Abstract: A method for forming an optical thin film used for optical elements of laser systems including high-energy lasers and an optical element of optical apparatuses is provided. The optical thin film can be easily formed on a desired substrate with reproducibility by vapor-depositing a porous fluoride layer for preventing reflection in the deep ultraviolet region, and can be easily removed in a short time to reuse the substrate if the thin film damaged. A water-insoluble material (2) for preventing reflection is vapor-deposited onto an optical element substrate (1). A water-soluble material (3) having a higher particle energy is vapor-deposited onto the surface of the water-insoluble material (2). The water-soluble material (3) permeates deep into the water-insoluble material (2) to form a mixed film on the surface of the substrate (1). Then, the water-soluble material (3) is dissolved and removed to form a porous thin film (5) comprising the water-insoluble material (2).

Abstract: A method for laser transfer and deposition of a rheological fluid wherein laser energy strikes a target substrate comprising a rheological fluid, causing a portion of the rheological fluid to evaporate and propel non-evaporated rheological fluid onto a receiving substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are implantable medical devices with enhanced patency. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene small caliber vascular grafts coated with polymer bound bio-active agents that exhibit enhanced patency are disclosed. The polymer bound bio-active agents can include anti-thrombogenic agents, antibiotics, antibacterial agents and antiviral agents. Methods of preparing same are also provided.

Abstract: A process for impregnating a porous material with a cross-linkable composition is disclosed. The degree of impregnation and placement of the cross-linkable composition within the pores of the porous material can be controlled very precisely through the use of a pressure differential. The pressure differential is effected through a nonreactive gas, a vacuum, or a combination thereof. Medical devices produced using such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An anti-stick cookware is manufactured by a process including a step of spinning a metal plate made of an aluminum alloy to form a cookware body having a bottom portion, a side portion extending upward from the bottom portion, and an inner cooking surface defined by the bottom and side portions. The side portion of the cookware body has a thickness thinner than that of the bottom portion of the cookware body. The thickness of the bottom portion of the cookware is at least 2.5 mm, and the thickness of the side portion of the cookware is at least 1.8 mm. The thickness of the side portion is 30%-64% of that of the bottom portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for single-step surface modification, grafting and sterilization for bio-active coating on materials and biomaterials used in medical devices, such as catheters, tissue engineering scaffolds, or drug delivery carrier materials. This may include any medical device or implantable that could benefit from improved antithrombogenic and biocompatible surfaces. Other relevant device examples may include heparin or urokinase coated stents to reduce clotting and restenosis, dental or ophthamological implants. These materials may be comprised of a variety of polymeric compositions such as, polyurethane, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyHEMA, polyvinyl alcohol, polysiloxanes, polylactic or glycolic acids, polycaprolactone, etc. The substrates can also be metal, ceramics or biologically derived materials.

Abstract: Process and device for depositing, by electron cyclotron resonance plasma, a web of carbon nanofibres or nanotubes, on a substrate without a catalyst, by injection of a microwave power into a deposition chamber including a magnetic structure with a highly unbalanced magnetic mirror and at least one electron cyclotron resonance zone within the interior of the deposition chamber itself and opposite the substrate. Under a pressure of less than 10−4 mbar, ionization and/or dissociation of a gas containing carbon is induced in the magnetic mirror in the center of the deposition chamber, thus producing species that deposit on the substrate, which is heated.

Abstract: Process for the production of hydrophobic layers on optical substrates which have an alkaline earth metal fluoride or alkali metal fluoride layer as the outermost layer or consist of alkaline earth metal fluorides or alkali metal fluorides, by thermal vapor deposition with polyfluorohydrocarbons in a high vacuum.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for environmental exchange control for a polymer on a wafer surface. An apparatus for controlling an exchange between an environment and a polymer on a surface of a wafer located in the environment includes: a chamber adapted to hold the wafer, define the environment, and maintain the polymer in an adjacent relationship with the environment; and a heater coupled to the chamber. A method for improving performance of a spin-on material includes: forming the spin-on material on a surface of a wafer; then locating the spin-on material in an environment so that said environment is adjacent said spin-on material; and then controlling an exchange between the spin-on material and said environment. The systems and methods provide advantages because inappropriate deprotection is mitigated by careful control of the environmental temperature and environmental species partial pressures (e.g. relative humidity).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an artificial leather having nap very little oriented on the surface and having short fibers densely, and hence having a good nubuck-like look and hand, and also relates to a production process thereof. The present invention provides an artificial leather having a nap surface of ultra-fine fibers at least on one side, which is formed by applying an elastic polymer to an ultra-fine fiber-entangled substrate, characterized by being 0.3 g/cm3 or more in the apparent density of the artificial leather, being 0.5 mm or less in the nap length, and being 25% or less in the R value obtained from the goniometric reflectance distribution measured with the nap surface rotated from 0 degree to 180 degrees using a goniophotometer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a molded container coated with a carbon coating, desirably blow molded or extrusion molded, said container having barrier properties and including an upper wall portion having an opening, an intermediate sidewall portion positioned beneath the upper wall portion, and a base portion positioned beneath the intermediate sidewall portion to support the container. The container includes a molded first layer having an inner surface and an outer surface formed from high density polyethylene, and a carbon coating is formed on the inner surface of the first layer and adhered thereto and substantially coextensive with the first layer, wherein said carbon coating has a thickness of less than about 10 microns.

