Abstract: A flame-retardant compound, a process for forming a flame-retardant compound, and an article of manufacture comprising a material containing a flame-retardant polyetheretherketone based polymer are disclosed. The flame-retardant compound includes two or more polyetheretherketone polymer chains and at least one flame-retardant aryl diamine cross-linker moiety, wherein the flame-retardant aryl diamine cross-linker moiety contains at least one flame-retardant functional group. The process includes selecting a flame-retardant aryl diamine, wherein the flame-retardant aryl diamine contains at least one flame-retardant functional group, selecting a polyetheretherketone polymer, and reacting the flame-retardant aryl diamine with the polyetheretherketone polymer to form a flame-retardant polyetheretherketone based polymer having flame-retardant aryl diamine cross-linkers, wherein the flame-retardant aryl diamine cross-linkers contain the at least one flame-retardant functional group.

Abstract: A thermo-gravimetric analysis system includes a chamber having an interior; and a sample crucible connected to and inside of the chamber, the sample crucible configured to hold a sample material. The system further includes a reference crucible connected to and inside of the chamber; and a metal organic framework (MOF) crucible connected to and inside of the chamber, separate from the sample crucible, the MOF crucible including an MOF material.

Abstract: A stubless via in printed wiring board may comprise one or more core layers. At least one core layer may be circuitized by including a copper trace and at least two other core layers may include copper laminations. The stubless via may further comprise one or more prepreg layers. The prepreg layers may be alternatively stacked between the core layers. the stubless via may further comprise a via. the via may be drilled through each of the alternatively stacked prepreg layers and core layers, exposing internal portions of the prepreg layers and core layers drilled through.

Abstract: A levoglucosan-based flame retardant compound, a process for forming a flame retardant polymer, and an article of manufacture comprising a polymer that contains the levoglucosan-based flame retardant compound. The levoglucosan-based flame retardant compound has phosphorus-based flame retardant functional groups. At least one of the phosphorus-based flame retardant groups includes a phenyl substituent. The process for forming the flame retardant polymer includes providing a phosphorus-based flame retardant molecule, providing levoglucosan, chemically reacting the phosphorus-based flame retardant molecule and the levoglucosan derivative to form a levoglucosan-based flame retardant compound, and incorporating the levoglucosan-based flame retardant compound into a polymer by covalent binding to form the levoglucosan-based flame retardant polymer.

Abstract: Fabrication of a reliable circuit board assembly with soldered, plated through-hole structures is facilitated by characterizing plating of a plated through-hole of the circuit board using time-domain reflectance to obtain a base reflectance measurement, and applying solder to the plated through-hole. Based on applying the solder, the plating of the plated through-hole of the circuit board is re-characterized using time-domain reflectance to obtain a new reflectance value. Based on a deviation between the new reflectance measurement and the base reflectance measurement exceeding a threshold, dissolution, at least in part, of the plating of the plated through-hole due to applying the solder is identified.

Abstract: A limonene-based flame-retardant compound, a method of making a flame-retardant polymer, and an article of manufacture comprising a material that includes a limonene-based flame-retardant compound are provided. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a limonene-based derivative; forming a phosphorus-based flame-retardant molecule; reacting the limonene-based derivative with the phosphorus-based flame-retardant molecule to form a limonene-based flame-retardant compound; and forming a flame-retardant polymer from the limonene-based flame-retardant compound. In some embodiments, the limonene-based flame-retardant compound has variable functionality including vinyl, epoxide, methylene bridges, and thioethers.

Abstract: A flame retardant itaconic acid-based compound, a process for forming a flame retardant polymer, and an article of manufacture comprising a material that contains a flame retardant itaconic acid-based polymer are disclosed. The flame retardant itaconic acid-based compound has variable moieties, which include methylene bridge groups, carbonyl groups, vinyl groups, functionalized groups, phenyl-substituted flame retardant groups, and/or functionalized flame retardant groups. The process for forming the flame retardant polymer includes forming a phosphorus-based flame retardant molecule, forming an itaconic acid derivative, chemically reacting the phosphorus-based flame retardant molecule and the itaconic acid derivative to form a flame retardant itaconic acid-based compound, and incorporating the itaconic acid-based flame retardant compound into a polymer to form the flame retardant polymer.

Abstract: A polybrominated flame-retardant compound, a process for forming a flame-retardant material, and an article of manufacture are disclosed. The polybrominated flame-retardant compound includes a cyclododecane moiety, at least two bromo groups, and at least one substituent having a reactive functional group. The process includes forming a polybromocyclododecane (PBCD) compound having at least one reactive functional group and incorporating the PBCD compound into a polymer in a process that includes covalent binding of the PBCD compound. The article of manufacture includes a flame-retardant material that comprises a polymer with a covalently-bound PBCD compound.

