Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing substrate contamination are provided herein. In some embodiments, a multi-chamber processing apparatus includes: a processing chamber for processing a substrate; a factory interface (FI) coupled to the processing chamber via a load lock chamber disposed therebetween; and a cleaning chamber coupled to the FI and configured to rinse and to dry the substrate, wherein the cleaning chamber includes a chamber body defining an interior volume and having a first opening at an interface with the FI for transferring the substrate into and out of the interior volume.

Abstract: An electrocoat system for electrodeposition is described. The system includes an inorganic bismuth-containing compound or a mixture of inorganic and organic bismuth-containing compounds. The system demonstrates a high degree of crosslinking and produces a cured coating with optimal crosslinking and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Composite catalysts having bismuth silicate(s) (e.g. Bi2SiO5) and transition metal oxide(s) (e.g. nickel oxide) impregnated on mesoporous silica supports such as SBA-15, mesoporous silica foam, and silica sol. Methods of making and characterizing the composite catalysts as well as processes for oxidatively dehydrogenating alkanes (e.g. n-butane) and/or alkenes (e.g. 1-butene, 2-butene) to corresponding dienes (e.g. butadiene) employing the composite catalysts are also described.

Abstract: A method for the preliminary treatment against corrosion of a plurality of metallic components, in which dragging of water-soluble phosphates from an acid passivation process using water-dissolved phosphates as the active components, e.g. a phosphating process, into the dip coating treatment stage, is effectively prevented.

Abstract: Damascene templates have two-dimensionally patterned raised metal features disposed on an underlying conductive layer extending across a substrate. The templates are topographically flat overall, and the patterned conductive features establish micron-scale and nanometer-scale patterns for the assembly of nanoelements into nanoscale circuits and sensors. The templates are made using microfabrication techniques together with chemical mechanical polishing. These templates are compatible with various directed assembly techniques, including electrophoresis, and offer essentially 100% efficient assembly and transfer of nanoelements in a continuous operation cycle. The templates can be repeatedly used for transfer of patterned nanoelements thousands of times with minimal or no damage, and the transfer process involves no intermediate processes between cycles. The assembly and transfer processes employed are carried out at room temperature and pressure and are thus amenable to low cost, high-rate device production.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing high density particles from a biological fluid such as blood using aphaeresis. The particles are preferably sub-micron in size and denser than normally occurring components of the fluid and can be removed by a modified reverse-flow gradient density centrifuge without damaging the fluid. The particles can be provided to a patient in vivo or added to the fluid after it is removed from the patient. Some particles can carry and deliver oxygen and scavenge carbon dioxide. Other particles are conjugated to capture molecules for attaching to targets such as cancer cells, viruses, pathogens, toxins, or excess concentrations of a drug or element in the fluid. The targets are then removed from the fluid along with the particles by the aphaeresis instrument.

Abstract: An encapsulation device comprises at least one assembly containing particles comprising at least a first material. The assembly has an open porosity. The particles: are distributed over a geometric structure that has a degree of compactness of said particles of greater than around 50% and preferably of greater than 60%, and are covered conformally by at least one layer referred to as an infiltration layer; the thickness of at least the infiltration layer closing off the porosity of the assembly comprising the particles covered by at least the layer, in the form of pores that are not connected to one another. A process for producing the encapsulation device is also provided.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein use at least one etchant and at least one photochemically active material in conjunction with electromagnetic energy applied simultaneous with the etchant and photochemically active material during the etching process. The interaction between the electromagnetic energy and the photochemically active material preferentially increases the etch rate in a direction along the axis of incidence of the electromagnetic energy, thereby permitting the anisotropic formation of voids within the semiconductor substrate. These anisotropic voids may be more closely spaced (i.e., arranged on a tighter pitch) than the isotropic voids produced using conventional etching technologies. By placing the voids in the semiconductor substrate on a tighter pitch, greater component density may be achieved.

Abstract: An object is to provide a metal surface treatment agent which can be coated by screen printing, and can be effectively used for metal surface treatment at the time of forming a rubber-metal complex excellent in water resistance and heat resistance, and the object can be solved by a metal surface treatment agent which comprises an organometallic compound, silica, magnesium silicate hydrate, and an organic solvent represented by the following general formula (I): R—O—(CH2)2OH??General formula (I) [wherein R represents an alkyl group having 3 or more carbon atoms or an aryl group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a coated stainless steel member, comprising: performing Wood's strike nickel plating on a stainless steel substrate, and then performing cationic electrodeposition on a formed Wood's strike nickel plating layer.

