Abstract: Methods of producing an ombré finish for materials may comprise applying a stain to the surface of a material in a first concentration toward a first part of said surface and in a second concentration toward a second part of said surface, blending said stain from said first part to said second part to create a gradual transition in concentration, and sealing said surface. Said methods may also comprise applying a stain substantially uniformly to the surface of a material, removing said stain from said surface so as to create a gradual transition in concentration of said stain, and sealing said surface. Said methods may further comprise the steps of comparing the color of said material to a target color and toning said material until said color of said material matches said target color.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium including a nonmagnetic substrate, and at least a soft magnetic under layer, an orientation control layer, a magnetic recording layer constituted of two or more layers and a protective layer formed on the nonmagnetic substrate, the method including a step of forming a first magnetic recording layer having a granular structure constituted of ferromagnetic crystal grains and crystal grain boundaries made of a nonmagnetic oxide or nitride on the nonmagnetic substrate side, a step of forming a second magnetic recording layer constituted only of ferromagnetic crystal grains, a step of forming a surface unevenness control layer for decreasing surface unevenness of the first magnetic recording layer located between the first magnetic recording layer and the second magnetic recording layer, and a step of heating the nonmagnetic substrate so as to decrease a surface roughness Ra of the second magnetic recording layer

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming charge-trapping zones. The methods may include forming nanoparticles, transferring the nanoparticles to a liquid to form a dispersion, forming an aerosol from the dispersion, and then directing the aerosol onto a substrate to form charge-trapping centers comprising the nanoparticles. The charge-trapping zones may be incorporated into flash memory cells.

Abstract: Methods for making a substrate comprising structured organic film nano- to micro-features are disclosed. The methods for forming SOF micro-features may include: providing a substrate; discharging at least one droplet toward the substrate by an ink jet method, the at least one droplet including a plurality of molecular building blocks each comprising a segment and a number of functional groups; depositing the at least one droplet on the substrate; promoting a change in the deposited at least one droplet and forming at least one dry structured organic film (SOF) on the substrate.

Abstract: An applicator for spraying an elastomeric material comprises an applicator body having an internal bore and a fluid inlet for receiving a supply of the elastomeric material. A nozzle is coupled to the applicator body and has a discharge end with a spray outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet via a fluid passageway. A needle valve is slidably mounted within the internal bore for movement between a closed position for closing the fluid passageway, and an open position for opening the fluid passageway so as to spray the elastomeric material. An air cap is coupled to the applicator body adjacent the nozzle for providing an atomizing airflow and a fan control airflow. The needle valve has a tip portion shaped to extend through the nozzle so as to be substantially flush with the discharge end of the nozzle when the needle valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: The erosion-prone sections of the tubes in a circulating fluidized bed boiler are provided with a locally thickened sidewall without forming discontinuities on the outer surface of the tubes. This can be accomplished, for example, by replacing the erosion prone portion of the tube with a section having a smaller inside diameter, but the same outside diameter, or by replacing the erosion prone portion of the tube with a section having a thicker sidewall, but the same inside diameter, and smoothing over the outside discontinuity with an alloy coating. A useful alloy coating is also disclosed which can be used for this and other applications.

Abstract: Provided is a method for forming a micropattern using a mask template. The method includes: forming a mask template on a substrate, wherein the mask template has an exposure section through which a portion of the substrate is exposed to the exterior and a non-exposure section provided by a polymer material applied on the remaining portion of the substrate; supplying conductive ink to the top of the mask template to deposit the conductive ink on the non-exposure section and on the substrate exposed through the exposure section; and heat treating the conductive ink in order to extract the conductive ink nanoclusters dissolved or dispersed in the conductive ink, wherein the conductive ink nanoclusters disposed on the non-exposure section are bound to the non-exposure section to form an insulating pattern having electrical insulating property, while the conductive ink nanoclusters disposed on the substrate form a conductive pattern having electroconductive property.

Abstract: Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed. A vessel processing system and vessel inspection apparatus and methods are also disclosed, for example using material outgassed from a surface to inspect the properties of a surface coating.

Abstract: Sound-dampening material, including a base coat and a top coat, and a method for sound-dampening a surface, are described. The base coat includes about 20-50 percent rubber emulsion, about 10-20 percent carbonate filler, about 3-10 percent fire retardant, about 3-10 percent opacity filler, and about 10-64 percent of other components. The top coat includes about 40-80 percent of a rubber emulsion, about 10-20 percent of a carbonate filler, about 3-10 percent of a fire retardant, about 3-10 percent of an opacity filler, and about 0-44 percent of other components. The method includes applying a base coat to a desired thickness allowing the base coat to dry, then applying a top coat over the base coat to a desired thickness.

