Abstract: A wear resistant component for a faucet valve includes a substrate comprising a base material and a strengthening layer provided above the substrate in an amount sufficient to improve abrasion resistance of the substrate. The strengthening layer includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of tantalum, chromium, zirconium, and tungsten. The wear resistant component also includes a layer that includes amorphous diamond provided above the strengthening layer, the amorphous diamond having sp3 bonding of at least about 40%, a hardness of at least about 45 GPa, and an elastic modulus of at least about 400 GPa.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating plasma includes a cathode having an evaporable surface configured to emit a material comprising plasma and macroparticles; oppositely directed output apertures configured to direct the plasma; a filter configured to transmit at least some of the plasma to the output apertures while preventing transmission of at least some of the macroparticles, the filter comprising at least one deflection electrode disposed generally parallel to and facing at least a portion of the evaporable surface; a first element for generating a first magnetic field component having a first polarity between the cathode and the at least one deflection electrode; and a second element for generating a second magnetic field component having a second polarity at the evaporable surface of the cathode that is opposite that of the first polarity such that a low-field region is created between the evaporable surface and the at least one deflection electrode.

Abstract: A valve component for a faucet includes a substrate, a first layer of material provided above the substrate in an amount sufficient to improve abrasion resistance of the substrate, and a second layer of material provided above the first layer of material. The second layer of material includes amorphous diamond having sp3 bonding of at least about 40%, a hardness of at least about 45 GPa, and an elastic modulus of at least about 400 GPa.

Abstract: An article having a decorative, visibly-patterned, multi-colored surface appearance includes a substrate and a first coating provided by vapor deposition above at least a portion of the substrate, the coating comprising a first material having a first color. The coating comprises a random arrangement of penetrations through which a portion of an underlying surface is visible, the underlying surface comprising a second material having a second color that differs from the first color. The penetrations form a decorative pattern comprising features distinguishable to an unaided human eye.

Abstract: A method of forming a wear resistant component includes providing a base material, depositing a strengthening layer on the base material, and vapor depositing an amorphous diamond layer on the strengthening layer.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a decorative coating that comprises scandium nitride or other scandium-containing compounds such as scandium-alloy nitrides. Scandium nitride coatings have a color very similar to that of pure copper. Scandium-alloy nitrides and other scandium-containing compounds comprising nitrogen, oxygen, and/or carbon can provide a range of colors generally intermediate or between that of scandium nitride and that of the alloying metal compound. The coatings are decorative and can also exhibit advantageous physical characteristics, such as abrasion, wear, chemical, and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Silicone-hydrocarbon compositions of matter having utility as lubricants and hydraulic fluids, especially brake fluids.

Abstract: Hydraulic fluids having excellent water tolerance at -40.degree.C. are provided by a mixture of an alkoxy-siloxane and a glycol ether phosphoric acid ester.