Patent Publication Number: US-11642682-B2

Title: Pipe design for prevent drip

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/904,903, filed Feb. 26, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,864,533, issued Dec. 15, 2020, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/525,271, filed Jun. 27, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In the context of integrated circuit (IC) fabrication, a wafer of semiconductor material is subjected to multiple processes including dispensing a liquid onto the wafer. For a typical dispensation, a liquid is dispensed from a nozzle. When the dispensation ends, liquid remains in the nozzle. As the nozzle is moved, it is subjected to accelerations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram of a system for dispensing a liquid, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 C- 2 D  are cross-sections of a conduit assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2 B  is a plot of an equation for representing surface tension of liquid in a pipe, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  2 E- 2 F  are three-quarter perspective views which relate to corresponding  FIGS.  2 A and  2 D , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 A  is a diagram of a system for moving a nozzle assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a zoomed-in/enlarged, three-quarter perspective view of a portion of  FIG.  3 A , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram of another system for dispensing a liquid, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  are cross-sections of another conduit assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a cross-section of a conduit assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 B  is a cross-section of a body/chassis of a nozzle assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 C  illustrates a manifold, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components, values, operations, materials, arrangements, or the like, are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Other components, values, operations, materials, arrangements, or the like, are contemplated. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. 
     Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. System may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly. 
     A nozzle, used to dispense a liquid onto a wafer of semiconductor material, has a pipe which has a single larger lumen. The larger lumen has a first cross-section, which is circular and has a first cross-sectional area. The larger lumen terminates in a single larger orifice through which the liquid is dispensed onto the wafer. Relative to a given liquid, the nozzle is sized to have a first flow-capacity. The first cross-sectional area of the single lumen produces a first surface tension of the liquid which is insufficient to substantially prevent drippage of the liquid when the larger lumen is subjected to acceleration after the dispensation ends (again, there remaining liquid in the larger lumen). According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a nozzle is provided with a pipe which has multiple smaller lumens, e.g., each of which has substantially a same second cross-section, each second cross-section having a second cross-sectional area. The liquid is dispensed through the multiple smaller orifices of the multiple smaller lumens onto the wafer. The second cross-sectional area is sized so that each smaller lumen produces a second surface tension of the liquid which is sufficient to substantially prevent drippage of the liquid when the smaller lumen is subjected to acceleration after the dispensation ends (and while there remains liquid in the smaller lumen). The sum of the second cross-sectional areas of the multiple smaller lumens results in a net flow-capacity of the multiple smaller lumens which is substantially the same as the first flow-capacity of the single larger lumen. 
       FIG.  1    is a diagram of a system  100  for dispensing a liquid, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In system  100 , a liquid  101  is dispensable onto a substrate such as a wafer  102 . In some embodiments, system  100  is used in the context of integrated circuit (IC) fabrication, where wafer  102  is subjected to multiple processes including dispensing liquid  101  onto wafer  102 . In some embodiments, liquid  101  is an etchant. In some embodiments, liquid  101  is a cleanser. In some embodiments, liquid  101  is a rinsing agent. In some embodiments, liquid  101  is deionized water. In some embodiments, liquid  101  is a surfactant. 
     System  100  includes a carrier assembly  117  on which wafer  102  is disposable. Carrier assembly  117  includes: a chuck  118 A to which wafer  102  is removably mounted; a spindle  118 B to which chuck  118 A is mounted such that chuck  118 A is rotatable around a long axis of spindle  118 B; and a motor  118 C to rotate spindle  118 B around the long axis of spindle  118 B, and thereby rotate chuck  118 A. Chuck  118 A is configured to hold wafer  102  substantially parallel to a reference plane. In some embodiments, system  100  further includes a first controller (e.g., a computer) (not shown in  FIG.  1   ) to control the operation of motor  118 C and thereby control the rotation of chuck  118 A. 
