Abstract: A method of forming an optical device in a body (32), comprises performing a plurality of laser scans (34,36) to form the optical device, each scan comprising relative movement of a laser beam and the body thereby to scan the laser beam along a respective path (34a, 34b 34f; 36a, 36b 36f) through the body to alter the refractive index of material of that path, wherein the paths are arranged to provide in combination a route for propagation of light through the optical device in operation that is larger in a direction substantially perpendicular to the route for propagation of light than any one of the paths individually.

Abstract: A positioning system using a robot, capable of eliminating an error factor of the robot such as thermal expansion or backlash can be eliminated, and carrying out positioning of the robot with accuracy higher than inherent positioning accuracy of the robot. The positioning system has a robot with a movable arm, visual feature portions provided to a robot hand, and vision sensors positioned at a fixed position outside the robot and configured to capture the feature portions. The hand is configured to grip an object on which the feature portions are formed, and the vision sensors are positioned and configured to capture the respective feature portions.

Abstract: Provided is a laser shock peening method for obtaining a large-area uniform surface morphology. Using the relationship between the thickness of an absorption layer and a plastic deformation due to the laser shock peening and using a grid-shaped absorption layer (5) having a staggered distribution in thickness in cooperation with a two-layer interlaced laser shock processing method significantly reduce the height difference between micro-protrusions (10) and micro-pits (12) produced by an impact of a square light spot, and effectively reduce the roughness of the workpiece surface such that a large-area uniform surface morphology is formed on the workpiece surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the additive manufacture of at least one region of a component. Here, at least the following steps are carried out: a) layer-wise application of at least one powder-form component material onto a component platform in the region of a build-up and joining zone; b) layer-wise and local solidifying of the component material by selective exposure of the component material by at least one high-energy beam in the region of the build-up and joining zone, with the formation of a component layer; c) layer- wise lowering of the component platform by a pre-defined layer thickness; and d) repeating steps a) to c) until the component region or the component has been completely fabricated.

Abstract: A method for reducing the speed of propagation of a crack in a metal substrate by means of laser heat treatment can include heating the metal substrate with a laser heat treatment at one or more crack ends, wherein the laser beam is guided over the substrate surface so that it defines the form of an oval, an arc or a curve. Alternatively, the substrate can be treated by means of laser heat treatment before a crack arises. For example, areas at risk of cracking are identified in a metal substrate and the metal substrate is then heated by means of laser heat treatment in these areas, wherein the laser beam is guided over the substrate surface so that it defines the form of an oval, an arc or a curve. Also disclosed herein are metal substrates produced by the method and the use thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a patterned crystal structure for includes depositing an amorphous material. The amorphous material is modified such that a first portion of the amorphous thin-film layer has a first height/volume and a second portion of the amorphous thin-film layer has a second height/volume greater than the first portion. The amorphous material is annealed to induce crystallization, wherein crystallization is induced in the second portion first due to the greater height/volume of the second portion relative to the first portion to form patterned crystal structures.

Abstract: A communication cable that has a reduced diameter while ensuring a required magnitude of characteristic impedance. The shielded communication cable contains a twisted pair containing a pair of insulated wires twisted with each other. Each of the insulated wire contains a conductor that has a tensile strength of 400 MPa or higher, and an insulation coating that covers the conductor. The shielded communication cable 1 further contains a shield that is made of a conductive material and surrounds the twisted pair. The shielded communication cable has a characteristic impedance of 100±10?.

Abstract: A powder deposition apparatus for producing a component comprises a base plate, an annular stack of heating elements, accommodating the base plate, one or more insulating elements, being interleaved between adjoining heating elements, a mechanism operable to deposit a plurality of layers of a powder material onto the base plate, and a laser energy source operable to selectively fuse a portion of the deposited layer. The annular stack of heating elements is sized such that a predetermined clearance is defined between the component and the annular stack of heating elements. As successive layers of the powder material are deposited onto the base plate, the base plate is lowered into the stack of heating elements, the heating elements being actuated sequentially to maintain a pre-determined temperature profile in the deposited layers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the production of a three-dimensional product (2) via an additive layer manufacturing process such as an electron beam manufacturing process to selectively fuse parts (17) of a powder bed (16), said parts (17) corresponding to successive cross-sections of the product (2). The method involves the use of said additive layer manufacturing process to form a tool (12) by selectively fusing additional parts (18) of the powder bed (16), said additional parts (18) corresponding to successive cross-sections of the tool (12). The method also comprises a subsequent step of manipulating the tool (12) perform a processing function on the product (2).

