Abstract: A method and an apparatus for industrial and professional electrostatic painting, in accordance with ionization parameters predetermined according to the type of material to be painted and implemented using an electrostatically charged pressurized carrier fluid (whether positively charged, negatively charged, or in the neutral plasma state) combined to a flow of atomized liquid paint or powder paint, including a step of oxygen-enrichment of the paint-carrier fluid in order to obtain a higher degree of electrostatic grip of the carrier fluid.

Abstract: A moving bed reactor system is provided. The system comprises at least one gas inlet, a distributor, a temperature control, a plurality of electrodes, and a spark control circuit. The spark control circuit drives the electrodes and generates a multi-arc discharge when the system is loaded with particles and a gas at approximately atmospheric pressure or greater is being pumped through the system. The multi-arc discharge is useful to create activated species which may improve the rate of a chemical reaction taking place in the moving bed reactor system.

Abstract: An amorphous carbon film forming method is performed by using a parallel plate type plasma CVD apparatus in which an upper electrode and a lower electrode are installed within a processing chamber, and the method includes: disposing a substrate on the lower electrode; supplying carbon monoxide and an inert gas into the processing chamber; decomposing the carbon monoxide by applying a high frequency power to at least the upper electrode and generating plasma; and depositing amorphous carbon on the substrate. It is desirable that the upper electrode is a carbon electrode.

Abstract: A method for depositing material on a substrate is described. The method comprises directionally depositing a thin film on one or more surfaces of a substrate using a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) formed from a source of precursor to the thin film, wherein the deposition occurs on surfaces oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of incidence of the GCIB, and deposition is substantially avoided on surfaces oriented substantially parallel to the direction of incidence.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for synthesis of composite materials involving gas phase plasma polymerization to covalently plasma graft an organic molecule onto particles; covalently binding an organic monomer to the functionalized particles; and, polymerizing the organic monomers into hybrid polymer composite materials.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for forming a coating on a substrate using a tribo-charging electrostatic fluidized bed process; characterized in that a powder coating is used which has a particle size distribution such that a) d(v,90)?42.5 ?m, and b) i) the percentage of particles <10 ?m in size is ?12% by volume, and/or ii) [d(s,90)÷d(s,10)]2?3.5, [d(s,90)?7]d(s,90) being greater than 7 ?m and d(s,90) and d(s,10) being measured in microns.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of functionalizing a powdered substrate. The method comprises the following steps, which method comprises passing a gas into a means for forming excited and/or unstable gas species, typically an atmospheric pressure plasma or the like and treating the gas such that, upon leaving said means, the gas comprises excited and/or unstable gas species which are substantially free of electric charge. The gas comprising the excited and/or unstable gas species which are substantially free of electric charge is then used to treat a powdered substrate and a functionalizing precursor in a downstream region external to the means for forming excited and/or unstable gas, wherein neither the powdered substrate nor the functionalizing precursor have been subjected to steps (i) and (ii) and wherein said functionalizing precursor is introduced simultaneously with or subsequent to introduction of the powdered substrate. Preferably the method takes place in a fluidized bed.

Abstract: A method for applying particles in a pattern to a substrate, either directly or by use of an intermediate tool, by electrokinetic or electrostatic means by exposing the substrate to particles in a fluid medium to electrokinetically or electrostatically deposit the particles onto the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electric power system for stably supplying power while suppressing corona discharge generating ultraviolet radiation which may cause health problems in human beings. The corona discharge start voltage varies with the weather. Data on weather forecasts is inputted for each district at certain times so as to calculate the corona discharge estimated start voltage for each transmission line with a computer. If the calculation result predicts start of corona discharge at normal transmission voltage, the transmission voltage of the line is lowered or power transmission through the transmission line is stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming a coating on a substrate, including establishing a fluidised-bed having a fluidising gas and a powder coating composition, immersing the substrate wholly or partly in the fluidised bed, the substrate being either electrically isolated or earthed, providing an electrically conductive electrode, to which a voltage is applied, positioned to influence the extent to which charged particles adhere to a region of the substrate, withdrawing the substrate from the fluidised-bed and forming the adherent particles into a continuous coating over at least part of the substrates. The apparatus is arranged and the process is conducted such that the maximum potential gradient existing in the fluidised bed is below the ionisation potential of the fluidising gas.