Abstract: Methods for producing 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene using a disubstituted carbodiimide, dipropylene triamine and optionally an ethereal solvent and/or an alcohol are disclosed. Use of 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene produced by this method in an electrodepositable coating composition, and electrophoretic deposition of such coating onto a substrate to form a coated substrate, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-powered generator is provided. The generator includes a piezoelectric nanorod member layer that includes a first layer; a second layer; and a plurality of piezoelectric nanorods disposed between the first and second layers. The piezoelectric nanorod is a biaxially-grown nanorod. When mechanical energy is applied from an outside, an upper half and a lower half of each of the plurality of piezoelectric nanorods generate piezoelectric potentials having opposite polarities, the upper half and the lower half being on both sides of a longitudinal axis along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A microassembler system includes an alignment surface, a two-dimensional array of electrodes adjacent the alignment surface, a sensor network arranged adjacent the array of electrodes, and a control computer electrically connected to the array of electrodes and the sensor network, the control computer to receive signals from the sensor network indicating a position of at least one chiplet and to actuate the electrodes to change the position of the chiplet based upon the signals. A method of assembling chiplets includes receiving, at one of an array of control logic units, a signal from a control computer identifying an assembly location in a block of an assembly template at which a chiplet is to be located, using a sensor to determine a chiplet location of a nearest chiplet, and generating, using electrodes corresponding to the control logic unit, a traveling wave pattern to translate and orient the nearest chiplet to the location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of coating a structured surface comprising the steps of providing nanoparticles of a first coating material, and depositing the nanoparticles onto a structured surface using electrophoretic deposition. The structured surface may comprise one or more carbon nanotubes which maybe an array. The coating material may be a dielectric material such as barium titanate which may have a particle size of approximately 20 nm diameter. Following the deposition step a second coating may be provided. The second coating may be hafnium oxide. Also disclosed is a capacitor comprising a first electrode of a structured material, a second electrode of conducting material, and a dielectric layer formed between the first and second electrode.

Abstract: A sensor array comprises a carrier substrate and a ferro electric layer disposed on the carrier substrate, wherein the sensor array comprises means for reading the permittivity of the ferro electric layer. The sensor array is such that the ferro electric layer is disposed in a crystalline manner on the carrier substrate. A method for producing the sensor array and to use of the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an aerogel includes a layer of shaped particles having a particle packing density gradient in a thickness direction of the layer, wherein the shaped particles are characterized by being formed in an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process using an impurity. In another embodiment, a method for forming a functionally graded porous nanostructure includes adding particles of an impurity and a solution to an EPD chamber, applying a voltage difference across the two electrodes of the EPD chamber to create an electric field in the EPD chamber, and depositing the material onto surfaces of the particles of the impurity to form shaped particles of the material. Other functionally graded materials and methods are described according to more embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the isoelectric pH for materials deposited on or otherwise affixed onto and in contact with an electrode surface, and a method for utilizing the isoelectric pH to form nanometer thickness, self-assembled layers on the material, are described. Forming such layers utilizing information obtained about the isoelectric pH values of the substrate and the coating is advantageous since the growth of the coating is self-limiting because once the surface charge has been neutralized there is no longer a driving force for the solid electrolyte coating thickness to increase, and uniform coatings without pinhole defects will be produced because a local driving force for assembly will exist if any bare electrode material is exposed to the solution. The present self-assembly procedure, when combined with electrodeposition, may be used to increase the coating thickness.

Abstract: EC film stacks and different layers within the EC film stacks are disclosed. Methods of manufacturing these layers are also disclosed. In one embodiment, an EC layer comprises nanostructured EC layer. These layers may be manufactured by various methods, including, including, but not limited to glancing, angle deposition, oblique angle deposition, electrophoresis, electrolyte deposition, and atomic layer deposition. The nanostructured EC layers have a high specific surface area, improved response times, and higher color efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for forming a thermal barrier layer for a metallic component, which method involves forming a ceramic coat in which at least in part aluminum oxide and titanium oxide are disposed, the aluminum oxide and the titanium oxide being introduced by infiltration of aluminum-containing and titanium-containing particles or substances or by physical vapor deposition.

Abstract: Novel devices and methods of capturing, controlling and preventing infestation of insects using microfabricated surfaces are provided. In particular, a mechanism of insect capture inspired by the microstructures of the leaf surfaces of plants and the key features of those surfaces with respect to the capture and control of pests have been determined and engineered into a variety of microfabricated surfaces capable of reproducing the effectiveness of these physical capture methods.

Abstract: A composition that includes at least one crosslinkable monomer; at least one hydrophobic monomer; and at least one dielectric constant enhancing agent selected from dielectric enhancing monomers, ferroelectric particulates, and electroactive polymers. Coatings including the polymer of compositions, and articles including electrically isolating layers are also disclosed.

