Abstract: An electroplating system has a vessel assembly holding an electrolyte. A weir thief electrode assembly in the vessel assembly includes a plenum inside of a weir frame. The plenum divided into at least a first, a second and a third virtual thief electrode segment. A plurality of spaced apart openings through the weir frame lead out of the plenum. A weir ring is attached to the weir frame and guides flow of current during electroplating. The electroplating system provides process determined radial and circumferential current density control and does not require changing hardware components during set up.

Abstract: A surface-treated fluidic channel is provided comprising a dispensing device that comprises a microarray of microchannels. The fluidic channel is made from metal and comprises a surface and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid adhered to the surface. A mesh nebulizer comprising a reservoir and a dispensing device comprising a microarray of microchannels is also provided. A metal surface layer is applied to the interior and exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device, and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising an organo-silicon or a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid is adhered to the metal surface layer, usually on the exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device. A hydrophilic polymeric coating layer may be chemically bonded to and propagated from terminal functional groups on the hydrophobic coating layer on the interior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device.

Abstract: A membrane separation system is provided comprising at least two membranes in series. A first membrane in the series is oleophobic and comprises: (a) a porous substrate; and (b) an oleophobic coating layer applied to at least one surface of the substrate. A second membrane in the series is hydrophilic. The second membrane may comprise a hydrophilic porous substrate, and/or the second membrane further comprises a hydrophilic coating layer applied to at least one surface of the second membrane substrate. Also provided are methods of separating aqueous emulsions, comprising: (i) contacting an aqueous emulsion with the membrane separation system described above; and (ii) allowing water in the emulsion to permeate through the membrane separation system to yield an aqueous product stream.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to surface-treated membranes comprising: (a) a porous substrate; and (b) a coating layer applied to the substrate. The coating layer is formed from a surface treatment composition comprising: (i) a first component comprising an organic solvent; and (ii) a second component comprising a fluorine-containing polymer and a solvent containing at least one C—F bond. The present invention is further drawn to a method of preparing a surface-treated filtration membrane, comprising: (a) contacting a porous substrate with a first component of a surface treatment composition, wherein the first component comprises an organic solvent; (b) subsequently contacting the porous substrate with a second component of the surface treatment composition, wherein the second component comprises a fluorine-containing polymer and a solvent containing at least one C—F bond; and (c) subjecting the porous substrate to a temperature of 25 to 90° C. for 1 to 180 minutes.

Abstract: Coated electronic components of a circuit assembly are provided, comprising: one or more lead frames, one or more chips, connection wires, a moisture barrier coating layer, and an encapsulating plastic coating layer. The moisture barrier coating layer may be applied to the electronic component with the encapsulating plastic coating layer applied on top of the moisture barrier coating layer, or vice versa; such that only lead frames are exposed. Also provided are electronic components of a circuit assembly, comprising: one or more lead frames, one or more chips, connection wires, one or more leads extending from the coated electronic component, a moisture barrier coating layer, and an encapsulating plastic coating layer. The encapsulating plastic coating layer is applied to the electronic component and the moisture barrier coating layer is applied on top of the entire encapsulating plastic coating layer on all sides, such that only the leads are exposed.

Abstract: A betaine-containing polymer film that can be formed on a substrate surface using living polymerization such as controlled radical polymerization is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The method includes 1) saturating a brush tip comprising nonporous bristles with a solution of phosphonic acid; 2) applying the solution of phosphonic acid to the tip of the test probe with the brush tip to coat the tip of the test probe with the solution of phosphonic acid; and 3) allowing the solution of phosphonic acid to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon.

Abstract: Coated articles are provided comprising: (a) a substrate that demonstrates electrical conductivity, wherein the substrate is an electronic component of a circuit assembly; (b) a moisture barrier coating layer; and (c) an encapsulating plastic coating layer. The moisture barrier coating layer may be applied to the surface of the substrate with the encapsulating plastic coating layer applied on top of the moisture barrier coating layer, or vice versa.