Abstract: A temperature sensor having a structure in which electrode wires are butted against signal wires with their weld portions and a method for manufacturing the temperature sensor. In a temperature sensor (1), outer circumferential portions (57a) and (57b) of each of weld portions (55) between electrode wires (25) and sheath core wires (3) are located outward of a first straight line D1 and a second straight line D2, respectively. A forward end-side length L1 is set to be longer than a rear end-side length L2. In addition, the sheath core wires (3) are larger in diameter than the electrode wires (25).

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology providing a processor-controlled end effector that is selectively moveable according to end effector coordinates. A camera is positioned to detect objects according to camera coordinates that overlap the end effector coordinates. Logic executes computer instructions stored in memory to obtain a plurality of paired values of end effector coordinates and camera coordinates for each of a plurality of fiducial features, and to derive a transformation function from the plurality of paired values mapping the camera coordinates to the end effector coordinates.

Abstract: A movement command to move an end effector to a plurality of predetermined positions is transmitted to a robot controller so as to change a relative position of a target, which becomes an imaging target, with respect to an imaging device. First coordinate values are acquired, the values being each of position coordinates of the end effector having moved in accordance with the movement command, and an image of the target is captured at each movement destination, to which the end effector has moved. Second coordinate values being position coordinates of the target are detected based on the image of the target captured at each movement destination, and a conversion rule between both of the coordinates is calculated based on the first coordinate values and the second coordinate values.

Abstract: Methods capable of forming holes in, etching the surface of, or otherwise ablating substrates, and substrates formed thereby. A first method includes directing a first laser beam pulse towards a substrate to form a hole in a surface thereof and to form a plasma plume at least partially within the hole wherein the plasma plume has insufficient thermal energy and expansion velocity to etch sidewall of the hole, and directing a second laser beam pulse into the plasma plume to increase the temperature and expansion velocity of the plasma plume such that the sidewall is etched causing an increase in the cross-sectional dimension of the hole. A second method includes applying a liquid to a surface of a substrate, and directing a laser beam pulse into the liquid to create plasma on the surface of the substrate that etches portions of the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of 3D printing an object with reduced curl on at least one surface that contacts a print plate are described herein. For example, in some embodiments, a method of 3D printing an object comprises depositing build material to form a first layer of a 3D printed object and depositing build material in a predetermined pattern to form a first layer of a skirt in contact with the 3D printed object. Depositing build material to form the first layer of the skirt comprises 3D printing a first layer of a sidewalk that substantially surrounds at least a portion of a perimeter of the 3D printed object and 3D printing a first layer of a perforated interface between the sidewalk and the perimeter of the skirt.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for manufacturing three-dimensional objects by selective solidification of a build material applied in layers. A heating element having at least two functional openings is used to improve the manufacturing process and in particular to optimize heat input. One of the at least two functional openings serves as a material passthrough and another of the at least two functional openings simultaneously serves as a radiation passthrough. An additional heating and/or cooling device serves to control the temperature of build material applied through the material passthrough.

Abstract: Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may include cutting a part from a hard dielectric material using a continuous wave laser operating in a quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode to emit consecutive laser light pulses in a wavelength range of about 1060 nm to 1070 nm. Cutting using a QCW laser may be performed with a lower duty cycle (e.g., between about 1% and 15%) and in an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen, argon or helium. Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may further include post-cut processing the cut edges of the part cut from the dielectric material, for example, by beveling and/or polishing the edges to reduce edge defects. The post-cut processing may be performed using a laser beam with different laser parameters than the beam used for cutting, for example, by using a shorter wavelength (e.g., 193 nm excimer laser) and/or a shorter pulse width (e.g., picosecond laser).

