Abstract: Methods of improving hot carrier parameters in a field-effect transistor by hydrogen reduction. A gate structure of the field-effect transistor is formed on a substrate, and the substrate is heated inside a deposition chamber to a given process temperature for a given time period. After the time period concludes, a conformal layer is deposited at the given process temperature over the gate structure, and is subsequently etched to form sidewall spacers on the gate structure. After the sidewall spacers are formed, a capping layer is conformally deposited over the gate structure and the sidewall spacers, and cured with an ultraviolet light treatment. An interconnect structure may be formed over the field-effect transistor and the capping layer, and a moisture barrier layer may be formed over the interconnect structure. The moisture barrier layer is composed of a material that is permeable to hydrogen and impermeable to water molecules.

Abstract: Methods of improving hot carrier parameters in a field-effect transistor by hydrogen reduction. A gate structure of the field-effect transistor is formed on a substrate, and the substrate is heated inside a deposition chamber to a given process temperature for a given time period. After the time period concludes, a conformal layer is deposited at the given process temperature over the gate structure, and is subsequently etched to form sidewall spacers on the gate structure. After the sidewall spacers are formed, a capping layer is conformally deposited over the gate structure and the sidewall spacers, and cured with an ultraviolet light treatment. An interconnect structure may be formed over the field-effect transistor and the capping layer, and a moisture barrier layer may be formed over the interconnect structure. The moisture barrier layer is composed of a material that is permeable to hydrogen and impermeable to water molecules.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided for delivering a drug to an individual. The microfluidic device includes a body that defines a reservoir for receiving the drug therein. A valve interconnects the reservoir to an output needle that is insertable into the skin of an individual. A pressure source urges the drug from the reservoir toward the needle. The valve is movable between a closed position preventing the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle and an open position allowing for the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle in response to a predetermined condition in the physiological fluids of the individual.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, ovoid, egg-shaped, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided for delivering a drug to an individual. The microfluidic device includes a body that defines a reservoir for receiving the drug therein. A valve interconnects the reservoir to an output needle that is insertable into the skin of an individual. A pressure source urges the drug from the reservoir toward the needle. The valve is movable between a closed position preventing the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle and an open position allowing for the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle in response to a predetermined condition in the physiological fluids of the individual.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided for delivering a drug to an individual. The microfluidic device includes a body that defines a reservoir for receiving the drug therein. A valve interconnects the reservoir to an output needle that is insertable into the skin of an individual. A pressure source urges the drug from the reservoir toward the needle. The valve is movable between a closed position preventing the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle and an open position allowing for the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle in response to a predetermined condition in the physiological fluids of the individual.

Abstract: A polishing inhibiting layer forming additive for a slurry, the slurry so formed, and a method of chemical mechanical polishing are disclosed. The polishing inhibiting layer is formed through application of the slurry to the surface being polished and is removable at a critical polishing pressure. The polishing inhibiting layer allows recessed or low pattern density locations to be protected until a critical polishing pressure is exceeded based on geometric and planarity considerations, rather than slurry or polishing pad considerations. With the additive, polishing rate is non-linear relative to polishing pressure in a recessed/less pattern dense location. In one embodiment, the additive has a chemical structure: [CH3(CH2)xN(R)]M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: Cl, Br and I, x equals an integer between 2 and 24, and the R includes three carbon-based functional groups, each having less than eight carbon atoms.

Abstract: A polishing inhibiting layer forming additive for a slurry, the slurry so formed, and a method of chemical mechanical polishing are disclosed. The polishing inhibiting layer is formed through application of the slurry to the surface being polished and is removable at a critical polishing pressure. The polishing inhibiting layer allows recessed or low pattern density locations to be protected until a critical polishing pressure is exceeded based on geometric and planarity considerations, rather than slurry or polishing pad considerations. With the additive, polishing rate is non-linear relative to polishing pressure in a recessed/less pattern dense location. In one embodiment, the additive has a chemical structure: [CH3(CH2)xN(R)]M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: Cl, Br and I, x equals an integer between 2 and 24, and the R includes three carbon-based functional groups, each having less than eight carbon atoms.

