Abstract: A sheet-supply tray device for use with an image recording apparatus, includes a lower sheet-supply tray and an upper sheet-supply tray. The upper sheet-supply tray includes a main body, a leading-end stopper, a trailing-end stopper and a side-end stopper. The main body includes a support surface that supports a recording sheet. The leading-end stopper is fixed on the main body and stops a leading end of the recording sheet. The trailing-end stopper includes a trailing-end contact surface having a trailing-end protrusion extending over an upper surface of a trailing-end portion of the recording sheet toward the leading-end stopper. The trailing-end contact surface contacts a trailing end of the recording sheet. The side-end stopper includes a side-end contact surface that contacts a side end of the recording sheet. The side-end contact surface has at least one side-end protrusion extending over an upper surface of a side-end portion of the recording sheet.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises: a medium tray on which a medium is set vertically, or with a tilt; a feed roller that feeds the medium set on the medium tray by rotating while being in contact with the medium; a recording unit that performs recording on the medium; an urging mechanism for urging the medium and/or the feed roller in a direction of coming closer; and a restricting portion that faces a recording surface at a lower edge portion of the medium set on the medium tray and restricts movement of the lower edge of the medium, wherein the feed roller feeds the medium so that the lower edge of the medium can get over an upper end of the restricting portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit, a conveyance roller, a registration roller disposed on a conveyance path extending from the conveyance roller to the image forming unit, the registration roller being configured to perform skew correction for a sheet by contacting a leading end of the sheet in a conveyance direction while rotation of the registration roller is being stopped, and rotating after a lapse of a particular period of time since the rotation of the registration roller has been stopped, a driving source configured to supply a driving force to the conveyance roller and the registration roller, and a controller configured to determine the particular period of time based on a cumulative number of sheets conveyed by the conveyance roller.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for an image forming apparatus is provided. The paper feeding apparatus includes a first paper feeding roller, a first one-way rotation transmission member disposed coaxially on the first paper feeding roller to transmit a first one-way rotational force to the first paper feeding roller, a second paper feeding roller spaced apart from the first paper feeding tray, a second one-way rotation transmission member disposed coaxially on the second paper feeding roller to transmit a second one-way rotational force to the second paper feeding roller, a drive source to rotate the first and second paper feeding rollers, a first power transmission member disposed between the first one-way rotation transmission member and the drive source, and a second power transmission member disposed between the second one-way rotation transmission member and the drive source.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a conveyance guide member provided in an apparatus body and having a reference plane against which a sheet widthwise side edge orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction abuts. The reference plane is provided upstream in the feed direction of a downstream end in the feed direction of the sheet stacked on the stacking member in a state in which the sheet feed cassette is attached to the attachment position of the apparatus body and is provided under, in terms of a vertical direction, an uppermost sheet stacked on the stacking member in the state in which the sheet feed cassette is attached to the attachment position of the apparatus body.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a sheet feeding unit configured to feed a sheet from a sheet storage case in a sheet feeding direction orthogonal to a loading direction in which the sheet storage case is loaded into an apparatus main body, and a conveying guide configured to guide the sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit. The conveying guide includes a first guide segment included in the apparatus main body and a second guide segment included in the sheet storage unit. The sheet feeder further includes an edge guide member disposed at an end of the first guide segment. The edge guide member has a guide surface that allows reaction force including a directional force component acting upward and a directional force component acting in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction to be generated when the sheet partly projecting from the sheet storage case abuts the guide surface.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet conveyance apparatus including: a loader unit loading sheets, a feeding unit feeding the sheets from the loader unit, a separating unit separating and conveying the sheets one by one, a detecting unit detecting the sheets, and a controller. The controller is configured to: measure a time from instructing the feeding unit for operation of feeding one of the sheets to the detecting unit detecting that sheet, and determine that there is a decrease in a capability of the feeding unit or the separating unit in a case that the measured time does not fit into a time needed to convey the sheet from a position of starting a normal operation of feeding the sheet to the position of the detecting unit.

