Abstract: A medical insertion device includes an introducer assembly, a needle, and a housing. The introducer assembly includes a dilator coaxially disposed in a sheath, the dilator removably engaged to the sheath in an insertion configuration. The needle is coaxially disposed in the dilator, the needle having a distal tip and a proximal end coupled to a needle hub. The housing may be removably engaged to the dilator. The needle hub is movably disposed in the housing between a first locked position, a second locked position, and a third locked position.

Abstract: Embodiments include portable support systems configured to support structures, and corresponding methods. The portable support systems include two individual segments, pieces and/or panels that couple or combine and fit together to form the support systems. The support systems of embodiments are configured for the spanning and/or support of structures including pipes, hoses, and/or cables over structures, voids, and/or obstacles, thereby preventing dislodging and insufficient support of pipes, hoses, and/or cables from the support systems. The support systems of embodiments are configured to prevent improperly supported walls from collapse as a result of improper support of objects spanning the wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a method to control depth of etch in deep via etching and related structures. The method includes: forming an interface within the substrate between an etch control dopant and material of the substrate; etching a via within substrate; and terminating the etching of the via at the interface upon detection of the interface.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a test structure that includes two or more devices. Each device includes a wire disposed within a dielectric and a first via disposed over the wire and in electrical contact with the wire. Each device includes a test pad electrically connected to the first via and a polysilicon resistor electrically connected to the wire. Each of the polysilicon resistors of the two or more devices are electrically tied together. A method for forming the interconnect structure to be used for testing is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a method to control depth of etch in deep via etching and related structures. The method includes: forming an interface within the substrate between an etch control dopant and material of the substrate; etching a via within substrate; and terminating the etching of the via at the interface upon detection of the interface.

Abstract: Embodiments include portable support systems configured to support structures, and corresponding methods. The portable support systems include two individual segments, pieces and/or panels that couple or combine and fit together to form the support systems. The support systems of embodiments are configured for the spanning and/or support of structures including pipes, hoses, and/or cables over structures, voids, and/or obstacles, thereby preventing dislodging and insufficient support of pipes, hoses, and/or cables from the support systems. The support systems of embodiments are configured to prevent improperly supported walls from collapse as a result of improper support of objects spanning the wall.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a test structure that includes two or more devices. Each device includes a wire disposed within a dielectric and a first via disposed over the wire and in electrical contact with the wire. Each device includes a test pad electrically connected to the first via and a polysilicon resistor electrically connected to the wire. Each of the polysilicon resistors of the two or more devices are electrically tied together. A method for forming the interconnect structure to be used for testing is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a solar concentrator may include forming a receiving wall having an elongated wall, a first side wall and a second side wall; attaching the first side wall and the second side wall to a reflecting wall to form a housing having an internal volume with an opening; forming a lip on the receiving wall and the reflecting wall; attaching a cover to the receiving wall and the reflecting wall at the lip to seal the opening into the internal volume, thereby creating a rigid structure; and mounting at least one receiver having at least one photovoltaic cell on the elongated wall to receive solar radiation entering the housing and reflected by the receiving wall, the receiver having an axis parallel with a surface normal of the photovoltaic cell, such that the axis is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the vertical axis of the opening.

Abstract: A system for producing carbon dioxide including a collection subsystem configured to collect a process gas, the process gas including a hydrocarbon, a combustion subsystem configured to combust the hydrocarbon in the process gas and output a gaseous combustion effluent, wherein the gaseous combustion effluent includes carbon dioxide and water, and a separation subsystem configured to separate the carbon dioxide from the gaseous combustion effluent.

Abstract: A system for producing carbon dioxide including a collection subsystem configured to collect a process gas, the process gas including a hydrocarbon, a combustion subsystem configured to combust the hydrocarbon in the process gas and output a gaseous combustion effluent, wherein the gaseous combustion effluent includes carbon dioxide and water, and a separation subsystem configured to separate the carbon dioxide from the gaseous combustion effluent.

