Abstract: Sputtered zinc oxide layer is used to improve and control the crystalline properties of a molybdenum back contact used in photovoltaic cells. Optimum thicknesses for the zinc oxide layer are identified.

Abstract: A method of rendering a substrate catalytic to electroless metal deposition comprising the steps of: (a) depositing a ligating chemical agent on the substrate, which is capable of both binding to the substrate and ligating to an electroless plating catalyst; and (b) ligating the electroless plating catalyst to the ligating chemical agent, wherein the ligating chemical agent has the chemical structure:

Abstract: Provided is a metal covered polyimide composite comprising a tie-coat layer and a metal seed layer formed on a surface of a polyimide film by electroless plating or a drying method, and a copper layer or a copper alloy layer formed thereon by electroplating, wherein the copper plated layer or copper alloy plated layer comprises three layers to one layer of the copper layer or copper alloy layer, and there is a concentrated portion of impurities at the boundary of the copper layer or copper alloy layer when the copper layer or copper alloy layer is three layers to two layers, and there is no concentrated portion of impurities when the copper layer or copper alloy layer is a single layer. Additionally provided are a method of producing the composite and a method of producing an electronic circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for producing clathrate compounds, comprising producing a homogeneous melt containing the desired elements in the desired ratio, and subsequently solidifying said melt to obtain the clathrate compound by quickly cooling the melt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piston ring for engine that includes chromium (Cr) coating layer coated on the surface of a base material of the piston ring of an engine; a chromium nitride (CrN) coating layer; and a silicon-incorporated diamond-like carbon (Si-DLC) coating layer, which is formed on the CrN coating layer, and contains Si component of about 3˜10 at %, and a method for manufacturing thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve for an engine and a method for treating the surface thereof. The valve for the engine includes a buffer layer, an intermediate layer, a TiAlN/CrN first nanostructured multilayer, and a TiAlCN/CrCN second nanostructured multilayer. The buffer layer is coated over a surface of a stem part as a lowermost layer and is formed of Ti or Cr. The intermediate layer is coated over the buffer layer and is formed of CrN, TiN, or TiCN. The TiAlN/CrN first nanostructured multilayer is coated over the intermediate layer. The TiAlCN/CrCN second nanostructured multilayer is coated over the TiAlN/CrN first nanostructured multilayer as an uppermost layer.

Abstract: A composition includes a layer of nanoparticles and a layer of a second material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet-like construction element composed of composite material, comprising two metallic outer layers, a rigid polyurethane foam layer, and a compact polyurethane layer which comprises microcapsules with a capsule core composed of latent-heat-accumulator material, and also to a process for its production, and to its use.

Abstract: A method for depositing an aluminizing coating onto a substrate. The method includes: (a) depositing a layer, containing platinum and at least 35% of nickel, onto a surface of the substrate; and (b) depositing an aluminum coating onto the layer.

Abstract: A method for producing coated, fine metal particles each having a Ti oxide coating and a silicon oxide coating formed in this order on a metal core particle by mixing powder comprising TiC and TiN with oxide powder of a metal M meeting the relation of ?GM-O>?GTiO2, wherein ?GM-O represents the standard free energy of forming an oxide of the metal M; heat-treating the resultant mixed powder in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to reduce the oxide of the metal M with the powder comprising TiC and TiN, while coating the resultant metal M particles with Ti oxide; coating the Ti-oxide-coated surface with silicon oxide; and classifying the resultant particles such that they have a median diameter d50 of 0.4-0.7 ?m, and a variation coefficient (=standard deviation/average particle size) of 35% or less, which indicates a particle size distribution range.

Abstract: A composite particle comprises a core, a shielding layer deposited on the core, and further comprising an interlayer region formed at an interface of the shielding layer and the core, the interlayer region having a reactivity less than that of the core, and the shielding layer having a reactivity less than that of the interlayer region, a metallic layer not identical to the shielding layer and deposited on the shielding layer, the metallic layer having a reactivity less than that of the core, and optionally, an adhesion metal layer deposited on the metallic layer.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to sputtered aluminum second surface mirrors with permanent protective coatings optionally provided thereto, and/or methods of making the same. A mirror coating supported by a substrate may include, for example, first and second silicon-inclusive layers sandwiching a metallic or substantially metallic layer including aluminum, and an optional layer including Ni and/or Cr in direct contact with the metallic or substantially metallic layer comprising aluminum. A protective film is disposed directly over and contacting an outermost layer of the mirror coating, with the protective film having a peel strength of 200-500 cN/20 mm wide strip. The protective film is adapted to survive seven day exposure to an 85 degree C. temperature at 85% relative humidity, as well as seven day exposure to a 49 degree C. temperature at 100% relative humidity.

