Abstract: Approaches for fabricating foil-based metallization of solar cells based on a leave-in etch mask, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a back surface and an opposing light-receiving surface. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the back surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes metal foil portions in alignment with corresponding ones of the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. A patterned wet etchant-resistant polymer layer is disposed on the conductive contact structure. Portions of the patterned wet etchant-resistant polymer layer are disposed on and in alignment with the metal foil portions.

Abstract: A micromechanical mirror structure includes a mirror element designed to reflect an incident light radiation and a protective structure arranged over the mirror element to provide mechanical protection for the mirror element and to increase the reflectivity of the mirror element with respect to the incident light radiation. The protective structure has a first protective layer and a second protective layer which are stacked on the mirror element. The second protective layer is arranged on the first protective layer and the first protective layer is arranged on the mirror element. The layers include a respective dielectric material and having respective refractive indexes that jointly increase the reflectivity of the mirror element in a range of wavelengths of interest.

Abstract: A display device which is not harmful to the human eye in respect of blue light includes a display panel, a backlight module, and a light adjusting component. The backlight module includes white light emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting light. Each white LED includes a blue light chip and a yellow fluorescent material encapsulated on the blue light chip. Thereby, transmittance of the light adjusting component for blue light having a wavelength less than 450 nm is less than 10% and transmittance of light adjusting component for blue light having a wavelength over 470 nm is not less than 90%. The light adjusting component reduces the emission from the display device of yellow light having a wavelength of about 575 nm to 595 nm.

Abstract: Nanofluidic passages such as nanochannels and nanopores are closed or opened in a controlled manner through the use of a feedback system. An oxide layer is grown or removed within a passage in the presence of an electrolyte until the passage reaches selected dimensions or is closed. The change in dimensions of the nanofluidic passage is measured during fabrication. The ionic current level through the passage can be used to determine passage dimensions. Fluid flow through an array of fluidic elements can be controlled by selective oxidation of fluidic passages between elements.

Abstract: A method for improving the surface of an aluminum alloy article includes manufacturing the aluminum alloy article using an additive manufacturing technique, wherein the article as-manufactured includes one or more of cracks, roughness, or porosity at a surface of the article; coating the surface of the aluminum alloy article with a diffusion element, the diffusion element being capable of diffusing at least 0.2 mils into the article; heating the aluminum alloy article coated with the diffusion element to cause the diffusion element to diffuse the at least 0.2 mils into the article, thereby forming a diffusion layer of at least 0.2 mils in thickness comprising both aluminum alloy and diffusion element; and removing the diffusion layer from the aluminum alloy article, whereby upon the removing, a resulting improved surface of the article comprises fewer or smaller cracks, reduced roughness, or reduced porosity.

Abstract: A method for improving the surface of an aluminum alloy article includes manufacturing the aluminum alloy article using an additive manufacturing technique, wherein the article as-manufactured includes one or more of cracks, roughness, or porosity at a surface of the article; coating the surface of the aluminum alloy article with a diffusion element, the diffusion element being capable of diffusing at least 0.2 mils into the article; heating the aluminum alloy article coated with the diffusion element to cause the diffusion element to diffuse the at least 0.2 mils into the article, thereby forming a diffusion layer of at least 0.2 mils in thickness comprising both aluminum alloy and diffusion element; and removing the diffusion layer from the aluminum alloy article, whereby upon the removing, a resulting improved surface of the article comprises fewer or smaller cracks, reduced roughness, or reduced porosity.

Abstract: Development of an alternative process to conventional toxic chromic acid anodization (CAA) with equivalent corrosion resistance is a challenging task. The present invention provides a chromate free process for the manufacture of corrosion resistant sealed anodized coating for long term corrosion resistance of aerospace grade aluminum alloy. This method includes the steps of cleaning, chemical etching, anodizing in Tartaric-Sulphuric acid electrolyte followed by dipping the specimen in the sealing bath containing at least two water soluble either Mn and Mo or Mn and V oxyanions as corrosion inhibitors and a sufficient amount of alkali metal ion based nitrates at a temperature range between 60 and 80° C. for about 20 to 40 minutes at a pH range of 7 to 9. The sealed anodic coatings developed from this invention showed improved corrosion resistance in neutral 5% NaCl fog environment for greater than 2000 h of exposure.

