Abstract: A roll-to-roll electroless plating system including a reservoir containing a plating solution. A web advance system advances a web of substrate though the plating solution in the reservoir along a web advance direction, wherein a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on a surface of the web of substrate. A pump circulates plating solution from an output of the reservoir to an inlet of the reservoir located below the web of substrate. A spreader duct includes a channel that is in fluidic communication with the inlet of the reservoir, wherein the channel is positioned below the web of substrate and includes at least one outlet disposed beyond the first edge or the second edge of the web of substrate and has no outlets disposed immediately below the web of substrate.

Abstract: A web transport system for transporting a web of media along a web-transport path including a fluid bar for guiding the web of media, and a scavenger blade positioned downstream of the fluid bar. A liquid is pumped through holes in an exterior bearing surface of the fluid bar, thereby pushing the web of media away from the fluid bar. The scavenger bar includes a blade edge facing the first surface of the web of media, the blade edge being spaced apart from the first surface of the web of media by a gap distance. The scavenger blade removes at least some liquid from the first surface of the web of media as it passes by the scavenger blade, thereby reducing the amount of liquid that is carried along to portions of the web-transport path that are downstream of the scavenger blade.

Abstract: A web transport system for transporting a web of media along a web-transport path includes a fluid bar for guiding the web of media, and first and second fluid shields positioned proximate to first and second ends of the fluid bar. A liquid is pumped through holes in an exterior bearing surface of the fluid bar into a region between the web of media and the bearing surface of the fluid bar, thereby pushing the web of media away from the fluid bar. The fluid shields are positioned to redirect fluid that is ejected from the region between the web of media and the bearing surface of the fluid bar along the edges of the web of media.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll electroless plating system including a reservoir containing a plating solution. A web advance system advances a web of substrate though the plating solution in the reservoir along a web advance direction, wherein a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on a surface of the web of substrate. A pump circulates plating solution from an output of the reservoir to an inlet of the reservoir located below the web of substrate. A spreader duct includes a channel that is in fluidic communication with the inlet of the reservoir, wherein the channel is positioned below the web of substrate and includes at least one outlet disposed beyond the first edge or the second edge of the web of substrate and has no outlets disposed immediately below the web of substrate.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll electroless plating system including a sump and a pan containing a plating solution. A web advance system advances a web of substrate though the plating solution in the pan along a web advance direction, wherein a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on a surface of the web of substrate. A pan-replenishing pump moves plating solution from the sump to an inlet of the pan through a pipe connected to an outlet of the pan-replenishing pump, the inlet of the pan being located below the web of substrate. A spreader duct includes a channel that is in fluidic communication with the inlet of the pan, wherein the channel is positioned below the web of substrate and includes at least one outlet disposed beyond the first edge or the second edge of the web of substrate.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll electroless plating system, including a plating tank containing plating solution, and a web advance system for advancing a web of media along a web-transport path that passes through the plating tank. One or more fluid guides are positioned within the plating tank to redirect plating fluid containing gas bubbles introduced by a gas bubble source away from the web of media as it is advanced through the plating solution in the plating tank.

Abstract: A web transport system for transporting a web of media along a web-transport path includes a fluid bar for guiding the web of media, and first and second fluid shields positioned proximate to first and second ends of the fluid bar. A liquid is pumped through holes in an exterior bearing surface of the fluid bar into a region between the web of media and the bearing surface of the fluid bar, thereby pushing the web of media away from the fluid bar. The fluid shields are positioned to redirect fluid that is ejected from the region between the web of media and the bearing surface of the fluid bar along the edges of the web of media.

