Abstract: Described are methods for making microstructured flexible molds, for example useful for making microstructured metal objects in a casting process. Also described are casting methods for making microstructured epoxy objects. In some embodiments, the microstructured metal and epoxy objects are useful for embossing polymer sheets to form microstructured polymer sheets.

Abstract: An expanded graphite is derived from a graphitic or partially graphitic starting material selected from the group consisting of natural graphite, compressed expanded graphite, partially oxidized graphite and/or graphite fibers having a BET surface area of >30 m2/g. The expanded graphite is obtained by reaction of the starting material with substances capable of intercalation or mixtures of substances capable of intercalation to give a compound designated as an intercalation compound and subsequent expansion in plasma.

Abstract: Disclosed is a formed article comprising a layer obtained by implanting ions of a hydrocarbon compound into a polyorganosiloxane compound-containing layer. Also disclosed are: a method of producing the formed article, the method comprising implanting ions of a hydrocarbon compound into a surface of a polyorganosiloxane compound-containing layer of a formed body that includes the polyorganosiloxane compound-containing layer in its surface; an electronic device member that includes the formed article; and an electronic device that includes the electronic device member. The present invention provides; a formed article which exhibits an excellent gas barrier capability, transparency, bendability, antistatic performance, and surface flatness; a method of producing the formed article, an electronic device member, and an electronic device.

Abstract: The electret filter for vehicular compartment interior of the present invention has a nonwoven fabric which contains a polyolefin resin having a melt flow rate of 1,000 to 3,000 g per 10 minutes, and a heat generation amount of 2.0 to 10.0 J/g in a temperature range from 80° C. to 120° C. when the temperature of the polyolefin resin is elevated at a rate of 10° C. per minute in a differential scanning calorimetric analysis. The electret filter for vehicular compartment interior is manufactured by a method including a process for producing the nonwoven fabric by melt-blowing method, and a process for electrostatic charging the nonwoven fabric by means of corona discharge.

Abstract: A method for thermally processing a minimally absorbing thin film in a selective manner is disclosed. Two closely spaced absorbing traces are patterned in thermal contact with the thin film. A pulsed radiant source is used to heat the two absorbing traces, and the thin film is thermally processed via conduction between the two absorbing traces. This method can be utilized to fabricate a thin film transistor (TFT) in which the thin film is a semiconductor and the absorbers are the source and the drain of the TFT.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of production of polyamide compounds with natural fibers and polyamide compounds with natural fibers, establishes the fact of using natural fiber to obtain a compound with mechanical properties close to the one obtained with inorganic loads by means of continuous process with extrusion and molding by injection process; the processes presented allows the obtainment, by means of injection, of finished products with precise dimensional and complex features; the fact that the compound with natural Curauá fiber presenting suitable mechanical properties combined to a lesser density than the compound with inorganic load is interesting to the automotive industry as vehicles manufactured with lighter parts consume less fuel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a display device in which a film deposited on a substrate through openings in a covering layer is easily removed from the covering layer, is described herein, includes forming a master layer having a predetermined pattern of openings on a base substrate; spraying a light shielding material on the master layer; fabricating a mold provided with the light shielding film by forming a moldable material layer on the base substrate and the master layer; the moldable material layer and the light shielding material; arranging, pressurizing, and exposing the mold on an insulation substrate having a photosensitive film formed thereon after separating the mold from the master layer; and developing the photosensitive film after separating the mold from the insulation substrate.

