Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a filtering device which makes it possible to obtain a chemical liquid having excellent performance and enables filter media to have sufficiently long pot life. Another object of the present invention is to provide a purification device, a chemical liquid manufacturing device, a filtered substance to be purified, a chemical liquid, and an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition. A filtering device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a first filter unit including a first filter, which satisfies at least one condition selected from the group consisting of following conditions 1 to 3, and a housing accommodating the first filter and a second filter unit including a second filter different from the first filter and a housing accommodating the second filter, in which the first filter unit and the second filter unit are independently disposed in a pipe line through which a substance to be purified is supplied.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a positive photoresist composition including a major adhesive material and a photosensitizer, wherein the photoresist composition further includes a photoisomerizable compound which would be converted into an ionic structure with an increased degree of molecular polarity after ultraviolet irradiation. The formation of the ionic structure with increased polarity of the molecule reduces the adhesion between the positive photoresist and the organic film layer, facilitates stripping after formation of the via, and improves the product rate of pass. Further, the present disclosure provides a via-forming method using the positive resist composition, a display substrate including the via formed by the via-forming method, and a display device including the display substrate.

Abstract: Organic coating compositions, particularly antireflective coating compositions for use with an overcoated photoresist, are provided that comprise that comprise a thermal acid generator that comprises: i) a pyridinium component having one or more ring substituents selected from optionally substituted alkyl and optionally substituted heteroalkyl; and ii) a sulfonic acid component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions thermally curable on demand by red to near infrared irradiation, method of using same for thermal amplification of free radical polymerizations, and articles obtained by such method. The invention also relates to the use of a heat-generating dye in association with a thermal initiator for controlling the onset of thermal free radical polymerization.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are carbon doped tin disulphide (C—SnS2) and other SnS2 composites as visible light photocatalyst for CO2 reduction to solar fuels. The in situ carbon doped SnS2 photocatalyst provide higher efficiency than the undoped pure SnS2. Also disclosed herein are methods for preparing the catalysts.

Abstract: A curable composition for optical imprinting which is excellent in ink jet adequacy and releasability, a pattern forming method, a fine pattern, and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device are provided. The curable composition for optical imprinting contains a polymerizable compound (A), a photopolymerization initiator (B), and a compound (C) expressed by General Formula (I); in General Formula (I), A represents a dihydric to hexahydric polyhydric alcohol residue. p represents 0 to 2, l q represents 1 to 6, p+q represents an integer of 2 to 6, each of m and n independently represents 0 to 20. r expressed by Formula (1) is 6 to 20. Each R independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or an acyl group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a film for thermal compression bonding, which contains a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that is formed by curing a liquid crystal composition including a polymerizable rod-like liquid crystal compound, a chiral agent, and a polymerizable monomer, in which the polymerizable rod-like liquid crystal includes a monofunctional rod-like liquid crystal compound having one polymerizable group and a bifunctional rod-like liquid crystal compound having two polymerizable groups, or two or more bifunctional rod-like liquid crystal compounds having two polymerizable groups, the polymerizable monomer has three or more polymerizable groups, and the polymerizable monomer is contained in an amount of 0.3% by mass to 6.0% by mass with respect to the total mass of the polymerizable rod-like liquid crystal compounds; a method for producing a molded article using the film for thermal compression bonding; and a molded article produced by the production method.

Abstract: Provided are topcoat compositions that include: a matrix polymer; a surface active polymer; an ionic thermal acid generator comprising an anion and a cation, wherein the anion, the cation, or the anion and the cation are fluorinated; and a solvent. Also provided are coated substrates and pattern-forming methods which make use of the topcoat compositions. The invention has particular applicability in photolithographic processes as a photoresist topcoat layer in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: There is provided a multilayer film comprising a layer (X) containing a polyvinyl acetal (I) having an acetalization degree of 55 to 80 mol %, a content of a vinyl ester monomer unit of 0.1 to 1.5 mol % and a viscosity-average degree of polymerization of 1,400 to 5,000; and a layer (Y) containing a polyvinyl acetal (II) having an acetalization degree of 70 to 85 mol %, a content of a vinyl ester monomer unit of 5 to 15 mol % and a viscosity-average degree of polymerization of 1,400 to 5,000, wherein the multilayer film satisfies formulas (1) and (2): (A?B)/A<0.80??(1) and 1.00×10?2<(b/y)/(a/x)<2.00×10?1??(2). There is thus provided a film which exhibits sufficient sound-absorbability, resistance to coloration by heating, reduction in foreign materials (undissolved materials) and excellent recyclability.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus associated with storing data in high or low energy zones are described. Example apparatus include a data storage system (DSS) that protects a message using an erasure code (EC). A location in the DSS may have an energy efficiency rating or a latency. Example apparatus include circuits that produce EC encoded data that has a likelihood of use, that select a location to store the EC encoded data in the DSS based on the energy efficiency rating, the latency, or the likelihood of use, that store the EC encoded data in the location, and that compute an order of retrieval for EC encoded data stored in the location. The order of retrieval may be based on the energy efficiency rating or the latency. The EC encoded data may also have a priority based on the number of erasures for which the EC corrects.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a polymer thick film conductor composition that provides a better conductor when dried at 80° C. than when dried at 130° C., in contrast to typical PTF conductors. More specifically, the polymer thick film conductor may be used in applications where low temperature curing is required.

