Abstract: An electroless palladium plating liquid containing at least hydrazine or a salt thereof as a reducing agent, which has excellent bath stability in the vicinity of acidity to neutrality range, long-term stability, and is capable of suppressing the Pd film deposition rate decrease caused by elution of etching resist. An electroless palladium plating solution of the invention includes a palladium compound, hydrazine or its salt, at least one selected from a group consisting of a compound represented by the following formula (1) or its salt and a compound represented by the following formula (2) or its salt; and a pH of 8 or less, NH2NHCOR1 (1), (NH2NHCO)2(R2)n (2), wherein R1 represents H, NH2, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, NHNH2, or an aromatic group, wherein each of these groups may have a substituent; R2 represents (CH2) or an aromatic group, wherein each of these groups may have a substituent; and n represents an integer of 0 to 10.

Abstract: An antimicrobial air treatment device and a method of its construction. The antimicrobial air treatment device comprises an antimicrobial metal nanoparticle mesh comprising a steel support mesh and a layer of copper nanoparticles disposed on the steel support mesh. The antimicrobial air treatment device may be in the form of a facemask or a component of a moving air filtration system such as an HVAC system, an automobile cabin air filtration system, and an air purifier. The antimicrobial air treatment device may contain one or more filtration layers of filtration medium. The method of constructing the antimicrobial air treatment device involves the preparation of the antimicrobial metal nanoparticle mesh by an electrodeposition technique.

Abstract: Compositions comprised of a tin film, coated by a shell of less than 50 nm thick made of palladium and tin in a molar ratio ranging from 1:4 to 3:1, respectively, are disclosed. Uses of the compositions as an electro-catalyst e.g., in a fuel cell, and particularly for the oxidation of various materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a thermoplastic resin composition, a method of preparing the same, and a molded part manufactured using the same, wherein the thermoplastic resin composition includes a-1) 1 to 30% by weight of a first graft polymer obtained by graft-polymerizing an aromatic vinyl compound and a vinyl cyanide compound onto a conjugated diene rubber having an average particle diameter of 0.05 ?m or more and less than 0.2 ?m; a-2) 5 to 45% by weight of a second graft polymer obtained by graft-polymerizing an aromatic vinyl compound and a vinyl cyanide compound onto a conjugated diene rubber having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 0.5 ?m; b) 50 to 80% by weight of an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound copolymer; and c) 1 to 10% by weight of a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester polymer.

Abstract: A plated plated fiber-reinforced member includes: a fiber-reinforced member formed of a composite fiber material in which multiple reinforcing fibers dispersed in a resin, some of the multiple reinforcing fibers being allowed so that portions thereof protruding from a surface of the resin; and an electroless-plated layer formed on the fiber-reinforced member to cover the surface of the resin and the portions of the reinforcing fibers protruded from the surface of the resin.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a structure having at least one plated region and at least one unplated region. The method includes plating a metal on a polymer structure having a first region accepting the metal and a second region unreceptive to the metal plating. The first region may include fully-cured polymer optical waveguides and the second region may include partially-cured polymer optical waveguides. The first region may include a first polymer composition and the second region may include a second polymer composition different than the first polymer composition.

Abstract: A process for metallizing a three-dimensional-printed polymeric structure includes soaking the three-dimensional-printed polymeric structure in a metal salt solution; transferring the three-dimensional polymeric structure to a solution comprising a first reducing agent; soaking the three-dimensional polymeric structure in a metal plating bath, the metal plating bath comprising a coordinating agent, a palladium or platinum salt, a pH buffer component, and a second reducing agent, to form a metal plated polymeric structure. A metal plated porous structure and an apparatus for improving metallization are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for electroless plating of thin metal film directly onto a substrate. The method includes the steps of: cleaning the substrate to remove organic material; etching a surface of the substrate to remove an oxygen-containing surface layer; soaking and rinsing the substrate in a plurality of baths following etching; and electroless plating the metal onto the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for forming a metal layer for electromagnetic shielding and thermal management of active components, preferably by wet chemical metal plating, using an adhesion promotion layer on the layer of molding compound and forming at least one metal layer on the adhesion promotion layer or forming at least one metal layer on the adhesion promotion layer by wet chemical metal plating processes.

