Abstract: A process for depositing porous silicon oxide-based films using a sol-gel approach utilizing a precursor solution formulation which includes a purified nonionic surfactant and an additive among other components, where the additive is either an ionic additive or an amine additive which forms an ionic ammonium type salt in the acidic precursor solution. Using this precursor solution formulation enables formation of a film having a dielectric constant less than 2.5, appropriate mechanical properties, and minimal levels of alkali metal impurities. In one embodiment, this is achieved by purifying the surfactant and adding ionic or amine additives such as tetraalkylammonium salts and amines to the stock precursor solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to corrosion-resistant, temperature-stable, durable mould release layers, suitable for the die casting of non-ferrous metals, comprising boron nitride and slips for production thereof, a method for production of the slips, a method for production of the mould release layers and the use of the mould release layers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for producing ternary metal silicon nitride films by the cyclic deposition of the precursors. The improvement resides in the use of a metal amide and a silicon source having both NH and SiH functionality as the precursors leading to the formation of such metal-SiN films. The precursors are applied sequentially via cyclic deposition onto the surface of a substrate. Exemplary silicon sources are monoalkylamino silanes and hydrazinosilanes represented by the formulas: (R1NH)nSiR2mH4-n-m (n=1,2; m=0,1,2; n+m=<3); and (R32N—NH)xSiR4yH4-x-y (x=1,2; y=0,1,2; x+y=<3) wherein in the above formula R1-4 are same or different and independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, vinyl, allyl, phenyl, cyclic alkyl, fluoroalkyl, silylalkyls.

Abstract: A substrate having an anti-adhesive coating thereon. The coating is made from a coating composition comprising solid particles of a release agent different from boron nitride and a binder comprising surface-modified nanoscale solid particles.

Abstract: This invention is related to organometallic precursors and deposition processes for fabricating conformal metal containing films on substrates such as silicon, metal nitrides and other metal layers. The organometallic precursors are N,N?-alkyl-1,1-alkylsilylamino metal complexes represented by the formula: wherein M is a metal selected from Group VIIb, VIII, IX and X, and specific examples include cobalt, iron, nickel, manganese, ruthenium, zinc, copper, palladium, platinum, iridium, rhenium, osmium, and the R1-5 can be same or different selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, fluoroalkyl and alkoxy, cycloaliphatic, and aryl.

Abstract: The invention is a self-venting blood collection needle assembly for the extraction of at least one fluid sample into an evacuated container for laboratory testing, this blood collection needle assembly providing a clear or translucent flashback chamber for blood to flow into, for visualization by the user to confirm successful vein entry. The self-venting mechanism permits escape of air during use, and which, typically, also prevents an outflow of fluid, such as blood. Thus, air under venous pressure will be allowed to escape from the blood collection needle assembly until blood reaches the venting mechanism.

Abstract: The blood collection set includes an IV needle assembly, a length of flexible plastic tubing extending from the IV needle assembly and a non-patient needle assembly. The set is formed with a venting mechanism that permits an outflow of air, while blocking an outflow of blood or other fluids. Thus, the venting mechanism enables air that had existed in interior portions of the blood collection set to be vented allowing for greater flash visualization on venous entry, and avoids the need to employ a discard tube.

Abstract: A MEMs mirror device comprises a mirror layer, a frame structure, and an actuator layer. At least one mirror is movably coupled to the frame. The actuator layer includes at least one conductive path for moving the mirror. In accordance with the invention, the mirror is curved for efficiently directing and focusing reflected light. The mirror comprises a metal-coated base, and curvature can be achieved by doping selected regions of the base or by using coating/base combinations with sufficient mismatch that they be curved by differential thermal expansion. The resulting MEMs devices are advantageous for optical switching, variable attenuation and power gain equalization.

Abstract: A process for depositing porous silicon oxide-based films using a sol-gel approach utilizing a precursor solution formulation which includes a purified nonionic surfactant and an additive among other components, where the additive is either an ionic additive or an amine additive which forms an ionic ammonium type salt in the acidic precursor solution. Using this precursor solution formulation enables formation of a film having a dielectric constant less than 2.5, appropriate mechanical properties, and minimal levels of alkali metal impurities. In one embodiment, this is achieved by purifying the surfactant and adding ionic or amine additives such as tetraalkylammonium salts and amines to the stock precursor solution.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a reactive solder or braze includes forming a metallic matrix with an interior region and surface regions by actively providing a higher concentration of reactive atoms to the interior region than to the surface regions.

