Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing a hybrid nano-filament composition for use in a lithium battery electrode. The process comprises: (a) providing a porous aggregate of electrically conductive nano-wires that are substantially interconnected, intersected, physically contacted, or chemically bonded to form a porous network of electrically conductive filaments, wherein the nano-wires have a diameter or thickness less than 500 nm; and (b) depositing an electro-active coating onto a surface of the nano-wires, wherein the electro-active coating is capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and the coating has a thickness less than 10 ?m, preferably less than 1 ?m. This process is applicable to the production of both an anode and a cathode. The battery featuring an anode or cathode made with this process exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.

Abstract: A printed antifog packaging film incorporates a cured reactive ink system or a cured reactive varnish system. The reactive ink system includes a radiation-cured ink or a cured thermoset ink. The reactive varnish system includes a radiation-cured varnish or a cured thermoset varnish. The cured reactive ink or varnish reduces the tendency of the antifog film to form a ghost condensate image of the printed image after the film has been unwound from a roll form and subjected to conditions that form moisture condensation on the film.

Abstract: A p-type semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) film and a process for preparing the film are disclosed. The film is co-doped with phosphorous (P) and lithium (Li). A pulsed laser deposition scheme is described for use in growing the film. Further described is a process of pulsed laser deposition using transparent substrates which includes a pulsed laser source, a substrate that is transparent at the wavelength of the pulsed laser, and a multi-target system. The optical path of the pulsed laser is arranged in such a way that the pulsed laser is incident from the back of the substrate, passes through the substrate, and then focuses on the target. By translating the substrate towards the target, this geometric arrangement enables deposition of small features utilizing the root of the ablation plume, which can exist in a one-dimensional transition stage along the target surface normal, before the angular width of the plume is broadened by three-dimensional adiabatic expansion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for hardening an annular groove of a piston head (1) of a steel piston of an internal combustion engine by means of laser beams (4), in which, according to the invention, at least the annular groove to be hardened is provided before or directly during hardening with a coating which absorbs the energy of laser beams (4) and the coating is subsequently irradiated with the laser beams (4). The absorbing layer is preferably a manganese phosphate coating or is formed in situ by treating the component surface with a process gas comprising oxygen and inert gas. Furthermore, the laser beams are directed at the piston during hardening at an oblique angle to the direction of rotation. The advantages achieved are: avoidance of reflections and undesirable hardening of the bottom of the rotation. The advantages achieved are: avoidance of reflection and undesirable hardening of the bottom of the groove, an increased degree of absorption and reduced distortion of the piston.

Abstract: A particle damper is formed using a solid freeform manufacturing technique. A filler provides support for the closing wall of the cavity as it is formed. Apertures allow at least a portion of the filler to be removed. A particle fill of between 90 and 95% is achieved either by removing sufficient filler to reach this fill or removing excess filler and re-filling with damping particles.

Abstract: A system and method for that allows one part of an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process sequence to occur at a first temperature while allowing another part of the ALD process sequence to occur at a second temperature. In such a fashion, the first temperature can be chosen to be lower such that decomposition or desorption of the adsorbed first reactant does not occur, and the second temperature can be chosen to be higher such that comparably greater deposition rate and film purity can be achieved. Additionally, the invention relates to improved temperature control in ALD to switch between these two thermal states in rapid succession.

Abstract: An electrochemical/electrically controllable device having variable optical and/or energetic properties, including a first carrier substrate including an electrically conductive layer associated with a first stack of electrically active layers and a second carrier substrate including an electrically conductive layer associated with a second stack of electrically active layers. The first and second stacks each function optically in series on at least a portion of their surface and are separated by an electrically insulating mechanism.

