Abstract: The methods and compositions described herein generally relate to methods and compositions for providing a non-stick surface on selected materials. In a method aspect, the methods and compositions described herein provide a method of making a non-stick surface on a metal substrate. The method includes the following steps: a) applying nanostructured zirconia or nanostructured titania to a metal substrate; and b) polishing the surface of the metal substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are compaction resistant thin film composite membranes having a porous polymeric support; a semi-permeable polymer film polymerized on the porous polymeric support; and particles, of a size in the range of microparticles and nanoparticles, dispersed in the porous polymeric support. Also disclosed are methods of making compaction resistant membranes by polymerizing a polymer film on a porous polymeric support with particles of a size in the range of microparticles and nanoparticles dispersed therein, the particles having been selected to improve flux flow characteristics over time of the semi-permeable membrane. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water using the disclosed membranes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a process for producing a metallic fine particle dispersed film which includes metallic fine particles dispersed densely within a silicon oxide layer without aggregation. The process includes hydrolyzing and polycondensing an organosilane to form a silicon oxide layer with hydroxyl and/or alkoxide groups remaining unremoved on its side chains, bringing the silicon oxide layer into contact with an aqueous acidic tin chloride solution, and then bringing the silicon oxide layer into contact with an aqueous metal chelate solution to disperse metallic fine particles in the silicon oxide layer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank comprises a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core comprises at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. Optionally, an underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to coatings for a metal or non-metal substrate comprising (i) a thermal sprayed bondcoat layer applied to said substrate comprising an alloy of MCrAlM? wherein M is an element selected from nickel, cobalt, iron and mixtures thereof, and M? is an element selected from yttrium, zirconium, hafnium, ytterbium and mixtures thereof, and wherein M comprises from about 35 to about 80 weight percent of said alloy, Cr comprises from about 15 to about 45 weight percent of said alloy, Al comprises from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of said alloy, and M? comprises from about 0.01 to about 1.0 weight percent of said alloy, said alloy thermally sprayed from a powder having a mean particle size of 50 percentile point in distribution of from about 5 microns to about 100 microns, said bondcoat having a surface roughness of at least 200 micro-inches, and said bondcoat having a thermal expansion of about 6.5 millimeters per meter or less between a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 525° C.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate for forming a pattern comprising an inorganic layer having a modified surface, wherein the modified surface is formed by coating a surface of the inorganic layer with a bifunctional molecule comprising a functional group having an affinity for a nanocrystal at one end of the molecule and a functional group having an affinity for the inorganic layer at the other end of the molecule. A method for forming a pattern of nanocrystals is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are multi-layer composite construction materials which are suitable as an external insulating layer on a dwelling, which includes homes, office buildings and other installations. The composite constructions of the invention comprise an insulating layer which is typically abutted or adhered to an outside surface of a dwelling, often to the exterior of a foundation or basement wall near the ground line. A composite according to the invention resists damage and abrasion from normal activities, which may include landscaping activity and normal wear and tear experienced by external building surfaces.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as, for example, endoprosthesis, and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A friction material for brakes is formed by molding and hardening a raw material composition mainly containing a fibrous substrate, a friction adjuster, an organic filler, an inorganic filler and a binder in the form of a thermosetting resin. The friction material further contains aggregates of fine alumina particles, the aggregates having an average particle diameter of 30 to 60 ?m, and the alumina particles having a particle diameter of 0.2 to 0.9 ?m.

Abstract: The multifunctional material can readily adsorb even VOCs, which exhibits high photocatalytic activity and functions as visible-light-responsive photocatalyst by virtue of a large surface area and of being doped with carbon, has high hardness and exhibits excellent exfoliation resistance, wear resistance, resistance to chemicals, and heat resistance. The multifunctional material has a large number of protrusions of titanium oxide or a titanium alloy oxide on at least a portion of a surface of the material for example forest microcolumns of titanium oxide, the layer being exposed on the surface and the microcolumns being doped with carbon.

Abstract: An exemplary optical plate (20) includes a transparent layer (21) and a light diffusion layer (22). The transparent layer includes a light input interface (211), a light output surface (212) opposite to the light input interface, and a plurality of spherical protrusions (213) protruding out from the light output surface. The light diffusion layer is integrally formed with the transparent layer adjacent to the light input interface. The light diffusion layer includes a transparent matrix resins (221) and a plurality of diffusion particles (223) dispersed in the transparent matrix resins. A method for making the optical plate is also provided.

