Abstract: A non-transitory medium includes instructions to control a spin coating device to render a cleaning nozzle of the spin coating device below a base plate and out of optimal exposure to a substrate material placed on a spin chuck when the base plate is engaged with the spin chuck. In response to disengagement of a lid from the base plate, the non-transitory medium also includes instructions to disengage the base plate from the spin chuck to lower the base plate to a locking point whereupon a portion of the cleaning nozzle below the base plate passes through a hole in the base plate and emerges completely out of and above the base plate, and instructions to clean the bottom surface and/or the edges of the substrate material utilizing the cleaning nozzle based on an optimal exposure to the bottom surface and the edges of the substrate material.

Abstract: A method includes rendering a cleaning nozzle of a spin coating device below a base plate and out of optimal exposure to a bottom surface and edges of a substrate material placed on a spin chuck in a state of engagement of the base plate with the spin chuck, and rendering the base plate completely under the spin chuck even in the aforementioned state of engagement. In response to disengagement of a lid from the base plate, the method also includes disengaging the base plate from the spin chuck to lower the base plate to a locking point whereupon a portion of the cleaning nozzle below the base plate passes through a hole in the base plate and emerges completely out of and above the base plate, and cleaning the bottom surface and/or the edges of the substrate material utilizing the cleaning nozzle based on an optimal exposure thereof.

Abstract: A method includes rendering a cleaning nozzle of a spin coating device below a base plate and out of optimal exposure to a bottom surface and edges of a substrate material placed on a spin chuck in a state of engagement of the base plate with the spin chuck, and rendering the base plate completely under the spin chuck even in the aforementioned state of engagement. In response to disengagement of a lid from the base plate, the method also includes disengaging the base plate from the spin chuck to lower the base plate to a locking point whereupon a portion of the cleaning nozzle below the base plate passes through a hole in the base plate and emerges completely out of and above the base plate, and cleaning the bottom surface and/or the edges of the substrate material utilizing the cleaning nozzle based on an optimal exposure thereof.

Abstract: A non-transitory medium includes instructions to control a spin coating device including instructions to render a cleaning nozzle of the spin coating device below a base plate and out of optimal exposure to a bottom surface and edges of a substrate material placed on a spin chuck in a state of engagement of the base plate with the spin chuck. In response to disengagement of a lid from the base plate, the non-transitory medium also includes instructions to disengage the base plate from the spin chuck to lower the base plate to a locking point whereupon a portion of the cleaning nozzle below the base plate passes through a hole in the base plate and emerges completely out of and above the base plate, and instructions to clean the bottom surface and/or the edges of the substrate material utilizing the cleaning nozzle based on an optimal exposure thereof.

Abstract: A spin coating device includes a base plate, a spin chuck on which a substrate material is placed, and an actuator mechanism to engage the base plate with the spin chuck such that the base plate synchronously spins along with the spin chuck. The substrate material includes a top surface coated with a film-forming substance and a bottom surface. The cleaning mechanism is below the base plate and out of optimal exposure to the bottom surface and edges of the substrate material in a state of base plate engagement. In response to disengagement of a lid configured to synchronously co-rotate with the base plate, the actuator mechanism is further configured to disengage the base plate from the spin chuck and to enable the optimal exposure of the cleaning mechanism to the bottom surface and the edges of the substrate material.

Abstract: A spin coating device includes a base plate, a spin chuck on which a substrate material is placed, and an actuator mechanism to engage the base plate with the spin chuck such that the base plate synchronously spins along with the spin chuck. The substrate material includes a top surface coated with a film-forming substance and a bottom surface. The cleaning mechanism is below the base plate and out of optimal exposure to the bottom surface of the substrate material and edges thereof in a state of the base plate engagement. In response to disengagement of a lid configured to synchronously co-rotate with the base plate, the actuator mechanism is further configured to disengage the base plate from the spin chuck and to enable the optimal exposure of the cleaning mechanism to the bottom surface of the substrate material and the edges thereof.

Abstract: A network of antennas for contactless reading or writing of RFID tags in a detection volume, including three or four flat, independent antennas sequentially connected to a single reader by a switch, wherein planes of the antennas pass through a reading/writing/detection volume centered in the detection volume, for every pair of antennas, an intersection of their planes is included in the optimal reading/writing volume, and the antennas are arranged so that any direction in the optimal reading/writing volume forms an angle of about 45° or less with at least one of the planes of the antennas.

Abstract: A network of antennas for contactless reading or writing of RFID tags in a detection volume, including three or four flat, independent antennas sequentially connected to a single reader by a switch, wherein planes of the antennas pass through a reading/writing/detection volume centered in the detection volume, for every pair of antennas, an intersection of their planes is included in the optimal reading/writing volume, and the antennas are arranged so that any direction in the optimal reading/writing volume forms an angle of about 45° or less with at least one of the planes of the antennas.

Abstract: The invention discloses a biocompatible polymeric matrix which is functionalized through the reaction with a functionalizing agent including protonated carboxylic acid groups. There is also disclosed a method of preparation of the polymeric matrix and a pharmaceutical composition including the matrix as a carrier for controlled release of a bioactive agent. The pharmaceutical composition is suitable for immobilizing and protecting the bioactive agent from denaturing factors, and can take various forms such as tablets, spheres, films, hydrogels, and emulsions.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved leg members joined at their proximal end by a hinge portion and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces which are substantially parallel when the clip is closed. An interlocking mechanism is formed by a portion of the inner surfaces of the first and second legs. The interlocking mechanism may be a tongue-in-groove mechanism, formed by a lip or tongue protruding from a portion of the inner surface of one leg and a groove formed in a corresponding portion of the inner surface of the other leg, or a lock-step mechanism, formed by complementary L-shaped notches wherein a notch is provided in a portion of the inner surface of each leg. The interlocking mechanism acts to impede longitudinal movement of the clip relative to the vessel being clamped.

Abstract: A bond pad (10) has a probe region (14) and a wire bond region (12) that are substantially non-overlapping. In one embodiment, the bond pad (10) is connected to a final metal layer pad (16) and extends over an interconnect region (24). The bond pad (10) is formed from aluminum and the final metal layer pad (16) is formed from copper. Separating the probe region (14) from the wire bond region (12) prevents the final metal layer pad (16) from being damaged by probe testing, allowing for more reliable wire bonds. In another embodiment, the probe region (14) extends over a passivation layer (18). In an application requiring very fine pitch between bond pads, the probe regions (14) and wire bond regions (12) of a plurality of bond pads formed in a line may be staggered to increase the distance between the probe regions (14). In addition, forming the bond pads (10) over the interconnect region (24) reduces the size of the integrated circuit.