Abstract: Refractory metal powders are dehydrided in a device which includes a preheat chamber for retaining the metal powder fully heated in a hot zone to allow diffusion of hydrogen out of the powder. The powder is cooled in a cooling chamber for a residence time sufficiently short to prevent re-absorbtion of the hydrogen by the powder. The powder is consolidated by impact on a substrate at the exit of the cooling chamber to build a deposit in solid dense form on the substrate.

Abstract: A new substrate makes it possible to modify surface properties relating to biocompatibility. Said substrate has an electron donating surface, characterized in having metal particles on said surface, said metal particles comprising palladium and at least one metal chosen from gold, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and platinum, wherein the amount of said metal particles is from about 0.001 to about 8 ?g/cm2. The substrate is suggested for different uses, such as for modifying the hydrophobicity, protein adsorption; tissue ingrowth, complement activation, inflammatory response, thrombogenicity, friction coefficient, and surface hardness.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a two-layered copper-clad laminate with improved folding endurance, wherein the two-layered copper-clad laminate retains folding endurance of 150 times or more measured with a folding endurance test based on JIS C6471 by subjecting the laminate in which a copper layer is formed on a polyimide film through sputtering and plate processing to heat treatment at a temperature of 100° C. or more but not exceeding 175° C. Specifically, provided are a method of producing a two-layered copper-clad laminate (two-layered CCL material) in which a copper layer is formed on a polyimide film through sputtering and plate processing, wherein the rupture of the outer lead part of a circuit can be prevented due to the improvement in folding endurance; and a two-layered copper-clad laminate obtained from the foregoing method.

Abstract: A pseudo-substrate (1, 11) for use in the production of semiconductor components, having a carrier substrate (2, 12) with a crystalline structure and a first buffer (3, 13), which is arranged on a surface of the carrier substrate (2, 12), if appropriate on further intervening intermediate layers, wherein the first buffer (3, 13) is embodied as a single layer or as a multilayer system and includes, at least at the surface facing away from the carrier substrate (2, 12), arsenic (As) and at least one of the elements aluminum (Al) and indium (In).

Abstract: A method for providing a structure in a magnetic recording transducer is described. The method includes plating a first layer in a plating bath using a first plurality of plating conditions. The first layer has a first galvanic potential. The method also includes modifying the plating bath and/or the first plurality of plating conditions to provide a modified plating bath and/or a second plurality of plating conditions. The method further includes plating a second layer using the modified plating bath and/or the second plurality of plating conditions. The second layer has a second galvanic potential. The first galvanic potential is between the second galvanic potential and a third galvanic potential of a third layer if the third layer adjoins the first layer. The second galvanic potential is between the first galvanic potential and the third galvanic potential of the third layer if the third layer adjoins the second layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the fabrication of composite palladium or palladium alloy membranes. The surface of the porous ceramic substrate is modified with pencil to create a uniform and smooth layer, and the membrane is deposited via electroless plating. The advantages of the pencil modification are a reduction of the substrate surface roughness and a repair of substrate surface defects, which leads to a great improvement in the membrane uniformity and hydrogen permeation performances. This method is facile and economic, and it is especially effective on low-cost macroporous ceramic substrate materials. Furthermore, this method generates almost no pollution and therefore is environmentally benign.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shielding article includes a plastic substrate, a silicon dioxide layer deposited on the plastic substrate, an electromagnetic shielding layer deposited on the plastic substrate, and a protection layer deposited on the electromagnetic shielding layer.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shielding article includes a plastic substrate; a nickel vanadium layer deposited on the plastic substrate; an electromagnetic shielding layer deposited on the plastic substrate; and a protection layer deposited on the electromagnetic shielding layer. A method for manufacturing the electromagnetic shielding article comprising steps of: providing a plastic substrate; depositing a nickel vanadium layer on the plastic substrate by radio-frequency induction plasma spraying process; depositing an electromagnetic shielding layer on the nickel vanadium layer; and depositing a protection layer on the electromagnetic shielding layer.

