Patents by Inventor Willi Volksen

Willi Volksen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20060241194
    Abstract: Substantially or roughly spherical micellar structures useful in the formation of nanoporous materials by templating are disclosed. A roughly spherical micellar structure is formed by organization of one or more spatially unsymmetric organic amphiphilic molecules. Each of those molecules comprises a branched moiety and a second moiety. The branched moiety can form part of either the core or the surface of the spherical micellar structure, depending on the polarity of the environment. The roughly spherical micellar structures form in a thermosetting polymer matrix. They are employed in a templating process whereby the amphiphilic molecules are dispersed in the polymer matrix, the matrix is cured, and the porogens are then removed, leaving nanoscale pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jennifer Cha, Geraud Dubois, James Hedrick, Ho-Cheol Kim, Victor Lee, Teddie Magbitang, Robert Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20060240240
    Abstract: A nanoporous material exhibiting a lamellar structure is disclosed. The material comprises three or more substantially parallel sheets of an organosilicate material, separated by highly porous spacer regions. The distance between the centers of the sheets lies between 1 nm and 50 nm. The highly porous spacer regions may be substantially free of condensed material. For the manufacture of such materials, a process is disclosed in which matrix non-amphiphilic polymeric material and templating polymeric material are dispersed in a solvent, where the templating polymeric material includes a polymeric amphiphilic material. The solvent with the polymeric materials is distributed onto a substrate. Organization is induced in the templating polymeric material. The solvent is removed, leaving the polymeric materials in place. The matrix polymeric material is cured, forming a lamellar structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jennifer Cha, Geraud Dubois, James Hedrick, Ho-Cheol Kim, Victor Lee, Teddie Magbitang, Robert Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 7125467
    Abstract: A process for fabricating sliders where the sliders are held in place during processing by a solid matrix material is described. A thin coating of a release-layer material is applied on the sliders before encapsulation in the matrix material. The release-layer material is polyvinyl alcohol and more preferably high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol which is highly hydrolyzed. Use of the release-layer of the invention maintains the process resistance while providing the advantage of allowing easier removal of the matrix material after it is no longer needed. The release-layer can be applied to encapsulant materials including epoxies, acrylates, polyimides, silsesquioxanes and others. After the selected fabrication process such as the formation of air-bearing features an appropriate solvent is applied to soften the polyvinyl alcohol film and allow clean debonding of the sliders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Phillip Joe Brock, Michael William Chaw, Dan J. Dawson, Craig J. Hawker, James L. Hedrick, Wesley L. Hillman, Teddie P. Magbitang, Dennis R. McKean, Robert D. Miller, Richard I. Palmisano, Jila Tabib, Mark C. Thurber, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20060205875
    Abstract: A material and an associated method of formation. A self-assembling block copolymer that includes a first block species and a second block species respectively characterized by a volume fraction of F1 and F2 with respect to the self-assembling block copolymer is provided. At least one crosslinkable polymer that is miscible with the second block species is provided. The self-assembling block copolymer and the at least one crosslinkable polymer are combined to form a mixture. The mixture having a volume fraction, F3, of the crosslinkable polymer, a volume fraction, F1A, of the first block species, and a volume fraction, F2A, of the second block species is formed. A material having a predefined morphology where the sum of F2A and F3 were preselected is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Jennifer Cha, James Hedrick, Ho-Cheol Kim, Robert Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 7087982
    Abstract: Dielectric compositions comprised of porous polymeric matrices are prepared using nitrogen-containing polymers as pore-generating agents. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric compositions are prepared by admixing a polymeric nitrogenous porogen with a high temperature, thermosetting host polymer in a suitable solvent, heating the admixture to cure the polymer and provide a vitrified matrix, and then decomposing the porogen using heat, radiation, or a chemical reagent effective to degrade the porogen. The highly porous dielectric materials so prepared have an exceptionally low dielectric constant on the order of 2.5 or less, preferably less than about 2.0. Integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices manufactured so as to contain the dielectric material of the invention are provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Elbert Emin Huang, Teddie Magbitang, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 7077970
    Abstract: A slider assembly is provided comprising a plurality of sliders bonded by a debondable solid encapsulant. The solid encapsulant is comprised of a polymer prepared by polymerizing a mixture of first and second monomers in a nonstoichiometric ratio effective to render the encapsulant debondable. Each slider has a surface that is free from the encapsulant. The encapsulant-free surfaces are coplanar to each other. Also provided are methods for forming the assembly and methods for patterning a slider surface using the encapsulant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Nicholas I. Buchan, Michael W. Chaw, Sean Clemenza, Dan Dawson, Craig Hawker, James L. Hedrick, Wesley L. Hillman, Teddie P. Magbitang, Willi Volksen, Dennis McKean, Robert D. Miller
