Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a battery and a method of making the same. The battery includes first and second metal substrates, a first solid-state and/or thin-film battery cell on the first metal substrate, a second solid-state and/or thin-film battery cell on the second metal substrate, and a hermetic seal in a peripheral region of the first and second metal substrates. The first and second battery cells are between the first and second metal substrates, and face each other. The method includes respectively forming first and second solid-state and/or thin-film battery cells on first and second metal substrates, placing the second battery cell on the first battery cell so that the first and second battery cells are between the first and second metal substrates, and hermetically sealing the first and second battery cells in a peripheral region of the first and second metal substrates.

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: The present disclosure pertains to a battery and a method of making the same. The battery includes first and second metal substrates, a first solid-state and/or thin-film battery cell on the first metal substrate, a second solid-state and/or thin-film battery cell on the second metal substrate, and a hermetic seal in a peripheral region of the first and second metal substrates. The first and second battery cells are between the first and second metal substrates, and face each other. The method includes respectively forming first and second solid-state and/or thin-film battery cells on first and second metal substrates, placing the second battery cell on the first battery cell so that the first and second battery cells are between the first and second metal substrates, and hermetically sealing the first and second battery cells in a peripheral region of the first and second metal substrates.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a battery and a method of making the same. The battery includes first and second metal substrates, a first solid-state and/or thin-film battery cell on the first metal substrate, a second solid-state and/or thin-film battery cell on the second metal substrate, and a hermetic seal in a peripheral region of the first and second metal substrates. The first and second battery cells are between the first and second metal substrates, and face each other. The method includes respectively forming first and second solid-state and/or thin-film battery cells on first and second metal substrates, placing the second battery cell on the first battery cell so that the first and second battery cells are between the first and second metal substrates, and hermetically sealing the first and second battery cells in a peripheral region of the first and second metal substrates.

Abstract: A solid-state battery and a method of making the same are disclosed. The battery includes a base frame or support, first and second exterior contacts on the base frame/support, stacked solid-state battery unit cells, first and second electrical connections, and encapsulation in contact with the base frame/support and covering the solid-state battery unit cells and the electrical connections. Each stacked solid-state battery unit cell is on a metal substrate and has exposed cathode and anode current collectors. The electrical connections respectively electrically connect the exposed cathode and anode current collectors to the first and second exterior contacts. The method includes forming the stacked solid-state battery unit cells on the base frame/support, forming the exterior contacts on the base frame/support, electrically connecting the exposed cathode and anode current collectors to the respective exterior contacts, and encapsulating the solid-state battery unit cells and the electrical connections.

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: 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: An electronic device and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. One method of manufacturing the electronic device includes forming an electrical device on a first substrate, depositing a passivation layer on the electrical device, printing a palladium-containing ink on exposed aluminum pads in or on the electrical device, converting the palladium-containing ink to a palladium-containing layer, and forming a conductive pad or bump on the palladium-containing layer. The passivation layer exposes the aluminum pads.

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: A bottle having a sealing device and a substrate attached thereto, and methods of attaching the substrate to the bottle are disclosed. Methods include placing the substrate on the bottle, the bottle having a break line, and the substrate having a wireless communication device having an antenna, an integrated circuit, and a sensing line thereon. Methods further include adhering a first part of the substrate including the antenna to a first portion of the bottle that does not include the break line, and a second part of the substrate including the sensing line to a second portion of the bottle and on/over a break line. The bottle includes an interface between the sealing device and defines a break line. The substrate including the wireless communication device is on/over the bottle, at least a part of the sealing device and the break line.

Abstract: A method of making a MOS device, a MOS device containing an aluminum nitride layer, and a CMOS circuit are disclosed. The method includes depositing an aluminum nitride layer on a structure including a silicon layer, depositing a dopant ink on the structure, and diffusing the dopant through the aluminum nitride layer into the silicon layer. The structure also includes a gate oxide layer on the silicon layer and a gate on the gate oxide layer. The dopant ink includes a dopant and a solvent. The MOS device includes a silicon layer, a gate oxide layer on the silicon layer, a gate on the gate oxide layer, and an aluminum nitride layer on the gate. The silicon layer includes a dopant on opposite sides of the gate.

