Abstract: An environmentally sealed connector for connecting a spring-loaded terminal to a flexible circuit includes a spring-loaded terminal and a connector cap having a terminal cavity receiving a portion of the spring-loaded terminal therein in order to electrically couple the spring-loaded terminal to the flexible circuit. A connector base is releasably coupled to the connector cap and covers the terminal cavity and the portion of the spring-loaded terminal therein. An elastic member is disposed between the connector cap and the connector base in sealing engagement therewith and surrounds the terminal cavity and the portion of the spring-loaded terminal.

Abstract: Printed resistive-based sensors and transducers comprising a thin, electronically “active” sensing layer within a dielectric and/or metallic layered structure are provided. The electronic resistance of the active sensing layer is measured during a change in the sensor environment. By utilizing a multi-layered architecture around the active sensing layer, the electronic signal of the sensing element can be improved. By carefully selecting the architecture and materials that surround the active sensing layer, the sensitivity, stability, and selectivity of the sensor to detect changes in the environment are improved. This design allows for a number of specific application areas for environmental sensing.

Abstract: Novel hyper-branched, dense, high-refractive-index polymers, and compositions utilizing those polymers are provided, along with methods of forming high refractive index films with those compositions. The refractive index of the material is at least about 1.8 at 400 nm. Further, it can be made into optically transparent thin films of only a couple hundred angstroms thickness to thick films of several micrometers thick, as well as into “bulk” solids. The use of a thermal acid or a photo acid generator facilitates crosslinking after the coating process.

Abstract: An environmentally sealed connector for connecting a spring-loaded terminal to a flexible circuit includes a spring-loaded terminal and a connector cap having a terminal cavity receiving a portion of the spring-loaded terminal therein in order to electrically couple the spring-loaded terminal to the flexible circuit. A connector base is releasably coupled to the connector cap and covers the terminal cavity and the portion of the spring-loaded terminal therein. An elastic member is disposed between the connector cap and the connector base in sealing engagement therewith and surrounds the terminal cavity and the portion of the spring-loaded terminal.

Abstract: Novel hyper-branched, dense, high-refractive-index polymers, and compositions utilizing those polymers are provided, along with methods of forming high refractive index films with those compositions. The refractive index of the material is at least about 1.8 at 400 nm. Further, it can be made into optically transparent thin films of only a couple hundred angstroms thickness to thick films of several micrometers thick, as well as into “bulk” solids. The use of a thermal acid or a photo acid generator facilitates crosslinking after the coating process.

Abstract: Printed resistive-based sensors and transducers comprising a thin, electronically “active” sensing layer within a dielectric and/or metallic layered structure are provided. The electronic resistance of the active sensing layer is measured during a change in the sensor environment. By utilizing a multi-layered architecture around the active sensing layer, the electronic signal of the sensing element can be improved. By carefully selecting the architecture and materials that surround the active sensing layer, the sensitivity, stability, and selectivity of the sensor to detect changes in the environment are improved. This design allows for a number of specific application areas for environmental sensing.

Abstract: Novel, wet developable anti-reflective coating compositions and methods of using those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer and/or oligomer having acid functional groups and dissolved in a solvent system along with a crosslinker and a photoacid generator. The preferred acid functional group is a carboxylic acid, while the preferred crosslinker is a vinyl ether crosslinker. In use, the compositions are applied to a substrate and thermally crosslinked. Upon exposure to light, the cured compositions will decrosslink, rendering them soluble in typical photoresist developing solutions (e.g., alkaline developers).

Abstract: Novel, wet developable anti-reflective coating compositions and methods of using those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer and/or oligomer having acid functional groups and dissolved in a solvent system along with a crosslinker and a photoacid generator. The preferred acid functional group is a carboxylic acid, while the preferred crosslinker is a vinyl ether crosslinker. In use, the compositions are applied to a substrate and thermally crosslinked. Upon exposure to light, the cured compositions will decrosslink, rendering them soluble in typical photoresist developing solutions (e.g., alkaline developers).

Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. In a preferred embodiment, the polymers of the composition include recurring monomers having the formulas where: (1) each R is individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OH, aliphatics, and phenyls; and (2) L is selected from the group consisting of —SO2— and —CR?2—, where each R? is individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, aliphatics, phenyls, and —CX3, where each X is individually selected from the group consisting of the halogens. The resulting compositions are spin bowl compatible (i.e., they do not crosslink prior to the bake stages of the microlithographic processes or during storage at room temperature), are wet developable, and have superior optical properties.

Abstract: Novel, wet developable anti-reflective coating compositions and methods of using those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer and/or oligomer having acid functional groups and dissolved in a solvent system along with a crosslinker and a photoacid generator. The preferred acid functional group is a carboxylic acid, while the preferred crosslinker is a vinyl ether crosslinker. In use, the compositions are applied to a substrate and thermally crosslinked. Upon exposure to light, the cured compositions will decrosslink, rendering them soluble in typical photoresist developing solutions (e.g., alkaline developers).

Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. In a preferred embodiment, the polymers are copolymers of a compound having the formulas and a compound having the formula where: (1) each R is individually selected from the group consisting of —OH, —NH2, hydrogen, aliphatics, and phenyls; and (2) L is selected from the group consisting of —SO2— and —CR?2—. The resulting compositions are spin bowl compatible (i.e., they do not crosslink prior to the bake stages of the microlithographic processes or during storage at room temperature), are wet developable, and have superior optical properties.

Abstract: Novel, wet developable anti-reflective coating compositions and methods of using those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer and/or oligomer having acid functional groups and dissolved in a solvent system along with a crosslinker and a photoacid generator. The preferred acid functional group is a carboxylic acid, while the preferred crosslinker is a vinyl ether crosslinker. In use, the compositions are applied to a substrate and thermally crosslinked. Upon exposure to light, the cured compositions will decrosslink, rendering them soluble in typical photoresist developing solutions (e.g., alkaline developers).

Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. In a preferred embodiment the polymers of the composition include recurring monomers having the formulas where: (1) each R is individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OH, aliphatics, and phenyls; and (2) L is selected from the group consisting of —SO2— and —CR?2—, where each R? is individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, aliphatics, phenyls, and —CX3, where each X is individually selected from the group consisting of the halogens. The resulting compositions are spin bowl compatible (i.e., they do not crosslink prior to the bake stages of the microlithographic processes or during storage at room temperature), are wet developable, and have superior optical properties.

Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system.

Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system.