Abstract: A process for intramolecularly condensing a polyamic acid composition containing an NLO compound to form a polyimide host matrix composition containing as a guest the NLO compound, which process includes the step of uniformly heating the polyamic acid composition, in the absence of a solvent or diluent, to a temperature at which the intramolecular condensation will occur without thermal degradation of the NLO compound, so that the temperature differential within the polyamic acid is below that which will produce localized thermal degradation temperatures, until the intramolecular condensation of the polyamic acid composition to the polyimide host matrix composition is substantially complete. Polyimide host matrix compositions containing guest NLO compounds prepared by the inventive process are also disclosed, wherein the NLO compounds have external field-induced molecular alignments.

Abstract: A method of depositing a metal on a surface of a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises selectively coating portions of the surface with a colloidophobic material to render the portions colloidophobic and to delineate an exposed surface pattern which is capable of retaining a colloidal species thereon. The selectively coated surface is treated with a sol comprising a colloidal species selected from the group comprising (1) a species capable of reducing an activating metal ion to an activating metal, and (2) a colloidal activating metal species capable of participating in an electroless metal deposition to deposit the colloidal species on the exposed surface pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a hydrophobic surface is disclosed. The method comprises coating a substrate surface with a stable aqueous colloidal solution, formed by a controlled hydrolysis and nucleation reaction, comprising insoluble hydrous oxide particles of an element selected from Be, In, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Tl, Cu, Zn, Sn and mixtures thereof. The coated surface is then exposed to a source of ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength ranging from 1800A to 3300A to render exposed surface regions hydrophobic.

Abstract: A method of depositing a metal on a surface of a substrate is disclosed. A surface of the substrate is sensitized with a photosensitive sensitizer comprising a photosensitive species of (1) an element selected from Ni, Mn, U, Mo and W, or (2) a combination of elements comprising Pd and an element selected from In and Ce. The sensitized surface is exposed to a suitable source of radiation, e.g., ultraviolet radiation, to delineate a surface pattern, corresponding to a desired metal pattern, containing a species of at least one selected element which is either (1) capable of reducing an activation metal ion to catalytic activating metal or (2) capable of being reduced to a catalytic activating metal such as catalytic palladium. The ultraviolet radiation-delineated surface pattern is then exposed or treated with a solution comprising an activating metal ion to reduce and deposit thereon an activating metal.

Abstract: A method of forming a hydrophobic surface is disclosed. The method comprises coating a substrate surface with a stable aqueous colloidal solution, formed by a controlled hydrolysis and nucleation reaction, comprising insoluble hydrous oxide particles of an element selected from Be, In, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Tl, Cu, Zn, Sn and mixtures thereof. The coated surface is then exposed to a source of ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength ranging from 1800A to 3300A to render exposed surface regions hydrophobic.