Abstract: A method of ultrashort pulsed laser deposition (PLD) capable of continuously tuning formed-film morphology from that of a nanoparticle aggregate to a smooth thin film completely free of particles and droplets. The materials that can be synthesized using various embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, metals, alloys, metal oxides, and semiconductors. A ‘burst’ mode of ultrashort pulsed laser ablation and deposition is provided, where each ‘burst’ contains a train of laser pulses. Tuning of the film morphology is achieved by controlling the burst-mode parameters such as the number of pulses and the time-spacing between the pulses within each burst, the burst repetition rate, and the laser fluence.

Abstract: Thermal barrier coating layer systems, in addition to good thermal barrier properties, also have to have a long service life of the thermal barrier coating. The layer system according to the invention comprises a specially adapted layer sequence of metallic bonding layer, inner ceramic layer and outer ceramic layer.

Abstract: A method of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) capable of continuously tuning formed-film morphology from that of a nanoparticle aggregate to a smooth thin film free of particles and droplets. The materials that can be synthesized using various embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, metals, alloys, metal oxides, and semiconductors. In various embodiments a ‘burst’ mode of ultrashort pulsed laser ablation and deposition is provided. Tuning of the film morphology is achieved by controlling the burst-mode parameters such as the number of pulses and the time-spacing between the pulses within each burst, the burst repetition rate, and the laser fluence. The system includes an ultrashort pulsed laser, an optical system for delivering a focused onto the target surface with an appropriate energy density, and a vacuum chamber in which the target and the substrate are installed and background gases and their pressures are appropriately adjusted.

Abstract: A localized deposition system is provided comprising a substrate support, a feed material supply, a feedstock laser source, a substrate laser source, and a deposition control system. The feedstock laser source is configured to heat feed material positioned for localized deposition on the deposition surface of the substrate. The substrate laser source is configured to heat a localized portion of the substrate. The deposition control system is programmed to synchronize the relative movement between the deposition surface of the substrate and the localized deposition position of the feed material supply with operation of the feedstock laser source, the substrate laser source, and the feed material supply to execute a deposition operation. Methods of localized deposition are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for forming a photovoltaic cell electrode structure, wherein the photovoltaic cell includes a semiconductor substrate having a passivation layer thereon, includes providing a plurality of contact openings through the passivation layer to the semiconductor substrate, selectively plating a contact metal into the plurality of contact openings to deposit the contact metal, depositing a metal containing material on the deposited contact metal, and firing the deposited contact metal and the deposited metal containing material. The metal containing material may include a paste containing a silver or silver alloy along with a glass frit and is substantially free to completely free of lead. The methods may also use light activation of the passivation layer or use seed layers to assist in the plating.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of modifying a mechanical, physical and/or electrical property of a dielectric layer comprises exposing the dielectric layer to a first dose of electron beam radiation at a first energy level; and thereafter, exposing the dielectric layer to a second dose of electron beam radiation at a second energy level that is different from the first energy level.

Abstract: A nanocarbon film that is produced in such a manner that, after a nanocarbon dispersion containing nanocarbon and a dispersant is used to form a film containing the nanocarbon and the dispersant, an external stimulus is applied to the film to at least partially decompose the dispersant contained in the film. Light irradiation is preferably applied as the external stimulus.

