Abstract: A method for forming a composite structure, using a mandrel that is later removed from the composite structure, involves production of a mandrel by depositing a particulate mixture, including an aggregate and a binder, into a mold and removing the mandrel from the mold. The mandrel may be treated while still in the mold by heating, curing with an agent, microwave energy, or by some combination thereof. Once finished, the mandrel can be used in manufacturing polymer and/or composite components. The mandrel can also include materials that can be easily removed from the finished composite structure by water, shakeout, chemically dissolving, or by some combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for producing carbon nanotubes with embedded nanoparticles comprising providing a template comprising an anodized aluminum oxide membrane with a pore diameter of 20-200 nm; contacting the template with a solution containing nanoparticles; exposing the template and solution containing nanoparticles to sonication; removing the template from the solution; forming a carbon structure via chemical deposition of carbon on said template; and removing the template by exposing the template to a basic solution.

Abstract: The manufacture of a submillimetric grid includes the production of a mask having submillimetric openings, referred to as a network mask, on the main face, from a solution of colloidal nanoparticles with a given glass transition temperature Tg, the drying of the masking layer at a temperature below the Tg; the formation of the electroconductive grid from the network mask including in this order: deposition of at least one electroconductive material, referred to as grid material, having an electricity resistivity of less than 10?5 ohm.cm; removal of the masking layer, revealing the mother grid; optional deposition, by electrodeposition, of an electroconductive material, referred to as overgrid material, the surface subjacent to the mother grid then being dielectric; a detachment, of the mother grid or the overgrid, of a thickness of at least 500 nm. The invention also relates to the detached grid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article of manufacture having a reflective design thereon, as well as a method for manufacture thereof. The article of manufacture, such as a tire cover, comprises a substrate having a display surface, at least one adhesive material disposed on the display surface, and a first pigmented material arranged in a first design pattern and adhered to the display surface by the adhesive material, where the first pigmented material includes a plurality of glass particles operative to reflect light received from a light source. A second pigmented material, such as a reflective or non-reflective material of a different color, may be adhered to the display surface in a second design pattern. The present invention also provides a transfer pattern, and method for forming the same, that is for use in transferring a reflective design to a display surface.

Abstract: A ceramic component is provided, including a ceramic body containing silicon carbide, and an oxide layer provided on the ceramic body, the oxide layer being formed by oxidizing the ceramic body in the presence of alumina having a submicron particle size.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for making a carbon nanotube structure. The method includes steps of providing a tubular carbon nanotube array; selecting a carbon nanotube segment having a predetermined width from the tubular carbon nanotube array using a drawing tool; and drawing the carbon nanotube segment along a radial direction of the tubular carbon nanotube array to achieve the carbon nanotube structure.

Abstract: Methods and articles providing for precise aligning, positioning, shaping, and linking of nanotubes and carbon nanotubes. An article comprising: a solid surface comprising at least two different surface regions including: a first surface region which comprises an outer boundary and which is adapted for carbon nanotube adsorption, and a second surface region which is adapted for preventing carbon nanotube adsorption, the second region forming an interface with the outer boundary of the first region, at least one carbon nanotube which is at least partially selectively adsorbed at the interface. The shape and size of the patterns on the surface and the length of the carbon nanotube can be controlled to provide for selective interfacial adsorption.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polysilicon rod for FZ applications obtainable by deposition of high-purity silicon from a silicon-containing reaction gas, which has been thermally decomposed or reduced by hydrogen, on a filament rod. The polysilicon rod contains, surrounding the filament rod, an inner zone having but few needle crystals, small in size, an outer zone having a relatively small amount of larger needle crystals, and a smooth transition zone between the inner and outer zones. The polysilicon rods are obtained in high yield and can be refined in one pass in an FZ process.

Abstract: For producing a ceramic material, a mask having a predetermined shape is located on a substrate, and a spacing is formed between the substrate and the mask. An aerosol, which contains a carrier gas and raw material particles dispersed in the carrier gas, is jetted out onto the substrate, and the jetted-out aerosol is caused to flow into the spacing between the substrate and the mask. The raw material particles, which are contained in the aerosol, are deposited in the spacing between the substrate and the mask, and a molded body having the same shape as the shape of the mask is formed.

