Abstract: Methods of making medical devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method for welding together two components is described. The two components are non-coaxial and contact one another. A fixture holds the two components in a desired configuration. Electromagnetic radiation is directed at an area where the two components are in contact. The radiation causes the two portions to fuse together. The fixture has an open area or a transmissive material in the path of the electromagnetic radiation so that at least a portion of the radiation impinged up on the two components.

Abstract: Binding agents having barrier properties are provided which contain: a) a compound having at least one NCO group and at least one reactive functional group, which can be cured by radiation and which serves as component (A), and; b) a silicon-organic compound serving as component (B) with at least one NCO group and at least one functional group of formula (I): —Si(Z)n(X)3?n, in which Z represents C1-C18alkyl group, preferably C1-C4alkyl group; X represents —NH2; —NH—CO—R; —OOC—R; —O—N?C(R)2 or OR?; R represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C1-C18alkyl radical; R? represents R, an oxyalkylene radical having up to 4 carbon atoms, a C5-C8 cycloalkyl radical; a C6-C10 aryl radical or a C7-C12 aralkyl radical; and n equals 0, 1 or 2. The binding agent can be used as a radiation curable binding agent in coating agents, fillers, sealants or adhesives, for example in the preparation of laminated films having barrier properties.

Abstract: A method for encapsulating an area on a substrate comprising the steps of a) providing a substrate having an area on a surface thereof which is to be encapsulated, b) providing an assembly fixture which has features formed into the surface of the fixture, and vacuum orifices associated with the features of the fixture, c) positioning a substantially flat formable sheet onto the assembly fixture, and forming the sheet to the features of the assembly fixture by applying a negative pressure through the vacuum orifices, wherein corresponding features are formed in the sheet, d) patterning an adhesive onto the sheet or onto the substrate, the adhesive pattern corresponding to the perimeter of the area on the substrate to be encapsulated, e) clamping together the substrate and the sheet, causing the patterned adhesive to flow between the substrate and sheet in the area of compression, wherein the patterned adhesive is proximate to the features formed in the sheet, and f) curing the adhesive to form a perimeter seal

Abstract: The plasma reactor comprises at least one cooling device (15, 16) consisting of two cooling elements (15a, 15b; 16a, 16b) adapted to be separately switched on and off. The heat produced during the plasma treatment is dissipated by the cooling device. In doing so, cooling elements are connected or disconnected in order to enlarge or reduce the effective cooling surface. The cooling elements (15a, 15b; 16a, 16b) are arranged in an interlaced manner so that local cooling peaks are avoided and, on the whole, an approximately uniform cooling sets in.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a worktable in a process chamber to horizontally place a target substrate thereon. A plasma generation space is defined above and around the worktable within the process chamber. The plasma generation space includes a peripheral plasma region and a main plasma region respectively located outside and inside an outer edge of the target substrate placed on the worktable. The apparatus further includes a magnetic field forming mechanism configured to form first, second, and third magnetic fields within the peripheral plasma region. The first magnetic field includes magnetic force lines extending along a vertical first cylindrical plane. The second magnetic field includes magnetic force lines extending along a vertical second cylindrical plane located inside the first cylindrical plane. The third magnetic field includes magnetic force lines extending along vertical radial planes located between the first and second cylindrical planes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cross-linked cellulosic fiber having improved absorbency characteristics when compared to conventional cross-linked fibers. The cross-linked cellulosic fiber is obtainable by reacting pulp in the sheet or fluff form with one or more reagents selected from organic molecule having acid and aldehyde functional groups “acid aldehydes.” The invention also relates to a method of producing the cross-linked fiber. The method includes heating the treated cellulosic fibers to promote intrafiber cross-linking. The cross-linked fibers are characterized by having an improved centrifuge retention capacity, fluid acquisition rate, resiliency, absorbent capacity, absorbency under load, and other absorbent properties. The inventive cross-linked fibers are useful in forming absorbent composites, and in particular absorbent cores for use in absorbent articles.

