Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for cooling a microelectronic device including: (a) a rigid support ring having a top surface and a bottom surface; (b) a mechanically resilient, thermally conductive bottom membrane having a top and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface of the membrane is attached to the bottom surface of the ring; and (c) a multiplicity of thermally conductive posts having top and bottom surfaces, the posts being disposed with their bottom surfaces in thermal contact with the top surface of the bottom membrane over an area, wherein the posts are arrayed in the area with spaces therebetween so that heat transferred from the microelectronic device to the bottom surface of the membrane may be transferred to the multiplicity of thermally conductive posts.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect device attaches electrical devices with a cantilever spring with out the use of solder or adhesive. The cantilever spring latches to a contact structure such that there are a plurality of contact points between the spring and the contact structure. The cantilever spring has two tines at a tip end that define an opening in the spring. The contact structure is received by the opening between the two tines so that the spring and the contact structure mate. The spring may engage the contact structure by latching to the contact structure or by a post that urges the tip end of the spring against the contact structure.

Abstract: A circuit board layer 2 in accordance with the present invention includes a conductive sheet 4 sandwiched between an insulating top layer 10 and an insulating bottom layer 14. The top and bottom layers 10 and 14 and the conductive sheet 4 define the circuit board layer 2 having an edge that includes an edge 20 of the conductive sheet 4. An insulating edge layer 18 covers substantially all of the edge 20 of the conductive sheet 4.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a circuit board including (a) providing a first conductive sheet; (b) selectively removing one or more portions of the first conductive sheet to form a first panel having a first circuit board that is coupled to a disposable part of the first panel by at least one tab that extends from an edge of the first circuit board to an edge of the disposable part of the first panel; (c) applying an insulating coating to the first circuit board so that at least each edge of the first circuit board is covered thereby; and (d) separating the first circuit board from the disposable part in a manner whereupon at least part of the tab remains attached to the first circuit board and includes an exposed edge of the conductive sheet of the first circuit board. Circuit boards formed by the method are also provided.

Abstract: An improved structure and method for making interconnects for a thin package of stacked integrated circuits is described. The structure uses a spring contact to replace traditional solder balls in a stacked structure. The spring contacts are incorporated in an integrated circuit layer and may be made from stressed metal or physical bending of a metal structure. The spring contacts enable electrical coupling to adjacent circuit layers immediately above or immediately below the integrated circuit layer.

Abstract: A circuit board layer 2 in accordance with the present invention includes a conductive sheet 4 sandwiched between an insulating top layer 10 and an insulating bottom layer 14. The top and bottom layers 10 and 14 and the conductive sheet 4 define the circuit board layer 2 having an edge that includes an edge 20 of the conductive sheet 4. An insulating edge layer 18 covers substantially all of the edge 20 of the conductive sheet 4.

Abstract: A microelectronic lead element includes an elongated first leg having a surface releasably attached to a substrate. The first leg has a tip end and a base end. An elongated second leg includes a surface releasably attached to a substrate, the second leg having a tip end and a base end. The base end of the first leg is arranged adjacent the base end of the second leg. A body of conductive material is adapted for electrically connecting the base ends of the first and second legs together. The first and second legs extend away from their respective base ends and said body of conductive material in a common direction. Movement of the tip ends relative to each other in a vertical direction relative to the substrate causes flexure of the first and second legs in opposite directions upon release from the substrate.

Abstract: A connector element for connecting microelectronic elements includes a dielectric sheet having pairs of elongated, flexible leads in registry on opposite surfaces of the sheet. The leads are connected at their terminal ends which are in registry with each other. The terminal ends are offset from the tip ends in a horizontal direction. The tip ends are releasably attached to the surfaces of the dielectric sheet. The tip ends may be connected to microelectronic elements, which may be displaced relative to each other in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A microelectronic lead element includes an elongated first leg having a surface releasably attached to a substrate. The first leg has a tip end and a base end. An elongated second leg includes a surface releasably attached to a substrate, the second leg having a tip end and a base end. The base end of the first leg is arranged adjacent the base end of the second leg. A body of conductive material is adapted for electrically connecting the base ends of the first and second legs together. The first and second legs extend away from their respective base ends and said body of conductive material in a common direction. Movement of the tip ends relative to each other in a vertical direction relative to the substrate causes flexure of the first and second legs in opposite directions upon release from the substrate.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly includes two microelectronic elements and a number of lead elements connecting the microelectronic elements. Each lead element has two elongated, flexible leads connected to the microelectronic elements at tip ends and connected to each other at terminal ends. The tip ends and terminal ends are offset in a horizontal direction, and the tip end of one lead is in registry with the tip end of the other. The microelectronic elements may be moved away from each other in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A lead element for a microelectronic connection has a rigid body section connected to two parallel strip-like flexible leg sections. The leg sections each have tip ends that are offset from the rigid body section in a horizontal direction. The tip end of one leg section is permanently connected to a first microelectronic element. The tip end of the other leg section is releasably connected to the first microelectronic element and permanently connected to a second microelectronic element. Moving the first tip end relative to the second tip end in a vertical direction causes flexure of the leg sections in opposite directions.