Abstract: This invention provides an optically transparent electrically conductive layer with a desirable combination of low electrical sheet resistance and good optical transparency. The conductive layer comprises a multiplicity of magnetic nanostructures in a plane, aligned into a plurality of roughly parallel continuous conductive pathways, wherein the density of the magnetic nanostructures allows for substantial optical transparency of the conductive layer. The magnetic nanostructures may be nanoparticles, nanowires or compound nanowires. A method of forming the conductive layer on a substrate includes: depositing a multiplicity of magnetic nanostructures on the substrate and applying a magnetic field to form the nanostructures into a plurality of conductive pathways parallel to the surface of the substrate. The conductive layer may be used to provide an enhanced silicon to transparent conductive oxide (TCO) interface in thin film silicon solar cells.

Abstract: An in-mould coating device comprises a fixed insert, a light generator, a camera, a light sensor, a bolster, a moving insert, the fixed insert is disposed in a fixed plate, the light generator, camera and light sensor are disposed in the fixed insert and equipped with on-off and control wires, the bolster is attached to a bottom of the fixed insert to fix the fixed insert, the camera and light sensor; the fixed inserted is made of transparent material selected from the group consisting of quartz, glass, crystal and coated with a reflective layer on an outer surface thereof, light generated from the light generator is reflected by the reflective layer, photo-curing coating materials are injected into a clearance between the fixed insert and the moving insert and irradiated by the light directly generated from the light generator and multidirectional light reflected by the reflective layer.

Abstract: A spray nozzle 10 for a laser deposition apparatus, comprises an elongate nozzle aperture 16, a powder supply chamber 18 in fluid communication with the elongate nozzle aperture and upper and lower elongate gas apertures 26, 28 located above and below the elongate nozzle aperture respectively and extending substantially parallel to the elongate nozzle aperture. In use the powder supply chamber supplies powder to the nozzle aperture under pressure so as to cause a wide powder stream to be ejected from the nozzle aperture and the upper and lower elongate apertures eject a wide gas stream above and below the wide powder stream. When used with a laser deposition apparatus 10 a relatively wide coating of a substantially uniform thickness can be deposited.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused carbon fiber material that includes a carbon fiber material of spoolable dimensions and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the carbon fiber material. The infused CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution. The CNT infused carbon fiber material also includes a barrier coating conformally disposed about the carbon fiber material, while the CNTs are substantially free of the barrier coating. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) functionalizing a carbon fiber material; (b) disposing a barrier coating on the functionalized carbon fiber material (c) disposing a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on the functionalized carbon fiber material; and (d) synthesizing carbon nanotubes, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused carbon fiber material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object (3), comprising: a frame (1) defining a building field (6) at an upper portion (2) thereof; a plate (12) which connects the frame (1) with a housing (100) of the device; a support (5) which is arranged in the frame (1) and vertically movable by a lift mechanics (4) at least below the building field (6); a radiation device (7) which generates an energetic beam (8, 8?) which is focused by a deflection means (9) to arbitrary points in the building field (6), so as to selectively sinter or melt a powdery material (11) which is present in the building field (6); a coater (10) for applying a layer of powdery material (11) onto the support (5) or a previously applied layer of the powdery material (11). A thermal insulation (13) is arranged between the frame (1) and the plate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an electronic device comprises providing a substrate, direct writing a functional material by a thermal spray on the substrate and removing a portion of the function material to form the electronic or sensory device.

Abstract: A device for generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object (3) is disclosed, comprising: a frame (1), the upper portion (2) thereof surrounds a building field (6); a support (5) which is arranged in the frame (1) and vertically movable at least below the building field (6) by a lift mechanics (4); a radiation device (7) which generates an energetic beam (8, 8?) which is focused to arbitrary points in the building field (6) by a deflection means (9), so as to selectively sinter or melt a powdery material (11) which is present in the building field (6); a coater (10) for applying a layer of a powdery material (11) onto the support (5) or a previously applied layer of the powdery material (11); a housing (100), in which at least the frame (1) and the support (5) are arranged and which surrounds a building space; and a heating device (13; 14; 15; 16) which continuously supplies heat at least to the building field environment or the building space there above.

