Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a first substrate comprising a first conductive element exposed at a surface of the first substrate; forming a patterned photoresist layer atop the first conductive element, whereby the patterned photoresist layer provides openings exposing the first conductive element; forming a first metal layer in the openings and directly atop the first conductive element; forming a first insulator layer over the first metal layer and the first substrate; and polishing the first metal layer and the first insulator layer, resulting in a first interface surface over the first substrate wherein the first interface surface includes part of the first metal layer and the first insulator layer.

Abstract: Alignment systems, and wafer bonding alignment systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an alignment system for a wafer bonding system includes means for monitoring an alignment of a first wafer and a second wafer, and means for adjusting a position of the second wafer. The alignment system includes means for feeding back a relative position of the first wafer and the second wafer to the means for adjusting the position of the second wafer before and during a bonding process for the first wafer and the second wafer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for predictive and diagnostic analysis of an electrical transmission, generation and distribution asset health includes a computer with a non-transient computer readable medium able to receive data regarding an asset, its components, component subsystem and parameters related thereto. Instructions stored on the non-transient computer readable medium execute instructions that predictively calculate overall asset health and also calculated the states of subsystems and component parameters, providing a diagnostic of the causes of poor asset health.

Abstract: Method and system for predicting an oil temperature of a transformer for a desired load and/or predicting a load that a transformer can support for a desired time. A machine learning algorithm is developed using historical data of a transformer. After the algorithm is developed, historical data corresponding to the transformer are input into the algorithm to develop a profile of the transformer describing how the temperature of oil within the transformer is expected to change as a function of a desired load. Using the profile, the of temperature of the transformer is predicted for a desired load. In this way, a prediction is made as to whether and/or for how long a transformer may support a desired load before the oil temperature reaches a specified threshold and/or before the transformer fails due to the load.

Abstract: A method is for updating an original firmware file of an I/O module which communicates with multiple host-end devices and stores the original firmware file. The method includes: receiving a current-received data packet from one host-end device; when it is determined that the current-received data packet is a first data packet constituting an update file, and that the original firmware file is not undergoing an update process, setting a status flag to indicate that the original firmware file is undergoing an update process, storing the current-received data packet; and repeating the previous steps when it is determined that the current-received data packet is not a last one data packet constituting the update file.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for assessing power system equipment of a power system. Historical sensor data and/or historical field test data collected from the power system equipment may be utilized to develop a health profile of the power system equipment. The health profile is indicative of a predicted health (e.g., or probability of failure) of the power system equipment. In one embodiment, the health profile further comprises a health index score which evaluates that health of the power system equipment in terms of the importance of the power system equipment to the power system. Using the health profiles developed for a plurality of power system equipment, a maintenance strategy for at least a portion of the power system may be developed.

Abstract: A method of forming a hybrid bonding structure includes depositing an etch stop layer over surface of a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a conductive structure, and the etch stop layer contacts the conductive structure. The method further includes depositing a dielectric material over the etch stop layer. The method further includes depositing a first diffusion barrier layer over the dielectric material. The method further includes forming an opening extending through the etch stop layer, the dielectric material and the diffusion barrier layer. The method further includes lining the opening with a second diffusion barrier layer. The method further includes depositing a conductive pad on the second diffusion barrier layer in the opening, wherein a surface of the first diffusion barrier layer is aligned with a surface of the conductive pad.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a molding compound, a conductive plug, and a cover. The conductive plug is in the molding compound. The cover is over a top meeting joint between the conductive plug and the molding compound. The semiconductor structure further has a dielectric. The dielectric is on the cover and the molding compound.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a conductive element and an interface surface fabricated atop the conductive element, and a method for fabricating such a device are described. An exemplary device includes a substrate having a conductive element and a metal layer fabricated atop the conductive element. An oxide layer is fabricated atop the metal layer, thus forming an interface surface. During polishing (e.g., planarization), in which an upper portion of the interface surface is removed, the presence of the interface surface greatly reduces the loading on the conductive element. A second substrate fabricated using the same process may be stacked atop the first substrate and bonded using a hybrid bonding process.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor structure, a dielectric layer, a metal-semiconductor compound film and a cover layer. The semiconductor structure has an upper surface and a lateral surface. The dielectric layer encloses the lateral surface of the semiconductor structure and exposes the upper surface of the semiconductor structure. The metal-semiconductor compound film is on the semiconductor structure, wherein the dielectric layer exposes a portion of a surface of the metal-semiconductor compound film. The cover layer encloses the portion of the surface of the metal-semiconductor compound film exposed by the dielectric layer, and exposes the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method is for updating an original firmware file of an I/O module which communicates with multiple host-end devices and stores the original firmware file. The method includes: receiving a current-received data packet from one host-end device; when it is determined that the current-received data packet is a first data packet constituting an update file, and that the original firmware file is not undergoing an update process, setting a status flag to indicate that the original firmware file is undergoing an update process, storing the current-received data packet; and repeating the previous steps when it is determined that the current-received data packet is not a last one data packet constituting the update file.