Abstract: A movable mold and a slide mold are employed. There is also employed a deposition apparatus which is equipped with a deposition element such as a target electrode in the inside of a depositing chamber. A body portion and a cover member are primarily molded by the movable mold and the slide mold. The molds are opened while the body portion being left in the movable mold and while cover member being left in slide mold. The body portion left in the movable mold is deposited in the molds with its inner surface being covered with the depositing chamber. Next, the slide mold is driven so that the cover member may be registered with the deposited body portion. Then, a secondary molding resin is injected to integrate the body portion and the cover member.

Abstract: A process for making functional or decorative flakes or platelets economically and at high production rates comprises applying a multi-layer sandwich of vapor deposited metal and release coats in alternating layers to a rotating chilled drum or suitable carrier medium contained in a vapor deposition chamber. The alternating metallized layers are applied by vapor deposition and the intervening release layers are preferably solvent soluble thermoplastic polymeric materials applied by vapor deposition sources contained in the vapor deposition chamber. The multi-layer sandwich built up in the vacuum chamber is removed from the drum or carrier and treated with a suitable organic solvent to dissolve the release coating from the metal in a stripping process that leaves the metal flakes essentially release coat free.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of semiconductor ribbons using exclusively a gaseous feedstock. A fine powder of semiconductor material is produced by decomposition, within the gas phase, of a gaseous feedstock. A layer of this semiconductor powder is uniformly distributed, compressed and flattened over a planar substrate, which is continuously moving in one direction. This said layer of semiconductor powder is, in the following stage, heated to a temperature sufficient to decompose the said gaseous feedstock on its surface. A continuous flow of the said gaseous feedstock over said powder layer is ensured so that a solid plate of semiconductor material grows over the said layer of semiconductor powder. After the growth stage, during which the solid plate has grown to a convenient thickness, the said solid plate of semiconductor material is separated from the said layer of semiconductor powder and substrate.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus for continuous production of aligned carbon nanotubes are disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises dispersion of a metal catalyst in a liquid hydrocarbon to form a feed solution, and volatilizing the feed solution in a reactor through which a substrate is continuously passed to allow growth of nanotubes thereon. In another aspect, the apparatus comprises a reactor, a tube-within-a-tube injector, and a conveyor for passing a substrate through the reactor. The present invention further discloses a method for restricting the external diameter of carbon nanotubes produced thereby comprising passing the feed solution through injector tubing of a specified diameter, followed by passing the feed solution through an inert, porous medium. The method and apparatus of this invention provide a means for producing aligned carbon nanotubes having a defined external diameter, suitable for large scale production in an industrial setting.

Abstract: A process for making functional or decorative flakes or platelets economically and at high production rates comprises applying a multi-layer sandwich of vapor deposited metal and release coats in alternating layers to a rotating chilled drum or suitable carrier medium contained in a vapor deposition chamber. The alternating metallized layers are applied by vapor deposition and the intervening release layers are preferably solvent soluble thermoplastic polymeric materials applied by vapor deposition sources contained in the vapor deposition chamber. The multi-layer sandwich built up in the vacuum chamber is removed from the drum or carrier and treated with a suitable organic solvent to dissolve the release coating from the metal in a stripping process that leaves the metal flakes essentially release coat free.

Abstract: Graphene layers made of primarily sp2 bonded atoms and associated methods are disclosed. In one aspect, for example, a method of forming a graphite film can include heating a solid substrate under vacuum to a solubilizing temperature that is less than a melting point of the solid substrate, solubilizing carbon atoms from a graphite source into the heated solid substrate, and cooling the heated solid substrate at a rate sufficient to form a graphite film from the solubilized carbon atoms on at least one surface of the solid substrate. The graphite film is formed to be substantially free of lattice defects.

