Abstract: A process for forming a beta-phase nickel aluminide (NiAl) overlay coating that is suitable for use as a bond coat for a thermal barrier coating (TBC). The overlay coating is deposited by a method that produces a generally columnar grain structure in which grains extend through the coating such that at least some grain boundaries are open at the coating surface. The coating is then peened with a particulate media, followed by heating the overlay coating to a temperature sufficient to cause the overlay coating to recrystallize and form new grain boundaries that are not open to the outer surface of the coating and significantly less susceptible to accelerated oxidation than the original grain boundaries. The particulate media is formed of a composition containing nickel and aluminum, such that an oxide scale that forms on the surface of the coating after the peening operation is substantially free of deleterious oxide compounds, notably iron-containing spinels.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) wafer includes a plurality of die and a first die indicator (FDI) formed on the wafer in a metal layer. The plurality of die include a first potentially good die and the FDI, which is detectable by a machine vision recognition system, provides a unique indication of the first potentially good die.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to coat an article using a plating process, either electroless or electrolytic, whereby nickel is plated on the article using a solution that includes a suspension of powders or containing one or more of the following elements: Ni, Cr, Al, Zr, Hf, Ti, Ta, Si, Ca, Fe, Y and Ga. Optionally, the coating is then heat treated at a temperature above about 1600° F. for an effective amount of time to allow to homogenize the coating by allowing effective interdiffusion between the species. The level of aluminum may be altered to produce a coating of the predominantly ? phase of the NiAl alloy composition. Optionally, a TBC layer is applied over the predominantly ? phase NiAl alloy composition metallic bond coat.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a reaction at a selected temperature or range of temperatures over time. An array device is provided. The array device contains separate reaction chambers and is formed as an elastomeric block from multiple layers. At least one layer has at least one recess that recess has at least one deflectable membrane integral to the layer with the recess. The array device has a thermal transfer device proximal to at least one of the reaction chambers. The thermal transfer device is formed to contact a thermal control source. Reagents for carrying out a desired reaction are introduced into the array device. The array device is contacted with a thermal control device such that the thermal control device is in thermal communication with the thermal control source so that a temperature of the reaction in at least one of the reaction chamber is changed as a result of a change in temperature of the thermal control source.

Abstract: The boater's keychain includes a keychain, and a plurality of planar information cards connected to the keychain. Each of the planar information cards has two opposing sides imprinted with information, and each of the planar information cards is preferably formed of a buoyant sheet material.

Abstract: The present invention provides for microfluidic devices and methods for their use. The invention further provides for apparatus and systems for using the microfluidic devices, analyze reactions carried out in the microfluidic devices, and systems to generate, store, organize, and analyze data generated from using the microfluidic devices. The invention further provides methods of using and making microfluidic systems and devices which, in some embodiments, are useful for crystal formation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a platen having a platen face with one or more fluid ports therein. The fluid ports spatially correspond to one or more wells on a surface of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A coated nickel-base superalloy article, which is otherwise susceptible to the formation of a secondary reaction zone, is prepared by furnishing a nickel-base superalloy article substrate having thereon an initial aluminum-containing coating comprising an initial-coating additive zone and an initial-coating diffusion zone. The article is susceptible to the formation of the secondary reaction zone if heated to an elevated SRZ reaction temperature for an SRZ reaction period of time. The formation of the secondary reaction zone is avoided by first removing the initial-coating additive zone and the initial-coating diffusion zone, and thereafter depositing a subsequent aluminum-containing coating onto the article substrate. The subsequent aluminum-containing coating includes a subsequent-coating additive zone and a subsequent-coating diffusion zone.

Abstract: A coated superalloy article is prepared by furnishing a nickel-base superalloy article substrate having a rhenium content of not less than about 4.0 percent by weight, and thereafter depositing an aluminum-containing coating onto a surface of the article substrate. The aluminum-containing coating includes an additive zone having an average aluminum content of not greater than about 27 percent by weight, and a diffusion zone of interdiffusion with the article substrate. A ratio of a thickness of the additive zone to a thickness of the diffusion zone is not greater than about 3:1, and is preferably about 1:1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to coat an article using a plating process, either electroless or electrolytic, whereby nickel is plated on the article using a solution that includes a suspension of powders or containing one or more of the following elements: Ni, Cr, Al, Zr, Hf, Ti, Ta, Si, Ca, Fe, Y and Ga. Optionally, the coating is then heat treated at a temperature above about 1600° F. for an effective amount of time to allow to homogenize the coating by allowing effective interdiffusion between the species. The level of aluminum may be altered to produce a coating of the predominantly &bgr; phase of the NiAl alloy composition. Optionally, a TBC layer is applied over the predominantly &bgr; phase NiAl alloy composition metallic bond coat.

