Abstract: A method of manufacturing an endoluminal implantable surface, stent, or graft includes the steps of providing an endoluminal implantable surface, stent, or graft having an inner wall surface, an outer wall surface, and a wall thickness and forming a pattern design into the endoluminal implantable surface, stent, or graft. At least one groove is created in the inner surface of the intravascular stent by applying a laser machining method to the inner surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the laser marking of a support having a body and a cover sheet. A laser beam is used to etch the body of the support through the thickness of the cover sheet. The support is laminated either during or after the laser marking in order to reduce or prevent deformations in the cover sheet resulting from etching.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a case for a portable electronic device includes: preparing a case preform; processing the inner surface of the case preform using a laser; and surface-treating the outer surface of the case preform, wherein the outer surface of the case preform shows fine prominences and depressions formed by the surface-treating of the outer surface of the case preform, and patterns formed by processing the inner surface of the case preform appear bumpily on the outer surface of the case preform.

Abstract: An improved method for laser processing that prevents material redeposition during laser ablation but allows material to be removed at a high rate. In a preferred embodiment, laser ablation is performed in a chamber filled with high pressure precursor (etchant) gas so that sample particles ejected during laser ablation will react with the precursor gas in the gas atmosphere of the sample chamber. When the ejected particles collide with precursor gas particles, the precursor is dissociated, forming a reactive component that binds the ablated material. In turn, the reaction between the reactive dissociation by-product and the ablated material forms a new, volatile compound that can be pumped away in a gaseous state rather than redepositing onto the sample.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an inductor for a microelectronic device comprises providing a substrate (610), forming a first plurality of inductor windings (111, 211, 411, 620, 2030) over the substrate, forming a magnetic inductor core (112, 212, 412, 810) over the first plurality of inductor windings, and forming a second plurality of inductor windings (113, 213, 413, 1010) over the magnetic inductor core. In another embodiment, the method comprises forming the inductor on a sacrificial substrate (1610) such that the inductor can subsequently be mounted onto a carrier tape (1810). In yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a substrate for a microelectronic device comprises forming an inductor within a build-up layer (101, 102, 103, 104) of a substrate.

