Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of treating a surface of a substrate, and to the use of the method and resulting films, coatings and devices formed therefrom in various applications including but not limited to electronics manufacturing, printed circuit board manufacturing, metal electroplating, the protection of surfaces against chemical attack, the manufacture of localized conductive coatings, the manufacture of chemical sensors, for example in the fields of chemistry and molecular biology, the manufacture of biomedical equipment, and the like. In another aspect, the present invention provides a printed circuit board, a printed circuit board, comprising: at least one metal layer; a layer of organic molecules attached to the at least one metal layer; and an epoxy layer atop said layer of organic molecules.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of treating a surface of a substrate. In one particular aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide methods of treating a surface of a substrate that promote binding of one or more metal elements to the surface. According to some embodiments of the invention, films are formed on any conducting, semiconductive or non-conductive surface, by thermal reaction of molecules containing reactive groups in an organic solvent or in aqueous solution. The thermal reaction may be produced under a variety of conditions. In another aspect, the present invention provides a printed circuit board, comprising: at least one substrate; a layer of organic molecules attached to the at least one substrate; and a metal layer atop said layer of organic molecules.

Abstract: In accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention is directed to an electrode having a conducting polymer active material for use in an ultracapacitor. The conducting polymer active material is electropolymerized onto a carbon paper substrate from a mixed solution of a dimer of (3,3′ bithiophene) (BT) and a monomer that is selected from the group of thiophenes derived in the 3-position, having an aryl group attached to thiophene in the 3-position or having aryl and alkly groups independently attached to thiophene in the 3 and 4 positions.

Abstract: A sealed ultracapacitor assembly is formed with first and second electrodes of first and second conducting polymers electrodeposited on porous carbon paper substrates, where the first and second electrodes each define first and second exterior surfaces and first and second opposing surfaces. First and second current collector plates are bonded to the first and second exterior surfaces, respectively. A porous membrane separates the first and second opposing surfaces, with a liquid electrolyte impregnating the insulating membrane. A gasket formed of a thermoplastic material surrounds the first and second electrodes and seals between the first and second current collector plates for containing the liquid electrolyte.