Abstract: A method for producing types of tires different from each other includes the steps of making a plurality of structural components for the tires, manufacturing the tires by assembling the structural components in proximity to corresponding work stations, moving the tires being manufactured to and from the corresponding work stations arranged in a manufacturing unit, transferring the manufactured tires to a vulcanizing unit, and vulcanizing the tires in corresponding vulcanizing moulds. The step of manufacturing the tires includes providing at least one series of tires to be produced, wherein the at least one series of tires includes a sequence of at least a first type of tire and a second type of tire arranged in a predetermined order, and modifying the predetermined order in proximity to at least one of the corresponding work stations. An associated plant for producing types of tires different from each other is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to formation of a creped nonwoven web. The creped web is formed in a creping process using a polymer emulsion binder formed in an alkylphenol ethoxylate-free surfactant system. The surfactant system comprises a combination of a specific active anionic surfactant (sodium laureth sulfate containing 1 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide) and a specific active nonionic surfactant (a secondary alcohol ethoxylate containing 7 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide or an ethoxylated branched primary alcohol containing 3 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a roll of contaminant removal tape and methods of forming rolls of contaminant removal tape. The apparatus includes a turret assembly having a first winding cylinder, a first vacuum source providing vacuum to the first winding cylinder, and a web breaking assembly moveable between a first web breaking assembly position and a second web breaking assembly position. The web breaking assembly includes a blade, which is moveable between a first blade position and a second blade position.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing an assembly made of a composite material and wing and stabilizing element obtained by this process. The junction zone for a part (P) made of a composite material comprising two parts (A1, A2) in which the principal directions intersect at a non-singular angle, is made in a single operation by continuous lay-up. The 0° directions of the lay-up coordinate systems (R1, R2) of the parts (A1, A2) are oriented such that these directions make an angle of close to 180°??°, where ±?° represents the other directions of the lay-up coordinate systems (R1, R2). Thus, the layers of fibers oriented at 0° in one of the coordinate systems correspond approximately to a lay-up direction of ±?° in the other coordinate system.

Abstract: A method of making a printed identification card core, a printable sheet for manufacturing cores for laminated identification cards and a core for a laminated identification card. The method includes the steps of extruding polyethylene onto one side of a release film, laminating a porous, printable polyolefin film to the polyethylene side of the release film, die cutting the polyolefin film and the polyethylene film to form rectangular bodies each having a die cut transversely extending fold line dividing each of the rectangular bodies into two identically sized rectangular panels, printing on the porous, printable polyolefin film within said panels, removing a rectangular panel from the release sheet and folding the rectangular body about the fold line to locate the printed polyolefin surfaces on the exterior of the core. The core so manufactured can be inserted into a laminatable pouch and laminated to the core to form a tamper resistant identification card.

Abstract: A laminated composite fabric material used for example in the manufacture of automobile air bags has at least one thermoplastic coating layer that is pressure laminated to a pre-treated fabric using an adhesive. The fabric, pre-treated with a curing agent such as an alkyl ether amine, resists penetration by the adhesive, resulting in a softer, more pliable composite fabric. The composite fabric also optionally includes a layer comprising a silicone polyurethane copolymer or acrylic cross-linked with a blocked isocyanate, which functions as a non-stick coating. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a laminated composite fabric.

Abstract: A plasma processing system for processing a workpiece by using plasma generated in a chamber, includes a light transmissive member disposed in the chamber, the workpiece being disposed inside the light transmissive member; and a light receiving unit mounted on the chamber for receiving light inside the light transmissive member, wherein a state of processing the workpiece is detected by using data detected from light inside the light transmissive member before processing the workpiece and data detected from light inside the light transmissive member generated during processing the workpiece. A plasma processing method and system is provided which facilitates an operation of the system and executes a reliable processing.

