Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing nanodrops which are liquid drops with diameters less than one micron and producing therefrom solid nanoparticles and uniform and patterned film deposits. A liquid precursor is placed in an open ended tube within which is a solid electrically conductive needle which protrudes beyond the open end of the tube. Surface tension of the liquid at the tube end prevents the liquid from flowing from the tube. Mutually repulsive electric charges are injected into the liquid through the needle, causing the surface tension to be overcome to produce a plurality of liquid jets which break up into nanodrops.

Abstract: Plastic substrates, such as but not limited to phenolic cellulosic composites such as those used in conventional toilet seats, are heated at a temperature and for a time sufficient to degas the substrate, and are then coated with a powder, and heated to cure the powder coating. In a preferred embodiment, a water-based electrically conductive coating is first applied to a phenolic cellulosic composite, and cured while the substrate is heated to degas the substrate sufficiently, such that a subsequently applied powder coating will not suffer from popping during curing. In a preferred embodiment, it is not necessary for the part to be at a temperature at or above the cure temperature of the coating during application of the powder coating in order to avoid popping, provided the substrate has been sufficiently degassed.

Abstract: A process for simulating the appearance of marble in an array of colors on a smooth paintable surface at room temperature by preparing the surface to receive paint, applying a base coat of black lacquer paint, applying a coat of iridescent paint, applying a flexible sheet such as plastic wrap to the iridescent coat while still wet, immediately removing the flexible sheet leaving a three-dimensional impression, applying a translucent or candy color coat, and finally a clear coat.

Abstract: A method of producing plasticized partial polyvinyl butyral sheet having a desired level of potential adhesion to glass which comprises: i) providing partial polyvinyl butyral resin having a high affinity for adhesion to glass when in sheet form under laminating conditions of elevated temperature and pressure, ii) mixing the resin with plasticizer to form a heat-shapable formulation, iii) extruding the formulation to form a sheet, and iv) applying a multiplicity of spaced anti-adhesion projections to the surface of the sheet to an extent effective to counteract the high adhesion of the sheet to glass between projections.

Abstract: Methods of impregnating various polymer substrates with an impregnation additive, by simultaneously contacting the polymer substrate with an impregnation additive, carrier liquid, and supercritical fluid are provided. The impregnation additive is substantially insoluble in the supercritical fluid, and the carrier liquid is preferably substantially insoluble in the supercritical fluid.

Abstract: A high temperature flame spray or plasma effects thermal spray impact of molten materials against a target area of a surface to be built up, which molten particles, when cooled, are in tension, and an impact fusion internal burner device producing a supersonic jet stream impacts thermal spray heated solid particles against the surface in the target area such that the high velocity of the individual solid particles are impact fused, causing compressive stresses to be set up in the fused solid particles. The individual particle tensile and compressive stresses cancel one another to form an overall essentially stress-free coating. The flame spray molten particles and the flame spray heated solid particles may impact the surface concurrently at a same impact point.

Abstract: Conductive patterns are formed on a surface and via connections through a lamina or substrate are formed by directly writing an electrostatic charge pattern on a surface of the lamina and developing the written pattern by application of conductive particles thereto, preferably in a liquid suspension of particulate material including a binder and/or a charge control agent. High resolution patterns are obtained with conductive powders having particle sizes in the range of 0.5 to 2.5 microns. Vias are formed by developing the charged pattern with conductive bodies such as spheres having a dimension similar to the finished thickness of the lamina or substrate. After development, the conductive bodies may be embedded within the lamina or substrate, possibly facilitated through the use of heat and lamination techniques. Insulative particulate material may also be used to form insulating patterns.

Abstract: An object is splatter painted by painting the object with a basic paint, coating the painted surface with a clear polymer, rotating and heating the object, applying paint to the clear polymer coat by a slinging action while the clear polymer is still tacky to receive the paint from the slinging action and have the slung paint become imbedded in the tacky polymer coat and merge with the polymer to provide a smooth finish, allowing the slung paint to completely dry, and applying a coat of clear polymer over the completely dry surface. The paint can be slung from a pointed rod which has been dipped in a paint supply.

Abstract: Methods for coating various liquid coating solutions onto continuously running support webs for use in the manufacture of photographic film materials, photographic printing paper, magnetic recording materials such as magnetic recording tape, adhesive tape, information recording paper such as pressure-sensitive paper or thermal paper, and materials for use in photomechanical processes, wherein uniform coating characteristics are obtained, both at the start of coating operations and at the passage of various seams in the web. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electric field of a strength in a range of 100-1000 volts/cm as measured with a surface potentiometer is applied on the surface of the web to be coated and, at the same time, air having a relative humidity of 70-85% is blown against the surface of the web after the start of coating operation but just prior to a time when the thin film of coating solution impinges against the web.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a chemically adsorbed film, which can efficiently provide a water and oil repelling and anti-contaminating ultra thin film with uniform thickness by spraying a solution comprising a chemical adsorbent on a substrate surface having active hydrogen groups in a dry atmosphere. A chemically adsorbed film can be formed by spraying a chlorosilane-based surface active agent on a substrate surface having active hydrogen groups such as hydroxyl, imino groups or the like. After forming a siloxane-based monomolecular layer or polysiloxane layer beforehand by spraying a chlorosilane compound or a solution comprising a chlorosilane compound on a substrate surface, a chemically adsorbed monomolecular or polymer layer can be formed by spraying a solution comprising a chlorosilane-based surface active agent. The film can be formed in a short time without being inhibited by the shapes and sizes of substrates.

