Abstract: A method of forming a multi-layered printed circuit board (PCB) may include, with a printing device, delivering a flexible medium to at least one fluid jet printhead. Printing an electrically conductive fluid on the flexible medium may be performed with at least one fluid jet printhead, to form a first conductive layer on the flexible medium. With the at least one fluid jet printhead, an electrically insulating fluid may be printed on the first conductive layer to form at least one insulating layer on the first conductive layer. With the at least one fluid jet printhead, the electrically conductive fluid may be printed on the at least one insulating layer to form a second conductive layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a structured coating on a substrate, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing a substrate having a surface to be coated and producing a structured coating on the surface of the substrate to be coated by depositing at least one evaporation coating material, namely aluminium oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or titanium dioxide, on the surface of the substrate to be coated by means of thermal evaporation of the at least one evaporation coating material and using additive structuring. The invention further relates to a coated substrate and a semi-finished product having a coated substrate.

Abstract: A process for producing an interior trim part (1) with a decorative layer situated on a first side (S1) thereof and forming a decorative pattern (M) for the interior of a motor vehicle, the process comprising the following steps: (a) formation of at least one cutout configuration (R), defined by a predetermined decorative pattern (M), in a protective layer (120) situated on a first side (S1), which is situated on a first surface (110a) of the shell-shaped base body (110) made of a metallic material, (b) deposition of sinterable decorative material on the first side (S1) in such a way that the decorative material, as an intermediate layer (150), covers at least the area in which the cutout configuration (R) defined by the decorative pattern (M) is formed in the protective layer (120), (c) laser-sintering of the intermediate layer (150) inside the at least one cutout configuration defined by the decorative pattern (M), (d) removal of the sinterable decorative material that is situated outside the at least one

Abstract: A negative electrode active material, a first carbon material, a thickener, and a solvent are mixed to prepare a first dispersion solution. The first dispersion solution and a second carbon material are mixed to prepare a second dispersion solution. The second dispersion solution and a binder are mixed to prepare a negative electrode paint. The negative electrode paint is applied to a surface of a negative electrode current collector and dried to produce a negative electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The negative electrode active material has a BET specific surface area of 3 m2/g or more and 8 m2/g or less. The first carbon material has a BET specific surface area of 30 m2/g or more and 100 m2/g or less. The second carbon material has a BET specific surface area of 200 m2/g or more and 500 m2/g or less.

Abstract: A device having a nano-wire array and a method for manufacturing an array of nano-wires. The method includes spraying on a substrate droplets of a suspension that comprises nano-wires and at least a partially volatile solvent; and evaporating the at least partially volatile solvent of the droplets to form the array of nano-wires. At least one of the spraying and the evaporating comprises executing at least one aggregation reduction measure for limiting a formation of three dimensional aggregations of nano-wires on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for increasing a service lifetime of an electronic component includes applying a topological insulator coating layer on a surface of the electronic component and performing a test on the electronic component with the topological insulator coating layer applied thereto. The electronic component with the topological insulator coating layer exhibits at least a 100% improvement during the test when compared to an otherwise equivalent electronic component without the topological insulator layer applied thereto. The electronic component with the topological insulator coating layer exhibits at least a 100% improvement during the test when compared to an otherwise equivalent electronic component with a graphene layer applied thereto. The test includes at least one of: a waterproofness test, an acetic acid test, a sugar solution test, and a methyl alcohol test.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing an active material composite powder by which an active material composite powder that can inhibit increase in its reaction resistance at a high voltage state can be manufactured. The method includes: spraying a solution containing lithium and a peroxo complex of niobium to an active material, and at the same time drying the solution; carrying out a heating treatment, after the spraying and drying, for obtaining a powder including the active material and a coating layer attached to a surface of the active material; producing a mixed liquid by mixing the powder and a solvent that can dissolve lithium nitrate and does not dissolve lithium niobate included in the coating layer obtained by the heat treatment, and stirring the mixed liquid; and carrying out, after the mixing and stirring, a solid-liquid separation on the mixed liquid; and drying a solid obtained by the separation.

Abstract: In one aspect, coated electrical components are described herein. In some implementations, a coated electrical component comprises an electrical component and a graphene coating layer disposed on a surface of the electrical component. The graphene coating layer, in some implementations, has a thickness of about 300 nm or less. In another aspect, methods of increasing the service life of an electronic apparatus are disclosed herein. In some implementations, such a method comprises disposing a graphene coating layer on an environment-facing surface of an electronic component of the apparatus, wherein the electronic apparatus exhibits at least a 10 percent improvement in environmental testing performance compared to an otherwise equivalent electronic apparatus not comprising a graphene coating layer, the environmental testing performance comprising performance in a waterproofness test, acetic acid test, sugar solution test, or methyl alcohol test described herein.