Abstract: A method for dispensing a foamed material onto a substrate surface, including: generating a relative movement between a substrate surface and a material dispensing apparatus exit opening, mixing at least two material components in a mixing device, generating a pressure differential between the mixing device and a dispensing region, conveying the dispensing material from the mixing device to the exit opening, and discharging the dispensing material from the exit opening onto the substrate surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-electrolytic method for metallizing a substrate by projecting an aerosol containing a solution of an oxidant metallic cation and of a reducing agent; said method comprising a step of -a- wetting the substrate; starting to project a metallisation according to a succession of projecting phases alternating with relaxing phases: (i) by adjusting the duration Dp of the projection phases and the duration Dr of the relaxing phases from a metallisation constant k intrinsic for each metal; and (ii) by adjusting the projection flow-rate. The metallisation projection is carried out dynamically by displacing projection means relative to the substrate in order to carry out a periodical scanning, wherein Dp correspond to the duration during which the surface unit in question is submitted to the continuous projection of the aerosol and Dr corresponds to the duration during which the part is not submitted to projection.

Abstract: A process for producing a glass substrate for magnetic disk through chemical strengthening operation, in which the distribution of compressive stress is uniformed at a surface layer portion of the glass substrate to thereby, while preventing failures such as head crash and thermal asperity, realize a low flying height of magnetic head, attaining high-density information recording. In particular, the provided glass substrate for magnetic disk is suitable for application to compact magnetic disks for portable information equipment.

Abstract: A system for applying coatings and more specifically paint coatings is provided that combines fluid stored in separate reservoir containers prior to expelling the mixture for application. The reservoirs may be comprised of collapsible and disposable bags that eject its fluid upon activation of an actuator or expanding bladder. The fluid components are combined and blended together in a mixer that is positioned between the reservoirs and a nozzle.

Abstract: Selectively accelerated or selectively inhibited metal deposition is performed to form metal structures of an electronic device. A desired pattern of an accelerator or of an inhibitor is applied to the substrate; for example, by stamping the substrate with a patterned stamp or spraying a solution using an inkjet printer. In other embodiments, a global layer of accelerator or inhibitor is applied to a substrate and selectively modified in a desired pattern. Thereafter, selective metal deposition is performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a multilayer film, in particular, a cross-linked multilayer macromolecular film.

Abstract: The producing method of a gas barrier layer uses a material having at least one Si—H bond, a material having at least one N—H bond, and at least one of nitrogen gas, hydrogen gas and a noble gas and forms the gas barrier layer by plasma-enhanced CVD using a plasma in which an emission intensity A of emission at 414 nm, an emission intensity B of emission at 336 nm, an emission intensity C of emission at 337 nm, and an emission intensity D of emission at 656 nm satisfy formulas a to c: 2<B/A<20??Formula a: C/B<2??Formula b: 0.5<D/B<50.

Abstract: Filler particles of a moisture-permeable, organic polymeric material are used in a polymeric coating composition, and this composition can be applied to a surface of a molded, fiber-reinforced polymeric material, such as sheet molding compound (SMC), to enable the electrostatic application of a layer of a powder primer to the same surface overlying the polymeric coating. And, when the molded SMC is heated to cure the powder primer layer, the out-gassing of moisture from the heated SMC does not result in defects on the surface of the molded SMC.

Abstract: Articles having porous or foam-like elements are provided. The design, fabrication and structures of the articles exploit properties of reactive composite materials (RCM) and their reaction products. In particular, fluids generated by reacting RCM are utilized to create or fill voids in the porous or foam-like elements.

Abstract: A bone repair material being superior in apatite-forming ability and its stability in a storage and high in scratch resistance is disclosed. The material is produced by a method comprising the steps of: immersing a substrate made of titanium or a titanium alloy in a first aqueous solution that does not contain calcium ions but contains at least one cation selected from the group consisting of sodium ions and potassium ions and is alkaline; immersing the substrate in a second aqueous solution that does not contain phosphate ions but contains calcium ions; heating the substrate in a dry atmosphere; and treating the substrate with hot water of 60° C. or higher or with steam.

Abstract: Processes for synthesizing graphene films. Graphene films may be synthesized by heating a metal or a dielectric on a substrate to a temperature between 400° C. and 1,400° C. The metal or dielectric is exposed to an organic compound thereby growing graphene from the organic compound on the metal or dielectric. The metal or dielectric is later cooled to room temperature. As a result of the above process, standalone graphene films may be synthesized with properties equivalent to exfoliated graphene from natural graphite that is scalable to size far greater than that available on silicon carbide, single crystal silicon substrates or from natural graphite.