Abstract: An electrical or electronic device comprising a polymeric coating, formed by exposing;the device to pulsed plasma comprising a compound of formula (I), where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification, for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the electrical or electronic device. Devices of this type are protected from contamination by liquids, in particular environmental liquids.

Abstract: An electrical or electronic device comprising a polymeric coating, formed by exposing the device to pulsed plasma comprising a compound of formula (I), where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification, for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the electrical or electronic device. Devices of this type are protected from contamination by liquids, in particular environmental liquids.

Abstract: A method for protecting an electrical or electronic device against liquid damage, the method comprising a preliminary step of applying a continuous power plasma to the electrical or electronic device, followed by exposing the device to pulsed plasma comprising a compound of formula (I) where R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl or aryl optionally substituted by halo; and R4 is a group X—R5 where R5 is an alkyl or haloalkyl group and X is a bond; a group of formula C(O)O(CH2)nY where n is an integer of from 1 to 10 and Y is a bond or a sulphonamide group; or a group (O)pR6(O)q(CH2)t where R6 is aryl optionally substituted by halo, p is 0 or 1, q is 0 or 1 and t is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 10, provided that where q is 1, t is other than 0, for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the electrical or electronic device.

Abstract: A microfabricated device or component thereof, such as microfluidics or nanofluidics device having a uniform non-wetting or non-absorbing polymeric coating or surface modification formed on a surface thereof by ionization or activation technology such as plasma processing, to produce a surface energy of less than 15 mNm?1. The treatment enhances the free-flowing properties of a liquid through the device during use.

Abstract: A method for protecting an item from weight gain due to uptake of liquid comprising the step of exposing the item to plasma in a gaseous state for a sufficient period of time to allow a protective layer, particularly a polymeric layer, to be created on the surface of the item. Also encompassed is an item of footwear treated by the method.

Abstract: An item of footwear having a liquid-repelling polymeric coating, obtained by a plasma treatment process, provided over at least part of a surface thereof, said item also being provided at the region on the inside upon which the wearer's foot rests with a liquid-absorbing foot supporting footbed. Items of this type provide improved comfort for the wearer.

Abstract: A method for forming a liquid repellent surface on a substrate, said method comprising applying a combination of nanoparticles and a polymeric material to the surface in a chamber using ionisation or activation technology, in particular plasma processing.

Abstract: A method of treating wool in the form of a fibre, yarn, sliver, fabric or garment. A polymer coating is applied by plasma polymerisation to prevent shrinkage due to felting due to laundering. The method may include a pre-treatment step, for example application of a continuous plasma of inert gas, application of nano particles to the fibre surface or coating the fibre surface with a polymer.

Abstract: A microfabricated device or component thereof, such as microfluidics or nanofluidics device having a uniform non-wetting or non-absorbing polymeric coating or surface modification formed on a surface thereof by ionisation or activation technology such as plasma processing, to produce a surface energy of less than 15 mNm?l. The treatment enhances the free-flowing properties of a liquid through the device during use.

Abstract: A laboratory consumable having a polymeric coating, coating formed by exposing said consumable to pulsed plasma for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the laboratory consumable, said plasma comprising a compound of formula (I) where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification. Consumables of this type show significantly reduced liquid sample retention, maximum sample recovery and ultra non-binding properties, as well as oil and water-repellency.

Abstract: A fibrous filtration media such as an electrostatic filtration media, whose fibre surfaces have been modified by exposure to a plasma deposition process so as to deposit a polymeric coating thereon.

Abstract: A method for treating an item which, in use, is subjected to flexing, to reduce its susceptibility to water penetration over time during use, said method comprising forming a water repellent coating or surface modification on the surface of the item by ionisation or activation technology.

Abstract: A method for maintaining pore size of a reusable filtration membrane, said method comprising exposing said filtration membrane to a plasma comprising a hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon monomer so as to form a polymeric layer on the surface thereof. The treatment allows the filtration membrane to withstand washing procedures, in particular caustic washing. Thus reusable filtration membranes treated in this way and their use, form a further aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A laboratory consumable having a polymeric coating formed by exposing said consumable to pulsed plasma for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the laboratory consumable, said plasma comprising a compound of formula (I) where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification. Consumables of this type show significantly reduced liquid sample retention, maximum sample recovery and ultra non-binding properties, as well as oil and water-repellency.

Abstract: A method for protecting an item from weight gain due to uptake of liquid comprising exposing said item to plasma in a gaseous state for a sufficient period of time to allow a protective layer, particularly a polymeric layer, to be created on the surface of the item.

Abstract: An item of footwear having a liquid-repelling polymeric coating, obtained by a plasma treatment process, provided over at least part of a surface thereof, said item also being provided at the region on the inside upon which the wearer's foot rests with a liquid-absorbing foot supporting footbed. Items of this type provide improved comfort for the wearer.

Abstract: An electrical or electronic device comprising a polymeric coating, formed by exposing said device to pulsed plasma comprising a compound of formula (I) where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification, for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the electrical or electronic device. Devices of this type are protected from contamination by liquids, in particular environmental liquids.

Abstract: A microfabricated device or component thereof, such as microfluidics or nanofluidics device having a uniform non-wetting or non-absorbing polymeric coating or surface modification formed on a surface thereof by ionisation or activation technology such as plasma processing, to produce a surface energy of less than 15 mNm?1. The treatment enhances the free-flowing properties of a liquid through the device during use.

Abstract: An item selected from a piece of fashion clothing, a clothing accessory or a household textile having a polymeric coating, formed by exposing said item or a material or yarn from which the item is subsequently constructed, to a pulsed plasma comprising a compound of formula (I) where R1, R2, R3 and l4 are defined in the specification for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the item or yarn. Items of this type are protected from contamination by a wide number of liquids, including environmental hazards such as rain water and water-based liquids as well as some oily liquids. They are also fade and odour resistant.