Abstract: Molecular adsorption to the microfluidic device surfaces can be passively and actively mitigated by mixing certain hydrophilic polymers (organic polymers with repeating hydrophilic groups—the preferred polymers being amphipathic surfactants—with the sample liquid during or prior to relevant microfluidic operations. Nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether are especially effective. High molecular weight polyethylene polymers are also effective. The hydrophilic polymers appear to prevent binding of the fouling molecules to the microfluidic by occupying the surface sites in place of the fouling molecules or by interacting with the fouling molecules to prevent binding of the fouling molecules the surface. When surface adsorption is thus mitigated, microfluidic devices can readily handle samples containing biomolecules to enable active sample concentration, filtering, washing, transport, mixing and other sample handling operations.

Abstract: A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%.

Abstract: A deflecting air ring is disclosed having a plurality of deflecting air nozzles for discharging a deflecting air jet onto a spray jet of a vaporizer in order to shape the spray jet. The deflecting air nozzles are configured such that the deflecting air jet is substantially laminar within a close region, while the deflecting air nozzles also generate turbulence in a remote region situated downstream of the close region of the deflecting air jet.

Abstract: A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing a treated web. The subject methods and apparatus involve the control of numerous variables, including, without limitation, web tension (both overall web tension as well as the web tension immediately before and after each individual blade), angle of entry of web into each blade, blade angle in relation to horizontal reference point, blade pressure against moving web, angle of exit of web from each blade, web speed, number of blades, the pressure of the leading nip rolls, the pressure of the trailing nip rolls, static control, thickness of each blade, bevel on each blade, oven cure temperature, oven cure dwell time, blade temperature and blade surfaces and edge conditions and blade finish.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for treating a polymeric surface to resist non-specific binding of biomolecules and attachment of cells. The method includes the steps of: imparting a charge to the polymeric surface to produce a charged surface; exposing the charged surface to a nitrogen-rich polymer to form a polymerized surface; exposing the polymerized surface to an oxidized polysaccharide to form an aldehyde surface; and exposing the aldehyde surface to a reducing agent. Advantageously, a method is provided which produces surfaces that resist non-specific protein binding and cell attachment and that avoids the use of photochemical reactions or prior art specially designed compounds.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing discrete track media and patterned media is disclosed which enables a magnetic recording layer having excellent magnetic characteristics to be obtained without imparting damage to a crystal orientation control layer which is at the surface when forming the magnetic recording layer. The method for manufacturing magnetic recording media comprises a process of forming a soft magnetic layer on a substrate; a process of forming a first crystal orientation control layer on the soft magnetic layer; a process of providing a depression in at least a portion of the first crystal orientation control layer; a process of performing heat treatment of the first crystal orientation control layer; and a process of forming a magnetic recording layer on the first crystal orientation control layer.

Abstract: A process for producing a conformal electroluminescent system. An electrically conductive base backplane film layer is applied upon a substrate. A dielectric film layer is applied upon the backplane film layer, then a phosphor film layer is applied upon the dielectric film layer. An electrode film layer is applied upon the phosphor film layer using a substantially transparent, electrically conductive material. An electrically conductive bus bar may be applied upon the electrode film layer. Preferably, the backplane film layer, dielectric film layer, phosphor film layer, electrode film layer and bus bar are aqueous-based and are applied by spray conformal coating. The electroluminescent phosphor is excitable by an electrical field established across the phosphor film layer such that the device emits electroluminescent light upon application of an electrical charge between the backplane film layer and at least one of the electrode film layer and the bus bar.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanowire structure is disclosed. The method comprises applying on a surface of carrier liquid a layer of a liquid composition which comprises a surfactant and a plurality of nanostructures each having a core and a shell, and heating at least one of the carrier liquid and the liquid composition to a temperature selected such that the nanostructures are segregated from the surfactant and assemble into a nanowire structure on the surface.

Abstract: A spray monitoring device analyzes images obtained from a beam passing through a spray pattern applying a spray to a substrate, and identifies discontinuities in the image as indicative of a discontinuity in a spray pattern. The spray pattern is produced by a plurality of nozzles spaced apart across the substrate for applying a suitable coating thereto. The beam is produced by a laser, that preferably has a collimator for distributing the beam intensity. The beam is imaged by a camera that provides a constant image to a computers where the scattering of beam light by the spray pattern is processed by image processing software and optionally provided to a user interface for analysis. Discontinuities detected by the user or software indicate faulty spray nozzles and may trigger remedial action.

