Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus comprising a plurality of silicon-containing layers wherein the silicon-containing layers are selected from a silicon oxide and a silicon nitride layer or film. Also described herein are methods for forming the apparatus to be used, for example, as 3D vertical NAND flash memory stacks. In one particular aspect or the apparatus, the silicon oxide layer comprises slightly compressive stress and good thermal stability. In this or other aspects of the apparatus, the silicon nitride layer comprises slightly tensile stress and less than 300 MPa stress change after up to about 800° C. thermal treatment. In this or other aspects of the apparatus, the silicon nitride layer etches much faster than the silicon oxide layer in hot H3PO4, showing good etch selectivity.

Abstract: Coating compositions comprising: (i) a water reducible monomer modified alkyd obtained by the acidolysis of a polyalkylene terephthalate or polyalkylene napthanate and subsequent monomer modification and (ii) a latex having an average particle size greater than 200 nm and (iii) a small particle size latex having an average particle size less than 110 nm.

Abstract: A polymer for use in multiple applications that utilizes a polymerization and transesterification route with raw materials preferably of bio-based and/or renewable origin. The polymer includes an aliphatic diacid or reactive equivalent thereof, one or more diols, and a polyalkylene terephthalate or polyalkylene napthenate which are heated under conditions of melt processing at a sufficient temperature and pressure whereby transesterification and polymerization occurs. Also provided is an admixing process that includes an end-capping or chain stopping molecule, which is added to the reaction mixture before the polymerization is complete. Additionally provided is a polymer prepared according to an admixing process that incorporates natural proteins (e.g., isolated soy proteins), carbohydrates (e.g., starch, cellulose and their derivatives), soya fatty acids, or soy meal under conditions whereby transesterification and/or transamidation occurs.

Abstract: Film forming polymers derived substantially from biorenewable polysaccharides may be formed as the emulsion polymerization products of a blend of hydrophobic polysaccharides and ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The hydrophobic polysaccharides may be prepared as the emulsion reaction product of a water soluble polysaccharide and a monomer mixture of hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomers and hydrophobic ethylenically unsaturated monomer, in the presence of a water soluble chain transfer agent.

Abstract: A hybrid alkyd acrylic latex and a process for its preparation are taught. The process comprises forming an oil phase comprising an alkyd, a drier, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein the oil phase solubilizes the drier; combining the oil phase with an aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises a surfactant, to form a pre-emulsion; homogenizing the pre-emulsion thereby forming a miniemulsion, wherein the drier is solubilized in the oil phase; initiating the polymerization by adding a free radical initiator, thereby polymerizing the at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer in the miniemulsion and forming a latex polymer emulsion having latex polymer particle sizes in the range of 40 nm to 700 nm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous cleaning composition used to remove unwanted organic and inorganic residues and contaminants from semiconductor substrates. The cleaning composition comprises a urea derivative such as, for example, dimethyl urea, as the component that is principally responsible for removing organic residues from the substrate. A fluoride ion source is also included in the cleaning compositions of the present invention and is principally responsible for removing inorganic residues from the substrate. The cleaning compositions of the present invention have a low toxicity and are environmentally acceptable.

Abstract: The overall performance of water-reducible polymer dispersions, more specifically alkyd dispersions, can be substantially improved by utilizing resins derived from acidolysis reaction products of polyalkylene terephthalates and polyalkylene naphthalates. According to this invention, polymer dispersions can be produced from low acid value polymers and yet have good water dispersibility. When an aqueous coating composition is formulated using the dispersion of this invention, a final coating is formed that has good hydrolytic stability, and when blended with a latex, exhibits improved gloss and wet adhesion.

Abstract: The overall performance of water-reducible polymer dispersions, more specifically alkyd dispersions, can be substantially improved by utilizing resins derived from acidolysis reaction products of polyalkylene terephthalates and polyalkylene naphthalates. According to this invention, polymer dispersions can be produced from low acid value polymers and yet have good water dispersibility. When an aqueous coating composition is formulated using the dispersion of this invention, a final coating is formed that has good hydrolytic stability, and when blended with a latex, exhibits improved gloss and wet adhesion.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from an article is described herein. In one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising loosening at least a portion of the contaminants by treating the article with a treatment method involving a processing fluid and/or dense processing fluid to provide a partially treated article comprising loosened contaminants; contacting the partially treated article with a dense rinse fluid comprising a dense fluid, optionally a co-solvent, and optionally an entrainer to remove liquid-based contaminants; and removing at least a portion of the loosened contaminants by exposing the partially treated article with at least one exposure method to provide a treated article wherein the selection of the at least one exposure method depends upon whether the loosened contaminants are wet or dry.