Abstract: A process for forming a coating on a substrate, including the steps of effecting tribostatic charging of a body of powder by establishing a fluidised-bed of the body of powder in a fluidising chamber at least a part of which is conductive, applying a voltage to the conductive part of the fluidising chamber, immersing a substrate which is electrically non-conductive or poorly conductive, either electrically isolated or earthed, wholly or partly in the fluidised bed, withdrawing the substrate from the fluidised-bed and forming adherent particles of the powder into a continuous coating over at least part of the substrate.

Abstract: A metal oxide coating has a nanotextured surface defined by a plurality of capillary openings arranged in a pattern on the surface of the coating. Each of the capillary openings have a diameter defined by a previously present organic macromolecule. The metal oxide coating is formed by depositing a solution containing uniformly dispersed micelles composed of amphiphilic molecules on a metal, oxide, or plastic substrate. The micelles are self-arranging, in solution, as a result of mutually repulsive electrostatic forces on the surface of the micelles, and form a uniformly patterned organic template when the solution is deposited on the surface of the substrate. A metal oxide coating is then applied to the substrate, which forms a ceramic monolayer that is a negative image of the organic template. The organic template is then removed, thereby forming a metal oxide coating having a plurality of macromolecular-sized apertures formed therein.

Abstract: A process for forming a coating on a conductive substrate, including the steps of: establishing a fluidised-bed of a powder coating composition, thereby effecting tribostatic charging of the powder coating composition, the fluidised-bed including a fluidising chamber at least a part of which is conductive, applying a voltage to the conductive part of the fluidising chamber, immersing the substrate wholly or partly in the fluidised bed, whereby charged particles of the powder coating composition adhere to the substrate, the substrate being either electrically isolated or earthed, withdrawing the substrate from the fluidised-bed and forming the adherent particles into a continuous coating over at least part of the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a paper or board web made from fibers in which the web is treated with calcium hydroxide and then with carbon dioxide gas so as to form calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A material having a conductive pattern, the material comprising a support and a conductive element, the conductive element being 500 nm thick or less and containing a polyanion and an intrinsically conductive polymer, characterized in that one surface of the conductive element is an outermost surface of the material and the other surface of the conductive element is contiguous with a patterned surface, the patterned surface consisting of at least two types of surface element, and those parts of the conductive element contiguous with a type A surface element exhibiting a surface resistance at least a factor of ten greater than those parts of the conductive element contiguous with a type B surface element; a material for making a conductive pattern, the material comprising a support and a conductive element, the conductive element containing a polyanion and an intrinsically conductive polymer, characterized in that one surface of the conductive element is an outermost surface of the material, the other surface

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate resists unwanted generation of plasma within a waiting chamber of a processing apparatus. The waiting chamber and a processing chamber are depressurized, and an untreated substrate is placed into the processing chamber, by raising a mounting table. A lower opening of the processing chamber is air-tightly closed by an edge portion of the mounting table. Thereafter, gas is introduced into the waiting chamber to increase the pressure therein, and in parallel with this, reactive gas is introduced into the processing chamber, but at a much lower pressure than that of the waiting chamber. Under this condition, high frequency power is applied to electrodes of the processing chamber to generate plasma therein. The likelihood of unwanted plasma generation in the waiting chamber is significantly reduced by the higher pressure therein, relative to the processing chamber.