Abstract: Described herein is an etching solution comprising water; phosphoric acid solution (aqueous); a fluoride ion source; and a water-miscible organic solvent. Such compositions are useful for the selective removal of tantalum nitride over titanium nitride from a microelectronic device having such material(s) thereon during its manufacture.

Abstract: A manufacturing process of an element chip comprises steps of preparing a substrate including a plurality of dicing regions and element regions each containing a plurality of convex and concave portions, holding the substrate and a frame with a holding sheet, forming a protective film by applying a first mixture to form a coated film above the substrate and by drying the coated film to form the protective film along the convex and concave portions, the first mixture containing a first resin and an organic solvent having a vapor pressure higher than water, removing the protective film by irradiating a laser beam thereon to expose the substrate in the dicing regions, plasma-etching the substrate along the dicing regions while maintaining the protective film in the element regions to individualize the substrate, and removing the protective film by contacting the protective film with an aqueous rinse solution.

Abstract: An electrical connection is established between a first electrical component and a second electrical component of an assembly and a compression tool is used to apply a compression force to the assembly. The assembly also includes a metallized particle interconnect (MPI) between the first electrical component and the second electrical component and solder components outside a boundary of the MPI and extending from the first electrical component to the second electrical component. The solder components are melted by applying heat to the assembly. The solder components are solidified by cooling the assembly and the compression tool is removed.

Abstract: A highly reactive conversion coating chemistry is used during CAVF processing of high hardness steel alloys such as AMS 6509 and AMS 6517 steel alloys. This chemistry produces a hard, thin, black conversion coating that is not fully rubbed off by the media during the CAVF process. Distressed material regions on the surface of the alloys are not susceptible to forming the conversion coating and remain white. Visual inspection for the presence of such regions is facilitated.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine blade (10), including a base portion (12) having a cast wall, and a tip portion (14) attached to the base portion and having a wall (60) formed by an additive manufacturing process. The tip portion wall may be formed to be solid and less than 2 mm in thickness, or it may be corrugated and be greater than 2 mm in thickness. Openings (80) defining the wall corrugations may be semi-circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, or elliptical in cross-sectional shape. The resulting blade has lower tip mass while retaining adequate mechanical properties. The tip portion may be formed to have a directionally solidified grain structure on a base portion having an equiaxed grain structure.

Abstract: A method for finishing a surface of a metal component is carried out in a receptacle containing a quantity of non-abrasive media. The component is at least partially immersed in the media and a quantity of active finishing chemistry is supplied. The chemistry forms a relatively soft conversion coating on the surface. By inducing high energy relative movement between the surface and the media the coating can be continuously removed. The method may be carried out in a drag finishing machine.

Abstract: A method for improving the surface of an aluminum alloy article includes manufacturing the aluminum alloy article using an additive manufacturing technique, wherein the article as-manufactured includes one or more of cracks, roughness, or porosity at a surface of the article; coating the surface of the aluminum alloy article with a diffusion element, the diffusion element being capable of diffusing at least 0.2 mils into the article; heating the aluminum alloy article coated with the diffusion element to cause the diffusion element to diffuse the at least 0.2 mils into the article, thereby forming a diffusion layer of at least 0.2 mils in thickness comprising both aluminum alloy and diffusion element; and removing the diffusion layer from the aluminum alloy article, whereby upon the removing, a resulting improved surface of the article comprises fewer or smaller cracks, reduced roughness, or reduced porosity.