     System  100  further includes a storage unit  103  for storing liquid  101 , a pressurizing mechanism  104  for pressurizing liquid  101  and a nozzle assembly  115  from which liquid  101  is dispensed. A conduit assembly  106 , in which flows liquid  101 , fluidically connects together: storage unit  103 ; pressurizing mechanism  104 ; and nozzle assembly  115 . In particular, conduit assembly  106  fluidically connects: storage unit  103  to pressurizing mechanism  104 ; and pressurizing mechanism  104  to nozzle assembly  115 . 
     Pressurizing mechanism  104  includes: a pump  130 A; and a valve  130 B. Conduit assembly  106  fluidically connects storage unit  103  to pump  130 A; pump  130 A to valve  130 B; and valve  130 B to nozzle assembly  115 .  130 B 
     In some embodiments where system  100  is used in the context of integrated circuit (IC) fabrication, wafer  102  includes a semiconductor material such as silicon or the like. In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally, wafer  102  includes other elementary semiconductor materials such as germanium (Ge). In some embodiments, wafer  102  includes a compound semiconductor such as silicon carbide (SiC), gallium arsenic (GaAs), indium arsenide (InAs), or indium phosphide (InP). In some embodiments, wafer  102  includes an alloy semiconductor such as silicon germanium (SiGe), silicon germanium carbide (SiGeC), gallium arsenic phosphide (GaAsP), or gallium indium phosphide (GaInP). In some embodiments, wafer  102  includes multiple layer of materials. In some embodiments, wafer  102  includes one or more epitaxial layers. For example, wafer  102  has an epitaxial layer overlying a bulk semiconductor. In some other embodiments, wafer  102  is a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) or a germanium-on-insulator (GOI) substrate. In some embodiments, one of more of the multiple layer includes semiconductor material and one or more of the layers includes material used in other processes associated with IC fabrication. 
     In some embodiments, wafer  102  includes various device elements which have been formed in wafer  102 . Examples of device elements included as being formed in wafer  102  include transistors (e.g., metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET), complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistors, bipolar junction transistors (BJT), high voltage transistors, high-frequency transistors, p-channel and/or n-channel field-effect transistors (PFETs/NFETs), etc.), diodes, and/or other applicable elements. Various processes are performed to form the device elements, such as deposition, etching, implantation, photolithography, annealing, and/or the like. 
     In some embodiments, liquid  101  is a chemical used in a semiconductor fabrication process. In some embodiments, liquid  101  includes a chemical used in a photolithography process. 
     In some embodiments, pump  130 A receives liquid  101  from storage unit  103  and pumps liquid  101  to nozzle assembly  115  by which liquid  101  is dispensed onto wafer  102 . In some embodiments, valve  130 B is positioned between pump  130 A and nozzle assembly  115 . Valve  130 B is configured to regulate the flow of liquid  101  from pump  130 A to nozzle assembly  115 . In some embodiments, system  100  further includes a second controller (e.g., a computer) (not shown in  FIG.  1   ) to control valve  130 B according to a predetermined setting. In some embodiments, the first and second controllers are the same controller. 
     In system  100 , conduit assembly  106  has multiple portions including a first portion  120 A, a manifolding portion  120 B and a second portion  120 C. First portion  120 A of conduit assembly  106  is shown as serially fluidically connecting storage unit  103 , pump  130 A, valve  130 B and manifolding portion  120 B. As such, first portion  120 A is understood as including sections (not individually numbered in  FIG.  1   ) which connect: storage unit  103  to pump  130 A; pump  130 A to valve  130 B; and valve  130 B to manifolding portion  120 B. Manifolding portion  120 B of conduit assembly  106  fluidically connects first port  120 A of conduit assembly  106  to second portion  120 C of conduit assembly  106 . Second portion  120 C fluidically connects manifolding portion  120 B to nozzle assembly  115 . 
