Abstract: Electrographic printing of one or more multi-channeled layers produces a specialty item. Such electrographic printing includes forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing predetermined sized marking particles; and, where desired, forming one or more final multi-channeled layers utilizing marking particles of a predetermined size or size distribution.

Abstract: Processes are described herein for preparing medical devices and other articles having a low-fouling surface on a substrate comprising a polymeric surface. The polymeric surface material may possess a range of polymeric backbones and substituents while providing the articles with a highly efficient, biocompatible, and non-fouling surface. The processes involve treating the substrate to reduce the concentration of chemical species on the surface of or in the substrate without altering the bulk physical properties of the device or article, and thereafter forming a grafted polymer layer on the treated substrate surface.

Abstract: A layer-by-layer fabrication method of sprayed nanopaper is disclosed in the present invention. According to one embodiment, a plurality of nano-micro particles are suspended in a solvent to form a sprayable particle precursor. Afterwards, one or more sprayed nanopapers are formed by vacuum-assisted layer-by-layer spray of the sprayable particle precursor on a porous substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a ta-C thin film for a magnetic recording medium includes a film deposition chamber; a plasma beam formation portion for supplying a plasma beam to the film deposition chamber to form the ta-C thin film on a substrate with a magnetic recording layer thereon; a substrate holder rotatably arranged in the film deposition chamber; a tilting member for continuously changing an inclination angle of the plasma beam to a surface of the magnetic recording layer; and a rotating member for rotating the substrate about a rotation axis of the substrate holder. A control member rotates the substrate holder with the substrate thereon and operates the tilting member to continuously change the inclination angle from a minimum inclination angle to a maximum inclination angle according to an increase in film thickness of the ta-C thin film being formed by the plasma beam formation portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for application of primer with the aid of vacuum, includes a reservoir (26) for liquid primer, an applicator nozzle (14) having an applicator chamber (16) and a suction chamber (18), a supply system (24, 26) for supplying primer from the reservoir (28) to the applicator chamber (16), a suction system (30, 32) for withdrawing air and primer from the suction chamber (18) and a separator (34) for separating primer from the withdrawn air and recirculating the separated primer into the reservoir (28), wherein the separator (34) is a cyclone.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for coating medical devices such as an intravascular stent, are disclosed in the method, a 2-D image of a stent is processed to determine (1) paths along the stent skeletal elements by which a stent secured to a rotating support element can be traversed by a dispenser head whose relative motion with respect to the support element is along the support-element axis, such that some or all of the stent skeletal elements will be traversed (2) the relative speeds of the dispenser head and support element as the dispenser head travels along the paths, and (3), and positions of the dispenser head with respect to a centerline of the stent elements as the dispenser head travels along such paths The rotational speed of the support and relative linear speed of the dispenser are controlled to achieve the desired coating thickness and coating coverage on the upper surfaces, and optionally, the side surfaces, of the stent elements.

Abstract: A systems and method for reducing coating defects on a stent may involve a support apparatus comprising wire cage for carrying a stent. The support apparatus may have no structure that extends inside the stent. A support apparatus may include a plurality of wires that pass through the stent but do not pass through the midplane of the stent. A support apparatus may contact only the proximal ends of the stent. The method may involve keeping the stent in motion during a spray coating process to prevent the stent from having a point remain in continuous contact with a support apparatus.

Abstract: A powder coating system comprising a plurality of supply containers and a connection changer having a plurality of supply connectors associated with a support member and each in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of supply containers. The connection changer includes a movable delivery connector selectively and independently connectable to each of the plurality of supply connectors associated with the support member. A pump is in fluid communication with the delivery connector of the connection changer and at least one applicator is in fluid communication with the pump. Fluid communication from the delivery connector to the applicator defines a delivery portion of the system. The pump is disposed along the delivery portion of the system to apply negative pressure to the at least one selected supply container and draw its contents to the at least one applicator.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for methods and systems of forming a palladium sulfide film on a substrate including flexible substrate. A palladium sulfide precursor may be applied to the substrate. The palladium sulfide precursor may comprise a palladium organothiolate. The palladium sulfide precursor may be heated under reaction conditions sufficient to decompose the palladium sulfide precursor to form the palladium sulfide film or patterns, the latter using various lithography techniques.

Abstract: In a method for producing a component (20) with a coating (24) containing nanoparticles (21), it is provided that, in order to introduce the nanoparticles (21) into the coating (24), a film (19) with the dispersely distributed nanoparticles (21) is applied to the surface (22) to be coated, which decomposes with incorporation of the nanoparticles (21) during the actual coating operation and is thereby not incorporated into the layer.

Abstract: A spray gun (31) is attached to a multi-function unit (32) movable in a horizontal direction and a perpendicular direction. The spray gun (31) is mounted to a support holder (33), and the support holder (33) is connected to a support arm (35) of the multi-function unit (32). The support arm (35) is attached to a unit cover (36) which is openable/closable with respect to a casing (2). The support holder (33) and the support arm (35) can hide and house a liquid hose and an air hose therein so that the hoses and the like are arranged in an apparatus in such a state as to be completely free from being exposed. An installation position of the spray gun (31) can be finely adjusted by the multi-function unit (32) during a coating process, thereby enabling a control for keeping constant distances between tablet surfaces and the spray gun (31).

