Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating a metal on a semiconductor substrate with high control over plated thickness on a die-level includes an ionically resistive ionically permeable element (e.g., a plate with channels), where the element allows for flow of ionic current through the element towards the substrate during electroplating, where the element includes a plurality of regions, each region having a pattern of varied local resistance, and where the pattern of varied local resistance repeats in at least two regions. An electroplating method includes providing a semiconductor substrate to an electroplating apparatus having an ionically resistive ionically permeable element or a grid-like shield having a pattern correlating with a pattern of features on the substrate, and plating metal, while the pattern on the substrate remains spatially aligned with the pattern of the element or the grid-like shield for at least a portion of the total electroplating time.

Abstract: A product on demand nozzle assembly includes a chamber at least partially defined by an external wall and an array of vertically spaced nozzles. Each nozzle has an air inlet, an air and entrained product outlet extending from the external wall, and an entrainment zone between the air inlet and the air and entrained product outlet to receive a product therein to be distributed.

Abstract: An ionically resistive ionically permeable element for use in an electroplating apparatus includes ribs to tailor hydrodynamic environment proximate a substrate during electroplating. In one implementation, the ionically resistive ionically permeable element includes a channeled portion that is at least coextensive with a plating face of the substrate, and a plurality of ribs extending from the substrate-facing surface of the channeled portion towards the substrate. Ribs include a first plurality of ribs of full maximum height and a second plurality of ribs of smaller maximum height than the full maximum height. In one implementation the ribs of smaller maximum height are disposed such that the maximum height of the ribs gradually increases in a direction from one edge of the element to the center of the element.

Abstract: A dust mop features a dust collector layer made of electrostatically charged nonwoven fabric. The electrostatic charge (a) enables the dust collector to be detachably mounted to the mop head by electrostatic cling; and (b) improves the dust collecting ability of the dust collector.

Abstract: A dust mop features a dust collector layer made of electrostatically charged nonwoven fabric. The electrostatic charge (a) enables the dust collector to be detachably mounted to the mop head by electrostatic cling; and (b) improves the dust collecting ability of the dust collector.

Abstract: A dust mop features a dust collector layer made of electrostatically charged nonwoven fabric. The electrostatic charge (a) enables the dust collector to be detachably mounted to the mop head by electrostatic cling; and (b) improves the dust collecting ability of the dust collector.

Abstract: Electrostatically charged nonwoven webs (fabrics) are used in displays, quilting, toys, and pattern making. The electrostatic charge causes the nonwoven webs to cling to cloth or paper without the need of pins or connectors. In pattern making the charged nonwoven web is detachably secured to a mastern pattern permitting the web to be marked and cut to form a specific sized pattern which is used to cut cloth in a selected size.

Abstract: A thermoplastic fabric for use as a support fabric in interfacing, underlining, and applique carries a persistent electrostatic charge that causes the fabrics in contact therewith to cling thereto in a nonslip relationship. This facilitates sewing of the layers together. The preferred support fabric is a nonwoven fabric such as meltblown and spunbonded fabrics.

Abstract: A device for detachably adhering a manipulative to a substrate using electrostatic charges is described. The invention comprises a thermoplastic substrate having imparted thereto a substantially persistent electrostatic charge with paper and/or fabric manipulatives removably adhered thereto by electrostatic attraction. The present invention may be useful for creating visual displays such as display boards, design boards for quilting patterns, sewing patterns, and toys such as dolls and educational games or aides using manipulatives in visual displays. The substrate is preferably made of polyolefin nonwoven webs, particularly polypropylene or polyethylene meltblown webs.

Abstract: A method of preventing overdisplacement and underdisplacement of proppant during well treatments to hydraulically induce and maintain a fracture in a subterranean formation traversed by a wellbore having a perforated casing. In the practice of the method, ball sealers are incorporated in the trailing end portion of a fracturing fluid-proppant slurry. The ball sealers have a density such that they do not sink in the slurry nor rise in the displacement fluid injected following the slurry. The ball sealers seat on at least some of the well perforations as the final portion of the slurry reaches the perforations. This causes the surface pumping pressure to increase, signalling the end of the treating operation. The detection of the time at which a selected portion of the injected fluid reaches the perforations allows the treatment to be terminated, minimizing proppant overdisplacement and providing for a fully packed fracture in the near-wellbore region.

Abstract: A method of preventing overdisplacement of propping agent particles during well treatments to hydraulically induce a fracture in a subterranean formation wherein buoyant or neutrally buoyant ball sealers are incorporated in the trailing end portion of the fracturing fluid. The ball sealers seat on at least some of the well perforations in final stages of particle injection thereby causing the surface pumping pressure to increase, signalling the end of the treating operation. This minimizes proppant overdisplacement and provides for a fully packed fracture in the near wellbore region.