Abstract: The present invention is a method for providing an integrated circuit assembly, the integrated circuit assembly including an integrated circuit and a substrate. The method includes mounting the integrated circuit to the substrate. The method further includes, during assembly of the integrated circuit assembly, applying a low processing temperature, at least near-hermetic, glass-based coating directly to the integrated circuit and a localized interconnect interface, the interface being configured for connecting the integrated circuit to at least one of the substrate and a second integrated circuit of the assembly. The method further includes curing the coating. Further, the integrated circuit may be a device which is available for at least one of sale, lease and license to a general public, such as a Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) device. Still further, the coating may promote corrosion resistance and reliability of the integrated circuit assembly.

Abstract: The plasma klystron switching device of the present invention may include a low-dielectric substrate, a plasma cavity internally pressurized by an inert gas, a circuit assembly formed on the first surface of the low-dielectric substrate and enclosed by the plasma cavity, wherein the circuit assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode configured to form a switching gap, wherein the switching gap is configured to act as a high conductance plasma generation zone during an ON state of the plasma klystron switching device and a low conductance zone during an OFF state of the plasma klystron switching device, an evacuated klystron resonance generator, wherein the klystron resonance generator includes a klystron resonance cavity, wherein the klystron resonance generator includes a coupling aperture configured to RF couple the klystron resonance cavity and the plasma cavity, and a field emitter array configured to energize the klystron resonance generator.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing a capacitor. The method includes applying a dielectric substance (ex.—silicon nitride) to a first gold seed layer, the first gold seed layer being formed on a wafer. A second gold seed layer is formed upon the dielectric substance and first gold seed layer. Gold is electroplated into a photoresist to form a first set of 3-D capacitor elements on the second gold seed layer. A first copper layer is electroplated onto the second gold seed layer. Gold is electroplated into a photoresist to form a second set of 3-D capacitor elements, the second set of 3-D elements being formed at least partially within the first copper layer and being connected to the first set of 3-D elements. A second copper layer is electroplated onto the first copper layer. Then, both copper layers are removed to provide (ex.—form) the capacitor.

Abstract: A display assembly comprises an electronic display element, a layer of material, and an alkali silicate glass material at least partially covering at least one of the electronic display element and the layer of material.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetic pump assembly for integration with a mechanically flexible thermal spreader. The assembly may include a casing which may be connectable to a mechanically flexible substrate of the thermal spreader. The assembly may further include a plurality of magnets which may be integrated with and enclosed by the casing. The magnets may be suitable for applying a magnetic field to an electrically-conductive liquid, and may be implemented in combination with electrodes, which may be integrated with the substrate and may be suitable for generating an electrical current flow through the liquid. The magnets and electrodes may combine to provide a pumping force for circulating the liquid within an internal channel of an electrically-conductive cooling loop of the substrate. The assembly may further include a thermally-conductive rigid metal insert integrated with the casing. The assembly may promote local thermal conductivity of the thermal spreader.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for fabricating a thermal spreader. The method may include laminating a plurality of layer portions together to fabricate a mechanically flexible substrate. The method may further include providing an internal channel within the mechanically flexible substrate, the internal channel configured for containing an electrically-conductive liquid, the internal channel being further configured to allow for closed-loop flow of the electrically-conductive liquid within the internal channel. The method may further include integrating a pump with the mechanically flexible substrate. The method may further include fabricating a plurality of rigid metal inserts. The method may further include forming a plurality of extension portions on a surface of each rigid metal insert included in the plurality of rigid metal inserts. The method may further include connecting the plurality of rigid metal inserts to the mechanically flexible substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a microfabricated RF capacitor. The capacitor includes two signal wirebond pads configured for being connected to an electrical current source. The capacitor further includes two backbone structures which are connected to the wirebond pads and receive electrical current from the electrical current source via the wirebond pads, each backbone structure including a first backbone portion and a second backbone portion. The capacitor further includes a plurality of protrusions which are connected to the backbone portions of the backbone structures. The protrusions are spaced apart from each other and parallel to each other. Further, the protrusions are configured for distributing current received by the backbone structures and for promoting structural stability of the capacitor. The capacitor further includes a ground wall structure which may be configured for receiving ground current from a ground current source.

Abstract: A method for forming an embedded passive device module comprises depositing a first amount of an alkali silicate material, co-depositing an amount of embedded passive device material with the amount of alkali silicate material; and thermally processing the amount of alkali silicate material and the amount of embedded passive device material at a temperature sufficient to cure the amount of alkali silicate material and the amount of embedded passive device material and form a substantially moisture free substrate.

Abstract: A circuit board includes a pump and a channel. The channel includes a liquid metal and a coating. The liquid metal is pumped through the channel by the pump and the coating reduces diffusion and chemical reaction between the liquid metal and at least portions of the channel. The liquid metal can carry thermal energy to act as a heat transfer mechanism between two or more locations on the substrate. The substrate may include electrical interconnects to allow electrical components to be populated onto the substrate to form an electronics assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for providing an integrated circuit assembly, the integrated circuit assembly including an integrated circuit and a substrate. The method includes mounting the integrated circuit to the substrate. The method further includes adding thermally conductive particles to a low processing temperature, at least near-hermetic, glass-based coating. The method further includes, during assembly of the integrated circuit assembly, applying a low processing temperature, at least near-hermetic, glass-based coating directly to at least one of the integrated circuit and the substrate. The method further includes curing the coating.