Abstract: The present method relates to processes for the removal of a material from a sample by a gas chemical reaction activated by a charged particle beam. The method is a multiple step process wherein in a first step a gas is supplied which, when a chemical reaction between the gas and the material is activated, forms a non-volatile material component such as a metal salt or a metaloxide. In a second consecutive step the reaction product of the first chemical reaction is removed from the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for making pattern conductive element. The method includes steps. A substrate having a surface is provide. An adhesive layer is formed on the surface of the substrate. Part of the adhesive layer is solidified to form a solidified adhesive layer and a non-solidified adhesive layer. A carbon nanotube layer is applied on the adhesive layer. The non-solidified adhesive layer is solidified so that the carbon nanotube layer on the non-solidified adhesive layer forms a fixed carbon nanotube layer and the carbon nanotube layer on the solidified adhesive layer forms a non-fixed carbon nanotube layer. The non-fixed carbon nanotube layer is removed and the fixed carbon nanotube layer is remained to form a pattern carbon nanotube layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that includes depositing a plurality of mask layers, then forming a stripe height defining mask over the sensor layers. A first ion milling is performed just sufficiently to remove portions of the free layer that are not protected by the stripe height defining mask, the first ion milling being terminated at the non-magnetic barrier or spacer layer. A dielectric layer is then deposited, preferably by ion beam deposition. A second ion milling is then performed to remove portions of the pinned layer structure that are not protected by the mask, the free layer being protected during the second ion milling by the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A read sensor for a transducer is fabricated. The transducer has a field region and a sensor region corresponding to the sensor. A sensor stack is deposited. A hybrid mask including hard and field masks is provided. The hard mask includes a sensor portion covering the sensor region and a field portion covering the field region. The field mask covers the field portion of the hard mask. The field mask exposes the sensor portion of the hard mask and part of the sensor stack between the sensor and field regions. The sensor is defined from the sensor stack in a track width direction. Hard bias layer(s) are deposited. Part of the hard bias layer(s) resides on the field mask. Part of the hard bias layer(s) adjoining the sensor region is sealed. The field mask is lifted off. The transducer is planarized.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head are described. The method and system include providing a slider, an EAMR transducer coupled with the slider, and a top layer on the slider. The top layer includes a mirror well therein and has a substantially flat top surface. The method and system further includes providing a laser including a light-emitting surface and providing a mirror optically coupled with the laser. The laser is coupled to the top surface of the top layer external to the mirror well. The mirror has a bottom surface and a reflective surface facing the light-emitting surface of the laser. A portion of the bottom surface of the mirror is affixed to the top surface of the top layer. A portion of the mirror resides in the mirror well.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a thin film multi-band antenna, which is formed by PVD-Roll to Roll process and is formed of metal-oxide, conductive polymer, conductive glue or CNT. In another aspect, the present invention discloses a manufacturing method of thin film antenna, comprising preparing gel, followed by coating the gel on a substrate to form a transparent thin film. Thermal process is performed to heat the thin film. The gel includes vinyl oxide and metal compounds, wherein the vinyl oxide includes PEO having In(NO)3.3H2O, In(Ac)3, SnCl2.2H2O, or Sn(C2O4) contained thereof.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a method for producing a vehicle window glass pane that possesses both a solar radiation energy blocking function and a radio wave transmitting function. [Means for achieving the Object] A method for producing a vehicle window glass pane on which an infrared reflective film is formed by a vacuum film forming method, which is characterized by having a process in which an edge portion of an infrared reflective film having a radio wave transmissible window produced by using a masking member is removed by dry etching, and further characterized in that the dry etching is carried out by using a grindstone or a laser.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a magnetic recording transducer for use in a data storage system comprises providing a substrate, an underlayer and a first nonmagnetic intermediate layer deposited to a first thickness on and in contact with the underlayer, performing a first scanning polishing on a first section of the first intermediate layer to planarize the first section of the first intermediate layer to a second thickness, providing a main pole in the planarized first section of the first intermediate layer, providing a first pattern of photoresist on and in contact with the first section of the first intermediate layer, the pattern comprising an aperture to define a side shield trench, performing a wet etch to remove at least a portion of the first intermediate layer thereby exposing at least one of the plurality of main pole sides, and depositing side shield material in the side shield trench.

Abstract: Laser-assisted apparatus and methods for performing nanoscale material processing, including nanodeposition of materials, can be controlled very precisely to yield both simple and complex structures with sizes less than 100 nm. Optical or thermal energy in the near field of a photon (laser) pulse is used to fabricate submicron and nanometer structures on a substrate. A wide variety of laser material processing techniques can be adapted for use including, subtractive (e.g., ablation, machining or chemical etching), additive (e.g., chemical vapor deposition, selective self-assembly), and modification (e.g., phase transformation, doping) processes. Additionally, the apparatus can be integrated into imaging instruments, such as SEM and TEM, to allow for real-time imaging of the material processing.

Abstract: As track densities increase, it becomes increasingly important, while writing in a given track, not to inadvertently write data in adjoining tracks. This problem has been overcome by limiting the width of material in the ABS plane to what it is at the write gap. The part of the lower pole that is wider than this is recessed back away from the ABS, thereby greatly reducing its magnetic influence on adjacent tracks. Four different embodiments of write heads that incorporate this notion are described together with a description of a general process for their manufacture.

Abstract: A method or forming a wrapped-around shielded perpendicular magnetic recording writer pole is disclosed. A structure comprising a leading shield layer and an intermediate layer disposed over the leading shield layer is provided, the intermediate layer comprising a pole material and a dielectric material. A trench is formed in the dielectric material. A non-magnetic layer in the trench is removed via an ion beam etching process. A seed layer is deposited in the trench and over the pole material. A magnetic material comprising a side shield layer is deposited on at least a portion of the seed layer.

Abstract: A microstructure manufacturing method includes (a) generating first light including an interference fringe by crossing two laser beams, (b) forming a denatured region and a non-denatured region on an object having thermal non-linearity by applying the first light onto the object, so that the denatured region and the non-denatured region are disposed so as to correspond to a period of the interference fringe of the first light, and (c) etching the object so that the denatured region or the non-denatured region is selectively eliminated.