Abstract: Film-forming compositions are provided comprising: (a) a zwitterionic-functional polymer; and (b) an organometallic compound. Also provided are methods of reducing adhesion of an organic substance to a substrate and methods of treating a siliceous or metal (M) oxide-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a well using the film-forming compositions described above.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The method includes 1) saturating a brush tip comprising nonporous bristles with a solution of phosphonic acid; 2) applying the solution of phosphonic acid to the tip of the test probe with the brush tip to coat the tip of the test probe with the solution of phosphonic acid; and 3) allowing the solution of phosphonic acid to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon.

Abstract: A kit for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The kit comprises a transfer stamp having a porous material impregnated with a phosphonic acid solution. The size and shape of the transfer stamp approximate those of the integrated circuit package being tested. Also provided is a method of cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system. The method includes aligning the test system with a transfer stamp comprising a porous material that is impregnated with a phosphonic acid solution; pushing the test probe into the porous material to coat the tip with the phosphonic acid solution; removing the test probe; and allowing the phosphonic acid solution to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon. A test probe is also provided.

Abstract: A kit for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The kit comprises a transfer stamp having a porous material impregnated with a phosphonic acid solution. The size and shape of the transfer stamp approximate those of the integrated circuit package being tested. Also provided is a method of cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system. The method includes aligning the test system with a transfer stamp comprising a porous material that is impregnated with a phosphonic acid solution; pushing the test probe into the porous material to coat the tip with the phosphonic acid solution; removing the test probe; and allowing the phosphonic acid solution to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon. A test probe is also provided.

Abstract: Film-forming compositions are provided comprising: (a) a zwitterionic-functional polymer; and (b) an organometallic compound. Also provided are methods of reducing adhesion of an organic substance to a substrate and methods of treating a siliceous or metal (M) oxide-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a well using the film-forming compositions described above.

Abstract: Compositions including first and second silicon-containing compounds are described. The first silicon-containing compound includes a polyvalent transition metal having bonded thereto a hydrocarbyloxy group(s) and/or a (di-hydrocarbyl)(perfluoro/fluorinated-hydrocarbyl)silyloxy group(s), which is represented by Formula (I). The second silicon-containing compound includes a reaction product of a first reactant represented by Formula (II-A), which includes hyrdrocarbylsilyloxy groups, and a second reactant represented by Formula (II-B), which includes a perfluorohydrocarbyloxy group(s). The present invention also relates to, articles that include one or more layers formed from such compositions, methods of treating articles by applying thereover such compositions, and the second silicon-containing compound.

Abstract: A process for forming a polymer film on a substrate through an intermediate organometallic layer is disclosed. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) containing an initiator for living polymerization such as controlled radical polymerization is formed on the organometallic layer followed by living polymerization such as controlled radical polymerization of a polymerizable monomer component.

Abstract: A process for forming a fluorocarbon polymer film on a substrate is disclosed. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) containing an initiator for living polymerization such as controlled radical polymerization is formed on the surface of the substrate followed by living polymerization such as controlled radical polymerization of a polymerizable fluorocarbon monomer component.

Abstract: Compositions including first and second silicon-containing compounds are described. The first silicon-containing compound includes a polyvalent transition metal having bonded thereto a hydrocarbyloxy group(s) and/or a (di-hydrocarbyl)(perfluoro/fluorinated-hydrocarbyl)silyloxy group(s), which is represented by Formula (I). The second silicon-containing compound includes a reaction product of a first reactant represented by Formula (II-A), which includes hyrdrocarbylsilyloxy groups, and a second reactant represented by Formula (II-B), which includes a perfluorohydrocarbyloxy group(s). The present invention also relates to, articles that include one or more layers formed from such compositions, methods of treating articles by applying thereover such compositions, and the second silicon-containing compound.

Abstract: A process for forming a fluorocarbon polymer film on a substrate is disclosed. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) containing an initiator for living polymerization such as controlled radical polymerization is formed on the surface of the substrate followed by living polymerization such as controlled radical polymerization of a polymerizable fluorocarbon monomer component.

Abstract: A process for forming a polymer film on a substrate through an intermediate organometallic layer is disclosed. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) containing an initiator for living polymerization such as controlled radical polymerization is formed on the organometallic layer followed by living polymerization such as controlled radical polymerization of a polymerizable monomer component.

Abstract: A betaine-containing polymer film that can be formed on a substrate surface using living polymerization such as controlled radical polymerization is disclosed.