Abstract: An electronic device including a continuity sensor and electrical circuitry configured to detect and report the continuity state of an article, container or product packaging is disclosed. The continuity sensor includes a first substrate with first and second coils thereon, and a second substrate with a third coil thereon. The first coil has an integrated circuit electrically connected thereto. The first substrate is part of, or is attached or secured to a part of the article, container or packaging. The second substrate is another part of, or is attached or secured to another part of the article, container or packaging. One of the article, container or packaging parts is (re)movable with respect to the other part. The first and second coils have one coupling when the article, container or packaging is closed or sealed, and a different coupling when the article, container or packaging is open or unsealed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a multi-layer barrier for a flexible substrate supporting electronic and/or microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices. Apparatuses including a substrate, a first metal nitride layer, a first oxide layer on or over the first metal nitride layer, a second metal nitride layer and a second oxide layer on or over the first oxide layer, and a device layer on or over the first oxide layer or both the first and second oxide layers are disclosed. When the device layer is on or over the first oxide layer, the second metal nitride layer is on or over the device layer, and the second oxide layer is on or over the on or over the second metal nitride layer. When the device layer is on or over both the first and second oxide layers, the second metal nitride layer is on or over the second oxide layer. A method of making the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless communication device having an integrated antenna, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The device generally includes (a) a substrate; (b) an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a plurality of printed and/or thin film layers and/or structures on the substrate, (c) a dielectric or insulator layer in at least one area of the substrate other than the IC; and (d) an antenna on the dielectric or insulator layer, comprising one or more metal traces. The plurality of printed and/or thin film layers and/or structures include an uppermost layer of metal. The antenna has (i) an inner terminal continuous with the uppermost layer of metal or connected to the uppermost layer of metal through one or more contacts, and (ii) an outer terminal connected to the uppermost layer of metal through one or more contacts and optionally a metal bridge or strap.

Abstract: A method of attaching one or more active devices on one or more substrates to a metal carrier by “hot stamping” is disclosed. The method includes contacting the active device(s) on the substrate(s) with the metal carrier, and applying pressure to and heating the active device(s) on the substrate(s) and the metal carrier sufficiently to affix or attach the active device(s) on the substrate(s) to the metal carrier. The active device(s) may include an integrated circuit. The substrate(s) may include a metal substrate on the backside of the active device and a protective/carrier film on the frontside of the active device. The protective/carrier film may be or include an organic polymer. The metal carrier may be or include a metal foil. Various examples of the method further include thinning the metal substrate, dicing the active device(s) and a continuous substrate, and/or separating the active devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a wireless communication device and a method of reading a wireless communication device in which the magnitude of electromagnetically-induced currents in a metal-containing substrate is reduced. The metal-containing substrate has one or more openings therethrough. The device includes an antenna configured to (i) receive one or more first wireless signals from a reader and (ii) transmit or broadcast one or more second wireless signals and an integrated circuit coupled to the antenna. The antenna overlaps with at least one of the one or more openings.

Abstract: An electronic device, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method of manufacturing the electronic device includes forming a first metal layer on a first substrate, forming an integrated circuit or a discrete electrical component on a second substrate, forming electrical connectors on input and/or output terminals of the integrated circuit or discrete electrical component, forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer, the second metal layer improving adhesion and/or electrical connectivity of the first metal layer to the electrical connectors on the integrated circuit or discrete electrical component, and electrically connecting the electrical connectors to the second metal layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a barrier stack for thin film and/or printed electronics on substrates having a diffusible element and/or species, methods of manufacturing the same, and methods of inhibiting or preventing diffusion of a diffusible element or species in a substrate using the same. The barrier stack includes a first barrier layer on the substrate, an insulator layer on the first barrier layer, a second barrier layer on the insulator layer in a first region of the substrate, and a third barrier layer on the insulator layer in a second region of the substrate and on the second barrier layer in the first region. Each of the second and third barrier layers has a thickness less than that of the first barrier layer.

Abstract: A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more protection lines. The antenna receives and/or transmits or broadcasts a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The integrated circuit has a first set of terminals electrically connected to the antenna. The protection line(s) are on a common or different substrate as the antenna. The protection line(s) sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and are electrically connected to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the first set of terminals.

Abstract: A battery management system having and configurable batteries are disclosed. The battery management system generally includes (a) one or more cell control units, each configured to control and/or balance a charge in a plurality of battery cells, and (b) a master controller in electrical communication with cell control unit(s). The cell control unit(s) as a whole include one or more switches, configured to be electrically connected to a first one of a plurality of battery cells, and a resistor, capacitor or inductor electrically (i) connected to one switch and (ii) connected or connectable to a second battery cell. The master controller is configured to open or close each switch. The configurable battery generally includes a plurality of battery cells and switches configured to connect or disconnect the battery cells in a configurable or predetermined manner.