     In some embodiments, each of one or more of the sections of first portion  120 A of conduit assembly  106  is of unitary construction. In some embodiments, manifolding portion  120 B is of unitary construction. In some embodiments, second portion  120 C is of unitary construction. In some embodiments, manifolding portion  120 B and second portion  120 C are of unitary construction. As used herein, and when applied to an object, the term “unitary construction” is to be understood as meaning that the object is fabricated as a single piece of material. Among other things, an object of unitary construction is seamless. By contrast, as used herein, an assembly is to be understood as including multiple separate parts which are joined together in some manner, e.g., friction-fitting, mechanical connection, chemical connection such as adhesion, or the like. As such, in an assembly, one or more of the parts may be of unitary construction. Also, as used herein, and when applied to an object of unitary construction (whether or not the object represents a part which is included in an assembly), and more particularly when applied to first and second adjacent portions of the object, the term “integral” is to be understood as meaning that there is no joint, seam, or material boundary between the first and second portions. 
     Any one or more of the sections of first portion  120 A of conduit assembly  106 , manifolding portion  120 B and second portion  120 C is fabricable of extrudable material in an extrusion process. In some embodiments, the results of the extrusion process is that any one or more of the sections of first portion  120 A of conduit assembly  106 , manifolding portion  120 B and second portion  120 C is of unitary construction. In some embodiments, any one or more of the sections of first portion  120 A of conduit assembly  106 , manifolding portion  120 B and second portion  120 C is an assembly. In some embodiments, where any one or more of the sections of first portion  120 A of conduit assembly  106 , manifolding portion  120 B and second portion  120 C is an assembly, one or more parts of one or more of the sections of first portion  120 A of conduit assembly  106 , manifolding portion  120 B and second portion  120 C is fabricable of extrudable material in an extrusion process. 
     First portion  120 A has a first length and includes M instances of a first lumen, where M is a positive integer. Each instance of the first lumen is coextensive with the first length. Second portion  120 C has a second length and includes N instances of a second lumen, where N is a positive integer and N is greater than or equal to M (N≥M). In some embodiments, N is greater than M (N&gt;M). Each instance of the second lumen is coextensive with the second length. 
       FIG.  2 A  illustrates a first cross-section of first portion  120 A of conduit assembly  106 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Each instance of the first lumen in first portion  120 A of conduit assembly  106  has a first cross-section, which has a first cross-sectional area. In  FIG.  2 A , M is shown as M=1 such that there is a single lumen in first portion  120 A. The first cross-sectional area of the single lumen of first portion  120 A has size A 1 . 
     In  FIG.  2 A , the first cross-section (of first portion  120 A) includes a single lumen  121 . First cross-section of lumen  121  is circular. In some embodiments in which there is a single second lumen (N=1), the cross-sectional shape of the first lumen is a shape other than a circle such as an ellipse, a parallelepiped, a triangle, or the like. 
     Returning to  FIG.  1   , relative to a given composition of liquid  101 , the first cross-sectional area, A 1 , of the first lumen of first section  120 A, is sized to have a first flow-capacity, FC 1 . In some embodiments, the first flow-capacity is sufficient to supply a first volume of the liquid at a first flow-rate and at a first pressure. 
     In some embodiments, there are more than one instance of the first lumen (M&gt;1). In some embodiments where M&gt;1, each instance of the first lumen has substantially the same cross-section and the corresponding cross-sectional areas of the instances of the first lumen have substantially the same size. In some embodiments where M&gt;1, at least some of the instances of the first lumen have different cross-sections and the corresponding cross-sectional areas of the instances of the first lumen have different sizes. 
       FIG.  2 B  is a plot of an equation for representing surface tension, F S , of liquid in a pipe, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG.  2 B , the pipe is shown as having sidewalls  126 . More particularly,  FIG.  2 B  is a plot of F S =2 π*d*d*γ/r, where γ is gravitational force; cos θ=d/r, r is the radius of curvature of a surface  150  of liquid  101 , and d is the radius of the pipe. Gravitational force on liquid  101 , γ, is represented by the equation γ=m*g, where g is gravitational acceleration and m is the mass of liquid  101 . In some embodiments, for the cross-sectional area of lumen  122 A/ 122 B (see  FIG.  2 C  discussed below), the gravitational force becomes 0.5*original=0.5*m*g. The force of surface tension, F S , is bigger than 0.5*original=0.5*2 π*(d+d)*d*γ/r. Hence, drippage of liquid  101  is discouraged by the cross-sectional configuration of lumen  122 A/ 122 B. 