Abstract: Hybrid bonding systems and methods for semiconductor wafers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hybrid bonding system for semiconductor wafers includes a chamber and a plurality of sub-chambers disposed within the chamber. A robotics handler is disposed within the chamber that is adapted to move a plurality of semiconductor wafers within the chamber between the plurality of sub-chambers. The plurality of sub-chambers includes a first sub-chamber adapted to remove a protection layer from the plurality of semiconductor wafers, and a second sub-chamber adapted to activate top surfaces of the plurality of semiconductor wafers prior to hybrid bonding the plurality of semiconductor wafers together. The plurality of sub-chambers also includes a third sub-chamber adapted to align the plurality of semiconductor wafers and hybrid bond the plurality of semiconductor wafers together.

Abstract: Presented herein is a device comprising a common node disposed in a first wafer a test node disposed in a first wafer and having a plurality of test pads exposed at a first surface of the first wafer. The test node also has test node lines connected to the test pads and that are separated by a first spacing and extend to a second surface of the first wafer. A comb is disposed in a second wafer and has a plurality of comb lines having a second spacing different from the first spacing. Each of the comb lines has a first surface exposed at a first side of the second wafer. The comb lines provide an indication of an alignment of the first wafer and second wafer by a number or arrangement of connections made by the plurality of comb lines between the test node lines and the common node.

Abstract: A method of making a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) package includes patterning a substrate to form a MEMS section. The method further includes bonding a carrier to a surface of the substrate. The carrier is free of active devices. The carrier includes a carrier bond pad on a surface of the carrier opposite the MEMS section. The carrier bond pad is electrically connected to the MEMS section. The method further includes bonding a wafer bond pad of an active circuit wafer to the carrier bond pad. The bonding of the wafer bond pad to the carrier bond pad includes re-graining the wafer bond pad to form at least one grain boundary extending from the wafer bond pad to the carrier bond pad.

Abstract: A package component includes a surface dielectric layer including a planar top surface, a metal pad in the surface dielectric layer and including a second planar top surface level with the planar top surface, and an air trench on a side of the metal pad. The sidewall of the metal pad is exposed to the air trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor structure, a dielectric layer, a metal-semiconductor compound film and a cover layer. The semiconductor structure has an upper surface and a lateral surface. The dielectric layer encloses the lateral surface of the semiconductor structure and exposes the upper surface of the semiconductor structure. The metal-semiconductor compound film is on the semiconductor structure, wherein the dielectric layer exposes a portion of a surface of the metal-semiconductor compound film. The cover layer encloses the portion of the surface of the metal-semiconductor compound film exposed by the dielectric layer, and exposes the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Hybrid bonding systems and methods for semiconductor wafers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hybrid bonding system for semiconductor wafers includes a chamber and a plurality of sub-chambers disposed within the chamber. A robotics handler is disposed within the chamber that is adapted to move a plurality of semiconductor wafers within the chamber between the plurality of sub-chambers. The plurality of sub-chambers includes a first sub-chamber adapted to remove a protection layer from the plurality of semiconductor wafers, and a second sub-chamber adapted to activate top surfaces of the plurality of semiconductor wafers prior to hybrid bonding the plurality of semiconductor wafers together. The plurality of sub-chambers also includes a third sub-chamber adapted to align the plurality of semiconductor wafers and hybrid bond the plurality of semiconductor wafers together.

Abstract: Alignment systems, and wafer bonding alignment systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an alignment system for a wafer bonding system includes means for monitoring an alignment of a first wafer and a second wafer, and means for adjusting a position of the second wafer. The alignment system includes means for feeding back a relative position of the first wafer and the second wafer to the means for adjusting the position of the second wafer before and during a bonding process for the first wafer and the second wafer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bottom stage configured to hold a bottom surface of a substrate stack including at least two substrates, a top stage configured to hold a top surface of the substrate stack, and at least one blade configured to be inserted between two adjacent substrates of the substrate stack, wherein the at least one blade has a pointed tip in plan view and has a channel configured to inject air or fluid.