Abstract: A method of making soft, strong, high bulk tissue is disclosed. The method includes pre-conditioning a wet web by straining the wet web in the cross-machine direction prior to transferring the wet web to a throughdrying fabric. The pre-conditioned web provides improved sheet softness and conforms more readily to the surface contour of the throughdrying fabric, thereby creating greater caliper (bulk) in the resulting dried sheet. The bulk is maintained during a subsequent creping step by maintaining the dried sheet in registration with the throughdrying fabric when the dried sheet is applied to the surface of the creping cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and a method providing a high bulk tissue which is both strong and soft. Specifically, it has been discovered that certain low pressure printing technologies may be used to deliver a bonding material to the surface of a high bulk paper web such as an uncreped, through-dried web. The bonding material may be applied to the web either before, during or after the web is softened with a mechanical straining process which will decrease the web bulk by no more than 20% of the initial bulk in order to increase the web softness. The web may be softened by any of a variety of mechanical straining processes such as, for instance, microcreping, microstraining, rush transfer, or other low-compressive softening methods. The cured bonding material on the web may not only increase the bulk of the web when dry and wet, but also increase the wet resiliency and the wet strength of the web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the temperature of a web, which is formed from cellulosic pulp and is to be passed to a dryer, by way of applying temperature-controlled liquid to the web. According to the invention, the thus formed web is passed into a closed space defined by two wires and side deckles, wherein temperature-controlled liquid is applied at controlled pressure and flow rate through the wire to the web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sp3-bonded boron nitride, represented by a general formula BN, having a hexagonal 5H or 6H polytypic form and having a property of emitting light in ultraviolet region. Its producing method comprises: introducing reaction mixed gas containing boron and nitrogen being diluted with dilution gas into a reaction chamber; and irradiating a surface of a substrate placed in the chamber, a growing surface on the substrate, and a growing spacing region about the growing surface with ultraviolet light to cause gas phase reaction, thereby generating, depositing, or growing the boron nitride on the substrate.

Abstract: Provided is an electrochemical sensor strip having circuits comprising electrodes in an electrode region connected to contact pads in a contact region by conductive traces wherein the electrode region is off-set from the contact region in both an x direction parallel to the length of the sensor strip and a y direction parallel to the width of the sensor strip. Also provided is a an electrochemical sensor strip having a backing material, an active portion laminated to a portion of the backing material, the active portion comprising a substrate, a circuit comprising electrodes in an electrode region connected to contact pads in a contact region by conductive traces wherein the electrode region is off-set from the contact region in both an x direction parallel to the length of the sensor strip and a y direction parallel to the width of the sensor strip, a polymeric layer comprising a channel-forming material over the electrodes, and a hydrophilic layer over the channel-forming material.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices according to embodiments of the present invention include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a channel or chamber having a non-uniform array of insulating features on one or more surfaces. Electrodes are provided for generation of a spatially non-uniform electric field across the array. A voltage source, which may be an A.C. and/or a D.C. voltage source may be coupled to the electrodes for the generation of the electric field.

Abstract: Microfluidic systems and methods are disclosed which are adapted to transport and lyse cellular components of a test sample for analysis. The disclosed microfluidic systems and methods, which employ an electric field to rupture the cell membrane, cause unusually rapid lysis, thereby minimizing continued cellular activity and resulting in greater accuracy of analysis of cell processes.

Abstract: One of the principal objects of the present invention is to realize, in a small scale and at a low cost, an analyzing apparatus that analyzes and manipulates a minute sample such as DNA. The analyzing apparatus 1 incorporates an optical system for measuring a fluorescence from a sample traveling through a minute channel 24c. Specifically, a light source that generates a light for exciting a fluorescence of the sample and a light guide that guides the light from the light source to the minute channel 24c are provided, whereby the fluorescence of the sample in the minute channel 24c is well excited. In order to observe the fluorescence of the sample, a condensing optical element 26, provided on a wall surface of the minute channel 24c, for capturing the fluorescence from the sample, and a sensor section 11 are provided, whereby the fluorescence of the sample in the minute channel 24c can be well observed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a high-quality capillary tube used in an electrophoresis apparatus in a safe and inexpensive manner. A polymer coating on a capillary tube is converted into gas and removed through an oxidative reaction with oxygen radicals resulting from ozone decomposition.

