Abstract: A semiconductor device with different configurations of gate structures and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The method includes forming a fin structure on a substrate, forming a gate opening on the fin structure, forming a metallic oxide layer within the gate opening, forming a first dielectric layer on the metallic oxide layer, forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, forming a work function metal (WFM) layer on the second dielectric layer, and forming a gate metal fill layer on the WFM layer. The forming the first dielectric layer includes depositing an oxide material with an oxygen areal density less than an oxygen areal density of the metallic oxide layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first source/drain epitaxial feature formed over a substrate, a second source/drain epitaxial feature formed over the substrate, two or more semiconductor layers disposed between the first source/drain epitaxial feature and the second source/drain epitaxial feature, a gate electrode layer surrounding a portion of one of the two or more semiconductor layers, a first dielectric region disposed in the substrate and in contact with a first side of the first source/drain epitaxial feature, and a second dielectric region disposed in the substrate and in contact with a first side of the second source/drain epitaxial feature, the second dielectric region being separated from the first dielectric region by a substrate.

Abstract: Provided is an electrolyte additive for a lithium ion secondary battery including an organic lithium compound and a hyper-branched structure material. The electrolyte additive enhances the decomposition voltage of the electrolyte up to 5.5 V, and increases the heat endurable temperature by 10° C. or more. The safety of the battery is thus improved.

Abstract: A cathode material structure and a method for preparing the same are described. The cathode material structure includes a material body and a composite film coated thereon. The material body has a particle size of 0.1-50 ?m. The composite film has a porous structure and electrical conductivity.

Abstract: Proton exchange membrane compositions having high proton conductivity are provided. The proton exchange membrane composition includes a hyper-branched polymer, wherein the hyper-branched polymer has a DB (degree of branching) of more than 0.5. A polymer with high ion conductivity is distributed uniformly over the hyper-branched polymer, wherein the hyper-branched polymer has a weight ratio equal to or more than 5 wt %, based on the solid content of the proton exchange membrane composition.

Abstract: A lithium battery is provided. The lithium battery comprises a first plate, a second plate and a separator. The first plate is composed of a plurality of electrode material layers stacked on one another. At least one of the electrode material layers comprises a thermal activation material. The separator is disposed between the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: Provided is an electrolyte additive for a lithium ion secondary battery including an organic lithium compound and a hyper-branched structure material. The electrolyte additive enhances the decomposition voltage of the electrolyte up to 5.5 V, and increases the heat endurable temperature by 10° C. or more. The safety of the battery is thus improved.

Abstract: A plant imitating device includes a body having a compartment and an opening in communication with the compartment. A driving unit is mounted in the compartment and includes a transmission member. A plant imitating unit is mounted in the compartment and includes an end facing the opening of the body. The plant imitating unit is engaged with the transmission member by a mounting portion. The plant imitating unit is movable relative to the transmission member. A control unit is electrically connected to the driving unit. The control unit controls the driving unit to cause the end of the plant imitating unit to move beyond the body via the opening. Thus, the end of the plant imitating unit gradually extends beyond the opening to imitate the growth of a plant.

Abstract: An environment control apparatus for cultivating plants includes a casing having a bottom with first and second holes. A thermoelectric cooling module is mounted in the first hole and includes first and second sides. The first side faces the casing. A temperature control pipe includes two ends connected to a heat reservoir. The temperature control pipe includes a heat exchanging section in contact with the second side of the thermoelectric cooling module. A first power device is mounted on the temperature control pipe. An auxiliary heat pipe includes two ends connected to the heat reservoir. The auxiliary heat pipe includes a heat dissipating section located in the second hole. A processor is coupled to the thermoelectric cooling module and the first power device.

Abstract: The disclosed forms a proton exchange membrane. First, multi-maleimide and barbituric acid are copolymerized to form a hyper-branched polymer. Next, the solvent of the sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (Nafion) aqueous solution is replaced from water with dimethyl acetamide (DMAc). 10 to 20 parts by weight of the hyper-branched polymer is added to the 90 to 80 parts by weight of the Nafion in a DMAc solution, stood and heated to 50° C. to inter-penetrate the hyper-branched polymer and the Nafion. The heated solution is coated on a substrate, baked, and pre-treated to remove residue solvent for completing an inter-penetrated proton exchange membrane.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane comprising modified hyper-branched polymer is disclosed. The proton exchange membrane includes 85-90 wt % of sulfonated tetrafluorethylene copolymer and 15-10 wt % of modified hyper-branched polymer. The modified hyper-branched polymer comprises the bismaleimide (BMI)-based hyper-branched polymer, and parts of the chain ends of the hyper-branched polymer are sulfonated by the sulfonic compound. Also, the modified hyper-branched polymer and sulfonated tetrafluorethylene copolymer are interpenetrated to form an interpenetrating polymer. Furthermore, the modification step could be performed before or after forming the interpenetrating polymer. For example, the sulfonation is proceeded after forming the interpenetrating polymer. Alternatively, the sulfonation of the hyper-branched polymer could be proceeded before the formation of the interpenetrating polymer.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus for depositing a conductive material on a semiconductor wafer includes a vessel for holding an electroplating bath, a support for holding a semiconductor wafer within the vessel and beneath a surface of the bath; first and second electrodes within the vessel, between which an electrical current may flow causing conductive material to be electrolytically deposited onto the wafer, a third electrode disposed outside of the bath for applying a static electric charge to the wafer, and an electrical power supply coupled with the third electrode.