Abstract: A film-formation method whereby a minute pattern thin film can be formed on a deposition substrate, without provision of a mask between a material and the deposition substrate. Moreover, a light-emitting element is formed by such a film-formation method, and a high-definition light-emitting device can be manufactured. Through a film-formation substrate in which a reflective layer, a light-absorbing layer and a material layer are formed, the light-absorbing layer is irradiated with light, so that a material contained in the material layer is deposited on a deposition substrate which is disposed to face the film-formation substrate. Since the reflective layer is selectively formed, a film to be deposited on the deposition substrate can be selectively formed with a minute pattern reflecting the pattern of the reflective layer. A wet process can be employed for formation of the material layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition, which comprises a latent activator. It also provides a process for the preparation of these compositions, substrates coated with these compositions and a process for their preparation, a process for preparing marked substrates using these compositions and marked substrates obtainable by the latter process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for partially covering solid crystalline surfaces with lines of selected atoms or molecules, a procedure known as the atomic or molecular ‘patterning’ of such surfaces. The method utilizes a mechanism of Dipole-Induced Assembly (DIA) for the growth of lines of physisorbed dipolar molecules on crystalline surfaces is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, physisorbed 1,5 dichloropentane (DCP) on Si(100)?2×1 at room temperature is shown by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to self-assemble into molecular lines that grow predominantly perpendicular to the Si-dimer rows. Extensive simulations indicate that the trigger for formation of these lines is the displacement of surface charge by the dipolar adsorbate, giving rise to an induced uni-directional surface-field and hence surface buckling.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a battery comprises selecting a battery substrate having cleavage planes, and depositing on the battery substrate, one or more battery component films comprising electrode films that at least partially surround an electrolyte film. Pulsed laser beam bursts are applied to the battery component films at a sufficiently high power level to vaporize portions of the films to form shaped battery features. The pulsed laser bursts shape the films substantially without causing fractures along the cleavage planes of the battery substrate. Pulsed laser shaping can be used to replace the use of a mask in the fabrication of shaped battery components.

Abstract: A capacitive substrate and method of making same in which first and second glass layers are used. A first conductor is formed on a first of the glass layers and a capacitive dielectric material is positioned over the conductor. The second conductor is then positioned on the capacitive dielectric and the second glass layer positioned over the second conductor. Conductive thru-holes are formed to couple to the first and second conductors, respectively, such that the conductors and capacitive dielectric material form a capacitor when the capacitive substrate is in operation.

Abstract: To reuse support plate and to fix a membrane sheet by the same method both in a new product manufacturing and in regeneration. In a flat membrane element including a deposit fixed portion formed by lapping a membrane sheet performing solid-liquid separation onto a support plate supporting the membrane sheet and by emitting a laser to a circumferential edge of the membrane sheet to deposit fix the member sheet onto the support plate, and making an inside of the membrane sheet surrounded by the deposit fixed portion be a solid-liquid separating area; an embrocation having laser absorption property is applied on the surface of the membrane sheet of the deposit fixed portion. At the time of regeneration, such a portion of the membrane sheet that corresponds to the solid-liquid separating area is cut off and, after that, a new membrane sheet is lapped on the embrocation and the new membrane sheet and the embrocation are deposit fixed by a laser.

Abstract: A first substrate which includes a reflective layer having an opening, a light-absorbing layer, and a material layer formed in contact with the light-absorbing layer over one of surfaces is provided; the surface of the first substrate over which the material layer is formed and a deposition target surface of the second substrate are disposed to face each other; and irradiation with laser light whose repetition rate is greater than or equal to 10 MHz and pulse width is greater than or equal to 100 fs and less than or equal to 10 ns is performed from the other surface side of the first substrate to selectively heat a part of the material layer at a position overlapping with the opening of the reflective layer and deposit the part of the material layer over the deposition target surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a gas turbine part includes forming a bonding underlayer on a superalloy metal substrate, the underlayer including an intermetallic compound of aluminum, nickel, and platinum, and forming a ceramic outer layer on the alumina film formed on the bonding underlayer. The bonding underlayer essentially comprises an Ni—Pt—Al ternary system constituted by an aluminum-enriched ?-NiPt type structure, in particular an Ni—Pt—Al ternary system having a composition NizPtyAlx in which z, y, and x are such that 0.05?z?0.40, 0.30?y?0.06, and 0.15?x?0.40.

Abstract: A probe test head for a high density pin count integrated circuit, includes: a flexible membrane; an array of conductive structures, each one of the structures including a mechanically compliant probe tip affixed to the membrane, such that an attachment point enables mechanical actuation of the probe tip through a conductive member parallel to the membrane. A method for fabrication and measurement apparatus are provided.