Abstract: An article is prepared with surface regions having different contact angles. A reactive silane material is attached to a surface having a reactive tail component that is contacted with a first corresponding reactant, followed by imagewise UV exposure to cause imagewise reaction of the reactive tail component and first corresponding reactant, forming reacted regions and latent reaction regions. After rinsing, a second corresponding reactant that is capable of reaction with the reactive moiety is applied. Uniform UV exposure leads to a second reaction product only in the latent reaction regions. After rinsing, first regions comprise exclusively the first reaction product and second regions comprising exclusively the second reaction product. These first and second regions have contact angles that differ by 10-110 degrees. A composition can be applied that is exclusively attracted to either the first regions or the second regions, but not to both the first and second regions.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to analyze trace carbon in a sample without the effects of contamination. In an electron probe microanalyzer, a liquid nitrogen trap and a plasma or oxygen radical generator are jointly used as a means for suppressing contamination, and two or more carbon detection units for detecting characteristic x-rays of carbon in the sample are provided.

Abstract: A viscous liquid feed nozzle has a nozzle body having a thin and long hole with a front end serving as a feed port. The nozzle is used with a viscous liquid feed unit to feed a viscous liquid such as a viscous adhesive from the feed port. The nozzle has a lubricative plated layer at least on the inside and outside of the feed port. The lubricative plated layer is formed by electroless plating by immersing the nozzle in a plating tank containing a lubricative plating solution. A base end of the nozzle body may have a wide port. In this case, the lubricative plated layer is formed by immersing the nozzle body in the plating tank containing the lubricative plating solution so that the lubricative plating solution enters the wide port and by applying pressure or gravity to the lubricative plating solution in the wide port to pass the lubricative plating solution through the thin and long hole of the nozzle body and discharge the same from the feed port.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an activated polymer particle comprising contacting a polymer particle with at least one polyamine, wherein said polyamine has three or more amino groups, to form a surface treated polymer particle; and applying a catalyst to the surface treated polymer particle to form an activated polymer particle. In some examples, the process can further comprise applying a metal coating to said activated polymer particle to form a metal coated polymer particle.

Abstract: A process of pretreatment for selective application of electroless metallization to a surface of a non-conductive material and a solution useful for the pretreatment are provided. The process achieves good coverage in areas to be plated on the surface of non-conductive materials without skip plating or over plating.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises antimicrobial compositions and devices comprising silver compounds that resist heat and light discoloration. In one aspect, the said compounds comprise silver and at least one s-triazine ring or moiety. In another aspect, the antimicrobial compositions are hydrogels that are effective against broad spectrum of common pathogens including MRSA and VRE and are suitable for treating human or animal wounds and burns. The methods of the present disclosure comprise treating medical and non-medical devices and articles with compositions comprising the silver compounds to impart antimicrobial property.

Abstract: Provided are a vibrating body for speaker device which prevents interlayer from peeling in advance and includes a large effective vibration area, and a speaker device including this vibrating body for speaker device. The vibrating body for speaker device includes a first interlaced fiber member, and a second interlaced fiber member which overlaps with the first interlaced fiber member, and one of the first interlaced fiber member and the second interlaced fiber member includes polyvinyl alcohol fibers containing boron, and an outer circumferential portion of the first interlaced fiber member is larger than an outer circumferential portion of the second interlaced fiber member.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to metal nanoparticle compositions and their methods of formation and use, in particular gold nanoparticles (AuNP) and gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Compositions according to the disclosure include aqueous suspensions of metal nanoparticles that are stabilized with one or more carbohydrate capping agents and/or that are functionalized with one or more binding pair members for capture/detection of a target analyte. The nanoparticle suspensions are stable for extended periods and can be functionalized as desired at a later point in time, typically prior to use in an assay for the detection of a target biological analyte. The stable nanoparticle suspension can be formed by the aqueous reduction of oxidized metal precursors at non-acidic pH values in the presence of a carbohydrate-based capping agent such as dextrin or other oligosaccharides.