       FIG.  2 C  illustrates a second cross-section of second portion  120 B of conduit assembly  106 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Each instance of the second lumen in second portion  120 C of conduit assembly  106  has a second cross-section, which has a second cross-sectional area, A 2 . In  FIG.  2 C , N is shown as 2 such that there are two lumens in second portion  120 C. 
     In  FIG.  2 C , the second cross-section (of second portion  120 C) includes two lumens  122 A and  122 B. Section  120 C includes a wall  123 A and a septum (or bulkhead)  123 B. In cross-section, septum  123 B bifurcates the space enclosed by wall  123 A, thereby forming lumens  122 A and  122 B. In some embodiments, the diameter of section  120 C is about 12 millimeters. In some embodiments, the thickness of wall  123 A is about 1 millimeter. In some embodiments, the thickness of septum  123 B is about 0.1-1.0 millimeter. The second cross-sections of corresponding lumens  122 A and  122 B are semicircles. The semicircles of  FIG.  2 A  have corresponding second cross-sectional areas which are substantially the same size A 2 . In some embodiments in which N=2, the cross-sectional shapes are shapes other than semicircles. In some embodiments in which N=2, the cross-sectional shapes of corresponding lumens  122 A and  122 B have different cross-sectional areas. In some embodiments in which N=2, each of the cross-sectional shapes of lumens  122 A and  122 B is a circle. In some embodiments in which N=2 and each of the cross-sectional shapes of lumens  122 A and  122 B is a circle, the corresponding cross-sectional areas are the same size. 
     Returning to  FIG.  1   , relative to the given composition of liquid  101 , each of the second cross-sectional areas of the second lumens of second section  120 C is sized to have a second flow-capacity FC 2 . In some embodiments, the second flow-capacity is sufficient to supply a second volume of the liquid at a second flow-rate and at a second pressure. The second flow-capacity is smaller than the first flow-capacity, FC 2 &lt;FC 1 . The second cross-sectional area, A 2 , is smaller than the first cross-sectional area, A 1 , such that A 2 &lt;A 1 . 
     Furthermore, the second cross-sectional area is sized as A 2  so that each of lumens  122 A and  122 B produces a surface tension of the given composition of liquid  101  which is sufficient to overcome the force of gravity on liquid  101  and thereby substantially prevent drippage of liquid  101  from the corresponding orifices of lumens  122 A and  122 B when lumens  122 A and  122 B are subjected to acceleration after a dispensation of liquid  101  ends (and while there remains some amount of liquid  101  in lumens  122 A and  122 B). In some embodiments in which nozzle assembly  115  is mounted to a movable arm (see arm  326   FIG.  3 B , discussed below), nozzle assembly  115  is subjected to acceleration when moved by the arm. In some embodiments, the nozzle assembly  115  is moved at rates up to about 350 millimeters/sec by the movable arm. The sum of the second cross-sectional areas A 2  of second lumens  122 A and  122 B, Σ=2*A 2 , results in a net flow-capacity which is substantially the same as the first flow-capacity of single lumen  121 . 
     In some embodiments, N&gt;2. In some embodiments, where N≥2, each instance of the second lumen has the same cross-section and the corresponding cross-sectional areas of the instances of the second lumen have the same size. In some embodiments, where N≥1, at least some of the instances of the second lumen have different cross-sections and the corresponding cross-sectional areas of the instances of the second lumen have different sizes. 
     As noted, manifolding portion  120 B fluidically connects first portion  120 A to second portion  120 C. Manifolding portion  120 B includes a first stage (not shown in  FIG.  1    but see, e.g.,  640 A of  FIG.  6 A , discussed below); a manifold (not shown in  FIG.  1    but see  640 B of  FIG.  6 A , discussed below); and a second stage (not shown in  FIG.  1    but see, e.g.,  640 C of  FIG.  6 A , discussed below). The first stage includes N instances of a third lumen which are correspondingly fluidically connected to, and correspondingly configured substantially the same as, the N instances of the first lumen of first portion  120 A. The second stage includes M instances of a fourth lumen which are correspondingly fluidically connected to, and correspondingly configured substantially the same as, the M instances of the second lumen of second portion  120 C. The manifold includes a chamber to which are fluidically connected the N instances of the third lumen and the M instances of the fourth lumen. 