Abstract: Techniques for producing atomic step-free silicon carbide surfaces are provided. In one aspect, a method for eliminating atomic steps from a silicon carbide surface is provided. The method comprises the following step. The silicon carbide and a silicon-containing gas are contacted at a temperature, background pressure, and for a length of time sufficient to re-arrange the silicon carbide to an atomic step-free surface. The silicon carbide surface can be the top of a mesa or the bottom of a hole patterned in a silicon carbide wafer.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to large-area transparent conductive coatings (TCCs) including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanowire composites, and methods of making the same. The ?dc/?opt ratio of such thin films may be improved via stable chemical doping and/or alloying of CNT-based films. The doping and/or alloying may be implemented in a large area coating system, e.g., on glass and/or other substrates. In certain example embodiments, a CNT film may be deposited and then doped via chemical functionalization and/or alloyed with silver and/or palladium. Both p-type and n-type dopants may be used in different embodiments of this invention. In certain example embodiments, silver and/or other nanowires may be provided, e.g., to further decrease sheet resistance. Certain example embodiments may provide coatings that approach, meet, or exceed 90% visible transmission and 90 ohms/square target metrics.

Abstract: An improved patterned magnetic bit data storage media and a method for manufacturing the same is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the improved patterned magnetic bit data storage media may comprise an active region exhibiting substantially ferromagnetism; and an inactive region exhibiting substantially paramagnetism, the inactive region comprising at least two grains and a grain boundary interposed therebetween, wherein each of the at least two grains contain ferromagnetic material, and wherein the at least two grains are antiferromagnetically coupled.

Abstract: In a method for creating a dry lubricant layer, the layer is formed by a coating material which is first applied to a substrate, on which the dry lubricant layer is to be produced. The coating material contains a solvent such as ethanethiol and the precursors of a metal sulphide, in particular a metaloxysulphide, such as a molybdenum salt of dithiocarboxylic acid. Once the coating material has been applied to the substrate, the material is subjected to thermal treatment, whereby the solvent evaporates and the precursors of the metal sulphide react with one another to form the dry lubricant layer. This advantageously permits the creation of dry lubricant layers containing a high fraction of metal sulphide, giving the layers improved sliding friction characteristics. Another advantage is that the oxysulphide layers that have been formed are also particularly stable in relation to an oxidation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high sensitive gas sensor using a carbon material containing an ionized metal catalyst and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes the steps of: (1) preparing a hydroxide solution by dissolving a hydroxide in a distilled water; (2) dissolving a metal catalyst in the hydroxide solution; (3) immersing the carbon material in a solution obtained through step (2) and stirring the carbon material; (4) heat-treating a mixture obtained through step (3); (5) cleaning the heat-treated carbon material obtained through step (4); (6) drying the carbon material cleaned through step (5); and (7) manufacturing the gas sensor by loading the carbon material obtained through step (6) on a substrate. The gas sensor having high sensitivity and responsiveness with respect to a target gas even in a normal temperature is obtained.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing hairlines in an apparatus case frame is provided. The method includes forming the case frame having primary hairlines being expressed throughout a relevant mold, coating the primary hairlines with a predetermined paint material, coating the primary hairlines to form a coated surface and scratching the coated surface to form secondary hairlines, the scratching being one of at regular and irregular lines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to non-lithographic patterning by laser (or similar-type energy beam) ablation, where the ablation system ultimately results in circuitry features that are relative free from debris induced over-plating defects (debris relating to the ablation process) and fully additive plating induced over-plating defects. Compositions of the invention include a circuit board precursor having an insulating substrate and a cover layer. The insulating substrate is made from a dielectric material and also a metal oxide activatable filler. The cover layer can be sacrificial or non-sacrificial and is used to remediate unwanted debris arising from the ablation process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving densification of porous substrate using a film boiling process. In particular, the disclosed method and apparatus permit more complete densification of a substrate (i.e., densification closer to the surface of the substrate) by selectively providing a sort of barrier that reduces cooling of the surface of the substrate being densified caused by contact with the relatively cool boiling liquid precursor of the densifying material, such as carbon. In particular, contact between the substrate and the liquid precursor is reduced using one or both of physical barriers (such as a mesh material) or structures that promote the formation of an insulating gaseous layer between the substrate and the liquid precursor (such as a plate closely spaced apart from the surface of the porous substrate). The barrier is moved into operational position before the applied power level increases sharply (as is known) near the end of the film boiling densification process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an electrochemical layer of a thin film battery is provided. A precursor mixture comprising precursor particles dispersed in a carrying medium is activated in an activation chamber by application of an electric field to ionize at least a portion of the precursor mixture. The activated precursor mixture is then mixed with a combustible gas mixture to add thermal energy to the precursor particles, converting them to nanocrystals, which deposit on a substrate. A second precursor may be blended with the nanocrystals as they deposit on the surface to enhance adhesion and conductivity.

Abstract: A method and system for coating a vinyl workpiece includes denibbing the workpiece and deionizing the air around the workpiece. The workpiece is roll coated using a roll coating machine, wherein the roll coating machine includes a plurality of engraving rollers. An angular surface of the workpiece is roll coated using a corresponding angularly positioned application roller. The workpiece is coated with an ultraviolet (UV) curable coating using a vacuum coating machine. The UV coating is cured using the vacuum coating machine.