Abstract: Substrate comprising a discrete first layer comprising a first surface, an opposing second surface and a polymeric first material, wherein the first layer has a thickness of from about 1 micron to about 1000 microns and a hardness of from about 10 to about 80 on the Shore A scale; a discrete second layer comprising a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a second material, wherein the second layer has a hardness of from about 1 to about 70 on the Shore OOO scale and a thickness of from about 0.001 cm to about 2.

Abstract: Method of evaluating a product by applying a substance to the surface of an artificial substrate to form a substance-coated surface and performing an analysis of the substance-coated surface. The surface of the substrate may have one or more of the following properties: a total surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a polar component of the total surface energy of from about 0 mJ/m2 to about 15 mJ/m2, and a zeta-potential at a pH of about 5.0 of from about ?30 mV to about 30 mV.

Abstract: Method of product evaluation comprising the steps of applying at least one substance to a surface of an artificial substrate to form a substance-coated surface, wherein the substrate surface demonstrates at least one physical property selected from the group consisting of a total surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a polar component of the total surface energy of from about 0 mJ/m2 to about 15 mJ/m2, a zeta-potential at a pH of about 5.0 of from about ?30 mV to about 30 mV, and combinations thereof, and performing at least one analysis of the substance-coated surface.

Abstract: Article of manufacture comprising a substrate and a coating layer. The coating layer comprises at least one coating material, and is stably affixed to the substrate to form a stable, coated surface. The coated surface has a texture that mimics the topography of mammalian keratinous tissue and demonstrates at least one physical property representative of mammalian keratinous tissue, selected from the group consisting of a total surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a dispersive component of the surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a polar component of the total surface energy of from about 1 mJ/m2 to about 14 mJ/m2, a zeta-potential at a pH of about 5.0 of from about ?40 mV to about 30 mV, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Article of manufacture comprising a substrate and a coating layer. The coating layer comprises at least one coating material, and is stably affixed to the substrate to form a stable, coated surface. The coated surface has a texture that mimics the topography of mammalian keratinous tissue and demonstrates at least one physical property representative of mammalian keratinous tissue, selected from the group consisting of a total surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a dispersive component of the surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a polar component of the total surface energy of from about 1 mJ/m2 to about 14 mJ/m2, a zeta-potential at a pH of about 5.0 of from about ?40 mV to about 30 mV, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Article of manufacture comprising a substrate and a coating layer. The coating layer comprises at least one coating material, and is stably affixed to the substrate to form a stable, coated surface. The coated surface has a texture that mimics the topography of mammalian keratinous tissue and demonstrates at least one physical property representative of mammalian keratinous tissue, selected from the group consisting of a total surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a dispersive component of the surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a polar component of the total surface energy of from about 1 mJ/m2 to about 14 mJ/m2, a zeta-potential at a pH of about 5.0 of from about ?40 mV to about 30 mV, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Substrate comprising a discrete first layer comprising a first surface, an opposing second surface and a polymeric first material, wherein the first layer has a thickness of from about 1 micron to about 1000 microns and a hardness of from about 10 to about 80 on the Shore A scale; a discrete second layer comprising a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a second material, wherein the second layer has a hardness of from about 1 to about 70 on the Shore OOO scale and a thickness of from about 0.001 cm to about 2.

Abstract: Method of product evaluation comprising the steps of applying at least one substance to a surface of an artificial substrate to form a substance-coated surface, wherein the substrate surface demonstrates at least one physical property selected from the group consisting of a total surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a polar component of the total surface energy of from about 0 mJ/m2 to about 15 mJ/m2, a zeta-potential at a pH of about 5.0 of from about ?30 mV to about 30 mV, and combinations thereof, and performing at least one analysis of the substance-coated surface.

Abstract: Article of manufacture comprising a substrate and a coating layer. The coating layer comprises at least one coating material, and is stably affixed to said substrate to form a stable, coated surface. The coated surface has a texture that mimics the topography of mammalian keratinous tissue and demonstrates at least one physical property representative of mammalian keratinous tissue, selected from the group consisting of a total surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a dispersive component of the surface energy of from about 15 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, a polar component of the total surface energy of from about 1 mJ/m2 to about 14 mJ/m2, a zeta-potential at a pH of about 5.0 of from about ?40 mV to about 30 mV, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that generates plasma using a microwave radiation supply. The plasma is used to treat a surface of a workpiece at approximately atmospheric pressure. Plasma excites a working gas to create an excited gaseous species without degradation from undue heat caused by the plasma. The gaseous species exit an outlet of the apparatus to treat the surface of a workpiece when the outlet is juxtaposed with the workpiece.