Abstract: A mask material is readily discernible from a substrate to which the mask material is applied. The mask material may have a discernible characteristic, such as its color, luminescence or the like, which may render it visibly distinct from the substrate or detectable using automated inspection equipment. The discernible characteristic of the mask material may render it detectable through a protective coating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for graphene film synthesis. The apparatus includes a quasi-enclosed substrate holder which includes one open side, a cap disposed over the one open side of the quasi enclosed substrate holder, and a substrate for graphene film synthesis located inside the quasi enclosed substrate holder. The method includes placing a substrate for graphene film synthesis inside of a quasi-enclosed substrate holder and generating a graphene film on the substrate via chemical vapor deposition, wherein the quasi enclosed substrate holder includes one open side and a cap disposed over the open side of the quasi enclosed substrate holder.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a process for preparing polyamide granules having heat-resistance properties, and also the use of these granules, in particular in the aid of the manufacture of yarns for airbags or for tyre cords. More specifically, the invention relates to a process for preparing polyamide granules having heat-resistance properties by wet impregnation of the granules with an aqueous solution comprising at least one heat stabilizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for texturing surfaces providing the latter with superhydrophobic, superoleophobic, superhydrophilic or even superoleophilic properties. This process comprises i) a step of texturing the surface (via the deposition of nanoparticles of different sizes); ii) a step of curing the surface thus textured (with a curing agent); and, optionally, iii) a step of modifying the properties of the surface with perfluorinated (and therefore hydrophobic) molecules. This process is suitable, inter alia, for treating transparent and/or heat-sensitive materials and surfaces. Specifically, none of the steps of the process use a temperature higher than 100° C. Thus, the process of the invention is particularly suitable for treating transparent surfaces composed of non-mineral materials, such as polycarbonate for example, as it will affect neither their transparency nor their optical properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a metallized film, the metallized film including: a dielectric film; a vapor-deposited metal electrode formed on a surface of the dielectric film. The vapor-deposited metal electrode includes a plurality of parts which have mutually different resistance values. The method includes a step of letting oil adhere to a region in the surface of the dielectric film on which the vapor-deposited metal electrode is to be formed and then bringing a vapor of metal into contact with the surface of the dielectric film. A quantity per unit area of the oil adhering to a part of the region on which a part of the vapor-deposited metal electrode having a relatively low resistance value is to be formed is smaller than a quantity per unit area of the oil adhering to another part of the region on which another part of the vapor-deposited metal electrode having a relatively high resistance value is to be formed.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the fixation of a treatment material being applied to a thread during a thread treatment process are disclosed. The method comprises performing a thread treatment process, forming part of the thread consuming process, by: i) applying a treatment material to the thread; and ii) applying an amount of energy to the thread to at least partly fix the applied treatment material to the thread; wherein the method further comprises controlling the amount of energy being applied to the thread as a response to a detected operational status of the in-line thread consuming process.

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer part comprising the following steps: (a) incorporating a hydrophobic small molecule into the polymer before, during or after manufacture of the polymer part, the hydrophobic small molecule and the polymer being essentially inert to one another; and (b) annealing the polymer part to induce migration of the hydrophobic small molecules to a surface of the polymer part to provide that surface with a specified degree of hydrophobicity defined by the combination of the polymer and the hydrophobic small molecule; is described. Polymer parts made according to the method are also described.

Abstract: The method of making a porous nitrogen-doped carbon electrode from biomass is a chemical activation-based method of making a porous graphite carbon electrode for supercapacitors and the like. Date palm pollen grains are used as a precursor biomass carbon source for producing the porous graphite carbon. A volume of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) pollen grains is mixed into an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide to produce a precursor carbon solution. The precursor carbon solution is dried to produce precursor carbon, and the precursor carbon is heated in an inert atmosphere to produce porous nitrogen-doped graphite carbon. The porous nitrogen-doped graphite carbon is washed, dried and mixed with a polyvinylidene difluoride binder, carbon black, and a solvent to form a slurry. The slurry is then coated on nickel foam to form a porous nitrogen-doped carbon electrode. The porous nitrogen-doped carbon electrode is dried, weighted and pressed into a sheet electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, method, a reaction chamber and a use of a reaction chamber for processing a surface of a substrate by subjecting the surface of a substrate to successive surface reactions of at least a first precursor and a second precursor. The apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber; a detachable reaction chamber arranged to be installed inside the vacuum chamber, and inside which the substrate is positioned during processing and a precursor system for supplying the at least first and second precursors into the action chamber and for discharging the at least first and second precursors from the reaction chamber. According to the present invention the reaction chamber is provided as a gastight vessel.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a sulfur cathode for a metal-sulfur battery. The process comprises: (a) Preparing a humic acid-derived foam or combined humic acid/graphene-derived foam composed of multiple pores and pore walls, wherein the pore walls contain one or a plurality of hexagonal carbon atomic planes; and (b) Impregnating the foam with sulfur or sulfide in a form of thin particles or coating, having a diameter or thickness less than 500 nm, which are lodged in the pores or deposited on the pore walls of the foam.

Abstract: A process for producing a humic acid (HA)-derived foam, comprising: (a) preparing a HA dispersion having multiple HA molecules and an optional blowing agent dispersed in a liquid medium having a blowing agent-to-HA weight ratio from 0/1.0 to 1.0/1.0; (b) dispensing and depositing the HA dispersion onto a surface of a supporting substrate to form a wet HA layer; (c) partially or completely removing liquid medium from the wet HA layer to form a dried HA layer; and (d) heat treating the dried HA layer at a first heat treatment temperature from 80° C. to 3,200° C. at a desired heating rate sufficient to induce volatile gas molecules from the non-carbon elements or to activate the blowing agent for producing the HA-derived foam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing an electrode slurry for lithium secondary batteries in which the physical properties of the electrode slurry are improved to minimize a drag line by performing the primary mixing process at high viscosity, a method of manufacturing an electrode of which a defect rate of the electrode is reduced and with which battery stability is improved by using the method of preparing an electrode slurry for secondary batteries, an electrode manufactured using the method, and a secondary battery including the electrode.