Abstract: Provided is a thin film device and an associated method of making a thin film device. For example, fabrication of an inverter thin film device is described. Moreover, a parallel spaced electrically conductive strips are provided upon a substrate. A functional material is deposited upon the conductive strips. A 3D structure is then provided upon the functional material, the 3D structure having a plurality of different heights, at least one height defining a first portion of the conductive strips to be bundled. The 3D structure and functional material are then etched to define a TFD disposed above the first portion of the conductive strips. The first portion of the conductive strips is bundled adjacent to the TFD.

Abstract: A fabrication process for a device such as a backplane for a flat panel display includes depositing thin film layers on a substrate, forming a 3D template overlying the thin film layers, and etching the 3D template and the thin film layers to form gate lines and transistors from the thin film layers. An insulating or passivation layer can then be deposited on the gate lines and the transistors, so that column or data lines can be formed on the insulating layer.

Abstract: A thin-film logic circuit, which can be fabricated entirely of TFTs of the same conductivity type, includes a logic stage connected to a supply voltage and a level shifter connected to a wider voltage range provided by the supply voltage and ground. The logic circuit produces output signals with full rail-to-rail signal range from ground to the supply voltage and can implement or include a basic logic component such as an inverter, a NAND gate, or a NOR gate or more complicated circuits in which many basic logic components are cascaded together. Such logic circuits can be fabricated directly on flexible structures or large areas such as in flat panel displays.

Abstract: Provided is a thin film device and an associated method of making a thin film device. For example, fabrication of an inverter thin film device is described. Moreover, a parallel spaced electrically conductive strips are provided upon a substrate. A functional material is deposited upon the conductive strips. A 3D structure is then provided upon the functional material, the 3D structure having a plurality of different heights, at least one height defining a first portion of the conductive strips to be bundled. The 3D structure and functional material are then etched to define a TFD disposed above the first portion of the conductive strips. The first portion of the conductive strips is bundled adjacent to the TFD.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of forming at least one pressure switch thin film device. The method includes providing a substrate and depositing a plurality of thin film device layers as a stack upon the substrate. An imprinted 3D template structure is provided upon the plurality of thin film device layers. The plurality of thin film device layers and the 3D template structure are then etched and at least one thin film device layer is undercut to provide a plurality of aligned electrical contact pairs and adjacent spacer posts. A flexible membrane providing a plurality of separate electrical contacts is deposited upon the spacer posts, the separate electrical contacts overlapping the contact pairs. The spacer posts provide a gap between the electrical contacts and the contact pairs.

Abstract: Cells can include variable volumes defined between a flexible structure, such as a polymer layer, and a support surface, with the flexible structure and support surface being attached in a first region that surrounds a second region in which they are unattached. Various adhesion structures can attach the flexible structure and the support surface. When unstretched, the flexible structure can lie in a flat position on the support surface. In response to a stretching force away from the support surface, the flexible structure can move out of the flat position, providing the variable volume. Electrodes, such as on the flexible structure, on the support surface, and over the flexible structure, can have charge levels that couple with each other and with the variable volume. A support structure can include a device layer with signal circuitry that provides a signal path between an electrode and external circuitry. One or more ducts can provide fluid communication with each cell's variable volume.

Abstract: A fabrication process for a device such as a backplane for a flat panel display includes depositing thin film layers on a substrate, forming a 3D template overlying the thin film layers, and etching the 3D template and the thin film layers to form gate lines and transistors from the thin film layers. An insulating or passivation layer can then be deposited on the gate lines and the transistors, so that column or data lines can be formed on the insulating layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film device on a flexible substrate is disclosed. The method includes depositing an imprintable material over the flexible substrate. The imprintable are stamped material forming a three-dimensional pattern in the imprintable material. A sacrificial layer is formed over the three-dimensional pattern. A conductive layer is deposited over the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is removed, leaving portions of the conductive layer as defined by the three-dimensional pattern.

Abstract: This invention provides a pattern reversal process for self aligned imprint lithography (SAIL). The method includes providing a substrate and depositing at least one layer of material upon the substrate. A pattern is then established upon the layer of material, the pattern providing at least one exposed area and at least one covered area of the layer of material. The exposed areas are treated to toughen the material and reverse the pattern. Subsequent etching removes the un-toughened material. A thin-film transistor device provided by the pattern reversal process is also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a thin film device with minimized spatial variation of local mean height. More specifically, the thin film device has a substrate and at least one first structure having a first spatially varying weighted local mean height determined by a layer weighting function. The first structure has a first maximum height, a first minimum height and a first variation for a given averaging area. A compensation structure is also provided upon the substrate, the compensation structure having a second spatially varying weighted local mean height determined by the layer weighting function. The compensation structure also has a second maximum height, a second minimum height and a second variation for the given averaging area. The first structure and compensation structure combine to provide a combined structure upon the substrate with minimized spatial variation of a combined weighted local mean.

