Patents by Inventor Minhua Lu

Minhua Lu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8450849
    Abstract: An electrical conductor is connected to a first microcircuit element having a first connector site axis and a second microcircuit having a second connector site axis. The first microcircuit and the second microcircuit are separated by and operatively associated with a first electrical insulator layer. The conductor and the first microcircuit element are separated by and operatively associated with a second electrical insulator layer. At least one of the first electrical insulator layer and the second electrical insulator layer comprise a polymeric material. The microcircuit includes a UBM and solder connection to a FBEOL via opening. Sufficiently separating the first connector site axis and the second connector site axis so they are not concentric, decouples the UBM and solder connection to the FBEOL via opening. This eliminates or minimizes electromigration and the white bump problems. A process comprises manufacturing the microcircuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Eric D. Pefecto, David L. Questad, Sudipta K. Ray
  • Publication number: 20120328789
    Abstract: A method of producing a metal-graphite foam composite, and particularly, the utilization thereof in connection with a cooling apparatus. Also provided is a cooling apparatus, such as a liquid cooler or alternatively, a heat sink for electronic heat-generating components, which employ the metal-graphite foam composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok, Krystyna W. Semkow
  • Publication number: 20120286433
    Abstract: An electrical conductor is connected to a first microcircuit element having a first connector site axis and a second microcircuit having a second connector site axis. The first microcircuit and the second microcircuit are separated by and operatively associated with a first electrical insulator layer. The conductor and the first microcircuit element are separated by and operatively associated with a second electrical insulator layer. At least one of the first electrical insulator layer and the second electrical insulator layer comprise a polymeric material. The microcircuit includes a UBM and solder connection to a FBEOL via opening. Sufficiently separating the first connector site axis and the second connector site axis so they are not concentric, decouples the UBM and solder connection to the FBEOL via opening. This eliminates or minimizes electromigration and the white bump problems. A process comprises manufacturing the microcircuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Eric D. Pefecto, David L. Questad, Sudipta K. Ray
  • Patent number: 8227918
    Abstract: A microcircuit article of manufacture comprises an electrical conductor electrically connected to both a first microcircuit element at a site comprising a first connector site having a first connector site axis and a second microcircuit element at a site comprising a second connector site having a second connector site axis. The first microcircuit element and the second microcircuit element are separated by and operatively associated with a layer comprising a first electrical insulator, whereas the conductor and the first microcircuit element are separated by and operatively associated with a layer comprising a second electrical insulator. At least one of the first electrical insulator layer and the second electrical insulator layer comprise a polymeric electrical insulator. In another embodiment, both electrical insulator layers comprise polymeric insulator layers. The microcircuit includes a UBM and solder connection to a FBEOL via opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Eric D. Pefecto, David L. Questad, Sudipta K. Ray
  • Patent number: 8197612
    Abstract: Semiconductor packaging techniques are provided which optimize metallurgical properties of a joint using dissimilar solders. A solder composition for Controlled Collapse Chip Connection processing includes a combination of a tin based lead free solder component designed for a chip and a second solder component designed for a laminate. The total concentration of module Ag after reflow is less than 1.9% by weight. A method of manufacturing a solder component is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James A Busby, Minhua Lu, Valerie A Oberson, Eric D Perfecto, Kamalesh K Srivastava, Brian R Sundlof, Julien Sylvestre, Renee L Weisman
  • Publication number: 20120103534
    Abstract: The beam bending of a MEMS device is minimized by reducing interfacial strength between a sacrificial layer and a MEMS structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: JOHN M. COTTE, Nils D. Hoivik, Christopher Jahnes, Minhua Lu, Hongqing Zhang
  • Patent number: 8163584
    Abstract: The beam bending of a MEMS device is minimized by reducing interfacial strength between a sacrificial layer and a MEMS structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Nils D. Hoivik, Christopher Jahnes, John M. Cotte, Hongqing Zhang
  • Patent number: 8110746
    Abstract: A structure. The structure includes an interposer adapted to be interposed between a heat source and a heat sink and to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat sink. The interposer includes an enclosure that encloses a cavity. The enclosure is made of a thermally conductive material. The cavity includes a thermally conductive foam material. The foam material includes pores and includes at least one serpentine channel. Each serpentine channel has at least two contiguously connected channel segments. Each serpentine channel independently forms a closed loop or an open ended loop. The foam material is adapted to be soaked by a liquid filling the pores. Each serpentine channel is adapted to be partially filled with a fluid that serves to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Patent number: 8081280
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, a method for creating desirable pretilt angle by means of topography of the substrates, such as a surface that is sloped with respect to the surface of the electrodes. In combination with a low pretilt but highly photo-stable alignment layer, which may be very resistant to high levels of ultraviolet radiation, a high pretilt and photo-stable alignment structure is generated, by essentially combining two incompatible technical approaches. The ever more stringent requirements for projection displays are met. The methods for producing such sloped surfaces and the considerations related to design of the sloped surfaces are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George Liang-Tai Chiu, Steven Alan Cordes, James Patrick Doyle, Matthew J. Farinelli, Minhua Lu, Hiroki Nakano, Ronald Nunes, James Vichiconti
  • Patent number: 8059400
    Abstract: A method of forming a structure. An interposer is provided. The interposer is adapted to be interposed between a heat source and a heat sink and to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat sink. The interposer includes an enclosure that encloses a cavity. The enclosure is made of a thermally conductive material. The cavity includes a thermally conductive foam material. The foam material includes pores and includes at least one serpentine channel. Each serpentine channel has at least two contiguously connected channel segments. Each serpentine channel independently forms a closed loop or an open ended loop. The foam material is adapted to be soaked by a liquid filling the pores. Each serpentine channel is adapted to be partially filled with a fluid that serves to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Patent number: 8018560