Abstract: A slurry containing abrasive particles, an oxidizing agent having a low static etch rate on at least one acid or salt metal, and having a pH of about 5 to about 11 is especially useful for polishing surfaces, including both metal and silicon dioxide, such as present in microelectronics, at the same or substantially the same polishing rates.

Abstract: A slurry containing abrasive particles, an oxidizing agent having a low static etch rate on at least one acid or salt metal, and having a pH of about 5 to about 11 is especially useful for polishing surfaces, including both metal and silicon dioxide, such as present in microelectronics, at the same or substantially the same polishing rates.

Abstract: A process of planarizing the surface of a semiconductor substrate. The process begins by forming patterned raised and recessed regions on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. A layer of material then is formed over the patterned raised and recessed regions. The layer is subjected to a chemical mechanical planarizing (CMP) process step until all of the raised regions are at least partially removed from the layer. Finally, the surface of the polished substrate is etched with a reactive ion etching (RIE) process.

Abstract: An oriented strand board (OSB)-fiberboard composite structure is comprised of a baseboard having three wood strand layers, the wood strands being oriented in space with respect to a board forming machine such that a core layer is comprised of wood strands oriented generally in a random or cross-machine direction and each adjacent layer is comprised of coarse and fine wood strands oriented generally in the machine direction. In a preferred embodiment, the wood strands comprising each adjacent OSB layer are formed with the coarsest strands located nearest the core layer and the finest strands are located nearest the outer surfaces of each outer board layer. The OSB-fiberboard composite product is clad with a wood fiber overlay on one major surface of the baseboard. The composite board is manufactured without warping, by providing particular OSB layer thicknesses, such that the lower OSB layer is about 25% to about 35% thicker than the OSB layer bonded to the fiberboard.

Abstract: An oriented strand board product is provided. The board is comprised of a baseboard having three wood strand layers, the wood strands being oriented in space with respect to a board-forming machine such that a core layer is comprised of wood strands oriented generally in a random or cross-machine direction and each adjacent layer is comprised of coarse and fine wood strands oriented generally in the machine direction and wherein the wood strands comprising each adjacent layer are formed with the coarsest strands located nearest the core layer and the finest strands are located nearest the outer surfaces of each outer board layer. The OSB board product is clad with a dry felted wood fiber overlay on one planar surface of the baseboard.

Abstract: An oriented strand board (OSB)-fiberboard composite structure is comprised of a baseboard having three wood strand layers, the wood strands being oriented in space with respect to a board forming machine such that a core layer is comprised of wood strands oriented generally in a random or cross-machine direction and each adjacent layer is comprised of coarse and fine wood strands oriented generally in the machine direction. In a preferred embodiment, the wood strands comprising each adjacent OSB layer are formed with the coarsest strands located nearest the core layer and the finest strands are located nearest the outer surfaces of each outer board layer. The OSB-fiberboard composite product is clad with a wood fiber overlay on one major surface of the baseboard. The composite board is manufactured without warping, by providing particular OSB layer thicknesses, such that the lower OSB layer is about 25% to about 35% thicker than the OSB layer bonded to the fiberboard.

Abstract: An oriented strand board product is provided. The board is comprised of a baseboard having three wood strand layers, the wood strands being oriented in space with respect to a board forming machine such that a core layer is comprised of wood strands oriented generally in a random or cross-machine direction and each adjacent layer is comprised of coarse and fine wood strands oriented generally in the machine direction and wherein the wood strands comprising each adjacent layer are formed with the coarsest strands located nearest the core layer and the finest strands are located nearest the outer surfaces of each outer board layer. The OSB board product is clad with a dry felted wood fiber overlay on one planar surface of the baseboard.