Abstract: Thin film devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed herein. A method for forming a thin film device includes forming a first at least semi-conductive strip located at a first height relative to a surface of a substrate, and forming a second at least semi-conductive strip adjacent to the first at least semi-conductive strip. The second strip is located at a second height relative to the substrate surface, and the second height is different than the first height. A nano-gap is formed between the first and second at least semi-conductive strips.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-counterfeiting system. In a particular embodiment, the anti-counterfeiting system has a first structure having a plurality of three-dimensional nanostructures, each having a height dimension less than a wavelength of visible light. In addition, there is a second structure having a second plurality of three-dimensional nanostructures, each having a height dimension less than a wavelength of visible light. The first and second structures are configured to couple together. An alignment mechanism is operable to align the first structure to the second structure and establish proximate contact between the first and second pluralities of nanostructures. With respect to the first and second structures, each encodes part of an authentication key. The authentication key includes pre-determined elements and interaction modalities. The resolution of the structures makes them copy-resistant. An associated method of use is also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a thin film device with layer isolation structures. Specifically, a plurality of patterned thin film device layers provide a first rail and a second rail. There is at least one overpass between the first rail and the second rail. The overpass is defined by an array of spaced holes disposed transversely through the continuous material of the first rail on either side of the overpass. The holes are in communication with isolation voids adjacent to the second rail adjacent to the overpass.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of fabricating an active matrix of thin film devices through a pattern reversal self aligned imprint lithography (SAIL) process. The method includes providing a substrate and depositing at least one layer of material upon the substrate. A pattern is then established upon the layer of material, the pattern providing at least one exposed area and at least one covered area of the layer of material. The exposed areas are treated to provide etch resistance to the material and reverse the pattern. Subsequent etching removes the etch susceptible material, the etch resistant material remaining. A thin-film stack is then deposited upon the remaining etch resistant material. These deposited thin-films are then processed in accordance with the desired characteristics of the thin film devices.

Abstract: A thin-film logic circuit, which can be fabricated entirely of TFTs of the same conductivity type, includes a logic stage connected to a supply voltage and a level shifter connected to a wider voltage range provided by the supply voltage and ground. The logic circuit produces output signals with full rail-to-rail signal range from ground to the supply voltage and can implement or include a basic logic component such as an inverter, a NAND gate, or a NOR gate or more complicated circuits in which many basic logic components are cascaded together. Such logic circuits can be fabricated directly on flexible structures or large areas such as in flat panel displays.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of forming at least one pressure switch thin film device. The method includes providing a substrate and depositing a plurality of thin film device layers as a stack upon the substrate. An imprinted 3D template structure is provided upon the plurality of thin film device layers. The plurality of thin film device layers and the 3D template structure are then etched and at least one thin film device layer is undercut to provide a plurality of aligned electrical contact pairs and adjacent spacer posts. A flexible membrane providing a plurality of separate electrical contacts is deposited upon the spacer posts, the separate electrical contacts overlapping the contact pairs. The spacer posts provide a gap between the electrical contacts and the contact pairs.

Abstract: This invention provides a structure and method of forming a seamless imprint roller. The method includes providing a translucent cylindrical core. At least one uniform seamless layer of material is deposited about the cylindrical core. This uniform seamless layer of material is then processed to define a translucent three dimensional imprint pattern seamlessly disposed about the core. The pattern includes at least one structure extending from the core and having one or more elevations. The pattern and more specifically the structures are inherently aligned to one another and the cylindrical core.

Abstract: Provided is a thin film device and an associated method of making a thin film device. For example, a thin film transistor with nano-gaps in the gate electrode. The method involves providing a substrate. Upon the substrate are then provided a plurality of parallel spaced electrically conductive strips. A plurality of thin film device layers are then deposited upon the conductive strips. A 3D structure is provided upon the plurality of thin film device layers, the structure having a plurality of different heights. The 3D structure and the plurality of thin film device layers are then etched to define a thin film device, such as for example a thin film transistor that is disposed above at least a portion of the conductive strips.

Abstract: Provided is an article of manufacturer with anti-counterfeit properties a consumable, having taggant nanoparticles dispersed within it. Each taggant nanoparticle has at least one known physical characteristic such as, the taggant nanoparticles being a predetermined combination of nanoparticles providing at least two different taggant physical characteristics as a taggant code encoding product identification for the consumable so as to permit identification of the consumable. The physical characteristics in an embodiment include a combination of fluorescence, particle size, shape, and/or magnetic properties.

Abstract: Provided is a thin film device and an associated method of making a thin film device. For example, a thin film transistor with nano-gaps in the gate electrode. The method involves providing a substrate. Upon the substrate are then provided a plurality of parallel spaced electrically conductive strips. A plurality of thin film device layers are then deposited upon the conductive strips. A 3D structure is provided upon the plurality of thin film device layers, the structure having a plurality of different heights. The 3D structure and the plurality of thin film device layers are then etched to define a thin film device, such as for example a thin film transistor that is disposed above at least a portion of the conductive strips.