Abstract: A web transport system for transporting a web of media along a web-transport path including a fluid bar for guiding the web of media, and a scavenger blade positioned downstream of the fluid bar. A liquid is pumped through holes in an exterior bearing surface of the fluid bar, thereby pushing the web of media away from the fluid bar. The scavenger bar includes a blade edge facing the first surface of the web of media, the blade edge being spaced apart from the first surface of the web of media by a gap distance. The scavenger blade removes at least some liquid from the first surface of the web of media as it passes by the scavenger blade, thereby reducing the amount of liquid that is carried along to portions of the web-transport path that are downstream of the scavenger blade.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll electroless plating system, including a plating tank containing plating solution, and a web advance system for advancing a web of media along a web-transport path that passes through the plating tank. One or more fluid guides are positioned within the plating tank to redirect plating fluid containing gas bubbles introduced by a gas bubble source away from the web of media as it is advanced through the plating solution in the plating tank.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll electroless plating system includes a web advance system for advancing a web of media through a tank containing plating solution where a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on the web of media. The web advance system includes a web-guiding roller that is at least partially submerged within the plating solution in the tank. A roller mount is provided for supporting the web-guiding roller while allowing free rotation of the web-guiding roller. A pump is configured to cause plating solution to flow between a bearing surface on the web-guiding roller and a bearing surface on the roller mount.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll electroless plating system including a sump and a pan containing a plating solution. A web advance system advances a web of substrate though the plating solution in the pan along a web advance direction, wherein a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on a surface of the web of substrate. A pan-replenishing pump moves plating solution from the sump to an inlet of the pan through a pipe connected to an outlet of the pan-replenishing pump, the inlet of the pan being located below the web of substrate. A spreader duct includes a channel that is in fluidic communication with the inlet of the pan, wherein the channel is positioned below the web of substrate and includes at least one outlet disposed beyond the first edge or the second edge of the web of substrate.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll electroless plating system including a sump containing a first volume of a plating solution, and a pan containing a second volume of the plating solution, the second volume being less than the first volume. A web advance system advances a web of media though the plating solution in the pan, wherein a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on a surface of the web of media. A pan-replenishing pump moves plating solution from the sump to the pan through a pipe. A distribution system injects an inert gas into the plating solution to reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll electroless plating system including a reservoir containing plating solution. A web advance system advances a web of media though the plating solution in the reservoir, wherein a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on a surface of the web of media. A distribution system injects an inert gas into the plating solution to reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen. The distribution system includes an injector having a converging tube segment, a diverging tube segment downstream of the converging tube segment, a throat formed at a junction of the converging tube segment and the diverging tube segment, and an inlet for the inert gas in proximity to the throat.

Abstract: A method of electrolessly plating a web of media, including advancing the web of media from an input roll through a pan of plating solution to a take-up roll, wherein a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on a surface of the web of media. The plating solution is circulated from a sump to the pan and back to the sump through enclosed pipes, such that plating solution in the enclosed pipes is not exposed to air. An amount of dissolved oxygen in the plating solution is measured, and an inert gas is injected into the plating solution at a rate that is controlled according to the measured amount of dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: A high performance method for recovery of metal from aqueous solutions is carried out using an electrochemical cell having a cathode assembly that includes a nonporous support member, a primary cathode, and a nonconductive or conductive porous material covering the primary cathode. An anode is spaced apart from the cathode assembly. Fluid is caused to flow through the porous material to the primary cathode, through openings or fluid collection channels in the nonporous support member, and uniformly out of the cell. Uniform and efficient deposition of metal is accomplished over the entire cathode assembly because of modulation of fluid flow and increased mass transfer.

Abstract: A high performance electrochemical cell is useful for recovery of metal from aqueous solutions. The electrochemical cell has a cathode assembly that includes a nonporous support member, a primary cathode, and a nonconductive or conductive porous material covering the primary cathode. An anode is spaced apart from the cathode assembly. Fluid is caused to flow through the porous material to the primary cathode, through openings or fluid collection channels in the nonporous support member, and uniformly out of the cell. Uniform and efficient deposition of metal is accomplished over the entire primary cathode because of modulation of fluid flow and increased mass transfer.