Abstract: A dispenser for bags is disclosed. The dispenser is capable of storing a roll of bags and dispensing individual bags therefrom. In addition, a dispensing system for use in dispensing individual bags from a wound roll of continuously and detachably connected bags is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for handling documents, such as currency, for example bank notes. A plunger (5) comprises a body (571) and a base (579) such that when the plunger is deployed to urge documents into a securable container, the plunger moves between a fully retracted position and an intermediate position with the base (579) and body (571) together, and between the intermediate position and a fully advanced position the base (579) is displaced from the body (571).

Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a sheet processing unit that is moved to perform sheet processing on a sheet; a sheet-processing moving unit that moves the sheet processing unit; a drive-mode determining unit that determines a drive mode of the sheet-processing moving unit; and a drive control unit that drives the sheet-processing moving unit in accordance with the drive mode. The drive-mode determining unit determines the drive mode such that the sheet processing unit is moved at combination acceleration that is a combination of first acceleration and second acceleration with a shift of time that is determined based on the cycle of the natural vibration that occurs during acceleration of the sheet processing unit.

Abstract: A system for collating a plurality of media including a compiler having a first position and a second position, a first bin arranged elevationally lower than the first position, a second bin arranged elevationally lower than the second position and adjacent to the first bin, a collated stack receiver arranged proximate the second bin opposite the first bin, first, second and third guides, the first and second guides positioned on opposing sides of the first bin, and the second and third guides positioned on opposing sides of the second bin, a movable wall arranged generally perpendicular relative to the first, second and third guides, the movable wall forming a side of the first and second positions, the movable wall and the first, second and third guides forming three sides of the first and second bins, the movable wall is translatable in a process direction, and a pusher.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding products includes a conveying member adapted to convey the product, an oscillating member disposed adjacent the conveying member, and a folding roll disposed adjacent the conveying member and the oscillating member. The oscillating member is adapted to grasp and lift a first portion of the product from the conveying member while the product is being conveyed by the conveying member. The oscillating member is moveable in a first direction away from the conveying member and in a second direction toward the conveying member. The folding roll is adapted to receive the first portion of the product from the oscillating member and to place the first portion of the product into engagement with a second portion of the product such that the product is in a folded configuration.

Abstract: A method of using a folding apparatus to form an outsert having product information printed thereon comprises applying a plurality of parallel lines of water to a sheet of paper; making a plurality of folds in the sheet of paper in a direction parallel to a first direction with a first folding apparatus to form a first folded article; making a plurality of folds in the first folded article in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to form an intermediate folded article; and making a final fold in the intermediate folded article in the second direction to form the outsert. Making the final fold may include forcing the intermediate folded article between a pair of adjustably-spaced folding members, the adjustably-spaced folding members to be adjustably spaced apart from each other by a distance that is within a range defined by a lower boundary of 0.25 inches and an upper boundary of 0.45 inches.

Abstract: A method of using a folding apparatus to form an outsert having product information printed thereon comprises making a plurality of folds in a first direction in a sheet of paper; making a plurality of folds in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction to form folded articles; making a fold in said second direction to form an outsert; and applying pressure to at least one of said folded articles or said outsert, said pressure being at least about 30 pounds per square inch, said pressure being applied by a pressing unit comprising a plurality of pressure rollers.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a high speed winding machine with angular rotary spindle, and a method for using the same. The present invention also relates generally to winding machines for winding a cable, and more particularly winding wire at higher speeds without the use, for example, of a reciprocating traverse. The high speed winding machine, primarily comprises of four major systems, namely, a frame assembly, a rotating traverse assembly, an angular spindle assembly, and a spindle drive motor assembly, having a spindle indexing system. A method of winding a wire or cable in a figure-8 pattern upon a mandrel by rotating the mandrel and winding the wire or cable thereon is also disclosed.

