Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 18, 2026
Application No. 18/216,830

PASSIVE COOLING HEAT SPREADER WITH PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL INFUSED MESH

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jun 30, 2023
Examiner
ERDEM, FAZLI
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Intel Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
85%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 85% — above average
85%
Career Allowance Rate
919 granted / 1077 resolved
+25.3% vs TC avg
Strong +16% interview lift
Without
With
+16.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 5m
Avg Prosecution
27 currently pending
Career history
1100
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.5%
-39.5% vs TC avg
§103
50.2%
+10.2% vs TC avg
§102
37.9%
-2.1% vs TC avg
§112
7.5%
-32.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1077 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Im et al. (20140217576). Regarding Claim 1, in Fig. 1, Im et al discloses semiconductor assembly comprising: a package substrate 100; a first semiconductor die 200 on the package substrate; and a first heat spreader 400 attached to the first semiconductor die opposite the package substrate, the heat spreader comprising a metal mesh (i.e. hexahedron shaped metal, see paragraph 0067) 412 (i.e. bulk metal, i.e. copper, see paragraphs 0014, 0068), infused with a material 421 primarily comprising carbon by weight. (i.e. paraffin, see paragraphs 0015, 0078) Regarding Claim 2, the metal mesh 412 comprises copper (see paragraphs 0014, 0068). Regarding Claim 3, the material 421 comprises paraffin (see paragraphs 0015, 0078). Regarding Claim 4, in Fig. 1, the heat spreader 420 further comprises a framework attached to the metal mesh. Regarding Claim 5, heat spreader 400 further comprises solder 110/210 attaching the framework to the metal mesh. Regarding Claim 6, the first semiconductor die 200 comprises a computer processing unit or a graphics processing unit. Regarding Claim 7, in paragraph 0089, a second semiconductor die attached to the package substrate opposite the first semiconductor die. Regarding Claim 8, in paragraph 0089, a second heat spreader attached to the second semiconductor die opposite the package substrate, wherein the heat spreader comprises a metal mesh infused with the material. Regarding Claim 9, in paragraph 0089, the second semiconductor die comprises a continuous capacitive voltage regulator chip. Regarding Claim 10, in paragraph 0061, further comprising a memory package attached between the substrate package and the first heat spreader. Regarding Claim 11, in paragraph 0051, further comprising a motherboard 100 attached to the package substrate. Regarding Claim 12, in Fig. 1, Im et al. discloses a semiconductor assembly comprising: a semiconductor die 200; and a heat spreader 400 comprising a mesh (i.e. hexahedron shaped metal, see paragraph 0067) 412 (i.e. bulk metal, i.e. copper, see paragraphs 0014, 0068), infused with phase change material 421 (i.e. paraffin, see paragraphs 0015, 0078) the heat spreader attached to the semiconductor die and configured to dissipate heat from the semiconductor die. Regarding Claim 13, the mesh 412 comprises copper mesh. Regarding Claim 14, the mesh has a thermal conductivity of about 390 to about 410 W/mK (the materials of the instant application and the prior art i.e. copper mesh and paraffin phase change material match). Regarding Claim 15, the mesh 412 is folded within the heat spreader 400. Regarding Claim 16 the mesh 412 comprises a porous sheet of metallic material i.e. copper. Regarding Claim 17, the phase change material comprises paraffin. Regarding Claim 18, the phase change material 421 has a thermal conductivity of 0.5 W/mK or less (i.e. paraffin, matching the instant application) Regarding Claim 19, in Figs 1 and 4-6, Im et al discloses a method of making a heat spreader for a semiconductor assembly comprising: inserting a mesh 412 inside a heat spreader 400 framework cavity (see Figs 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B); infusing the mesh with a phase change material 421; and sealing the heat spreader framework with the phase change material 421 infused mesh therein. Regarding Claim,20, folding the mesh prior to inserting the mesh into the heat spreader framework (i.e. hexahedron shape, see paragraph 0067) Examiner is including Deeney 5783862 as a pertinent prior art that is NOT relied upon on this rejection but that discloses copper mesh with paraffin for heat dissipation in semiconductor package structure. Further, pertinent art that is not relied upon, Refai, 20230207422, paragraph 0017 discloses mesh/phase change material as a heat spreader. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FAZLI ERDEM whose telephone number is (571)272-1914. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, 8am-5pm. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Davienne Monbleau can be reached at 571-272-1945. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /FAZLI ERDEM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2812 7/15/2026
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 30, 2023
Application Filed
Nov 08, 2023
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
85%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+16.0%)
2y 5m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1077 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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