Abstract: A precursor dielectric composition comprises: (1) a photocurable or thermally curable thiosulfate-containing polymer that has a Tg of at least 50° C. and comprises: an organic polymer backbone comprising (a) recurring units comprising pendant thiosulfate groups; and organic charge balancing cations, (2) optionally, an electron-accepting photosensitizer component, and (3) one or more organic solvents in which the photocurable or thermally curable thiosulfate-containing polymer is dissolved or dispersed. These precursor dielectric compositions can be applied to various substrates and eventually cured to form dielectric compositions or layers for various types of electronic devices.

Abstract: Insulating layer material comprising: polymer compound of a repeating unit containing a cyclic ether structure and a repeating unit of the formula: wherein R5 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; Rb b represents a linking moiety which links the main chain of the polymer compound with a side chain of the polymer compound and optionally has a fluorine atom; R represents an organic group capable of being detached by an acid; R? represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally having a fluorine atom; the suffix b represents an integer of 0 or 1, and the suffix n represents an integer of from 1 to 5; when there are two or more Rs, they may be the same or different; and when there are two or more R's, they may be the same or different; and tungsten (V) alkoxide.

Abstract: A conductive metal pattern is formed using a reactive polymer that can provide pendant sulfonic acid groups upon exposure to radiation, and (2) pendant groups that are capable of providing crosslinking. The polymeric layer is patternwise exposed to radiation to provide first exposed regions that are then contacted with electroless seed metal ions to form a pattern of electroless seed metal ions, followed by contact with a halide. At least some of the electroless seed metal halide can be exposed to form second exposed regions. The polymeric layer can be contacted with a reducing agent either: (i) to develop the electroless seed metal image in the second exposed regions, or (ii) to develop all of the electroless seed metal halide in the first exposed regions, and optionally contacted with a fixing agent. The electroless seed metal nuclei in the first exposed regions can be electrolessly plated with a conductive metal.

Abstract: Various patterning methods utilize certain crosslinkable reactive polymers comprise -A- and -B- recurring units, arranged randomly along a backbone. The -A- recurring units comprise pendant aromatic sulfonic acid oxime ester groups that are capable of providing pendant aromatic sulfonic acid groups upon irradiation with radiation having a ?max of at least 150 nm and up to and including 450 nm. The -A- recurring units are present in the reactive polymer in an amount of up to and including 98 mol % based on total reactive polymer recurring units. The -B- recurring units comprise pendant groups that provide crosslinking upon generation of the aromatic sulfonic acid groups in the -A- recurring units. The -B- recurring units are present in an amount of at least 2 mol %, based on total reactive polymer recurring units.

Abstract: Various patterning methods utilize certain crosslinkable reactive polymers comprise -A- and -B- recurring units, arranged randomly along a backbone. The -A- recurring units comprise pendant aromatic sulfonic acid oxime ester groups that are capable of providing pendant aromatic sulfonic acid groups upon irradiation with radiation having a ?max of at least 150 nm and up to and including 450 nm. The -A- recurring units are present in the reactive polymer in an amount of up to and including 98 mol % based on total reactive polymer recurring units. The -B- recurring units comprise pendant groups that provide crosslinking upon generation of the aromatic sulfonic acid groups in the -A- recurring units. The -B- recurring units are present in an amount of at least 2 mol %, based on total reactive polymer recurring units.

Abstract: Generally, polymeric members and laser marking methods for producing visible marks on polymeric members, such as on thin and/or curved surfaces. The laser marking methods can include methods of laser marking straws with the step of matching laser source properties to the properties of straws being marked or with the step of laser marking straws having photochromic dyes.

