Abstract: A wafer lift pin system is capable of dynamically modulating or adjusting the flow of gas into and out of lift pins of the wafer lift pin system to achieve and maintain a consistent pressure in supply lines that supply the gas to the lift pins. This enables the wafer lift pin system to precisely control the speed, acceleration, and deceleration of the lift pins to achieve consistent and repeatable lift pin rise times and fall times. A controller and various sensors and valves may control the gas pressures in the wafer lift pin system based on various factors, such as historic rise times, historic fall times, and/or the condition of the lift pins. This enables smoother and more controlled automatic operation of the lift pins, which reduces and/or minimizes wafer shifting and wafer instability, which may reduce processing defects and maintain or improve processing yields.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for affixing and/or removing a fastener from a wafer-carrying pod. The system includes a robotic arm with a screw tool assembly disposed at the far end of the robotic arm. The screw tool assembly includes a lower sleeve configured to receive a fastener. A screwdriver is disposed within an upper sleeve of the screw tool assembly, and a motor is provided to rotate the screwdriver. In use, the screw tool assembly is positioned over the fastener so the lower sleeve surrounds the fastener and the screwdriver engages the fastener. The screwdriver unscrews the fastener from the pod, and the fastener head is received within the lower sleeve.

Abstract: A tray of an automated handling system for transporting semiconductor devices includes: a receiving region that is configured to receive a boat, the boat carrying one or more semiconductor devices thereon; and a clamping mechanism that selectively clamps the boat, residing in the receiving region, to the tray. Suitably, the clamping mechanism is automatically disengaged when the tray is positioned in a designated location and automatically engaged when the tray is not positioned in the designated location, such that, when engaged, the clamping mechanism holds the boat, residing in the boat receiving region, securely within the tray, and when disengaged, the clamping mechanism releases the boat residing in the boat receiving region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for affixing and/or removing a fastener from a wafer-carrying pod. The system includes a robotic arm with a screw tool assembly disposed at the far end of the robotic arm. The screw tool assembly includes a lower sleeve configured to receive a fastener. A screwdriver is disposed within an upper sleeve of the screw tool assembly, and a motor is provided to rotate the screwdriver. In use, the screw tool assembly is positioned over the fastener so the lower sleeve surrounds the fastener and the screwdriver engages the fastener. The screwdriver unscrews the fastener from the pod, and the fastener head is received within the lower sleeve.

Abstract: A tray of an automated handling system for transporting semiconductor devices includes: a receiving region that is configured to receive a boat, the boat carrying one or more semiconductor devices thereon; and a clamping mechanism that selectively clamps the boat, residing in the receiving region, to the tray. Suitably, the clamping mechanism is automatically disengaged when the tray is positioned in a designated location and automatically engaged when the tray is not positioned in the designated location, such that, when engaged, the clamping mechanism holds the boat, residing in the boat receiving region, securely within the tray, and when disengaged, the clamping mechanism releases the boat residing in the boat receiving region.

Abstract: An electro-acoustical transducer device is disclosed, which includes: a hollow disk body that generally defines an axis of propagation, the hollow disk body comprising: a pair of plate members extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of propagation, each provided with a central transmitting port arranged about the axis of propagation, and a peripheral enclosure jointing the pair of plate members at the respective outer edge portions thereof, thereby defining a chamber of resonance between the pair of plate members; wherein a ring-opening about the axis of propagation that enables access to the chamber of resonance is formed between the central transmitting ports of the plate members.

Abstract: A multiple die container load port may include a housing with an opening, and an elevator to accommodate a plurality of different sized die containers. The multiple die container load port may include a stage supported by the housing and moveable within the opening of the housing by the elevator. The stage may include one or more positioning mechanisms to facilitate positioning of the plurality of different sized die containers on the stage, and may include different portions movable by the elevator to accommodate the plurality of different sized die containers. The multiple die container load port may include a position sensor to identify one of the plurality of different sized die containers positioned on the stage.

Abstract: A multiple die container load port may include a housing with an opening, and an elevator to accommodate a plurality of different sized die containers. The multiple die container load port may include a stage supported by the housing and moveable within the opening of the housing by the elevator. The stage may include one or more positioning mechanisms to facilitate positioning of the plurality of different sized die containers on the stage, and may include different portions movable by the elevator to accommodate the plurality of different sized die containers. The multiple die container load port may include a position sensor to identify one of the plurality of different sized die containers positioned on the stage.

Abstract: An antenna for multi-band communication includes a plurality of radiators which are physically separated from each other. Each radiator is disposed on different planes and is used to jointly function as one or more dipoles. Further, each radiator contributes to resonances at two or more non-overlapping bands. This compact, multi-layered antenna structure is designed for space-efficient operation in multiple frequency bands. It is particularly suitable for portable communication devices with size constraints, as it provides transmit and/or receive capabilities across different bands while occupying minimal space.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for inserting a fastener into a wafer-carrying pod. The system includes a robotic arm with a screw tool assembly disposed at the far end of the robotic arm. The screw tool assembly includes a lower sleeve configured to receive a fastener. A screwdriver is disposed within an upper sleeve of the screw tool assembly, and a motor is provided to rotate the screwdriver. In use, the screw tool assembly is positioned over the fastener so the lower sleeve surrounds the fastener and the screwdriver engages the fastener. The fastener head is received within the lower sleeve, and the screwdriver screws the fastener into the pod.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for affixing and/or removing a fastener from a wafer-carrying pod. The system includes a robotic arm with a screw tool assembly disposed at the far end of the robotic arm. The screw tool assembly includes a lower sleeve configured to receive a fastener. A screwdriver is disposed within an upper sleeve of the screw tool assembly, and a motor is provided to rotate the screwdriver. In use, the screw tool assembly is positioned over the fastener so the lower sleeve surrounds the fastener and the screwdriver engages the fastener. The screwdriver unscrews the fastener from the pod, and the fastener head is received within the lower sleeve.

