Abstract: Materials, devices, and methods for enhancing performance of electronic devices such as solar cells, fuels cells, LEDs, thermoelectric conversion devices, and other electronic devices are disclosed and described. A diamond-like carbon electronic device can include a conductive diamond-like carbon cathode having specified carbon, hydrogen and sp2 bonded carbon contents. In some cases, the sp2 bonded carbon content may be sufficient to provide the conductive diamond-like carbon material with a visible light transmissivity of greater than about 0.70. A charge carrier separation layer can be coupled adjacent and between the diamond-like carbon cathode and an anode. The conductive diamond-like carbon material of the present invention can be useful for any other application which can benefit from the use of conductive and transparent electrodes which are also chemically inert, radiation damage resistance, and are simple to manufacture.

Abstract: Semiconductor-on-diamond (SOD) substrates and methods for making such substrates are provided. In one aspect, a method of making an SOD substrate may include depositing a base layer onto a lattice-orienting silicon (Si) substrate such that the base layer lattice is substantially oriented by the Si substrate, depositing a semiconductor layer onto the base layer such that the semiconductor layer lattice is substantially oriented with respect to the base layer lattice, and disposing a layer of diamond onto the semiconductor layer. The base layer may include numerous materials, including, without limitation, aluminum phosphide (Alp), boron arsenide (BAs), gallium nitride (GaN), indium nitride (InN), and combinations thereof. Additionally, the method may further include removing the lattice-orienting Si substrate and the base layer from the semiconductor layer. In one aspect, the Si substrate may be of a single crystal orientation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enhancing collagen growth in a subject's skin. In one aspect, for example, such method can include disposing a composition including a plurality of nanodiamond particles dispersed in a cosmetically acceptable carrier onto a subject's skin, applying energy to the plurality of nanodiamond particles such that at least a portion of the energy is absorbed by the nanodiamond particles, and emitting the energy from the nanodiamond particles as IR radiation, and delivering the IR radiation to the skin in order to heat the skin and enhance collagen growth.

Abstract: Superabrasive tools and methods for the making thereof are disclosed and described. In one aspect, superabrasive particles are chemically bonded to a matrix support material according to a predetermined pattern by a braze alloy. The brazing alloy may be provided as a powder, thin sheet, or sheet of amorphous alloy. A template having a plurality of apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern may be used to place the superabrasive particles on a given substrate or matrix support material.

Abstract: A superabrasive tools having uniformly leveled superabrasive particles and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a superabrasive can include a metal matrix configured for bonding superabrasive particles and a plurality superabrasive particles held in the metal matrix at specific positions according to a predetermined pattern, wherein tips of each of the plurality of the superabrasive particles protrude from the metal matrix to a uniform height.

Abstract: The present invention provides sunscreen compositions and associated methods. In one aspect, for example, a sunscreen composition can include a cosmetically acceptable carrier and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in the carrier with a dispersant. The nanoparticles include at least one sun-block functional group operable to provide UV radiation protection. In one aspect the nanoparticles can be nanodiamond particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices for neuronal growth and associate methods. In one aspect, for example, a neuronal growth device is provided including a layer of nanodiamond particles having an exposed neuronal growth surface, a doped diamond layer contacting the layer of nanodiamond particles opposite the neuronal growth surface, and a semiconductor layer coupled to the doped diamond layer opposite the layer of nanodiamond particles. In one aspect, the nanodiamond particles are substantially immobilized by the doped diamond layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides CMP pad dressers and methods for dressing or conditioning CMP pads. In one aspect, for example, a CMP pad conditioner is provided. Such a conditioner can include a support matrix, and a plurality of smooth superabrasive particles disposed in the support matrix, where the smooth superabrasive particles are operable to cut large asperities in a CMP pad. The conditioner also includes a plurality of rough superabrasive particles disposed in the support matrix, where the rough superabrasive particles operable to cut slurry channels on the large asperities, and wherein the slurry channels are cut in such a way as to facilitate slurry movement across the large asperities during a CMP polishing process.

Abstract: CMP pad dressers with superabrasive particles oriented into an attitude that controls CMP pad performance, and methods associated therewith are disclosed and described. The controlled CMP pad performance may be selected to optimize CMP pad dressing rate and dresser wear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a substrate, including: providing a metal base; forming an oxide layer on one surface of the metal base; forming a chemical barrier layer on the oxide layer; forming an intermediate layer on the chemical barrier layer; forming a first metal layer on the intermediate layer; and removing parts of the intermediate layer and the first metal layer by etching to form a first metal wiring layer. Moreover, the present invention may include the following steps alternatively: laminating an insulating adhesive layer and a second metal layer on an exposed area of the chemical barrier layer; forming a second metal wiring layer by etching a part of the second metal layer; forming a surface metal layer; and forming a chip layer on the surface metal layer. The present invention also provides a structure of a substrate obtained according to the aforementioned method.

