Abstract: Micro additions of certain elements such as zirconium or titanium are added to high strength aluminum alloys to counter discoloring effects of other micro-alloying elements when the high strength alloys are anodized. The other micro-alloying elements are added to increase the adhesion of an anodic film to the aluminum alloy substrate. However, these micro-alloying elements can also cause slight discoloration, such as a yellowing, of the anodic film. Such micro-alloying elements that can cause discoloration can include copper, manganese, iron and silver. The micro additions of additional elements, such as one or more of zirconium, tantalum, molybdenum, hafnium, tungsten, vanadium, niobium and tantalum, can dilute the discoloration of the micro-alloying elements. The resulting anodic films are substantially colorless.

Abstract: Methods of forming anodic oxide coatings on certain high strength aluminum alloys are described. Methods involve preventing or reducing the formation of interface-weakening species, such as zinc-sulfur compounds, at an interface between an anodic oxide coating and underlying aluminum alloy substrate during anodizing. In some embodiments, a micro-alloying element is added in very small amounts to an aluminum alloy substrate to prevent enrichment of zinc at the anodic oxide and substrate interface, thereby reducing or preventing formation of the zinc-sulfur interface-weakening species. In some embodiments, a sulfur-scavenging species is added to an aluminum alloy substrate to prevent sulfur from a sulfuric acid anodizing bath from binding with zinc and forming the zinc-sulfur interface-weakening species at the anodic oxide and substrate interface. In some embodiments, a micro-alloying element and a sulfur-scavenging species are added to an aluminum alloy substrate.

Abstract: Methods of forming anodic oxide coatings on high strength aluminum alloys are described. Methods involve preventing or reducing the formation of interface-weakening species, such as zinc-sulfur compounds, at an interface between an anodic oxide coating and underlying aluminum alloy substrate during anodizing. In some embodiments, a micro-alloying element is added in very small amounts to an aluminum alloy substrate to prevent enrichment of zinc at the anodic oxide and substrate interface, thereby reducing or preventing formation of the zinc-sulfur interface-weakening species. In some embodiments, a sulfur-scavenging species is added to an aluminum alloy substrate to prevent sulfur from a sulfuric acid anodizing bath from binding with zinc and forming the zinc-sulfur interface-weakening species at the anodic oxide and substrate interface. In some embodiments, a micro-alloying element and a sulfur-scavenging species are added to an aluminum alloy substrate.

Abstract: Sealed anodic coatings that are resistant to leaching of nickel and nickel-containing products and methods for forming the same are described. Methods involve post-sealing thermal processes to remove at least some of the leachable nickel from the sealed anodic coatings. In some embodiments, the post-sealing thermal processes involve immersing the sealed anodic coating within a heated solution so as to promote diffusion of the leachable nickel out of the sealed anodic coatings and into the heated solution. The resultant sealed anodic coating is pre-leached of nickel and is therefore well suited for many consumer product applications. In some embodiments, a post-sealing thermal process is used to further hydrate and seal the sealed anodic coating, thereby repairing structural defects within the sealed anodic coating.

Abstract: Porous metal oxide layers having a color due to visible light interference effects are disclosed. In particular embodiments the porous metal oxide layers are formed using an anodizing processes, which includes a porous metal oxide layer forming process and a barrier layer thickening process. The barrier layer thickening process increases a thickness of a barrier layer within the porous metal oxide layer to a thickness sufficient to and cause incident visible light waves to be reflected in the form of a new visible light waves, thereby imparting a color to the porous metal oxide layer. Methods for tuning the color of the porous metal oxide layer and for color matching surfaces of different types of metal substrates are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photocatalyst and a method of manufacturing a photocatalyst. More specifically, the present invention relates to a high surface area TiO 2 photocatalyst formed by electrolytic discharge oxidation (EDO) of a substrate comprising titanium. A flexible high surface area photocatalyst architecture comprising a compliant, cohesive, well-adhered and highly porous surface layer of the anatase phase of titanium dioxide is provided. The highly porous surface layer of the anatase phase of titanium dioxide is formed in a single step by the electrolytic oxidation of a titanium surface on a permeable, flexible, and electrically conductive substrate sponge structure.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to rapid and repeatable tests that can be used to evaluate the interfacial adhesion of coatings to substrates. In particular embodiments, tests are used to assess the resistance of anodic oxides to delamination from aluminum substrates. The tests can be conducted using standard hardness test equipment such as a Vickers indenter, and yield more controlled, repeatable results than a large sample of life-cycle tests such as rock tumble tests. In particular embodiments, the tests involve forming an array of multiple indentations within the substrate such that stressed regions where the coating will likely delaminate are formed and evaluated.