Abstract: A production method of an ink composition for organic EL devices comprises preparing a composition containing a polymer organic EL material and an organic solvent; and applying an electric field to the composition. Preferably, a composition containing a polymer organic EL material prepared by a coupling reaction between a halogenated aromatic compound and an aromatic boron compound in the presence of palladium catalyst or nickel catalyst, an organic solvent, and an aromatic carboxylic acid contained in an amount of 0.01-1 wt % based on the total amount of the organic solvent and aromatic carboxylic acid is prepared.

Abstract: A thermally and electrically conductive structure comprises a carbon nanotube (110) having an outer surface (111) and a carbon coating (120) covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the carbon nanotube. The carbon coating may be applied to the carbon nanotube by providing a nitrile-containing polymer, coating the carbon nanotube with the nitrile-containing polymer, and pyrolyzing the nitrile-containing polymer in order to form the carbon coating on the carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube may further be coated with a low contact resistance layer (130) exterior to the carbon coating and a metal layer (140) exterior to the low contact resistance layer.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to magnetoresistive (MR) sensors, sensor elements and structures, and methods. In particular, embodiments relate to MR, such as giant MR (GMR) or tunneling MR (TMR), spin valve layer systems and related sensors having improved stability. Embodiments include at least one of a multi-layer pinned layer or a multi-layer reference layer, making the stack more stable and therefore suitable for use at higher temperatures and magnetic fields than conventional systems and sensors.

Abstract: A coated article includes a substrate, a composite layer formed on the substrate, and a chromium-oxygen-nitrogen layer formed on the composite layer. The composite layer includes a plurality of nickel-aluminum-holmium layers and a plurality of iridium layers. Each nickel-aluminum-holmium layer interleaves with one iridium layer. A method for making the coated article is also described.

Abstract: A method of making a sputtering target includes forming a sputtering target containing a relatively porous sputtering material. The sputtering material may be initially formed to be substantially free of water or treated to remove substantially all of absorbed or adsorbed water from the sputtering material. The method also includes forming a water impermeable barrier layer over the substantially water free sputtering material to completely or substantially prevent re-absorption or re-adsorption of water in the sputtering material.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a thin film heater resistor portion having a heater resistor, and a two-layer structure disposed over the heater resistor. The two-layer structure includes a top layer and a bottom layer, with the top layer having a hardness that is at least 1.5 times greater than the hardness of the bottom layer.

Abstract: A layer system and a method for producing a component having such a layer system are provided. The layer system includes a substrate a substrate, at least one MCrX layer on the substrate, and a chromium-rich layer on or in the at least one MCrX layer. X includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of yttrium (Y), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al) and boron (B). M includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co).

Abstract: A coating method includes depositing a reactive material onto a turbine engine component using an ionic liquid that is a melt of a salt, and heat treating the turbine engine component to react the reactive material with at least one other element to form a protective coating on the turbine engine component.

Abstract: Graphene layers can be formed on a dielectric substrate using a process that includes forming a copper thin film on a dielectric substrate; diffusing carbon atoms through the copper thin film; and forming a graphene layer at an interface between the copper thin film and the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conductive polishing pad and a method for making the same. The conductive polishing pad includes a bottom layer, a conductive film and a polishing layer. The bottom layer includes a first high polymer and a fiber base. The first high polymer covers the fiber base, and has a plurality of first holes. The conductive film is disposed on the bottom layer. The polishing layer is disposed on the conductive film, and includes a second high polymer. The second high polymer has a plurality of second holes. Even though the bottom layer and the polishing layer are poor conductors, the conductivity thereof is raised by the conductive film, so that the polishing pad has good conductivity. Further, the polishing pad has a flexible surface, which prevents a surface of a workpiece to be polished from being scratched during polishing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a decorative article, including a first coating formation step of forming a first coating of primarily TiN on a substrate; a second coating formation step of forming a second coating on the first coating by means of a dry plating method using a target containing 70.0 wt %?85.0 wt % Au and 15.0 wt %?30.0 wt % Cu; a heat treatment step of promoting formation of a solid solution of the constituents of the second coating by applying a heating process that heats the substrate on which the first coating and the second coating are disposed to 300° C.?395° C. and then applying a cooling process; and an acid treatment step that, of the constituents of the second coating to which the heating process was applied, removes the constituents not forming a solid solution by applying an acid treatment.

