Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic device which comprises a drive module and a microfluidic platform. The drive module further comprises a rotary unit and a vibration unit for driving the microfluidic platform, and the microfluidic platform further comprises multiple microfluidic elements for performing tests. The present invention also provides a method for operating a microfluidic device. The method comprises steps using the rotary unit and steps using the vibration unit to distribute sample in a microfluidic structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved thermoplastic polyurethane compositions, articles, and related methods. These compositions include aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes having a hard segment content ranging from 57 percent to 80 percent by weight. The hard coat compositions have a Shore D hardness of at least 70 and can display an Elongation at Break test result at 25 degrees Celsius of at least 150 percent. These materials, when hardened, can serve decorative and/or protective functions while displaying both a high degree of elongation at moderate temperatures and high hardness.

Abstract: The present invention provides centrifuge/magnet-based analyzers and methods of operating thereof. The analyzer comprises three discs sandwiched together, in which each disc has difference functions. The top disc comprises magnetic units configured in patterns, whereas the bottom disc comprises tracks and magnetic units free to move in the tracks. The magnetic field co-generated by the top disc and the bottom disc attracts the magnetic beads in the intermediate disc to move and thus facilitates the reactions in the intermediate disc.

Abstract: Gas-based microfluidic devices and operating methods of gas-based microfluidic devices are provided. The gas-based microfluidic devices comprise a drive module and a microfluidic platform, in which the microfluidic platform further comprises a microfluidic element having an injection chamber, a process chamber, an air chamber, an overflow channel, a barrier, and at least one detection chamber. Gases in the air chamber enable solutions to move toward the direction opposite to the centrifugal force applied by the drive module. Accordingly, the operating methods utilize the gases compressed in the air chamber to move solutions to difference components in the microfluidic element.

Abstract: Apparatuses with pre-packaged reagents comprise a reagent package and a protrusion member. More particularly, the reagent package comprises a base and a cover layer, in which the base further comprises at least one pocket. Each pocket is configured to store a reagent, and the cover layer is configured on the at least one pocket to seal the at least one pocket. The protrusion member further comprises an opening and is configured at an injection site, in which the injection site is on each storage chamber disposed on a microfluidic disc. Furthermore, the configuration of the pockets on the base is in accordance with the configuration of the protrusion members. Therefore, the protrusion members would punch through the pockets once the protrusion members are aligned and combined to the pockets. And the following rotation of the microfluidic disc would generate centrifugal force and sequentially release reagents into storage chambers.

Abstract: Gas-based microfluidic devices and operating methods of gas-based microfluidic devices are provided. The gas-based microfluidic devices comprise a drive module and a microfluidic platform, in which the microfluidic platform further comprises a microfluidic element having an injection chamber, a process chamber, an air chamber, an overflow channel, a barrier, and at least one detection chamber. Gases in the air chamber enable solutions to move toward the direction opposite to the centrifugal force applied by the drive module. Accordingly, the operating methods utilize the gases compressed in the air chamber to move solutions to difference components in the microfluidic element.

Abstract: The present invention provides centrifuge/magnet-based analyzers and methods of operating thereof. The analyzer comprises three discs sandwiched together, in which each disc has difference functions. The top disc comprises magnetic units configured in patterns, whereas the bottom disc comprises tracks and magnetic units free to move in the tracks. The magnetic field co-generated by the top disc and the bottom disc attracts the magnetic beads in the intermediate disc to move and thus facilitates the reactions in the intermediate disc.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes the operations outlined below. An insulating material is disposed within a plurality of trenches on a semiconductor substrate and over the semiconductor substrate. The first layer is formed over the insulating material. The first layer and the insulating material are removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic device which comprises a drive module and a microfluidic platform. The drive module further comprises a rotary unit and a vibration unit for driving the microfluidic platform, and the microfluidic platform further comprises multiple microfluidic elements for performing tests. The present invention also provides a method for operating a microfluidic device. The method comprises steps using the rotary unit and steps using the vibration unit to distribute sample in a microfluidic structure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes the operations outlined below. An insulating material is disposed within a plurality of trenches on a semiconductor substrate and over the semiconductor substrate. The first layer is formed over the insulating material. The first layer and the insulating material are removed.