Abstract: A capillary array electrophoresis which can measure fluorescence of a number of capillaries at a time with high sensitivity and can automatically analyze a sample sequentially. An end edge as a sample dissolution edge of a number of capillaries is connected to a polymer filling block having a mechanism of filling the polymer as an isolation medium inside a capillary. Fluorescence irradiated from an edge surface of an end edge portion of the capillary is detected through a detection window in which distance between an external surface and a detection surface is smaller than focal distance of an optical lens closest to a detection flat surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ferroelectric film includes the steps of causing, in a solution containing sol-gel raw materials, hydrolysis and polycondensation to the sol-gel raw materials to form a liquid containing particulate gels dispersed therein, and forming a ferroelectric film by a migration electrodeposition method, using the liquid containing particulate gels, through electrodepositing the particulate gels on an electrode.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising Pt—Co alloy, or Pt—Co—Sn alloy or Pt—ComOn mixed metal oxides is disclosed to be used as a catalyst for the direct electrochemical oxidation of glucose or other simple sugars and carbohydrates at room temperature. The catalyst can be supported on metal electrodes, graphite electrodes, porous carbon electrodes, or gas diffusion electrodes. An electrode containing this catalyst will be used as the key component in a direct glucose-air fuel cell operating in alkaline media with a good room temperature performance. This catalyst can also be applied as a key electrode material in a glucose sensor to detect glucose concentration in neutral or alkaline medium. The preparation method of the catalyst, optimum composition, and results of glucose sensor and glucose fuel cell applications are disclosed.

Abstract: A simple and cost-effective possibility is proposed for producing optically transparent regions (5, 6) in a silicon substrate (1), by the use of which both optically transparent regions of any thickness and optically transparent regions over a cavity in a silicon substrate are able to be implemented. For this purpose, first at least a specified region (5, 6) of the silicon substrate (1) is etched porous. Thereafter, the specified porous region (5, 6) of the silicon substrate (1) is oxidized.

Abstract: A hydrocracking process wherein the feedstock is hydrotreated and the liquid and gaseous effluent from the hydrotreater is directly introduced into the upper end of a hydrocracking vessel which provides a liquid seal to prevent the passage of the gaseous stream containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia from the hydrotreater to enter the hydrocracking zone containing hydrocracking catalyst. Fresh hydrogen is then introduced into the hydrocracking zone. An apparatus for hydrocracking a hydrocarbon feedstock is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for catalytically reforming a gasoline boiling range hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in the presence of hydrogen involving the following steps: (a) reforming at least 5 vol % and at most 50 vol % of the feedstock in a first reforming unit having a fixed bed of catalyst particles; (b) passing the effluent stream of the first reforming unit to a separation zone having a separator and a stabilizer to produce a hydrogen-rich gaseous stream, a C4? hydrocarbon stream and a first reformate; (c) reforming the remainder of the feedstock and at least part of the first reformate in a second reforming unit having one or more serially connected reaction zones, each having a moving catalyst bed, which are operated in a continuously catalyst regeneration mode; and, (d) passing the effluent stream of the second reforming unit to a separation zone having a separator and a stabilizer to produce a hydrogen-rich gaseous stream, a C4? hydrocarbon stream and a second reformate.

Abstract: A process is provided for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid comprising: heating the feedstock, mixing the heated feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, optionally further heating the mixture, flashing the mixture within a flash/separation vessel to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, partially condensing the vapor phase by contacting with a condenser within the vessel, to condense at least some coke precursors within the vapor while providing condensates which add to the liquid phase, removing the vapor phase of reduced coke precursors content as overhead and the liquid phase as bottoms, heating the vapor phase, cracking the vapor phase in a radiant section of a pyrolysis furnace to produce an effluent comprising olefins, and quenching the effluent and recovering cracked product therefrom. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a residua feedstock using a short vapor contact time thermal process unit comprised of a horizontal moving bed of fluidized hot particles. The residua feedstock is preferably atomized so that the Sauter mean diameter of the residua feedstock entering the reactor is less than about 2500 ?m. One or more horizontally disposed screws is preferably used to fluidize a bed of hot particles.

Abstract: A process for the selective hydrodesulfurization of olefinic naphtha streams containing a substantial amount of organically-bound sulfur and olefins. The olefinic naphtha stream is selectively desulfurized in a first hydrodesulfurization stage. The effluent stream from this first stage is sent to a separation zone wherein a lower boiling naphtha stream and a higher boiling naphtha stream are produced. The lower boiling naphtha stream is sent through at least two more separation zones, each at a lower temperature than the preceding separation stage. The higher boiling naphtha stream, which contains most of the sulfur moieties, is passed to a second hydrodesulfurization stage wherein at least a fraction of the sulfur moieties are removed.