Abstract: A method of producing a metal-graphite foam composite, and particularly, the utilization thereof in connection with a cooling apparatus. Also provided is a cooling apparatus, such as a liquid cooler or alternatively, a heat sink for electronic heat-generating components, which employ the metal-graphite foam composite.

Abstract: A thermal interface material includes a thermally conductive metal matrix and coarse polymeric particles dispersed therein. The composite can be used for both TIM1 and TIM2 applications in electronic devices.

Abstract: Tubing such as clear plastic disposable tubing or glass tubing includes a photonic sensor formed in or placed within the tubing. The photonic sensors can take the form of photonic crystal sensors, distributed feedback laser sensors, and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors, including photonic crystal enhanced SERS sensors. Detection arrangements for the sensors are described. The invention has many applications including tubing used in hospital care (e.g., urinary catheters, intravenous fluid delivery tubing, tubing used in dialysis, e.g. heparin lines or blood tubing sets), food manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, water quality monitoring, and environmental monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for producing a coated jewelry article or a coated component of a jewelry article, comprising a jewelry article or a component of a jewelry article, a first metallic coating, and a second metallic coating.

Abstract: A composition for enhancing the corrosion resistance of an article comprising a silver coating deposited on a solderable copper substrate. The composition comprises: a) a multi-functional molecule comprising at least one organic functional group that interacts with and protects copper surfaces and at least one organic functional group that interacts with and protects silver surfaces; b) an alcohol; and c) a surfactant.

Abstract: A metal nano particle can be supported and immobilized on a substrate uniformly. Thus, disclosed is a method for supporting a nano metal particle, which comprises applying a silane coupling agent having at least one functional group capable of capturing a metal (e.g., an imidazole group, an amino group, a diamino group, a mercapto group, and a vinyl group) in its molecule on a substrate, and then contacting the silane coupling agent with a nano particle of a metal (e.g., gold, platinum, silver, copper, palladium, nickel, cobalt), wherein the silane coupling agent may be produced by the reaction between an azole compound with an epoxysilane compound, and wherein the metal nano particle to be contacted with the silane coupling agent is preferably coated with an ionic fluid. Also disclosed is a substrate having a metal nano particle supported thereon, which is produced by the method.

Abstract: An adhesiveless copper clad laminate, which does not have defects on a copper film part due to a pin hole generated at the time of forming a base metal layer on an insulating film by dry plating process, has excellent adhesion between the insulating film and the base metal layer and corrosion resistance, and has a copper film layer having high insulation reliability The adhesiveless copper clad laminate is provided by forming a base metal layer directly at least on one plane of an insulating film without having an adhesive in between, and then by forming a copper film layer on the base metal layer, the base metal layer having a film thickness of 3 to 50 nm is formed by dry plating method and mainly contains a chrome-molybdenum-nickel alloy wherein the chrome ratio is 4 to 22 weight %, the molybdenum ratio is 5 to 40 weight %, and the balance is nickel.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, a contact pad of the semiconductor chip and a first layer arranged over the contact pad. The first layer includes niobium, tantalum or an alloy including niobium and tantalum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layered structure, where contamination of impurities into indium target is excellently prevented, and manufacturing method thereof. The multi-layered structure comprises: a backing plate, an impurity diffusion prevention layer, comprising thin film consisting of one or more metals selected from Fe, W, Ta, Te, Nb, Mo, S and Si, formed on the backing plate, and an indium target, formed on the impurity diffusion prevention layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming fine wiring comprising: preparing a substrate for a printed circuit board; forming a metal thin sacrificial layer on the substrate using a first metal ink; forming a wiring on the metal thin sacrificial layer by inkjet printing using a second metal ink; and removing a portion of the metal thin sacrificial layer to form a wiring pattern. The method for forming fine wiring according to the invention can improve adhesiveness by using metal thin sacrificial layer and prevent spreading of ink in forming fine wiring.

Abstract: A metal-coated polyimide film is excellent in long-term adhesion reliability, exhibits various dimensional stabilities, and is particularly suitable for FPC, COF and TAB applications. The metal-coated polyimide film comprises a non-thermoplastic polyimide film; and a metal layer being directly formed on one surface or both surfaces of the non-thermoplastic polyimide film without using an adhesive, wherein the non-thermoplastic polyimide film contains a non-thermoplastic polyimide resin having a thermoplastic polyimide block component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for a preliminary metallizing treatment of galvanized or zinc alloy-coated steel surfaces or joined metallic parts that at least partly have zinc surfaces, in a surface treatment encompassing several process steps. In the disclosed method, metallic coats of especially a maximum of 100 mg/m2 of molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, lead, tin, and/or preferably iron are produced on the treated zinc surfaces. Another embodiment of the invention relates to an uncoated or subsequently coated metallic part which has been subjected to the disclosed preliminary metallizing treatment as well as the use of such a part for making bodies during the production of automobiles, building ships, in the construction industry, and for manufacturing white products.