Abstract: Provided are a metal foil single-clad two-ply laminate which comprises two pairs of structures each comprising one prepreg or a laminate of two or more prepregs cladded with a metal foil on one surface thereof, wherein the two pairs of structures are laminated on each other through thermal compression via a release material put therebetween so that each prepreg faces inward, and wherein the release material is a film of a resin material or the like and its thickness is from 10 to 200 ?m, and the thermal shrinkage of the release material at the temperature of the thermal compression treatment is at most 1.5%; and a method for producing the laminate. Also disclosed are a single-sided printed wiring board and its production method using the metal foil single-clad two-ply laminate.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes coupling closures to a section having a plurality of rows of transducers formed on a substrate, the closures being coupled to the section on an opposite side of the transducers as the substrate. The section is coupled to a lapping-resistant guide, where the closures protrude beyond a lap-stop end of the guide. The closures are lapped for shortening the closures in a direction toward the transducers, wherein the lapping is terminated after the guide contacts a lapping surface. A method according to another embodiment includes coupling closures to a section having a plurality of rows of transducers formed on a substrate. The closures are lapped for shortening the closures in a direction toward the transducers. An extent of the lapping is determined using an optical and/or a contact technique.

Abstract: A system and method for generating electricity by combining a fuel core and a drive regulation and containment system, the fuel core having a plurality of radioactive isotopes disposed between a plurality of crystalline lattices, and the drive regulation and containment system having a plurality of electromagnets that concentrate charged particles generated in the fuel core from the plurality of radioactive isotopes, and an electric field generated by an electron flow initiation system for driving the charged particles through the fuel core to create a current flow.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wiring board including a thin film member configured to include an inorganic dielectric film formed over an overall area of a mounting face thereof for an electronic part, a first conductive film formed over an overall area of one of faces of the inorganic dielectric film and including a plurality of patch electrode portions disposed in a predetermined pattern corresponding to a predetermined electromagnetic band gap structure in at least part of the area, and a second conductive film formed over an overall area of the other face of the inorganic dielectric film.

Abstract: A motor driver circuit for a Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) micro-mirror device, the motor driver circuit comprising: a non-inverting buffer circuit; an inverting buffer circuit; and a scalar circuit, the scalar circuit comprising a Supply Tracked Common Mode Voltage (VCMSC) generation circuit, wherein the non-inverting buffer circuit, the inverting buffer circuit, and the scalar circuit are configured, together with the VCMSC generation circuit, to provide a common mode voltage to a motor in response to a VCMSC voltage generated by the VCMSC generation circuit, and wherein the VCMSC voltage is generated by the VCMSC generation circuit in response to a control supply voltage and a driver supply voltage provided to the VCMSC generation circuit.

Abstract: A boring cutter body (5) is inserted into a circular hole (3) and is rotated and moved in an axial direction, whereby screw-shaped groove parts (11) are formed by using a tool bit (9) provided on a tip end of an outer peripheral portion, and broken surfaces (15) are formed by breaking tips of ridge parts generated by formation of the groove parts (11). Moreover, the groove parts (11) are processed through electric discharge machining using a wire electrode (17) provided to the boring cutter body (5) behind the tool bit (9) in the rotating direction, thereby forming finely roughened portions (41) having more finely roughened shapes than the broken surfaces (15).

Abstract: Provided are a surface roughening agent for aluminum and a surface roughening method using said surface roughening agent wherein it is possible to easily reduce costs for the surface roughening step and to improve the adhesiveness between aluminum and a resin. Specifically, provided is a surface roughening agent for aluminum comprising an aqueous solution containing: an alkali source, an amphoteric metal ion, a nitrate ion, and a thio compound. Moreover, provided is a surface roughening method for aluminum which involves a surface roughening step in which the surface of aluminum is treated with the aforementioned surface roughening agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are etching solution compositions that comprise fluorine compounds and iron ions, which are used for bulk etching of metal laminate films wherein a layer comprising aluminum or an aluminum alloy is laminated on top and a layer comprising titanium or a titanium alloy on bottom, and an etching method using said etching solution compositions.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a component. The method includes forming a diffusion coating on a first intermediate article formed by an additive manufacturing process. The diffusion coating is removed from the first intermediate article forming a second intermediate article. The diffusion coating is formed by applying a layer of coating material on at least one surface of the first intermediate article and diffusion heat treating the first intermediate article and the layer. The diffusion coating comprises a surface additive layer and a diffusion layer below the surface additive layer. The formation of the diffusion coating and removal thereof may be repeated at least once.