  • Patent number: 7064929
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to the bonding of one or more sliders in styrene and acrylate polymers. More particularly, the invention relates to planarized slider assemblies formed by using debondable solid encapsulants comprised of styrene and acrylate polymers. The invention also relates to methods that use such encapsulants in conjunction with resists to produce magnetic head sliders having patterned air-bearing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Dennis R. McKean, Robert D. Miller, Teddie P. Magbitang, James L. Hedrick, Craig J. Hawker, Willi Volksen, Phillip J. Brock, Dan J. Dawson, Michael W. Chaw, Richard I. Palmisano
  • Patent number: 7056840
    Abstract: A low dielectric constant, patterned, nanoporous material and a method of forming the material. The material is formed by depositing a layer onto a substrate, said layer comprising a reactive organosilicate material, a porogen, an initiator, and a solvent; exposing portions of the layer to energy (e.g., thermal energy or electromagnetic radiation) to change the solubility of portions of the organosilicate material with respect to the solvent; selectively removing more soluble portions of the layer to generate a relief pattern; and decomposing the porogen to thereby generate a nanoporous organosilicate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Miller, Ho-Cheol Kim, Eric Connor, Victor Yee-Way Lee, Gregory Michael Wallraff, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20060084282
    Abstract: Oxycarbosilane materials make excellent matrix materials for the formation of porous low-k materials using incorporated pore generators (porogens). The elastic modulus numbers measured for porous samples prepared in this fashion are 3-6 times higher than porous organosilicates prepared using the sacrificial porogen route. The oxycarbosilane materials are used to produce integrated circuits for use in electronics devices. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader quickly to ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the appended issued claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Geraud Dubois, James Hedrick, Ho-Cheol Kim, Victor Lee, Teddie Magbitang, Robert Miller, Eva Simonyi, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20050243469
    Abstract: A slider assembly is provided comprising a plurality of sliders bonded by a debondable solid encapsulant comprised of different first and second polymers The solid encapsulant is comprised of a polymer prepared by polymerizing an encapsulant fluid comprising a homogeneous mixture of first and second constituents. The first constituent is comprised of a first monomer suitable for in situ polymerization to form the first polymer. The second constituent is comprised of the second polymer or a second monomer suitable for in situ polymerization to form the second polymer. The first constituent does not substantially react with the second constituent. Each slider has a surface that is free from the encapsulant. The encapsulant-free surfaces are coplanar to each other. Also provided are methods for forming the assembly and methods for patterning a slider surface using the encapsulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Chaw, Dan Dawson, Craig Hawker, James Hedrick, Wesley Hillman, Teddie Magbitang, Dennis McKean, Robert Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 6934121
    Abstract: A process for planarizing a patterned metal structure for a magnetic thin film head includes the steps of applying an encapsulation/planarizing material on a substrate, spinning the substrate in a photoresist spinner or similar machine, curing the encapsulation/planarizing layer by energetic particles such as an electron beam. The planarizing process further comprises the step of polishing the entire structure using a conventional chemical-mechanical polishing step. The curing step takes place at the substrate temperature less than 200° C., which prevents the damages of the thin film head structures such as MR and GMR sensors. This process is cheap, efficient and easy to apply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Miller, Alfred Floyd Renaldo, Willi Volksen, Howard Gordon Zolla
  • Publication number: 20050070124
    Abstract: A low dielectric constant, patterned, nanoporous material and a method of forming the material. The material is formed by depositing a layer onto a substrate, said layer comprising a reactive organosilicate material, a porogen, an initiator, and a solvent; exposing portions of the layer to energy (e.g., thermal energy or electromagnetic radiation) to change the solubility of portions of the organosilicate material with respect to the solvent; selectively removing more soluble portions of the layer to generate a relief pattern; and decomposing the porogen to thereby generate a nanoporous organosilicate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Miller, Ho-Cheol Kim, Eric Connor, Victor Lee, Gregory Wallraff, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20050067373
    Abstract: An encapsulant fluid is provided comprising a mixture of a diene-containing compound and a dienophilic compound. At least one of the diene-containing and the dienophilic compounds is protected so that the compounds do not substantially react with each other at room temperature. The diene-containing and the dienophilic compounds undergo a reversible Diels-Alder polymerization reaction at a polymerization temperature above room temperature to form a solid debondable polymeric encapsulant. Also provided are methods for forming slider assemblies and methods for patterning a slider surface using the encapsulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Phillip Brock, Michael Chaw, Dan Dawson, Craig Hawker, James Hedrick, Teddie Magbitang, Dennis McKean, Robert Miller, Richard Palmisano, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20050068680
