Abstract: Structures and methods that include selective electrostatic placement based on a dipole-to-dipole interaction of electron-rich carbon nanotubes onto an electron-deficient pre-patterned surface. The structure includes a substrate with a first surface having a first isoelectric point and at least one additional surface having a second isoelectric point. A self-assembled monolayer is selectively formed on the first surface and includes an electron deficient compound including a deprotonated pendant hydroxamic acid or a pendant phosphonic acid group or a pendant catechol group bound to the first surface. An organic solvent can be used to deposit the electron rich carbon nanotubes on the self-assembled monolayer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fabricating an array of nanoparticle clusters, in which a thermally transformable organic liquid crystal film having a periodic array of micro-sized dimple-like defect structures spontaneously transformed by thermal sublimation of liquid crystal molecules is used as a template, and nanoparticles form self-assembled clusters having a uniform size with respect to the defect structures, thereby achieving a periodic array of nanoparticle clusters.

Abstract: Shielding coatings are applied to polymer substrates for selective metallization of the substrates. The shielding coatings include a primer component and a hydrophobic top coat. The primer is first applied to the polymer substrate followed by application of the top coat component. The shielding coating is then selectively etched to form an outline of a desired current pattern. A catalyst is applied to the patterned polymer substrate followed by electroless metal plating in the etched portions. The portions of the polymer substrate which contain the shielding coating inhibit electroless metal plating. The primers contain polyamines and the top coat contains hydrophobic alky organic compounds.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to methods and systems for fast imprinting of nanometer scale features in a workpiece. According to one aspect, a system for producing nanometer scale features in a workpiece is disclosed. The system includes a die having a surface with at least one nanometer scale feature located thereon. A first actuator moves the die with respect to the workpiece such that the at least one nanometer scale feature impacts the workpiece and imprints a corresponding at least one nanometer scale feature in the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a metal nanowire or a metal nanomesh. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for forming a metal nanowire or a metal nanomesh capable of forming a variety of metal nanowires or metal nanomeshes in a desired shape by a simplified method.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for preventing oxidation or contamination during a circuit printing operation. The circuit printing operation can be directed to OLED-type printing. In an exemplary embodiment, the printing process is conducted at a load-locked printer housing having one or more of chambers. Each chamber is partitioned from the other chambers by physical gates or fluidic curtains. A controller coordinates transportation of a substrate through the system and purges the system by timely opening appropriate gates. The controller may also control the printing operation by energizing the print-head at a time when the substrate is positioned substantially thereunder.

Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to a process for producing a scattering layer for electromagnetic radiation. The process may include applying scattering centers onto a carrier, applying glass onto the scattering centers, and liquefying of the glass so that a part of the liquefied glass flows between the scattering centers toward the surface of the carrier, in such a way that a part of the liquefied glass still remains above the scattering centers.

Abstract: A wide-angle camera and fabrication method thereof includes a sensor with a plurality of pixel sub-arrays and an array of optical elements on a first side of a substrate. Each of the optical elements is capable of forming an image from a field of view onto a different one of the pixel sub-arrays. The wide-angle camera also includes an array of achromatic doublet prisms on a second side of the substrate, where each of the achromatic doublet prisms is aligned to provide a viewing angle with a different one of the optical elements. The sensor captures a wide-angle field of view while having a compact format.

Abstract: A method for coating an uncoated or precoated metallic or plastics substrate by (a) applying an aqueous coating composition (W) whose constituents are free or substantially free from blocked isocyanate groups, which comprises an aqueous dispersion of an epoxide-amine adduct, and which comprises either no crosslinking agent or one or more nonblocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agents, to the substrate, (b) optionally applying one or more further coating compositions, and (c) curing the coating composition (W) and, where appropriate, the further coating composition(s) at temperatures of below 90° C.

Abstract: A method of forming a structure containing a phase-separated structure, the method including applying a block copolymer solution to a substrate to form a layer containing a block copolymer and having a film thickness of less than 100 nm; and phase-separating the layer containing the block copolymer, a solvent of the block copolymer solution comprising a poor solvent exhibiting a poor solubility for a homopolymer A of one of the blocks of the block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an optical security device and an optical security system in which hidden images that are invisible to the naked eye under unpolarized illumination, become visible under either linearly or circularly polarized illumination. Preferred fabrication methods of said optical security device are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a composite and/or structured material includes: forming a lattice construction from a plurality of solid particles, the construction being formed so as to have one or more gaps between the particles; invading the lattice construction with a fluid material such that the fluid material at least partially penetrates the gaps; and, solidifying the material which invaded the lattice construction to form a composite material. In one suitable embodiment, the method further includes removing at least a portion of the lattice construction from the composite material thereby forming at the location of the removed portion one or more pores in the solidified material that invaded the construction.

Abstract: A method for increasing the efficiency of additive drag reduction by establishing a drag-reducing viscoelastic coating on a surface. The method includes mixing a polymer into a concentrated solution that has approximately the same density as a fluid flowing over the surface, ejecting the mixture/solution into the flowing fluid in a manner such that a coating of polymer, which initially grows thicker with time, is adsorbed onto the surface, and reducing the ejection rate of the first fluid such that the coating of polymer then grows thinner with time. These steps may be repeated so that a desired minimum coating thickness is maintained over an extended period of time. The method reduces the polymer expenditure rate for a given drag reduction. Moreover, the produced viscoelastic coating impedes the attachment and growth of drag-producing natural organisms and may be applied without “down-time” (e.g., while underway).

Abstract: According to the method and the apparatus for curing a coated film of the present invention, since an ionization radiation is applied after the O2 concentration in the near-surface layer within 1 mm above the surface of the coated film is adjusted to 1000 ppm or lower, the coated film can be sufficiently cured by irradiation of the ionization radiation. In other words, according to the method and the apparatus for curing a coated film of the present invention, since the O2 concentration in a thin near-surface layer on the surface of a coated film is decreased, the coated film can be sufficiently cured by irradiation of an ionization radiation. As a result, the amount of inert gas supplied upon irradiation of an ionization radiation can be reduced, and downsizing and cost reduction of equipment can be achieved.