Abstract: In a method for producing a hose with a sealing layer, a hose body having a resin innermost layer is prepared, a rod-like core member is disposed through a center portion of a hollow interior of a connecting portion of the hose body so as to occupy the center portion, and the plasma gas is fed and distributed in an interior of an innermost layer of the connecting portion to modify an inner surface of the innermost layer. Then, the sealing layer is formed on the inner surface by coating an elastic material for the sealing layer on the inner surface of the connecting portion.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) device wherein a photolithography technique is replaced by soft lithography is disclosed. The method includes: forming a thin film transistor array substrate; forming a color filter substrate; bonding the thin film transistor array substrate and the color filter substrate; and applying a liquid crystal between the thin film transistor array substrate and the color filter substrate, wherein at least one of the forming the thin film transistor array substrate and the forming the color filter substrate includes a pattern forming method using a soft mold. The pattern forming method may be a soft lithography process that includes: contacting a soft mold having a particular pattern with a surface of a buffer layer and applying a constant heat to the soft mold and buffer layer to transfer the particular pattern onto the buffer layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a multi-layer substrate and a manufacturing method of the multi-layer substrate. By employing a carrier to alternately form dielectric layers and metal structure layers thereon. Each dielectric layer adheres with the adjacent dielectric layer to embed the metal structure layers in the dielectric layers corresponding thereto. Comparing with prior arts, which have to use prepregs when hot pressing and adhering different layers of different materials, the present invention takes fewer processes, thus, fewer kinds of materials without using prepregs. Therefore, the present invention can promote the entire quality and yield of manufacturing the multi-layer substrate to satisfy mechanical characteristic matching of the multi-layer substrate and to reduce cost of the whole manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sensor in which a sensor element, which comprises at least a first housing, is at least partially encapsulation-molded in an encapsulation-molding process. As a result of the encapsulation-molding process a sensor housing is formed. The sensor element is mechanically connected to a support element and/or accommodated by the support element, after which the sensor element and the support element are encapsulation-molded in a common encapsulation-molding process for forming the sensor housing.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a patterned metal/metal oxide layer by using a solution type precursor or sol-gel precursor are provided and, especially, a method for preparing a patterned carrier transport of a solar cell and a method for preparing biomedical material are provided, which comprise the following steps: (A) providing a substrate, and a mold with designed patterns formed thereon; (B) coating the substrate with a solution of a precursor to form a precursor layer, wherein the precursor is a metal precursor or a metal oxide precursor; (C) pressing the mold together with the precursor layer to transfer the patterns of the mold onto the precursor layer; (D) curing or pre-curing the precursor layer; (E) removing the mold; and (F) conducting an optional post-treatment, if it being demanded, to further modify the properties of precursor layer.

Abstract: A micro-nano imprint mould and an imprinting process are described. The micro-nano imprint mould includes: a porous body including a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides, wherein the porous body includes a plurality of holes, and a fluid can flow between the first surface and the second surface through the holes; and an imprint pattern structure set in the first surface of the porous body, wherein the imprint pattern structure includes a plurality of convexes and a plurality of concaves between the convexes.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of a transparent ceramic using nanoparticles synthesized via flame spray pyrolysis includes providing metal salts, dissolving said metal salts to form organic precursors in solution, aerosolizing said solution, oxidizing said aerosol in a flame, yielding oxide nano-particles, forming said oxide nano-particles into a green body, and sintering said green body to produce the transparent ceramic. Fabrication of transparent ceramic scintillators by this route that offer performance similar to that of single crystal scintillators has been demonstrated.

Abstract: A photoconductive semiconductor switch according to one embodiment includes a structure of sintered nanoparticles of a high band gap material exhibiting a lower electrical resistance when excited by light relative to an electrical resistance thereof when not exposed to the light. A method according to one embodiment includes creating a mixture comprising particles, at least one dopant, and at least one solvent; adding the mixture to a mold; forming a green structure in the mold; and sintering the green structure to form a transparent ceramic. Additional system, methods and products are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing ceramics based on lanthanum-doped barium titanate, which comprises the following steps: (a) flash sintering of lanthanum-doped barium titanate powders; and (b) heat treatment of the material thus obtained, in an air atmosphere or in an oxidising atmosphere. The invention also relates to ceramics based on lanthanum-doped barium titanate, possessing a very high real part of the relative dielectric permittivity, and to their use for obtaining capacitors of high capacitance and high capacitance per unit volume for high-voltage withstand capability.

Abstract: A method including forming a bilayer polymer film having an oriented polypropylene film and a metallocene-catalyzed polypropylene film wherein the metallocene-catalyzed polypropylene film has a seal initiation temperature of from 80° C. to 130° C. A laminate including a biaxially oriented polypropylene film, a metallocene-catalyzed polypropylene film, and a substrate, wherein the metallocene-catalyzed polypropylene film is disposed between the biaxially oriented polypropylene film and the substrate.

Abstract: A system operating in an environment having an ambient pressure, the system comprising: a reactor configured to combine a plasma stream, powder particles and conditioning fluid to alter the powder particles and form a mixture stream; a supply chamber coupled to the reactor; a suction generator configured to generate a suction force at the outlet of the reactor; a fluid supply module configured to supply the conditioning fluid at an original pressure; and a pressure regulation module configured to: receive the conditioning fluid from the fluid supply module, reduce the pressure of the conditioning fluid from the original pressure to a selected pressure relative to the ambient pressure regardless of any changes in the suction force at the outlet of the reactor, and supply the conditioning fluid at the selected pressure to the supply chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyacetal compositions comprising a mixture of (i) a polyacetal resin, (ii) p-aramid particles and (III) a vinyl-terminated dimethyl siloxane polymer. These compositions are useful in preparing molded articles exhibiting a good balance between high self-lubricating properties and wear resistance, and especially useful in articles that are in motion with respect to other parts they are in contact with.