Abstract: A guide member for use in connection with a wheel of a vehicle includes a wall and a base. The wall extends from a lower surface to an upper surface. The lower surface defines a support plane. The wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The base extends from the lower surface of the wall. The base has a top surface and a bottom surface. The base is disposed transverse to the wall at a non-perpendicular angle to define a space between the bottom surface of the base and the support plane. The inner surface of the wall and the top surface of the base define a receiving pocket configured to receive a wheel of the vehicle therein, whereby the outer surface of the wall guides a longitudinal flexible member around the wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved system for handling delicate linear media and in particular to a method and apparatus for winding delicate linear media such as superconducting wire or optical fibers onto a spool. A combination of direct closed loop control and media routing design facilitates the handling of the delicate media without causing damage. The axial tension in the linear media may be closely controlled during winding by means of feedback control loop using tension measurements to control the rotation speeds of the wind-from and wind-to spools. Further, during winding, the delicate linear media is only exposed to large radius bends with no reverse bending.

Abstract: An optical fiber winding reel of the invention includes: a cylindrical main winding body; main flanges provided at both respective ends of the main winding body in an axis direction thereof; and an auxiliary winding body provided outside at least one of the main flanges, wherein a slit that extends toward a central axis line of a reel is formed at part in a circumferential direction of the main flange at which the auxiliary winding body is provided, and both side portions of a position of the main flange at which the slit is formed are a low rigidity region, the low rigidity region has a rigidity locally lower than that of the other portions in a direction orthogonal to a plate surface of the main flange.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for easily and efficiently manufacturing a cable bead, which features excellent wire winding performance. In this method, an annular core is held by a core rotating means. Then a reel wound with a wire is revolved in one direction through the inside and the outside of the core by a reel revolving means by holding the reel wound with a wire alternately on one side and on the other side of the core. And a wire is wound helically around the core as the core is rotated in a circumferential direction in association with the revolving motion of the reel.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator passenger interface device includes a touch screen configured to allow a passenger to indicate a request for elevator service by touching the screen. An assistance button is positioned near the touch screen. A controller is configured to determine a destination requested by a passenger touching the screen. The controller is also configured to determine whether the assistance button has been manipulated and then to determine a destination requested by a passenger from a subsequent manipulation of the assistance button.

Abstract: The elevator includes an elevator car with a door construction including at least one door panel opening and closing a passage to the elevator car. The light curtain includes a longitudinal transmitter and a longitudinal receiver facing towards each other. The fixing arrangement includes at least one longitudinal support device including a longitudinal support member having a cross section in the form of a letter U, whereby the letter U forms a slot for receiving the transmitter or the receiver of the light curtain.

Abstract: A method for balancing an elevator car including a frame; a cabin box mounted on the frame; and a plurality of elastic members, such as springs, in vertical direction between the frame and the cabin box, via which elastic members the cabin box rests on the frame. The method includes measuring the vertical distance between the frame and the cabin box in several horizontally spaced apart locations with distance sensors; and adjusting the weight distribution of the cabin box by adding and/or removing weight elements on the cabin box. An arrangement for balancing an elevator car is provided to implement the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit which comprises a motor (6)-driven spindle (5), rollers (2, 3), and cables (11), and which has a favourable transmission ratio, specifically N:1 in which N=4+n, and n is an integer between ?2 and 8 including 0. Said unit is used to move loads and people, is particularly suitable for lifts, is space-saving, environmentally friendly, low-maintenance, economical in terms of energy consumption, and call be used both in the construction of new lifts and in the renovation of older installations. It allows the installation to be operated securely, and people and loads to be transported at high speeds. It can, for example, be installed at the lower or upper end of a shaft, or also outside of the shaft. It can be used for movement in a vertical, horizontal and also inclined direction, and may be provided with a counter weight.

Abstract: A drum hoist including a movable drum which is arranged on a main shaft with a coupling apparatus for the releasable connection of the movable drum and the main shaft, a drum wheel which is connected fixedly to the movable drum so as to rotate with it, and a coupler wheel which can be displaced axially in an engagement direction and a disengagement direction with respect to the main shaft. In order to effectively prevent undesired disengagement of a coupler wheel of the coupling apparatus without mounting additional elements, coupling elements are arranged between the drum wheel and the coupler wheel which can be engaged and disengaged, which coupling elements can be brought into and out of engagement by a rotation of the engaged coupler wheel with respect to the drum wheel by the amount of the tooth flank play between the toothing systems of the two wheels.