Abstract: A fine-structure transfer method in which a fine-featured pattern formed on one of the two surfaces of a stamper is pressed against a coating of a resist on one of the two surfaces of a transfer element so as to transfer the fine-featured pattern to the resist coating, wherein the atmosphere in the space between the stamper and the transfer element is replaced by the vapor of the resist before the stamper is pressed against the transfer element. Also disclosed is a fine-structure transfer apparatus having at least a stamper and a stage on which to place a transfer element having a coating of a resist, further having a device for heating the resist coating to be vaporized or a device for supplying the vapor of the resist into the space between the stamper and the transfer element.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a medical implant component. The method may comprise producing a substrate from a first material in which the substrate has a bearing portion, and spraying particles of a second material by use of a thermal type spraying process onto at least the bearing portion of the substrate. The second material may be formed from a biocompatible material and a carbide source, in which the carbide source is 6.17% or more of the second material by weight. The biocompatible material may be cobalt chrome and the carbide source may be graphite. The thermal type spraying process may be a plasma spraying process or a high velocity oxygen fuel spraying process.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing fine particles, including: forming on a surface of a base material a concavo-convex pattern made by arranging a plurality of convex portions on the surface; forming fine particles made of a fine particle material on at least part of the concavo-convex pattern; and releasing the formed fine particles from the concavo-convex pattern.

Abstract: A release agent is flash evaporated and deposited onto a support substrate under conventional vapor-deposition conditions and a conductive metal oxide, such as ITO, is subsequently sputtered or deposited by reactive electron beam onto the resulting release layer in the same process chamber to form a very thin film of conductive material. The resulting multilayer product is separated from the support substrate, crushed to brake up the metal-oxide film into flakes, and heated or mixed in a solvent to separate the soluble release layer from the metallic flakes. Thus, by judiciously controlling the deposition of the ITO on the release layer, transparent flakes may be obtained with the desired optical and physical characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanostructured composites comprising a nanotube network which is at least partially embedded within a carbon layer. The present invention particularly relates to conducting nanostructured composites for use in the fields of energy conversion, energy storage and also the biomedical field. The present invention also relates to a process via CVD of carbon onto a catalyst layer on a substrate. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods of forming ceramic components are disclosed. One method calls for chemical vapor depositing a ceramic material over a substrate having first and second opposite surfaces to define a coated structure, the ceramic material forming a layer overlying both the first and second opposite surfaces. The layer and the substrate have a difference in thermal expansion coefficients of at least 0.5 ppm/K. The substrate is removed, leaving behind the layer. Ceramic components and coated structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing solid multicrystalline silicon ingots or wafers, comprising: introducing a silicon-bearing gas into a reactor chamber, wherein the reaction chamber includes a reactor chamber wall having (i) an inside surface facing a reaction space and (ii) an opposing outside surface, and a product outlet; generating a plasma in the reactor space; thermally decomposing the silicon-bearing gas by subjecting the silicon-bearing gas to a sufficient temperature to produce liquid silicon; maintaining the inside surface of the reactor chamber wall at an equilibrium temperature below the melting point temperature of silicon while thermally decomposing the silicon-bearing gas; and introducing the liquid silicon from the product outlet directly into a module for casting the liquid silicon into solid multicrystalline silicon ingots or multicrystalline silicon wafer.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and devices which enable discrete objects having a conducting inner core, surrounded by a dielectric membrane to be selectively inactivated by electric fields via irreversible breakdown of their dielectric membrane. One important application of the invention is in the selection, purification, and/or purging of desired or undesired biological cells from cell suspensions. According to the invention, electric fields can be utilized to selectively inactivate and render non-viable particular subpopulations of cells in a suspension, while not adversely affecting other desired subpopulations. According to the inventive methods, the cells can be selected on the basis of intrinsic or induced differences in a characteristic electroporation threshold, which can depend, for example, on a difference in cell size and/or critical dielectric membrane breakdown voltage.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a patterned aerogel-based layer that serves as a mold for at least part of a microelectromechanical feature. The density of an aerogel is less than that of typical materials used in MEMS fabrication, such as poly-silicon, silicon oxide, single-crystal silicon, metals, metal alloys, and the like. Therefore, one may form structural features in an aerogel-based layer at rates significantly higher than the rates at which structural features can be formed in denser materials. The invention further includes a method of patterning an aerogel-based layer to produce such an aerogel-based mold. The invention further includes a method of fabricating a microelectromechanical feature using an aerogel-based mold. This method includes depositing a dense material layer directly onto the outline of at least part of a microelectromechanical feature that has been formed in the aerogel-based layer.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to the modification of fibers by the growth of films by the Atomic Layer Epitaxy (ALE) process, which is also commonly referred to as Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The presently disclosed subject matter relates in particular to a process for the modification of the surface and bulk properties of fiber and textile media, including synthetic polymeric and natural fibers and yarns in woven, knit, and nonwoven form by low-temperature ALD.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a mask configured to improve the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. A substrate is provided with a mask forming feature. The mask forming feature comprises an annular surface that has a curved profile that corresponds to the curvature of a corneal layer of the eye. A release layer is formed on the annular surface. A mask layer of a biocompatible metal is formed above the release layer. The mask layer is separated from the substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diamond film is provided. The material with a low thermal decomposition point is used as a substrate. A buffer layer is formed on the substrate by coating or deposition, and then a diamond film is coated thereon, fitting the shape of the required diamond film. With the buffer layer, the coating or deposition uniformity of the diamond film is improved, and the problems such as thermal stress cracking and assembly damage are solved as well. During a subsequent process of forming the diamond film, the substrate is thermally decomposed due to a high temperature, such that the problems such as stripping and die loss are overcome.