Abstract: Modified strain regions are created in correlation to strain reactive structures that are subjected to a predetermined dimensional precision adjustment. The modified strain regions are created by impacting incident particles into exposed regions of the strain reactive structures. The irradiation by the incident particles creates a predetermined material disruption and consequently a change in strain energy. The strain energy, and the associated dimensional adjustment is dependent on the irradiation process and the sum properties of the modified strain regions and the strain reactive structure.

Abstract: In a method for fabricating an organic electroluminescent display, a first electrode layer is formed on a transparent substrate, and a hole transport layer is formed on the first electrode layer. After an organic luminescent layer is formed on the hole transport layer by scanning a donor film disposed on the substrate using a laser beam, the donor film is removed and then a second electrode is formed on the organic luminescent layer. The laser beam dithers while performing the scanning operation to make the energy distribution uniform.

Abstract: There is provided a method of vacuum evaporation comprising causing evaporated material (5) from vacuum evaporation source (20) furnished with container (1) with its one side open accommodating organic material (2) to form a film on opposed substrate (7), wherein the vacuum evaporation source has heating element (3) not fixed to the container, sealing the opening of the container and being in contact with the surface of organic material held in the container, and wherein the organic material is evaporated by heating of the heating element only, the evaporated material released through at least one hole (6) or at least one slit made in the heating element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite material, the method comprising: growing two or more layers of reinforcement in-situ; and impregnating each layer with a matrix before growing the next layer. The reinforcement layers may be formed by a chemical vapour deposition process. The method can be used as an additive layer manufacturing technique to form a component with a desired shape and physical characteristics.

Abstract: Thin-film composite materials with nanometer-scale grains comprise a thin-film layer that includes at least an electronic and an ionic conductor, and can be porous and/or resistant to redox-degradation. The thin-film composite materials can be formed by simultaneous co-deposition of at least an electronic and an ionic conductor onto a substrate using physical vapor deposition methods. Sacrificial materials can be co-deposited with the electronic and ionic conductors and subsequently removed from the thin-film layer to form a network of pores in the thin-film layer, that is, a porous thin-film composite material. A solid oxide fuel cell comprises an anode, an electrolyte and a cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are independently a thin-film composite material and the electrolyte is a thin-film material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser ablation method for coating an object with one or more surfaces, so that the object to be coated, i.e. the substrate, is coated by ablating the target, so that the uniformity of the surface deposited on the object to be coated is ±100 nm. The surface of the coated object is advantageously free of micron size particles, and it is typically a nano technological surface where the size of separate particles is ±25 nm at most. The object also relates to products made by said method.

Abstract: There is provided a method of efficiently producing a superconductive material more excellent in properties, and large in area when executing thermal decomposition of a metalorganic compound, and formation of a superconductive material with heat treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions derived from a polycarboxylic acid, a polyhydroxy compound, a dye and a basic crosslinking agent. The compositions can be used to prepare cross-linked films that exhibit low solvent-swell characteristics. The cross-linked films can be used to prepare color filter elements via thermal transfer processes.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the deflection of an electron beam in a vapor deposition system includes a control unit to which are assigned deflection modules (23, 27) which can be driven in accordance with respective selected functions. By driving these deflection modules, the electron beam can be deflected in two coordinate directions. At least one of the selected functions has a time-changing term via which the periodicity of the deflection of the electron beam (14) changes with respect to this coordinate direction. The term can be pregiven manually or automatically. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the deflection of the electron beam in a vapor deposition system.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a reverse osmosis membrane comprising flow modifier structures on one or more of its surfaces. The surface modifier structures are disposed on the membrane surface using a direct-write technique. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of making a reverse osmosis membrane, the method comprising providing a first membrane layer having an active surface and disposing on the active surface one or more flow modifier structures suing a direct-write technique. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention provides a method for making a polyethersulfone membrane comprising surface structures created using a direct-write technique. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for making a membrane stack assembly comprising a membrane layer and a feed carrier layer wherein a direct-write technique is used to create surface structures (flow modifier structures) on each of the membrane layer and the feed carrier layer.