Abstract: Articles are prepared to have a substrate and a silver-containing composition on either or both supporting sides of the substrate. The silver-containing composition can comprise either reducible silver ions or silver nanoparticles, complexed with a reactive polymer. The reactive polymer comprises: (a) greater than 1 mol % of recurring units comprising sulfonic acid or sulfonate groups, (b) at least 5 mol % of recurring units comprising a pendant group capable of crosslinking via [2+2] photocycloaddition, and optionally (c) at least 1 mol % of recurring units comprising a pendant amide, hydroxyl, lactam, phosphonic acid, or carboxylic acid group. Some other articles have a water-insoluble complex of reacted (crosslinked) polymer with reducible silver ions or silver nanoparticles on either or both supportive sides of the substrate. Such reacted polymer is derived from the noted reactive polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates the use of a stamping surface enhanced Raman scattering (S-SERS) technique with nanoporous gold disk (NPGD) plasmonic substrates to produce a label-free, multiplexed molecular sensing and imaging technique. A NPGD SERS substrate is stamped onto a surface containing one or more target molecules, followed by SERS measurement of the target molecules located between the surface and SERS substrate. The target molecules may be deposited on the surface, which may be a carrier substrate such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to an aqueous activator solution and a method for the electroless deposition of copper on a laser direct structured substrate surface. By the invention, an aqueous activator solution comprising a strong reducing agent is proposed to enhance the catalytic activity of the irradiated surface area of a LDS substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a flexible transparent conductive film includes steps of: (a) electrospinning a first solution, which contains a polymer, a solvent and a metal ion-containing precursor, to form an polymeric fiber onto a soluble substrate; (b) providing energy to reduce the metal ion-containing precursor of the polymeric fiber, so as to form metal seeds on the polymeric fiber; and (c) placing the polymeric fiber together with the soluble substrate into a second solution, such that the soluble substrate dissolves in the second solution to form an electroless-plating bath and such that the polymeric fiber is subjected to electroless plating to form a metal coating from the metal seeds.

Abstract: Electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles and methods for producing such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles from an alumina-containing raw material. Methods for using such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Abstract: Coaxial probe structures include a plurality of discrete insulated elongated electrical conductors projecting from a support surface which are useful as probes for testing of electrical interconnections to electronic devices, such as integrated circuit devices and other electronic components and particularly for testing of integrated circuit devices with rigid interconnection pads and multi-chip module packages with high density interconnection pads. Coaxial probe structures are fabricated by the methods described providing a high density coaxial probe.

Abstract: To appropriately form a metal-containing film containing metal on a substrate, a method first forms an organic film on the substrate, and causes a treatment agent to enter the organic film and causes metal to infiltrate the organic film via the treatment agent, thereby forming the metal-containing film. The metal-containing film contains metal and thus has a high etching selection ratio that is originally required performance. This makes it possible to appropriately form the metal-containing film having a high etching selection ratio on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an etchant and an etching process, which are preferred for use in etching of oxides containing at least indium and gallium, such as an oxide consisting of indium, gallium and oxygen or an oxide consisting of indium, gallium, zinc and oxygen. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, an etchant comprising sulfuric acid or a salt thereof and a carboxylic acid (except for oxalic acid) or a salt thereof ensures a preferred etching rate, a good residue removal property and low corrosiveness to wiring materials when used in etching of oxides containing at least indium and gallium. Moreover, this etchant not only causes no precipitate but also retains a preferred etching rate even when the concentration of oxides dissolved in the etchant is elevated.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a plating pretreatment solution that can convert the surface of an aluminum substrate for hard disk devices into a surface suitable for electroless nickel plating, and a method for producing an aluminum substrate for hard disk devices using the same. The plating pretreatment solution of the present invention used for a plating pretreatment in production of an aluminum substrate for hard disk devices has an iron ion concentration of 0.1 g/l to 1.0 g/l and a nitric acid concentration of 2.0 wt % to 12.0 wt %. This plating pretreatment solution is used for a pretreatment of a plating step in which electroless nickel plating is applied to an aluminum substrate for hard disk devices.