Abstract: A system includes multiple lifting devices, where each lifting device includes a drum to draw in or let out a line, and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. A grouping module is provided to group the lifting devices for synchronized operation. A synchronization module monitors an amount of line that is drawn in or let out from each of the lifting devices and, based on the amount, adjusts operating parameters (e.g., position, speed, etc.) of one or more of the lifting devices in the group to substantially synchronize the amount of line drawn in or let out with other lifting devices in the group.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and supporting an item above a floor includes a frame and a pair of upright telescoping post assemblies having two opposite ends and which are positionable on opposite sides of the item to be lifted. A pair of guide posts are arranged as to extend substantially vertically of the frame and adjacent the post assemblies. A carriage assembly is mounted upon each post assembly for cooperating between the item and an adjacent guide post, and jacks are utilized for moving the ends of the post assemblies apart so that by positioning the carriage assemblies in cooperating relationship with the item and moving the ends of the post assemblies apart, the item is lifted by a corresponding amount and the carriage assemblies are guided along the guide posts.

Abstract: A device for lifting the legs of a display case in a store or office which is supported on legs. The device features a a “U” shaped frame, having a horizontal portion and two substantially vertical side portions extending from the horizontal portion. A face plate is engageable with a leg lifting component. A jack situated on top of the horizontal portion provides the lift for the leg lifting component. The leg lifting components may be adapted to any type of leg and engaged with the device allowing one lifting apparatus to engage any type of leg on any display case it is adapted to engage. The jack can be user supplied or included with the device as a unit. An optional skate for the lifted leg can also be provided.

Abstract: A forklift includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by an engine, a hydraulic motor that forms a closed circuit with the hydraulic pump therebetween and is driven by hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump, and driving wheels driven by the hydraulic motor. A control device of the forklift determines a rate of increase of an inching rate, based on at least one of an accelerator opening, a brake opening indicating an operation amount of a brake pedal, a change speed of the brake opening, and a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed sensor.

Abstract: A method for producing a fork arm (18) for load-carrying devices, said fork comprising a fork blade (5) which is substantially horizontal in the operating position, and a substantially vertical fork back (20) that connects via a fork bend (19) to said fork blade and is provided with connection elements (2, 3) for the conveying device, wherein the fork arm consists of a plurality of parts (1; 2, 4, 8, 9, 11; 18?, 12 to 17) that are connected to one another, at least a number of said parts are welded to one another, and parts (1; 2, 4, 8, 9, 11; 18?, 12 to 17) of the fork arm are welded to one another by electron beam welding and/or laser welding, wherein the weld penetrates planarly with a depth of at least 15 mm between adjoining surfaces of the parts.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus is described for use in lifting an article. The apparatus includes a support arm, a lever arm that is movably connected to the support arm, and a headpiece supported by the lever arm that is configured and dimensioned to engage the article such that a force applied to the lever arm is transmitted to the article to thereby lift the article. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a kit is described for use in lifting an article. The kit includes a support arm, a lever arm that is movably connected to the support arm, a first headpiece supportable by the lever arm having a first configuration facilitating engagement with the article, and a second headpiece supportable by the lever arm having a second configuration facilitating engagement with the article different than the first configuration.

Abstract: A pry bar sliding fulcrum assembly having a fulcrum and a saddle which slidably mate with a conventional pry bar and which provide a greater force onto a work material than the conventional pry bar alone. The pry bar sliding fulcrum assembly easily and quickly slides away from the work material when a conventional pry bar function is desired and slides toward the work material when an enhanced application force or greater pry bar end displacement is required. The assembly uniquely mates with or is held with the pry bar end whereby the assembly retains a static position relative to the pry bar during use.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus for providing hands-free hydration to a person. Specifically, the invention comprises a case having a storage container with chilled fluid therein and a pump for circulating the chilled fluid. Additionally, the device further comprises several lines of tube for supplying water to a user when the user engages a bite valve.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for defining a PWM drive signal having a defined voltage potential. The PWM drive signal has a plurality of “on” portions and a plurality of “off” portions that define a first duty cycle for regulating, at least in part, a flow rate of a pump assembly. At least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal are pulse width modulated to define a second duty cycle for the at least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal. The second duty cycle regulates, at least in part, the percentage of the defined voltage potential applied to the pump assembly.