Abstract: The invention relates in general level to a method for coating plastic products including large surface areas. The invention also relates to coated plastic products manufactured by the method. The coating is carried out by employing ultra short pulsed laser deposition wherein pulsed laser beam is scanned with a rotating optical scanner including at least one mirror for reflecting the laser beam. The invention has several both industrially and qualitatively advantageous effects such as low production temperatures accomplishing the coating of plastic products, high coating production rate, excellent coating properties and overall low manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A probe for a scanning device having an anode, a cathode, and an organic material. The organic material is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The organic material is operable for at least one of emitting and detecting light by an electrical bias applied between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously coating and measuring a part. The apparatus includes a part support, a sprayer and a part measurer positioned adjacent to the part support and a display device positioned adjacent to the part support. The sprayer applies a coating to a section of the part while the part measurer continuously measures a dimension of the section of the part being coated. In one embodiment, an initial amount of coating and a final amount of coating are applied to the section of the part based on the dimension measurements and desired dimension of the part. In another embodiment, the amount of coating applied to the part is based on the desired coating thickness. As a result, the apparatus and method of the present invention significantly reduces the margin of error related to the application of coatings to parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously coating and measuring a part. The apparatus includes a part support, a sprayer and a part measurer positioned adjacent to the part support and a display device positioned adjacent to the part support. The sprayer applies a coating to a section of the part while the part measurer continuously measures a dimension of the section of the part being coated. In one embodiment, an initial amount of coating and a final amount of coating are applied to the section of the part based on the dimension measurements and desired dimension of the part. In another embodiment, the amount of coating applied to the part is based on the desired coating thickness. As a result, the apparatus and method of the present invention significantly reduces the margin of error related to the application of coatings to parts.

Abstract: For the purpose of solving problems inherent to a white Al2O3 spray coating, i.e. drawbacks that the injury resistance, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, abrasion resistance and the like are poor and the light reflectance is high because the coating is porous and weak in the bonding force among particles, there are proposed a spray coating member having excellent injury resistance and the like in which a surface of a substrate is covered with a colored Al2O3 spray coating of a luminosity lower than grayish white, achromatic or chromatic color.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element (20) for security papers, value documents and the like having a diffraction pattern that exhibits an embossed relief pattern (24, 26) and a coating layer (28, 32) that increases the visibility of the diffraction effect of the embossed relief pattern (24, 26). According to the present invention, the relief pattern (24, 26) is formed on the basis of a cholesteric liquid crystalline material (24) and the coating layer (28, 32) includes a reflective (28) and/or a high-index layer (32).

Abstract: Component fabrication and in particular fabrication by deposition processes for large components is made more convenient by initially depositing a masking deposition layer 2 upon a thin substrate 1 such that subsequently shaped metal deposition techniques can be used. Previously, the relatively thin nature of the substrate 1 has rendered the hot heat plume 11 of the shaped metal deposition technique too intrusive. It will be understood that this heat plume 11 may distort the thin substrate 1. By initial application of a protective masking deposition layer 2, the underlying substrate is protected by that layer 2 from the heat plume 11 generated by the shaped metal deposition process.

Abstract: A method for carrying out pulsed laser deposition is disclosed. The method comprises providing a target having a desired composition; irradiating the target with a pulsed laser beam to provide a plume of target material; and directing the plume in a desired direction by use of an inert carrier gas. The plume of target material is passed through an aperture to create an atomic beam. One or both of the plume or the atomic beam is irradiated to reduce the amount of agglomerated particles in the atomic beam. The atomic beam is directed onto a substrate to produce a deposition product. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Light reactive deposition can be adapted effectively for the deposition of one or more electrochemical cell components. In particular, electrodes, electrolytes, electrical interconnects can be deposited form a reactive flow. In some embodiments, the reactive flow comprises a reactant stream that intersects a light beam to drive a reaction within a light reactive zone to produce product that is deposited on a substrate. The approach is extremely versatile for the production of a range of compositions that are useful in electrochemical cells and fuel cell, in particular. The properties of the materials, including the density and porosity can be adjusted based on the deposition properties and any subsequent processing including, for example, heat treatments.