Abstract: A method for producing nanostructured coatings on a substrate, comprising: preparing a nanocrystalline powder of a powder size comprised between 1 and 60 ?m; and combining cleaning the surface of the substrate and cold spraying the nanocrystalline powder on the surface of the substrate, and a system for producing nanocrystalline coatings on a substrate, comprising a spray head, a cleaning head and a handling system monitoring the spray head and the cleaning head relative to the substrate to be coated, the spray head being a first cold spray head, the first cold spray head depositing on the substrate at least one nanocrystalline powder, the cleaning head optimizing the surface being coated with the at least one layer of nanocrystalline powder.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for coating an optical fiber. The method includes coating an optical fiber with a primary coating, preparing a secondary coating by selectively mixing a concentrate with an ultraviolet (UV) curable diluent coating, wherein the concentrate comprises predetermined amounts of a color agent and a release agent, and applying the secondary coating to the optical fiber and primary coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for deposition of lacquer overspray from the used cabin air of painting facilities laden with overspray comprises electrode apparatus and/or several regions of an electrode apparatus allocated to several different deposition surfaces. The several electrode apparatus and/or regions of one and the same electrode apparatus can be charged with high voltage independently of each other. This achieves not only an energy savings but also fault locating in the high voltage range is simplified and emergency operation in case of a breakdown in the high-voltage range is made possible.

Abstract: To provide a manufacturing method for an epitaxial wafer that alleviates distortions on a back surface thereof due to sticking between a wafer and a susceptor, thereby preventing decrease in flatness thereof due to a lift pin. A manufacturing method for an epitaxial wafer according to the present invention includes: an oxide film forming step in which an oxide film is formed on a back surface thereof; an etching step in which a hydrophobic portion exposing a back surface of the semiconductor wafer is provided by partially removing the oxide film; a wafer placing step in which the semiconductor wafer is placed; and an epitaxial growth step in which an epitaxial layer is grown on a main surface of the semiconductor wafer; and the diameter of the lift pin installation circle provided on a circle on a bottom face of a susceptor is smaller than that of the hydrophobic portion.

Abstract: A method includes generating an aerosol comprising a plurality of catalyst particles from a precursor solution comprising a carbon source and a catalyst, transmitting the plurality of catalyst particles through a reaction zone extending along a temperature profile including at least one temperature sufficient to induce in each of the plurality of catalyst particles growth of a plurality of carbon nanotubes, and positioning at least one substrate along the temperature profile and at least partially outside of the reaction zone at a position to collect a portion of the plurality of carbon nanotubes on a surface of the at least one substrate.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck is provided which is arranged that, at the time of performing processing treatments of irradiating light to a to-be-processed substrate while holding the translucent to-be-processed substrate, the to-be-processed substrate can surely be held even in case the attraction force lowers due to photoelectric effect. An electrostatic chuck has a chuck plate made of a dielectric material, and a first electrode and a second electrode, both electrodes being disposed in the chuck plate. A voltage is applied between the first and the second electrodes to thereby attract the to-be-processed substrate S to the surface of the chuck plate. The electrostatic chuck has, on part of the surface of the chuck plate, a substrate holding section 64 which is made of an adhesive sheet and the like having an adhesive force with respect to the to-be-processed substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a thin film solar cell that increase homogeneity in film characteristics. In a process of conveying a substrate from one roll to another roll, a power generation layer, which is a laminated body of a plurality of semiconductor layers, is formed in a plurality of film formation compartments partitioned along a conveying direction between the roll pair. A plurality of flat application electrodes are laid out in the conveying direction facing toward the substrate in each film formation compartment. Each flat application electrode includes a power supply terminal supplied with high frequency power in a VHF band. When the wavelength of the high frequency power is represented by ?, the distance between an edge of the flat application electrode and the power supply terminal is set to be shorter than ?/4 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing objects/materials includes selectively arranging the predetermined components in a staging area, substantially simultaneously selectively removing two or more of the selectively arranged predetermined components according to a predetermined removal plan and substantially simultaneously placing the selectively removed components, the removed components being substantially simultaneously placed at a predetermined location.