Abstract: An automated laboratory system and method allow high-throughput and fully automated processing of materials, such as liquids including genetic materials. The invention includes a variety of aspects that may be combined into a single system. For example, processing may be performed by a plurality of robotic-equipped modular stations, where each modular station has its own unique environment in which processes are performed. Transport devices, such as conveyor belts, may move objects between modular stations, saving movement for robots in the modular stations. Gels used for gel electrophoresis may be extruded, thus decreasing the time needed to form such gels. Robotically-operated well forming tools allow wells to be formed in gels in a registered and accurate way.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrodepositable coating compositions comprising a film forming resin and a textured additive, wherein the textured additive has a density (specific gravity) of no more than 4.5 g/cc and a melting point greater than the curing temperature of the electrodepositable coating composition. Also described are coated substrates having a cured coating layer comprising the electrodepositable coating composition, wherein the cured film layer has a texture of at least 250?-in as measured by a profilometer at conventional cured film thicknesses.

Abstract: An archery bow is provided including an archery component such as a cable guard and/or cable guide that includes an e-coat film to minimize wear abrasion on a cable, bowstring or other element. A metal surface of an archery component optionally can be immersed in a bath of charged coating particles, and the metal surface can be caused to have an electrical charge. The charged coating particles can be electrodeposited on the metal surface to provide a coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a 3-dimensional nanoparticle structure, wherein a plurality of structures formed by assembling nanoparticles is connected to form a bridge, and a gas sensor using the same.

Abstract: A system, a packaged component and a method for making a packaged component are disclosed. In an embodiment a system comprises a component carrier, a component disposed on the component carrier and an insulating layer disposed on an electrically conductive surface of at least one of the component carrier or the component, wherein the insulating layer comprises a polymer and an inorganic material comprising a dielectric strength of equal or greater than 15 ac-kv/mm and a thermal conductivity of equal or greater than 15 W/m*K.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid nanomaterial electrode, comprising a pair of spaced-apart electrodes, at least three pairs of metallic nanowires disposed between the electrodes and respectively connected with the electrodes, and at least a detecting material connecting with the metallic nanowires. The detecting material is formed as a semiconductor nanostructure or a conductor nanostructure. The hybrid nanomaterial electrode of the present invention can be used in a gas detector for detecting volatile organic compounds, and has the advantage of providing high sensitivity, low detection limit, and the ability to operate at room temperature.

Abstract: A process of repairing defects on a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component wherein defects on a surface of a CFRP component are selectively repaired by electrodeposition coating. With this process a reduction of coating material and work force as well as weight of the repaired CFRP component can be achieved.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed in which an electrically conductive substrate is immersed hit electrodepositable composition, the substrate serving as an electrode in an electrical circuit comprising the electrode and a counter-electrode immersed in the composition, a coating being applied onto or over at least a portion of the substrate as electric current is passed between the electrodes. The electrodepositable composition comprises: (a) an aqueous medium; (b) an ionic resin; and (c) solid particles.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a phosphor device may include: providing an optical transmitting member having a first end face and a second end face, whereby the optical transmitting member is designed for guiding exciting light entering through the first end face onto a phosphor layer arranged on the second end face, whereby at least a part of the exciting light is being wavelength-converted by the phosphor layer, and whereby the optical transmitting member is further designed for at least partially collecting and guiding the light converted by the phosphor layer; attaching an optically transparent electrode on the second end face of the optical transmitting member; providing a phosphor and a counter-electrode designed for electrophoretic deposition of the phosphor; and depositing a phosphor layer on the optically transparent electrode by means of electrophoretic deposition, thereby using the optically transparent electrode as a coating electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for directed assembly of a conducting polymer. A method of the invention comprises providing a template such as an insulated template and electrophorectically assembling a conducting polymer thereon. Preferably, the template comprises a patterned electrode on which the conducting polymer is assembled. Moreover, the invention provides a method for transferring an assembled conducting polymer. For example, a method of the invention comprises providing a substrate such as a polymeric substrate and contacting a surface thereof with an assembled conducting polymer. The assembled conducting polymer can be disposed on a patterned electrode of a template, hi one embodiment, a method comprises removing the substrate. By removing the substrate, the assembled conducting polymer is transferred from the patterned electrode of the template to the substrate. The invention also provides a device with a template or substrate comprising an assembled conducting polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for producing magnetic composites, comprising the electrophoretic deposition of hard-magnetic particles and soft-magnetic particles from a suspension onto an electrode, as well as the composite produced by means of the method and the use thereof for producing permanent magnets.

