Abstract: A plasma system for changing a microscopy material sample comprises a microscopy material sample holder for holding a microscopy material sample in place in a desired orientation, and a receptacle holder for receiving the sample holder and an RF antenna. The microscopy sample is positioned relative to the antenna so that no point on the antenna is in direct line-of-sight contact with the microscopy sample. This feature of avoiding direct line-of-sight contact between the antenna and the sample assists in preventing, or at least minimizing, ion sputtering of system component material onto the specimen or sample 10 that is being trimmed. Moreover, portions of the system which are in direct line-of-sight contact with the sample are comprised of material having a low sputtering yield, preferably carbon. The material may comprise graphite, and may be in the form of a carbon coating or a carbon paint.

Abstract: A two-part container for preserving material samples during storage and transport is separable and can be sealed with the presence of an elastomeric O-ring and internal threads on each part of the container. In the configuration at which the threads first engage between the two halves of the container, there is a small hole in the outer top part just above the O-ring of the bottom mating part. When the two container parts are mated and the sealing O-ring is below the small hole, inert gas can be made to flow through an inlet valve, into the container, and out through the small hole. In this configuration, the inert gas flows through the container and purges the atmospheric gas, replacing it with inert gas. After a period of time, the two container parts are rotated so that the sealing O-ring moves above the small hole. This will stop the flow into and out of the container. After this, the gas inlet valve is closed to seal the inert gas in the container.

Abstract: A plasma system for changing a microscopy material sample comprises a microscopy material sample holder for holding a microscopy material sample in place in a desired orientation, and a receptacle holder for receiving the sample holder and an RF antenna. The microscopy sample is positioned relative to the antenna so that no point on the antenna is in direct line-of-sight contact with the microscopy sample. This feature of avoiding direct line-of-sight contact between the antenna and the sample assists in preventing, or at least minimizing, ion sputtering of system component material onto the specimen or sample 10 that is being trimmed. Moreover, portions of the system which are in direct line-of-sight contact with the sample are comprised of material having a low sputtering yield, preferably carbon. The material may comprise graphite, and may be in the form of a carbon coating or a carbon paint.

Abstract: A coated substrate is disclosed. The coated substrate includes a substrate; an undercoating layer comprising at least one layer selected from a mixture of silica and zirconia; a mixture of silica and alumina; or a mixture of silica, alumina and titania overlaying at least a portion of the substrate; and a functional coating overlaying at least a portion of the undercoating. The coated substrates of the invention exhibit improved properties such as increased durability, photocatalytic activity, etc. as a result of the undercoating layer.

Abstract: A coated substrate is disclosed. The coated substrate includes a substrate; an undercoating layer comprising at least one layer selected from a mixture of silica and zirconia; a mixture of silica and alumina; or a mixture of silica, alumina and titania overlaying at least a portion of the substrate; and a functional coating overlaying at least a portion of the undercoating. The coated substrates of the invention exhibit improved properties such as increased durability, photocatalytic activity, etc. as a result of the undercoating layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a coated substrate including an undercoating layer deposited on at least a portion of the substrate and a functional coating layer deposited over at least a portion of the undercoating layer. The functional coating layer comprises a material that can be present in more than one crystal structure.

Abstract: An assembly for holding a microscopy sample for storage, observation, manipulation, characterization and/or study of the sample using a microscopy instrument is provided. The assembly includes mating first and second parts having faces between which a microscopy sample, including a TEM grid mounted sample, is secured. A spring is used to provide compression between the faces. A rotatable member such as a threaded screw is operable to draw the parts apart from one another. An annular wall functions to protect microscopy samples held in the assembly from damage.

Abstract: A two-part container for preserving material samples during storage and transport is separable and can be sealed with the presence of an elastomeric O-ring and internal threads on each part of the container. In the configuration at which the threads first engage between the two halves of the container, there is a small hole in the outer top part just above the O-ring of the bottom mating part. When the two container parts are mated and the sealing O-ring is below the small hole, inert gas can be made to flow through an inlet valve, into the container, and out through the small hole. In this configuration, the inert gas flows through the container and purges the atmospheric gas, replacing it with inert gas. After a period of time, the two container parts are rotated so that the sealing O-ring moves above the small hole. This will stop the flow into and out of the container. After this, the gas inlet valve is closed to seal the inert gas in the container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a coated substrate including an undercoating layer deposited on at least a portion of the substrate and a functional coating layer deposited over at least a portion of the undercoating layer. The functional coating layer comprises a material that can be present in more than one crystal structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a coated substrate is disclosed. The method includes depositing an undercoating layer on a substrate; and depositing a functional coating on the undercoating layer, the functional coating comprising at least one material that can be present in at least two crystal structures, wherein the at least two crystal structures are present at and exposed surface of the functional coating, wherein the undercoating layer comprises at least two different materials wherein a first material at the exposed surface provides a first surface area and a second different material at the exposed surface provides a second surface area.

Abstract: A method for forming a coated substrate is disclosed. The method comprises depositing an undercoating layer and depositing a functional coating comprising a material which can be present in more than one crystal structure over the undercoating layer, wherein there is a critical deposition thickness at which the functional coating transforms from a first polycrystalline film made up predominantly of the material having a first crystal structure to a second polycrystalline film made up predominantly of the same material having a second crystal structure.

Abstract: A display system includes at least one light emitting material having an absorption band carried on a support, wherein the support is a laminated article having a first ply and a second ply; and a projection assembly having an electromagnetic radiation source, the projection assembly configured to direct radiation of one or more selected wavelengths within the absorption band of the light emitting material toward the light emitting material to cause at least a portion of the light emitting material to emit light. The support can be an automotive transparency, a commercial window, a residential window, a commercial sign, an advertising display, and an insulating glass unit. The light emitting material is fluorescent materials, phosphorescent materials, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A display system includes at least one light emitting material having an absorption band carried on a support, wherein the support is a laminated article having a first ply and a second ply; and a projection assembly having an electromagnetic radiation source, the projection assembly configured to direct radiation of one or more selected wavelengths within the absorption band of the light emitting material toward the light emitting material to cause at least a portion of the light emitting material to emit light. The support can be an automotive transparency, a commercial window, a residential window, a commercial sign, an advertising display, and an insulating glass unit. The light emitting material is fluorescent materials, phosphorescent materials, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A display system includes at least one light emitting material having an absorption band carried on a support, wherein the support is a laminated article having a first ply and a second ply; and a projection assembly having an electromagnetic radiation source, the projection assembly configured to direct radiation of one or more selected wavelengths within the absorption band of the light emitting material toward the light emitting material to cause at least a portion of the light emitting material to emit light. The support can be an automotive transparency, a commercial window, a residential window, a commercial sign, an advertising display, and an insulating glass unit. The light emitting material is fluorescent materials, phosphorescent materials, and mixtures thereof.