University of California

International Rectifier Corporation

Lawrence Kulinsky

Benjamin Dolan

Tuo Zhou

Edward Tackett

Arash Kheradvar

Marc Madou

Ling Kong

Victor H Perez-Gonzalez

Vinh Ho

Carbon nanotube (CNT) agglomerates can be aligned along the field lines between adjacent electrodes to form conductive bridges. The present invention is directed to a stepwise process of dielectrophoretic deposition of CNTs to form conducting bridges between adjacent electrodes spanning lengths over 50 microns. The CNT bridges are permanently secured using electrodeposition of the conducting polymer polypyrrole. Morphologies of the CNT bridges formed within a frequency range of 1 kHz and 10 MHz are employed and explained as a consequence of interplay between dielectrophoretic and electroosmotic forces. Postdeposition heat treatment increases conductivity of CNT bridges likely due to solvent evaporation and resulting surface tension inducing better contact between CNTs.

Step-wise fabrication of conductive carbon nanotube bridges via dielectrophoresis

The present invention is directed to devices and methods for assembling particulates through the use of non-contact electrokinetic forces applied to polymeric, organic, non-organic, and metallic micro- and nano-particulates in an aqueous solution. The present invention features an electrode comprising a conductive substrate with a layer of photosensitive polymer disposed on it with a plurality of windows etched into the layer. The plurality of windows expose certain portions of the conductive substrate. Applying electric signals to the conductive substrate (e.g. by a function generator) causes materials to attract to only the exposed portions of the conductive substrate. The materials may comprise a plurality of organic, non-organic, and metallic micro- and nano-particulates disposed in an aqueous solution.

Guided template based electrokinetic microassembly (TEA)

A selective laser sintering system includes a leveling roller having a first orientation. The leveling roller is configured to roll over a first feed bin. The build chamber is configured to receive, from the first feed bin and by the leveling roller, a transfer of a portion of matrix material. The selective laser sintering system is configured to transfer the portion to the build chamber in a number of orientations.

Selective laser sintering using functional inclusions dispersed in the matrix material being created

Methods and systems for cell media exchange wherein media maybe aspirated without also aspirating cells and wherein removal and re-plating of cells is not necessarily required. For example, the cell culture system or apparatus features a gap that is small enough to retain cells therein and also sized to prevent media from leaking. The methods and systems of the present invention may help reduce stress and damage to cells as compared to traditional methods that require removing and re-plating cells.

Sieve system and methods for cell media exchange

A method for the additive manufacturing of a closed-cell porous matrix is described herein. A powder-bed, additive manufacturing process is used to create a piece with partially-closed cavities filled with unfused powder. Vacuum, negative pressure, positive pressure, or solvent is used to evacuate the powder from the cavities. Finally, a fresh layer of powder is used to cover the opening of the cavity and the powder is fused on top to close the opening.

Powder bed additive manufacturing method of fabricating a porous matrix

Disclosed is an imprinter device comprising an array of adjacent applicators that are arranged so that longitudinal axes of each of the adjacent applicators are parallel to each other, wherein the applicators are configured to make contact with and conform to a surface of a three dimensional (3D) object. In some embodiments, the applicators move independently of each other with respect to the surface of the object, and wherein the applicators are configured to apply a material over the object while in proximity to the surface of the object. Also disclosed are methods of conformal coating a surface of an object.

Imprinter for conformal coating of three-dimensional surfaces

A microfluidic device and method comprises a rotatable substrate configured to be rotated at various angular velocities in order to accomplish a series of media exchanges with a sample chamber for containing a sample. A plurality of media reservoirs and waste reservoirs are connected to the sample chamber via channels forming capillary valves in which the capillary valves have varying burst frequencies of rotation of the substrate. The substrate can then be rotated through a series of angular velocities to automate media exchanges between the sample chamber and the respective media reservoirs and waste reservoirs. A pair of media reservoirs are located radially inward of the sample chamber and a pair of waste reservoirs are located radially outward of the sample chamber in an 'X' configuration such that centrifugal forces cause fluid media to open the capillary valves and flow among the sample chamber, media reservoirs and waste reservoirs.

Centrifugal microfluidic platform for automated media exchange

A method of creating a structure on an electrode includes exposing an electrode to a solution containing a polymerizable monomer and particles and applying an AC voltage to the electrode so as to induce positive DEP on the particles and to draw the particles toward the electrode. An offset voltage is applied to the electrode (which can be DC or AC) to form an electrically conductive polymer thereon from the polymerizable monomer, wherein the particles are entrapped on or within the polymer.

Dielectrophoresis and electrodeposition process for selective particle entrapment

A method of forming three-dimensional structures includes forming a conductive layer on a substrate and patterning a resist layer over the conductive layer, the resist layer having contained therein a plurality of vias. An electrically conductive polymer is then electro-deposited in the vias. The electro-deposition operation is then stopped to form one or more of posts, posts having bulbous termini (i.e., mushrooms), or a layer atop the resist layer. The resist may be removed to yield the structure which may be further processed. For example, the structure may be pyrolyzed. In addition, biomolecules may also be adhered or otherwise affixed to the structure.

Polymer-based high surface area multi-layered three-dimensional structures and method of making same

A termination region of a semiconductor die is provided, which includes one or more field rings arranged in the termination region, one or more metal field plates, and an insulation layer disposed to prevent direct electrical contact between the field rings and the field plate such that the at least one field ring is capacitively coupled with the at least one field plate. Such a termination region may also include a polysilicon plate capacitively coupled with a diffusion region laterally spaced from the field rings, the polysilicon plate being located at an outer surface or directly under a passivation layer at an outer surface of the die. The termination region may also include floating field rings. The insulation layer may be a field oxide layer.

Semiconductor device with capacitively coupled field plate

A novel five-layer tape is provided for applications such as bonding, interconnection and insulation of different parts of a semiconductor package at the same time. The five layer tape includes a metal conductive layer that is sandwiched between two insulative layers, that are themselves in turn sandwiched by two adhesive layers. Windows cut into the insulative and adhesive layers on either the top or bottom of the tape permit electrical connection to the metallic conductive layer. The tape may be made from two insulation sheets that have an adhesive layer and a metallic interconnect. In turn, the tape enables the manufacturer to overcome physical limitations in forming conduction paths, including permitting the connection of multiple die where the terminals of the one die are obscured by the other die.

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Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Lawrence Kulinsky