Patent ID: 8487429

Claim:
A multi-chip module (MCM), comprising: a first substrate having a first surface; and a second substrate having a second surface, wherein the first surface is mechanically coupled to the second surface, thereby aligning the first substrate and the second substrate; wherein the mechanical coupling is facilitated by a negative feature recessed below at least one of the first surface and the second surface, which has an opening, defined by an edge, in at least one of the first surface and the second surface; wherein the mechanical coupling is facilitated by a positive feature in the MCM that includes a first material other than a bulk material in the first substrate and the second substrate, which at least in part mates with the negative feature, wherein the first material comprises one or more of a metal, a metal alloy, a polymer, or a compliant polymer; and wherein the positive feature includes a spherically shaped coupling component, wherein the spherically shaped coupling component has a core that includes a second material, and an outer shell that includes the first material, wherein the second material comprises a less compressible or compliant material than the first material.