Abstract: A conductive metal pattern is formed in a polymeric layer that has a polymer that comprises (1) pendant groups that are capable of providing pendant sulfonic acid groups upon exposure of the reactive polymer to radiation, and (2) pendant groups that are capable of reacting in the presence of the sulfonic acid groups to provide crosslinking. The polymeric layer is patternwise exposed to form non-exposed regions and exposed regions, which are contacted with a reducing agent to incorporate reducing agent therein. These exposed regions are then contacted with electroless seed metal ions to oxidize the reducing agent to form corresponding electroless seed metal nuclei that can be then electrolessly plated with a conductive metal.

Abstract: A conductive pattern can be formed using a polymeric layer that contains a reactive composition that comprises a reactive polymer that is metal ion-complexing, water-soluble, and crosslinkable. This reactive polymer comprises pendant groups comprising crosslinkable —C(?O)—CR?CR1—Y— groups wherein R and R1 are defined in the disclosure, as well as metal ion-complexing and water solubilizing groups. The reactive composition can be patternwise exposed to suitable radiation to induce crosslinking within the reactive polymer. The reactive composition and reactive polymer in the non-exposed regions can be removed due to their aqueous solubility, but the exposed regions of the polymeric layer are contacted with electroless seed metal ions, which are then reduced. The resulting electroless seed metal nuclei are electrolessly plated with a suitable metal to form the desired conductive pattern.

Abstract: A conductive pattern can be formed using a polymeric layer that contains a reactive composition that comprises a reactive polymer that is metal ion-complexing, water-soluble, and crosslinkable. This reactive polymer comprises photosensitive non-aromatic unsaturated carbocyclic groups as well as metal ion-complexing and water solubilizing groups. The reactive composition can be patternwise exposed to suitable radiation to induce crosslinking within the reactive polymer. The reactive composition and reactive polymer in the non-exposed regions can be removed due to their aqueous solubility, but the exposed regions of the polymeric layer are contacted with electroless seed metal ions, which are then reduced. The resulting electroless seed metal nuclei are electrolessly plated with a suitable metal to form the desired conductive pattern. Various articles can be prepared during this process, and the product article can be incorporated into various electronic devices.

Abstract: A plating method can improve uniformity in a thickness of a plating layer formed on an inner surface of a recess. The plating method includes a loading process of loading the substrate in which the recess is formed into a casing; and a plating process of supplying a plating liquid to the substrate and forming a plating layer having a specific function on an inner surface of the recess. The plating process includes a first plating process of supplying a first plating liquid to the substrate and forming a first plating layer; and a second plating process of supplying a second plating liquid to the substrate and forming a second plating layer on the first plating layer after the first plating process. Further, a concentration of an additive contained in the first plating liquid is different from a concentration of an additive contained in the second plating liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an item of clothing, in particular to be worn during sports such as jogging, skating, cycling or similar. Said item of clothing is made of at least one yarn (3) that comprises a heat-reflecting covering (5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for coating a surface of a substrate made of nonmetallic material with a metal layer consisting of providing a substrate made of nonmetallic material; subjecting a surface of said substrate to a treatment for increasing the specific surface area thereof; subjecting the resulting surface to an oxidizing treatment; contacting the resulting substrate with a solution containing an ion of a metal from groups IB and VIII of the Periodic Table; obtaining a substrate comprising ions of a metal that are chemically attached to the nonmetallic material constituting the substrate on at least one of its surfaces; subjecting the ions to a reducing treatment to obtain a substrate comprising atoms of a metal that are chemically attached to the nonmetallic material constituting the substrate on a part of at least one of its surfaces; and contacting the resulting surface with a solution containing ions of a metal.