Abstract: A method of temporarily protecting a surface which includes the steps of applying a continuous coating of a masking material to said surface, which masking material comprises, before drying, an aqueous solution or emulsion consisting essentially of a film-forming, carboxylic acid-containing polymer; coating all or a portion of said surface with a coating compound, said masking material preventing said coating compound from contacting said surface; and, thereafter, removing said masking material from said surface. Preferably said carboxylic acid-containing polymer is an acrylic or methacrylic acid-containing copolymer and is the sole film-forming component of the aqueous solution or emulsion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing single-coat or multicoat clearcoat finishes on primed or unprimed substrates by applying at least one powder coating dispersion, in particular a powder clearcoat slurry, to the substrate and then curing the resulting film(s) thermally and/or with actinic radiation, in which oxalic acid is added to at least one powder coating dispersion, in particular to a powder clearcoat slurry.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a platform for use in a sensor in a microfluidic device. The method may include the steps of selecting a polymeric film, laser drilling at least one frustoconical pore in the film, depositing a layer of metal suitable for use as an electrode over a wall of the pore, and depositing a membrane capable of detecting an analyte in the pore over the metal layer. The method may also include the additional step of forming a diffusion limiting layer in the pore at an exit end of the pore before depositing the membrane capable of detecting an analyte.

Abstract: The method of making a terrazzo surface from recycled glass involves several steps. First, the substrate over which the terrazzo layer is formed is conditioned and primed. Second, an epoxy mixture is made by mixing crushed recycled glass, epoxy resin and epoxy primer. Third, the epoxy mixture is poured over the substrate to a height of ⅜″ nominally. Fourth, the mixture is troweled and allowed to cure and harden. Fifth, the surface is ground and polished to expose glass fragments near the surface. Grout is then applied to fill any air bubbles opened during the grinding process. Finally, the floor is polished and sealed. Decorative patterns and designs may also be formed in the terrazzo by attaching metal divider strips of different shapes to the substrate before pouring the epoxy mixture, and then using different colored mixtures to create patterns and/or designs in the surface.

Abstract: An oxygen ion process, Chemical Reactive-Ion Surface Planarization (CRISP), has been developed which enables planarization of thin film surfaces at the atomic level. Narrow/broad band filters produced with vacuum deposited multilayered thin films are designed to selectively reflect/transmit light at specific wavelengths. The optical performance is limited by the ability to control the individual layer thickness, the “roughness” of the individual layer surfaces and the stoichiometry of the layers. The process described herein will enable reduction of surface roughness at the interfaces of multilayered thin films to produce atomically smooth surfaces. The application of this process will result in the production of notch filters of less than 0.3 nm full width at half maximum (FWHM) centered at the desired wavelength.

Abstract: A method of protecting a silica-containing article used in the manufacture of an optical fiber includes the step of applying to the silica-containing article a protective layer that facilitates removal of particulates that deposit on the protective layer and that ablates during or can be removed before subsequent processing of the silica-containing article. An intermediate product used in the manufacture of an optical fiber and protected against break-inducing particulates includes a silica-containing article, and a protective layer that facilitates removal of particulates that have deposited on the protective layer and that can be ablated during or removed before subsequent processing of the intermediate product.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a substrate has been subjected to an energy source. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a polymeric surface, providing a light emitting material having a specified emission spectrum that changes upon exposure to an energy source on the surface or embedded in said substrate and applying said energy source to said surface with said light emitting material. This method can be particularly useful for detecting the bond quality in medical devices.

Abstract: A process generally for preserving fresh-cut flowers and plant tissue, particularly fitted for fresh-cut flowers and plant tissue for use in manufacturing applications to form permanently flexible high-wear products to be used in a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions. A method for preserving the plant tissue wherein the plant tissue is formed and substantially dehydrated, whereupon the plant tissue is subsequently saturated with a saturating mix, removed from the saturating mix, drained, dried, and then subsequently coated with a coating mix, removed, drained, and dried. An optional polishing mix may be applied for cosmetic purposes. The finished product retains the integrity of the original flower in shape, texture, size, and color and is highly flexible and durable under conditions of constant physical wear and disturbance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for manufacturing an implantable medical device, having a surface covered with a coating that can include a desired amount of a biologically active material, using an ultraviolet (UV) laser. The invention also pertains to a method for manufacturing an implantable medical device having a surface covered with a coating having more than one layer wherein a desired portion of the top layer is ablated with an ultraviolet (UV) laser. Also, the invention relates to a method for measuring a thickness of a coating applied to an implantable medical device. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a method for manufacturing an implantable medical device having a surface covered with a coating free of webbing or cracking.