Abstract: An enhanced mechanism for via stub elimination in printed wiring boards (PWBs) and other substrates employs laser resin activation to provide selective via plating. In one embodiment, the resin used in insulator layers of the PWB contains spinel-based non-conductive metal oxide. Preferably, only insulator layers through which vias will pass contain the metal oxide. Those layers are registered and laser irradiated at via formation locations to break down the metal oxide and release metal nuclei. Once these layers are irradiated, all layers of the PWB or subcomposite are laid up and laminated. The resulting composite or subcomposite is subsequently drilled through and subjected to conventional PWB fabrication processes prior to electroless copper plating and subsequent copper electroplating. Because metal nuclei were released only in the via formation locations of the appropriate layers, plating occurs in the via barrels only along those layers and partially plated vias are created without stubs.

Abstract: An exemplary brittle non-metallic workpiece (80) defines a through hole (82). An inner surface (822) for forming the through hole has no microcracks and burrs. A method for making a through hole in a brittle non-metallic substrate (50) is also provided. The method includes as follows: forming an enclosing sketched etch (66) engraved into a brittle non-metallic substrate with a given depth (H) from a surface of the brittle non-metallic substrate; placing a cooling object (74) on an excess portion (68) inside the enclosing sketched etch (66); and extending the enclosing sketched etch through the brittle non-metallic substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch system (600, 700) includes etching each of a plurality of base circuit layers (425) and a plurality of passive component substrate layers (412, 418, 42, 426). The method continues with laser milling of a first dielectric film (406) to create a spacer layer (405). A metal cladding (402, 403) formed on a flexible dielectric film layer 404 is etched so as to form a plurality of switch component features. Further laser milling is performed with respect to the flexible dielectric film layer to form at least one switch structure (448, 450). Thereafter, a stack (400) is assembled which is comprised of the spacer layer disposed between the flexible dielectric film layer and the plurality of base circuit layers. Additional layers can also be included in the stack. When the stack is completed, heat and pressure are applied to join the various layers forming the stack.

Abstract: A polymer removing apparatus for use in removing polymer annularly adhered to a peripheral portion of a target substrate includes a processing chamber for accommodating the target substrate having the polymer annularly adhered to the peripheral portion thereof; a mounting table for mounting the target substrate thereon; and a laser irradiation unit for irradiating ring-shaped laser light at once to the whole polymer annularly adhered to the target substrate. The polymer removing apparatus further includes an ozone gas supply unit for supplying an ozone gas to the polymer annularly adhered to the target substrate and a gas exhaust unit for exhausting the ozone gas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing an inertial sensor. The method of manufacturing an inertial sensor 100 includes (A) applying a polymer 120 to a base substrate 110, (B) patterning the polymer 120 so as to form an opening part 125 in the polymer 120, (C) completing a cap 130 by forming a cavity 115 on the base substrate 110 exposed fro the opening part 125 through an etching process in a thickness direction, and (D) bonding the cap 130 to a device substrate 140 by using a polymer 120, whereby the polymer 120 is applied to the base substrate 110 in a constant thickness D3, such that the cap 130 may be easily bonded to the device substrate 140 by using the polymer 120.

Abstract: A method for producing rough surface structures comprising the following step: running a laser beam along filling lines (1) over an area to be processed, wherein the filling line (1) is broken down into particular laser dots (2) with a distance a, and wherein the laser dots (2) are moved in a X direction and in a Y direction in a plane with a random factor b relative to the filling line (1) so that they form a cloud of dots.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head is constructed such that a main magnetic pole layer, a lower shield layer, an upper shield layer and a thin-film coil are laminated on a substrate. A method of manufacturing the thin-film magnetic head has a lower shield layer forming step. This step comprises a step of forming a first lower shield part in a lower shield planned area, including a planned line along the medium-opposing surface, a step of forming a partial lower seed layer having a partial arrangement structure in which the partial lower seed layer is arranged on a lower formation zone except a lower exception zone including the planned line, a step of forming a second lower shield part on the partial lower seed layer.