Abstract: A water purification device includes a fluid pump, a diaphragm unit having a diaphragm, which separates a primary side from a secondary side, and a consumer having a pressure requirement. The fluid pump is connected with the primary side and the consumer is connected with the secondary side. In order to supply the consumer with water under a high pressure, the fluid pump supplies the pressure (P2) for the consumer through the diaphragm. A pressure control valve is arranged upstream of the diaphragm unit to control the pressure on the primary side in dependence of the pressure on the secondary side.

Abstract: A grate cover in combination with a swimming sump being installed in a recess in the top of the sump. The grate cover having a multiple of interstices or openings there through. The size of the interstices being held to a minimum so that fingers of a human cannot be sucked into the openings. The top surface of the grate cover has a curvature thereon while the bottom surface is flat. This way, the forceful suction within the sump cannot obtain enough force to suction the skin of a human against the grate cover to cause any injuries.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus connected to a water system includes a hopper for holding chemical tablets on a perforated bed and an underlying basin. A spray head is detachably connected to the perforated bed and sprays water onto the tablets and parallel to the perforated bed. The basin receives the water through the perforated bed. Because the hopper allows for the use of different spray head designs, the rate at which water is introduced to the tablets, and thus the chemical output, may be modified by replacing one spray head for another having a different number of spray nozzles or having spray nozzles of a different size or shape. Consequently, the hopper of the present invention may be used for delivering the proper concentration of a variety of water treatment chemicals.

Abstract: A liquid treatment method and system with the liquid treatment system having a container for holding a liquid treatment material therein with the liquid treatment device effectively positionable in various transitional regions in the liquid system to provide for an enhanced dispersant rate in response to increased activity in the body of water.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided that includes a hood, a drain manifold, a filter disposed between the hood and the drain manifold, a drainage space that is disposed between and in fluid communication with both the filter medium and the drain manifold, a check valve that is configured to permit air to escape but not to enter the drainage space so that a siphon can be established that draws additional fluid through the filter medium and into the drain manifold, the siphon continuing until air entering the hood disrupts the siphon, and a check valve cap that is configured to permit air to escape the check valve while preserving an air-filled void above the check valve when the filter assembly is submerged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filtering a fluid, especially a liquefied plastic, said device comprising a housing, a supply channel, a discharge channel and optionally backwash channels. At least two filter elements are arranged in corresponding filter regions in the flow path of the fluid, in a filter carrier which is mounted in such a way that in can be perpendicularly displaced in relation to the direction of flow, said filter elements being able to communication with the supply channel and the discharge channel. Each filter region comprises two supply partial channels which are worked in to the filter carrier or the housing and are oriented away from the filter regions towards the discharge channel. Said discharge channel comprises housing partial channels which flow together to form the discharge channel.

Abstract: Bioremediation geocomposite articles, and their method of manufacture, for treating (digesting) contaminats in soil or water. The bioremediating geocomposite mat includes a woven or non-woven geotexile, having a thickness of about 6 mm to about 200 mm. In the preferred embodiment, outer layers of the geocomposite article have a porosity sufficient to receive a powdered or granular contaminant-reactive material, contaminat-sorptive material, or a contaminant-neutralizing material in at least outer portions of the thickness across its entire major surface(s) for better contact of the bacteria with contaminants held by the powdered or granular material. In the most preferred embodiment, liquid-permeable cover sheets are adhered to the upper and lower major surfaces of the bacterial-containing geotextile article to prevent a powdered or granular material from escaping from the geotextile during transportation and installation.

Abstract: A bioreactor configured to contain an aqueous suspension of biomass and media is provided. The invention includes a lift tube disposed within the vessel, the lift tube having an inlet disposed at the bottom region of the vessel and an outlet disposed at the top region of the vessel. Disposed at the bottom of the lift tube is a gas inlet positioned to feed gas into the lift tube at a location proximal to the inlet of the lift tube. An adjustable weir is disposed proximal to the outlet of the lift tube, the weir being adjustable between a lower position and a higher position. Biomass is removed from the weir and the weir height is adjustable to control the removal of biomass from the vessel. Also included as a part of the invention is a method for controlling the removal of biomass from a bioreactor as described.