Abstract: A microwave plasma processing apparatus is provided, which includes a microwave generator, a plasma promoter, a microwave plasma processing chamber, a vacuum gas-discharging chamber, and a loading elevator, wherein microwave produced from the microwave generator is gradually transformed into a desirable mode through the use of a microwave coupling resonator, and processing gas supplied by a gas supply system is evenly introduced via slantwise gas outlets of an annular gas distribution panel into the microwave processing chamber. The microwave is used to induce the processing gas to form a plasma sphere in the microwave plasma processing chamber; by reducing pressure in the microwave plasma processing chamber via the vacuum gas-discharging chamber, a vapor deposition process can be performed on a sample disposed on a sample holder of the loading elevator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a calendered paper web. According to the method, a paper web is formed from a fibrous raw material in a paper machine, and the paper web is calendered. According to the invention, a fibrous raw material is used which is at least partly made up of a chemimechanical pulp of a species of the Populus family, and the calendering is performed by online soft-calendering. By means of the invention, the gloss and smoothness of papers can be improved without decreasing their bulk.

Abstract: A press belt for the formation of a nip between the belt and an opposing surface during processing of a fibrous pulp web, that includes a matrix of an elastomer material, a first layer of reinforcing fibers having a thickness and spacings therebetween, and extending in a direction transverse to a belt run direction, and a second layer of reinforcing fibers having a thickness and spacings therebetween, and extending in the belt run direction, where the thicknesses of the reinforcing fibers of the first layer and the second layer is about 0.5 mm, where the spacings between the reinforcing fibers of the first layer are less than or equal to about 3.0 mm, where the spacings between the reinforcing fibers of the second layer being less than or equal to 2.5 mm, and where the reinforcing fibers of the first layer are separated in a belt thickness direction from the reinforcing fibers of the second layer one layer by a distance of up to about 4 mm.

Abstract: An evaporator and condenser unit for use in distilling a liquid, such as water, includes a rotary heat exchanger plate having a plurality of folds or pleats. Adjacent panels of the folded plate define spaces between their oppositely facing surfaces, and these spaces are alternatingly configured as evaporating and condensing chambers. The evaporating chambers, moreover, are defined between adjacent panels that are joined at an outer diameter fold, while the condensing chambers are defined between adjacent panels that are joined at an inner diameter fold. The evaporating chambers are thus closed at their outer diameter ends and open at their inner diameter ends, while the condensing chambers are closed at their inner diameter ends and open at their outer diameter ends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for plating a substrate is provided, wherein fine pits formed in the substrate, such as fine channels for wiring, are filled with a copper, copper alloy, or other material with low electrical resistance. The method is performed on a wafer W having fine pits (10) to fill the fine pits with a metal (13) and includes performing a first plating process (11) by immersing the wafer in a first plating solution having a composition superior in throwing power; and performing a second plating process (12) by immersing the substrate in a second plating solution having a composition superior in leveling ability.

Abstract: An integrated current-to-voltage conversion circuit converts a first current to an output voltage representative of the first current. The circuit includes a first contact pad and second and third contact pads capable of being coupled across a first resistor. A first operational amplifier has a first input coupled to the first contact pad for producing a first voltage thereat, a second input for receiving a reference voltage, and a first output coupled to the third contact pad. A second voltage appears at the third contact pad. A second operational amplifier has a second output at which a third voltage appears, a first input coupled to the second output, and a second input coupled to the second contact pad. The output voltage is substantially equal to the difference between the second and third voltages.

Abstract: A digital electrochemical sensor is provided with a sensor electrode array (1-4) and an operating electronic unit integrated on a chip for processing electrical signals received therefrom. The operating electronic unit includes a potentiostat circuit and a microprocessor, which receives and further processes the signals processed by the operating electronic unit. To provide an electrochemical sensor which can be operated more simply and with higher precision during installation and in operation the potentiostat circuit is a digital circuit, whose controller function is controlled by the microprocessor (20), and for the microprocessor (20) to be also integrated on the chip of the operating electronic unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical gas sensor having a substrate, substrate surface for depositing electrodes thereon, counter and sensing electrodes for measuring current flow, an electrolyte for providing an electrical connection between the electrodes, and an electrode surface having minimal porosity, pore size, and thickness for deterring flooding.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical gas sensor having improved response time and sensitivity. The electrochemical gas sensor includes a substrate for providing a surface upon which an electrode may be placed, a first electrode placed on the surface, a thin film of electrolyte support for receiving electrolyte and having a predetermined porosity, and a second electrode deposited on the thin film for permitting a measurement of current between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An improved aqueous cathodic electrocoating composition having a binder of an epoxy-amine adduct and a polyisocyanate crosslinking agent; wherein the improvement is the use of a polyisocyanate crosslinking agent having at least one crosslinkable morpholine dione group per molecule. Electrodeposited finishes are formed that have reduced volatile emissions and film weight loss when heated to cure.