Abstract: Adhesiveless copper clad laminates wherein a base metal layer is directly formed on at least one side of an insulating film without using an adhesive and a copper conductor layer having a desired thickness is formed on the base metal layer, the adhesiveless copper clad laminates is characterized in that a base metal layer having a thickness of 3 to 50 nm is formed on an insulating film by a dry plating method and a copper film layer is formed on the base metal layer, and the base metal layer mainly contains (1) a vanadium-molybdenum-nickel alloy consisting of 4 to 13% by weight of vanadium, 5 to 40% by weight of molybdenum, and the balance of nickel or (2) a vanadium-chromium-molybdenum-nickel alloy consisting of 4 to 13% by weight of vanadium and chromium in total including at least 2% by weight of vanadium, 5 to 40% by weight of molybdenum, and the balance of nickel.

Abstract: According to this process for manufacturing a ceramic element intended to be fitted onto a watch case, the visible surface of which has features, a soluble layer (2) is selectively deposited on said visible surface, the thickness of said soluble layer being at least equal to the height of said features, a first tie layer (3) of the Ti, Ta, Cr or Th type is vacuum-deposited by magnetron sputtering with a thickness of at least 100 nm by physical vapor deposition (PVD) on said surface thus selectively coated, followed, without venting atmosphere, by PVD deposition of said second layer (4) made of Au, Pt, Ag, Ni, Pd, TiN, CrN, ZrN or alloys thereof with a thickness of at least 100 nm, and then said soluble layer (2) is dissolved.

Abstract: Techniques for combining a polymer layer and a metal layer to form a multi-layer structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, an intermediate layer having pores, openings or voids is secured to the metal layer, and then the polymer layer is molded to the intermediate layer, whereby the pores, openings or voids in the surface of the intermediate layer serve to facilitate securing of the polymer layer to the metal layer. The multi-layer structure is suitable for use in as a portion of a housing for an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method for creating extensive variations in size or distance in nanostructure patterns on surfaces preferably includes: a) contacting a substrate with a liquid phase containing organic two-block or multi-block copolymer micelles, which are charged with an inorganic metal compound, by immersion into this liquid phase, during which chemically different polymer domains including inorganic metal compounds enclosed in micelles are deposited on the substrate; b) withdrawing the substrate from the liquid phase at a predetermined withdrawing speed, which is varied continuously or gradually, so that a gradient of the lateral separation length of the polymer domains is produced on the substrate surface; c) converting the deposited inorganic metal compounds by an oxidation- or reduction treatment into inorganic nanoparticles and optionally complete or partial removal of the organic polymer by a plasma treatment, wherein positions and lateral separation length of the nanoparticles obtained are determined by those of de

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like in a low-E coating, and methods of making the same. In certain cases, at least one layer of the coating is of or includes nickel and/or titanium (e.g., NixTiyOz). The provision of a layer including nickel titanium and/or an oxide thereof may permit a layer to be used that has good adhesion to the IR reflecting layer, and reduced absorption of visible light (resulting in a coated article with a higher visible transmission). When a layer including nickel titanium oxide is provided directly over and/or under the IR reflecting layer (e.g., as a barrier layer), this may result in improved chemical and mechanical durability. Thus, visible transmission may be improved if desired, without compromising durability; or, durability may simply be increased.

Abstract: A method for designating a component, coated with a heat insulation layer including zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) stabilized with yttrium oxide (Y2O3) [YSZ], and for determining its operating time or operating temperature is provided. The method includes doping the heat insulation layer and marking the doped heat insulation layer, with at least one metal oxide in at least one surface region of the component. The metal oxide is selected such that the doped region of YSZ is visible or can be made optically visible in order to designate the component. The method also includes comparing a slower or faster change in lattice parameters of the doped YSZ region, as compared with undoped YSZ, and determining the operating time of the component under temperature by comparing the lattice parameters with a known calibrating characteristic curve.

Abstract: A substrate processing system for processing an essentially vertically oriented substrate is described.