Abstract: A screening mask for screening an article, the screening mask including a screening mask body having a screening side and a nonscreening side, an one opening through the mask for screening at least one feature from the screening side to the nonscreening side, and a blind opening for protecting a previously screened feature. The blind opening is blocked on the screening side and open on the nonscreening side. The screening mask is used in double pass screening so that a second feature may be formed on the article without damaging a previously formed feature.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning an object containing a metal surface, includes pre-cleaning the object to prepare the object for a metal plating thereover, and post-cleaning the object after the object has been plated with the metal plating. The pre-cleaning step and the post-cleaning step each include blasting the object with a media.

Abstract: A process for making multiple microelectronic ceramic substrates uses an interface layer between stacked layers of green sheets that are laminated with the interface layer, then fired to produce the ceramic substrates. The interface layer acts to protect the substrates, and to hold them together before firing, then thermally degrades at a desired point in the firing cycle to separate the individual substrates. The invention also includes the ceramic substrates produced by the method.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic substrate for microelectronics includes stress relief pads to reduce stress in the vicinity of functional vias penetrating through multiple ceramic layers. The stress relief pads are located only on the major surface of a ceramic layer and accordingly do not prevent wiring from being placed directly below the stress relief pads on the bottom surface of the same layer or the top surface of the immediately underlying layer. The invention also includes the method of making the multilayer ceramic substrate with stress relief pads.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic substrate for microelectronics includes stress relief pads to reduce stress in the vicinity of functional vias penetrating through multiple ceramic layers. The stress relief pads are located only on the major surface of a ceramic layer and accordingly do not prevent wiring from being placed directly below the stress relief pads on the bottom surface of the same layer or the top surface of the imediately underlying layer. The invention also includes the method of making the multilayer ceramic substrate with stress relief pads.