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for quickly creating durable surface marks and/or decorations on substrates including metal, glass, ceramic, porcelain, natural and engineered stone, as well as plastics, polymer composites and other organic materials with color, high resolution and high contrast using inkjet technology and laser, NIR diode or UV LED energy. The improved methods and compositions are based on established and emerging sub-micron and nanoparticle technology. Most properties of nanoparticles are size dependent and do not become apparent until the particle size has been reduced to the nanometer scale. Examples of such properties include increased specific surface area, facilitating the absorption and/or scattering of visible light and laser, NIR diode or UV LED energy and the decreased melting point of such materials when their particle size is reduced to the nanometer scale.

Abstract: An attachable optical component is aligned with a base optical component. The attachable optical component has a mounting surface interfacing with the base optical component and an exposed surface opposed to the mounting surface. Laser light is directed to the exposed surface of the attachable optical component for delivery to the mounting surface. The attachable optical component guides and homogenizes the laser light delivered to the mounting surface and uniformly heats a bonding feature between the mounting surface and the base optical component.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) objects, 3D printing processes, as well as methods, apparatuses and systems for the production of a 3D object. Methods, apparatuses and systems of the present disclosure may reduce or eliminate the need for auxiliary supports. The present disclosure provides three dimensional (3D) objects printed utilizing the printing processes, methods, apparatuses and systems described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) objects, 3D printing processes, as well as methods, apparatuses and systems for the production of a 3D object. Methods, apparatuses and systems of the present disclosure may reduce or eliminate the need for auxiliary supports. The present disclosure provides three dimensional (3D) objects printed utilizing the printing processes, methods, apparatuses and systems described herein.

Abstract: A laser marking method and system, and laser marked object are disclosed. The method includes directing a pulsed laser beam towards an object such that an interface between an oxidized layer and non-oxidized substrate is in a mark zone of the pulsed laser beam, and scanning the pulsed laser beam across the object in a predetermined pattern to create a mark having an L value of less than 40 and a surface roughness that is substantially unchanged compared to adjacent unmarked areas. The system includes a fiber laser generating amplified pulses that are directed towards a galvo-scanner and focusing optic, while the object includes an oxidized surface layer, an underlying non-oxidized substrate, and a mark having an L value of less than 40 with substantially unchanged roughness features.

Abstract: A method of color marking a metal or metal-plated part is described involving setting at least one laser parameter of a laser, such as the power, scan speed, Q-switch, spot size, line separation, and scan repetition, and then energizing a metal containing surface layer of the part using the laser to change the color reflected by the surface layer.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus including a laser beam branching mechanism provided between a laser oscillator and a focusing unit. The laser beam branching mechanism includes a spread angle adjusting unit for adjusting the spread angle of a laser beam and a branching unit for branching the laser beam into a plurality of laser beams. The branching unit includes a half-wave plate, a first polarization beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P polarized light and S polarized light, a first mirror for reflecting the P polarized light, a second mirror for reflecting the S polarized light, and a second polarization beam splitter for leading the P polarized light reflected by the first mirror and the S polarized light reflected by the second mirror to different optical paths extending in the same direction.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus includes a laser beam branching mechanism provided between a laser oscillator and a focusing unit. The branching mechanism includes a branching unit for branching a laser beam into a plurality of laser beams. The branching unit includes a half-wave plate for 45° rotating the polarization plane of the laser beam. A first polarization beam splitter separates the laser beam passed through the half-wave plate into P polarized light and S polarized light. A first mirror reflects the P polarized light and a second mirror reflects the S polarized light. A second polarization beam splitter leads the reflected P polarized light and the reflected S polarized light to different optical paths extending in the same direction, and an angle adjusting mechanism adjusts the angle of reflection of at least one of the P polarized light and the S polarized light.