Abstract: A system and method of using at least one computer to construct a technical plan for a specific process. The invention includes providing a rule-based logic model for the specific process and inputting data relating to the specific process. The data is compared to the logic model to identify exceptions in the data to rules in the logic model. The data are formatted into a technical plan that includes the exceptions. The technical plan is then outputted for review.

Abstract: A coated superalloy article is prepared by furnishing a nickel-base superalloy article substrate having a rhenium content of not less than about 4.0 percent by weight, and thereafter depositing an aluminum-containing coating onto a surface of the article substrate. The aluminum-containing coating includes an additive zone having an average aluminum content of not greater than about 27 percent by weight, and a diffusion zone of interdiffusion with the article substrate. A ratio of a thickness of the additive zone to a thickness of the diffusion zone is not greater than about 3:1, and is preferably about 1:1.

Abstract: A coated nickel-base superalloy article, which is otherwise susceptible to the formation of a secondary reaction zone, is prepared by furnishing a nickel-base superalloy article substrate having thereon an initial aluminum-containing coating comprising an initial-coating additive zone and an initial-coating diffusion zone. The article is susceptible to the formation of the secondary reaction zone if heated to an elevated SRZ reaction temperature for an SRZ reaction period of time. The formation of the secondary reaction zone is avoided by first removing the initial-coating additive zone and the initial-coating diffusion zone, and thereafter depositing a subsequent aluminum-containing coating onto the article substrate. The subsequent aluminum-containing coating includes a subsequent-coating additive zone and a subsequent-coating diffusion zone.

Abstract: A method for coating a surface of a substrate, includes providing a substrate having a surface, and coating the surface with a foam suspension containing a powder suspended in a foam to form a coating on the surface. The substrate is then heat treated to densify the coating along the surface.

Abstract: A method for applying substantially stoichiometric NiAl to the surface of a superalloy substrate. These coatings are applied to substrates subjected to high temperatures and thermal cycling by providing a powder of the substantially stoichiometric material with the desired minor additions of rare earth elements, Cr or Zr. The coatings are applied by a thermal spray process utilizing hydrogen as a fuel while generating a highly reducing flame. The thermal spray method melts the powder and directs it onto the surface of the turbine component that is to be coated. The powder size is carefully controlled to prevent oxidation of the powder while providing a controlled surface finish. The surface roughness of the bond coat is further mechanically worked to a predetermined surface finish prior to application of the ceramic thermal barrier layer by a PVD method.

Abstract: A system and method of using at least one computer to construct a technical plan for a specific process. The invention includes providing a rule-based logic model for the specific process and inputting data relating to the specific process. The data is compared to the logic model to identify exceptions in the data to rules in the logic model. The data are formatted into a technical plan that includes the exceptions. The technical plan is then outputted for review.

Abstract: A primary layer of an MCrAlY-type material is first applied to a metal-based substrate by a vacuum plasma spray (VPS) technique, or by HVOF. A secondary layer is then also applied by VPS or HVOF. It is formed of the following alloy (in atom percent): 0 to about 25 cobalt; about 7 to 25 chromium; about 18 to about 55 aluminum; 0 to about 1 yttrium; and 0 to about 2 silicon, with the balance comprising nickel. The applied layers are then heat-treated. Related articles are also described.

Abstract: A method for coating an internal surface of a substrate includes providing a substrate having an internal surface, coating a slurry on the internal surface, the slurry containing a metallic powder, and drying the slurry such that the slurry forms a metal-based coating on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for coating an internal surface of a substrate includes providing a substrate having an internal surface, coating a slurry on the internal surface, the slurry containing a metallic powder, and drying the slurry such that the slurry forms a metal-based coating on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for improved magnetic resonance imaging is disclosed herein. This method includes the step of interleaving a first slice-selective inversion recovery pulse within two slice-selective echo trains resulting from two other slice-selective inversion recovery pulses generated prior to the first pulse during a rapid spin echo sequence. In other words, the first slice-selective inversion recovery pulse is generated after receiving a first slice-selective echo train resulting from a second slice-selective inversion recovery pulse generated prior to the first pulse and before receiving a second slice-selective echo train resulting from a third slice-selective inversion recovery pulse generated prior to the generation of the first pulse.