    Abstract: A slider assembly is provided comprising a plurality of sliders bonded by a debondable solid encapsulant. The solid encapsulant is comprised of a polymer prepared by polymerizing a mixture of first and second monomers in a nonstoichiometric ratio effective to render the encapsulant debondable. Each slider has a surface that is free from the encapsulant. The encapsulant-free surfaces are coplanar to each other. Also provided are methods for forming the assembly and methods for patterning a slider surface using the encapsulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Nicholas Buchan, Michael Chaw, Sean Clemenza, Dan Dawson, Craig Hawker, James Hedrick, Wesley Hillman, Teddie Magbitang, Willi Volksen, Dennis McKean, Robert Miller
  • Publication number: 20040265531
    Abstract: A slider assembly is provided comprising a plurality of sliders bonded by a debondable solid encapsulant. The solid encapsulant is comprised of a silicon-based polymer. Each slider has a surface that is free from the encapsulant. The encapsulant-free surfaces are coplanar to each other. Also provided are methods for forming the assembly and methods for patterning a slider surface using the encapsulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis R. McKean, Robert D. Miller, Willi Volksen, James L. Hedrick, Craig J. Hawker, Phillip J. Brock, Dan J. Dawson, Teddie P. Magbitang, Michael W. Chaw, Richard I. Palmisano
  • Publication number: 20040264050
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to the bonding of one or more sliders in styrene and butadiene polymers. More particularly, the invention relates to planarized slider assemblies formed by using debondable solid encapsulants comprised of styrene and butadiene polymers. The invention also relates to methods that use such encapsulants in conjunction with resists to produce magnetic head sliders having patterned air-bearing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Phillip J. Brock, Michael W. Chaw, Dan J. Dawson, Craig J. Hawker, James L. Hedrick, Teddie P. Magbitang, Dennis R. McKean, Robert D. Miller, Richard I. Palmisano, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20040266186
    Abstract: A process for fabricating sliders where the sliders are held in place during processing by a solid matrix material is described. A thin coating of a release-layer material is applied on the sliders before encapsulation in the matrix material. The release-layer material is polyvinyl alcohol and more preferably high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol which is highly hydrolyzed. Use of the release-layer of the invention maintains the process resistance while providing the advantage of allowing easier removal of the matrix material after it is no longer needed. The release-layer can be applied to encapsulant materials including epoxies, acrylates, polyimides, silsesquioxanes and others. After the selected fabrication process such as the formation of air-bearing features an appropriate solvent is applied to soften the polyvinyl alcohol film and allow clean debonding of the sliders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Phillip Joe Brock, Michael William Chaw, Dan J. Dawson, Craig J. Hawker, James L. Hedrick, Wesley L. Hillman, Teddie P. Magbitang, Dennis R. McKean Milpitas, Robert D. Miller, Richard I. Palmisano, Julia Tabib, Mark C. Thurber, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20040265545
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to the bonding of one or more sliders in styrene and acrylate polymers. More particularly, the invention relates to planarized slider assemblies formed by using debondable solid encapsulants comprised of styrene and acrylate polymers. The invention also relates to methods that use such encapsulants in conjunction with resists to produce magnetic head sliders having patterned air-bearing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis R. McKean, Robert D. Miller, Teddie P. Magbitang, James L. Hedrick, Craig J. Hawker, Willi Volksen, Phillip J. Brock, Dan J. Dawson, Michael W. Chaw, Richard I. Palmisano
  • Patent number: 6812551
    Abstract: Defect-free dielectric coatings comprised of porous polymeric matrices are prepared using nitrogen-containing polymers as pore-generating agents. The dielectric coatings are useful in a number of contexts, including the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric coatings are prepared by admixing, in a solvent, a polymeric nitrogenous porogen with a high temperature, thermosetting host polymer miscible therewith, coating a substrate surface with the admixture, heating the uncured coating to cure the host polymer and provide a vitrified, two-phase matrix, and then decomposing the porogen. The dielectric coatings so prepared have few if any defects, and depending on the amount and molecular weight of porogen used, can be prepared so as to have an exceptionally low dielectric constant on the order of 2.5 or less, preferably less than about 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Jon Hawker, James Lupton Hedrick, Elbert Emin Huang, Victor Yee-Way Lee, Teddie Magbitang, David Mecerreyes, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20040198850
    Abstract: A low-k organic dielectric material having stable nano-sized porous is provided as well as a method of fabricating the same. The porous low-k organic dielectric material is made from a composition of matter having a vitrification temperature (Tv-comp) which includes a b-staged thermosetting resin having a vitrification temperate (Tv-resin), a pore generating material, and a reactive additive. The reactive additive lowers Tv-comp below Tv-resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicants: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Eric Connor, James P. Godschalx, Craig J. Hawker, James L. Hedrick, Victor Yee-Way Lee, Teddie P. Magbitang, Robert D. Miller, Q. Jason Niu, Willi Volksen