Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to carbon fiber reinforced polyolefin compositions, which may have a relatively low density. The compositions may include a thermoplastic olefin, a filler component, a compatibilizer, and/or an additive package. In some embodiments, the filler component includes a plurality of carbon fibers. In addition, articles of manufacture and methods of making a carbon fiber reinforced polyolefin composition are provided.

Abstract: Low density polyolefin compositions with improved stiffness, impact balance, and high dimensional stability are described. These compositions are useful for making automotive components, such as injection molded parts, as well as other articles of manufacture. The compositions comprise (a) a polyolefin comprising polypropylene, a propylene-ethylene block copolymer, or combinations thereof, wherein the polyolefin blend is present in an amount ranging from about 55 wt. % to about 72 wt. %; (b) a first elastomer and a second elastomer that are not the same, wherein the combined weight percent of components (b) ranges from about 18 wt. % to about 33 wt. %; (c) a filler present in an amount ranging from about 6 wt. % to about 12 wt. %; and (d) an additive package present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. %, all wt. % are based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing the image sensor includes providing a substrate structure; forming a mask layer on the substrate structure, the mask layer having openings; depositing a metal grid material covering a surface of the mask layer and a bottom of the openings; and stripping the mask layer for removing a portion of the metal grid material on the top surface of the mask layer. The substrate structure includes: a substrate having a first surface; a plurality of pixels in the substrate; isolation structures around each of the plurality of pixels; and an anti-reflective coating on the first surface of the substrate. The openings include first openings exposing a portion of the first surface of the substrate structure above the isolation structures. A remaining portion of the metal grid material at the bottom of the openings forms metal grids.

Abstract: Low density polyolefin compositions with improved stiffness, impact balance, and high dimensional stability are described. These compositions are useful for making automotive components, such as injection molded parts, as well as other articles of manufacture. The compositions comprise (a) a polyolefin comprising polypropylene, a propylene-ethylene block copolymer, or combinations thereof, wherein the polyolefin blend is present in an amount ranging from about 55 wt. % to about 72 wt. %; (b) a first elastomer and a second elastomer that are not the same, wherein the combined weight percent of components (b) ranges from about 18 wt. % to about 33 wt. %; (c) a filler present in an amount ranging from about 6 wt. % to about 12 wt. %; and (d) an additive package present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 wt. % to about 5 wt. %, all wt. % are based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The substrate includes a photo-sensitive region and a connection region. The image sensor also includes a buffer layer formed on the first surface of the substrate in the photo-sensitive region, and a metal grid formed on the buffer layer and including a plurality of staggered metal wires. The metal grid is connected to an operation voltage, and a plurality of trenches are formed in the metal grid with each trench surrounded by the metal wires. The image sensor further includes a plurality of color filters formed in the plurality of trenches of the metal grid. The metal grid induces charges in the substrate to prevent recombination between the charges generated by photo-sensitive components and the defects in the substrate. As such, the dark current is reduced, and the performance of the image sensor is improved.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing the image sensor includes providing a substrate structure; forming a mask layer on the substrate structure, the mask layer having openings; depositing a metal grid material covering a surface of the mask layer and a bottom of the openings; and stripping the mask layer for removing a portion of the metal grid material on the top surface of the mask layer. The substrate structure includes: a substrate having a first surface; a plurality of pixels in the substrate; isolation structures around each of the plurality of pixels; and an anti-reflective coating on the first surface of the substrate. The openings include first openings exposing a portion of the first surface of the substrate structure above the isolation structures. A remaining portion of the metal grid material at the bottom of the openings forms metal grids.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to carbon fiber reinforced polyolefin compositions, which may have a relatively low density. The compositions may include a thermoplastic olefin, a filler component, a compatibilizer, and/or an additive package. In some embodiments, the filler component includes a plurality of carbon fibers. In addition, articles of manufacture and methods of making a carbon fiber reinforced polyolefin composition are provided.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The substrate includes a photo-sensitive region and a connection region. The image sensor also includes a buffer layer formed on the first surface of the substrate in the photo-sensitive region, and a metal grid formed on the buffer layer and including a plurality of staggered metal wires. The metal grid is connected to an operation voltage, and a plurality of trenches are formed in the metal grid with each trench surrounded by the metal wires. The image sensor further includes a plurality of color filters formed in the plurality of trenches of the metal grid. The metal grid induces charges in the substrate to prevent recombination between the charges generated by photo-sensitive components and the defects in the substrate. As such, the dark current is reduced, and the performance of the image sensor is improved.