Abstract: A method for achieving a high gloss finish on a compression molded substrate, molded with or without vacuum, in which the substrate includes a hollow filler material and has a specific gravity of not more than 1.4, including the steps of heating at least the surface of the substrate, to a temperature above the melting temperature of a subsequently applied coating powder and applying a first layer of powder to the heated surface, and if necessary, elevating the temperature of the surface and maintaining the temperature of the heated surface above the curing temperature of powder by infrared radiation or by forced heated air for a time period sufficient to cure the powder and then, if desired, subsequently electrostatically applying a second coating to at least a portion of the first film.

Abstract: MoO.sub.2 is used as an accelerant for transformation of zirconia (ZrO.sub.2) from a tetragonal to a monoclinic crystal phase. A ZrO.sub.2 -MoO.sub.2 alloy having an increased content of monoclinic ZrO.sub.2 is prepared by mixing MoO.sub.2 with ZrO.sub.2 followed by heat treatment. In another aspect of the invention, the surface of an alumina-zirconia composite is strengthened by heating the composite in the presence of MoO.sub.2 -ZrO.sub.2 mixed powder.

Abstract: Solid substrates with free hydroxyl groups are phosphorylated by thermolysing a solution of phosphoramidate of the formula ##STR1## in the presence of the substrate, whereby metaphosphate is generated which phosphorylates the substrate.

Abstract: A vapor deposition apparatus for depositing thin film on substrates in which solid starting materials are used. In this apparatus, a carrier gas flows up and down in the same direction as gas convection, such that the effect of gas convection is minimized and film thickness and impurity concentration are uniform over the substrate surface. This uniformity is achieved by orienting a main reaction tube in a vertical direction, attaching two branch reaction tubes at the top of the main reaction tube, and venting carrier gas out the bottom of the main reaction tube. Alternately, the main reaction tube can be oriented horizontally, with the substrates being carried on a holder within a container having pores on its top and bottom.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing autostereograms using ultraviolet radiation-curable thermosetting polymers. A stereoscopic image is printed upon a plastic or paper sheet, which is fed directly onto a surface having an inverse lenticular pattern relief. As the sheet is fed onto the surface, a flow of ultraviolet-curable thermosetting polymer resin is directed at the surface. Ultraviolet radiation is directed at the polymer layer, curing the polymer and forming a lenticular array on the front surface of the polymer layer. During this process, the sheet carrying the stereoscopic image is bonded to the back surface of the polymer lenticular layer in precise registration with the lenticular array. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inverse lenticular pattern relief is on the outer surface of a transparent cylinder. The polymer layer is cured as it is flowed onto the relief pattern by an ultraviolet lamp placed within the transparent cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus and continuous process for impregnating fibers with polymer powders in which the fibers are caused to circulate in an aerosol passed through a fluidized bed contained in an earthed fluidization vessel. The particles constituting the fluidized bed are chosen so as to charge the powder particles electrostatically. The aerosol is continuously fed with a flow of fresh powder particles equal to that at which it is desired to impregnate the fibers per unit time and all the powder particles previously introduced which have not been impregnated into the fibers are continuously reintroduced into the fluidized bed without any change in the supply flow rate of fresh powder particles.

Abstract: A process for applying a barrier layer of ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) to a substrate, such as a plastic film, by coating the substrate with a solution of EVOH in a solvent of tetrahydrofuran and water, followed by removing the solvent. Multilayer structures having an EVOH barrier layer coated on a plastic substrate from solution in aqueous tetrahydrofuran solvent have excellent oxygen barrier properties.

Abstract: A coating-fluidizing gas supply system for a flat-bottom fluidized bed coater that maintains a high degree of uniform fluidization of levitated particles for a long enough time period to coat medical-device components. The coating-fluidizing gas supply system prevents premature pyrolysis of the coating component of the gas from plugging gas-distributor holes of a flat plate at the bottom of a flat-bottom fluidized bed coater, by directing multiple gas streams uniformly against the entire undersurface of the flat gas-distributor plate, creating an overall cooling-effect on the gas-distributor plate which prevents clogging.

Abstract: A process to manufacture and coat a sodium carbonate perhydrate containing 10.5% to 14% active oxygen which is stable in a non-phosphate detergent composition and which has a bulk density of from 900 to 1,050 kg/m.sup.3. Anhydrous sodium carbonate with a pore volume of at least 0.29 ml/g is contacted with 50% to 75% by weight hydrogen peroxide in the presence of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid and water is evaporated at a rate to maintain a dry reaction mixture. The product is coated by sparging sodium borosilicate at a rate to avoid moistening the particles.

Abstract: Precise control of pyrocarbon being coated upon an object in a fluidized particle bed is achieved by monitoring the weight change of the fluidized particle bed over a period of time. Measurement of such weight change is truly representative of bed size in such a coater, which is a most important factor in achieving the desired characteristics of the pyrocarbon being deposited. By monitoring the bed size by repeatedly determining such changes in the weight, compensating adjustments are made by either adding additional particles to the bed or by changing the rate at which particles are withdrawn so that precise coating characteristics are achieved, and coatings can be deposited within very close thickness tolerances.