     In system  100 , nozzle assembly  115  includes a body/chassis (not illustrated in  FIG.  1    but see, e.g.,  124   FIG.  2 D ) and a segment of second portion of conduit assembly  106 . The body/chassis of nozzle assembly  115  is configured to receive a segment of second portion  120 C. In  FIG.  1   , an end of portion  120 C (from which liquid  101  is dispensed) extends beyond a face of the body/chassis of nozzle assembly  115 . In some embodiments, the end of portion  120 C is disposed substantially flush with the face of the body/chassis. 
       FIG.  2 D  is a cross-section of nozzle assembly  115 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG.  2 D , nozzle assembly  115  includes body/chassis  124  and second portion  120 C. Again, second portion  120 C includes two second lumens  122 A and  122 B. 
       FIGS.  2 E- 2 F  are three-quarter perspective views which relate to corresponding  FIGS.  2 A and  2 D , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG.  2 E , septum  123 B results in a smaller radius of curvature for each of a surface  250 A and surface  250 B of liquid  101  than would exist without septum  123 B (as in the cross-section of  FIG.  2 A ).  FIG.  2 E  assumes a circumstance in which body/chassis  124  is not subjected to acceleration and thus is motionless.  FIG.  2 F  assumes a circumstance in which body/chassis  124  is subjected to acceleration. While the acceleration changes the shapes of surfaces  250 A′ and  250 B′ of liquid  101 , nevertheless  FIG.  2 F  shows that the smaller radii of curvature discourage (if not prevent) drippage of liquid  101 . 
       FIG.  3 A  is a diagram of a system  300  for moving nozzle assembly  115 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Some of the reference numerals in  FIG.  3 A  correspond to reference numerals in  FIG.  1    albeit increased by a factor of  200 . For example, nozzle assembly  315  of  FIG.  3 A  corresponds to nozzle assembly  115  of  FIG.  1   . 
     System  300  includes nozzle assembly  315 , an arm  326 , and an arm-rotation mechanism  327 . Arm-rotation mechanism includes a spindle  328  and a motor  330 . Nozzle assembly  315  includes a body/chassis  324 . Body/chassis  324  is mounted to a distal end of arm  326 . A proximal end of arm  326  is mounted to spindle  328  such that arm  326  is rotatable around a long axis of spindle  328 . Spindle  328  is mounted to motor  330  such that spindle  328  is rotatable around the long axis of spindle  328  by motor  330 . Rotation of spindle  328  also rotates arm  326  and body/chassis  324 . In some embodiments, system  300  further includes a second controller (e.g., a computer) (not shown in  FIG.  3 A ) to control the operation of motor  330  and thereby control the rotation of body/chassis  324 . In some embodiments, arm-rotation mechanism is configured to move arm  326 , and thereby body/chassis  324 , over wafer  102  such that motion of body/chassis  324  is at least within a movement plane which is substantially parallel to the reference plane. Again, wafer  102  is held substantially parallel to the reference plane by chuck  318 A. In some embodiments, arm-rotation mechanism is configured to move arm  326  in three dimensions. 
       FIG.  3 B  is a zoomed-in/enlarged, three-quarter perspective view of a portion  331  of  FIG.  3 A , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG.  3 B , a groove  334  is formed in a surface of the distal portion of arm  326  and a surface of body/chassis  324 . Groove  334  is configured to receive a segment of second portion  320 C of conduit assembly  306 , where second portion  320 C includes lumens  322 A and  322 B. Nozzle assembly  315  further includes a plug  335  and a plate  337 . Plug  336  is disposed in the portion of groove  334  so as to overlap the corresponding length of the segment of second portion  320 C in groove  334 . Plate  337  is disposed over plug  336  and is mounted to body/chassis  324 , thereby confining plug  336  and second portion  320 C in grove  334 . 
