Abstract: The disclosure relates to brush compositions for magnetic field-assisted finishing (MAF). In particular, the disclosure relates to brush compositions for MAF including a carrier fluid, optionally a solid lubricant dispersed in the carrier fluid, abrasive particles dispersed in the carrier fluid, and magnetic particles dispersed in the carrier fluid. The solid lubricant can be in the form of solid lubricant nanoplatelets or other nanoparticles. The disclosure also relates to systems, methods, and uses of the brush composition.

Abstract: The invention is a method comprising (a) providing a substrate having at least one recessed feature characterized by a width of less than about 0.3 microns and an aspect ratio of 5 or higher, (b) coating onto the substrate a composition comprising (i) a curable polymeric material, (ii) a thermally deactivatable gap-filling aid, and (iii) at least one solvent, (c) drying the coated substrate to remove the solvent, leaving a composition of cross-linkable polymeric material and gap-filling aid substantially filling the recessed feature, and (d) heating the coated substrate to cure the polymeric material and to de-activate the gap-filling aid, wherein the cured material has a glass transition temperature of no less than 300° C. and, preferably, a thermal stability temperature of at least 300° C.

Abstract: An improved feeding bowl for household pets having a central portion for placement of food or water surrounded by a first annular wall upwardly disposed joining a second annular wall downwardly disposed, wherein the first and second annular walls meet at an angle, ?2, ranging from about 5 to about 120 degrees to facilitate stacking of multiple bowls, wherein said second downwardly disposed annular wall engages a peripheral portion of the bowl, or apron, having a radial extent, L1, sufficient to cause the household pet to stand on the apron in order to feed wherein said apron engages the surface upon which the bowl is disposed at an angle, ?1, ranging from 0 to about 30 degrees.

Abstract: The instant invention is a process for planarizing a microelectronic substrate with a cross-linked polymer dielectric layer, comprising the steps of: (a) heating such a substrate coated with a layer comprising an uncured cross-linkable polymer and a glass transition suppression modifier to a temperature greater than the glass transition temperature of the layer, the temperature being less than the curing temperature of the uncured cross-linkable polymer to form a substrate coated with a heat flowed layer; and (b) heating the substrate coated with the heat flowed layer to a curing temperature of the uncured cross-linkable polymer of the heated layer to cure the uncured cross-linkable polymer to form a planarized substrate wherein the percent planarization at 100 micrometers is greater than fifty percent. The instant invention is a microelectronic device made using the above-described process.

Abstract: A method of forming an air gap within a semiconductor structure by the steps of: (a) using a sacrificial polymer to occupy a space in a semiconductor structure; and (b) heating the semiconductor structure to decompose the sacrificial polymer leaving an air gap within the semiconductor structure, wherein the sacrificial polymer of step (a) is: (a) a copolymer of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and vinylbenzocyclobutene (or a vinylbenzocyclobutene derivative); or (b) a copolymer of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene; or (c) a polymer of 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene. In addition, a semiconductor structure, having a sacrificial polymer positioned between conductor lines, wherein the sacrificial polymer is: (a) a copolymer of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and vinylbenzocyclobutene (or a vinylbenzocyclobutene derivative); or (b) a copolymer of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene; or (c) a polymer of 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene.