Abstract: A thiosulfate polymer composition includes an electron-accepting photosensitizer component, either as a separate compound or as an attachment to the thiosulfate polymer. The thiosulfate polymer composition can be applied to various articles, or used to form a predetermined polymeric pattern after photothermal reaction to form crosslinked disulfide bonds, removing non-crosslinked polymer, and reaction with a disulfide-reactive material. Such thiosulfate polymer compositions can also be used to sequester metals in nanoparticulate form, and as a way for shaping human hair in hairdressing operations.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to the use of molybdenum (VI) peroxo complex containing an amino acid, such as MoO(O2)2(GLY)(H2O), in marking applications, as well as to ink formulations comprising such complexes.

Abstract: Water soluble marking compounds comprising a transition metal oxyanion and at least one ammonium cation, comprising a nitrogen atom at least one further group selected from the group consisting of OH, COOH, NH2, NHC1-5 alkyl, and N(C1-5 alkyl)2, wherein the two C1-5 alkyl may be the same type of alkyl or different alkyls, may be used to obtain clear imageable coatings.

Abstract: A photocrosslinkable composition has polyorganosiloxane P having a viscosity of at least 10 000 mPa·s at 25° C., wherein the polyorganosiloxane P has an acrylated silicone oil as a crosslinking agent, and a photoinitiator, the chemical structure of which comprises a diaryl ketone group.

Abstract: Novel, developer-soluble, hard mask compositions and methods of using those compositions to form microelectronic structures are provided. The composition comprises the compound a compound for controlling development rate, and a crosslinking agent in a solvent system. The methods involve applying the composition to a substrate and curing the composition. An imaging layer is applied to the composition, followed by light exposure and developing, during which the light-exposed portions of the imaging layer are removed, along with portions of the hard mask composition adjacent said light-exposed portions. The size of the hard mask composition structures are controlled by the development rate, and they yield feature sizes that are a fraction of the imaging layer feature sizes, to give a pattern that can ultimately be transferred to the substrate.

Abstract: A photocurable composition includes: (A) an epoxy group-containing polymer compound having repeating units represented by the following formula (1), where R1 to R4 are each a hydrocarbon group, m is an integer of 1 to 100, a, b, c and d are each 0 or a positive number, such that 0<(c+d)/(a+b+c+d)?1.0, and X and Y are each the formula (2) or (3), provided that at least one group of the formula (3) is present, (B) a photoacid generator represented by the formula (8) and (C) a solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid preparations having two or more colors or a pattern of two or more different colors which can solve the problems of the prior art including the complexity of production processes and the low strength of solid preparations. Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide solid preparations coated with a continuous film coating layer having two or more different colors or a pattern of two or more different colors which preparations are obtained by irradiating a part of the film coating layer containing one or more colorants with light, a process for the preparation of such solid preparations, and a film coating agent therefor.

Abstract: A radiating-sensitive composition and negative-working imageable element includes a free radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition capable of generating radicals sufficient to initiate polymerization of the free radically polymerizable component upon exposure to imaging radiation, a radiation absorbing compound, and particles of a poly(urethane-acrylic) hybrid that are distributed throughout the composition forming an imageable layer in the element. Imaging can be accomplished at a wide range of wavelengths from about 150 to about 1500 nm, and development can be accomplished using an organic solvent-based developer, warm water, plate cleaner, or on-press using a combination of a lithographic printing ink and a fountain solution.

Abstract: A primary object of the present invention is to provide a process for the production of a pattern-forming body, the process enabling the formation of a highly precise pattern, requiring no post-exposure treatment and being free from a fear as to the deterioration of the pattern-forming body itself because no photocatalyst is contained in the produced pattern-forming body.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive composition and negative-working imageable element includes a polymeric binder comprising pendant allyl ester groups to provide solvent resistance, excellent digital speed (sensitivity) and can be imaged and developed without a preheat step to provide lithographic printing plates. The polymeric binder can be prepared with a precursor polymer having pendant carboxy groups that are converted to allyl ester groups using an allyl-containing halide in the presence of a base in order to avoid gelation.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising (a) a substrate with at least one hydrophilic surface and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating on at least one hydrophilic surface of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises: (i) at least one free-radical polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer and/or polymer with at least one ethylenically unsaturated group each, (ii) at least one absorber selected from photoinitiators and sensitizers, which is capable of absorbing radiation of a wavelength in the range of 250 to 1,200 nm and (iii) at least one stabilizer comprising in its molecule at least one group capable of inhibiting free-radical polymerization, and at least one other group capable of sorption at the hydrophilic surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive composition includes a radically polymerizable component and a borate initiator composition capable of generating radicals sufficient to initiate polymerization of the radically polymerizable component upon exposure to imaging radiation. This composition also includes a radiation absorbing compound (such as an IR-sensitive dye), a polymeric binder comprising a polymer backbone to which is directly or indirectly linked a pendant group comprising a reactive vinyl group, and a primary additive that is a poly(alkylene glycol) or an ether or ester thereof that has a number average molecular weight of from about 200 and up to 4000 and comprises from about 2 to about 50 weight % based on the total composition solids content. This composition can be used to prepare a negative-working imageable element that can be imaged at relatively low energy and developed without a preheat step.