Abstract: A plasma generating apparatus and method for treating a surface of a workpiece. This apparatus comprises a power supply 100, at least one powerable electrode connected to the power supply 100, at least one groundable electrode connected to ground, a dielectric separating the at least one powerable electrode and the at least one groundable electrode, a chamber at least partially housing both the powerable electrode and the groundable electrode and a first inlet for admitting a first gas into the chamber such that the first gas can flow between the at least one powerable electrode and the at least one groundable electrode. The at least one powerable electrode and the at least one groundable electrode are disposed in an array. These electrodes are arranged to be on a common side of a workpiece, to provide a portable apparatus.

Abstract: Fabrics having a laundry-durable finish made by graft polymerisation of a polymerisable monomer and methods of manufacture thereof which comprise exposing the fabric or a region thereof to a polymerisable monomer and exciting the polymerisable monomer within a monomer excitation zone such as a plasma. The methods of the invention provide oleophobic and hydrophobic stain-resistant fabrics having improved laundry-durability without adversely affecting other textile properties such as textile handle, drape and breathability.

Abstract: A method is provided for connecting two conductive surfaces in an electronic circuit package comprising the steps of forming dendrites on selected regions of a first conductive surface, applying a dielectric insulation material over the first conductive surface such that the dendrites are exposed through the insulation material to leave a substantially planar surface of exposed dendrites, and placing a second conductive surface on top of the exposed dendrites. The second conductive surface may be a surface metal, a chip bump array, or a ball grid array. Also claimed is an electronic circuit package incorporating the dendrites used for electrical interconnection and planarization manufactured in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A detergent composition having a plasma-induced, water-soluble coating for controlling solubility, chemical stability and physical properties is disclosed. A process for making such a detergent composition is also disclosed which involves subjecting a detergent material to a plasma glow zone in which an organic hydrophilic monomer is introduced such that it ultimately deposits on the detergent material to form a water-soluble coating. The detergent compositions are particulate or non-particulate and can be used for laundry, dishwashing or other similar application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process, preferably a continuous process, of coating a substrate, which allows water vapor and preferably air permeation, with a hydrophobic coating. The process preferably uses a thin film vacuum condensation step to create a monomer coating which is cured in situ after the coating. The process has the benefit of allowing continuous operation and providing an alternative to existing processes for hydrophobic coating. The substrates are coated such that the water vapour permeation sites are not blocked by the coating to maintain the desired breathability. The static water contact angle on the surface of such substrates is more than 95°.

Abstract: A plasma generating apparatus and method for treating a surface of a workpiece. This apparatus comprises a power supply 100, at least one powerable electrode connected to the power supply 100, at least one groundable electrode connected to ground, a dielectric separating the at least one powerable electrode and the at least one groundable electrode, a chamber at least partially housing both the powerable electrode and the groundable electrode and a first inlet for admitting a first gas into the chamber such that the first gas can flow between the at least one powerable electrode and the at least one groundable electrode. The at least one powerable electrode and the at least one groundable electrode are disposed in an array. These electrodes are arranged to be on a common side of a workpiece, to provide a portable apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that generates plasma using a microwave radiation supply. The plasma is used to treat a surface of a workpiece at approximately atmospheric pressure. Plasma excites a working gas to create an excited gaseous species without degradation from undue heat caused by the plasma. The gaseous species exit an outlet of the apparatus to treat the surface of a workpiece when the outlet is juxtaposed with the workpiece.

Abstract: A detergent composition having a plasma-induced, water-soluble coating for controlling solubility, chemical stability and physical properties is disclosed. A process for making such a detergent composition is also disclosed which involves subjecting a detergent material to a plasma glow zone in which an organic hydrophilic monomer is introduced such that it ultimately deposits on the detergent material to form a water-soluble coating. The detergent compositions are particulate or non-particulate and can be used for laundry, dishwashing or other similar application.

Abstract: A detergent composition having a plasma-induced, water-soluble coating for controlling solubility, chemical stability, and physical properties is disclosed. A process for making such a detergent composition is also disclosed which involves subjecting a detergent material to a plasma glow zone in which an organic hydrophilic monomer is introduced such that it ultimately deposits on the detergent material to form a water-soluble coating. The detergent compositions are particulate or non-particulate and can be used for laundry, dishwashing, or other similar applications.

Abstract: A method is provided for connecting two conductive layers in an electronic circuit package comprising the steps of forming dendrites on selected regions of a first conductive layer, forming dendrites on selected regions of a second conductive layer, applying an epoxy adhesive material over the first conductive layer, and compressively attaching the second conductive layer to the first conductive layer such that the dendrites on the first conductive layer contact the dendrites on the second conductive layer. Also claimed is an electronic circuit package incorporating the dendrites used for electrical interconnection manufactured in accordance with the present invention. An alternative embodiment of the invention utilizes an intermediate surface metal with dendrites in place of a “through via.