Abstract: Anodizing processes for providing durable and defect-free anodic oxide films, well suited for anodizing highly reflective surfaces, are described. In some embodiments, the anodizing electrolyte has a sulfuric acid concentration substantially less than conventional type II anodizing. In some embodiments, the electrolyte includes a mixture of sulfuric acid and one or more organic acids. In further embodiments, sulfuric acid is a relatively minor additive to an organic acid, primarily serving to minimize discoloration. The processes enables porous, optically clear, and colorless anodic films to be grown in a manner similar to conventional Type II sulfuric acid anodizing, but at lower current densities and/or higher temperatures, without compromising film surface hardness. The thickness uniformity of the resulting anodic oxide films can be within 5% between grains of {111}, {110} and {100} surface orientations.

Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings and methods for forming anodic oxide coatings on metal alloy substrates are disclosed. Methods involve post-anodizing processes that improve the appearance of the anodic oxide coating or increase the strength of the underlying metal alloy substrates. In some embodiments, a diffusion promoting process is used to promote diffusion of one or more types of alloying elements enriched at an interface between the anodic oxide coating and the metal alloy substrate away from the interface. The diffusion promoting process can increase an adhesion strength of the anodic oxide film to the metal alloy substrate and reduce an amount of discoloration due to the enriched alloying elements. In some embodiments, a post-anodizing age hardening process is used to increase the strength of the metal alloy substrate and to improve cosmetics of the anodic oxide coatings.

Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings and methods for forming anodic oxide coatings on metal alloy substrates are disclosed. Methods involve post-anodizing processes that improve the appearance of the anodic oxide coating or increase the strength of the underlying metal alloy substrates. In some embodiments, a diffusion promoting process is used to promote diffusion of one or more types of alloying elements enriched at an interface between the anodic oxide coating and the metal alloy substrate away from the interface. The diffusion promoting process can increase an adhesion strength of the anodic oxide film to the metal alloy substrate and reduce an amount of discoloration due to the enriched alloying elements. In some embodiments, a post-anodizing age hardening process is used to increase the strength of the metal alloy substrate and to improve cosmetics of the anodic oxide coatings.

Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings and methods for forming anodic oxide coatings are disclosed. In some embodiments, the anodic oxide coatings are multilayered coatings that include at least two anodic oxide layers formed using two separate anodizing processes. The anodic oxide coating includes at least an adhesion-promoting or color-controlling anodic oxide layer adjacent the substrate. The adhesion-promoting anodic oxide layer is formed using an anodizing process that involves using an electrolyte that prevents formation of delaminating compounds at an interface between the adhesion-promoting anodic oxide layer and the substrate, thereby securing the anodic oxide coating to the substrate. In some cases, the electrolyte includes an organic acid, such as oxalic acid. The anodic oxide coating can also include a cosmetic anodic oxide layer having an exposed surface corresponding to an external surface of the anodic oxide coating. Cosmetic anodic oxide layers can be designed to have a desired appearance or tactile quality.

Abstract: Porous metal oxide layers having a color due to visible light interference effects are disclosed. In particular embodiments the porous metal oxide layers are formed using an anodizing processes, which includes a porous metal oxide layer forming process and a barrier layer thickening process. The barrier layer thickening process increases a thickness of a barrier layer within the porous metal oxide layer to a thickness sufficient to and cause incident visible light waves to be reflected in the form of a new visible light waves, thereby imparting a color to the porous metal oxide layer. Methods for tuning the color of the porous metal oxide layer and for color matching surfaces of different types of metal substrates are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photocatalyst and a method of manufacturing a photocatalyst. More specifically, the present invention relates to a high surface area TiO 2 photocatalyst formed by electrolytic discharge oxidation (EDO) of a substrate comprising titanium. A flexible high surface area photocatalyst architecture comprising a compliant, cohesive, well-adhered and highly porous surface layer of the anatase phase of titanium dioxide is provided. The highly porous surface layer of the anatase phase of titanium dioxide is formed in a single step by the electrolytic oxidation of a titanium surface on a permeable, flexible, and electrically conductive substrate sponge structure.