Abstract: The laminate film for covering of an image carried by a support has a construction comprising a transparent base material and a transparent adhesive layer formed on one side of the base material, wherein the adhesive layer is composed of a pressure-sensitive adhesive and has a surface with a fine uneven structure.

Abstract: A process for forming an image on a substrate, which comprises coating the substrate with an amine of molybdenum, tungsten or vanadium that changes colour on heating or irradiation as an aqueous dispersion or suspension or as a solution in an organic solvent. Also described is a coated substrate, wherein the coating is a substantially visible light-transparent layer comprising an amine compound of molybdenum, tungsten or vanadium, and a solution of said amine compound and a thermoplastic polymer or a photo-polymerisable monomer.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprises a base material, and a polymer membrane provided on at least a part of the base material, the polymer membrane having at least hydrophilicity, and the polymer composite is used in a state exposed to water or a water-based solvent. The polymer membrane is a resin film formed by photo-crosslinking a photosensitive resin composition consisting essentially of a water-soluble polymer, and during crosslinking of the photosensitive resin composition, some of photosensitive groups of the photosensitive resin composition are bound to amino groups fixed to the surface of the base material, whereby the resin film is fixed to the base material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for providing markings upon objects, including the read side of an optical information media, where the markings do not substantially interfere with object, including the use of the optical information media. This invention discloses use of a coating, marking schemes, printing of markings with UV light, as well as methods and apparatus for reading and deciphering said marking. Included is an authentication scheme, where the marking may be used as a lock to limit access to information contained in an optical information media.

Abstract: Multilayer, positive working, thermally imageable, bakeable imageable elements have a substrate, an underlayer, and a top layer. The underlayer comprises a polymeric material that comprises, in polymerized form from about 5 mol % to about 30 mol % of recurring units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomer having a carboxy group; from about 20 mol % to about 75 mol % of recurring units derived from N-phenylmaleimide, N-cyclohexylmaleimide, N-benzylmaleimide, or a mixture thereof; and from about 3 mol % to about 50 mol % of recurring units derived from a compound represented by the formula: CH2?C(R2)—C(O)—NH—CH2—OR1, in which R1 is C1 to C12 alkyl, phenyl, C1 to C12 substituted phenyl, C1 to C12 aralkyl, or Si(CH3)3; and R2 is hydrogen or methyl. Other materials, such as a resin or resins having activated methylol and/or activated alkylated methylol groups, such as a resole resin, may be present in the underlayer.

Abstract: A negative-working radiation-sensitive composition includes a polymeric binder comprising a polymer backbone and having attached thereto a carbazole derivative represented by the following Structure (I): wherein Y is a direct bond or a linking group, and R1 to R8 are independently hydrogen, or an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, halo, cyano, alkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, or carboxylate groups, or any adjacent R1 through R8 groups can together form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic group or a fused aromatic ring. The composition can be sensitive to radiation having a maximum wavelength of from about 150 to about 1500 nm, and can be used to prepare negative-working imageable elements that be imaged and developed as lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic article comprising a base material carrying at least one layer comprising a photographic image formed by combination of dyes formed from couplers wherein areas of said photo image are colored without dyes formed by couplers.

Abstract: Disclosed are a photosensitive resin composition comprising a photosensitive resin (A), a photopolymerization initiator (B), and a flame retardant (C), in which a content of halogen atoms or antimony atoms in the flame retardant is 5% or less by weight; a photosensitive element using this; a method of manufacturing a resist pattern; a resist pattern; and a resist pattern laminated substrate.

Abstract: Silver-free, aqueous-based direct thermographic materials are designed to have image tone with near neutral density. Without the use of organic silver salts containing reducible silver ions, the image is formed using a color developing agent precursor that releases a color developing agent when heated to a temperature of at least 80° C., a combination of cyan, yellow and magenta dye-forming color couplers that provide cyan, yellow, and magenta dyes, and a substituted or unsubstituted benzoquinone as an oxidizing agent. No silver metal or silver ions are purposely added to these materials. This combination of components provides a means for controlling image tone without reliance upon conventional toning agents.