Abstract: Methods are described that have the capability of producing submicron/nanoscale particles, in some embodiments dispersible, at high production rates. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of particles with an average diameter less than about 75 nanometers that are produced at a rate of at least about 35 grams per hour. In other embodiments, the particles are highly uniform. These methods can be used to form particle collections and/or powder coatings. Powder coatings and corresponding methods are described based on the deposition of highly uniform submicron/nanoscale particles.

Abstract: A fitting type damper and a process thereof being capable of increasing largely slipping torque in strength are ones that the large slipping torque can be increased not only when the damper is a new product but also after a heat aging test and/or a durability test are performed. And, the damper is one that ?-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane 4, which is an organosilane used as a non-slip agent, is adhered and fitted between a hub 1 formed by some metal parts and a rubber elastic body 3, and between a inertia mass body 2 formed by some metal parts and the rubber elastic body 3.

Abstract: A method of making algae-resistant shingles in which the algae-inhibiting material, usually a copper compound, is applied only to larger granules, instead of being applied to a full size range of granules. Use of the larger granules only, as algae-resistant granules, significantly increases the percentage of surface area of algae-resistant granules for releasing algae-inhibiting material and also reduces the material consumption of the algae-inhibiting material during production of the algae-resistant granules, thus substantially reducing cost.

Abstract: Thermal barrier coating (TBC) and a method of depositing a TBC having a modulated columnar microstructure that exhibits increased impact resistance. The TBC is deposited to have a columnar microstructure in which columns extend from a substrate surface. The columns having inner regions contacting the surface, outer regions near an outermost surface of the TBC, and interior regions therebetween. The inner regions of the columns are substantially normal to the substrate surface and at least one of the interior and outer regions of the columns are nonaligned with its respective inner regions, so that the columns of the columnar microstructure are continuous but modulated between the inner and outer regions to reduce tensile stresses within the columns resulting from particle impact.

Abstract: Diffractive pigment flakes are selectively aligned to form an image. In one embodiment, flakes having a magnetic layer are shaped to facilitate alignment in a magnetic field. In another embodiment, the flakes include a magnetically discontinuous layer. In a particular embodiment, deposition of nickel on a diffraction grating pattern produces magnetic needles along the grating pattern that allow magnetic alignment of the resulting diffractive pigment flakes. Color scans of test samples of magnetically aligned flakes show high differentiation between illumination parallel and perpendicular to the direction of alignment of the magnetic diffractive pigment flakes.

Abstract: Coated abrasive articles comprise a composition comprising binder and at least about 25% by weight graphite particles, based on the total solids content of the composition.

Abstract: A prefabricated asphalt-based waterproof roofing membrane for use in a multi-ply asphalt-based commercial roofing system, e.g. a cap sheet that forms the exposed layer of a multi-ply built-up roofing system, is manufactured at a factory to have a highly reflective thermoplastic elastomeric sheet layer with a top surface that has a reflectance that meets current EPA Energy Star requirements. Preferably, a polymer primer layer is interposed between the highly reflective thermoplastic elastomeric sheet layer and an asphalt saturated and coated reinforcing substrate to keep oils and other colored components in the asphalt from exuding into the highly reflective thermoplastic elastomeric sheet layer.

Abstract: A prefabricated asphalt-based waterproof roofing membrane for use in a multi-ply asphalt-based commercial roofing system, e.g. a cap sheet that forms the exposed layer of a multi-ply built-up roofing system, is manufactured at a factory to have a highly reflective non-asphalt based elastomeric top coating layer with an upper surface that meets current EPA Energy Star requirements. Preferably, a polymer primer layer is interposed between the highly reflective coating layer and an asphalt saturated and coated reinforcing substrate to keep oils and other colored components in the asphalt from exuding into the highly reflective coating layer.

Abstract: Use of internal gas-forming compound to adjust coating porosity to control copper release rates in algae-retardant roofing granule products.

Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank comprises a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core comprises at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. Optionally, an underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.

Abstract: A fitting type damper and a process thereof being capable of increasing largely slipping torque in strength are ones that the large slipping torque can be increased not only when the damper is a new product but also after a heat aging test and/or a durability test are performed. And, the damper is one that ?-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane 4, which is an organosilane used as a non-slip agent, is adhered and fitted between a hub 1 formed by some metal parts and a rubber elastic body 3, and between a inertia mass body 2 formed by some metal parts and the rubber elastic body 3.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating (TBC) for a component intended for use in a hostile thermal environment. The TBC has an interior region and an outer surface region on and contacting the interior region. Both regions are formed of a ceramic material, with the interior region having a lower thermal conductivity than zirconia partially stabilized by about seven weight percent yttria. The interior region constitutes more than half of the thickness of the TBC, and the outer surface region constitutes less than half of the thickness of the TBC. The TBC has a columnar microstructure whereby the interior region and the outer surface region comprise columns of their ceramic materials. The outer surface region is more erosion and impact resistant than the interior region at least in part as a result of the columns thereof being more closely spaced than the columns of the interior region.