Abstract: A process for depositing porous silicon oxide-based films using a sol-gel approach utilizing a precursor solution formulation which includes a purified nonionic surfactant and an additive among other components, where the additive is either an ionic additive or an amine additive which forms an ionic ammonium type salt in the acidic precursor solution. Using this precursor solution formulation enables formation of a film having a dielectric constant less than 2.5, appropriate mechanical properties, and minimal levels of alkali metal impurities. In one embodiment, this is achieved by purifying the surfactant and adding ionic or amine additives such as tetraalkylammonium salts and amines to the stock precursor solution.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a MEMs device comprises a component layer, an actuator layer and an intervening spacer. The component layer, the spacer and the actuator layer are assembled at ambient temperature and held together in lateral alignment by resilient spring members. The spacer provides the walls of a cavity between a component and an actuator to permit movement of the component. The walls are advantageously conductive and cover the bulk of the peripheral boundary of the cavity to provide electrostatic isolation and aerodynamic isolation.

Abstract: A mirror, or an array of mirrors, for use in a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical device. The mirror includes a mirror substrate having a loss-reducing layer located over a first or second side thereof, and a light reflective optical layer located over the loss-reducing layer. The inventive mirror reduces undesirable Fabry-Perot interferrometric optical loss through minimizing the extent of multiple reflections within the MEMS mirror substrate.

Abstract: It was discovered that metals useful for cuprate superconductor wires and ribbons, such as Ag, Cu, and Au, are not necessarily desirable for magnesium boride superconductor bodies, since such elements tend to react with Mg and thereby deteriorate the properties of the superconducting MgB2. The invention relates to techniques and materials that provide useful MgB2 superconducting bodies. The invention relates to a method for forming a MgB2 superconducting body, involving providing an intermediate body of a metal cladding; superconducting material or precursor material for superconducting material; and, optionally, a diffusion barrier (depending on the type of metal cladding); performing a cross-section reducing operation on the intermediate body, to provide an elongate body; and performing a heat treatment of the elongate body, to obtain desired properties from the superconducting material (and to also form the superconducting MgB2 material when precursor material is used).

Abstract: A device for use in a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical device. The device includes a substrate having opposing first and second sides and a diffusion barrier layer formed over at least the first side. The device further includes a light reflective optical layer formed over the diffusion barrier layer on the first side of the substrate. The second side may desirably have a stress balancing layer located thereover.

Abstract: A device for use in a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical system. The device includes a substrate having opposing first and second sides, wherein the first side has a light reflective optical layer located thereover, and the second side is an irregular surface.

Abstract: A MEMs mirror device comprises a mirror layer, a frame structure, and an actuator layer. At least one mirror is movably coupled to the frame. The actuator layer includes at least one conductive path for moving the mirror. In accordance with the invention, the mirror is curved for efficiently directing and focusing reflected light. The mirror comprises a metal-coated base, and curvature can be achieved by doping selected regions of the base or by using coating/base combinations with sufficient mismatch that they be curved by differential thermal expansion. The resulting MEMs devices are advantageous for optical switching, variable attenuation and power gain equalization.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an optical cross-connect switch includes an optical router for distributing multi-wavelength optical input signals, an optical combiner for supplying multi-wavelength signals at the output ports of the switch, and optical fibers for interconnecting the optical router and optical combiner. Selected interconnecting optical fibers include controllable wavelength-selective elements, such as magnetically controllable fiber gratings, which are capable of transmitting or reflecting individual channels within the multi-wavelength optical signals so that a selected channel of a particular wavelength can be routed from any of the input ports to any of the output ports of the switch.

Abstract: A process for depositing porous silicon oxide-based films using a sol-gel approach utilizing a precursor solution formulation which includes a purified nonionic surfactant and an additive among other components, where the additive is either an ionic additive or an amine additive which forms an ionic ammonium type salt in the acidic precursor solution. Using this precursor solution formulation enables formation of a film having a dielectric constant less than 2.5, appropriate mechanical properties, and minimal levels of alkali metal impurities. In one embodiment, this is achieved by purifying the surfactant and adding ionic or amine additives such as tetraalkylammonium salts and amines to the stock precursor solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical device. The micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical device includes a mirror having a substrate with an implanted light reflective optical layer thereover, and a mounting substrate on which the mirror is movably mounted. The inclusion of the dopant within the light reflective optical layer increases the tensile stress of the device and tends to correct the concave curvature of the mirror structure toward a desirably flat configuration.