Abstract: A processing method according to the present invention coats a polar liquid film or forms an inorganic film on a surface of an organic film formed on a substrate as a protective film. The processing method comprises a modifying step of curing an organic film by irradiating the organic film with electron beams by means of an electron-beam irradiation device in a rare gas atmosphere, and an applying step of applying a polar liquid to the modified surface of the organic film or a film forming step of forming an inorganic film on the organic film. The organic film is cured and affinity for the polar liquid or the inorganic film is imparted to the organic film.

Abstract: An ink composition includes a conductive fine particle, a dispersion medium in which the conductive fine particle is dispersed, and a combustion substance that starts a combustion reaction by receiving light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a transparent conductive film comprising a coating step for coating a coating solution containing metal nanoparticles on a substrate to form a coated layer, a drying step for drying the coated layer and a baking step for baking the coated layer to obtain a transparent conductive film, wherein a metal in the metal nanoparticles is oxidized to a metal oxide during at least one of the coating step, the drying step and the baking step. According to this method, a transparent conductive film having a low specific resistance and a high light transmittance can be produced by coating.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for making an artificial, amphiphilic bilayer using aqueous micro-droplets (1-1,000 um dia) in a water-immiscible solvent, wherein immediately surrounding each droplet is a monolayer of amphiphilic molecules; the general method comprising: juxtapositioning the droplets with a focused laser beam such that the monolayers merge to create a bilayer of the amphiphilic molecules between the droplets.

Abstract: A laser decal transfer is used to generate thin film features by directing laser pulses of very low energy at the back of a target substrate illuminating an area of a thin layer of a high viscosity rheological fluid coating the front surface of the target. The illuminated area is shaped and defined by an aperture centered about the laser beam. The decal transfer process allows for the release and transfer from the target substrate to the receiving substrate a uniform and continuous layer identical in shape and size of the laser irradiated area. The released layer is transferred across the gap with almost no changes to its initial size and shape. The resulting patterns transferred onto the receiving substrate are highly uniform in thickness and morphology, have sharp edge features and exhibit high adhesion, independent of the surface energy, wetting or phobicity of the receiving substrate.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of making an electronically tunable dielectric material comprising mixing particles of at least one electronically tunable dielectric phase and particles of at least one compound of low loss complex perovskites, and particles of optional one other family of materials; and sintering the material.

Abstract: An optical film with focusing function is applicable to a backlight module for adjusting an optical property thereof. A manufacturing method of the optical film includes the steps of: (a) providing a transparent base including a light incident surface and a light output surface, the light output surface having a plurality of focusing microstructures formed thereon; (b) forming a reflective layer on the light incident surface; and (c) providing a laser beam incident on the reflective layer from at least one of the focusing microstructures, the laser beam being focused on the reflective layer by the at least one of the focusing microstructures and forming at least one aperture in the reflective layer, the at least one aperture being corresponding to the at least one of the focusing microstructures. A backlight module using the manufactured optical film is also described.

Abstract: A method includes feeding an uncoated substrate from a payout spool into a multi-chambered vacuum apparatus. The vacuum apparatus includes a plurality of deposition chambers defining an extended deposition zone, a multi-zone substrate heater located within the extended deposition zone, and multiple high-temperature superconductor (HTS) targets located within and being arranged linearly along the extended deposition zone. The multiple HTS targets include a first and second HTS target. The first and second HTS targets include a HTS material. The method farther includes translating the uncoated substrate along a translation path through the plurality of deposition chambers, impinging multiple laser beams simultaneously upon the multiple HTS targets and forming multiple overlapping plumes of HTS material within the extended deposition zone, depositing HTS material on a first major surface of the uncoated substrate to provide a coated substrate, and winding the coated substrate onto a take-up spool.