Abstract: Articles comprising polystyrene and thermoplastic polyurethane joined adheringly without chemical adhesion promoter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for raising the surface tension of biaxially-stretched films made of thermoplastic polymers. According to the method, a film is first treated on a surface by means of an atmospheric pressure plasma before being stretched transversally or simultaneously across the width thereof, and the film is additional a subjected to a second treatment by means of a corona or flame after being stretched transversally or simultaneously, the second treatment being done on the same surface which has already been plasma-treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mold sheet composition for forming patterns, which comprises (A) an active energy ray-curable compound having one or more unsaturated double bond, and (B) 0.1 to 20 parts by weight of a photo-initiator based on 100 parts by weight of the component (A); and a mold sheet for forming patterns, which comprises the active energy curable compound of the composition, and has an intaglio of the desired pattern thereon.

Abstract: A method of making an electrically conductive element, particularly a bipolar plate for a fuel cell, comprises molding an element from a composite material comprising a polymer and an electrically conductive material to produce an element having a polymer-rich skin and removing at least a portion of the polymer-rich skin with a plasma.

Abstract: A porous monocomponent nonwoven web contains a bimodal mass fraction/fiber size mixture of intermingled continuous microfibers and larger size fibers of the same polymeric composition. There are at least five times as many microfibers as larger size fibers, and a histogram of the mass fraction of fibers vs. fiber size exhibits a larger size fiber mode greater than 10 ?m. The web may be made by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having larger size orifices and at least five times as many smaller size orifices to form filaments, attenuating the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers to form the nonwoven web. The web is especially well suited to the manufacture of self-supporting three dimensional articles such as molded cup-shaped respirators and pleated air filters.

Abstract: A process for producing carbon nanotubes includes carbon plasma generation with microwave energy, plasma stabilization, and product deposition. Stabilization homogenizes the plasma energy density and concentration, leading to a more efficient reactor. A transition metal catalyst and associated catalyst support are used to form the end product. The formation region may have variations of geometry and supporting equipment that will affect the rate and purity of production. The formation region is immediately downstream from the plasma stabilization region such that the apparatus may be mounted on a robotic arm for direct deposition of product.

Abstract: A nanocomposite material apparatus suitable for fabricating a nanocomposite material from different materials is provided. The nanocomposite material apparatus includes an acceleration inner tube and a collection outer tube. The acceleration inner tube disposed along a rotation axis has a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer peripheral surface. Pipes for accelerating different materials is distributed within the acceleration inner tube. Each pipe includes an inlet, an outlet opening at the outer peripheral surface and a spiral trench connecting the inlet and the outlet. Nano materials having electricity are emitted from the corresponding outlets by accelerating different materials within the corresponding pipes.

Abstract: A programmable system and methods for spark plasma sintering. Embodiments of the present invention allow for detailed waveform settings to be programmed by an operator prior to machine operation during a SPS process. The waveform settings for the machine can be adjusted at any point and can be programmed to have any pattern during the SPS process. Out-gassing patterns can be monitored and analyzed by an operator, who then adjusts the waveform settings for the SPS machine based on an analysis of the out-gassing patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for producing nanoparticles, especially pigment particles, comprising the following steps: i) bringing a base substance (1) into the gas phase, ii) generating particles by cooling or reacting the gaseous base substance (1), and iii) applying electrical charge to the particles during particle generation in step ii) in a nanoparticle generation apparatus. The invention further relates to apparatus for producing nanoparticles, having a feed line (28) for transporting the gas stream (29) into the apparatus, a particle generation and charging area for substantially simultaneous generation and charging of nanoparticles, and a takeoff line (30) for transporting the charged nanoparticles from the particle generation and charging area.

Abstract: A method for producing a latent heat storage material from a graphitic starting material selected from the group consisting of natural graphite, expanded graphite, and/or graphite fibers, and from a phase-changing material selected from the group consisting of sugar alcohols, water, organic acids and the mixtures thereof, aqueous salt solutions, salt hydrates, mixtures of salt hydrates, salt hydrates with paraffins, inorganic and organic salts and eutectic salt mixtures, clathrates and alkali metal hydroxides, as well as mixtures of these materials. The graphitic starting material is treated with a plasma before being impregnated with the phase-changing material. A latent heat storage material is produced according to the method.

Abstract: The invention describes a particulate filled film, useful as a backsheet for a photovoltaic construct.