Abstract: Method and assembly for forming a paper or board web and a product made using the method. According to the method, the web (11) is made from fibers and then the web (11) is treated with pigment particles. The web is treated with microscopic pigment particles whose average size is so small as to permit the particles to adhere to each other by van der Waals forces. The particles are transferred to the web and adhered thereto advantageously using an ion-blast technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for controlling a thin film formation process using a corona discharge measurement technique. The system includes a thin film formation system operative to form a thin film based on one or more process parameters, a corona discharge measurement system operable to measure one or more properties of the thin film, and a processor operatively coupled to the thin film formation system and the corona discharge measurement system, wherein the processor analyzes the data from the corona discharge measurement system and a set of target data and controls the one or more process parameters via the thin film formation system based on the analysis. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a thin film formation using a corona discharge technique.

Abstract: Method for applying powder to objects, such as electric motor stators and permeable substrates. The apparatus includes a first chamber having upper and lower portions. A powder fluidizing bed is disposed at the lower portion and receives and fluidizes a bed of powder to form a powder cloud within the first chamber. An opening is disposed at the upper portion of the first chamber and directs at least one stream of the powder from the powder cloud out of the first chamber. An object holder is disposed above the opening and is configured to hold at least one of the objects at a position for intersecting the stream of powder.

Abstract: An insulating film for semiconductors which has excellent adhesion to films formed by CVD and is useful as a dielectric film in semiconductor devices and the like is provided.

Abstract: A laminate film comprising a polyolefin polymer layer having a surface treated by a flame or corona discharge treatment method and biaxially oriented at about 5.5-10.0 stretch ratio in the machine direction and about 7.0-12.0 stretch ratio in the transverse direction which imparts superior machine direction tensile properties such as Young's modulus of about 350,000 to about 400,000 psi or greater, elongation of 120% or less, and tensile strength of about 27,000 to about 30,000 psi or greater; and a metal layer having an optical density of at least about 1.8 deposited on said treated surface of said polyolefin-based resin layer.

Abstract: A compensation ring 31 disposed to surround a periphery of a wafer W on a susceptor 30 is concentrically divided into an inside first compensation ring member 32 and an outside second compensation ring member 33. A width of a first compensation ring member 32 is made such thin as one to three times mean free path of treatment gas molecules, thereby suppressing heat transfer between a susceptor 30 and a second compensation ring member 33. A base of a second compensation ring member, through a layer of conductive silicone rubber 34, is made to come into an intimate contact with an upper surface of a susceptor 30, thus helping to cool.

Abstract: In subjecting a substrate of low electric conductivity to a pretreatment by holding the same within a fluidized bed of diamond particles for the formation of a diamond film on the substrate surface, a treatment method is disclosed which is capable of preventing decrease in the effect of the pretreatment. The pretreatment of the substrate is conducted within a fluidized bed of diamond particles by keeping the electrostatic potential of the substrate in the range from −1.5 to +1.5 kV. It is desirable that the relative humidity of the gas for the fluidization of diamond particles is controlled to be 40% or higher. It is more desirable that ion bombardment onto the substrate surface to effect neutralization of the electrostatic charges. The fluidizing gas is humidified preferably by using a bubbling apparatus or spraying apparatus.

Abstract: Functionalized polymer surfaces having reactive moieties thereon are contacted with stamps having ligands adsorbed thereto, the ligands also comprising reactive moieties. The reactive moieties of the functionalized surfaces and the ligands form covalent bonds, thus providing a method of microstamping polymer surfaces directly with ligands such as biological ligands. Using this method, devices such as tissue culture plates with polymer surfaces that are microstamped directly with ligands can be made.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate which is a core for a pharmaceutical dosage form, which comprises electrostatically applying to a surface of the core a powder material comprising active material, the coating material applied constituting a dosage of active material, wherein the powder material includes composite particles, each composite particle comprising two or more components having different physical and/or chemical properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, for applying electrostatically charged particles of an edible coating material to a surface of a food product to be coated, incorporates a fluidizing hopper for containing the material. The hopper includes an agitating system including an agitator blade and lifting blades to stir and lift the material while air is forced through a microporous fluidizing plate into the material. The fluidized material is withdrawn from the hopper through a venturi pump and supplied to an application gun. The application gun includes a corona discharge through which the fluidized material is forced to create charged particles of the fluidized material. The fluidized particles are directed to a food product item to be coated. The quantity of coating material is predetermined and is precisely controlled by shutting off the air pressure supply to the venturi pump to avoid excessive overspray of the particles.