Abstract: Superabrasive tools and their methods of manufacture are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of improving retention of superabrasive particles held in a solidified organic material layer of an abrading tool, a portion of each of said superabrasive particles protruding out of the solidified organic material layer is provided. The method may include securing a plurality of superabrasive particles in the solidified organic material layer in an arrangement that minimizes mechanical stress impinging on the protruding portion of any individual superabrasive particle when used to abrade a work piece. As an example, the arrangement of the plurality of superabrasive particles may be configured to uniformly distribute frictional forces across substantially each superabrasive particle.

Abstract: LED devices and methods for making such devices are provided. One such method may include forming epitaxially a substantially single crystal SiC layer on a substantially single crystal Si wafer, forming epitaxially a substantially single crystal diamond layer on the SiC layer, doping the diamond layer to form a conductive diamond layer, removing the Si wafer to expose the SiC layer opposite to the conductive diamond layer, forming epitaxially a plurality of semiconductor layers on the SiC layer such that at least one of the semiconductive layers contacts the SiC layer, and coupling an n-type electrode to at least one of the semiconductor layers such that the plurality of semiconductor layers is functionally located between the conductive diamond layer and the n-type electrode.

Abstract: Electrically insulating layers having increased thermal conductivity, as well as associated devices and methods are disclosed. In one aspect, for example, a printed circuit board is provided including a substrate and an electrically insulating layer coated on at least one surface of the substrate, the electrically insulating layer including a plurality of hBN particles bound in a binder material.

Abstract: The present invention provides semiconductor-on-diamond devices, and methods for the formation thereof. In one aspect, a mold is provided which has an interface surface configured to inversely match a configuration intended for the device surface of a diamond layer. An adynamic diamond layer is then deposited upon the diamond interface surface of the mold, and a substrate is joined to the growth surface of the adynamic diamond layer. At least a portion of the mold can then be removed to expose the device surface of the diamond which has received a shape which inversely corresponds to the configuration of the mold's diamond interface surface. The mold can be formed of a suitable semiconductor material which is thinned to produce a final device. Optionally, a semiconductor material can be coupled to the diamond layer subsequent to removal of the mold.

Abstract: Graphene layers, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) layers, as well as other materials made of primarily sp2 bonded atoms and associated methods are disclosed. In one aspect, the present invention provides graphene and hBN devices. In one aspect, for example, an electronic device is provided including a graphene layer and a planar hBN layer operably associated with the graphene layer and forming a functional interface therebetween. Numerous functional interfaces are contemplated, depending on the desired functionality of the device.

Abstract: Electrical substrates having low current leakage and high thermal conductivity, including associated methods, are provided. In one aspect for example, a multilayer substrate having improved thermal conductivity and dielectric properties can include a metal layer having a working surface with a local Ra of greater than about 0.1 micron, a dielectric layer coated on the working surface of the metal layer, and a thermally conductive insulating layer disposed on the dielectric layer, wherein the multilayer substrate has a minimum resistivity between the metal layer and the thermally conductive insulating layer across all of the working surface of at least 1×106 ohms.

Abstract: Materials, devices, and methods for enhancing performance of electronic devices such as solar cells, fuels cells, LEDs, thermoelectric conversion devices, and other electronic devices are disclosed and described. A diamond-like carbon electronic device can include a conductive diamond-like carbon cathode having specified carbon, hydrogen and sp2 bonded carbon contents. In some cases, the sp2 bonded carbon content may be sufficient to provide the conductive diamond-like carbon material with a visible light transmissivity of greater than about 0.70. A charge carrier separation layer can be coupled adjacent and between the diamond-like carbon cathode and an anode. The conductive diamond-like carbon material of the present invention can be useful for any other application which can benefit from the use of conductive and transparent electrodes which are also chemically inert, radiation damage resistance, and are simple to manufacture.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices having atomic lattice matching template interlayers are provided. In one aspect, a semiconductor device can include a first semiconductor material, a second semiconductor material disposed on the first semiconductor material, and an atomic template interlayer disposed between the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material, the atomic template interlayer bonding together and facilitating a substantial lattice matching between the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material.

Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and/or increasing CMP pad dresser performance are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method of identifying overly-aggressive superabrasive particles in a CMP pad dresser can include positioning a CMP pad dresser having a plurality of superabrasive particles on an indicator substrate such that at least a portion of the plurality of superabrasive particles of the CMP pad dresser contact the indicator substrate, and moving the CMP pad dresser across the indicator substrate in a first direction such that the portion of the plurality of superabrasive particles create a first marking pattern on the substrate, wherein the first marking pattern identifies a plurality of working superabrasive particles from among the plurality of superabrasive particles.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods for making such devices are provided. One such method may include forming a transparent diamond layer having a SiC layer coupled thereto, where the SiC layer has a crystal structure that is substantially epitaxially matched to the transparent diamond layer, forming epitaxially a plurality of semiconductor layers on the SiC layer, and coupling a diamond substrate to at least one of the plurality of semiconductor layers such that the diamond support is oriented parallel to the transparent diamond layer. In one aspect such a method may further include electrically coupling at least one of a p-type electrode or an n-type electrode to at least one of the plurality of semiconductor layers.