       FIG.  4    is a diagram of a system  400  for dispensing a liquid, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Some of the reference numerals in  FIG.  4    correspond to reference numerals in  FIG.  1    which reflects that  FIG.  4    is a variation of  FIG.  1   . 
     In  FIG.  4   , manifolding portion  120 B of conduit assembly  106  of  FIG.  1    has been replaced with a manifold  120 B′ of a conduit assembly  106 ′. Also in  FIG.  4   , second portion  120 C of conduit assembly  106  of  FIG.  1    has been replaced by an arrangement  120 C′ of discrete tubes, where arrangement  120 C′ is included in conduit assembly  106 ′. 
     Arrangement  120 C′ has a second length and includes N discrete instances of a single-lumen tube, where N is a positive integer and N≥M. In some embodiments, N&gt;M. Each instance of the single-lumen tube is coextensive with the second length. In  FIG.  4   , M is shown as  7  such that there are seven discrete single-lumen tubes in arrangement  120 C′. 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  correspondingly illustrate cross-sections of first portion  120 A of conduit assembly  106 ′, arrangement  120 C′ and a nozzle assembly of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  5 A  is the same as  FIG.  2 A .  FIG.  5 B  shows seven instances,  122 A′ through  122 G′, of discrete single-lumen tubes in arrangement  120 C′.  FIG.  5 C  shows instances  122 A′ through  122 G′ of discrete single-lumen tubes in body/chassis  124 ′ of nozzle assembly  115 ′. 
       FIG.  6 A  illustrates a cross-section of a conduit assembly  606 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Some of the reference numerals in  FIG.  6 A  correspond to reference numerals in  FIG.  1    albeit increased by a factor of  500 . For example, first portion  620 A of  FIG.  6 A  corresponds to first portion  120 A of  FIG.  1   . 
     While similar, conduit assembly  606  also exhibits differences relative to conduit assembly  106  of  FIG.  1   . For example, second portion  620 C of conduit assembly  606  includes three lumens whereas second portion  120 C of includes two lumens. 
     Manifolding portion  620 B fluidically connects first portion  620 A to second portion  620 C. Manifolding portion  620 B includes a first stage  640 A; a manifold  640 B; and a second stage  640 C. First stage  640 A includes N instances of a third lumen which are correspondingly fluidically connected to, and correspondingly configured substantially the same as, the N instances of the first lumen of first portion  620 A. Because N=1 in  FIG.  1    such that there is one instance of the first lumen of first portion  620 A, there is one instance  642  of the third lumen. Second stage  640 C includes M instances of a fourth lumen which are correspondingly fluidically connected to, and correspondingly configured the same as, the M instances of the second lumen of second portion  620 C. In  FIG.  6 A , M=3, so there are three instances  646 A,  646 B and  646 C of the fourth lumen shown. Manifold  640 B includes a chamber  644  to which are fluidically connected the instance  642  of the third lumen and instances  646 A,  646 B and  646 C of the fourth lumen. 
       FIG.  6 B  illustrates a cross-section of a body/chassis  624 B of a nozzle assembly (not shown in  FIG.  6 B ), in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to  FIG.  6 A , some of the reference numerals in  FIG.  6 B  correspond to reference numerals in  FIG.  1    albeit increased by a factor of  500 . 
     While similar,  FIG.  6 B  also exhibits differences relative to  FIG.  6 A . In  FIG.  6 B , body/chassis  624 B has replaced manifolding portion  120 B and second portion  120 C of conduit assembly  106  of  FIG.  1   . Similar to manifolding portion  620 B of  FIG.  6 A , body/chassis  624 B includes a chamber  644  to which are fluidically connected an instance  642 ′ of the third lumen and instances  646 A,  646 B and  646 C of the fourth lumen. Unlike instance  642  of the third lumen of manifolding portion  620 B of  FIG.  6 A , instance  642 ′ projects out of body/chassis  624 B. An end of first portion  620 A′ fluidically connects with instance  642 ′ of the third lumen by slipping circumferentially around and over instance  642 ′ of the third lumen. In some embodiments, the end of first portion  620 A′ fluidically connects with instance  642 ′ of the third lumen in a manner other than by slipping circumferentially around and over instance  642 ′ of the third lumen. In some embodiments, an end of first portion  620 A′ fluidically connects with instance  642 ′ of the third lumen by slipping circumferentially against albeit inside of instance  642 ′ of the third lumen. 