Abstract: The inventions separate the activated sludge, biochemical reaction stages of the batch treatment process of a sequencing batch reactor from the clarification and sedimentation stages by separating the locations where each process takes place. The separation may be accomplished in a variety of ways including constructing separate basins for each process, installing baffles or other partitions in a single vessel to isolate the areas where each process takes place, or other methods of process separation as are known in the art. In each process, treatment occurs through the performance of a series of operations. The operations are repeated for each batch of wastewater processed by the SBR. In a conventional SBR process, the cycle of operations for clarification and sedimentation are dependent on a preceding biochemical reaction step. However, in the present invention the clarification and sedimentation operations are independent of the biochemical reaction operations.

Abstract: A process for purifying a lipid composition having predominantly neutral lipid components having at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is disclosed. The process employs contacting the lipid composition with a polar solvent, such as acetone, wherein the solvent is selected such that the contaminants are less soluble in the solvent than in the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. The process is typically conducted at cooler temperatures including about 0° C. Upon precipitation of the contaminants from the lipid composition, a separation is conducted to remove the precipitated material from the lipid composition. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can include ARA, DPA, EPA and/or DHA. The process effectively winterizes lipid compositions, thereby reducing the tendency of such compositions to become hazy.

Abstract: A method for renal replacement therapy includes priming a fluid circuit and recirculating the sterile fluid during priming to permit gas to float out of the sterile fluid into a fluid reservoir. The fluid is preferably either warmed during circulation or vibrated to promote the removal of gas.

Abstract: A bubbler is positioned within a solvent reservoir of a chromatographic system with its opening near the bottom of the system to measure the pressure of solvent. The bubbler may use air or may use helium or some other gas so that the solvent can be purged of excess air while its level is being monitored by the bubbler. The bubbler provides a depth signal to a microcontroller that records the drop in pressure and projects a low level of pressure at which point solvent should be replenished. The microprocessor may provide a signal to the operator or terminate operation or automatically replenish solvent depending upon the program.

Abstract: A column packing system comprises a control unit provided with software for calculating the breakpoint where a movable adapter comes into contact with a settled bed of bed media. The calculated breakpoint is used by the control unit to determine how much further the movable adapter has to move into the column in order to achieve a desired amount of bed compression.

Abstract: Multi-armed, monofunctional, and hydrolytically stable polymers are described having the structure wherein Z is a moiety that can be activated for attachment to biologically active molecules such as proteins and wherein P and Q represent linkage fragments that join polymer arms polya and polyb, respectively, to central carbon atom, C, by hydrolytically stable linkages in the absence of aromatic rings in the linkage fragments. R typically is hydrogen or methyl, but can be a linkage fragment that includes another polymer arm. A specific example is an mPEG disubstituted lysine having the structure where mPEGa and mPEGb have the structure CH3O—(CH2CH2O)nCH2CH2— wherein n may be the same or different for polya- and polyb- and can be from 1 to about 1,150 to provide molecular weights of from about 100 to 100,000.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are articles for removing contaminants from a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, the article comprising carbon nanotubes, which comprise at least one molecule or cluster attached thereto or located therein, wherein the carbon nanotubes are present in the article in an amount sufficient to reduce the concentration of contaminants in fluid that come into contact with the article. A method of making the nanomesh material used in such articles is also disclosed, as are methods of purifying fluids using these articles.

Abstract: A process for removing selenium from a water stream, in particular a waste water stream, by: 1) the addition thereto of a ferric salt, followed by 2) the addition of a cupric salt and pH adjustment to a pH value in the range of from about 6.5 to about 8.0, thereby forming a copper-and-selenium-containing precipitate, and 3) removing the copper-and-selenium-containing precipitate to thereby form a treated water stream, is disclosed. The optional precipitation and removal of excess copper ions is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a physical water treatment (PWT) method and apparatus to treat liquid coolants. Electrodes (22, 24) are provided in a coolant stream (21), and an alternating voltage is applied across the electrodes (22, 24) to produce an electric field through the coolant. The alternating voltage creates an oscillating electric field in the coolant that promotes the collision of dissolved mineral ions. The ions collide to form seed particles that precipitate out of solution. Bulk precipitation of seed particles decreases the availability of ions in solution which can crystallize on heat transfer surfaces. The seed particles adhere to additional ions that separate out of solution and form larger particles that may be removed from the coolant stream (21) using a variety of treatment measures. In addition to precipitating mineral ions, the electric field may be applied to destroy bacteria, algae and microorganisms that accumulate in the coolant stream (21).