Abstract: A thermally conductive grease includes a carrier oil, at least one dispersant, and thermally conductive particles. The thermally conductive particles have a D50 (Vol. Average) particle size of no greater than about 11 microns and the thermally conductive particles in the thermally conductive grease contain less than 3% by volume of particles having a particle size of 0.7 microns or less, based on the total volume of thermally conductive particles in the thermally conductive grease.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a semiconductor structure comprising a first layer on top of a substrate wherein the first layer defines conductive regions such as copper interconnect lines and non-conductive regions such as dielectric materials. The conductive regions are covered by a second layer of a material different than the first layer such as for example nickel and then the structure is heat treated such that the interconnect lines and second metal, such as a copper interconnect line and a nickel second layer, interact with each other to form an alloy layer. The alloy layer has superior qualities for adhering to both the copper interconnect lines and a subsequently deposited dielectric material.

Abstract: A high density plasma chemical vapor deposition process including exciting gas mixture to create a plasma including ions, and directing the plasma into a dense region above the upper surface of the semiconductor wafer, heating the wafer using an additional heat source, and allowing a material from the plasma to deposit onto the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method for implementing discrete superpositioning of two or more defocal wafer images at different defocal positions in a lithographic step and scan projection system. The method includes tilting one of a mask and a wafer with respect to a scanning direction and splitting an illumination beam into at least two illumination areas which are in different defocus zones of the mask.

Abstract: A method of forming an opening on a low-k dielectric layer using a polysilicon hard mask rather than a metal hard mask as used in prior art. A polysilicon hard mask is formed over a low-k dielectric layer and a photoresist layer is formed over the polysilicon hard mask. The photoresist layer is patterned and the polysilicon hard mask is etched with a gas plasma to create exposed portions of the low-k dielectric layer. The photoresist layer in stripped prior to the etching of the exposed portions of the low-k dielectric layer to avoid damage to the low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving cell-attachment efficiency comprising (a) preparing a protein in aqueous solution, wherein the protein has a formula A-B-C, wherein A represents a GRGDS amino acid sequence; B represents a cellulose binding domain (CBD); and C represents a GRGDS amino acid sequence, an RGD amino acid sequence, or an amino acid sequence of growth factor; (b) coating the protein solution into a carrier; and (c) seeding cells onto the carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a person to place a call to another person under the SIP framework when viewing a display portion on a webpage with only one click of a mouse or one press of a keyboard key and using a stand-alone communication program is provided. The above system includes a client end, a server, a service end, an application program obtained from a server, a user-executable portion accessible at the client end on a webpage, a digital certificate authenticated against a digital signature, an active communication channel established between the client end and the service end, a ready message displayed on the webpage, an active communication session established at the client end and the service end, a session key for session registration, and one or more voice communication devices.

Abstract: A Cu damascene structure is formed where Cu diffusion barrier is formed by treating the top surface of the surrounding low-k interlayer dielectric with nitrogen or carbon containing medium to form a silicon nitride or silicon carbide diffusion barrier rather than capping the top surface of the Cu with metal diffusion barrier as is conventionally done.

Abstract: A high density plasma chemical vapor deposition process including exciting gas mixture to create a plasma including ions, and directing the plasma into a dense region above the upper surface of the semiconductor wafer, heating the wafer using an additional heat source, and allowing a material from the plasma to deposit onto the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method of forming pluralities of gate sidewall spacers each plurality comprising different associated gate sidewall spacer widths including providing a first plurality of gate structures; blanket depositing a first dielectric layer over the first plurality of gate structures; blanket depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; etching back through a thickness of the first and second dielectric layers; blanket depositing a first photoresist layer to cover the first plurality and patterning to selectively expose at least a second plurality of gate structures; isotropically etching the at least a second plurality of gate structures for a predetermined time period to selectively etch away a predetermined portion of the first dielectric layer; and, selectively etching away the second dielectric layer to leave gate structures comprising a plurality of associated sidewall spacer widths.