       FIG.  6 C  illustrates a manifold  624 C, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to  FIG.  6 A , some of the reference numerals in  FIG.  6 B  correspond to reference numerals in  FIG.  1    albeit increased by a factor of  500 . 
     While similar, manifold  624 C of  FIG.  6 C  also exhibits differences relative to body/chassis  624 B of  FIG.  6 B . 
     Unlike instances  646 A,  646 B and  646 C of the fourth lumen of body/chassis  624 B of  FIG.  6 B , instances  646 A′,  646 B′ and  646 C′ of the fourth lumen of manifold  624 C project out of the body of manifold  624 C. Ends of the discrete single-lumen tubes in arrangement  620 C′ fluidically connect with corresponding instances  646 A′,  646 B′ and  646 C′ of the fourth lumen by slipping circumferentially around and over  646 A′,  646 B′ and  646 C′ of the fourth lumen. In some embodiments, the ends of the discrete single-lumen tubes in arrangement  620 C′ fluidically connect with corresponding instances  646 A′,  646 B′ and  646 C′ of the fourth lumen in a manner other than by slipping circumferentially around and over instances  646 A′,  646 B′ and  646 C′ of the fourth lumen. In some embodiments, the ends of the discrete single-lumen tubes in arrangement  620 C′ fluidically connect with corresponding instances  646 A′,  646 B′ and  646 C′ of the fourth lumen by slipping circumferentially against albeit inside instances  646 A′,  646 B′ and  646 C′ of the fourth lumen. 
     A nozzle assembly for use in liquid-dispensing system, the nozzle assembly including: a pipe having lumens; a body configured to receive the pipe such that an end of the pipe is mounted on the body; the pipe having a wall and a septum, wherein the wall encloses a space and the septum divides the space enclosed by the wall into lumens, wherein each of the lumens are correspondingly terminated in orifices such that a liquid is escapable from each lumen through the corresponding orifice and is thereby dispensable from the nozzle assembly; the pipe having a first flow-capacity to supply a first volume of the liquid at a first flow-rate and at a first pressure; each orifice and corresponding lumen having a second flow-capacity to supply a second volume of the liquid at a second flow-rate and at a second pressure. 
     A system for dispensing a liquid, the system including: a movable arm; a nozzle assembly mounted on the arm, the nozzle assembly being configured to dispense a liquid; the nozzle assembly including: a pipe for the liquid; and a body configured to receive the pipe; and wherein: the pipe has a wall and a septum, wherein the wall encloses a space and the septum divides the space enclosed by the wall into lumens, wherein each of the lumens are correspondingly terminated in orifices such that a liquid is escapable from each lumen through the corresponding orifice and is thereby dispensable from the nozzle assembly; the nozzle assembly has a first flow-capacity to supply a first volume of the liquid at a first flow-rate and at a first pressure; and each orifice and corresponding lumen has a second flow-capacity to supply a second volume of the liquid at a second flow-rate and at a second pressure. 
     A nozzle assembly including: a body mounted on a movable arm; and a pipe, an end of the pipe being mounted on the body, the pipe having a wall and a septum, wherein the wall encloses a space and the septum divides the space enclosed by the wall into lumens, wherein each of the lumens are correspondingly terminated in orifices such that a liquid is escapable from each lumen through the corresponding orifice; wherein, for a circumstance in which the liquid has a given chemical composition, flow of the liquid has been stopped, and the pipe is being subjected to movement by the movable arm, a cross-sectional area of each of the lumens produces a corresponding surface tension of the liquid which is sufficient to substantially prevent drippage of liquid from the actual orifice. 
     The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.