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 .
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Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 11/13/2024 and 1/29/2025 were filed after the mailing date of the Non-final rejection on 8/6/2026. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The formal drawings filed on 4/18/2024 have been approved by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being incomplete for omitting essential structural cooperative relationships of elements, such omission amounting to a gap between the necessary structural connections. See MPEP § 2172.01. The omitted structural cooperative relationships are: the semiconductor chip and the plurality of porous microstructures.
Allowable Subject Matter
8. Claims 13-20 are allowed
9. Claim 1 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowance subject
matter: none of the prior art of record teaches or suggest the combination of
a plurality of porous microstructures each with a plurality of internal pores. External capillary channels between the plurality of porous microstructures, and internal capillary channels in the plurality of porous microstructures in claim 1.
The plurality of porous microstructures are provided on the metal layer and are configured to generate a capillary force causing a coolant to flow. At least one internal capillary channel of the internal capillary channels communicates with at least one of the external capillary channels. Each internal capillary channel of the internal capillary channels has a height that increases in a direction from an outer side of the respective internal capillary channel toward a center of the respective internal capillary channel in claim 13.
A first internal capillary channel between the first porous microstructure and the heat transfer surface; a second internal capillary channel between the second porous microstructure and the heat transfer surface. An external capillary channel between the first porous microstructure and the second porous microstructure, the external capillary channel being in communication with the first internal capillary channel and the second internal capillary channel in claim 19.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is cited primarily to show the
product of the instant invention.
Conclusion
13. Any inquiry concerning the communication or earlier communications from the
examiner should be directed to Alonzo Chambliss whose telephone number is (571)
272-1927.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
supervisor, Jacob Y. Choi can be reached on (469) 295-9060. The fax phone number
for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300.
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AC/August 6, 2026 /Alonzo Chambliss/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2897
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