Abstract: A method of forming an air gap within a semiconductor structure by the steps of: (a) using a sacrificial polymer to occupy a space in a semiconductor structure; and (b) heating the semiconductor structure to decompose the sacrificial polymer leaving an air gap within the semiconductor structure, wherein the sacrificial polymer of step (a) is a copolymer of bis[3-(4-benzocyclobutenyl)]1,n (n=2-12) alkyldiol diacrylate (such as bis[3-(4-benzocyclobutenyl)]1,6 hexanediol diacrylate) and 1,3 bis 2[4-benzocyclobutenyl(ethenyl)]benzene. In addition, a semiconductor structure, having a sacrificial polymer positioned between conductor lines, wherein the sacrificial polymer is a copolymer of bis[3-(4-benzocyclobutenyl)]1,n (n=2-12)alkyldiol diacrylate and 1,3 bis 2[4-benzocyclobutenyl(ethenyl)]benzene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing polymeric films, preferably electroactive films, with enhanced physical properties by the steps of applying to a substrate a solution of a polymer containing pendant labile solubilizing groups, then removing the solvent and a sufficient concentration of the labile solubilizing groups render the polymer less soluble in the solvent than before the labile groups were removed. It is believed that the removal of pendant soluble groups a) permits optimization of the semiconducting backbone for charge transport performance, b) allows direct control of microstructure in the final film, and c) renders the final film more robust during subsequent process steps needed to construct multilayer devices.

Abstract: A method of forming at least a partial air gap within a semiconducting device and the resulting devices, said method comprising the steps of: (a) depositing a sacrificial polymeric composition in one or more layers of the device during its formation; (b) coating the device with one or more layers of a relatively non-porous, organic, polymeric, insulating dielectric material (hardmask) having a density less than 2.2 g/cm3; and (c) decomposing the sacrificial polymeric composition such that the decomposition products permeate at least partially through the one or more hardmask layers, thereby forming at least a partial air gap within the device.

Abstract: The instant invention is a process for planarizing a microelectronic substrate with a cross-linked polymer dielectric layer, comprising the steps of: (a) heating such a substrate coated with a layer comprising an uncured cross-linkable polymer and a glass transition suppression modifier to a temperature greater than the glass transition temperature of the layer, the temperature being less than the curing temperature of the uncured cross-linkable polymer to form a substrate coated with a heat flowed layer; and (b) heating the substrate coated with the heat flowed layer to a curing temperature of the uncured cross-linkable polymer of the heated layer to cure the uncured cross-linkable polymer to form a planarized substrate wherein the percent planarization at 100 micrometers is greater than fifty percent. The instant invention is a microelectronic device made using the above-described process.

Abstract: This invention is a composition comprising (a) an oligomer or polymer dispersible in an organic solvent, having a low dielectric constant, or being curable to form a material having a low dielectric constant, (b) at least one organic solvent and (c) less than 1000 parts by weight of a polymeric coating additive per million parts by weight of total composition (ppm). The polymeric additive is characterized in that it is miscible with component (a) and the solvent system but becomes incompatible with the mixture of component (a) and solvent during the coating process.

Abstract: This invention is a composition comprising (a) an oligomer or polymer dispersible in an organic solvent, having a low dielectric constant, or being curable to form a material having a low dielectric constant, (b) at least one organic solvent and (c) less than 1000 parts by weight of a polymeric coating additive per million parts by weight of total composition (ppm). The polymeric additive is characterized in that it is miscible with component (a) and the solvent system but becomes incompatible with the mixture of component (a) and solvent during the coating process.

Abstract: A water treatment module and process for treating power plant condensate water utilizing a sulfonated ion exchange resin comprising copolymer beads having an interpenetrating polymer network of at least two polymer components wherein at least one of the polymer components is derived from a monomer mixture having a styrenic content less than about 80 molar percent. In one preferred embodiment the multiple polymer components include: (i) a first polymer component derived from a first monomer mixture comprising a monovinylidene monomer having a styrenic content less than about 50 molar percent and (ii) a second polymer component derived from a second monomer mixture comprising: a second monovinylidene monomer having a styrenic content greater than about 50 molar percent and a crosslinking agent. The ratio of the molar percent crosslinking agent of the first polymer component to the second polymer component is less than about 0.7.