Abstract: A method of coating an article during injection molding wherein coating material carried by a high pressure carrier gas is blasted at high velocity directly onto the internal walls of a closed mold and then a plastics substrate is injected into the coated mold to form in-situ a coated molded product.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is disclosed. The formation of a domain wall in a soft magnetic backing layer relative to a large external magnetic field can be suppressed better in the medium, the Hk of the backing layer is improved, and productivity can be increased. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium is formed by laminating at least a soft magnetic backing layer, a non-magnetic underlayer, a magnetic recording layer, and a protective film in succession on a non-magnetic substrate. The backing layer, underlayer, magnetic recording layer, and protective film are formed by a vapor deposition method. The backing layer is a laminated body with a soft magnetic lower backing layer, non-magnetic metal layer, and soft magnetic upper backing layer. The non-magnetic metal layer is formed by forming a metal layer and then subjecting the metal layer to surface exposure processing using a nitrogen-containing gas containing 0.1 to 100 at % nitrogen.

Abstract: A novel nano thermometer, which can be used for temperature measurement of a wide temperature range, in a micrometer size environment, and a method for producing the same. The nano thermometer is a carbon nanotube filled with a continuous columnar gallium, which enables measurement of environmental temperature by length change of the columnar gallium, and is produced by mixing Ga2O3 powder and carbon powder uniformly, and performing heat treatment for this mixed powder at a temperature range of 1200 to 1400° C. under an inert gas flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of chemical vapor deposited domes. The apparatus has a vapor deposition chamber with a plurality of sides, a base and a top where the base has a reactant port for receiving a flow of chemical reactants. A male mandrel is joined to one of a plurality of sides of the deposition chamber such that the flow of chemical reactants in the vapor deposition chamber does not impinge on the mandrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making carbon/carbon composite disks for braking applications that employs a continuous feeding of fiber strands into a mold. The fibers are then compressed to form a mat or preform. The fibers are then needled such that the fibers within the mat interlock and extend in various directions. The mat or preform is then subjected to densification processing. In order to enhance the effectiveness of the densification process and/or to speed up the processing time, a filler is added to the preform during the manufacturing process. The fillers are added by way of a dry powder or as a liquid slurry. The filler may be aluminum oxide, boron carbide, silicon carbide, pitch, or a variety of carbonic or noncarbonic performance enhancers.

Abstract: Wetted thin diamond films which are drapable are described. The films are mounted on various substrates and used as windows for electromagnetic radiation or form a surface coating on an article of manufacture.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon-carbon composites includes steps of producing a mat using carbon fiber, carbon fabric, carbon sheet, or staple fiber; laminating at least three layers of mats; producing a preform using the laminated mats with a needle punching method; performing a first thermal treatment process on the produced preform at a predetermined temperature; densifying the first-thermal-treated preform; performing a second thermal treatment process on the densified preform; forming a predetermined shape out of the second-thermal-treated preform; and performing an oxidation resistant treatment process of the shaped preform.