Abstract: An article has transferred onto its surface a region-wise optically modified cholesteric liquid crystalline layer. The layer includes at least one single-film layer including a number of regions having cholesterically ordered material which differ from one another in pitch. The layer can include a holographic image.

Abstract: Laser imageable flexographic printing elements, including printing plates and printing sleeves and methods of making the laser imageable flexographic printing elements using a collapsible cross-linkable material comprising a curable elastomer, a material that absorbs laser radiation at a selected wavelength, and microspheres are disclosed. A laser is used to collapse and melt the collapsible cross-linkable material to form a relief image on the printing element. The printing element is thereafter cured by face exposure to crosslink and cure the formed relief image. The invention addresses a market need for eliminating chemical processing of printing elements, thus going from printing element to press much more quickly and using an environmentally friendly process.

Abstract: Thermally imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The elements comprise a substrate, an underlayer over the substrate, and a top layer over the underlayer. The top layer comprises a co-polymer that comprises, in polymerized form, norbornene or a norbornene derivative. The resulting lithographic printing plates have good resistance to pressroom chemicals.

Abstract: Silver-free, aqueous-based direct thermographic materials are designed to have image tone with near neutral density. Without the use of organic silver salts containing reducible silver ions, the image is formed using a color developing agent precursor that releases a color developing agent when heated to a temperature of at least 80° C., a combination of cyan, yellow and magenta dye-forming color couplers that provide cyan, yellow, and magenta dyes, and a hindered-amine N-oxyl as an oxidizing agent. No silver metal or silver ions are purposely added to these materials. This combination of components provides a means for controlling image tone without reliance upon conventional toning agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides an initiator system including an infrared-absorbing compound that exhibits an electronic transition band in the near-infrared region, an initiator, and a metallocene compound. Upon exposure to infrared radiation, the initiator system is capable of producing radicals sufficient to initiate a photopolymerization reaction. Suitable infrared-absorbing compounds include indocyanine dyes, for example. Trihalomethyl triazine compounds and onium compounds are suitable initiators. Suitable metallocene compounds include ferrocenes and titanocenes. The present invention also provides an infrared-sensitive composition including an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable component, an infrared-absorbing compound that exhibits an electronic transition band in the near-infrared region, an initiator, and a metallocene compound. The infrared-sensitive composition provides improved photospeed and sensitivity in some embodiments.

Abstract: A method for printing an image on a surface of a substrate having a surface finish defined by a gloss, the method comprising: printing an image on the surface of the substrate, such that image areas thereof have a thickness, when fixed to the substrate and dry, of less than about 6 micrometers of a thermoplastic material; and smoothing the surface of at least a portion of the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaged element comprising at least one imaged layer comprising at least one yellow dye and a support, wherein said support comprises at least one face side resin layer comprising a material capable of improving the yellow dark stability of said imaged element, wherein said materials has the formula:

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel thin layers for microsystem techniques and microstructuring. It is an object of the invention to provide thin layers which can be manufactured under less problems and more economically than the previous conventional layers, and which permit the use of existing technologies for microstructuring. The object is realized in that the thin layer is formed of an enzymatically degradable biopolymer in a range of layer thicknesses of from 30 nm to 3 &mgr;m. Biopolymeric thin layers manufactured according to the invention permit their application, after a respective structurizing, as test assays or in setting up substance libraries.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising (A) an alkali-soluble resin having an unsaturated group, (B) a compound having at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond, and (C) a radiation-induced radical polymerization initiator, wherein:

Abstract: This invention relates to laserable assemblages for use in laser-induced thermal transfer imaging which result in improvements in resolution and toughness in the transferred image when two binders differing in glass transition temperature are incorporated into the transfer layer.

Abstract: In an EL element having an anode, an insulating film (bump) formed on the anode, and an EL film and a cathode formed on the insulating film, each of a bottom end portion and a top end portion of the insulating film is formed so as to have a curved surface. The taper angle of a central portion of the insulating film is set within the range from 35° to 70°, thereby preventing the gradient of the film forming surface on which the EL film and the cathode are to be formed from being abruptly changed. On the thus-formed film forming surface, the EL film and the cathode can be formed so as to be uniform in thickness, so that occurrence of discontinuity in each of EL film and the cathode is prevented.

Abstract: An image-forming substrate has a sheet of paper, and a layer of microcapsules coated over the paper sheet. The microcapsule layer contains at least one type of microcapsules filled with a liquid dye, and a shell wall of each of the microcapsules is composed of resin that exhibits a temperature/pressure characteristic such that, when each of the microcapsules is squashed under a predetermined pressure at a predetermined temperature, the liquid dye seeps from the squashed microcapsule.