Abstract: An electro-chemical deposition method and apparatus that encapsulates a substrate's edge to prevent deposition thereon is generally provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a contact ring, one or more electrical contact pads disposed on the contact ring and a thrust plate axially movable relative to the contact ring. A first seal is disposed inward of the contact pad and seals with the contact ring. A second seal is coupled to the thrust plate. The first and second seals are adapted to sandwich the substrate therebetween when the contact ring and the thrust plate are moved towards each other. In another embodiment, a third seal provides a seal between the thrust plate and contact ring, and, with the first and second seals, defines an exclusion zone encapsulating the substrate's edge. One or more electrical contact pads are protected from the electrolyte by being disposed within the exclusion zone.

Abstract: A method and system for electrolysis of water to increase the dissolved oxygen content, raise oxidation reduction potential, and perform direct oxidation of dissolved contaminants in situ. This is accomplished by an electrolytic catalytic oxidation (ECO) cell having an innovative configuration of electrodes in a cartridge designed to maximize water contact with an efficiently designed affecting system. The cartridge consisting of multiple mesh electrodes arranged transversely to imposed water flow electrolyzes passing water when energized. The mesh construction of the electrodes allows water flow to be essentially through the electrodes, with a narrow gap set up between cathode and anode to reduce voltage requirements of the system. The cartridge anodes are preferably plated with a mixed metal oxide such as iridium oxide and ruthenium oxide to catalytically improve the production of oxygen.

Abstract: A rotating electrode configuration lowers the detection limits of polyion-sensitive membrane electrodes. Planar potentiometric polycation and polyanion-sensitive membrane electrodes were prepared by incorporating tridodecylmethylammonium chloride and calcium dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate, respectively, into plasticized PVC or polyurethane membranes, and mounting discs of such films on an electrode body housed in a rotating disk electrode apparatus of the type used in voltammetry. Due to the unique non-equilibrium response mechanism of such sensors, rotation of the polyion-sensitive membrane electrodes at 5000 rpm resulted in an enhancement in the detection limits toward heparin (polyanion) and protamine (polycation) of at least 1 order of magnitude (to 0.01 U/ml for heparin; 0.02 ?g/ml for protamine) over that observed when the EMF responses of the same electrodes were assessed using a stir-bar to achieve convective mass transport.

Abstract: A method of minimizing the formation of polymers and other heavy molecular weight products upon heating of a hydrocarbon stream in a hydroconversion process is described. Specifically, sufficient hydrogen-containing gas is added to the hydrocarbon stream before heating to reduce its fouling tendency. The hydrogen-containing gas is added in an amount less than about 500 standard Cubic Feet per Barrel (SCFB). preferably less than about 100 SCFB and more preferably less than about 50 SCFB.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cracking catalyst comprising layered clays and a process for cracking hydrocarbon oils using said catalyst. Said catalyst is prepared by the process comprising the following steps: mixing and slurrying an expandable clay, a modifier component, pseudo-boehmite and water for 0.1-10 h to obtain a slurry, aging the slurry at 50-85° C. for 0.1-10 h, then drying and forming the slurry to obtain a formed material, water washing and aging the solid, and finally drying and calcining the solid, and said modifier being one or more selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl polymers of silicon, aluminum, zirconium or titanium, and substances comprising one or more of said hydroxyl polymers.

Abstract: A filter module assembly utilizes a priority valve installed in a manifold to allow for continuous filtration of hydraulic fluid up to a predetermined flow value and diverts occasional high flow to a secondary circuit. This arrangement provides both a low pressure drop at a high flow condition and structural integrity (1,000,000 impulse cycles from 0 to 6000 psi) while at the same time may reduce the weight by as much as 50% from a conventional design approach.