Abstract: A lithium battery is provided. The lithium battery comprises a first plate, a second plate and a separator. The first plate is composed of a plurality of electrode material layers stacked on one another. At least one of the electrode material layers comprises a thermal activation material. The separator is disposed between the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: A cathode material structure and a method for preparing the same are described. The cathode material structure includes a material body and a composite film coated thereon. The material body has a particle size of 0.1-50 ?m. The composite film has a porous structure and electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A semiconductor diffusion barrier layer and its method of manufacture is described. The barrier layer includes of at least one layer of TaN, TiN, WN, TbN, VN, ZrN, CrN, WC, WN, WCN, NbN, AlN, and combinations thereof. The barrier layer may further include a metal rich surface. Embodiments preferably include a glue layer about 10 to 500 Angstroms thick, the glue layer consisting of Ru, Ta, Ti, W, Co, Ni, Al, Nb, AlCu, and a metal-rich nitride, and combinations thereof. The ratio of the glue layer thickness to the barrier layer thickness is preferably about 1 to 50. Other alternative preferred embodiments further include a conductor annealing step. The various layers may be deposited using PVD, CVD, PECVD, PEALD and/or ALD methods including nitridation and silicidation methods.

Abstract: A series of crosslinkable sulfonated poly(ether ketone)s containing cycloalkenyl groups were synthesized by aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction. To decrease the swelling of fuel cell membranes, crosslinking of theses polymers by radical polymerization has been explored. These polymeric films exhibit good thermal and oxidative stability, and good dimensional stability in hot water. The proton conductivity of one example at room temperature is 7.52*10?2 S/cm. The results showed that these materials containing cycloalkenyl groups are possible inexpensive candidate materials for proton exchange membranes in fuel cell applications.

Abstract: A plant imitating device includes a body having a compartment and an opening in communication with the compartment. A driving unit is mounted in the compartment and includes a transmission member. A plant imitating unit is mounted in the compartment and includes an end facing the opening of the body. The plant imitating unit is engaged with the transmission member by a mounting portion. The plant imitating unit is movable relative to the transmission member. A control unit is electrically connected to the driving unit. The control unit controls the driving unit to cause the end of the plant imitating unit to move beyond the body via the opening. Thus, the end of the plant imitating unit gradually extends beyond the opening to imitate the growth of a plant.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus for depositing a conductive material on a semiconductor wafer includes a vessel for holding an electroplating bath, a support for holding a semiconductor wafer within the vessel and beneath a surface of the bath; first and second electrodes within the vessel, between which an electrical current may flow causing conductive material to be electrolytically deposited onto the wafer, a third electrode disposed outside of the bath for applying a static electric charge to the wafer, and an electrical power supply coupled with the third electrode.

Abstract: An environment control apparatus for cultivating plants includes a casing having a bottom with first and second holes. A thermoelectric cooling module is mounted in the first hole and includes first and second sides. The first side faces the casing. A temperature control pipe includes two ends connected to a heat reservoir. The temperature control pipe includes a heat exchanging section in contact with the second side of the thermoelectric cooling module. A first power device is mounted on the temperature control pipe. An auxiliary heat pipe includes two ends connected to the heat reservoir. The auxiliary heat pipe includes a heat dissipating section located in the second hole. A processor is coupled to the thermoelectric cooling module and the first power device.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane and method for formation the same is disclosed. When forming the proton exchange membrane, first, a bismaleimide and barbituric acid are copolymerized to form a hyper-branched polymer. Next, the solvent of the sulfonated tetrafluorethylene copolymer (Nafion) aqueous solution is replaced with dimethyl acetamide (DMAc). 10 to 15 parts by weight of the hyper-branched polymer is added to 90 to 85 parts by weight of the Nafion in the DMAc solution, stood and heated to 50° C. for inter-penetration of the hyper-branched polymer and the Nafion. The heated solution is coated on a substrate, baked, and pre-treated to remove residue solvent to complete formation of the proton exchange membrane.