Abstract: A method for laser marking a metal surface (5) with a desired color, which method comprises forming at least one first pattern (41) on the metal surface (5) with a first laser beam (42) having a first pulse fluence (43), forming at least one second pattern (51) on the metal surface with a second laser beam (52) having a second pulse fluence (53), characterized by causing the second pattern (51) to overlay the first pattern (41), arranging the first pulse fluence (43) to be at least five times greater than the second pulse fluence (53), the color being given by the first and second pulse fluences (43, 53) and spot spacings (48) in the first and second patterns (41, 51), and selecting the first and second pulse fluences (43, 53) and the spot spacings (48) to form the desired color.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing, selectively ablating, and singulating layered materials. According to some embodiments, methods for selectively ablating a layered material may include selectively varying a wavelength of at least a portion of a primary ultrafast laser beam to create a secondary ultrafast laser beam with a second wavelength, the primary ultrafast laser beam being configured to ablate a layer of the layered material, the secondary ultrafast laser beam being configured to ablate an additional layer of the layered material and applying the first and second ultrafast laser beams to the layered material to create a singulated product.

Abstract: Hybrid welding methods include directing a laser beam from a laser onto a first component that is vertically offset from a second component, and, directing a weld arc from an arc welder onto a weld joint between the first component and the second component to weld the first and second components together.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for connecting a core wire of a wire rod covered with an insulating coating and pulled out from a coil component with a substrate by irradiating a laser beam, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a bond part between the wire rod and the substrate, the bond part being made of a material having a high optical absorptance for laser beam; and (b) irradiating a laser beam on an area to be connected under a state that at least one of the wire rod and the substrate is being pulled toward the other.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to forming white appearing metal oxide films by forming cracks within the metal oxide films. In some embodiments, the methods involve directing a laser beam at a metal oxide film causing portions of the metal oxide film to melt, cool, contract, and crack. The cracks have irregular surfaces that can diffusely reflect visible light incident a top surface of the metal oxide film, thereby imparting a white appearance to the metal oxide film. In some embodiments, the cracks are formed beneath a top surface of a metal oxide film, thereby leaving a continuous and uninterrupted metal oxide film top surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for laser processing continuously moving sheet material include one or more laser processing heads configured to illuminate the moving sheet material with one or more laser beams. The sheet material may include, for example, an optical film continuously moving from a first roller to a second roller during a laser process. In one embodiment, a vacuum chuck is configured to removably affix a first portion of the moving sheet material thereto. The vacuum chuck controls a velocity of the moving sheet material as the first portion is processed by the one or more laser beams. In one embodiment, a conveyor includes a plurality of vacuum chucks configured to successively affix to different portions of the sheet material during laser processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operation for a high power broad band elongated thin beam laser annealing light source, which may comprise a gas discharge seed laser oscillator having a resonance cavity, providing a seed laser output pulse; a gas discharge amplifier laser amplifying the seed laser output pulse to provide an amplified seed laser pulse output; a divergence correcting multi-optical element optical assembly intermediate the seed laser and the amplifier laser. The divergence correcting optical assembly may adjust the size and/or shape of the seed laser output pulse within a discharge region of the amplifier laser in order to adjust an output parameter of the amplified seed laser pulse output. The divergence correcting optical assembly may comprise a telescope with an adjustable focus. The adjustable telescope may comprise an active feedback-controlled actuator based upon a sensed parameter of the amplified seed laser output from the amplifier laser.

Abstract: A flexible drill with a shaft having a nitinol portion (or nitinol region) provided between a stainless steel driver end and a stainless steel drill tip. The flexible drill with nitinol shaft is provided with a bearing surface to allow centering within a drill guide, low friction bearing and flexibility to drill around a curve. The bearing surface may be formed of a fluoropolymer such as LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene). The flexible drill shaft may be used through a drill guide, such as a curved drill sleeve.

Abstract: A laser annealing apparatus carries out an annealing treatment an amorphous silicon film on a TFT substrate. The apparatus includes: a mask having a plurality of apertures; a microlens substrate having a plurality of microlenses arranged on a surface thereof and configured to focus the plurality of laser beams Lb, that have passed through the respective apertures of the mask, onto the TFT substrate to apply a predetermined energy to the amorphous silicon film; a pair of guides each having a semi-cylindrical shape and disposed along both sides across the microlens substrate so that the axes of the guides are parallel to each other and that the tips of the guides protrude from the positions of tips of the microlenses toward the TFT substrate; and a film that is provided in a tensioned state between the pair of guides so as to be movable and that transmits a laser beam.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a medical device is a bodily implant and includes an elongate member. The elongate member has an inner edge that defines an opening. At least a portion of the inner edge being treated.