Abstract: A process is provided to produce water that will meet the specifications of the United States Pharmacopeia Inc. for Purified Water and Water for Injection, and water for dialysis as circumscribed by the American Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). The system has no storage tanks where stagnant water will be fouled by biofilm colonizing the tank surface. Water is circulated throughout the purification system and drawn as required, on demand. The water is purified and used immediately or recycled and repurified to ensure quality. Sanitation of the purification system, maintaining microbiological purity and cleaning is done by controlling the pH so that it is normally acidic by maintaining a high carbon dioxide concentration in solution, the carbon dioxide being allowed to pass into the permeate from a reverse osmosis membrane assembly used to purify the water.

Abstract: An apparatus to transfer gas to or from a liquid has a flexible and oxygen permeable but liquid water impermeable membrane, a flexible and gas permeable spacer, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a non-rigid restrain system. When used for treating wastewater, an aerobic biofilm is culture adjacent the planar elements, an anoxic biofilm is cultivated adjacent the aerobic biofilm and the wastewater is maintained in an anaerobic state. A first reactor for treating wastewater has an anaerobic section, a plurality of gas transfer membrane modules, and an aerobic section. A biofilm is cultivated on the surface of the gas transfer membranes in fluid communication with the anaerobic section. Biological reduction of COD, BOD, nitrogen and phosphorous are achieved. In a second reactor, phosphorous is also removed chemically in a precipitation branch.

Abstract: A prefabricated biological purification system for treatment of residential wastewater having a primary purification unit and a secondary purification unit containing a filling material having a grain size distribution of about 2 cm to about 4 cm in diameter. The primary purification unit having modular element forming a container, and internal elements including an inflow tube, an internal separation panel with a fluid passage duct defining a first internal sector and a second internal sector, a trapezoidal diaphragm, and a device for controlling liquid outflow. A second diaphragm in a form of an octagonal modular element is positioned within the container and a horizontal fluid passage duct is formed as a horizontal opening between portion of the internal separation panel and the second diaphragm. A flow control element forms an intake space between a bottom end portion of an outlet pipe and the trapezoidal diaphragm.

Abstract: An insert for use in a sewer system to remove oils and solvents carried by surface water runoff. The insert includes a holder and a quantity of water permeable, hydrophobic, oil and solvent absorbing material such as melt blown polypropylene. The holder has two functions. It holds an effective quantity of the absorber and holds it in such a way that the surface water is exposed to the absorber to allow oils and solvents to be absorbed. The insert in preferably placed, cartridge-like, at the inlet or outlet of the sewer system so that it may be quickly checked, replaced and serviced. In one embodiment, the insert also contains a leaf trap.

Abstract: A filter bag for a pool cleaning device includes a bag structure, formed of nylon mesh material, and a discharge opening, formed by a zipper. The zipper allows for temporary access to the interior chamber of the bag by opening the zipper.

Abstract: An inline dispenser and purification device combination comprising an inline dispenser having fluid ports directly mateable to the ports of a fitted cartridge and a universal cartridge having no ports for connection with the fluid ports of the inline dispenser and a method of replacing a fitted cartridge located within a inline dispenser with a universal cartridge having no ports for connection with the fluid ports of the inline dispenser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing nanostructures in membranes, in which method a membrane consisting of a polymer material is irradiated with charged particles, especially ions, to produce particle tracks. The particle tracks in the membrane are etched using an etching liquid and the etching operation is stopped using a stop liquid, in such a manner that asymmetrical structures are formed. Polyimide is used as the membrane material.

Abstract: Membranes and methods for making membranes are disclosed. The membranes include a polymeric matrix and a particulate material immobilized within the matrix. The membranes may find particular application in methods and apparatus for removing organic compounds from a biological fluid as part of a pathogen inactivation treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of recycling animal waste into a useable soil nutrient. The method involves separating the solid and liquid fraction of an animal waste slurry and separately treating both fractions with effective amounts of activated naturally occurring soil bacteria. The method also involves adding an odor eliminating microorganism to the animal waste to reduce or eliminate the foul odor of the waste material.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater sludge includes pumping, continuously, raw sludge into a first digester and treating the raw sludge at a specific temperature of between about 51° C. to 60° C.; transferring the treated wastewater sludge to a batch tank; treating the wastewater sludge in the batch tank, anaerobically, at a thermophilic temperature which is not more than 2° C. warmer than the specific temperature in the first digester; and disposing of the treated wastewater sludge as a Class A biosolid. A wastewater sludge treatment system includes a first thermophilic digester for treating raw wastewater sludge at a specific temperature in a range of between about 51° C. to 60° C., and discharging a treated wastewater sludge; a batch tank for receiving the treated wastewater sludge discharged from the first digester and for thermophilically treating sludge at a temperature in a range of between about 51° C. to 60° C. and not more than 2° C.