Abstract: Gel-type copolymer beads are described which are useful as ion exchange resins such as those used in the treatment of power plant condensate water. The subject copolymer beads possess an interpenetrating polymer network of at least two polymer components including: (i) a first polymer component derived from a first monomer mixture comprising a first monovinylidene monomer having a styrenic content less than about 50 molar percent and (ii) a second polymer component derived from a second monomer mixture comprising: a second monovinylidene monomer having a styrenic content greater than about 50 molar percent and a second crosslinking agent. The ratio of the molar percent crosslinking agent of the first polymer component to the second polymer component is less than about 0.7. Methods for making the subject beads and methods for their use as ion exchange resins for treating aqueous solutions are also provided.

Abstract: Cation exchange resins are prepared by sulfonating copolymer beads in the presence of a swelling solvent under pressure. Pressure sulfonation shortens cycle times and requires less energy while maintaining or improving product quality.

Abstract: An open-end wrench is disclosed which can be used with a variety of fastener head shapes and which reduces marring or rounding-off of the corners of the fastener head. The wrench has a wrench cavity for receiving the fastener. The wrench cavity includes offset convex drive surfaces which have a radius of curvature equal to half of the fastener head width. Clearance surfaces are provided adjacent to and in continuously curving contact with the drive surfaces to accept the corners of the fastener head when force is applied to turn the fastener.

Abstract: An atomic clock system employs one of a family of ion trap configurations confining an ion in a potential well, such that a vibrational frequency confined ion may be measured accurately. The ion traps disclassed for use in such atomic clock systems include configurations of ring-shaped conductive members, or sheets of conductive material having circular holes therein. The trap apparatus further has a means to apply an RF field such that the resulting electric field being generated in a space defined by the conductive members has a characteristic of a substantially quadrupole field whereby a charged particle, being injected into the space, is confined in said field, maintaining a dynamic equilibrium condition.

Abstract: An ion confinement, i.e., trap, apparatus comprises electrically conductive members, including concentric, coplanar rings or parallel sheets separated by dielectric spacers disposed on the outer edges of the sheets, each of the sheets having a circular hole, the circular holes being symmetrically aligned substantially along a common axis. The trap apparatus further has means for applying an RF potential to the conductive members, such that the resulting electric field being generated in the space defined by the conductive members has a characteristic of a substantially quadrupole field. A charged particle, being injected into the space, is confined in the field, maintaining a dynamic equilibrium condition.

Abstract: A novel configuration for mounting a removable jaw insert to a pair of pliers. The pliers include mutually opposing, articulating jaws. A recess is formed in at least one of the jaws, and a flange is formed on the jaws adjacent the recess. A jaw insert has a mating portion dimensioned to be received within the recess in the jaws and includes a hook portion projecting from a lateral edge. A leg extends perpendicularly from the opposite lateral edge of the jaw insert. The hook portion of the jaw insert engages the flange formed on the corresponding jaw to secure the hook portion of said jaw insert to the jaw. A pin is then inserted through a bore in the leg of the jaw insert and into a corresponding bore in the jaw to removably secure the jaw insert to the pliers.

Abstract: Bleach compositions, such as aqueous sodium hypochlorite formulations, are thickened by admixing the composition with a viscoelastic surfactant. Visco-elastic surfactants comprise surfactant ions and organic counterions that associate in the bleach composition to form the viscoelastic surfactant. Thickened bleach compositions of this invention exhibit bleach stability, phase stability, and viscosity stability for acceptably long periods of time. The thickened bleach compositions can be employed as nonmisting sprays and streams which will stick to vertical surfaces without substantial dripping and can be applied to various substrates using a dispensing device.

Abstract: Substantially oil-free aqueous industrial fluids possess superior lubricating and wear preventing characteristics and are useful as hydraulic fluids and metalworking compositions. Fluids of the invention comprise (1) an aqueous liquid and (2) a water-soluble synthetic addition polymer of (a) an ethylenically unsaturated crosslinking monomer, (b) an ethylenically unsaturated water-soluble monomer, (c) an ethylenically unsaturated water-insoluble monomer and (d) an ethylenically unsaturated polyalkyleneoxy-containing monomer.The industrial fluids exhibit good Newtonian behavior and mechanical stability at high shear.