Abstract: A method for enhancing thermal stability, improving biasing and reducing damage from electrical surges in self-pinned abutted junction heads. The method includes forming a free layer, forming first hard bias layers abutting the free layer and forming second hard bias layers over the first hard bias layers discontiguous from the free layer, the second hard bias layers being anti-parallel to the first hard bias layers, the first and second hard bias layers providing a net longitudinal bias on the free layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing precision marks (28) for a metrological scale in the form of a stainless steel ribbon (10). A laser (21) is used to produce ultra-short pulses, which have a fluence at the ribbon such that ablation takes place. The laser light can be scanned via scanner (25) and the pitch of the marks (28) can be controlled. The ablative technique causes little thermal input and improves the accuracy of the scale.

Abstract: A staggered laser-etch line graphic system, method, and articles of manufacture are provided. One described method includes the steps of laser engraving a first plurality of lines associated with a first component section of a graphic on a surface of an article; laser engraving a second plurality of lines associated with a second component section of the graphic on the surface of the article; and controlling said laser engraving of the first plurality of lines and said laser engraving of second plurality of lines to reduce the visual impact of a demarcation line separating the first component section of the graphic and the second component section of the graphic.

Abstract: A foreign substance removing apparatus includes a mounting table for mounting and rotating a substrate; and a laser beam irradiation unit for removing foreign substances attached to a surface of the substrate by irradiating foreign substance cleaning laser beam onto the substrate mounted and rotated on the mounting table. In the foreign substance removing apparatus, the laser beam irradiation unit irradiates laser beam having an elongate shaped irradiation cross section onto the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An integrated lead head suspension flexure including a plurality of integrated leads each including at least one lead portion unbacked by the flexure spring metal layer and configured to be substantially inline with the general plane of the spring metal layer. The leads are disposed on a dielectric layer including an unbacked dielectric layer portion having a surface positioned between the major surfaces of the spring metal layer.

Abstract: A scalable MEMS inductor is formed on the top surface of a semiconductor die. The MEMS inductor includes a plurality of magnetic lower laminations, a circular trace that lies over and spaced apart from the magnetic lower laminations, and a plurality of upper laminations that lie over and spaced apart from the circular trace.

Abstract: A structure with an integrated circuit (IC) and a silicon condenser microphone mounted thereon includes a substrate having a first area and a second area. The IC is fabricated on the first area in order to form a conducting layer and an insulation layer. Both the conducting layer and the insulation layer further extend to the second area. The insulation layer is removed under low temperature in order to expose the conducting layer on which the silicon condenser microphone is fabricated. The silicon condenser microphone includes a first film layer, a connecting layer and a second film layer under a condition that the connecting layer connects the first and the second film layers. The first film layer and the second film layer act as two electrodes of a variable capacitance.

Abstract: A housing for a portable electronic device includes a metallic base, a chemical plating layer, a prime layer, a color coating layer, a decorative layer, and a transparent protection layer. The chemical plating layer, the prime layer, the color coating layer, the decorative layer, and the transparent protection layer are coated on the metallic base in that order. The decorative layer defines a pattern extending through the decorative layer.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing a pole on a recording head is disclosed. The method and system include sputtering at least one ferromagnetic layer and fabricating a hard mask on the ferromagnetic layer. The method and system also include defining the pole and depositing a write gap on the pole. A portion of the pole is encapsulated in an insulator.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a circuit board is provided. A circuit substrate having a first surface and a first circuit layer is provided. A first dielectric layer having a second surface is formed on the circuit substrate and covers the first surface and the first circuit layer. An antagonistic activation layer is formed on the second surface. The antagonistic activation layer is irradiated by a laser beam to form at least a blind via extended from the antagonistic activation layer to the first circuit layer and an intaglio pattern. A first conductive layer is formed inside the blind via. A second conductive layer is formed in the intaglio pattern and the blind via. The second conductive layer covers the first conductive layer and is electrically connected with the first circuit layer through the first conductive layer. The antagonistic activation layer is removed to expose the second surface.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a microelectric device are described. A write pole of an energy assisted magnetic recording head or a capacitor might be fabricated. The method includes depositing a resist film and curing the resist film at a temperature of at least 180 degrees centigrade. A cured resist film capable of supporting a line having an aspect ratio of at least ten is thus provided. A portion of the cured resist film is removed. A remaining portion of the resist film forms the line. An insulating or nonmagnetic layer is deposited after formation of the line. The line is removed to provide a trench in the insulating or nonmagnetic layer. The trench has a height and a width. The height divided by the width corresponds to the aspect ratio. At least part of the structure is provided in the trench.

