Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method for making a healthy snack food having an appearance and taste similar to conventional fried snack products without the use of an oil-frying process. The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing food slices from a starch-based food or dough. The food slices can be blanched and a controlled amount of oil can be added to enhance final organoleptical properties. The food slices are then rapidly dehydrated to a much lower moisture content in a primary drying step that simulates conventional frying dehydration rates. A food snack, such as a corn or potato-based snack, produced by this method is a low-fat, ready-to-eat snack having the conventional texture and taste associated with fried snack products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method for making a healthy snack food having an appearance and taste similar to conventional fried snack products without the use of an oil-frying process. The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing food slices from a starch-based food or dough. The food slices can be blanched and a controlled amount of oil can be added to enhance final organoleptical properties. The food slices are then rapidly dehydrated to a much lower moisture content in a primary drying step that simulates conventional frying dehydration rates. A food snack, such as a corn or potato-based snack, produced by this method is a low-fat, ready-to-eat snack having the conventional texture and taste associated with fried snack products.

Abstract: The present invention related to an improved structure of an optically transparent element that can be used in optical scanners, supermarket scanners, lenses for eyeglasses, etc. The application of oxynitride PECVD films provide good hardness and optical transparency. Such films displaying these physical properties are extremely useful as a scratch resistant coatings in lenses and systems in which an article contacts a transparent surface, such as in scanners and in environments in which intermittent, environmental contact occurs such as in displays for computers and suchlike and in liquid crystal displays, touch displays and compact disks.

Abstract: The present invention related to an improved structure of an optically transparent element that can be used in optical scanners, supermarket scanners, lenses for eyeglasses, etc. The application of oxynitride PECVD films provide good hardness and optical transparency. Such films displaying these physical properties are extremely useful as a scratch resistant coatings in lenses and systems in which an article contacts a transparent surface, such as in scanners and in environments in which intermitent, environmental contact occurs such as in displays for computers and suchlike and in liquid crystal displays, touch displays and compact disks.

Abstract: The present invention related to an improved structure of an optically transparent element that can be used in optical scanners, supermarket scanners, lenses for eyeglasses, etc. The application of oxynitride PECVD films provide good hardness and optical transparency. Such films displaying these physical properties are extremely useful as a scratch resistant coatings in lenses and systems in which an article contacts a transparent surface, such as in scanners and in environments in which intermittent, environmental contact occurs such as in displays for computers and suchlike and in liquid crystal displays, touch displays and compact disks.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method for making a healthy snack food having an appearance and taste similar to conventional fried snack products without the use of an oil-frying process. The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing food slices from a starch-based food or dough. The food slices can be blanched and a controlled amount of oil can be added to enhance final organoleptical properties. The food slices are then rapidly dehydrated to a much lower moisture content in a primary drying step that simulates conventional frying dehydration rates. A food snack, such as a corn or potato-based snack, produced by this method is a low-fat, ready-to-eat snack having the conventional texture and taste associated with fried snack products.

Abstract: Novel semiconductor devices containing a discontinuous cap layer and possessing a relatively low dielectric constant are provide herein. The novel semiconductor devices includes at least a substrate, a first dielectric layer applied on at least a portion of the substrate, a first set of openings formed through the dielectric layer to expose the surface of the substrate so that a conductive material deposited within and filling the openings provides a first set of electrical contact conductive elements and a discontinuous layer of cap material covering at least the top of the conductive elements to provide a first set of discontinuous cap elements. Methods for forming the semiconductor devices are also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a multilayer interconnect structure on a substrate that include interconnected conductive wiring and vias spaced apart by a combination of solid or gaseous dielectrics.

Abstract: A metal plus low dielectric constant (low-k) interconnect structure is provided for a semiconductor device wherein adjacent regions in a surface separated by a dielectric have dimensions in width and spacing in the sub 250 nanometer range, and in which reduced lateral leakage current between adjacent metal lines, and a lower effective dielectric constant than a conventional structure, is achieved by the positioning of a differentiating or mask member that is applied for the protection of the dielectric in subsequent processing operations, at a position about 2-5 nanometers below a, to be planarized, surface where there will be a lower electric field.