Abstract: In a method for re-imaging a printing form that has been used for printing in a prior printing process a substrate of the printing form is cleaned globally of ink or varnish and the substrate is treated abrasively globally in order to erase a preceding printing image. The substrate to be imaged with a new printing image is treated locally in image regions with a pulsed laser beam and, in the process, a nanoscopic and hydrophobic surface structure is produced locally. The substrate is treated globally with a hydrophilicity intensifier, as a result of which the substrate becomes hydrophilic locally in the previously hydrophobic image regions. An apparatus has a corresponding erasing unit and an imaging unit with a femtosecond laser.

Abstract: A powder metallurgical article and process are disclosed. The article is a repaired or enlarged powder metallurgical article. The repaired or enlarged powder metallurgical article includes a formed article including a first alloy and a material including a second alloy. The material is welded to the formed article to form the repaired or enlarged powder metallurgical article. The repaired or enlarged powder metallurgical article includes a substantially uniform grain structure.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface is disclosed. According to some aspects, the method includes ejecting matter from the surface by projecting an ejection agent on the surface. The ejection agent is selected from gases, fluids in supercritical state, solid materials in divided form, solid materials in a gas vector and electromagnetic radiation. The method includes trapping the ejected matter in one or several pieces of an aerogel situated on trajector of the ejected matter. A device for carrying out this method as well as the use of an aerogel to trap the matter ejected from a surface during a treatment of that surface are also disclosed. The method may be applied in fields including cleaning, satinizing, polishing, deburring, etching, marking, pre-adhesion surface preparation metallization enameling, painting or varnishing operations are done, in particular electronics, microelectronics, optics, optoelectronics, bijouterie, jewelry, and the restoration of art and antiques.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser processing method comprising the steps of attaching a protective tape 25 to a front face 3 of a wafer 1a, irradiating a substrate 15 with laser light L while employing a rear face of the wafer 1a as a laser light entrance surface and locating a light-converging point P within the substrate 15 so as to form a molten processed region 13 due to multiphoton absorption, causing the molten processed region 13 to form a cutting start region 8 inside by a predetermined distance from the laser light entrance surface along a line 5 along which the object is intended to be cut in the wafer 1a, attaching an expandable tape 23 to the rear face 21 of the wafer 1a, and expanding the expandable tape 23 so as to separate a plurality of chip parts 24 produced upon cutting the wafer 1a from the cutting start region 8 acting as a start point from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for processing glass objects, in particular, to methods of blunting sharp edges of glass objects. A method comprises treating a glass edge with a focused laser beam, while relatively moving the glass object and/or the beam, said treating of the glass edge being carried out with a laser beam having a ring-shaped section, during which the glass edge is heated with the laser beam to a temperature above glass transition temperature, T>Tg. The method provides the creation of tempered glass sections of desired shape and size in the near-edge area due to the provision of thermal stresses in these areas, which cause the formation of a chamfer with rounded or blunt ends on the glass at brittle fracture.

Abstract: A substrate having a pattern of magnetic properties may be formed by forming a magnetically inactive layer on the substrate, forming a magnetic precursor on the magnetically inactive layer, and forming magnetically active domains separated by magnetically inactive domains in the magnetic precursor by applying thermal energy to the magnetic precursor. The thermal energy may be applied using a laser, which may be pulsed. Forming the magnetically active domains may include crystallizing portions of the magnetic precursor.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for the processing of orifices in materials by laser filamentation that utilizes an optical configuration that focuses the incident laser light beam in a distributed manner along the longitudinal beam axis. This distributed focusing method enables the formation of filaments over distances, and the laser and focusing parameters are adjusted to determine the filament propagation and termination points so as to develop a single/double end stopped orifice, or a through orifice. Selected transparent substrates from a stacked or nested configuration may have orifices formed therein/therethrough without affecting the adjacent substrate. These distributed focusing methods support the formation filaments with lengths well beyond ten millimeters in borosilicate glass and similar brittle materials and semiconductors.

