Abstract: A method of coating a metallic article having an at least part-metallic surface comprising a first metal, with a surface having a pre-determined wettability, the method at least comprising the steps of: (a) coating at least a part of the metallic article with a layer of a second metal to provide a metal-metal bonded surface, said surface being rough either prior to or because of step (a); and (b) contacting the metal-metal bonded surface of step (a) with a material to provide the surface having the pre-determined wettability. The first metal may be one or more of the group comprising: iron, zinc, copper, tin, nickel and aluminum, and alloys thereof including steel, brass, bronze and nitinol for example. Preferably, the second metal is coated onto the first metal using electroless Galvanic deposition.

Abstract: A product which at least partly comprises an agglomerate formed from a powder having a pre-determined wettability.

Abstract: A product which at least partly comprises an agglomerate formed from a powder having a pre-determined wettability.

Abstract: A method of coating a metallic article having an at least part-metallic surface comprising a first metal, with a surface having a pre-determined wettability, the method at least comprising the steps of: (a) coating at least a part of the metallic article with a layer of a second metal to provide a metal-metal bonded surface, said surface being rough either prior to or because of step (a); and (b) contacting the metal-metal bonded surface of step (a) with a material to provide the surface having the pre-determined wettability. The first metal may be one or more of the group comprising: iron, zinc, copper, tin, nickel and aluminium, and alloys thereof including steel, brass, bronze and nitinol for example. Preferably, the second metal is coated onto the first metal using electroless Galvanic deposition.

Abstract: A method of forming a solid matrix for use with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is described. The method comprises the steps of: admixing a colloidal metal solution with a polymeric support medium to form a suspension; optionally depositing said suspension on a surface; and then drying the suspension to form the matrix. The polymeric support medium provides a plymer/sol suspension in which the sol particles are resistant to aggregation and precipitation. Upon drying the suspension shrinks to provide a mechanically-hard film subsequently usable to provide a sample for spectroscopic analysis.

Abstract: A method of forming a solid matrix for use with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is described. The method comprises the steps of: admixing a colloidal metal solution with a polymeric support medium to form a suspension; optionally depositing said suspension on a surface; and then drying the suspension to form the matrix. The polymeric support medium provides a plymer/sol suspension in which the sol particles are resistant to aggregation and precipitation. Upon drying the suspension shrinks to provide a mechanically-hard film subsequently usable to provide a sample for spectroscopic analysis.