Abstract: A metal plus low dielectric constant (low-k) interconnect structure is provided for a semiconductor device wherein adjacent regions in a surface separated by a dielectric have dimensions in width and spacing in the sub 250 nanometer range, and in which reduced lateral leakage current between adjacent metal lines, and a lower effective dielectric constant than a conventional structure, is achieved by the positioning of a differentiating or mask member that is applied for the protection of the dielectric in subsequent processing operations, at a position about 2-5 nanometers below a, to be planarized, surface where there will be a lower electric field.

Abstract: Novel semiconductor devices containing a discontinuous cap layer and possessing a relatively low dielectric constant are provide herein. The novel semiconductor devices includes at least a substrate, a first dielectric layer applied on at least a portion of the substrate, a first set of openings formed through the dielectric layer to expose the surface of the substrate so that a conductive material deposited within and filling the openings provides a first set of electrical contact conductive elements and a discontinuous layer of cap material covering at least the top of the conductive elements to provide a first set of discontinuous cap elements. Methods for forming the semiconductor devices are also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a multilayer interconnect structure on a substrate that include interconnected conductive wiring and vias spaced apart by a combination of solid or gaseous dielectrics.

Abstract: A method for forming a multilayer interconnect structure on a substrate that include interconnected conductive wiring and vias spaced apart by a combination of solid or gaseous dielectrics.

Abstract: A means to fabricate a color filter for use in a display, such as a liquid crystal display, in which a physical barrier is created which prevents the flow of a liquid dye after application and ensures that individual cells are filled with only the desired color. Additionally, a means is disclosed which creates a surface with all colors initially present, followed by an exposure means and a development means which enables the desired color to fill the desired cell.

Abstract: A control system for a blind microwave radiation tool a workpiece is described. The controlled system automatically tunes the cavity containing the workpiece. The control system automatically controls the temperature of the workpiece according to a predetermined temperature versus time schedule. Control system automatically determines when the workpiece has reached a particular predetermined physical condition. To achieve these results the control system automatically monitors applied power, reflected power or current temperature and automatically controls the microwave cavity volume and shape and launch structure including antennae location, cavity short location, cavity diameter, coupling loop position, etc. in order to maintain the cavity in resonance and to determine when to exit without operator intervention.

Abstract: A microwave applicator that provides a substantially uniform microwave field distribution over a large area, includes an elongated chamber, preferably operating in the length independent mode. A microwave source generates a microwave field at an output frequency. A waveguide or coaxial cable directs the microwave field from the microwave source into the elongated chamber, either through a side launch, end launch or multi launch. A frequency of the microwave field in the elongated chamber and the output frequency of the microwave source are matched through the use of controlled feedback of critical material and process parameters.

Abstract: A microwave applicator including a cylindrical elongated chamber used to process materials therein; a microwave power source capable of producing microwave power having an electric field; a waveguide connected to the chamber couples microwave power into the microwave chamber. The applicator provides microwave energy having a substantially uniform field distribution over a large area for processing materials such as a web or sheet-like product. The uniformity of the applicator is enhanced by the use of matching devices within the applicator to match the regions of the applicator with no load to regions where the load is present in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A microwave processing system comprising a microwave applicator and a microwave source. A microwave source generates a microwave field at an output frequency. A frequency of the microwave field in the elongated chamber and the output frequency of the microwave source are matched through the use of controlled feedback of critical material and process parameters.

Abstract: A microwave applicator includes an elongated chamber, preferably having a cylindrical shape, for processing materials therein. A waveguide, connected to the elongated chamber, couples microwave power into the elongated chamber. The cross-sectional area of the elongated chamber can be mechanically adjusted to control and maintain the microwave field uniformity and resonant mode, preferably the length independent mode TM.sub.010, during the processing of the material. The applicator can thus provide microwave energy having a substantially uniform field distribution over a large area for processing materials, for example, a web or sheet like product, plywood and pre-impregnated cloth, in a continuous manner.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a keyboard where the keys are raised up from a retracted position upon the initialization of usage of the keyboard. An embedded airbag mechanism is self-inflatable to raise keys to the normal operating heights. The keys will be retracted when the airbag is deflated. The rising and retracting of the keys can also be controlled by hinge-like structure. The close and open of the cover of a laptop computer will activate the mechanism to raise and retract the keys on the keyboard.