Abstract: Highly porous, beads are comprised of a polymer and a second compound mixed into it. The second compound, an amendment, is either a nutrient or a compound having high affinity to one or more nutrients. A plurality of these beads may be exposed to an aqueous environment, usually a body of water. Bacteria and other microorganisms rapidly enter and remain within the nutrient filled interior space of the beads. Any of a number of various detection methods may then be used to characterize, detect and/or identify the microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for collecting and concentrating a desired compound from a chromatographic column exit stream. The collection chamber can be heated or cooled and washed in a forward or backward direction for efficient removal.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for extending the life of fountain solutions used in commercial printing presses comprises withdrawing fountain solution from the dampener recirculation system of a printing press and directing the withdrawn fountain solution through a sediment prefilter, a separation filter, and a posttreatment filter. The sediment prefilter preferably comprises a melt blown polypropylene filter; the separation filter preferably comprises a diatomaceous earth filter; and the post-treatment filter preferably comprises a zeolite filter.

Abstract: A process for treating a solid-liquid mixture by cavitation to decompose at least some contaminant associated with the solid particles, the contaminant either being absorbed into the pores of the solid or onto the surface of the solid particles. The process includes the step of subjecting the mixture to cavitation such that a portion of the contaminant is chemically decomposed. Typically the chemical decomposition occurs at the surface of the solid particle. Typically the cavitation process is an ultrasonic treatment step, although other cavitation processes are applicable, for example high shear mixing. The cavitation effect is capable of achieving physico-chemical changes at the particle surfaces. The localized high temperatures on bubble collapse (as high as 5000K) can decompose contaminant substances such as PCB and other hazardous materials including polybrominated biphenyl PBB), organochloride and organophosphate compounds, pesticides and the like.

Abstract: An ion exchange process for removing arsenic from drinking water is disclosed which uses a mixed ion regenerant and generates minimal levels of waste.

Abstract: Methods for adhering polyimide dielectric materials to copper-, titanium-, aluminum-, or copper-and-titanium-containing portions of a substrate are described. The methods include the steps of applying adhesion promoter to a clean surface of the substrate, and curing the adhesion promoter. SPIE varnish is applied over the cured adhesion promoter, and is itself cured. A further layer of adhesion promoter is applied over the cured SPIE varnish, and is cured. The polyimide dielectric material is then laminated to the adhesion promoter. Cleaning of the copper-containing substrate portions is performed by etching with etchant including cupric chloride, cleaning of the titanium-containing substrate portions is performed with etchant including HF, and cleaning of copper- and titanium-containing portions is performed by HF etching followed by cupric chloride etching. Aluminum-containing portions of the substrate are not etched.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode for a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device comprises the steps of forming an alloy film (32) made of aluminum (Al) and magnesium (Mg) on a substrate (31) and selectively etching the alloy film (32) by using a gaseous mixture composed of BCl3, Cl2, and N2 to form the electrode such that the electrode has at least one sidewall polymer film (33). The method controls the production of hillocks and voids to provide high withstand voltage.

Abstract: In order to provide a low-cost large substrate for full multi-bubble-jet head, a method for manufacturing an ink-jet head in which ink-discharge-pressure generation elements are provided on a substrate, discharge ports are disposed in a plate facing the ink-discharge-pressure generation elements, and ink is discharged from the discharge ports by generating bubbles within ink includes the steps of forming a threaded port, serving as an ink supply port, in a ceramic substrate, filling the threaded ports with a filler by melting the filler, flattening a portion of the threaded port filled with the filler in the substrate, depositing a silicon nitride film on the surface of the substrate in which the portion of the threaded port is flattened, depositing a layer made of a high-heat-conduction material on the silicon nitride film, forming the ink-discharge-pressure generation elements on the high-heat-conduction layer, forming ink discharge portions having the corresponding discharge ports on the substrate having t