Abstract: An example embodiment involves a method for adjusting an operating parameter of a node in an optical network which comprises a plurality of nodes, the method comprising the steps of: measuring at the node a value of at least one characteristic associated with the operating parameter of the node; distributing the value of the characteristic to all of the other nodes in the network; receiving at the node the value of the characteristic for all of the other nodes in the network; deriving at the node optical impairment data for each link of the network based on the received values of the characteristic for all of the nodes; calculating at the node the preferred value of the operating parameter for each node based on the derived optical impairment data; and adjusting the operating parameter of the node based on the calculated preferred value for the node.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing corrosion and erosion-resistant mixed oxide coatings on a metal substrate, as well as a mixed oxide coating itself. A surface of the substrate metal is oxidised and converted into a first coating compound comprising a primary oxide of that metal by a plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) process. One or more secondary oxide compounds comprising oxides of secondary elements not present in conventional alloys of the substrate metals at significant (>2 wt %) levels are added to the first oxide coating. The source of the secondary element(s) is at least one of: i) a soluble salt of the secondary element(s) in the electrolyte; ii) an enrichment of the surface of the substrate metal with secondary element(s) prior to PEO processing; and iii) a suspension of the secondary element(s) or oxide(s) of the secondary element(s) applied to the oxide of the metal after this has been formed by the PEO process.

Abstract: A method of optimizing one or more parameters in a process for considering a DNA containing sample using a method of modeling and a method of modeling itself are provided. The method of modeling the process for considering a DNA containing sample uses a graphical model. The model seeks to provide one or more optimized parameters for the consideration process. The methods aim to consider the whole process, for instance, the number of cells required for the process and/or the extraction efficiency and/or the sub-sample volume relative to the sample volume and/or the amplification efficiency and/or the optimum number of amplification cycles and/or the effect of degradation on the amount of amplifiable DNA in the sample.

Abstract: A process for the corrosion protection of metals such as magnesium, aluminium or titanium, where at least two steps are used, including both plasma electrolytic oxidation and chemical passivation. The combination of these two processing steps enhances the corrosion resistance performance of the surface beyond the capability of either of the steps in isolation, providing a more robust protection system. This process may be used as a corrosion protective coating in its own right, or as a protection-enhancing pre-treatment for top-coats such as powder coat or e-coat. When used without an additional top-coat, the treated parts can still retain electrical continuity with and adjoining metal parts. Advantages include reduced cost and higher productivity than traditional plasma-electrolytic oxidation systems, improved corrosion protection, greater coating robustness and electrical continuity.

Abstract: A method of investigation a sample is provided, the sample being a mixture of DNA arising from more than one source. The method includes analysing the sample to obtain a genotype for the DNA present in the sample and assigning a prior probability distribution to the genotype. The likelihood function is considered and a posterior probability distribution for the genotype is established. In this way a probabilistic assessment of the genotype of the major or minor contributor to the sample can be obtained. This is beneficial over prior methods which use a deterministic method, and so involve the use of rule based methods.

Abstract: Methods for establishing the genotype of a DNA sample, and methods for investigating the potential sources of a DNA sample arising from a plurality of source, are provided, the methods being based on a method including: analysing the sample to produce a data profile for the sample for a locus; proposing a suggested genotype; generating a first stage profile for the locus for the suggested genotype; adjusting the first stage profile to account for one or more factors to give a simulation profile; and comparing the data profile and the simulation profile to provide an indication of the likelihood of the data profile given the suggested genotype. The methods in effect make adjustments to take the first stage profile, potentially through one or more intervening profiles, to the simulation profile, the simulation profile being an anticipation of the data profile which would be expected to occur for that suggested genotype in practice.

Abstract: A method of optimizing one or more parameters in a process for considering a DNA containing sample using a method of modeling and a method of modeling itself are provided. The method of modeling the process for considering a DNA containing sample uses a graphical model. The model seeks to provide one or more optimized parameters for the consideration process. The methods aim to consider the whole process, for instance, the number of cells required for the process and/or the extraction efficiency and/or the sub-sample volume relative to the sample volume and/or the amplification efficiency and/or the optimum number of amplification cycles and/or the effect of degradation on the amount of amplifiable DNA in the sample.