Abstract: In subjecting a substrate of low electric conductivity to a pretreatment by holding the same within a fluidized bed of diamond particles for the formation of a diamond film on the substrate surface, a treatment method is disclosed which is capable of preventing decrease in the effect of the pretreatment. The pretreatment of the substrate is conducted within a fluidized bed of diamond particles by keeping the electrostatic potential of the substrate in the range from −1.5 to +1.5 kV. It is desirable that the relative humidity of the gas for the fluidization of diamond particles is controlled to be 40% or higher. It is more desirable that ion bombardment onto the substrate surface to effect neutralization of the electrostatic charges. The fluidizing gas is humidified preferably by using a bubbling apparatus or spraying apparatus.

Abstract: A method of attaching a substantially uniform distribution of particulates to individual exposed surfaces of a matrix of fibrous material. The method includes the following steps: 1) electrically charging a matrix of fibrous material having individual exposed surfaces to create a substantially uniform distribution of charged sites at the exposed surfaces; 2) applying particulates to the charged matrix of fibrous material so that at least some particulates adhere at the charged sites; and 3) attaching particulates adhering to the fibrous material at charged sites by substantially non-transient bonding.

Abstract: A method for achieving a highly uniform plasma density on a substrate by shaping an induced electric field including the steps of positioning the substrate in a processing chamber. supplying a high frequency power to a spiral antenna generating an induced electric field in the processing chamber, generating a plasma in the processing chamber, and shaping the electric field with respect to the substrate to achieve a uniform distribution of plasma on the substrate being processed.

Abstract: The powder coating for use in a coating method which includes the steps of mixing and applying two or more powder coatings to a substrate, the powder coating comprising a resin not having thermosetting properties at a temperature of 160.degree. C. or less by itself, and being heat-cured at a temperature of 160.degree. C. or less when used in combination with other powder coatings. The powder coating composition comprising two or more powder coatings, wherein each of the powder coatings comprises a resin not having thermosetting properties at a temperature of 160.degree. C. or less by itself, and being heat-cured at a temperature of 160.degree. C. or less to form a coating film when used in combination with other powder coatings.

Abstract: Method of improving wetting and adhesive properties of dielectric materials by injecting electrical charges into the substrate under conditions such that the primary effect on the surface is that of charging so that improved wettability of the surface will be achieved. Flowable materials are then applied to the surface and cured in situ to permanently adhere the flowable materials to the surface.

Abstract: A heat-curable, epoxy-free coating composition comprises a dry blend of at least two different binder resins, each binder resin comprising of (a) a carboxyl-terminated polyester resin having an acid value from 20 to 200 mg KOH/g and a glass transition temperature of at least 40.degree. C., and (b) a .beta.-hydroxylalkylamide with at least two .beta.-hydroxylalkylamide groups per molecule; the at least two different binder resins differing in functionality, or in other words in the number of carboxyl and/or .beta.-hydroxylalkylamide groups per binder resin molecule. Along with the binder resins, the coating composition optionally includes further additives that are typical for the processing and use of powder coatings.