Abstract: A method for recycling polymeric materials, particularly cured rubber such as may be derived from tyres and the like, includes obtaining solid polymer material in particulate form derived from a previous artifact or product. The polymer particles are exposed to a fluid treatment medium which chemically modifies the particle surfaces to provide chemically activated particle surfaces, while maintaining polymer properties in the particle interiors. The surface activated polymer particles are combined with a flowable binder or matrix material. The binder or matrix material is then cured, dried or set in intimate contact with the surface-activated polymer particles to form a body of material incorporating the recycled polymer particles with the surfaces bonded to the cured, dried or set binder or matrix material. In this way, large proportions of particulate material can be recycled into new products which exhibit good performance, e.g. elastomeric performance.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a shaped rubber article, comprising admixing at least one thermoplastic material and at least one elastomer material to provide a processable and dimensionally stable rubber composition, shaping the composition, and irradiating the composition to form the shaped rubber article. The dimensional stability of the uncured composition may be provided by partial dynamic vulcanization, high performance reinforcing fillers, fractional curing, or combinations thereof. The elastomer material is present in an amount greater than about 65% by weight based on the total weight of the thermoplastic and elastomer materials present in the admixture.

Abstract: A method of patterning a color conversion layer for an organic EL device is provided together with a method of manufacturing a multiple color emitting organic EL display using the patterning method. The patterning method includes forming the color conversion layer on a base having an organic layer and patterning the color conversion layer by carrying out a thermal cycle nano imprint technique.

Abstract: The ultrafine particle producing process introduces materials for producing ultrafine particles into a thermal plasma flame under reduced pressure to form a vapor-phase mixture, introduces a reactive gas and a cooling gas toward an end portion of the thermal plasma flame in supply amounts sufficient for quenching the vapor-phase mixture to generate the ultrafine particles and allows the resultant ultrafine particles to come into contact with the reactive gas so as to produce the ultrafine particles whose surfaces are coated with a thin film including one or more components compound derived from decomposition and/or reaction of the reactive gas, for example, an elementary carbon substance and/or a carbon. According to the process, thin film-coated ultrafine particles having high level uniformity in particle size and shape can be produced.

Abstract: There is provided a seamless silicon roll having a pattern and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes: preparing a pattern roll having the same size and pattern as a silicon roll to be manufactured; manufacturing a cast by pouring cast materials around the pattern roll and curing the cast materials; removing the cast from the pattern roll; forming a silicon roll by disposing the central axis of a roll in the cast, pouring liquid silicon and curing the liquid silicon; and removing the silicon roll from the cast.

Abstract: An expanded graphite is derived from a graphitic or partially graphitic starting material selected from the group consisting of natural graphite, compressed expanded graphite, partially oxidized graphite and/or graphite fibers having a BET surface area of >30 m2/g. The expanded graphite is obtained by reaction of the starting material with substances capable of intercalation or mixtures of substances capable of intercalation to give a compound designated as an intercalation compound and subsequent expansion in plasma.

Abstract: In the present invention, a manufacturing process is provided in which a complete multi-component synthetic closure is achieved which incorporates printed indicia formed thereon, in a continuous, in-line manufacturing operation. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the core member of the synthetic closure is formed by a continuous extrusion process which enables the core to be manufactured as an elongated, continuous length of material. As the continuous elongated length of extruded material forming the central core is advanced from the extruder towards an outer skin forming station, the central core passes through a printing station for forming any desired indica on the outer surface of central core prior to the application of the outer skin layer.

Abstract: A stamp is comprised of a thiol-ene polymer, wherein the thiol-ene polymer allows for creation of micro-scale or nano-scale patterns useful in soft or imprint lithography. A patterned thiol-ene polymer is fabricated by casting a thiol-ene mixture onto a patterned mold, curing the thiol-ene mixture to form the patterned thiol-ene polymer, and peeling off the patterned thiol-ene polymer from the silicon mold. A stamp comprised of a thiol-ene polymer may be replicated by exposing the to oxygen plasma to form a hydrophilic mold, exposing the hydrophilic mold to a fluorinating agent under vacuum conditions to form a functionalized surface of the hydrophilic mold, casting a thiol-ene mixture on top of the functionalized surface, photocuring the thiolene mixture to form a replica thiol-ene polymer, and peeling off the replica thiol-ene polymer.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a phosphor-containing molded member, an inorganic powder in a mixture with a phosphor powder is melted by using Spark Plasma Sintering method, and then cooled. In a phosphor-containing molded member, a content of the phosphor therein is 5% by weight or more.

Abstract: A luminous module is specified comprising luminous units and a carrier body, wherein the luminous units are connected and/or contact-connected in at least two planes and/or orientations on the carrier body with conductor tracks. A method for producing the luminous module is furthermore specified.