Abstract: A reverse acting rupture disc is provided having a laser defined electropolished line-of-weakness recess, and an improved method of forming an electropolished line-of-weakness recess in a reverse acting rupture disc that assures full opening of the disc upon reversal. A rupture disc blank is pre-bulged, final bulged, and then provided with a layer of resist material. A laser is used to remove at least a portion of the layer of resist material corresponding to a desired line-of-weakness recess in the concave face of the bulged rupture disc. The disc is then subjected to an electropolishing operation to remove metal from the lased area of the rupture disc, thereby forming a lustrous polished line-of-weakness recess in the disc of desired configuration and of a predetermined depth that is related to material thickness.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a method of manufacturing a light-emitting device, which improves use efficiency of an evaporation material and increases accuracy in forming an evaporated pattern by using an evaporation donor substrate by which a material layer to be a transfer layer is prevented from being excessively evaporated and a desired evaporated pattern can be formed. In a method of manufacturing an evaporation donor substrate, a first substrate which is an evaporation donor substrate is irradiated with first light (laser light) through a second substrate which is a mask substrate, whereby a material layer over the first substrate is patterned. In addition, in a method of manufacturing a light-emitting device, the first substrate provided with the material layer which is patterned by the above method is irradiated with second light, whereby the material layer can be evaporated onto a third substrate which is a deposition target substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head, including a magneto resistance effect (MR) element that reads a magnetic recording medium, is disclosed. A multilayer film is formed on a shield layer. Unnecessary portions of the multilayer film are removed from both sides of the MR element in a first direction orthogonal to a lamination direction of the multilayer film and parallel to the MR element surface facing the magnetic recording medium. An insulating layer is formed on a surface exposed by removal of the unnecessary portions. An integrated soft magnetic layer covering both sides of the MR element in the first direction and an upper side of the MR element is formed, thereby configuring a second shield layer. An anisotropy application layer is formed on the second shield layer, thereby providing exchange anisotropy to the soft magnetic layer, and magnetizing the soft magnetic layer in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A method, including depositing a layer of material onto a base portion of a wafer, is disclosed. The layer of material has a first surface adjacent the base portion. The method also includes depositing a pattern of masking material onto a portion of a second surface of the layer. Material from the layer of material that is unprotected by the pattern of masking material is removed from the layer of material. By removing such material a portion of the layer of material is suspended from the base portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a write pole with a very narrow track width, straight well defined sides and a well defined trailing edge width (e.g. track-width). The method includes uses two separate chemical mechanical polishing processes that stop at separate CMP stop layers. The first CMP stop layer is deposited directly over a RIEable fill layer. A RIE mask, is formed over the fill layer and first CMP stop layer, the RIE mask having an opening. A trench then is formed in the RIEable fill layer. A second CMP stop layer is then deposited into the trench and over the RIE mask, followed by plating of a magnetic material. First and second chemical mechanical polishing processes are then performed, the first stopping at the first CMP stop and the second stopping at the second CMP stop.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method of working material with high-energy radiation is provided, wherein a polymer matrix (1) is irradiated with high-energy radiation, in particular with a laser beam (9), wherein the radiation is focused onto a focal point (11) and the focal point (11) is set such that the focal point (11) lies behind the surface (3) of the polymer matrix (1) facing the radiation, and material removal is brought about at the polymer matrix (1), and consequently a reaction space (13) is created within the polymer matrix (1).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording head capable of easily and accurately forming a main magnetic-pole layer having a shape suitable for concentrating a magnetic flux is provided. A nonmagnetic layer having a recessed section (a first recessed section and a second recessed section) is formed, and then an additional nonmagnetic layer is formed on an inner surface of the recessed section. Then, a magnetic layer is formed in the recessed section formed with the additional nonmagnetic layer, and then the magnetic layer is cut to form an air bearing surface, so as to form the main magnetic-pole layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a tapered write pole as well as a leading edge taper, and independent trailing and side magnetic shields. The method allows the write pole to be constructed by a dry process wherein the write pole material is either deposited by a process such as sputter deposition or electrically plated and the write pole shape is defined by masking and ion milling. The write pole has a stepped feature that can either be used to provide increased magnetic spacing between the trailing shield and the write pole at a location slightly recessed from the ABS or can be magnetic material that increases the effective thickness of the write pole at a location slightly recessed from the ABS. A bump structure can be further built over that stepped feature to enhance field gradient as well as reduce trailing shield saturation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a non-magnetic step layer, non-magnetic bump at the front of the non-magnetic step layer and a write pole with a tapered trailing edge. The tapered portion of the trailing edge of the write pole is formed by a two step process that allows the write pole taper to be formed with greater accuracy and repeatability than would be possible using a single step taper process. An alternative method is also described on how to make a non-magnetic bump structure with adjustable bump throat height prior to Damascene side shield gap formation in a Damascene wrap around shield head.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating magnetic transducer are described. The method and system include providing a main pole having a bottom, a top wider than the bottom, and a top bevel. A nonmagnetic gap covering the main pole is provided. A portion of the nonmagnetic gap resides on the top of the main pole. A first seed layer is provided. At least a portion of the first seed layer covers the portion of the nonmagnetic gap on top of the main pole. A portion of the nonmagnetic gap on the magnetic recording transducer is removed after the first seed layer is provided. A second seed layer is provided after the portion of the nonmagnetic gap is removed. The second seed layer covers at least the portion of the first seed layer. A wrap-around shield layer is provided on the second seed layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) reader is disclosed. A TMR structure comprising at least one ferromagnetic layer and at least one nonmagnetic insulating layer is provided. A first thermal annealing process on the TMR structure is performed. A reader pattern definition process performed on the TMR structure to obtain a patterned TMR reader. A second thermal annealing process is performed on the patterned TMR reader.