Abstract: A method is provided for removing uranium from water. The method includes the mixing of a boron reagent with water contaminated with uranyl dication ions, leading to removal of the uranium from that water.

Abstract: A method for removing metal contaminants from water uses lignin derivatives, such as lignosulfonates and kraft lignin, a coagulant, such as a metal salt, and a pH-increasing composition. The lignin derivative is dispersed in the contaminated water, the coagulant is added and the pH is adjusted as required to cause flocculation. A sludge is formed that contains the metals and that is separated from the treated water by filtration. Related methods are used to reduce the leachable metal content of contaminated soils. The invention also provides a composition for stabilizing the metal contaminants in soil, comprising lignin derivatives, a coagulant and a composition for increasing the pH. The mixture is blended with the contaminated soil, reducing its leachable metal content.

Abstract: A process for removing selenium from an aqueous stream using a supported sulfur material, and optionally the addition of an activating agent for enhanced removal of selenite, is disclosed.

Abstract: A biofilm resistant fluid handling system is provided having at least one structural component adapted to retain or deliver fluid. The at least one structural component is formed from a biofilm resistant material comprising polymeric resin and an inorganic carrier conjugated with a biocidal metal ion. When a surface of the at least one structural component is exposed to a continuous or intermittent aqueous solution environment the formation of active biofilm on the surface is prevented and planktonic bacteria in proximity of said surface is killed. Additionally, methods for extending the biocidal properties of a biofilm resistant fluid handling system are provided.

Abstract: The present invention falls within the field of purifying oil-laden wastewater, which provides a method for purifying coke-cooling wastewater in a delayed coking process in petroleum chemical field. The method comprises the following steps: (a) cooling the coke-cooling wastewater produced in a delayed coking process to 5-55° C. under 0.1-0.25 MPa absolute pressure, to obtain cooled coke-cooling wastewater; (b) subjecting the cooled coke-cooling wastewater to solid-liquid separation, to obtain a coke breeze phase and a liquid phase; (c) further separating the obtained liquid phase, to obtain an oil phase and a water phase; and (d) further discharging water from the obtained oil phase, to obtain the separated oil phase. The present invention also provides an equipment for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for quantifying over-etch of a conductive feature. In one embodiment, this method includes forming a conductive feature over a substrate, the conductive feature having a sheet resistance test structure associated therewith, the sheet resistance test structure having a first sheet resistance value. This method may further include etching the conductive feature and the sheet resistance test structure using a common etch process, obtaining a second sheet resistance value of the sheet resistance test structure after the etching, and quantifying an amount of over-etch into the conductive feature using the first and second sheet resistance values.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a read head sensor for a magnetic disk drive is presented. The method includes providing a layered wafer stack to be shaped, where the layered wafer stack includes a free layer, a barrier layer and a pinned layer. A single- or multi-layered photoresist mask is formed upon the layered wafer stack to be shaped. A material removal source is provided and used to perform a partial depth material removal within a partial depth material removal range which extends from the free layer to within the pinned layer to a partial depth material removal endpoint. In various embodiments, this depth endpoint lies at or within the barrier layer or within but not through the pinned layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an image. The method includes: a transfer layer on a substrate; forming on the transfer layer, an etch barrier layer; pressing a template having a relief pattern into the etch barrier layer; exposing the etch barrier layer to actinic radiation forming a cured etch barrier layer having thick and thin regions corresponding to the relief pattern; removing the template; removing the thin regions of the cured etch barrier layer; removing regions of the transfer layer not protected by the etch barrier layer; removing regions of the substrate not protected by the transfer layer and any remaining etch barrier layer; and removing remaining transfer layer. The transfer layer may be removed using a solvent, the etch barrier layer may include a release agent and an adhesion layer may be formed between the transfer layer and the etch barrier layer. A reverse tone process is also described.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in first subjecting the polyimide sheet to ionic bombardment, followed by an irradiation in the visible domain and finally a relatively brief chemical etching. Said method enables a thin polyimide sheet comprising pores, of nanometric to micrometric size, having a substantially cylindrical shape and substantially equal diameters to be obtained.