Abstract: A wear-resistant coating, capable of imparting excellent wear resistance to a silent chain, comprises a base coating consisting of a hard inorganic material having interspersed particles of a hard inorganic material different from the inorganic material of the base coating. A part of the interspersed particles is exposed on the surface of the coating. The coating has superior oil-retaining properties as a result of gaps formed at the interface between the particles and the base coating, and the superior oil-retaining properties contribute to the wear-resistance of the coating.

Abstract: A exposed-lens retroreflective article exhibiting retroreflection under dry and wet conditions is provided. The inventive article comprises a first set of optical elements having a first reflective layer disposed on the embedded portion of the elements. The first set contributes mainly to dry retroreflection. The article further comprises a second set of optical elements having a second reflective layer behind a spacing layer. The second set contributes mainly to wet retroreflection. In one embodiment, the first and second sets of optical elements have substantially the same average diameters, refractive index, and density.

Abstract: A resin molded product and a fine metal powder producing material are placed into a treating vessel. The fine metal powder producing material is brought into flowing contact with the surface of the resin molded product, thereby producing a fine metal powder, and forming a metal layer of the fine metal powder on the surface of the resin molded product. In this process, the metal layer of the fine metal powder can be formed firmly and at high density on the surface of the resin molded product. The metal layer exhibits a function as an electrically conductive layer. Therefore, a metal film having an excellent thickness accuracy, an excellent surface smoothness and a high peel strength can be formed in a simple manner on the metal layer by carrying out an electroplating treatment. In addition, it is possible for the metal layer itself to exhibit functions or properties such as an ornamentality.

Abstract: The ceramic member of this invention is formed on the surfaces of crystal grains with a plurality of protrusions having smaller diameter than that of the crystal grain, said crystal grain composing at least the surface or its vicinity of a dense ceramic base material of purity being 95 wt % or higher. Such ceramic members may be produced by performing the surface of a dense ceramic base material with a corrosion treatment in an acid etchant, the dense ceramic base material having purity of 95 wt % or higher and exceeding 90% of a theoretical density, whereby ceramic grains existing on the surface or its vicinity of the base material are formed on the surface thereof with a plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure containing elevations and depressions, which comprises an at least partially hydrophobic surface formed from structure-forming particles of hydrophobic fumed silica having elevations and depressions ranging in dimensions of 1 to 1000 nm and the particles themselves having an average size of less than 50 ?m adhered to the surface by way of a viscous, curable carrier material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyurethane acrylates, silicone acrylates and singly and/or multiply unsaturated (meth)acrylates applied to the surface, which is sufficient to bond the structure forming particles without substantial wetting of the particles by the carrier material while retaining the fissured structure of elevations and depressions of the structure-forming particles in the nanometer range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent substrate coated on at least one of its faces with a polymer layer deposited under vacuum. This polymer layer is provided with an adhesion prelayer of organic or organoinorganic nature. The invention also relates to the process for manufacturing such a coated substrate and to its applications.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure containing elevations and depressions, which comprises a surface having structure-forming particles, which are formed of hydrophobic, fumed silica, adhered thereto by way of fixative particles applied to the surface, whereby the structure-forming particles and the fixative particles have elevations and depressions ranging in dimensions of 1 to 1000 nm and the particles themselves having an average size of less than 50 ?m, the particles providing said surface structure of elevations and depressions, wherein, by incipient melting of the fixative particles, only partial melting of the fixative particles occurs which is sufficient to bond the structure forming particles without substantial wetting of the particles by the fixative particles to said surface while retaining, the fissured structure of the structure-forming particles in the nanometer range.

Abstract: A method for producing a laminate having resin layers and thin metal layers by repeating a process unit comprising a step of laminating a resin layer by applying a resin material, a step of depositing a patterning material on the resin layer and a step of laminating a thin metal layer, predetermined times on a turning support (511), wherein the patterning material is stuck on the surface of the resin layer in a noncontact way. A laminate comprising a large number of laminate units each comprising a resin layer and a thin metal layer divided at an electric insulation stripe part can be produced stably. The laminate is applicable to production of a high performance small capacitor at low cost.