Abstract: Solid particles are coated in a fluidized bed by application of a gaseous coating agent from a plasma, wherein the plasma is generated outside the fluidized bed under 0.01-500 mbar, and the plasma-activated gas is passed into the fluidized bed, which is operated under 0.1-500 mbar, wherea. the plasma is generated from the total amount of gaseous coating agent with or without another gas, orb. the plasma is generated from a portion of the gaseous coating agent with or without another gas, and the remaining portion is introduced directly into the fluidized bed, orc. the plasma is generated from another gas, and the total amount of gaseous coating agent is introduced directly into the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A process for preparing coating compositions of a commingled hydrogel of a polyurethane-polyurea polymer hydrogel and at least one other polymer hydrogel of a polymer different from polyurethane-polyurea; a process for making materials composed of a polymeric plastic or rubber substrate or a metallic substrate, with a coating of the commingled hydrogel thereon; and a process for making medical devices with a coating of the commingled hydrogel thereon, are disclosed. The coating compositions tenaciously adhere to the substrate materials and medical devices to which they are applied due to bonding of a tie coat to a reactive substrate surface and due to the commingling of the two hydrogel components. The coating compositions and coated materials and medical devices are non-toxic and biocompatible, making them ideally suited for use in applications such as for catheters, catheter balloons and stents.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for powder coating the surfaces of objects provides a spray source of charged powder coat particles that engage the surface of the object. The thickness of the layer of particles can be regulated by measuring the resulting electrostatic surface potential generated by the particles. The layer of particles is treated by applying a balanced air flow positively and negatively-charged air ions that neutralize and transport surface particles from the object. The resulting surface has an electrostatic surface potential that is substantially equal thereon. This equal electrostatic surface potential translates into an even thickness coating along the object's surface. The treated surface is then cured by conventional heating and cooling processes to form a finished powder coat finish.

Abstract: A multilayer heat sealable film comprises:(a) a polyolefin film substrate layer;(b) a layer of an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), and(c) a heat sealable acrylic polymeric coating applied to (b).The film exhibits excellent oxygen and aroma barrier, and low minimum seal temperature (82.degree. C.).

Abstract: A method of forming synthetic hydrogen defect free diamond or diamond like films on a substrate. The method involves providing vapor containing fullerene molecules with or without an inert gas, providing a device to impart energy to the fullerene molecules, fragmenting at least in part some of the fullerene molecules in the vapor or energizing the molecules to incipient fragmentation, ionizing the fullerene molecules, impinging ionized fullerene molecules on the substrate to assist in causing fullerene fragmentation to obtain a thickness of diamond on the substrate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are set forth for providing a reactive radical species at a substrate surface. A wall structure defines an interior chamber. A substrate is mounted in the chamber at a target position therein with a surface region of the substrate oriented in a selected direction. A first vaporous chemical is introduced to the chamber with the first vaporous chemical flowing toward the surface region of the substrate. A first radical species is generated from the first vaporous chemical intermediate the position of introduction of the first vaporous chemical and the substrate surface region and at a pressure of no more than about 0.1 Torr without producing significant amounts of ionized species. The first radical species flows toward the surface region of the substrate. The chamber is evacuated and maintained at a pressure of .ltoreq.10.sup.-7 Torr during the introduction of the first vaporous chemical.

Abstract: A method of forming synthetic diamond on a substrate. The method involves providing a substrate surface covered with a fullerene or diamond coating, positioning a fullerene in an ionization source, creating a fullerene vapor, ionizing fullerene molecules, accelerating the fullerene ions to energies above 250 eV to form a fullerene ion beam, impinging the fullerene ion beam on the substrate surface and continuing these steps to obtain a diamond film thickness on the substrate.

Abstract: Electrostatic fluidized bed coating apparatus consists of an horizontal porous plate and a contiguous, vertical porous plate. Charged particles exiting the bed formed on the horizontal plate fall past the outer surface of the vertical plate, and are electrostatically recharged by ionized air issuing through it, thereby effectively extending the operative vertical length of the bed and substantially increasing coating efficiency.

Abstract: A method of forming synthetic diamond on a substrate is disclosed. The method involves providing a substrate surface covered with a fullerene or diamond coating, positioning a fullerene in an ionization source, creating a fullerene vapor, ionizing fullerene molecules, accelerating the fullerene ions to energies above 250 eV to form a fullerene ion beam, impinging the fullerene ion beam on the substrate surface and continuing these steps to obtain a diamond thickness on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for achieving a highly uniform plasma density on a substrate by shaping an induced electric field including the steps of positioning the substrate in a processing chamber, supplying a high frequency power to a spiral antenna generating an induced electric field in the processing chamber, generating a plasma in the processing chamber, and shaping the electric field with respect to the substrate to achieve a uniform distribution of plasma on the substrate being processed.