Abstract: A method of forming an article, including: inserting a conductive material within a via a wafer, wherein the conductive material comprises a first alloy comprising a first metal and a second metal; and contacting the conductive material with a solution comprising ions of a third metal, wherein the ions of the third metal galvanically displace a portion of the second metal from the first alloy to form a second alloy with the first metal.

Abstract: A PCB laminate material includes at least one polymer layer and at least one inorganic layer, such that the PCB laminate material has a dielectric loss tangent of less than 6×10?3 at 10 GHz (or higher frequency). The inorganic layer or layers of the PCB laminate material may comprise silica-based materials (including silica fabrics), low-loss glass with a dielectric loss tangent of about 0.006 at 10 GHz (or higher frequency), glass-ceramics, or ceramic materials (e.g., alumina). PCB laminate materials may also include at least one fluoropolymer layer. PCB laminate materials described herein combine good dielectric performance (i.e., low dielectric loss), dimensional stability at elevated temperature (e.g., at 260° C. for 30 seconds), and sufficient mechanical strength to permit handling during production. Printed circuit boards comprising the PCB laminate materials and methods for making the same are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A hollow glass waveguide and related method are provided. The microwave waveguide includes a glass body including a first end, a second end, an outer glass surface extending between the first end and the second end, an inner glass surface defining a hollow channel that extends from the first end to the second end and a glass material between the outer surface and the inner surface. The microwave waveguide includes a layer of metal embedded in the glass body. The layer of metal surrounds the hollow channel when viewed in cross-section and extends between the first end and the second end of the glass body. The layer of metal is electrically conductive and the hollow channel is dimensioned such that microwaves introduced into the hollow channel are conducted along the hollow channel between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A method of forming an article, including: inserting a conductive material within a via a wafer, wherein the conductive material comprises a first alloy comprising a first metal and a second metal; and contacting the conductive material with a solution comprising ions of a third metal, wherein the ions of the third metal galvanically displace a portion of the second metal from the first alloy to form a second alloy with the first metal.

Abstract: A hollow glass waveguide and related method are provided. The microwave waveguide includes a glass body including a first end, a second end, an outer glass surface extending between the first end and the second end, an inner glass surface defining a hollow channel that extends from the first end to the second end and a glass material between the outer surface and the inner surface. The microwave waveguide includes a layer of metal embedded in the glass body. The layer of metal surrounds the hollow channel when viewed in cross-section and extends between the first end and the second end of the glass body. The layer of metal is electrically conductive and the hollow channel is dimensioned such that microwaves introduced into the hollow channel are conducted along the hollow channel between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: Packaged chip-on-board (COB) LED arrays are provided where a color conversion medium is distributed within a glass containment plate, rather than silicone, to reduce the operating temperature of the color conversion medium and avoid damage while increasing light output. A lighting device is provided comprising a chip-on-board (COB) light emitting diode (LED) light source, a light source encapsulant, a distributed color conversion medium, and a glass containment plate. The COB LED light source comprises a thermal heat sink framework and at least one LED and defines a light source encapsulant cavity in which the light source encapsulant is distributed over the LED. The glass containment plate is positioned over the light source encapsulant cavity and contains the distributed color conversion medium. The light source encapsulant is distributed over the LED at a thickness that is sufficient to encapsulate the LED and define encapsulant thermal conduction paths.

Abstract: High-data-rate interconnect cables are disclosed, wherein electrical data signals are transmitted in a conductor assembly made of a thin metal layer surrounding a cylindrical support member. The cylindrical support member can be a high-resistivity conductor or a dielectric, such as a glass optical waveguide that supports the transmission of optical signals. The cylindrical support member can also be a core conductor that supports the transmission of electrical power and low-frequency auxiliary signals. The high-data-rate interconnect cables are self-equalizing, so that a data link transmission system that employs the high-data-rate interconnect cable does not require active equalization.

Abstract: High-data-rate interconnect cables are disclosed, wherein electrical data signals are transmitted in a conductor assembly made of a thin metal layer surrounding a cylindrical support member. The cylindrical support member can be a high-resistivity conductor or a dielectric, such as a glass optical waveguide that supports the transmission of optical signals. The cylindrical support member can also be a core conductor that supports the transmission of electrical power and low-frequency auxiliary signals. The high-data-rate interconnect cables are self-equalizing, so that a data link transmission system that employs the high-data-rate interconnect cable does not require active equalization.

Abstract: A touch system for sensing a touch event that includes a transparent sheet having opposite upper and lower surfaces and an index of refraction n2. The system also has at least one light source that emits light. The light source is arranged in optical communication with the transparent sheet to cause the light to travel within the transparent sheet by total-internal reflection (TIR). At least one detector is arranged to detect the TIR-traveling light and to detect an amount of attenuation in the TIR-traveling light caused by the touch event. An interface layer is disposed on the lower surface of the transparent sheet. The interface layer has a refractive index n1, wherein n1<n2, and has a thickness of equal to or greater than 1 micron. The interface layer obviates the need for an air gap when interfacing the touch system to a display unit of display device.

Abstract: Optical engines and optical cable assemblies incorporating optical engines capable of transmitting low-speed and high-speed signals over the same optical fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical engine includes a low-speed transmit (Tx) line, a low-speed receive (Rx) line, a high-speed data lane, an optical transceiver device, and a control circuit. The high-speed data lane includes a high-speed Tx lane and a high-speed Rx lane. A high-speed signal present on the high-speed Tx lane is converted to a high-speed optical signal at an optical Tx lane, and a high-speed optical signal received at an optical Rx lane is converted to a high-speed signal that is provided to the high-speed Rx lane. The control circuit selectively routes the low-speed Tx signal at the low-speed Tx line directly to the optical transceiver device in real time, and also routes a low-speed Rx signal from the transceiver to the low-speed Rx line.