Abstract: A film for a liquid crystal display. The film is a cellulose ester film with a thickness between 20 and 65 &mgr;m and containing fine particles. The average diameter of fine particles is 0.05 to 3.0 &mgr;m. The number of fine particles per 1,000 &mgr;m2 is 5 to 500 in the cross-section perpendicular to the cellulose ester film in a region of a depth of not more than 10 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A cylindrical embossment roll whose outer circumferential surface is formed with a micro-asperity pattern is prepared. A substrate is coated with a thin resin film. The substrate is held by a transfer stage, and a micro-asperity pattern is formed on the thin resin film by pressing the outer circumferential surface of the embossment roll against the thin resin film with a pressurizing mechanism while rolling the embossment roll on the thin resin film.

Abstract: Conductive plastic resistance element having particles of conductive material embedded therein and projecting therefrom for reducing variations in contact resistance in a potentiometric device in which the element is employed. The element is made by processing carbon powder, resin, solvent and conductive phases to form a paste, applying the paste to a substrate, and curing the paste to drive off the solvent and form a film, with the conductive phases rising to the surface of the film and becoming embedded therein.

Abstract: A floor covering made up of at least two layers bonded to one another, including a bottom layer (2) of electrically conductive rubber arranged under a light-colored top layer (1) of rubber, where the top layer (1) is interrupted in partial areas distributed over its area in a pattern, and formed by electrically conductive rubber there. The top layer (1) is produced from a powder (1.1) of first particles (1.2) that are light in color and made of electrically insulating rubber, as well as second particles (1.3) embedded in it, which are made of electrically conductive, at least partially vulcanized rubber. The second particles (1.3) have a diameter D, determined by screen analysis, that is at least as great as the thickness D1 of the top layer and, for practical purposes, not greater than the total of the thicknesses of the top layer and the bottom layer D2. The first (1.2) and the second (1.3) particles are pressed together and to the bottom layer (2), without pores, and bonded by vulcanization.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure made from elevations and depressions, where the elevations and depressions are formed by particles secured to the surface, wherein the particles have a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range; a process for making such a surface; and particles having a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range.

Abstract: A thermal camouflage tarpaulin for hiding heat sources against detection in a thermal image, comprising a base textile composed of a loop-formingly knitted or woven glass fabric is provided on the side which is remote from the heat source with a compound whose reflectance values are in the region of a visual camouflage and/or in the infrared region. Said base textile is provided on that side which faces the heat source with a free-standing polyester film to which has been applied a vapor-deposited coating which reflects thermal radiation.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of powder coating methods to form coated abrasives. In one embodiment, the powder is in the form of a multiplicity of binder precursor particles comprising a radiation curable component. In other embodiments, the powder comprises at least one metal salt of a fatty acid and optionally an organic component that may be a thermoplastic macromolecule, a radiation curable component, and/or a thermally curable macromolecule. In either embodiment, the powder exists as a solid under the desired dry coating conditions, but is easily melted at relatively low temperatures and then solidified also at reasonably low processing temperatures. The principles of the present invention can be applied to form make coats, size coats, and/or supersize coats, as desired.

Abstract: Achromatic multilayer diffractive pigment flakes and foils are provided having diffractive structures thereon. The diffractive pigment flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, an asymmetrical stacked coating structure on one side of a reflective layer, or can be formed with one or more encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The foils can be laminated to various objects or can be formed on a carrier substrate. The diffractive pigment flakes and foils can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects. The diffractive foils and diffractive compositions applied to an object exhibit an iridescent diffractive effect over an achromatic background.

Abstract: An edge sharpening device has a metal body and at least one honing surface coated with ceramic created in an electrolytic bath. Profiles of the device can be triangular, planar, or V-shaped as well as curved. The ceramic can be deposited by passing a modified shaped wave alternating current through the incipient sharpening device in the presence of a passivating agent and an electrolytic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible abrasive article containing minimal releaseable amounts of physical and chemical contaminants that may be used to clean surfaces. The abrasive article is made of a foraminous substrate, at least one binder and abrasive particles. Methods of making such abrasive articles are also provided.

