Abstract: An impact dissipating bollard system includes a vertical stanchion and a composite energy-absorbing deformable cartridge configured to be positioned within a retaining foundation that includes a rigid core portion including a stanchion-receiving aperture and first and second projections extending from the rigid core portion. The first and second projections, together with the core portion, form the dumbbell shape. Energy-absorbing resilient elastic material surrounds the rigid core portion and is positioned within recesses within the first and second projections. The bollard system is configured such that impact energy is transferred from the vertical stanchion to deform the composite energy-absorbing deformable cartridge. The bollard system retaining foundation includes a reinforcing frame embedded in concrete and having a strength of least 30 MPa.

Abstract: This invention relates to an object with electroless plated coatings that includes an adhesion coating, a smoothening coating, a silver coating and an anti-scratch coating. A method of fabricating the electroless plated object is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to an object with electroless plated coatings that includes an adhesion coating, a smoothening coating, a silver coating and an anti-scratch coating. A method of fabricating the electroless plated object is also described.

Abstract: The present invention develops a method of treating metallic or plastic substrates to form mirror finish. After several pre-treatment steps to modify the surface situation of the substrate, whether for metallic or plastic material, to enhance the adhesion of above coating layers, a layer of mirror finish will be applied, with the function of decoration shown with metal appearance and glossy. A changeable topcoat will be coated to protect below mirror finish layer and achieve colorful decoration. All materials and processing steps are environmentally friendly, and involved without expensive facilities.

Abstract: The present invention develops a method of treating metallic or plastic substrates to form minor finish. After several pre-treatment steps to modify the surface situation of the substrate, whether for metallic or plastic material, to enhance the adhesion of above coating layers, a layer of minor finish will be applied, with the function of decoration shown with metal appearance and glossy. A changeable topcoat will be coated to protect below minor finish layer and achieve colorful decoration. All materials and processing steps are environmentally friendly, and involved without expensive facilities.

Abstract: This invention discloses a new process of preparing highly reflective coatings with thermal resistance on substrates of metals. The thermal resistant coating layers include a minor-like coating with high reflectivity and a transparent protective coating, which are coated on metallic substrates with surfaces pre-treated by anodizing or thermal resistant primers (base coating layers).

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a transparent/translucent Li-ion battery. The transparent/translucent Li-ion battery comprises an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The anode comprises an electrode material holder with inner structures, a current collector, and an anode material. The current collector is formed along the wall of the inner structures of the electrode material holder, and the anode material is deposited on the current collector, and filled within the inner structures. The cathode is fabricated with the similar method as the anode by using a cathode material. The electrode material holder with the inner structures can be a patterned glass or quartz slice with concave parts, or an anodized aluminum oxide film with channels. The transparent/translucent Li-ion battery of the present invention provides high transparency and electrical storage capacity.

Abstract: A method for forming substantially white anodized aluminum oxide on an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate is provided. A porous aluminum oxide layer is formed on the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate by anodization in an acid electrolyte. Following formation of the anodized porous layer of aluminum oxide, the aluminum/aluminum alloy substrate is sequentially immersed in at least two reaction material solutions. The two or more reaction materials react to deposit a substantially white pigment material in the pores of the anodized aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A rapid response relative humidity sensor based on nano-structured aluminum oxide thin film is disclosed. The main body of the sensor is an anodic aluminum oxide thin film of about 2-20 ?m thick formed from an Al substrate which serves as one electrode. A porous metal layer of about 20-200 nm thick is formed over the anodic aluminum oxide thin film and functions as a second electrode. The alumina thin film contains nano-sized channels of about 10-100 nm in diameter, serving as a capacitive relative humidity sensor having high sensitivity and short response time. Thermal annealing at elevated temperature improves the linearity of the capacitance versus humidity curve, giving a full range humidity sensing range. Hysteresis and degradation are negligible for the humidity sensors.

Abstract: Multi-layer coatings suitable for imparting a decorative, durable mirror-like finish to substrates such as metals are provided which contain a base coating of epoxy, a mirror-like coating, and a scratch-resistant surface coating.

Abstract: A rapid response relative humidity sensor based on nano-structured aluminum oxide thin film is disclosed. The main body of the sensor is an anodic aluminum oxide thin film of about 2-20 ?m thick formed from an Al substrate which serves as one electrode. A porous metal layer of about 20-200 nm thick is formed over the anodic aluminum oxide thin film and functions as a second electrode. The alumina thin film contains nano-sized channels of about 10-100 nm in diameter, serving as a capacitive relative humidity sensor having high sensitivity and short response time. Thermal annealing at elevated temperature improves the linearity of the capacitance versus humidity curve, giving a full range humidity sensing range. Hysteresis and degradation are negligible for the humidity sensors.

Abstract: Methods of producing carbon nanostructures utilizing a polymer and a nanostructure template to form carbon nanostructures are disclosed. The method does not require a metal catalyst.

Abstract: Methods of producing carbon nanostructures utilizing a polymer and a nanostructure template to form carbon nanostructures are disclosed. The method does not require a metal catalyst.

Abstract: A technique has been developed to fabricate micro- or nanopumps based on porous alumina thin films. The main body of the nanopump consists of a porous alumina thin film (containing nano-sized channels of about 40-300 nm in diameter) with conductive surfaces (e.g. Au coating layers) on both sides of the film. Through the fabrication of nanochannels in (the alumina films) and the subsequent annealing and surface activation processes, high-efficiency micro- or nanopumps can be made. The nanofluidic flow through the nanochannels of the alumina thin films is driven by an electric field with no moving parts. The flow rate (up to 50 millilitres/(min·cm2)) of water through the alumina thin film can be continuously tuned through the intensity of the electric field, i.e., the DC electric potential applied across the nanochannels.

Abstract: A technique has been developed to fabricate micro- or nanopumps based on porous alumina thin films. The main body of the nanopump consists of a porous alumina thin film (containing nano-sized channels of about 40-300 nm in diameter) with conductive surfaces (e.g. Au coating layers) on both sides of the film. Through the fabrication of nanochannels in (the alumina films) and the subsequent annealing and surface activation processes, high-efficiency micro- or nanopumps can be made. The nanofluidic flow through the nanochannels of the alumina thin films is driven by an electric field with no moving parts. The flow rate (up to 50 millilitres/(min·cm2)) of water through the alumina thin film can be continuously tuned through the intensity of the electric field, i.e., the DC electric potential applied across the nanochannels.