Abstract: A tag or smart label including a humidity sensor, and methods of manufacturing and using the same, are disclosed. The tag or smart label includes a substrate or backplane with a battery or antenna, a humidity sensor, and an integrated circuit thereon. The integrated circuit is in electrical communication with the humidity sensor and the antenna or battery, and is configured to process a signal from the humidity sensor corresponding to the humidity level or value in the environment to be monitored, and provide or generate a signal that represents the humidity level/value. The humidity sensor includes first and second electrodes that are a predetermined distance apart, a humidity-sensitive material having one or more electrical, mechanical or chemical properties that vary as a function of the humidity level/value, and a water- and/or humidity-permeable membrane covering the humidity-sensitive material.

Abstract: An electronic device and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. One method of manufacturing the electronic device includes forming a first metal layer on a first substrate, forming an electrical device on a second substrate, forming electrical connectors on input and/or output terminals of the electrical device, selectively depositing a second metal on at least part of the first metal layer, and electrically connecting the electrical connectors to the first metal layer by contacting the electrical connectors to the second metal. The second metal is different from the first metal. The second metal improves adhesion and/or electrical connectivity of the first metal layer to the electrical connectors on the electrical device.

Abstract: A security and/or identification device including an integrated circuit and an antenna or a battery, and methods of manufacturing and using the same, are disclosed. The integrated circuit is on a substrate to be applied, affixed or attached to a package or container, and includes a set of connection pads electrically connectable to an external component, and a memory storing a unique identification number. The antenna or battery may be on the same or a different substrate. The antenna receives a first wireless signal, transmits a second wireless signal, and enables the integrated circuit to extract power from the first wireless signal. The battery provides power to the integrated circuit. The connection pads may be electrically connectable to one or more sensing lines, and the integrated circuit may further include a continuity sensor configured to determine a continuity state of the package/container.

Abstract: A wireless communication device and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a substrate with an antenna and/or inductor thereon, a patterned ferrite layer overlapping the antenna and/or inductor, and a capacitor electrically connected to the antenna and/or inductor. The wireless communication device may further include an integrated circuit including a receiver configured to convert a first wireless signal to an electric signal and a transmitter configured to generate a second wireless signal, the antenna being configured to receive the first wireless signal and transmit or broadcast the second wireless signal. The patterned ferrite layer advantageously mitigates the deleterious effect of metal objects in proximity to a reader and/or transponder magnetically coupled to the antenna.

Abstract: A wireless communication device and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a substrate with an antenna and/or inductor thereon, a patterned ferrite layer overlapping the antenna and/or inductor, and a capacitor electrically connected to the antenna and/or inductor. The wireless communication device may further include an integrated circuit including a receiver configured to convert a first wireless signal to an electric signal and a transmitter configured to generate a second wireless signal, the antenna being configured to receive the first wireless signal and transmit or broadcast the second wireless signal. The patterned ferrite layer advantageously mitigates the deleterious effect of metal objects in proximity to a reader and/or transponder magnetically coupled to the antenna.

Abstract: A tag or smart label including a humidity sensor, and methods of manufacturing and using the same, are disclosed. The tag or smart label includes a substrate or backplane with a battery or antenna, a humidity sensor, and an integrated circuit thereon. The integrated circuit is in electrical communication with the humidity sensor and the antenna or battery, and is configured to process a signal from the humidity sensor corresponding to the humidity level or value in the environment to be monitored, and provide or generate a signal that represents the humidity level/value. The humidity sensor includes first and second electrodes that are a predetermined distance apart, a humidity-sensitive material having one or more electrical, mechanical or chemical properties that vary as a function of the humidity level/value, and a water- and/or humidity-permeable membrane covering the humidity-sensitive material.

Abstract: A wireless communication device and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a substrate with an antenna and/or inductor thereon, a patterned ferrite layer overlapping the antenna and/or inductor, and a capacitor electrically connected to the antenna and/or inductor. The wireless communication device may further include an integrated circuit including a receiver configured to convert a first wireless signal to an electric signal and a transmitter configured to generate a second wireless signal, the antenna being configured to receive the first wireless signal and transmit or broadcast the second wireless signal. The patterned ferrite layer advantageously mitigates the deleterious effect of metal objects in proximity to a reader and/or transponder magnetically coupled to the antenna.