Abstract: Patterning is performed to thermal oxide films 12a and 12b formed on both surface sides of a silicon substrate in which crystal orientation of a surface is (100) or (110), a liquid chamber pattern and a liquid supplying port pattern are formed, and a liquid chamber and a liquid supplying port are formed separately by anisotropically etching the silicon substrate from both surface sides at the same time. Then, a silicon nitride film is deposited with a low pressure chemical vapor deposition to both surface sides of the silicon substrate and all faces of the liquid chamber and the liquid supplying port which are formed by etching. As a result, when the silicon substrate is used for a top plate, stiffness of the top plate is improved, design freedom of the liquid chamber and the liquid supplying port is increased, misalignment is prevented in bonding to the substrate, degradation of ejecting performance is prevented, and a liquid discharge head having high preciseness and high reliability can be provided.

Abstract: Methods for thinning wafer-to-wafer vertical stacks in the fabrication of stacked microelectronic devices. The methods include etching away unsupported portions of a wafer to be thinned in the vertical stack. The removal of the unsupported portions substantially eliminates potential cracking and chipping of the wafer, which can occur during the thinning process when the unsupported portions exist.

Abstract: In a local dry etching method, position-thickness data of a semiconductor wafer is previously obtained by measuring the wafer surface, components of position-thickness data shorter than a predetermined spatial wavelength are cut off by filtering and nozzle-wafer relative speed for planarizing the surface is calculated using the filtered data.

Abstract: A method for removing a particle from a substrate includes forming a layer of a fluid on a surface of an optical element and positioning the optical element in proximity to a location of the particle on the substrate. A pulse of electromagnetic radiation is directed to impinge on the surface of the optical element so as to induce explosive evaporation of the fluid thereon, whereby a pressure wave is emitted toward the location of the particle.

Abstract: An oxide magnetic material is prepared by wet molding in a magnetic field a slurry containing a particulate oxide magnetic material, water and a polyhydric alcohol having the formula: Cn(OH)nHn+2 wherein n is from 4 to 100 as a dispersant. By improving the orientation in a magnetic field upon wet molding using water, an oxide magnetic material having a high degree of orientation, typically an anisotropic ferrite magnet, is obtained at a high rate of productivity. The method is advantageous from the environmental and economical standpoints.

Abstract: A method of removing ruthenium silicide from a substrate surface which comprises exposing the ruthenium silicide surface to a solution containing chlorine and fluorine containing chemicals. In particular, said solution is designed to react with said ruthenium silicide film such that water-soluble reaction products are formed.

Abstract: Liquor compositions for the extraction of metallic elements from solid and liquid metal-contaminated starting material such as mineral ores, recyclable wastes, contaminated soils, engraving solutions, metal finishing solutions, battery manufacturing solutions, toxic wastes such as dusts producing through steelmaking processes by effectuating preferably prolonged contacting of such starting material with the liquor to cause the underlying structure of the starting material to be broken down. The contaminated starting materials are more susceptible to metal separation because the released metallic element are readily solubilized in the contacting liquor. Compositions of the contacting liquor comprise caustic silicate solutions containing essentially saturating levels of silica.

Abstract: Soot formation is suppressed in the preparation of hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide rich gas by arranging on at least a surface of an upper portion of a reactor a catalytic material which is active in steam reforming hydrocarbons, introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock and an oxygen-containing atmosphere into the upper portion of the reactor, partially oxidising the feedstock with oxygen in the upper portion of the reactor, and contacting a part of the partially oxidized feedstock with the reforming catalyst in the reactor upper portion.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions for coating target surfaces with non-entangled multi-wall carbon nanotubes are disclosed. In one aspect, the methods and compositions of the invention comprise dispersion of non-entangled multi-wall carbon nanotubes in solvent, and application of the non-entangled multi-wall carbon nanotube/solvent mixture to a surface by spraying. In another aspect, the methods and compositions of the invention comprise dispersion of non-entangled multi-wall carbon nanotubes in solvent, and applying the nanotube/solvent mixture to a suitable matrix by spraying to form a surface coating which is substantially contiguous with the surface of the matrix. The compositions of the invention are substantially free of metal oxides and sulfur, and do not require harsh oxidative treatments.