Abstract: In a template treatment of forming a film of a release agent on a treatment surface of a template, the treatment surface of the template is first cleaned. Thereafter, in a coating unit, the release agent is applied to the treatment surface of the template. The release agent on the template is then dried. Then, alcohol is applied to the release agent on the template to make the release agent adhere to the treatment surface of the template and to remove an unreacted portion of the release agent. Thereafter, the alcohol on the template is dried and removed. In this manner, a film of the release agent is formed in a predetermined film thickness on the treatment surface of the template.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a material application device includes an expansion chamber for slowing down the velocity of powder fed to the nozzle from a dense phase pump. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle insert that forms the expansion chamber and provides air assist function. The nozzle includes an integral deflector, and further includes a passageway for a charging electrode so that the electrical path is routed away from the powder path, while permitting the electrode tip to be centered in the powder spray pattern from the nozzle. The nozzle also includes air wash for the electrode. The nozzle outlet orifice has a cross-sectional area that is equal to or greater than the inlet cross-sectional area so that a slow moving dense phase powder cloud is produced by the nozzle.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for deposition of films using energy dispensers combined with film-material dispensers. The processes achieve high energy efficiency and speed by deposition of film materials that absorb energy in a designed radiation band, coupled with delivery of energy using a radiation source with a band matched to the absorbance band of the film deposition material. It is possible to use the energy for drying, fusion, chemical conversion, sintering of the deposited materials to produce films for visual, graphic or electronic applications. The process does not cause significant heating of substrates. The energy can be delivered to specified material deposition locations, thus using substantially less energy than bulk heating.

Abstract: An optical fiber that has no bubbles in the ultraviolet ray curable resin filled inside the air holes to seal the end parts thereof, an end part processing method of the optical fiber, and an end part processing apparatus of the optical fiber, are provided. In an end part processing method of an optical fiber that is comprised of a core and a cladding formed around the core, the cladding having a refraction index lower than that of the core and has a plurality of air holes formed therein along the axis of the core, wherein the end part process of the optical fiber is to form sealed portions on the ends of the air holes by sealing them with ultraviolet ray curable resin, the method is characterized in that the sealed portion is formed by heating the end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed herein involve conversion of precursors to electronic films with many properties such as conductor, resistor, semiconductor, photovoltaic, insulator and optical conversion films. There are a large number of materials such as transition metal oxides, metals, combination oxides that may be deposited as organic precursors and subsequently processed by radiated energy. In practice of the systems and methods disclosed herein, the films are processed by a “matched” radiation to either intrinsic absorption of the film precursors, or due to an added absorber to the film precursors. Since many of the precursors have been previously described as “Metal-Organic” precursors, the process can be described as “Metal-Organic Deposition by Enhanced Light-Absorption” (MODEL-A).

Abstract: A method of coating a peripheral surface of a sleeve core with a radiation curable coating liquid including the steps of: supporting a sleeve core in a vertical position coaxial with a coating axis; providing an annular coating collar, supplying the coating liquid to the annular coating collar and moving the annular coating collar along the sleeve core in a vertical direction coaxial with the coating axis, thereby coating a layer of the coating liquid onto the peripheral surface of the sleeve core; wherein the coated layer of the coating liquid is cooled by the peripheral surface of the sleeve core to have a viscosity at the temperature of the peripheral surface of the sleeve core and at a shear rate of 10 s?1 which is larger than a minimum viscosity ?min, with: ? min = d 2 50 wherein d represents the thickness of the coated layer expressed in ?m, and ?min is expressed in mPa·s. Also, a coating device for performing the above coating method.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous liquid composition containing a water-soluble monomer, a photopolymerization initiator and an aqueous medium and further containing a polymer emulsion, wherein the water-soluble monomer is a monomer that has two or more ethylenically unsaturated bonds and is curable with an active energy ray.