Abstract: A conductive pattern is formed using a reactive polymer comprising pendant tertiary alkyl ester groups, a compound that provides an acid upon exposure to radiation, and a crosslinking agent. A polymeric layer is patternwise exposed to form first exposed regions with a polymer comprising carboxylic acid groups that are contacted with electroless seed metal ions, and then contacted with a halide to form corresponding electroless seed metal halide. Another exposure converts electroless seed metal halide to electroless seed metal nuclei and forms second exposed regions. A reducing agent is used to develop the electroless seed metal nuclei in the second exposed regions, or to develop the electroless seed metal halide in the first exposed regions. Fixing is used to remove any remaining electroless seed metal halide. The electroless seed metal nuclei are then electrolessly plated in various exposed regions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate having a bondable metal coating comprising, in this order, on an Al or Cu surface: (a) a Ni—P layer, (b) a Pd layer and, optionally, (c) an Au layer, wherein the thickness of the Ni—P layer (a) is 0.2 to 10 m, the thickness of the Pd layer (b) is 0.05 to 1.0 m and the thickness of the optional Au layer (c) is 0.01 to 0.5 m, and wherein the Ni—P layer (a) has a P content of 10.5 to 14 wt.-%. The deposit internal stress of the resulting Ni—P/Pd stack is not higher than 34.48M?Pa (5,000 psi). Further, a process for the preparation of such a substrate is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte for the electroless deposition of a metal layer on a substrate, wherein the electrolyte is free of heavy metal stabilizers, cyanides, selenium compounds and sulfur compounds comprising sulfur in an oxidation state between ?2 and +5, and in which instead a ?-amino acid is used as stabilizer. In particular, the inventive electrolyte can comprise 3-aminopropionic acid, 3-aminobutyric acid, 3-amino-4-methylvaleric acid, and 2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a method for the electroless deposition of metal layers utilizing an inventive electrolyte as well as the use of ?-amino acids as stabilizer in electrolytes for the electroless deposition of metal layers in general.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel processes for metallization of dielectric substrate surfaces applying organosilane compositions followed by oxidative treatment. The method results in metal plated surfaces exhibiting high adhesion between the substrate and the plated metal while at the same time leaves the smooth substrate surface intact.

Abstract: A pattern is formed in a polymeric layer comprising (a) a reactive polymer comprising -A- recurring units comprising pendant tertiary alkyl ester groups, (b) a compound that provides an acid upon exposure to radiation having a ?max of 150 nm to 450 nm, and (c) a crosslinking agent that is capable of reacting in the presence of the acid to provide crosslinking in the (a) reactive polymer. The polymeric layer is patternwise exposed to the radiation to provide a polymeric layer comprising exposed regions comprising a polymer comprising carboxylic acid groups. The exposed regions are contacted with a reducing agent to incorporate reducing agent, and then contacted with electroless seed metal ions to oxidize the reducing agent and to form corresponding electroless seed metal nuclei. The electroless seed metal nuclei are then electrolessly plated with a metal to form a conductive metal pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for metallizing nonconductive plastics using etching solutions free of hexavalent chromium. The etching solutions are based on permanganate solutions. After the treatment of the plastics with the etching solutions, the plastics are metallized by means of known processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit creation technology that improves conductive line manufacture by adding active and elemental palladium onto the surface of a substrate. The palladium is disposed in minute amounts on the surface and does not form a conductive layer by itself, but facilitates subsequent deposition of a metal onto the surface, according to the pattern of the palladium, to form the conductive lines.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a test paper is disclosed in the present invention, and at least comprises the following steps. First, a chemical precursor comprising at least a reducing agent is coated onto a substrate. The substrate is then dipped into a metal salt solution comprising a plurality of metal ions for a predetermined time to reduce the metal ions to form metal particles on the substrate. Finally, the substrate is taken out and dried to complete a manufacture of at least a test paper. In the meantime a method for using the test paper, and a chemical composition used in the abovementioned for manufacturing the test paper are also disclosed in the present invention.

Abstract: Stable tin-free palladium catalysts are used to metalize through-holes of printed circuit boards. A stabilizer is included in the catalyst formulation which prevents precipitation and agglomeration of the palladium.

