Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a nonwoven web having alcohol repellency properties are provided. A plurality of perfluoroalkyl(alkyl)(meth)acrylic monomers can first be deposited on a surface of the nonwoven web, and subsequently exposed to a RF plasma to polymerize the monomers on the surface of the nonwoven web to form a fluorinated polymeric coating. The perfluoroalkyl(alkyl)(meth)acrylic monomers include perfluoroalkyl(alkyl)(meth)acrylate esters having a perfluorinated carbon end group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms Nonwoven webs are also generally provided that have an alcohol repellency of greater than 80%.

Abstract: Metallic stents are treated with a gaseous species in a plasma state under conditions causing the species to polymerize and to be deposited in polymerized form on the metallic stent surface prior to the application of a drug-polymer mixture, which is done by conventional non-plasma deposition methods. The drug-polymer mixture once applied forms a coating on the stent surface that releases the drug in a time-release manner and gradually erodes, leaving only the underlying plasma-deposited polymer. In certain cases, the plasma-deposited polymer itself erodes or dissolves into the physiological medium over an extended period of time, leaving only the metallic stent. While the various polymers and drug remain on the stent, the plasma-deposited polymer enhances the adhesion of the drug-polymer anchor coating and maintains the coating intact upon exposure to the mechanical stresses encountered during stent deployment.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of treating a folded garment to achieve good alcohol repellency on the innermost layers of the folded garment.

Abstract: A component bonding preparation method employs plasma to prepare a component for bonding. A first plasma is used to hydroxylate a component surface. A second plasma is used to silanize the component surface.

Abstract: An emission control device, such as a filter, is regenerated by exposure to plasma. Plasma breaks down carbon-based residues, such as soot, to enable the filter to be easily cleaned and regenerated without subjecting the filter to heat-related stress associated with thermal regeneration methods. Secondary plasma generation is used to overcome impediments caused by the presence of a metallic housing and/or metal-containing materials such as a washcoat or mesh in the filter.

Abstract: The surface of a high molecular weight polymer such as high molecular weight polyethylene is modified in a localized manner by treatment with a plasma gas. The treatment produces a variety of useful results, depending on the gas used and the treatment conditions. One such result is crosslinking of the polymer in a localized manner at the surface to improve the durability of the surface against detrimental processes such as reorientation and alignment of the crystalline lamellae parallel to the contact surface which renders the surface susceptible to disintegration into particles. Another result is the chemical transformation of the surface for purposes such as increasing the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the surface or coupling functional groups to the surface.

Abstract: The surface of a high molecular weight polymer such as high molecular weight polyethylene is modified in a localized manner by treatment with a plasma gas. The treatment produces a variety of useful results, depending on the gas used and the treatment conditions. One such result is crosslinking of the polymer in a localized manner at the surface to improve the durability of the surface against detrimental processes such as reorientation and alignment of the crystalline lamellae parallel to the contact surface which renders the surface susceptible to disintegration into particles. Another result is the chemical transformation of the surface for purposes such as increasing the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the surface or coupling functional groups to the surface.

Abstract: The surface of a high molecular weight polymer such as high molecular weight polyethylene is modified in a localized manner by treatment with a plasma gas. The treatment produces a variety of useful results, depending on the gas used and the treatment conditions. One such result is crosslinking of the polymer in a localized manner at the surface to improve the durability of the surface against detrimental processes such as reorientation and alignment of the crystalline lamellae parallel to the contact surface which renders the surface susceptible to disintegration into particles. Another result is the chemical transformation of the surface for purposes such as increasing the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the surface or coupling functional groups to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes a plasma reactor chamber, which is generally constructed such that a large opening exists in a wall of the chamber. The reactor chamber is deployed remotely from a control console, such as on a robotic arm. A plasma generating means, such as RF electrodes is disposed within the chamber and a flexible vacuum seal is engaged to the outer edge of the chamber wall, surrounding the opening. Operating components, such as a vacuum pump, plasma gas supply and RF generator are disposed within the control console, and various supply lines join the operating components to the reactor chamber. In operation, the reactor chambler is placed against a portion of a surface that is to be treated, and a low pressure plasma is created within the chamber to treat the zone of the surface enclosed within the seal of the chamber.