layer deposited on a substrate surface of a substrate, a metal oxide layer covering the parylene layer, and a metal oxide, parylene hybrid layer formed between the metal oxide layer and the parylene layer.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining and exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and comprising a control element. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both. The moisture sensor, which may be part of the IC, together with the control element may sense moisture within the electronic device.

Abstract: A method for applying a protective coating to selected portions of a substrate is disclosed. The method includes applying a mask to or forming a mask on at least one portion of the substrate that is not to be covered with the protective coating. The mask may be selectively formed by applying a flowable material to the substrate. Alternatively, the mask may be formed from a preformed film. With the mask in place, the protective coating may be applied to the substrate and the mask. A portion of the protective coating that overlies the mask may be delineated from other portions of the protective coating; for example, by cutting, weakening or removing material from the protective coating at locations at or adjacent to the perimeter of the mask. The portion of the protective coating that overlies the mask, and the mask, may then be removed from the substrate.

Abstract: A method of masking a feature of a substrate using a fixture includes removably coupling a fixture to a first side of the feature of the substrate, the fixture including walls configured to abut sides of the feature and extend beyond a top surface of the feature when the fixture is removably coupled to the first side. The method further includes applying a masking material to the top surface of the feature. The method further includes removably coupling the fixture to a second side of the feature, the second side opposing the first side, the walls of the fixture configured to abut the sides of the feature and extend beyond a bottom surface of the feature when the fixture is removably coupled to the second side. The method further includes applying the masking material to the bottom surface of the feature while the fixture is removably coupled.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems that enable selective removal of protective coatings from substrates are disclosed. Such a material removal system may use pressurized solid carbon dioxide (CO2) (i.e., dry ice) to remove a selected portion of a protective coating from a substrate. The material removal system may include one or more templates that provide selectivity in removing protective coatings from one or more substrates, fixtures for holding one or more substrates in place while material removal processes occur and apparatuses for positioning one or more substrates at desired locations in material removal systems.

Abstract: An electronic device that has components is provided with a housing that defines an exterior and an interior of the electronic device. The housing includes a vapor port that prevents ingress of liquid through the vapor port from the exterior of the electronic device to the interior of the electronic device. The vapor port also permits egress of vapor through the vapor port from the interior of the electronic device to the exterior of the electronic device. The vapor port may include a breathable, but water-resistant or waterproof barrier to prevent water from entering through the barrier while enabling water vapor to exit through the barrier and, thus, the vapor port.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a profile for a batch, or lot, of a precursor material and using the profile while processing the precursor material to form a polymer are disclosed. In such a method, a process profile that corresponds to the characteristics of a particular precursor material (e.g., the batch, etc.) may be generated. That process profile may then be used to cause a material processing system to process the precursor material in a manner that accounts for differences between that precursor material and a “standard” precursor material, while providing a polymer and, optionally, a film of “standard” quality. Apparatuses and systems that are configured to obtain profile data for a batch of precursor material, generate or modify a process profile based on the profile data and use the process profile to form a polymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Processes for masking electronic devices, including, but not limited to, electronic subassemblies, prior to the application of protective coatings to the electronic devices are disclosed. Such processes include the use of a plurality of different masking techniques in combination to mask the electronic device. Different masking techniques may be used to mask different features and/or components of the electronic device. Some features and/or components may be masked by way of two or more masking techniques. With one or more masks in place, an electronic device may be protectively coated. After a protective coating has been applied to the electronic device, at least a portion of the mask(s) may be removed from the electronic device. Protectively coated electronic devices may then be assembled with one another.

Abstract: A system for assembling electronic devices includes at least one coating element for applying a moisture-resistant coating to surfaces of a device under assembly, or an electronic device under assembly. As components and one or more moisture-resistant coatings are added to the electronic device under assembly to form a finished electronic device, at least one surface on which the coating resides and, thus, at least a portion of the coating itself, is located internally within the finished electronic device. Methods for assembling electronic devices that include internally confined moisture-resistant coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of masking a feature of a substrate using a fixture includes removably coupling a fixture to a first side of the feature of the substrate, the fixture including walls configured to abut sides of the feature and extend beyond a top surface of the feature when the fixture is removably coupled to the first side. The method further includes applying a masking material to the top surface of the feature. The method further includes removably coupling the fixture to a second side of the feature, the second side opposing the first side, the walls of the fixture configured to abut the sides of the feature and extend beyond a bottom surface of the feature when the fixture is removably coupled to the second side. The method further includes applying the masking material to the bottom surface of the feature while the fixture is removably coupled.

Abstract: An automated masking system includes a substrate loading apparatus designed to hold a plurality of substrates, a first masking material application station designed to automatically apply a first masking material to a portion of the substrate, and a second masking material application station designed to automatically apply a second masking material to a portion of the substrate, the second masking material being different than the first masking material. The system includes a first dispensing apparatus and a second dispensing apparatus that move relative to the substrate in a repeatable motion. The substrate moves automatically from the first masking material application station to the second masking material application station.

Abstract: A moisture-resistant electronic device includes at least one electronic component at least partially covered by a moisture-resistant coating. The moisture-resistant coating may be located within an interior of the electronic device. The moisture-resistant coating may cover only portions of a boundary of an internal space within the electronic device. A moisture-resistant coating may include one or more discernible boundaries, or seams, which may be located at or adjacent to locations where two or more components of the electronic device interface with each other. Assembly methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems may be provided that detect moisture with an antenna. Electrical impedance at the antenna may be detected by an impedance sensor. Moisture may be detected based on the impedance at the antenna.

Abstract: An approach to refurbishing or remanufacturing an electronic device may involve exposing electrical components that are situated within an interior of the electronic device. The approach may also involve replacing one or more defective electronic components of the electronic device with one or more replacement components and applying a protective coating to at least a portion of the interior of the electronic device. The protective coating may cover the circuit board and the electronic components it carries. The protective coating may also cover at least some of the electrical connections of the electronic device. The protective coating may also be applied to the replacement component prior to reassembly. The resulting refurbished or remanufactured electronic device may thus be provided with moisture resistance to help protect the electronic device from damage caused by exposure to moisture.

Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a first vaporizer configured to vaporize a first precursor material, a second vaporizer configured to vaporize a second precursor material in series with the first vaporizer, at least one pyrolysis chamber configured to further process vaporized precursor material from one of the first vaporizer or second vaporizer, and a deposition chamber configured to receive the processed precursor materials.

Abstract: Protective coatings are disclosed that are configured to cover electronic components within an electronic device, while enabling electrical connections to be established with electrical contacts that are covered by the protective coatings. Such a protective coating may comprise a parylene, or a poly(p-xylylene), protective coating that has a thickness of at least 0.1 ?m and at most about 2 ?m. Electronic devices that include such a protective coating are also disclosed.