Abstract: Methods to manufacture a three-dimensional battery are disclosed and claimed. A structural layer may be provided. A plurality of electrodes may be fabricated, each electrode protruding from the structural layer. A porous dielectric material may be deposited on the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A component made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic is described, consisting of or comprising a matrix material (M) and carbon fibers embedded into the matrix material (M), wherein the component has at least one surface portion (A), having one or a plurality of exposed regions of the carbon fibers, characterized in that the exposed regions(s) of the carbon fibers is or are selectively coated with a layer (S). A process for producing such a component and also an assembly comprising such a component and one or a plurality of further components comprising or consisting of a material such as steel, iron, copper, magnesium or aluminum or alloys thereof are also described.

Abstract: Dissymmetric particles also called Janus particles of micron or submicron size and methods of synthesis of Janus particles by bipolar electrochemistry, based on substrates of isotropic or anisotropic shape. The particles include an electrically conductive substrate having at least a chemically and/or physically modified part by deposit of a layer of electrochemically depositable material, and a non-modified part. The particles are of isotropic shape, and the layer of electrochemically depositable material has a specific shape delimited by a precise contour.

Abstract: A method for electroless coating of substrates by applying an activating coat of polyelectrolyte or salt with a first aqueous composition; rinsing the activating coat such that the activating coat not being entirely removed; contacting and coating of the activated surfaces that have remained after rinsing with an aqueous composition in the form of a solution, emulsion or suspension, to form an organic secondary coat; and drying. The activating coat is a solution, emulsion or suspension containing a anionic polyelectrolyte or at least one anionic salt in solution in water. The aqueous composition forming the secondary coat has constituents which can be precipitated, deposited or salted out and which are anionically, zwitterionically, sterically or cationically stabilized. The dry film formed in the process, comprising the activating coat and the secondary coat, has a thickness of at least 1 ?m.

Abstract: A fluidics apparatus for manipulation of at least one fluid sample is disclosed. A manipulation surface locates the fluid sample. A surface acoustic wave (SAW) generation material layer is provided. This is a polycrystalline material, textured polycrystalline material, biaxially textured polycrystalline material, microcrystalline material, nanocrystalline material, amorphous material or composite material. A transducer electrode structure arranged at the SAW generation material layer provides SAWs at the manipulation surface for interaction with the fluid sample. The manipulation surface has a phononic structure, for affecting the transmission, distribution and/or behaviour of SAWs at the manipulation surface. The apparatus is typically manufactured by reel-to-reel processes, to reduce the unit cost to a level at which the apparatus can be considered to be disposable after a single use.

Abstract: A cathode current collector includes a porous metallic or conductive ceramic support and an oxide catalyst in the form of nanowires formed over the support. The nanowire catalyst may be oriented substantially perpendicular to surfaces of the substrate. An example oxide catalyst is cobalt oxide, and an example substrate is nickel foam.

Abstract: A method includes (a) contacting at least a portion of a substrate material with a solution comprising a source of copper, wherein the solution is essentially free of a source of a group IIIB metal and a source of a group IVB metal; and (b) after step (a), contacting at least a portion of the substrate with an electrodepositable coating composition comprising (i) a film-forming resin and (ii) a source of yttrium.

Abstract: A method for positioning nano-objects on a surface and an apparatus for implementing the method. The method includes: providing a first surface and a second surface in a position facing each other, where one or more of the surfaces exhibits one or more position structures having dimensions on the nanoscale; providing an ionic liquid suspension of the nano-objects between the two surfaces, where the suspension comprises two electrical double layers each formed at an interface with a respective one of the two surfaces, and the surfaces have electrical charges of the same sign; enabling the nano-objects in the suspension to position according to a potential energy resulting from the electrical charge of the two surfaces; and depositing one or more of the nano-objects on the first surface according to the positioning structures by shifting the minima of the potential energy towards the first surface.

Abstract: A method of making a bulk exchange spring magnet by providing a magnetically soft material, providing a hard magnetic material, and producing a composite of said magnetically soft material and said hard magnetic material to make the bulk exchange spring magnet. The step of producing a composite of magnetically soft material and hard magnetic material is accomplished by electrophoretic deposition of the magnetically soft material and the hard magnetic material to make the bulk exchange spring magnet.

Abstract: Use of a micro-organism detection device to rapidly evaluate the presence of microorganisms in an electrocoating process.