Abstract: A method to utilize a chemical genus of chromen-4-one derivatives as non-toxic, environment friendly antifouling agent, a coating material for objects submerged under the water and subject to biofouling based on the chromen-4-one compounds, as well as a method of obtaining one of such chromen-4-one antifouling compounds, 4?,5,7-trihydroxy-isoflavone, from a natural source. Particularly exemplary of such substituted chromen-4-one antifouling compounds are provided and they are 4?,5,7 -trihydroxy-isoflavone, 4?,5-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8 tetramethoxy-flavone, 3?,5-dihydroxy-3,4?,6,8 tetramethoxy-flavone, 4?,5-dihydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxy-flavone, 4?,5,7-trihydroxy-flavone, 3?,4?,6,7-tetrahydroxy-flavone, and 5-monohydroxy-flavone.

Abstract: A described technology relates generally to a thin-film deposition mask assembly of a flat panel display for correcting form distortion caused by tension of a division mask. The thin-film deposition mask assembly includes: a frame for forming a penetrated opening; a first change compensating member and a second change compensating member disposed across the opening, fixed to a free end member formed by partially cutting the frame from the opening, and arranged as a pair; and a plurality of division masks being disposed to cross the first change compensating member and the second change compensating member on top sides of the first change compensating member and the second change compensating member.

Abstract: Methods of directing assembly of materials using a surface-modified substrate are disclosed. A modified surface is created on a substrate by applying a first surface agent to the substrate. Energy is applied to the modified surface to form an imaged surface having an imaged portion and a non-imaged portion. The imaged portion is characterized by a surface energy that is different from the surface energy of the non-imaged portion. For example, the applied energy can remove at least a portion of an attached surface agent from the imaged portion to modify the surface energy. In some preferred embodiments the energy also modifies the surface agent without causing oxidation. To avoid oxidation, for example, the surface modification and/or energy appliement can take place in a low oxygen environment (e.g., having an oxygen content lower than that present in about 0.01 Torr of air).

Abstract: Biocompatible coatings for implantable medical devices are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide methods for coating an object with a biocompatible coating wherein the device is suspended using a flowing gas during the coating process. Embodiments of the invention provide tropoelastin coatings and methods of creating tropoelastin coatings for implantable medical devices. Optionally, the biocompatible coating can be a drug eluting coating.

Abstract: A system for applying a metal particulate onto an object is disclosed herein. The system can include sources for a metal particulate and a hot pressurized air in communication with a spraying device having a nozzle assembly configured to: receive, mix, and expel the metal particulate and the hot pressurized air. The hot pressurized air can form a venturi effect within the nozzle assembly to draw in the metal particulate. The nozzle assembly can include a nozzle cap with a tapered nozzle having a helical channel, and an outer tip connected to the nozzle cap having a venturi effect chamber, a mixing conduit, and rifling. The helical channel can form a vortex flow of the metal particulate, and the mixing conduit can form a vortex flow of the air metal mixture. A nozzle orifice can expel the air metal mixture to onto the object to form a coating thereon.

Abstract: A method of preparing composite materials by (a) containing particulates to which an adhering material is to be made to adhere, in a rotary body having a bottom surface and a side wall; (b) rotating the rotary body so as to apply centrifugal forces to the particulates in the rotary body; and (c) varying the inclination of the rotary body to an arbitrary inclination angle in the range from an angle at which the bottom surface of the rotary body forms a horizontal surface perpendicular to the direction of gravity to an angle at which the bottom surface forms a vertical surface parallel to the direction of gravity, and supporting the rotary body at the arbitrary inclination angle.

Abstract: The invention provides a film deposition apparatus, which includes a first cover and a second cover, wherein the first cover and the second cover are disposed opposite to each other, and the first cover has at least two holes, and a spacer disposed between the first cover and the second cover, wherein the first cover, the spacer and the second cover form a film deposition space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating surfaces with micro- and nanoparticles, the micro- and nanoparticles being chemically bonded to the surface, comprising the steps of pre-treatment of the surface with a plasma method, simultaneous or subsequent application of the micro- and nanoparticles to the surface, and subsequent fixation of the micro and nanoparticles on the surface using a plasma method, characterized in that the fixation of the micro- and nanoparticles takes place with the aid of anisothermal plasmas, the median electrical energy of which lies in the range of the bond dissociation energy of the micro- and nanoparticles, thus allowing the strength of the chemical bond between the surface and the micro- and nanoparticles to be variably set.

Abstract: A system for forming a coating on a stent has a hub for holding a plurality of cartridges. Each cartridge has a plurality of mandrels, each mandrel capable of supporting a stent. A chamber has a drying section and a spray coating section, and is configured to receive a cartridge from the hub. An arm moves a cartridge from the hub to the chamber. A spray applicator applies a coating composition to a stent in the spray coating section.