Abstract: A toughening agent composition for increasing the hydrophobicity of an organosilicate glass dielectric film when applied to said film. It includes a component capable of alkylating or arylating silanol moieties of the organosilicate glass dielectric film via silylation, and an activating agent selected from the group consisting of an amine, an onium compound and an alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: Selecting a stationary phase for a fluid analyzer using certain criteria to determine an appropriate material for use in, for instance, a micro fluid analyzer. High absorption of an analyte or sample, low water sorbency and high porosity or permeability of the material may be sought. A selected material may incorporate a toughening agent using a neutral leaving group. A selected material may have a capping agent to promote hydrophobicity. A selected material may be a hydrophobic polymer. The selection of a stationary phase may involve molecular modeling.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for applying a surface modification agent composition for organosilicate glass dielectric films. More particularly, the invention pertains to a method for treating a silicate or organosilicate dielectric film on a substrate, which film either comprises silanol moieties or has had at least some previously present carbon containing moieties removed therefrom. The treatment adds carbon containing moieties to the film and/or seals surface pores of the film, when the film is porous.

Abstract: A method for forming a substantially transparent nanoporous organosilicate film on a substantially transparent substrate, for use in optical lighting devices such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The method includes first preparing a composition comprising a silicon containing pre-polymer, a porogen, and a catalyst. The composition is coated onto a substrate which is substantially transparent to visible light, forming a film thereon. The film is then gelled by crosslinking and cured by heating, such that the resulting cured film is substantially transparent to visible light. It is preferred that both the substrate and the nanoporous film are at least 98% transparent to visible light. Optical devices which include the resulting structures of this invention exhibit improved light extraction and illuminance where the nanoporous organosilicate film has a low refractive index in the range of 1.05 to 1.4, serving as an impedance matching layer in such devices.

Abstract: A tractor-drawn agricultural implement of the type that requires a floating hitch member while operating but a rigid hitch member while in transport. This is achieved according to the present invention by linkage connected between a hitch member control mechanism and the cranked axle that serves as the wheeled carrying structure for the implement main frame. The linkage is arranged so that when the main frame is in its lowered or operating mode, a stop is clear from the hitch member control so that the hitch member has a free pivotal movement about a transverse axis, but when the frame is raised to transport or raised mode, the stop engages the hitch member control and renders the hitch member rigid with the frame.