Abstract: A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of immersing the microscale roughened surface into a solution containing hydrogen peroxide and a basic solution to produce a nanoscale roughened surface consisting of nanopitting superimposed on the microscale roughened surface. The nanoscale roughened surface has a property that promotes osseointegration.

Abstract: A method for balancing a rotor, notably of a turbomachine, includes a step of determining an unbalancing mass, and a step of balancing by chemical machining of the rotor. The chemical machining includes arranging a bath containing a chemical machining agent so that the bath has a capacity of heterogeneous material removal as a function of the depth in the bath, an amount of material removal at a first depth in the bath is greater than an amount of material removal at a second depth in the bath; immersing the rotor in the bath; and orienting the rotor in the bath taking account of the capacity of heterogeneous material removal so that the quantity of material removed from the rotor in a zone of the unbalancing mass is sufficient to balance the rotor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fuel contacting component that facilitates reducing coke formation on at least one surface of the fuel contacting component is disclosed herein. The method includes applying a slurry composition including a powder including aluminum to the component surface, wherein the fuel contacting component is formed by an additive manufacturing process. The slurry composition is heat treated to diffuse the aluminum into the component surface. The heat treatment comprises forming a diffusion aluminide coating on the component surface, wherein the diffusion coating comprises a diffusion sublayer formed on the component surface and an additive sublayer formed on the diffusion sublayer. The method further comprises removing the additive sublayer of the diffusion aluminide coating with at least one aqueous solution such that the diffusion sublayer and the component surface are substantially unaffected, wherein the diffusion layer facilitates preventing coke formation on component surface.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a sapphire article is described. In particular, the method comprises the step of providing an initial sapphire layer and reducing the thickness of the layer while not significantly increasing the surface roughness of the layer, Cover plates for electronic device and methods of preparing them are also disclosed, along with a method of analyzing a sapphire article produced by the present method.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a sapphire article is described. In particular, the method comprises the step of providing an initial sapphire layer and reducing the thickness of the layer while not significantly increasing the surface roughness of the layer. Cover plates for electronic device and methods of preparing them are also disclosed, along with a method of analyzing a sapphire article produced by the present method.

Abstract: A method is described for etching ceramic phosphor converters. The method includes contacting a surface of the converter with a solution of phosphor acid for a time sufficient to etch the converter. The method is applicable to ceramic phosphor converters comprising a phosphor having a general formula MxAlyOz:RE wherein M is a metal and RE is a rare earth element.

Abstract: A method of preparing an aluminum alloy resin composite comprises: providing an aluminum alloy substrate having an oxide layer on a surface thereof, wherein the oxide layer has one or more nanopores; forming one or more corrosion pores on an outer surface of the oxide layer by using a corrosion agent, wherein the corrosion agent is at least one selected from a group of ammonia, ammonium salt, hydrazine, hydrazine derivative, and water-soluble amine compound; and injection molding a resin composition to the surface of the aluminum alloy substrate.