Abstract: A forehead pad for a breathing mask includes a substantially dimensionally stable first wall element and an elastomer second wall element coupled to the first wall element. The second wall element has a contact zone adapted to contact a surface of a user in use. The first and second wall elements define a filling-material-receiving chamber adapted to receive a filling material.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a catheter, whereby a tunnel infection route is closed such that infection can be prevented, by improving adhesiveness between a medical catheter and a biologically-derived adhesive (fibrin adhesive), cells, or biological tissue. The present invention provides a medical catheter which is composed of material selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane, polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), at least a portion of the surface of which is modified by plasma ion implantation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold system which comprises a cube configured to rotate about an axis, a first cavity platen comprising at least one first cavity section, a second cavity platen comprising at least one second cavity section, a fluid channel being disposed within at least one of the mandrels and a hydraulic connection member configured to connect at least one of the fluid channels to an inlet and or outlet positioned outside the cube. The cube comprises at least two sides, each side comprising at least one mandrel. The hydraulic connection member is configured to deliver a volume cooling fluid from or to the fluid channels while the cube is rotating.

Abstract: Articles comprising polystyrene and thermoplastic polyurethane joined adheringly without chemical adhesion promoter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for raising the surface tension of biaxially-stretched films made of thermoplastic polymers. According to the method, a film is first treated on a surface by means of an atmospheric pressure plasma before being stretched transversally or simultaneously across the width thereof, and the film is additional a subjected to a second treatment by means of a corona or flame after being stretched transversally or simultaneously, the second treatment being done on the same surface which has already been plasma-treated.

Abstract: A method of producing a panel having at least one feature comprising a discontinuation in curvature of surface in the surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first reinforced layer of long and/or continuous parallel fibre reinforced thermoplastic of a first polymer (102a, 104a); providing a core layer of thermoplastic with at least roughly 70% by volume of a second polymer which is compatible with the first polymer (106); providing a second reinforced layer of long or continuous parallel fibre reinforced thermoplastic of the first polymer (102b, 104b); stacking the layers such that the reinforced layers are separated by the core layer; introducing the stack into a panel mould and heating the mould to at least the melting point of the predetermined polymer to consolidate the layers and form the panel.

Abstract: A method of improving the adhesion of processing materials on a ceramic component is described. The method includes the steps of forming a green ceramic component and texturing the surface of the green ceramic component. The as-textured component is then fired to harden the ceramic material. In an alternative embodiment of the method, a coating is applied to the surface of the as-fired ceramic component to provide a secondary adhesion layer. A ceramic component for use in an etching or deposition reactor chamber is also described. The ceramic component includes a substrate formed of a ceramic material and has a textured surface formed thereon such that the textured surface has a roughness of about 100 to 1000 ?in Ra.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for separating, purifying and counting cell sub-populations, utilising steering of liquid flows in microfluidic channels in a cell focusing region (first dotted circle area); having the integration of the optical detection mechanism and a microchannel structure made from moulding. A master is photolithographically patterned on a soft PDMS silicon or polymer material. After being moulded and peeled off the master, the micro-channel structure is sealed on a hard substrate with openings punched through for wells (14, 12, 36, 38, 40). An optical detection region (20) discriminates different types of cells that have been formed into a single flow (30). Electromagnetic fields are used to steer (32) the flows of cells according to the signals from the optical detection region into branch channels leading to the punched wells for separate collection. The system can have parallel systems that increase throughput or cascade systems to provide several analysis steps.

Abstract: There is provided a method for forming minute patterns ranging from nanometer scale to micrometer scale with high aspect ratio at one time under a single condition of low temperature, low pressure, and a short period of time. A method of forming a minute pattern according to the present invention includes: applying, onto a substrate, a patterning material containing a polysilane and a silicone compound; pressing a mold on which a predetermined minute pattern has been formed to the patterning material which has been applied onto the substrate; irradiating energy rays from a side of the substrate while the mold is contacted by press with the patterning material; releasing the mold; and irradiating the patterning material with energy rays from a side to which the mold has been pressed.

Abstract: A flexible, ceramic membrane is useful as a separator for batteries, especially lithium batteries, the membrane containing a polymeric non-woven; a ceramic coating on and in the non-woven; wherein the ceramic coating comprises at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, BaTiO3, SiO2, and mixtures thereof; wherein the coating comprises at least two fractions of oxides selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, BaTiO3, SiO2, and mixtures thereof; a first ceramic fraction of the coating having been obtained from a sol; a second fraction of the coating comprising particles having an average particle size in the range from 200 nm to 5 ?m; wherein the first fraction is present as a layer on the particles of the second fraction; the coating comprising from 0.