Abstract: A hydrophilic material comprises a substrate and a hydrophilic layer provided as the outermost layer on the substrate. The hydrophilic layer comprises hydrophilic metal oxide particles and a hydrophilic inorganic amorphous material. The hydrophilic layer has profile peaks on its surface. The hydrophilic layer has roughness properties such that, when a segment is set in only a portion not containing the profile peaks, the ten-point mean roughness (Rz) and the mean distance between concaves and convexes (Sm) obtained from a profile curve in the segment are 10 nm≦Rz≦40 nm and 10 nm≦Sm≦300 nm, respectively, while, when a segment is set so as to pass through the profile peaks, the ten-point mean roughness (Rz) and the mean distance between concaves and convexes (Sm) obtained from a profile curve in the segment are 40 nm≦Rz≦200 nm and 300 nm≦Sm≦500 nm, respectively.

Abstract: A multi-layer thermal barrier coating (12) having a porous first layer of ceramic insulating material (20) and a second relatively dense layer of ceramic insulating material (22) having a plurality generally vertical gaps (26) formed therein. The porous conventional as-deposited APS microstructure of the first layer provides thermal and chemical protection for the substrate, while the gaps of the columnar-grained second layer provide thermal shock resistance for the coating. An air plasma spray process may be used to deposit both the first and the second layers of material, as well as any underlying bond coat layer. The gaps of the columnar-grained second layer do not extend into the first layer. The pores (28) of the first layer function as crack-arrestors for cracks initiating at the gaps of the second layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides heat-curable or UV-curable transparent hard coating materials suitable for forming a low refractive antireflection coating on a substrate such as a film or sheet to reduce reflection of external light or increase light transmittance. A UV-curable or heat-curable transparent hard coating material comprising a UV-curable resin having one or more (meth)acryloyl groups in one molecule or a heat-curable resin and silica-magnesium fluoride hydrate composite colloidal particles such that the transparent film obtained by curing said transparent hard coating material has a refractive index of 1.48 or less.

Abstract: A web-type floor covering made of vulcanized rubber that includes an elastic rubber web, the top side of which forms a decorative surface, first decorative particles being at least partially embedded in the rubber web so that the first decorative particles are visible from the top side, a transparent coating, in particular made of epoxy resin, being applied to the first decorative particles on at least part of their contact surface with the rubber web, the first decorative particles being preferably made of a different material from that used for the rubber web.

Abstract: A stain resistant film construction that includes a polyvinyl film laminated to a polyolefin film by an adhesive. The stain resistant film construction can be formed into a retroreflective product that includes a polyolefin layer, an adhesive layer and a polyvinyl layer attached to the polyolefin layer by the adhesive on the first side of polyvinyl layer. Retroreflective prisms can be attached to the second side of polyvinyl layer, and a backing layer can be attached to the second side of polyvinyl film through the prism layer.

Abstract: A kind of material with ion formation capability, characterized in which on a base made of synthetic or natural material, a thin film of adhesive layer is formed. Before said adhesive film is set, fine powder of natural radioactive rare earth element minerals are spread on top of it, and through which, fine powder of natural radioactive rare earth element minerals said base may be adhered to the surface of said base through the adhesive layer and exposed in the air to let the ions formed be released in the air. Those ions can help promote body metabolism and purify air.

Abstract: A process for metal coating diamond superabrasive particles involves heating the superabrasive particles in the presence of coat-forming powder of a metal compound under a common inert atmosphere. The metal compound contains a metal which can be thermochemically reduced by the superabrasive substance serving as the reducing agent. The process forms a chemical bond at the interface between the outer metal layer and the superabrasive particle substrate. The metal coated superabrasive particles can be hydrogen treated in situ and separated from excess coat-forming powder easily by filtration. The product particles are ideal for use in a wide variety of metal bonded cutting, machining, dressing and other abrasive tools, especially diamond film insert and single layer diamond tools.

Abstract: A coating composition for forming abrasion-resistant, high clarity coatings is described. It has been found that a macrocrystalline or single crystal mineral abrasive can be added at high levels, about 5 to about 80 percent by weight, to art-recognized film-forming resin compositions for producing coatings exhibiting exceptional abrasion resistance and clarity. Such a coating composition is useful for application to surfaces including wood, vinyl, tile, rubber modified cement, marble, metal, plastic, and laminated surfaces.

Abstract: A cutting line intended to trim and cut vegetation which can be used in rotary-head implements such as brush cutters and edge trimmers. The cutting line consists of a core of the monofilament type, which is coated with a granular coating, especially in the form of inorganic particles. The line thus has an uneven and/or rough surface appearance. The composite cutting line of this kind has a lower operating noise, a better cutting effect, and eliminates the problems of sticking and breaking at the eyelet in the rotary head.