Abstract: Method of ablating the surface of a substrate including providing a dry substrate and an electrolyte source, ablating the surface of the dry substrate to at least partially remove a native oxide layer, and immersing the ablated dry substrate in the electrolyte source, in which the dry substrate is ablated prior to being introduced into the electrolyte source. Also provided is a method of ablating the surface of a substrate that includes providing a dry substrate and an electrolyte, depositing a portion of the electrolyte on the substrate at a thickness of less than 10 microns and ablating the surface of the substrate with the electrolyte applied thereon. System for use in the ablation of the surface of a substrate are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for photo-grafting a coating polymer onto the surface of a medical device are provided. The system comprises a plurality of stations including a novel grafting station. The system and method of the invention are both time- and resource-efficient. The system includes several stations, each station including a dipping tank. The system allows for the automated, semi-automated, or manual dipping of medical devices into the dipping tanks in a specified order, as desired, wherein at least one of the stations is a grafting station for photo-grafting the coating polymer onto the surface of the medical device. The system is modular, which allows for modification of the process as required, depending on the needs of the user. The system may comprise stations for incorporating an antimicrobial agent into the coating, and/or for rendering the coating lubricious.

Abstract: A system and method for photo-grafting a coating polymer onto the surface of a medical device are provided. The system comprises a plurality of stations including a novel grafting station. The system and method of the invention are both time- and resource-efficient. The system includes several stations, each station including a dipping tank. The system allows for the automated, semi-automated, or manual dipping of medical devices into the dipping tanks in a specified order, as desired, wherein at least one of the stations is a grafting station for photo-grafting the coating polymer onto the surface of the medical device. The system is modular, which allows for modification of the process as required, depending on the needs of the user. The system may comprise stations for incorporating an antimicrobial agent into the coating, and/or for rendering the coating lubricious.

Abstract: This impregnation device comprises at least a first dielectric insulating screen and first and second opposite-facing electrodes which are separated by a passage for the porous material to be impregnated provided with powder and are capable of producing an alternating electric field in this passage after having been connected to an alternating voltage generator. At least first electrode comprises at least two conducting strips, each of which has an internal face covered by the first dielectric screen and, overall, is turned towards the second electrode and also a longitudinal edge running along a separating slot, which strips are separated from each other by this separating slot and are electrically connected to one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for lining a wellbore. In certain aspects, the systems and methods comprise providing a fluid composition that is solidifiable or gellable on exposure to actinic radiation of a predetermined wavelength at the wall of open-hole wellbore and providing actinic radiation at the predetermined wavelength to solidify or gel the composition.

Abstract: A method of producing an anti-reflection and/or passivation coating for semiconductor devices is provided. The method includes: providing a semiconductor device precursor 30 having a surface to be provided with the anti-reflection and/or passivation coating; treating the surface with ions; and depositing a hydrogen containing anti-reflection and/or passivation coating onto the treated surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a polysilicon rod using a metallic core means, comprising: installing a core means in an inner space of a deposition reactor used for preparing a silicon rod, wherein the core means is constituted by forming one or a plurality of separation layer(s) on the surface of a metallic core element and is connected to an electrode means; heating the core means by supplying electricity through the electrode means; and supplying a reaction gas into the inner space for silicon deposition, thereby forming a deposition output in an outward direction on the surface of the core means. According to the present invention, the deposition output and the core means can be separated easily from the silicon rod output obtained by the process of silicon deposition, and the contamination of the deposition output caused by impurities of the metallic core element can be minimized, thereby a high-purity silicon can be prepared in a more economic and convenient way.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, a method and an apparatus are provided for depositing a material on a semiconductor wafer (“wafer”). More specifically, the method and apparatus provide for selective heating of a surface of the wafer exposed to an electroless plating solution. The selective heating is provided by applying radiant energy to the wafer surface. The selective heating of the wafer surface causes a temperature increase at an interface between the wafer surface and the electroless plating solution. The temperature increase at the interface in turn causes a plating reaction to occur at the wafer surface. Thus, material is deposited on the wafer surface through an electroless plating reaction that is initiated and controlled by varying the temperature of the wafer surface using an appropriately defined radiant energy source.