Abstract: An unimpeded pourer device for allowing unimpeded movement of the valve member in the bore of the tubular member. The unimpeded pourer device includes a pourer assembly adapted to be in fluid communication with a bottle and including a tubular member having a bore disposed therein, and also including a spout in fluid communication with the tubular member and having passageway extending therethrough in communication with the bore; and a valve assembly in communication with the pourer assembly for dispensing measured amounts of liquid through and from the pourer assembly.

Abstract: A faucet assembly for dispensing liquids from a container. The faucet assembly includes a handle assembly that is connectable to a liquid dispenser of a container for use with a variety of liquids. The faucet assembly is configured to be compatible with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) Guidelines requiring certain features of equipment to be located to allow access to a person who might have a temporary or permanent disability and require a faucet assembly connected to a liquid or beverage container to be lower than a certain height and depth or set back dimension when the container is placed on a surface for dispensing the liquid from the container. A faucet assembly with a handle assembly that extends downwardly and outwardly from the top of the faucet assembly to ensure the faucet can be actuated by a person within the ADA Guidelines.

Abstract: Environmental friendly automotive fluid dispensing systems and are provided. One disclosed system provides for the controlled dispensing of an automotive fluid selected from multiple automotive fluids. A quantity of fluid to be dispensed can be designated and the system can dispense the designated quantity of the selected fluid. A pump assembly is used to transfer automotive fluid from a selected container to a dispensing gun in a controlled fashion. The product dispensing gun can include a check valve for preventing fluid from exiting the dispensing gun when no fluid is being transferred to the dispensing gun by the pump assembly.

Abstract: A safety interlock nozzle for use with a safety interlock mechanism is disclosed which comprises a base having an interlock contact surface at a first end and alternating tabs at a second end, a body having alternating tabs at a first end that mate with the alternating tabs of the base, a channel within the body positioned at a second end, a ring clamp for connecting the tabs of the base to the tabs of the body, a splash guard having a first end for contacting with a filler neck housing and a second end having a slot formed therein, the second end capable of fitting within the channel of the second end of the body, and a spring for being captured within the channel in the body and the slot within the splash guard, the spring for connecting the splash guard to the body.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for heating a drinkable or other fluid, such as water and/or ice in a hydration system. Such embodiments include heating assemblies for hydration systems, hydration systems with heating elements, electronic control assemblies for hydration systems, and various methods of heating a drinkable or other fluid, gel or semi-solid.

Abstract: The invention provides a micro-electro-mechanical system device including: a substrate; a proof mass, including an outer frame which inwardly defines an internal space, and at least one inner extension portion which is directly connected to the outer frame and inwardly extends from the outer frame; at least one compliant structure, located in the internal space, and directly connected to the corresponding inner extension portion; an anchor, located in the internal space and directly connected to the at least one compliant structure, the anchor being connected to the substrate; movable electrodes, located in the internal space and connected to the proof mass; and fixed electrodes, respectively located in correspondence to the movable electrodes, and being connected to the substrate through fixing portions.

Abstract: A MEMS trapped membrane. The MEMS trapped membrane includes a first layer and a second structure. The first layer has an outer section and an inner membrane. The outer section and inner membrane are detached from each other by a separation, and have inner membrane protrusions and outer section protrusions formed by the separation. The second structure is coupled to the outer section and has second protrusions that overlay corresponding inner membrane protrusions.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure having micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) devices is provided. One of the MEMS devices includes a substrate having a first region and a second region; a membrane structure formed in the first region and positioned correspondingly to a cavity of the substrate; a logic device formed in the second region, and electrically connected to the membrane structure; an interconnection structure formed in the second region, and the interconnection structure formed on the substrate and covering the logic device; and an etching stop layer formed in the second region, and the etching stop layer formed on the interconnection structure and including a nitride layer and a carbon-containing layer formed on the nitride layer. Also, a variation in resonant frequencies of the MEMS devices on the entire wafer is less than 10%.