Abstract: This invention describes an improvement in a process for purifying a nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) stream containing unreacted F2, HF, and nitrogen oxides from an NF3 reactor wherein the F2, and HF are removed and then the nitrogen oxides removed by adsorption. The improvement in the process resides in selectively removing the F2 from said NF3 stream without generating oxygen difluoride, removing HF and then removing said nitrogen oxides by adsorption. Further purification can be effected as desired.

Abstract: A process for producing an isotopically enriched compound of a desired isotope includes (a) providing a cryogenic reaction zone containing a catalyst adapted to catalyze an isotope exchange reaction at a cryogenic reaction temperature, (b) feeding to the cryogenic reaction zone an enriched mixture comprising at least a compound containing the desired isotope, wherein the enriched mixture is enriched in the desired isotope above a natural abundance of the desired isotope, (c) reacting the enriched mixture in the cryogenic reaction zone thereby forming a resulting mixture containing the isotopically enriched compound, and (d) separating the resulting mixture into an enriched product which is enriched in the isotopically enriched compound and a depleted product which is depleted in the isotopically enriched compound.

Abstract: A dense cleaning fluid for removing contaminants from an substrate and a method comprising same is disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the present invention, the dense cleaning fluid comprises a dense fluid and at least one acetylenic diol or acetylenic alcohol surfactant.

Abstract: A dense cleaning fluid for removing contaminants from a substrate and a method comprising same is disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the present invention, the dense cleaning fluid comprises a dense fluid and at least one acetylenic diol or acetylenic alcohol surfactant.

Abstract: A system for the purification and recycle of impure argon is disclosed herein. The system of the present invention can produce very high purity argon, i.e., about 1 ppb or less of impurities. In one embodiment, a cryogenic separation apparatus is used to remove the nitrogen, hydrocarbon, and hydrogen impurities from the argon stream. A catalyst bed is then operated at ambient temperature to remove hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon monoxide impurities to provide the purified argon product.

Abstract: An ink composition comprising a pigment or pigment dispersion; and an alkyd-stabilized acrylic dispersion having a non-volatile materials content of greater than 70%; and an ink solvent. The alkyd-stabilized acrylic dispersion comprises an alkyd resin; at least one acrylic monomer suitable for free radical addition polymerization, wherein at least one acrylic monomer is hydroxy-functional; and a chain transfer agent.

Abstract: The overall performance of water-reducible polymer dispersions, more specifically alkyd dispersions, can be substantially improved by utilizing resins derived from acidolysis reaction products of polyalkylene terephthalates and polyalkylene naphthalates. According to this invention, polymer dispersions can be produced from low acid value polymers and yet have good water dispersibility. When an aqueous coating composition is formulated using the dispersion of this invention, a final coating is formed that has good hydrolytic stability, and when blended with a latex, exhibits improved gloss and wet adhesion.

Abstract: A non-aqueous dispersion (NAD) resin from natural oils having solids content of greater than 90%, and more preferably, greater than 95%, fast cure, low VOC, and low bake temperatures, and wherein the inclusion of multifunctional isocyanates provide faster dry times and harder films.

Abstract: An ink composition comprising a pigment or pigment dispersion; and an alkyd-stabilized acrylic dispersion having a non-volatile materials content of greater than 70%; and an ink solvent. The alkyd-stabilized acrylic dispersion comprises an alkyd resin; at least one acrylic monomer suitable for free radical addition polymerization, wherein at least one acrylic monomer is hydroxy-functional; and a chain transfer agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to high solids, low VOC, low viscosity, filterable, non-gritty non-aqueous dispersions, and coating compositions containing said non-aqueous dispersions.

Abstract: Novel thixotropic alkyd resins are obtained by reacting at a temperature of between about 120.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. for at least one hour (a) at least one alkyd resin and (b) a polyamide comprising the reaction product of: (i) a polycarboxylic acid; (ii) an active hydrogen compound having the formula X.sub.m --R--Y.sub.n, wherein R represents a group containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, X and Y are independently selected from primary amino, secondary amino and hydroxy, and m and n are each at least 1 and the sum of (m+n) is at least 2; and (iii) a capping agent comprised of an unsaturated and/or hydroxy functional monocarboxylic acid having from 8 to 22 carbon atom. The thixotropic alkyd resins of the present invention are particularly useful in preparing thixotropic paint and coating compositions having superior leveling and sag resistance.