Abstract: In the thermal cutting of a workpiece by means of a laser beam, said beam is generated by means of a laser source and supplied to a movable laser head. In the laser head, an optical deflection element is provided for deflecting the laser beam such that, when viewed in working direction, it encloses a tilt angle (?) differing from 0 degrees with the longitudinal axis of the laser head. Starting therefrom, to produce the inclination of the collimated laser beam to the vertical with a very small number of optical components if possible, the invention suggests that the laser beam is supplied to the laser head by means of an optical fiber and the laser beam is collimated, passes through the deflection element laterally offset to the longitudinal axis of the laser head and is deflected by means of said element onto the workpiece surface and focused at the same time.

Abstract: To provide a high-capacity lithium secondary battery at a low price that attains an increased reversibility of charge and discharge, by using a new negative electrode material different from the existing negative electrode materials, and to provide a lithium secondary battery that can use an existing electrolyte at a small risk of ignition or overheating. There is provided a negative electrode material for a lithium secondary battery, comprising one of iron foil and iron-base alloy foil, wherein the one of iron foil and iron-base alloy foil which has a surface profile having a plurality of concave shaped hollows formed by heat treating with laser beam irradiation and the surface is a surface which contacts with an electrolyte solution for a lithium secondary battery.

Abstract: An optical communications system includes a first plurality of optical components having optical ports, a second plurality of optical components having optical ports and an optical cross-connect. The optical cross-connect includes a block of a single continuous construction and material having a first side adjacent the first optical components and a second side adjacent the second optical components, and a plurality of non-intersecting, continuous waveguides formed within the block and extending from the first side of the block to the second side of the block. The refractive index of each waveguide is different than the surrounding material of the block, and each waveguide changes direction at least once within the block. The waveguides are optically aligned with the optical ports of the first optical components at the first side of the block and with the optical ports of the second optical components at the second side of the block.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing system or process, such as an ion implantation system, apparatus and method, including a component or step for heating a semiconductor workpiece are provided. An optical heat source emits light energy to heat the workpiece. The optical heat source is configured to provide minimal or reduced emission of non-visible wavelengths of light energy and emit light energy at a wavelength in a maximum energy light absorption range of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a laser emitting unit 2, a monitor unit 3, a storage unit 4, an image extraction unit 5, a bead recognition unit 6, and a bead shape determination unit 7. The bead shape determination unit 7 is configured to calculate the position of the end of a bead region based on the bead region recognized by the bead recognition unit 6, and to determine whether the shape of the end of the bead region is convex or concave in the extending direction of the bead region.

Abstract: Processes and corresponding or associated arrangements for removal of a burr from a workpiece, particularly micromachined workpieces, involving irradiating a plasma plume source material with a laser beam to generate a plasma plume. The plasma plume at least in part impacts the burr disposed on the workpiece to at least in part remove the burr from the workpiece. In select embodiments, the plasma plume source material can be a part of the workpiece or a non-workpiece sacrificial material.

Abstract: An agricultural auger for conveying grain material is provided. The agricultural auger includes a shaft that is adapted to rotate about a central axis. A flight extends and spirals about the shaft. The flight further includes a base material of a first hardness. A laser treated material is formed on or into the base material along a portion of the flight. The laser treated material comprises a second hardness greater than the first hardness.

Abstract: A pulse laser machining apparatus and method generates a clock signal, emits a pulse laser beam in synchronization with the clock signal, scans the pulse laser beam in synchronization with the clock signal only in a one-dimensional direction, moves a stage in a direction perpendicular to the one-dimensional direction, passes or cuts off the pulse laser beam in synchronization with the clock signal, and controls the passing or cutting off of the pulse laser beam based on the number of light pulses of the pulse laser beam.

Abstract: Various methods for laser welding biocompatible material for use in implantable medical devices are disclosed. A method for laser processing includes applying a laser beam to a biocompatible material comprising at least 85% by weight zirconium oxide (ZrO2) or “zirconia” in an oxygen-free environment and depleting the material of oxygen. The depletion of oxygen converts the zirconium oxide to elemental zirconium at an interface where the material is applied to the elemental zirconium. In one embodiment, the present invention provides for an implantable medical device or component thereof made of a biocompatible material comprising zirconium oxide. The device includes a substrate that has an intrinsic conductive pathway comprising elemental zirconium that extends from a first surface to a second surface of the substrate.