Abstract: A method of surface treatment for zirconium oxide implants and the etching formula for the same are disclosed. The processes are carried out at room temperature. The average surface roughness Ra and the standard deviation of the implant are measured showing significant improvement while comparing with the un-treated sample and the hydrofluoric acid treated samples. The average contact angle is provided showing an almost hydrophilic surface after etched by the formula according to the present invention.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to strongly join an aluminum alloy part with an FRP prepreg. An object obtained by subjecting an aluminum alloy to a suitable liquid treatment so as to form a surface having large, micron-order irregularities and also fine irregularities with a period of several tens of nanometers, eliminating the presence of sodium ions from the surface and additionally forming a surface film of aluminum oxide, which is thicker than a natural oxide layer, has been found to have a powerful adhesive strength with epoxy-based adhesives. By simultaneously curing an FRP prepreg which uses the same epoxy-based adhesive in the matrix, an integral composite or structure in which FRP and aluminum alloy have been united at a joining strength of unprecedented magnitude is produced.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of surface alloying stainless steel, In one embodiment, the method includes providing a stainless steel surface having an initial amount of iron and an initial amount of chromium; and preferentially removing iron from the stainless steel surface to obtain a surface having an amount of iron less than the initial amount of iron and an amount of chromium greater than the initial amount of chromium. Another aspect of the invention is a unitary stainless steel article.

Abstract: A method for texturing an alkali alumina silicate glass substrate includes cleaning the glass substrate with at least one surfactant and etching the glass substrate using a caustic solution. The percentage of caustic solution is provided by controlling a fluid flow and temperature to control the depth of the etching. The method also includes acid cleaning the etched glass substrate to remove glass residuals and surfactants and chemically strengthening the etched and cleaned substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for altering a surface of a cylindrical object includes at least one container containing a fluid resist therein and having at least one opening from which the fluid resist is discharged; at least one roller operatively associated with the at least one container and having a surface sized and shaped to be exposed to the at least one opening, the surface area including a pattern of shapes and upon which the fluid resist is deposited; and at least one support member adjacent the at least one roller for supporting the cylindrical object during transit for contacting the at least one roller. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A substrate for a liquid ejection head, including: forming a sacrifice layer on a first surface of a silicon substrate in a region in which a liquid supply port is to open, the sacrifice layer containing aluminum which is selectively etched with respect to the silicon substrate; forming an etching mask on a second surface which is a rear surface of the first surface of the silicon substrate, the etching mask having an opening corresponding to the sacrifice layer; a first etching step of etching the silicon substrate by using the etching mask as a mask and by using a first etchant containing 8 mass % or more and less than 15 mass % of tetramethylammonium hydroxide; and after the first etching step, a second etching step of removing the sacrifice layer by using a second etchant containing 15 mass % or more and 25 mass % or less of tetramethylammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: A mold of an embodiment of the present invention has a surface that has a shape which is inverse of a surface shape of a moth-eye structure. This surface has a plurality of protrusions, a plurality of ridges extending between the plurality of protrusions via saddle portions, and a plurality of holes, each of which is defined by at least any three of the plurality of protrusions and ridges extending between the at least any three of the plurality of protrusions, and an average distance between centers of adjacent holes, p, and an average depth of the saddle portions, r, satisfy the relationship of 0.15?r/p?0.60.

Abstract: An implantable endoluminal device that is fabricated from materials that present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface that has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent-graft and web-stent that is made of an monolithic material deposited into a monolayer and etched into regions of structural members and web regions subtending interstitial regions between the structural members. An endoluminal graft is also provided which is made of a biocompatible metal or metal-like material. The endoluminal stent-graft is characterized by having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a case for a portable electronic device includes: preparing a case preform; processing the inner surface of the case preform using a laser; and surface-treating the outer surface of the case preform, wherein the outer surface of the case preform shows fine prominences and depressions formed by the surface-treating of the outer surface of the case preform, and patterns formed by processing the inner surface of the case preform appear bumpily on the outer surface of the case preform.

Abstract: Disclosed is an etchant composition employed for selectively etching a metallic material in production of a semiconductor device, which is an aqueous solution containing a fluorine compound, and a chelating agent having, in the molecular structure thereof, a phosphorus oxo-acid as a functional group; or is an aqueous solution containing a fluorine compound, a chelating agent having, in the molecular structure thereof, a phosphorus oxo-acid as a functional group, and an inorganic acid and/or an organic acid. Also disclosed is a method for producing a semiconductor device employing the etchant composition.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of forming a movable joint or connection between parts that move with respect to one another, wherein at least one part is at least partially enclosed by at least one second part. The method includes positioning an etchable material over an at least one first part, molding or forming an at least one second part over at least the etchable material, and removing the etchable material.