Abstract: The invention proposes a long life nozzle flap for aircraft turbojets. This flap is remarkable in that it is composed of a hollow tapered body (10) flattened in the transverse direction along straight geometric generating lines (11), the body (10) forming a thin wall (12) with an approximately constant thickness E, this wall (12) comprising a continuous inner surface with a radius of curvature equal to at least 2×E, the wall (12) being made of a refractory composite material composed of reinforcing fibers (18) embedded in a matrix also made from a refractory material, the reinforcing fibers (18) being arranged in a plurality of continuous layers of fibers (18) stacked on each other, the fibers (18a) of a layer crossing the fibers (18b) of any adjacent layer.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic substrate. The substrate comprises a plurality of thin film layers of at least one polymer, the plurality of thin film layers being adjacent to one another and having sufficient strength to be self-supporting, wherein the multilayer plastic substrate has an average visible light transmittance of greater than about 80%.

Abstract: Molding apparatus for rapid transfer of molten resin or pitch in an infiltration molding process. The apparatus includes e.g. an extruder (4) for melting and conveying a resin or pitch and a mold (10) arranged so that resin or pitch is conveyed to a mold insert cavity (19) within the mold. The mold insert contains an internal protrusion such as a locating ring (25) for positioning a porous body (1, 18) within the mold insert cavity in a position that brings about unidirectional flow of the molten resin or pitch through the porous body. Also, rapid resin or pitch infiltration molding process that includes injecting a high melting point, high viscosity, molten resin or pitch into the mold to effect a unidirectional impregnation of a heated preform via a pressure gradient in the mold.

Abstract: A process for preparing a patterned layer of aligned carbon nanotubes on a substrate including: applying a pattern of polymeric material to the surface of a substrate capable of supporting nanotube growth using a soft-lithographic technique; subjecting said polymeric material to carbonization to form a patterned layer of carbonized polymer on the surface of the substrate; synthesising a layer of aligned carbon nanotubes on regions of said substrate to which carbonized polymer is not attached to provide a patterned layer of aligned carbon nanotubes on said substrate.

Abstract: A process for making functional or decorative flakes or platelets economically and at high production rates comprises applying a multi-layer sandwich of vapor deposited metal and release coats in alternating layers to a rotating chilled drum or suitable carrier medium contained in a vapor deposition chamber. The alternating metallized layers are applied by vapor deposition and the intervening release layers are preferably solvent soluble thermoplastic polymeric materials applied by vapor deposition sources contained in the vapor deposition chamber. The multi-layer sandwich built up in the vacuum chamber is removed from the drum or carrier and treated with a suitable organic solvent to dissolve the release coating from the metal in a stripping process that leaves the metal flakes essentially release coat free.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a substrate with which a good-quality substrate having few cracks is obtained. On a growth base made of sapphire with a thickness of smaller than or equal to 100 ?m, a GaN substrate is grown as heating the growth base, and cooling is provided therefor. At this time, the thickness of the substrate subject to growth is made larger than or equal to 200 ?m and the curvature thereof is made smaller than or equal to 0.03 cm?1, the curvature being caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficients of the growth base and the substrate. Thus, even though the substrate is warped due to the cooling after the growth, occurrence of crack in the substrate is prevented and the good-quality substrate is obtained.

Abstract: Method for forming a fluid conduit comprising (a) molding a template having at least a part thereof corresponding to an internal geometry of the conduit; (b) coating a layer on an exposed surface of the template; and (c) removing the template. A wide variety of conduit shapes can be economically manufactured, including those having small dimensions and high design tolerances. Fluid vaporizing devices, which can be used to deliver fluids and/or generate aerosols including capillary tubes with finished or activated inner surfaces, can be manufactured.

Abstract: It relates to a method for manufacturing microstructure using light hardenable material. It mainly includes the steps of (1) preparing step, (2) sputtering step, (3) UV light exposing step, and (4) mold removing step. By utilizing the sputtering principle and the UV light or the like to solidify a light hardenable material and then to form a microstructure with many small through holes or close ended recesses. It not only can manufacture the microstructure plate used on the ink jet printer, but also can apply to the microlens array, microlens, biotechnological chips, tiny structures of a battery, or other microstructure in the nano-technology industry.

