Abstract: The invention relates to an activated metallic, semiconductor, polymer, composite and/or ceramic substrate, the substrate being bound through a mixed or graded interface to a hydrophilic polymer surface that is activated to enable direct covalent binding to a functional biological molecule, the polymer surface comprising a sub-surface that includes a plurality of cross-linked regions, as well as to such activated substrates that have been functionalised with a biological molecule and to devices comprising such functionalised substrates. Such substrates can be produced by a method comprising steps of: a.

Abstract: A deformable implantable medical device such as a stent comprising metallic, polymer and/or composite substrate having a columnar structured plasma polymer surface capable of binding functional biological molecules. The polymer surface can be bound to the substrate through a mixed or graded interface formed by a co-deposition process where a substrate material is deposited with carbon containing species while gradually reducing the substrate material proportion and increasing the carbon containing species proportion. The device is able to undergo deformation without substantial delamination of the plasma polymer surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar absorptive material for a solar selective surface of an absorber of solar radiation. The solar absorptive material comprises a dispersed metallic material and a receiving boundary through which the solar radiation is received. Further, the solar absorptive material comprises a first region and a second region. The first region being located at a position closer to the receiving boundary than the second region and the first region has an average volume fraction of the dispersed metallic material that is larger than that of the second region.

Abstract: The invention relates to an activated metallic, semiconductor, polymer, composite and/or ceramic substrate, the substrate being bound through a mixed or graded interface to a hydrophilic polymer surface that is activated to enable direct covalent binding to a functional biological molecule, the polymer surface comprising a sub-surface that includes a plurality of cross-linked regions, as well as to such activated substrates that have been functionalised with a biological molecule and to devices comprising such functionalised substrates. Such substrates can be produced by a method comprising steps of: a.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar absorptive material for a solar selective surface of an absorber of solar radiation. The solar absorptive material comprises a dispersed metallic material and a receiving the top surface boundary through which the solar radiation is received. Further, the solar absorptive material comprises a first region and a second region. The first region being located at a position closer to the receiving boundary than the second region and the first region has an average volume fraction of the dispersed metallic material that is larger than that of the second region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflector (24) for a solar energy collection system (20). The reflector (24) is arranged for diverting light received from solar energy collectors (22). The solar energy collectors (22) are arranged for focusing the collected light to an elongate focal region of the reflector (24) wherein, the light is further diverted away.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus (10) for plasma treatment of a substrate surface (16). The apparatus comprises a plasma source (12) for generating a plasma and a plasma-control electrode (14). The apparatus further comprises a drive means for effecting a relative movement between the plasma-control electrode (14) and the plasma source (12) or of the plasma-control electrode (14) and the plasma source (12) relative to the substrate (16). The plasma-control electrode (14) is located adjacent the substrate (16) to facilitate treatment of the substrate surface (16) in a controlled manner.