Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for increasing rigidity of a metal housing while maintaining or reducing a wall thickness of the metal housing. More particularly a method for embedding a stiffener layer within an aluminum substrate is discussed. In one exemplary embodiment the stiffener layer can be a carbon fiber sheet applied to an inside surface of an unfinished housing and then subsequently covered by depositing a layer of aluminum over the carbon fiber in a solid-state deposition process. The deposited aluminum can adhere to the unfinished housing around or through the carbon fiber layer to bond with the unfinished housing. Deposition parameters can be controlled to prevent damage to the carbon fiber sheet.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to anodic oxides and methods for forming anodic oxides. The methods involve incorporating an ultraviolet (UV) light absorbing compounds into anodic oxides to prevent color fading of the anodic oxides caused by exposure to UV light. In some embodiments, the UV light absorbing compound includes para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). The UV light absorbing compound can be incorporated within the anodic oxide during a sealing process. The UV light absorbing compound becomes infused within a seal layer, which is formed during the sealing process. The resultant anodic oxide has a UV light absorbing seal layer that can block UV light from reaching any underlying colorant existing within the anodic oxide.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for increasing rigidity of a metal housing while maintaining or reducing a wall thickness of the metal housing. More particularly a method for embedding a stiffener layer within an aluminum substrate is discussed. In one exemplary embodiment the stiffener layer can be a carbon fiber sheet applied to an inside surface of an unfinished housing and then subsequently covered by depositing a layer of aluminum over the carbon fiber in a solid-state deposition process. The deposited aluminum can adhere to the unfinished housing around or through the carbon fiber layer to bond with the unfinished housing. Deposition parameters can be controlled to prevent damage to the carbon fiber sheet.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to anodic oxides and methods for forming anodic oxides. The methods involve incorporating an ultraviolet (UV) light absorbing compounds into anodic oxides to prevent color fading of the anodic oxides caused by exposure to UV light. In some embodiments, the UV light absorbing compound includes para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). The UV light absorbing compound can be incorporated within the anodic oxide during a sealing process. The UV light absorbing compound becomes infused within a seal layer, which is formed during the sealing process. The resultant anodic oxide has a UV light absorbing seal layer that can block UV light from reaching any underlying colorant existing within the anodic oxide.

Abstract: A process for forming polymer films through electrochemical techniques utilizing electrolytes which include conductive polymer. The resulting polymer films are electrically conductive and corrosion and wear resistant. Poyamino-benzene (polyaniline), for example, undergoes an insulator-to-metal transition upon doping with protonic acids in an acid/base-type reaction. Composite polymer-aluminum oxide films may be formed by modifying the anodizing electrolyte, resulting in the codeposition of polyaniline during aluminum anodization. A nonprotonated, ring-sulfonated aluminum salt of polyaniline was determined to be the reaction product within the aluminum oxide phase of the codeposited films. A second process, which incorporates electrochemical sealing of the anodic layer with polyaniline, was also developed.The formation of these composite films is documented through experimental processing, and characterized through scientific analysis and engineering tests.