Abstract: The present invention involves the hydrothermal treatment of nanostructured films to form high k PMOD™ films for use in applications that are temperature sensitive, such as applications using a polymer based substrate. After a PMOD™ precursor is deposited and converted on a substrate, and possibly after other process steps, the amorphous, nanoporous directly patterned film is subjected to low temperature hydrothermal treatment to densify and possibly crystallize the resulting high dielectric PMOD™ film. A post hydrothermal treatment bake is then performed to remove adsorped water.

Abstract: This invention comprises methods for making nanostructured and nanoporous thin film structures of various compositions. These films can be directly patterned. In these methods, precursor films are deposited on a surface and different components of the precursor film are reacted under selected conditions, forming a nanostructured or nanoporous film. Such films can be used in a variety of applications, for example, low k dielectrics, sensors, catalysts, conductors or magnetic films. Nanostructured films can be created: (1) using one precursor component and two reactions, (2) using two or more components based on differential rates of photochemical conversion, (3) using two precursors based on the thermal sensitivity of one precursor and the photochemical sensitivity of the other, and (4) by photochemical reaction of a precursor film and selected removal of a largely unreacted component from the film.

Abstract: The present invention involves the hydrothermal treatment of nanostructured films to form high k PMOD™ films for use in applications that are temperature sensitive, such as applications using a polymer based substrate. After a PMOD™ precursor is deposited and converted on a substrate, and possibly after other process steps, the amorphous, nanoporous directly patterned film is subjected to low temperature hydrothermal treatment to densify and possibly crystallize the resulting high dielectric PMOD™ film. A post hydrothermal treatment bake is then performed to remove adsorped water.

Abstract: This invention comprises methods for making nanostructured and nanoporous thin film structures of various compositions. These films can be directly patterned. In these methods, precursor films are deposited on a surface and different components of the precursor film are reacted under selected conditions, forming a nanostructured or nanoporous film. Such films can be used in a variety of applications, for example, low k dielectrics, sensors, catalysts, conductors or magnetic films. Nanostructured films can be created: (1) using one precursor component and two reactions, (2) using two or more components based on differential rates of photochemical conversion, (3) using two precursors based on the thermal sensitivity of one precursor and the photochemical sensitivity of the other, and (4) by photochemical reaction of a precursor film and selected removal of a largely unreacted component from the film.

Abstract: A plateable toner which can be effectively employed in plateable toner technology comprises a shell and core arrangement where the core is a toner particle and the shell is an effective amount of at least one catalyzing and/or activating compound for electroless plating and at least one binding and/or sensitizing compound. The toner core can comprise a commercially available OEM toner powder, a toner core having properties selected for PTT produced by techniques employed in OEM toner production or a spray dried toner core.

Abstract: Low tortuosity porous polymer sheets (25 to 2000 pores per square millimeter) with metal plated in the pores so as to project beyond sheet surfaces provide uniaxial electrical interconnects. A first "flash" layer of metal is electrolessly plated in the pores and the "flash" coating of metal is then removed from the sheet surface to isolate the pores electrically from one another. Further plating is then applied only to the already plated pore surfaces to fill the pores and/or project beyond the sheet surface. Solder may fill the plated pores. Polymer layers may be removed from the sheets to expose the metal in the pores. The articles are useful in making electrical connections to the contact pads of microcircuits during testing and assembly into electronic devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for the manufacture of flexible printed wiring (FPW) harnesses of unlimited length three dimensions. In preferred embodiments, in-line raster scanning (e.g., xerography or laser printing) is used to image continuously updated conductor patterns on an uninterrupted (i.e., seamless) web-fed base material, or substrate With in-line manufacturing, an FPW harness equivalent to a discrete RWH of unlimited dimension can be fabricated.

Abstract: Electrically conductive composite material comprises:(a) an open-celled cellular structure of polymeric material, preferably an open-celled foam, having electrically conductive material on at least its interior surface defining the cells, e.g. deposited metal; and(b) substantially solid, preferably non-conductive, material overlying and/or filling the cellular structure.The solid material (b) is preferably polymeric and may be formed in situ by polymerization of a monomer oligomer or may be introduced e.g. in molten form.The material is useful for electromagnetic shielding, e.g. for cable feedthrough glands or dimensionally recoverable articles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the xerographic, pattern-wise deposition of a dielectric powder that is sensitized with a metal compound to enable the electroless plating of a pattern formed by said powder.

Abstract: A powdered composition for use in dry sensitization for electroless metal deposition. The composition contains a hydrophobic thermoplastic material having deposited on its surface a surfactant and a sensitizing tin compound.