Abstract: MEMS packages and modules are described. In an embodiment, a module includes a package mounted within an opening in a module board. The package includes a flexible wiring board mounted to a back surface of the module board and spanning across the opening in the module board. A die is mounted on the flexible wiring board and is encapsulated within an overmold. An air gap exists laterally between the overmold and side surface of the opening in the module board.

Abstract: A microelectronic system including hydrogen barriers and copper pillars for wafer level packaging and method of fabricating the same are provided. Generally, the method includes: forming an insulating hydrogen barrier over a surface of a first chip; exposing at least a portion of an electrical contact electrically coupled to a component in the first chip by removing a portion of the insulating hydrogen barrier, the component including a material susceptible to degradation by hydrogen; forming a conducting hydrogen barrier over at least the exposed portion of the electrical contact; and forming a copper pillar over the conducting hydrogen barrier. In one embodiment, the material susceptible to degradation is lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and the microelectronic systems device is a ferroelectric random access memory including a ferroelectric capacitor with a PZT ferroelectric layer. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are guide wires that include a capacitive pressure-sensing component disposed at a distal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making such intravascular devices, including various manufacturing and assembling techniques, are disclosed. Systems associated with such intravascular devices and methods of using such devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer is formed with a first device layer having active devices. A handle wafer having a trap rich layer is bonded to a top surface of the semiconductor wafer. A second device layer having a MEMS device or acoustic filter device is formed on a bottom surface of the semiconductor wafer. The second device layer is formed either by monolithic fabrication processes or layer-transfer processes.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) package structure includes providing a base, wherein the base comprises a recess; disposing a chip in the recess, wherein the chip has an active surface; disposing a MEMS device on the active surface in the recess, wherein the MEMS device is covered by a first cover, the first cover comprises a cavity, and the MEMS device is in the cavity; disposing a sealant at a peripheral gap between the chip and the first cover so as to seal the cavity; disposing a glass frit on a second cover or the base; disposing the second cover on the base, wherein the second cover covers the recess, and the glass frit is disposed between the base and the second cover; and heating the glass frit so as to seal the recess.

Abstract: A fabricated electromechanical device is disclosed herein. An exemplary device includes, a substrate, at least one layer of a high-transconductance material separated from the substrate by a dielectric medium, a first electrode in electrical contact with the at least one layer of a high-transconductance material and separated from the substrate by at least one first supporting member, a second electrode in electrical contact with the layer of a high-transconductance material and separated from the substrate by at least one second supporting member, where the first electrode is electrically separate from the second electrode, and a third electrode separated from the at least one layer of high-transconductance material by a dielectric medium and separated from each of the first electrode and the second electrode by a dielectric medium.

Abstract: A method of forming a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a lower electrode on a first insulator layer within a cavity of the MEMS. The method further includes forming an upper electrode over another insulator material on top of the lower electrode which is at least partially in contact with the lower electrode. The forming of the lower electrode and the upper electrode includes adjusting a metal volume of the lower electrode and the upper electrode to modify beam bending.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning a transfer head assembly with a substrate are disclosed. In an embodiment a pivot mount is used for generating a feedback signal in a closed-loop motion control system. In an embodiment, the pivot mount includes a plurality of spring arms, with each spring arm including a switch-back along an axial length of the spring arm such that a pair of first and second lengths of the spring arm are immediately adjacent the switch-back and are parallel to each other. A first strain sensing element is located at the first length, and a second strain sensing element is located at the second length.

Abstract: An article is provided, the article including a substrate having a surface with a first wettability characteristic. A nano-structure array is formed on the surface of the substrate to provide a nano-structured surface having a second wettability characteristic. A thin-layer surface coating is formed on the nano-structured surface, the thin-layer surface coating being configured to tune the nano-structured surface to a target wettability characteristic.