Abstract: Methods and etchant compositions for wet etching to selectively remove a hafnium aluminum oxide (HfAlOx) material relative to silicon oxide (SiOx) are provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallized ceramic substrate includes forming a metal layer on a ceramic substrate, and forming on the metal layer a resist having a first patterned resist opening and a second patterned resist opening for the metal layer to be exposed therefrom. A first width of the first patterned resist opening is greater than the thickness of the metal layer, and a second width of the second patterned resist opening is less than the thickness of the metal layer. A wet-etching process is conducted, to form in the first patterned resist opening a patterned metal layer opening and form in the second patterned resist opening a patterned metal layer dent. Therefore, an internal stress between the metal layer and the ceramic substrate is reduced, and the yield rate and reliability of the metallized ceramic substrate is increased.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising alpha alumina, fumed alumina, silica, an oxidizing agent that oxidizes nickel-phosphorous, oxalic acid, optionally, tartaric acid, optionally, a nonionic surfactant, optionally, a biocide, and water. The invention also provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate comprising contacting a substrate with a polishing pad and the chemical-mechanical polishing composition, moving the polishing pad and the polishing composition relative to the substrate, and abrading at least a portion of the substrate to polish the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a litho sheet for electrochemical roughening, consisting of a rolled aluminium alloy, wherein the sheet surface has a topography with a maximum peak height Rp or Sp of not more than 1.4 [mu]m, preferably not more than 1.2 [mu]m, in particular not more than 1.0 [mu]m. The invention also relates to a method which is intended for producing a litho sheet and in the case of which a litho sheet consisting of an aluminium alloy is cold-rolled and in the case of which the litho sheet, following the final cold-rolling pass, is subjected to a degreasing treatment with a pickling step using an aqueous pickling medium.

Abstract: A mold of the present invention includes: a flexible polymer film; a curable resin layer provided on a surface of the polymer film; and a porous alumina layer provided on the curable resin layer, the porous alumina layer having an inverted moth-eye structure in its surface, the inverted moth-eye structure having a plurality of recessed portions whose two-dimensional size viewed in a direction normal to the surface is not less than 10 nm and less than 500 nm. According to the present invention, a method for easily forming a flexible moth-eye mold which can be deformed into the form of a roll is provided.

Abstract: A process for creating porous anode foil for use in an electrolytic capacitor of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator is provided. The process includes electrochemical drilling a plurality of etched metal foils in sequence one after the other in a bath containing electrochemical drilling (ECD) solution initially having a pH of less than 5. Alternatively, an etched foil sheet may be passed through the bath in a substantially continuous manner such that a portion of said etched foil sheet is in contact with the ECD solution is electrochemically drilled to generate pores. Electrochemical drilling is achieved when a current is passed to the foil or portion of the foil sheet in solution.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a component. The method includes forming a diffusion coating on a first intermediate article formed by an additive manufacturing process. The diffusion coating is removed from the first intermediate article forming a second intermediate article having at least one enhanced surface. The diffusion coating is formed by applying a layer of coating material on at least one surface of the first intermediate article and diffusion heat treating the first intermediate article and the layer. The diffusion coating comprises a surface additive layer and a diffusion layer below the surface additive layer. The formation of the diffusion coating and removal thereof may be repeated at least once.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for inhibiting growth of bacteria and to nanometer scale surfaces having antibacterial properties.

Abstract: A process for producing an aluminum wheel includes a cleaning step, in which the surface of the aluminum wheel is chemically etched with an alkali cleaning liquid which contains an alkali builder, an organic builder, and a chelating agent to such an extent that the Si atomic ratio of metal Si to oxide Si is from 0.01 to 9, and a shot blast treatment step can be omitted for cleaning the surface of the aluminum wheel.