Abstract: A process of forming a flame retardant material is disclosed. The process includes forming a functionalized polybrominated diphenyl-based flame retardant compound having the following structural formula: In the structural formula, X corresponds to a functional group. The process also includes forming a flame retardant material by covalently bonding the functionalized polybrominated diphenyl-based flame retardant compound into a material using the functional group.

Abstract: A PWB may be drilled forming a via. The via may expose one or more internal portions of a core layer, a prepreg layer, and an anti-plate coating. A seed material may then be applied from a top portion of the PWB to the via, forming a seed layer in the via, the seed material not adhering to the anti-plate coating. Electroless metal may then be applied from the top portion of the PWB to the via, forming an electroless plate layer that adheres to the seed layer. Electrolytic copper may then be applied from the top portion of the PWB to the via, forming a copper layer that adheres to the electroless plate layer. A bottom portion of the electroless plate layer may then be removed.

Abstract: A flame retardant sugar-derived molecule, a process for forming a flame retardant sugar-derived molecule, and an article of manufacture comprising a flame retardant sugar-derived molecule are disclosed. The flame retardant sugar-derived molecule can be synthesized from arabitol, xylitol, arabic acid, or xylonic acid obtained from a bio-based source, and can have at least one phosphoryl or phosphonyl moiety. The process for forming the flame retardant sugar-derived molecule can include reacting arabitol, xylitol, arabic acid, or xylonic acid and a flame retardant phosphorus-based molecule to form the flame retardant sugar-derived molecule.

Abstract: A process of forming a resveratrol-based flame retardant small molecule with a phosphonate/phosphinate molecule that includes a chloride group and a terminal functional group.

Abstract: A compliant pin system includes a pin having a compliant section including a first leg and an opposing second leg. A first plurality of contact members extend along the first leg. A second plurality of contact members extend along the second leg. A pin validation system is operatively connected to the first plurality of contact members and the second plurality of contact members. The pin validation system detects a presence of an electrical signal passing between corresponding pairs of the first plurality of contact members and the second plurality of contact members to determine an integrity of the compliant pin.

Abstract: A levoglucosan-based flame retardant compound, a process for forming a flame retardant polymer, and an article of manufacture comprising a material that contains a levoglucosan-based flame retardant polymer are disclosed. The levoglucosan-based flame retardant compound has phosphorus-based flame retardant functional groups. The process for forming the flame retardant polymer includes providing a phosphorus-based flame retardant molecule, providing levoglucosan, chemically reacting the phosphorus-based flame retardant molecule and the levoglucosan derivative to form a levoglucosan-based flame retardant compound, and incorporating the levoglucosan-based flame retardant compound into a polymer to form the levoglucosan-based flame retardant polymer.

Abstract: A microcapsule encapsulates a payload agent, the microcapsule having a microcapsule shell material that is rupturable (e.g., to release the encapsulated payload agent) via a retro-dimerization reaction.

Abstract: An immersion weaving system includes a first drum immersed in a first bath of a liquid. The first drum is configured to form a glass strand from individual glass filaments. The immersion weaving system also includes a second drum immersed in the first bath of the liquid. The second drum is configured to form a yarn spool from the glass strand. The immersion weaving system further includes a loom immersed in a second bath of the liquid. The loom is configured to form a void-free glass cloth.

Abstract: A process of in-situ detection of hollow fiber formation includes immersing a plurality of individual glass fibers in an index-matching material. The index-matching material has a first refractive index that substantially matches a second refractive index of the glass fibers. The process also includes exposing the individual glass fibers to a light source during immersion in the index-matching material. The process further includes utilizing one or more optical components to collect optical data for the individual glass fibers during immersion in the index-matching material. The process also includes determining, based on the optical data, that a particular glass fiber of the plurality of individual glass fibers includes a hollow fiber.

Abstract: In an embodiment is provided a method of making a photo-absorbing composition that includes forming a donor-acceptor small molecule (DASM) by bonding an electron donor portion to an electron acceptor portion; and bonding the DASM to a nanographene structure using a Stille coupling reaction, a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, or a C—H activation cross-coupling reaction. In another embodiment is provided films that include a photo-absorbing composition.

Abstract: A process of forming a resveratrol-based flame retardant small molecule with a phosphonate/phosphinate molecule that includes a chloride group and a terminal functional group.

Abstract: A limonene-based flame-retardant compound, a method of making a flame-retardant polymer, and an article of manufacture comprising a material that includes a limonene-based flame-retardant compound. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a limonene-based derivative; forming a phosphorus-based flame-retardant molecule; reacting the limonene-based derivative with the phosphorus-based flame-retardant molecule to form a limonene-based flame-retardant compound; and forming a flame-retardant polymer from the limonene-based flame-retardant compound. In some embodiments, the limonene-based flame-retardant compound has variable functionality including vinyl, epoxide, methylene bridges, and thioethers.