Abstract: Optical engines and optical cable assemblies incorporating optical engines capable of transmitting low-speed and high-speed signals over the same optical fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical engine includes a low-speed transmit (Tx) line, a low-speed receive (Rx) line, a high-speed data lane, an optical transceiver device, and a control circuit. The high-speed data lane includes a high-speed Tx lane and a high-speed Rx lane. A high-speed signal present on the high-speed Tx lane is converted to a high-speed optical signal at an optical Tx lane, and a high-speed optical signal received at an optical Rx lane is converted to a high-speed signal that is provided to the high-speed Rx lane. The control circuit selectively routes the low-speed Tx signal at the low-speed Tx line directly to the optical transceiver device in real time, and also routes a low-speed Rx signal from the transceiver to the low-speed Rx line.

Abstract: An optical touch screen that utilizes a planar transparent sheet and that is configured to determine the position of a touch event on the transparent sheet is disclosed. Light-source elements and light-sensing elements are operably disposed at a perimeter of the transparent sheet. Light is detected over lines-of-sight between the light-source elements and the light-sensing elements. Attenuated lines-of-sight due to the touch event are determined. Central lines are established based on the attenuated lines-of-sight. The locations of central-line intersections are then established. The average of the locations of the central-line intersections is then used to establish the location of the touch event.

Abstract: A lighting device is provided comprising a chip-on-board (COB) light emitting diode (LED) light source, a light source encapsulant, a quantum dot distributed color conversion medium, and a quantum dot glass containment plate. The COB LED light source comprises at least one LED and defines a light source encapsulant cavity in which the light source encapsulant is distributed over the LED. The quantum dot glass containment plate is positioned over the light source encapsulant cavity and contains a quantum dot distributed color conversion medium. The distributed color conversion medium comprises a quantum dot structure and is distributed in two dimensions over an emission field of the lighting device within the quantum dot glass containment plate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a touch sensitive display, in which a transparent layer is disposed over a display layer; light is directed to propagate into and/or through the transparent layer; scattered light is measured in response to an object touching a surface the transparent layer and disturbing the propagation of the light therethrough; and one or more positions at which the object touches the transparent layer are computed based on signals obtained by the step of measuring the scattered light.

Abstract: A glass-coated gasket comprises a gasket main body defining an inner hole and having a first contact surface and a second contact surface opposite the first contact surface, and a glass layer formed over at least a portion of one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The glass layer comprises a low melting temperature glass. A vacuum insulated glass window comprises a substrate/glass-coated gasket/substrate structure that can be sealed using a thermo-compressive sealing step.

Abstract: A lighting device is provided comprising a chip-on-board (COB) light emitting diode (LED) light source, a light source encapsulant, a quantum dot distributed color conversion medium, and a quantum dot glass containment plate. The COB LED light source comprises at least one LED and defines a light source encapsulant cavity in which the light source encapsulant is distributed over the LED. The quantum dot glass containment plate is positioned over the light source encapsulant cavity and contains a quantum dot distributed color conversion medium. The distributed color conversion medium comprises a quantum dot structure and is distributed in two dimensions over an emission field of the lighting device within the quantum dot glass containment plate.

Abstract: A lighting device is provided comprising a chip-on-board (COB) light emitting diode (LED) light source, a phase transfer fluid disposed in a hermetically sealed phase transfer fluid chamber, a phase transfer fluid wicking structure, a distributed color conversion medium, and a glass containment plate. The color conversion medium is distributed in two dimensions over an emission field of the lighting device within the glass containment plate. The COB LED light source comprises a thermal heat sink framework and at least one LED and defines the hermetically sealed phase transfer fluid chamber in which the phase transfer fluid is disposed. The glass containment plate is positioned over the hermetically sealed phase transfer fluid chamber and contains the distributed color conversion medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a touch sensitive display, in which a transparent layer is disposed over a display layer; light is directed to propagate into and/or through the transparent layer; scattered light is measured in response to an object touching a surface the transparent layer and disturbing the propagation of the light therethrough; and one or more positions at which the object touches the transparent layer are computed based on signals obtained by the step of measuring the scattered light.

Abstract: A touch system for sensing a touch event that includes a transparent sheet having opposite upper and lower surfaces and an index of refraction n2. The system also has at least one light source that emits light. The light source is arranged in optical communication with the transparent sheet to cause the light to travel within the transparent sheet by total-internal reflection (TIR). At least one detector is arranged to detect the TIR-traveling light and to detect an amount of attenuation in the TIR-traveling light caused by the touch event. An interface layer is disposed on the lower surface of the transparent sheet. The interface layer has a refractive index n1, wherein n1<n2, and has a thickness of equal to or greater than 1 micron. The interface layer obviates the need for an air gap when interfacing the touch system to a display unit of display device.

Abstract: A glass-coated gasket comprises a gasket main body defining an inner hole and having a first contact surface and a second contact surface opposite the first contact surface, and a glass layer formed over at least a portion of one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The glass layer comprises a low melting temperature glass. A hermetic package comprises a substrate/glass-coated gasket/substrate structure that can be sealed using a thermo-compressive sealing step.