Abstract: A method for making a device includes providing a tubular member which will be formed into the device, masking at least a portion of the inner surface of the tubular member with a removable sacrificial material, selectively removing a portion of the tubular member and sacrificial material using a laser device, and mechanically removing the sacrificial material from the inner surface of the tubular member. Ultrasonic energy could be applied to a workpiece which is being laser cut to prevent any generated slag from welding itself to an exposed surface of the workpiece. A compressed fluid or gas, such as air, could be used to clean the surface of the laser-cut workpiece to remove slag formation which adheres to the surface of the cut workpiece.

Abstract: A nanostructure forming method includes: preparing a substrate having an appropriate processing value; applying laser beam having a pulse duration of picosecond order or less to a planar surface oriented in a propagation direction of the laser beam and a direction perpendicular to a polarization direction (electric field direction) of the laser beam in the interior of the substrate at an irradiation intensity which is close to the appropriate processing value of the substrate; forming a structure-modified portion at a focus at which the laser beam is concentrated and in a region which is close to the focus; and forming a nanostructure formed of a nano-hole by selectively etching the structure-modified portion.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnetic transducer is described. The magnetic transducer includes a pole having a pole tip and a flared region. The method Includes providing a first mask layer on the pole and providing a second mask layer on the first mask layer. The first mask layer is soluble in a predetermined solution and has a first thickness. The second mask layer has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The method also includes forming a mask from the first mask layer and the second mask layer. The step of forming the mask layer includes using the predetermined solution. The mask has a pattern that exposes a portion of the pole tip and covers a portion of the flared region. The method also includes providing a wrap-around shield on at least the pole tip.

Abstract: Capsules and similar objects are made from materials having diamond (sp3) lattice structures, including diamond materials in synthetic crystalline, polycrystalline (ordered or disordered), nanocrystalline and amorphous forms. The capsules generally include a hollow shell made of a diamond material that defines an interior region that may be empty or that may contain a fluid or solid material. Some of the capsules include access ports that can be used to fill the capsule with a fluid. Capsules and similar structures can be manufactured by growing diamond on suitably shaped substrates. In some of these methods, diamond shell sections are grown on substrates, then joined together. In other methods, a nearly complete diamond shell is grown around a form substrate, and the substrate can be removed through a relatively small opening in the shell.