Abstract: A method of protecting an electronics package is discussed along with devices formed by the method. The method involves providing at least one electronic component that requires protecting from tampering and/or reverse engineering. Further, the method includes mixing into a liquid glass material at least one of high durability micro-particles or high-durability nano-particles, to form a coating material. Further still, the method includes depositing the coating material onto the electronic component and curing the coating material deposited.

Abstract: A method for forming an embedded passive device module comprises depositing a first amount of an alkali silicate material, co-depositing an amount of embedded passive device material with the amount of alkali silicate material; and thermally processing the amount of alkali silicate material and the amount of embedded passive device material at a temperature sufficient to cure the amount of alkali silicate material and the amount of embedded passive device material and form a substantially moisture free substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a device which includes an antenna and circuitry. The antenna may receive a circularly-polarized signal as first and second linearly-polarized signals. The circuitry is connected to the antenna and is configured for combining the first and second linearly-polarized signals to produce at least two reception patterns. The reception patterns are created by summing the first and second linearly-polarized signals via phase shifting. The reception patterns are optimized for at least two substantially different directional orientations. Further, the antenna may simultaneously allow/provide spec-compliant Global Positioning System operation and spec compliant Height of Burst operation.

Abstract: A method of protecting an electronics package is discussed along with devices formed by the method. The method involves providing at least one electronic component that requires protecting from tampering and/or reverse engineering. Further, the method includes mixing into a liquid glass material at least one of high durability micro-particles or high-durability nano-particles, to form a coating material. Further still, the method includes depositing the coating material onto the electronic component and curing the coating material deposited.

Abstract: An electronics package includes a substrate and at least one electronic component coupled to the substrate. The electronics package comprises an alkali silicate coating forming a hermetic seal around at least a portion of the at least one electronic component.

Abstract: A circuit board may include a pump and a channel. The channel may include a liquid metal and a coating. The liquid metal may be pumped through the channel by the pump and the coating reduces diffusion and chemical reaction between the liquid metal and at least portions of the channel. The liquid metal may carry thermal energy to act as a heat transfer mechanism between two or more locations on the substrate. The substrate may include electrical interconnects to allow electrical components to be populated onto the substrate to form an electronics assembly. The pump may be driven by electric current that is utilized by one or more electronic components on the circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention is a Radio Frequency (RF) apparatus. The RF apparatus may include a layer of photoconductive material. The RF apparatus may further include a plurality of conductive patches which are disposed within the layer of photoconductive material. The RF apparatus may further include a generating layer. The generating layer may be operatively coupled to the layer of photoconductive material and may be configured for generating light. The generating layer may further be configured for providing the generated light to the layer of photoconductive material. The generated light may be configurable for being provided at a selectable intensity and in a selectable pattern for causing the layer of photoconductive material to be a dynamically controllable optical switch. The dynamically controllable optical switch may be configured for providing a connection between conductive patches included in the plurality of conductive patches.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to low-cost, low-processing temperature, and simple reinforcement, repair, and corrosion protection for hermetically sealed modules and hermetic connectors. A thin layer of glass is applied over the module's seal or the connector' glass frit. The layer of glass comprises an alkali silicate glass. The layer of glass is produced from a material which is a low viscosity liquid at room temperature prior to curing and is cured at low temperatures (typically no more than about 160 degrees Celsius). Subsequent to curing, the layer of glass is intimately bonded to the seal, watertight, and is stable from about negative two-hundred forty-three degrees Celsius to at least about seven-hundred twenty-seven degrees Celsius. The glass layer provides corrosion protection, seals any existing leaks, and possesses good flexibility and adhesion. The resulting bond is hermetic with good aqueous durability and strength similar to that of monolithic structures.

Abstract: A method for forming an embedded passive device module comprises depositing a first amount of an alkali silicate material, co-depositing an amount of embedded passive device material with the amount of alkali silicate material; and thermally processing the amount of alkali silicate material and the amount of embedded passive device material at a temperature sufficient to cure the amount of alkali silicate material and the amount of embedded passive device material and form a substantially moisture free substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermal spreader for providing a high effective thermal conductivity between a heat source and a heat sink. The thermal spreader may include a mechanically flexible substrate. The mechanically flexible substrate may be at least partially constructed of organic materials. The mechanically flexible substrate may form an internal channel which is configured for containing an electrically-conductive liquid. The thermal spreader may further include a pump. The pump may be configured for being connected to the substrate and for circulating the electrically-conductive liquid within the internal channel. The thermal spreader may further include one or more thermally-conductive, rigid metal inserts. Each insert may be configured for being in thermal contact with the electrically-conductive liquid and the substrate and for promoting heat transfer between the thermal spreader and the electrically-conductive liquid.