Abstract: A separation system including a source of a gaseous mixture, the gaseous mixture comprising at least a first constituent and a second constituent, and a separation unit in communication with the source to receive the gaseous mixture and at least partially separate the first constituent from the second constituent, wherein the separation unit comprises at least one of a vortex separator and a pressure vessel.

Abstract: A system for producing carbon dioxide including a collection subsystem configured to collect a process gas, the process gas including a hydrocarbon, a combustion subsystem configured to combust the hydrocarbon in the process gas and output a gaseous combustion effluent, wherein the gaseous combustion effluent includes carbon dioxide and water, and a separation subsystem configured to separate the carbon dioxide from the gaseous combustion effluent.

Abstract: A method of making a solar concentrator may include forming a receiving wall having an elongated wall, a first side wall and a second side wall; attaching the first side wall and the second side wall to a reflecting wall to form a housing having an internal volume with an opening; forming a lip on the receiving wall and the reflecting wall; attaching a cover to the receiving wall and the reflecting wall at the lip to seal the opening into the internal volume, thereby creating a rigid structure; and mounting at least one receiver having at least one photovoltaic cell on the elongated wall to receive solar radiation entering the housing and reflected by the receiving wall, the receiver having an axis parallel with a surface normal of the photovoltaic cell, such that the axis is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the vertical axis of the opening.

Abstract: A substrate carrier, including: a baffle having a continuous perimeter sidewall surrounding an enclosed region; and one or more standoffs attached to an inside surface of the perimeter sidewall, the one or more standoffs extending into the enclosed region and below a bottom edge of the perimeter sidewall, the one or more standoffs each having a lip located between an upper edge of the baffle and the lower edge of the baffle. Also, a method of annealing substrates using the substrate carrier.

Abstract: A solar concentrator including a housing defining a vertical axis and including a receiving wall connected to a reflecting wall to define an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume, wherein the reflecting wall defines at least one primary optical element, and wherein at least a portion of the reflecting wall includes a layer of reflective material, the housing further including a cover connected to the receiving wall and the reflecting wall to seal the opening, and at least one receiver mounted on the receiving wall such that a vertical axis of the receiver is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the vertical axis of the housing, the receiver including at least one photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A backside metal ground plane with improved metal adhesion and methods of manufacture are disclosed herein. The method includes forming at least one through silicon via (TSV) in a substrate. The method further includes forming an oxide layer on a backside of the substrate. The method further includes forming a metalized ground plane on the oxide layer and in electrical contact with an exposed portion of the at least one TSV.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods modulate the bowing of thin wafers. According to a method, a wafer is formed of semiconductor material. The wafer has a front side and a back side. A cross-section of the wafer is reduced by thinning material from the front side of the wafer. A plurality of circuits comprising individual semiconductor devices are formed on the front side of the wafer. A stress-balancing layer is formed on the back side of the wafer. The stress-balancing layer comprises at least one of a polymer film and/or a metal film having at least one metal layer. A heat treatment is applied to the wafer. The heat treatment may be an annealing process to a temperature between 150° C. and 450° C., which develops an in-situ bilateral tensile stress in the stress-balancing layer that modulates the bowing of thin wafers.

Abstract: A backside metal ground plane with improved metal adhesion and methods of manufacture are disclosed herein. The method includes forming at least one through silicon via (TSV) in a substrate. The method further includes forming an oxide layer on a backside of the substrate. The method further includes forming a metalized ground plane on the oxide layer and in electrical contact with an exposed portion of the at least one TSV.

Abstract: A separation system including a source of a gaseous mixture, the gaseous mixture comprising at least a first constituent and a second constituent, and a separation unit in communication with the source to receive the gaseous mixture and at least partially separate the first constituent from the second constituent, wherein the separation unit comprises at least one of a vortex separator and a pressure vessel.

Abstract: A system for producing carbon dioxide including a collection subsystem configured to collect a process gas, the process gas including a hydrocarbon, a combustion subsystem configured to combust the hydrocarbon in the process gas and output a gaseous combustion effluent, wherein the gaseous combustion effluent includes carbon dioxide and water, and a separation subsystem configured to separate the carbon dioxide from the gaseous combustion effluent.