Abstract: Methods for forming three-layer thin-film battery (TFB) structures by sequential electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on a single conductive substrate. The TFBs may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sequential EPD includes EPD of a first battery electrode followed by EPD of a porous separator on the first electrode and by EPD of a second battery electrode on the porous separator. In some embodiments of a Li or Li-ion TFB, the separator includes a Li ion conducting solid. In some embodiments of a Li or Li-ion TFB, the separator includes an inorganic porous solid rendered ionically conductive by impregnation with a liquid or polymer. In some embodiments, the TFBs are coated and sealed with an EPDd PEEK layer.

Abstract: The articles and methods described herein provide a way to manipulate condensation on a surface by micro/nano-engineering textures on the surface and filling the spaces between the texture features with an impregnating liquid that is stably held therebetween or therewithin. The articles and methods allow droplets of water, or other condensed phases, even in micrometer size range, to easily shed from the surface, thereby enhancing contact between a condensing species and the condensing surface. It has been found that dropwise condensation is enhanced by the use of an impregnating (secondary) liquid that has a relatively high surface tension, and, even more preferably, an impregnating liquid that has both a high surface tension and a low viscosity.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making bipolar electrochemical devices, such as batteries, using electrophoresis. A bipolar device is assembled by applying a field that creates a physical separation between two active electrode materials, without requiring insertion of a discrete separator film or electrolyte layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for constructing tissue from cells or other objects by application of temporally and spatially controlled electric fields. Electric field applicators expose a substrate (32) to the electric field controlled to affect the processing medium (28) to achieve a processing effect on the construction of tissue on the substrate (32). Electrical bias is selected to interact with dipole properties of the medium (28) to control the movement of suspended dielectrophoretic cells or other particles in the medium (28) or at the substrate (32). The motion of suspended particles may be affected to cause suspended particles of different properties to follow different paths in the processing medium (28), which may be used to cause the suspended particles to be sorted. The processing medium (28) and electrical bias may be selected to affect the structure, or orientation, of one or more layers on the substrate (32).

Abstract: A technique for embedding a nanotube in a nanopore is provided. A membrane separates a reservoir into a first reservoir part and a second reservoir part, and the nanopore is formed through the membrane for connecting the first and second reservoir parts. An ionic fluid fills the nanopore, the first reservoir part, and the second reservoir part. A first electrode is dipped in the first reservoir part, and a second electrode is dipped in the second reservoir part. Driving the nanotube into the nanopore causes an inner surface of the nanopore to form a covalent bond to an outer surface of the nanotube via an organic coating so that the inner surface of the nanotube will be the new nanopore with a super smooth surface for studying bio-molecules while they translocate through the nanotube.

Abstract: A method of treatment for inhibiting sulfur-based corrosion or scaling or for removing scaling from a surface including inhibiting corrosion caused by sulfur-containing materials, reducing corrosion caused by sulfur-containing materials, inhibiting scaling caused by sulfur-containing and sulfur-containing materials in gas, liquid or solid phase or any combination of multiple phases of materials, reducing scaling caused by sulfur-containing and sulfur-containing materials, and removing scaling caused by sulfur-containing and sulfur-containing materials. The method involves contacting sulfur-containing materials with a composition containing a turpentine liquid. The method also involves contacting corrodible surfaces or surfaces prone to scaling with a composition containing a turpentine liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides a large-area near field light two-dimensional array firmly immobilized on a substrate, and an inexpensive method for producing the array. The object is attained by using a near field light two-dimensional array 50 that comprises an electroconductive member 6, an immobilizing layer 2 formed on one surface of the electroconductive member 6 and a plurality of light-scattering particles 4 arranged on one surface 2a of the immobilizing layer 2, and enables in-plane light emission through the near field light from the light-scattering particles 4, in which the light-scattering particles 4 have a particle size of from 1 to 100 nm or less, the light-scattering particles 4 are arrayed in a lattice arrangement and spaced equally from each other, the distance between the adjacent light-scattering particles 4 is not larger than the particle size, and the localized surface plasmon of the light-scattering particles 4 can resonate with external light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for electrophoretic deposition of colloidal suspensions of nanoparticles, especially from aprotic solvents, onto a variety of substrates. The process provides chemical additives that can be used to improve thin films deposited from colloidal suspensions by increasing the rate of deposition and the smoothness of the deposited film. In this process, a chemical additive is used to improve the properties of the deposited thin films. The chemical additive comprises a redox couple, an organometallic complex, a metallocene, a ferrocene, or a nickelocene. The colloidal suspension can be composed of semiconductor, metal or ceramic nanoparticles suspended in an aprotic polar solvent such as acetone, acetonitrile, or pyridine. The process also improves the properties of thin films deposited from protic solvents. The particles have at least one dimension ranging from 0.1 nanometers (nm) to 500 nm.