Abstract: The present invention discloses a via plug formed in a zig-zag bordered opening in a semiconductor structure wherein the film stress in a barrier/glue layer TiN can be significantly reduced to eliminate the occurrence of volcano defect in which delamination or peeling of the TiN layer from the contact opening occurs. The via plug can be formed in a process by providing a mask that has a desirable zig-zag pattern during a photomasking step performed on the semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an integrated ethanol gas sensor and fabrication thereof. The present invention utilities micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) technology and has a main sensing part in the form of a cantilever-bridge structure made of SiC thin film material arranged over a silicon substrate. The present invention integrates an SiC heater of comb or finger electrode shape and an SnO.sub.2 thin film gas sensing element applied over distinct portions on the same Si substrate together with Al2O3 and SnO2 thin films via a VLSI technology.

Abstract: A method for a configurable intelligent-agent-based wireless communication system that can be used for conducting acquisition, processing, monitoring, tracking and reporting of data at remote mobile units over a wireless communication network. The system is comprised of an intelligent-agent-based wireless communication controller (110), a wireless data transmitter/receiver (120), a global positioning system data receiver (130), a plurality of data storage devices (140), a plurality of serial ports (150), a display device (160), and a battery with power charging circuitry (170).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for forming a zig-zag bordered opening in a semiconductor structure such that the film stress in a barrier/glue layer of TiN can be significantly reduced to eliminate the occurrence of volcano defect in which delamination or peeling-off of the TiN layer from the contact opening occurs. The method can be easily carried out by providing a mask that has a desirable zig-zag pattern during a photomasking step performed on the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A mounting structure that can be used to put together the constituent parts of a switch unit composed of a turning member, an inserting frame, a mounting base, and a pressing piece easily without the need of extra fastening member as screws or welding. It can also be used to mount the constituent parts of a switch unit securely. The mounting structure comprises first mounting members for mounting the turning member onto the insetting frame; second mounting members for mounting the insetting frame onto the mounting base; and third mounting members for mounting the pressing piece onto the turning member. The first mounting members include two engaging protrusions provided on the turning member and two recessed portions provided on the insetting frame. The second mounting members include a plurality of hook-like members provided on the insetting frame and a corresponding number of engaging holes provided on the mounting base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a receptacle having protective flaps that can prevent inadvertent insertion of alien objects into the slots of the receptacle. The receptacle having protective flaps can be made without the use of a separating plate as in the prior art so that it is cost-effective in manufacture and easy in assembly. The receptacle having protective flaps comprises a top cover having slots and a base for mounting the top cover thereon. The base has an integrally formed rib provided with paired notches to form a supporting piece therebetween. The protective flap is composed of a female frame and a male frame in which the female frame is provided with a sliding rail on lengthwise sides and the sliding rail is inset in the paired notches on the base and supported by the supporting piece so as to support the protective flap securely on the rib. An elastic piece is coupled to the protective flap for restoring the female frame and the male frame back to a closed condition when a plug is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides protection from lasers with a high nonlinear bsorption structure including a mirror which directs an incident beam to a beam splitter. A focusing lens receives and focuses the radiation to a higher intensity beam which is directed into an absorption material with a third order polarization property. Such materials will cause a two-photon absorption partial attenuation from the intensified beam when the incident radiation intensity is greater than ambient intensity. A focusing mirror receives the partially attenuated beam and reflects and refocuses the partially attenuated beam back through the absorption material, which now acts as a single photon absorption material to further attenuate the beam. The doubly attenuated beam passes through the focusing lens which recollimates the doubly attenuated beam and directs it to the beam splitter which in turn directs the beam to the receiving device.

Abstract: A swiveling electric fan comprising a truncated sphere-shaped housing which encloses a vane member, and a base having a concave spheric top surface with the same diameter as that of the housing, the housing being connected with the base in a swiveling manner, an upper end of the supporting disk being secured to the housing while a lower end thereof extending into the base to connect with and abut against a rotary guiding disk of a swiveling mechanism in a swiveling manner, so that when the guiding disk rotates, a sleeve section of the supporting disk is rotated in a circular hole of the top surface of the base, the circular hole being larger than the sleeve section in diameter, whereby the vane member is made to swivel through an elliptical trace.

Abstract: An eye protection device for protection against a broad spectrum of incid high intensity radiation includes a beam splitter which transmits the radiation to a first focusing lens which in turn focuses the radiation on a first mirror. The first mirror has a sacrificial surface which desorbs if the radiation has a predetermined minimum intensity. A second lens receives radiation reflected from the first mirror and directs the beam orthogonally onto a second mirror. The beam reflects off the second mirror and is directed back through the second lens which refocuses the beam onto the surface of the first mirror at the original area. When the initial beam was above the minimum, reflectivity at this location will have been destroyed and the beam will pass harmlessly through the mirror. If the initial beam does not destroy the surface, the beam will be reflected back to the beam splitter and then to a receiving device.

Abstract: A warm mist humidifier wherein the steam-heating means thereof is composed of an outer heating means and an inner heating means having a plurality of oblique blades mounted around its upper periphery. A thin layer of water flowing from a reservoir between said outer heating means and inner heating means is rapidly heated into steam when disposed beneath the steam-heating means a heater is actuated, the ascending steam thrust on the blades to rotate the inner heating means to rub the outer heating means continuously, preventing minerals or other deposits from depositing thereon and permitting the deposits to be carried by hot water to a collector disposed around the outer heating means and there after to a filter means through a groove for filtering, thereby eliminating the disadvantage of usually manual cleaning of the humidifier.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage composite pellet-shaped product of about 1/8 inch to 1 inch in size, formed of an outer seamless shell member which defines a cavity that permanently encases a phase-change composition, the composition being present in a quantity such that the total volume of the composition, whether in its solid form, liquid form, or both forms as in its transition state, never exceeds the volume of the cavity; and a process for making the product which includes using the phase-change composition in a compacted powder form as cast about which the shell member is formed by roll-coating steps.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage composite pellet-shaped product of about 1/8 inch to 1 inch in size, formed of an outer seamless shell member which defines a cavity that permanently encases a phase-change composition, the composition being present in a quantity such that the total volume of the composition, whether in its solid form, liquid form, or both forms as in its transition state, never exceeds the volume of the cavity; and a process for making the product which includes using the phase-change composition in a compacted powder form as cast about which the shell member is formed by roll-coating steps.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage composite pellet-shaped product of about 1/8 inch to 1 inch in size, formed of an outer seamless shell member which defines a cavity that permanently encases a phase-change composition, the composition being present in a quantity such that the total volume of the composition, whether in its solid form, liquid form, or both forms as in its transition state, never exceeds the volume of the cavity; and a process for making the product which includes using the phase-change composition in a compacted powder form as cast about which the shell member is formed by roll-coating steps.