Abstract: A process of monolithically forming one-piece reflective pavement marker or delineator, including at least one retro reflective face. The process is based on molding the pavement marker or delineator with means to integrally form cube-corner reflective elements and internal hollow cavity air gaps simultaneously. The pavement marker also provides means to enhance agglutination to the roadway. The open ends of hollow cavities at the marker base can be sealed, thereby maximizing the base area for adhesive wetting parameter. The monolithically formed reflective marker can be made, either from one type of plastic, or from two polymers with varied specifications, said polymer is to be from high impact and abrasion resistance thermoplastics. The integrally formed reflective face provided with means to form cube-corner reflective elements on designated cell like areas within the inside surface of said reflective face. The reflective pavement marker further provided with means to enhance abrasion resistant surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for the fabrication of a protective coating for a crucible with channels being formed in the coating. A material is adhered to the outer wall of the crucible to form a pattern thereon. The outer wall of the crucible along with the pattern of material adhered thereto is next coated with another material. The material used to form the pattern should extend through the outer material coating to define at least one port therein. Next, the crucible with its pattern of material and outer coating material is heated to a temperature of transformation at which the pattern of material is transformed to a fluidic state while the crucible and outer coating material maintain their solid integrity. Such transformation could also be accomplished by using a solvent that causes the pattern of material to dissolve.

Abstract: A wrinkle-free organic film having a high light transmittance and a uniform film thickness is obtained by forming an organic thin film on the surface of a substrate having a contact angle of the surface to water of 90° or higher, followed by peeling the film therefrom.

Abstract: An improved method for creating a multi-layered optical lens structure which appears, from an observer's point of view, to have a brushed metal finish, matte finish, decorative pattern, image or logo on the surface of a sunglass lens, but which is optically transparent from a wearer's point of view. The present method for creating a lens structure does not require the use of epoxies or adhesives and allows the lens structure to be made as a polarized lens. The present method offers vast improvements over previously disclosed methods in that it simplifies assembly of the lens structure, allows for greater repeatability, and significantly improves the optical clarity of the final lens structure.

Abstract: A process for preparing embossed, finely-divided, thin, bright-metal particles which process comprises forming an embossed release surface to al least one side of a carrier sheet, depositing a metal film onto the release surface so that the metal film conforms to the embossed surface, solubilizing the release surface, removing the metal film from the carrier sheet, and breaking the thin metal film onto embossed particles having an average diameter of between 10 to 50 microns. The film may also take the form of an optical stack.

Abstract: A process of producing relatively large, dense, free-standing silicon carbide articles by chemical vapor deposition is enabled by the provision of specially designed isolation devices. These devices segregate silicon carbide deposits on the intended portions of substrates, thereby alleviating the need to fracture heavy silicon carbide deposits in order to remove, or otherwise move, the substrate, with the heavy deposit thereon, from the deposition furnace. The isolation devices enable the use of more efficient vertically extended vacuum furnaces. The isolation devices also enable the commercial production of relatively dense, large, thin-walled, silicon carbide shells.

Abstract: A multi-layer sandwich of vapor deposited metal and release coats in alternating layers is applied to a drum or carrier in a vapor deposition chamber. The metallized layers are applied by vapor deposition. The release layers are solvent soluble thermoplastic or lightly crosslinked polymeric materials applied by vapor deposition in the chamber. The multi-layer sandwich is removed and treated with solvent to dissolve the release coating from the metal flakes. The release coat material can be a radiation curable, crosslinkable vapor deposited polymeric material of low crosslink density. A high energy radiation source crosslinks the release material to produce tack-free, solvent soluble release coat layers. The multi-layer vapor deposit can be built up on an endless belt passing from the chamber through a separate vacuum lock. Both chambers are at vacuum pressures below atmospheric while depositing the flake material.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of chemical vapor deposited domes. The apparatus has a vapor deposition chamber with a plurality of sides, a base and a top where the base has a reactant port for receiving a flow of chemical reactants. A male mandrel is joined to one of a plurality of sides of the deposition chamber such that the flow of chemical reactants in the vapor deposition chamber does not impinge on the mandrel.