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device comprises a first substrate having a grooved surface profile; an alignment film layer of inorganic material formed on the grooved surface and having the grooved surface profile, the alignment film of inorganic material being aligned in response to an ion beam incident to the grooved surface in a direction parallel to a groove direction; a second substrate aligned opposite the first substrate for forming a plurality of LCD cells having liquid crystal (LC) material deposited therein, wherein LC molecules align parallel to the grooves for enhanced LCD performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Ke-Hsiung Yang
  • Publication number: 20110156256
    Abstract: A process comprises manufacturing an electromigration-resistant under-bump metallization (UBM) flip chip structure comprising a Cu layer by applying to the Cu layer a metallic reaction barrier layer comprising NiFe. The solder employed in the flip chip structure comprise substantially lead-free tin. A structure comprises a product produced by this process. In another embodiment a process comprises manufacturing an electromigration-resistant UBM Sn-rich Pb-free solder bump flip chip structure wherein the electromigration-resistant UBM structure comprises a four-layer structure, or a three-layer structure, wherein the four layer structure is formed by providing 1) an adhesion layer, 2) a Cu seed layer for plating, 3) a reaction barrier layer, and 4) a wettable layer for joining to the solder, and the three-layer structure is formed by providing 1) an adhesion layer, 2) a reaction barrier layer, and 3) a wettable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sung K. Kang, Paul A. Lauro, Minhua Lu, Da-Yuan Shih
  • Publication number: 20110063815
    Abstract: A microcircuit article of manufacture comprises an electrical conductor electrically connected to both a first microcircuit element at a site comprising a first connector site having a first connector site axis and a second microcircuit element at a site comprising a second connector site having a second connector site axis. The first microcircuit element and the second microcircuit element are separated by and operatively associated with a layer comprising a first electrical insulator, whereas the conductor and the first microcircuit element are separated by and operatively associated with a layer comprising a second electrical insulator. At least one of the first electrical insulator layer and the second electrical insulator layer comprise a polymeric electrical insulator. In another embodiment, both electrical insulator layers comprise polymeric insulator layers. The microcircuit includes a UBM and solder connection to a FBEOL via opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Eric D. Perfecto, David L. Questad, Sudipta K. Ray
  • Patent number: 7888603
    Abstract: A structure. The structure includes a substrate and an interposer. The substrate includes a heat source and N continuous substrate channels on a first side of the substrate (N?2). The interposer includes N continuous interposer channels coupled to the N substrate channels to form M continuous loops (1?M?N). Each loop independently consists of K substrate channels and K interposer channels in an alternating sequence. For each loop, K is at least 1 and is subject to an upper limit consistent with a constraint of the M loops collectively consisting of the N interposer channels and the N substrate channels. Each loop is independently open ended or closed. The first side of the substrate is connected to the interposer. The interposer is adapted to be thermally coupled to a heat sink such that the interposer is interposed between the substrate and the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Patent number: 7856711
    Abstract: A method of forming structure. A substrate and an interposer are provided. The substrate includes a heat source and N continuous substrate channels on a first side of the substrate (N?2). N interposer channels are coupled to the N substrate channels so as to form M continuous loops (1?M?N). Each loop independently consists of K substrate channels and K interposer channels in an alternating sequence. For each loop, K is at least 1 and is subject to an upper limit consistent with a constraint of the M loops collectively consisting of the N interposer channels and the N substrate channels. Each loop is independently open ended or closed. The first side of the substrate is connected to the interposer. The interposer is adapted to be thermally coupled to a heat sink such that the interposer is interposed between the substrate and the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Publication number: 20100117209
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of packaging multiple semiconductor chips on a second semiconductor chips with a built-in efficient cooling means. One embodiment is to place two multiple chip stacks on opposing sides of a vapor chamber for transferring heat away from the semiconductor chips. Another embodiment is to construct a vapor chamber with a substrate such that at least one multiple chip stack is embedded inside the vapor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Raschid J. Bezama, Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Patent number: 7658865
    Abstract: Conducting liquid crystal polymer matrix comprising carbon nanotubes aligned in the matrix is provided, along with use thereof and method of fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Minhua Lu
  • Publication number: 20090290118
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device comprises a first substrate having a grooved surface profile; an alignment film layer of inorganic material formed on the grooved surface and having the grooved surface profile, the alignment film of inorganic material being aligned in response to an ion beam incident to the grooved surface in a direction parallel to a groove direction; a second substrate aligned opposite the first substrate for forming a plurality of LCD cells having liquid crystal (LC) material deposited therein, wherein LC molecules align parallel to the grooves for enhanced LCD performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Kei-Hsiung Yang
  • Publication number: 20090266447
    Abstract: Semiconductor packaging techniques are provided which optimize metallurgical properties of a joint using dissimilar solders. A solder composition for Controlled Collapse Chip Connection processing includes a combination of a tin based lead free solder component designed for a chip and a second solder component designed for a laminate. The total concentration of module Ag after reflow is less than 1.9% by weight. A method of manufacturing a solder component is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES A. BUSBY, MINHUA LU, VALERIE A. OBERSON, ERIC D. PERFECTO, KAMALESH K. SRIVASTAVA, BRIAN R. SUNDLOF, JULIEN SYLVESTRE, RENEE L. WEISMAN
  • Publication number: 20090258455
    Abstract: The beam bending of a MEMS device is minimized by reducing interfacial strength between a sacrificial layer and a MEMS structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Cotte, Nils D. Hoivik, Christopher Jahnes, Minhua Lu, Hongqing Zhang