Abstract: A production line sequentially includes a feeding platform, a feeding robot, a pressing unit, a conveying robot, a quenching device, a discharging robot, and a conveyor belt. The pressing unit includes a heating device, a die device, and at least one press used for mounting the die device. The heating device is used for wholly or partially heating the preformed blank to produce a hot blank, and the die device is used for stamping the hot blank, holding the hot blank at a certain pressure, and shaving and punching the hot blank, so as to produce a hot stamped part. The production line can continuously achieve rapid heating, stamping, pressure holding, shaving, punching, and quenching. Heating efficiency is improved, and a transferring process before stamping the hot blank is avoided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an article suitable for attachment to facial skin or other surfaces, which comprises microfibrils and continuous microribbons. The article provides good sealing when used on a regular skin, and on a challenge skin surface with facial hair, sweat and acnes. The article also provides good adhesion and sealing on any other rough surfaces, and can be used repeatedly against different surfaces. These dry adhesives can be used for improving sealing of mask respirators, swimming goggles, or for other applications such as medical bandage, working gloves, and protective clothing seal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an article suitable for attachment to facial skin or other surfaces, which comprises microfibrils and continuous microribbons. The article provides good sealing when used on a regular skin, and on a challenge skin surface with facial hair, sweat and acnes. The article also provides good adhesion and sealing on any other rough surfaces, and can be used repeatedly against different surfaces. These dry adhesives can be used for improving sealing of mask respirators, swimming goggles, or for other applications such as medical bandage, working gloves, and protective clothing seal.

Abstract: A three-axis magnetic field sensing device, a magnetometer, and methods of fabricating and testing are presented. The magnetometer comprises a plurality of sloped surfaces. A plurality of magnetic sensing units is disposed on the slopes. A magnetic field can be measured by the sensing units. Each of the three orthogonal-axis components of the magnetic field, a Euclidean vector, can then be solved by using a simple algorithm as an expression of the sensing unit measurement values and slope angles. Polarization, testing and characterization of the device could be done by applying a magnetic field along a common axis to all sensing units, along which each sensing unit has sensitivity.

Abstract: Methods involve a combination of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coating or silane self assembly on a substrate; microcontact printing; and conductive graphite particles, especially size controlled highly conductive exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets. The conductive graphite particles are coated with a charged polymer such as sulfonated polystyrene. The graphite particles are patterned using microcontact printing and intact pattern transfer on a substrate that has an oppositely-charged surface. The method allows for conductive organic patterning on both flat and curved surfaces and can be used in microelectronic device fabrication.

Abstract: A perching mechanism is developed which comprises shape-memory components capable of undergoing motions that render the perching effect. This mechanism can provide unmanned air vehicles with versatile, bird-like landing capabilities on surfaces of different types and orientations.

Abstract: Provided is a method of making durable hydrophilic and hierarchical structures containing nano and micro features used as dry adhesives. The method includes introduction of hydrophilic, nanostructured features on the micro-scale tips of fibrillar arrays through UV/Ozone (UVO) and oxygen plasma treatment; the method also includes further coating of the hierarchical structure with a polyelectrolyte via electrostatically-driven self-assembly to improve the hydrophilic stability of the treated fibril tip surfaces.

Abstract: The present invented mechanism comprises more than two (legs) with phase difference (like polygon-shape, ellipse-shape, and etc) between their rotation angles to produce pre-loading for improved adhesion. Two rigid plates covered with adhesives are attached to each phase difference wheel. Each plate connects to the wheels via a hinge embodying a torsional spring, which forces the plate back to its original position after each contact with surface. The phase difference wheels are made of elastic materials for application of controlled pre-loads at contact surfaces during locomotion. The difference between height and width of each wheel as well as the elastic properties of the materials determine the pre-load pressure applied during locomotion. The pre-load pressure is not strongly dependent on the orientation of locomotion. This enables locomotion in vertical, inclined and even upside-down orientation and also in the non-gravity environment.

Abstract: This invention relates to appliqué film for paint replacement application on aircraft and other surfaces. This system comprises a carrier backing film with patterned hybrid pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), with discrete silicone phase within a continuous acrylic phase. The patterned hybrid PSAs exhibit a peel strength between 2 and 8 pound per in (pli) in the temperature range of ?65° F. to 285° F. This appliqué film also provides high levels of stability under exposure to weathering effects and fluids applied to exterior aircraft surfaces.

Abstract: Methods involve a combination of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coating or silane self assembly on a substrate; microcontact printing; and conductive graphite particles, especially size controlled highly conductive exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets. The conductive graphite particles are coated with a charged polymer such as sulfonated polystyrene. The graphite particles are patterned using microcontact printing and intact pattern transfer on a substrate that has an oppositely-charged surface. The method allows for conductive organic patterning on both flat and curved surfaces and can be used in microelectronic device fabrication.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for saccharification of lignocelluloses to sugars using whole microbial cells, which are enriched from cultures inoculated with paper mill waste water, wood processing waste and soil. A three-member bacterial consortium is selected as a potent microbial inocula and immobilized on inedible plant fibers for biomass saccharification. The present invention further relates the design of a dual bioreactor system, with various biocarriers for enzyme immobilization and repeated use. Sugars are continuously removed eliminating end-product inhibition and consumption by cell.

Abstract: Methods involve a combination of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coating or silane self assembly on a substrate; microcontact printing; and conductive graphite particles, especially size controlled highly conductive exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets. The conductive graphite particles are coated with a charged polymer such as sulfonated polystyrene. The graphite particles are patterned using microcontact printing and intact pattern transfer on a substrate that has an oppositely-charged surface. The method allows for conductive organic patterning on both flat and curved surfaces and can be used in microelectronic device fabrication.