Abstract: An airflow detection device is capable of detecting airflow issues associated with a transport carrier, such as a blockage of a diffuser in a transport carrier or leakage of a transition bracket, among other examples. The airflow detection device includes an air tunnel through which a gas in a transport carrier may flow. The airflow detection device includes an airflow sensor configured to generate airflow data based on a flow of the gas through the air tunnel. In some implementations, the airflow detection device is included in an airflow detection system to perform automated measurements and to determine, identify, and/or detect airflow issues associated with a transport carrier. In this way, the airflow detection system may perform one or more automated actions (or may cause one or more other devices to perform one or more automated actions) based on a detection of a diffuser blockage or a transition bracket leak.

Abstract: A laser device includes a substrate, a first waveguiding layer, an active layer, a second waveguiding layer, a contact layer, an insulating layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first waveguiding layer, the active layer, the second waveguiding layer, and the contact layer form an epitaxy structure having a first platform and a second platform. The first platform has a photonic crystal structure. The insulating layer is disposed on an upper surface and a sidewall surface of the first platform, and on an upper surface of the second platform. The sidewall surface passes through the contact layer, the second waveguiding layer, the active layer, and at least a portion of the first waveguiding layer. The first electrode is on the insulating layer and the second electrode is connected to the outer surface of the substrate and arranged to form an opening for laser output.

Abstract: A method for determining a probability of a kidney stone in a subject being a uric-acid (UA) stone includes steps of: establishing, by using a machine learning algorithm, a prediction model based on a plurality of training data sets that are related to a plurality of patients, each of the plurality of training data sets at least including an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and a value of urine pH; and feeding an input variable set into the prediction model so as to obtain the probability of the kidney stone in the subject being a UA stone. The input variable set is related to the subject and including an eGFR and a value of urine pH of the subject.

Abstract: A multiple die container load port may include a housing with an opening, and an elevator to accommodate a plurality of different sized die containers. The multiple die container load port may include a stage supported by the housing and moveable within the opening of the housing by the elevator. The stage may include one or more positioning mechanisms to facilitate positioning of the plurality of different sized die containers on the stage, and may include different portions movable by the elevator to accommodate the plurality of different sized die containers. The multiple die container load port may include a position sensor to identify one of the plurality of different sized die containers positioned on the stage.

Abstract: An airflow detection device is capable of detecting airflow issues associated with a transport carrier, such as a blockage of a diffuser in a transport carrier or leakage of a transition bracket, among other examples. The airflow detection device includes an air tunnel through which a gas in a transport carrier may flow. The airflow detection device includes an airflow sensor configured to generate airflow data based on a flow of the gas through the air tunnel. In some implementations, the airflow detection device is included in an airflow detection system to perform automated measurements and to determine, identify, and/or detect airflow issues associated with a transport carrier. In this way, the airflow detection system may perform one or more automated actions (or may cause one or more other devices to perform one or more automated actions) based on a detection of a diffuser blockage or a transition bracket leak.

Abstract: A laser device includes a substrate, a first waveguiding layer, an active layer, a second waveguiding layer, a contact layer, an insulating layer, a light-transmissive conducting layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first waveguiding layer, the active layer, the second waveguiding layer, and the contact layer form an epitaxy structure having a first platform and a second platform. The first platform has multiple holes to form a photonic crystal structure. The insulating layer is over an upper surface and a sidewall surface of the first platform, and over an upper surface of the second platform. The sidewall surface passes through the contact layer, the second waveguiding layer, and the active layer. The light-transmissive conducting layer connects to the photonic crystal structure through an aperture of the insulating layer. The first electrode has an opening corresponding to the aperture. The second electrode is under the substrate.

Abstract: An array platform for three-dimensional cell culturing and drug testing and screening is disclosed. In the array platform, a hydrogel-cell mixture injection area is configured to inject a plurality of kinds of hydrogel-cell mixtures. Cell observation areas are connected to the hydrogel-cell mixture injection area. Electrodes are disposed under the cell observation areas and automatic cell quantification and three-dimensional cell co-arrangement of the plurality of kinds of hydrogel-cell mixtures in the cell observation areas through the electrodes to imitate a structure of body's tissues. A drug injection area is configured to inject a plurality of kinds of drugs. Drug combination generators respectively correspond to the cell observation areas and are connected to the drug injection area. Each drug combination generator has a microfluidic channel structure and configured to generate drug combinations according to the plurality of kinds of drugs.

Abstract: An electro-acoustical transducer device is disclosed, which includes: a hollow disk body that generally defines an axis of propagation, the hollow disk body comprising: a pair of plate members extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of propagation, each provided with a central transmitting port arranged about the axis of propagation, and a peripheral enclosure jointing the pair of plate members at the respective outer edge portions thereof, thereby defining a chamber of resonance between the pair of plate members; wherein a ring-opening about the axis of propagation that enables access to the chamber of resonance is formed between the central transmitting ports of the plate members.

Abstract: A wafer lift pin system is capable of dynamically modulating or adjusting the flow of gas into and out of lift pins of the wafer lift pin system to achieve and maintain a consistent pressure in supply lines that supply the gas to the lift pins. This enables the wafer lift pin system to precisely control the speed, acceleration, and deceleration of the lift pins to achieve consistent and repeatable lift pin rise times and fall times. A controller and various sensors and valves may control the gas pressures in the wafer lift pin system based on various factors, such as historic rise times, historic fall times, and/or the condition of the lift pins. This enables smoother and more controlled automatic operation of the lift pins, which reduces and/or minimizes wafer shifting and wafer instability, which may reduce processing defects and maintain or improve processing yields.