Abstract: A method of applying a nanocrystalline coating to a gas turbine engine component is described. The method comprises the steps of applying an intermediate bond coat to at least a portion of the component, and then applying the nanocrystalline coating to at least the portion of the component overtop of the intermediate bond coat. The component may include, for example, a blade of which a dovetail portion of the blade root is protected by applying the intermediate bond coat and the nanocrystalline coating thereto.

Abstract: Aqueous catalysts of nanoparticles of precious metals and stabilizers of flavonoid derivatives are used to electrolessly plate metal on non-conductive substrates. Such substrates include printed circuit boards.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for forming a patterned conductive film, which comprises the step of bringing a substrate having a layer made of platinum microcrystal particles formed thereon in a pattern and a complex of an amine compound and an aluminum hydride into contact with each other at a temperature of 50 to 120° C. According to the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a patterned conductive layer, which can ensure electrical bonding with a substrate and also can be suitably applied to various electronic devices, simply without requiring a massive and heavy apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst application solution for plating an insulating portion of an object to be plated that comprises the insulating portion. The catalyst application solution is characterized by containing a water-soluble palladium compound, a reducer, a dispersant, catechol, a copper antioxidant and a buffering agent, and by having a pH of not less than 4.

Abstract: An electroless plating pretreatment agent that can retain stably Pd(II) over a long period of time in an organic solvent, an electroless plating method using the same that is capable of forming an electroless plated film having excellent adhesion, and an electroless plated object. The electroless plating pretreatment agent contains an organic palladium compound and a coordination compound having a functional group with a metal-capturing capability dissolved in an organic solvent, the coordination compound being selected from the group consisting of the imidazole analogs, polyethyleneamines, ethyleneimines and polyethyleneimines.

Abstract: A method is provided which includes forming a metal layer and converting at least a portion of the metal layer to a hydrated metal oxide layer. Another method is provided which includes selectively depositing a dielectric layer upon another dielectric layer and selectively depositing a metal layer adjacent to the dielectric layer. Consequently, a microelectronic topography is formed which includes a metal feature and an adjacent dielectric portion comprising lower and upper layers of hydrophilic and hydrophobic material, respectively. A topography including a metal feature having a single layer with at least four elements lining a lower surface and sidewalls of the metal feature is also provided herein. The fluid/s used to form such a single layer may be analyzed by test equipment configured to measure the concentration of all four elements. In some cases, the composition of the fluid/s may be adjusted based upon the analysis.

Abstract: A method for making a printed wiring member including wire-bondable contact pads and wear-resistant connector pads, the method includes a) providing a blank printed wiring member comprising a copper foil laminated to a dielectric substrate; b) masking the blank printed wiring member to protect regions of the copper foil; c) removing copper in unprotected regions of the blank printed wiring member to form a patterned printed wiring member including contact pads and connector pads; d) depositing a nickel coating on the patterned printed wiring member; e) electrolytically depositing a hard gold layer on the nickel coating; and f) depositing palladium on a surface of the hard gold layer to improve bondability of the contact pads while preserving wear resistance of the connector pads.

Abstract: A method includes forming a master embossing roller to have a predetermined pattern, coating a flexible unpatterned substrate with a catalyst coating layer and forming a corresponding pattern in the coated substrate using the master embossing roller to thereby form a patterned substrate. The method may also include electrolessly plating the patterned substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ULSI wiring in which wiring layers are separately formed via a diffusion prevention layer and an insulating interlayer portion made of SiO2. The method comprises the steps of treating, with a silane compound, a SiO2 surface of the insulating interlayer portion on which the diffusion layer is to be formed, performing catalyzation with an aqueous solution containing a palladium compound, forming the diffusion prevention layer by electroless plating, and then forming the wiring layer on this diffusion prevention layer. A capping layer may be formed on the wiring layer by electroless plating. Consequently, a diffusion prevention layer having good adhesive properties can be formed through a simple wet process, and, the wiring layer can directly be formed on this diffusion prevention layer by a wet process. The capping layer can also be directly formed on the wiring layer by electroless plating.