Abstract: There is provided a highly conductive and good silicon thin film which is obtained by applying a coating-type polysilane composition prepared by use of a polysilane having a large weight average molecular weight to a substrate, followed by baking. A polysilane having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 8,000. The polysilane may be a polymer of cyclopentasilane. A silicon film obtained by applying a polysilane composition in which the polysilane is dissolved in a solvent to a substrate, and baking the substrate at 100° C. to 425° C. The cyclopentasilane may be polymerized in the presence of a palladium catalyst supported on a polymer. The palladium catalyst supported on a polymer may be a catalyst in which palladium as a catalyst component is immobilized on a functional polystyrene. The palladium may be a palladium compound or a palladium complex.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory cell (1) and a memory device (100) comprising one or more such cells (1). The ferroelectric memory cell comprises a stack (4) of layers arranged on a flexible substrate (3). Said stack comprises an electrically active part (4a) and a protective layer (11) for protecting the electrically active part against scratches and abrasion. Said electrically active part comprises a bottom electrode layer (5) and a top electrode layer (9) and at least one ferroelectric memory material layer (7) between said electrodes. The stack further comprises a buffer layer (13) arranged between the top electrode layer (9) and the protective layer (11). The buffer layer (13) is adapted for at least partially absorbing a lateral dimensional change (?L) occurring in the protective layer (11) and thus preventing said dimensional change (?L) from being transferred to the electrically active part (4a), thereby reducing the risk of short circuit to occur between the electrodes.

Abstract: A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more protection lines. The antenna receives and/or transmits or broadcasts a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The integrated circuit has a first set of terminals electrically connected to the antenna. The protection line(s) are on a common or different substrate as the antenna. The protection line(s) sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and are electrically connected to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the first set of terminals.

Abstract: A method of producing a silicon hydride oxide-containing organic solvent (coating solution) is provided with which a silicon hydride oxide coating film can be formed on a substrate. Using the silicon hydride oxide-containing organic solvent makes it unnecessary to place a coating solution in non-oxidizing atmosphere at the time of coating or to heat the substrate after coating because the silicon hydride oxide is formed in the coating solution before it is coated. The method includes blowing an oxygen-containing gas through an organic solvent containing a silicon hydride or a polymer thereof. The silicon hydride oxide may contain a proportion of (residual Si-H groups)/(Si-H groups before oxidation) of 1 to 40 mol %. The silicon hydride can be obtained by reacting a cyclic silane with a hydrogen halide in the presence of an aluminum halide, and reducing the obtained cyclic halosilane.

Abstract: A wireless communication device having an integrated antenna, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The device generally includes (a) a substrate; (b) an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a plurality of printed and/or thin film layers and/or structures on the substrate, (c) a dielectric or insulator layer in at least one area of the substrate other than the IC; and (d) an antenna on the dielectric or insulator layer, comprising one or more metal traces. The plurality of printed and/or thin film layers and/or structures include an uppermost layer of metal.

Abstract: An electronic device including a continuity sensor and electrical circuitry configured to detect and report the continuity state of an article, container or product packaging is disclosed. The continuity sensor includes a first substrate with first and second coils thereon, and a second substrate with a third coil thereon. The first coil has an integrated circuit electrically connected thereto. The first substrate is part of, or is attached or secured to a part of the article, container or packaging. The second substrate is another part of, or is attached or secured to another part of the article, container or packaging. One of the article, container or packaging parts is (re)movable with respect to the other part. The first and second coils have one coupling when the article, container or packaging is closed or sealed, and a different coupling when the article, container or packaging is open or unsealed.

Abstract: A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more protection lines. The antenna receives and/or transmits or broadcasts a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The integrated circuit has a first set of terminals electrically connected to the antenna. The protection line(s) are on a common or different substrate as the antenna. The protection line(s) sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and are electrically connected to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the first set of terminals.

Abstract: High precision capacitors and methods for forming the same utilizing a precise and highly conformal deposition process for depositing an insulating layer on substrates of various roughness and composition. The method generally comprises the steps of depositing a first insulating layer on a metal substrate by atomic layer deposition (ALD); (b) forming a first capacitor electrode on the first insulating layer; and (c) forming a second insulating layer on the first insulating layer and on or adjacent to the first capacitor electrode. Embodiments provide an improved deposition process that produces a highly conformal insulating layer on a wide range of substrates, and thereby, an improved capacitor.

Abstract: An electronic device including a continuity sensor and electrical circuitry configured to detect and report the continuity state of an article, container or product packaging is disclosed. The continuity sensor includes a first substrate with first and second coils thereon, and a second substrate with a third coil thereon. The first coil has an integrated circuit electrically connected thereto. The first substrate is part of, or is attached or secured to a part of the article, container or packaging. The second substrate is another part of, or is attached or secured to another part of the article, container or packaging. One of the article, container or packaging parts is (re)movable with respect to the other part. The first and second coils have one coupling when the article, container or packaging is closed or sealed, and a different coupling when the article, container or packaging is open or unsealed.

Abstract: A method of and system for manufacturing an electronic device, a curable conductive adhesive for use in the same, and an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes printing a conductive adhesive onto pads at ends of traces on a substrate, placing one or more components having a non-standard size and/or shape onto the pads with the conductive adhesive thereon, and after the component(s) have been placed onto the pads, curing the conductive adhesive at a predetermined temperature or with light having a predetermined wavelength (band). The system comprises a printer configured to print a conductive adhesive onto pads at ends of traces on a substrate, a surface mounting machine configured to place one or more components having a non-standard size and/or shape onto the pads with the conductive adhesive thereon, and a curing station configured to cure the conductive adhesive after the component(s) have been placed onto the pads.

Abstract: A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more protection lines. The antenna receives and/or transmits or broadcasts a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The integrated circuit has a first set of terminals electrically connected to the antenna. The protection line(s) are on a common or different substrate as the antenna. The protection line(s) sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and are electrically connected to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the first set of terminals.