Abstract: A method of integrating a fluorine-based dielectric with a metallization scheme is described. The method includes forming a fluorine-based dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a metal-containing layer on the substrate, and adding a buffer layer or modifying a composition of the fluorine-based dielectric layer proximate an interface between the fluorine-based dielectric layer and the metal-containing layer.

Abstract: A protective coating system for metal components includes a superalloy metal substrate, such as a component of a gas turbine. A single layer bond coat is applied to the superalloy metal substrate in a thermal spray process from a homogeneous powder composition having a particle size distribution wherein about 90% of the particles by volume are within a range of about 10 pan to about 100 ?m. The percentage of particles within any 10 ?m band within the range does not exceed about 20% by volume, and the percentage of particles within any two adjacent 10 ?m bands within the range does not deviate by more than about 8% by volume.

Abstract: A method, in one embodiment, can include inserting a magnetic media into an enclosure. Furthermore, the method can include using a non-thermal physical vapor deposition process to deposit a lubricant onto the magnetic media within the enclosure.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a curable solution layer forming device that forms a curable solution layer by supplying a curable solution to a recording member or an intermediate member, the curable solution including at least a curable material to be cured by an external stimulus, and a water-absorbing component; an ink applying device that applies an ink to the curable solution layer; a stimulus supplying device that supplies the stimulus for curing the curable solution layer, to the curable solution layer; and a water-absorption controlling component-contact device that brings a liquid, including a component that controls water-absorption by the water-absorbing component, into contact with the curable solution layer, before or after the ink is applied to the curable solution layer by the ink applying device.

Abstract: A method of wetting a surface of a solid substrate with a liquid metal, comprises activating said surface with a high energy beam; and introducing the liquid metal to the surface while in the active state, the temperature of the surface being above the melting point of the liquid metal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a thin film solar cell including introducing a reaction solution into a reaction chamber, fixing a supporter onto a loader, disposing the loader in the reaction chamber to immerse the supporter into the reaction solution, and heating the supporter and coating a buffer layer. In addition, an apparatus of fabricating a thin film solar cell including a reaction chamber mounted with an inlet of a reaction solution and an outlet of waste water, and a loader disposed in the reaction chamber and being capable of moving up and down, is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming an ultra-thin doping layer in a semiconductor substrate include introducing a thin film of a dopant onto a surface of the substrate and driving at least a portion of the thin dopant layer into a surface of the semiconductor. Gas ions used in the driving-in process may be inert to minimize contamination during the drive in process. The thin films can be deposited using know methods, such as physical deposition and atomic layer deposition. The dopant layers can be driven into the surface of the semiconductor using known techniques, such as pulsed plasma discharge and ion beam. In some embodiments, a standard ion implanter can be retrofit to include a deposition source.

Abstract: Provided is a coating and developing apparatus composed of an assembly of plural unit blocks. A first unit-block stack and a second unit-block stack are arranged at different positions with respect to front-and-rear direction. Unit blocks for development, each of which comprises plural processing units including a developing unit that performs developing process after exposure and a transfer device that transfers a substrate among the processing units, are arranged at the lowermost level. Unit blocks for application, or coating, each of which comprises plural processing units including a coating unit that performs application process before exposure and a transfer device that transfers a substrate among the processing units, are arranged above the unit blocks for development. Unit blocks for application are arranged in both the first and second unit-block stacks.

Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a processing unit, a substrate loading unit, a substrate unloading unit, and a carrying unit. A carrying device has a constitution in which a suction portion suctioning and holding a substrate is rotatable about an arm portion provided in a base portion and the substrate is rotated in the state where the substrate is held by a holding portion. A coating device has a constitution in which a liquid material is ejected from a nozzle to both surfaces of the substrate rotating in an upright state.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for providing an Au-containing layer onto a surface of a work piece, which method comprises: providing 510 a deposition fluid comprising Au(CO)Cl; depositing 520 the fluid on at least part of the surface of the work piece; and directing 530 a charged particle beam toward the surface of the work piece onto which at least part of the fluid is deposited to decompose Au(CO)Cl thereby forming the Au-containing layer on the surface of the work piece. By using Au(CO)Cl as a precursor for charged particle induced deposition, a gold Au layer may be deposited with a very high purity compared to methods known in the art.

Abstract: An electronic device having an electrode with enhanced injection properties comprising a first electrode and a first layer of cross-linked molecular charge transfer material on the first electrode. The cross-linked molecular charge transfer material may be an acceptor, which may consist of at least one of: TNF, TN9(CN)2F, TeNF, TeCIBQ, TCNB, DCNQ, and TCAQ. The cross-linked molecular charge transfer material may also be a donor, which may consist of at least one of: Terpy, Ru(terpy)2 TTN, and crystal violet.

Abstract: An ultra-sensitive method for visualizing latent fingerprints using a chemical multiplier to amplify even very faint prints on rough or otherwise difficult surfaces, involving a chemical free radical reaction which produces millions of identifiable molecules from each adsorbed initiator molecule and thereby greatly increases the detection sensitivity. A corresponding fingerprint detection kit may be utilized to carry out such method, in which the kit includes a free radical chain reaction initiator, and a reagent that can react via the free radical chain reaction in the presence of the initiator and form colored, fluorescent, polymeric, IR- or UV-absorbing molecules that are effective for visualization of the fingerprint.

Abstract: An efficient electrostatic spray installation that can spray a wide range of conductive materials effectively while creating very small droplets with conductivities in from about 7000 pico Siemens and greater. A compact system in which one, two or more parallel sprays can be obtained at close proximity in the order of 30 to 40 mm of each other in a compact package.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an LCD device, an atomic beam is irradiated onto a thin film including a carbon-carbon double bond to form a polarized functional group by transforming the carbon-carbon double bond into a carbon-carbon single bond and a radical state. Then, a polarity preserving material is combined with the polarized functional group so as to preserve a polarity of the polarized functional group. According to the present invention, the alignment film is formed on the thin film transistor unit cell and on the color filter unit cell by a non-contact method. Therefore, time of forming the alignment film is reduced and alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is improved.

Abstract: A electromagnet array structure including multiple electromagnetic coils captured in a rigid encapsulant, for example, of cured epoxy resin, to form a unitary free-standing structure which can be placed around the walls of a plasma processing chamber. A liquid cooling coil may also be captured in the encapsulant between the electromagnetic coils. The structure may additionally include water fittings, locating pins, through tubes for chamber bolts, and lifting brackets.

Abstract: Provided is a coating and developing apparatus composed of an assembly of plural unit blocks. A first unit-block stack and a second unit-block stack are arranged at different positions with respect to front-and-rear direction. Unit blocks for development, each of which comprises plural processing units including a developing unit that performs developing process after exposure and a transfer device that transfers a substrate among the processing units, are arranged at the lowermost level. Unit blocks for application, or coating, each of which comprises plural processing units including a coating unit that performs application process before exposure and a transfer device that transfers a substrate among the processing units, are arranged above the unit blocks for development. Unit blocks for application are arranged in both the first and second unit-block stacks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus a digital ink-jet printer are presented. A radiation-curable ink is continuously applies to successive locations on a substrate along a print line extending across the substrate. Concurrently with the continuous application of the radiation-curable ink along the print line, first curing radiation of a predetermined first intensity is continuously applied to the applied ink on the successive locations on the substrate along said print line, with a certain time delay, constant for all the locations on the substrate, between the applications of ink and the first curing radiation. Second curing radiation of a predetermined second intensity is applied to the locations on the substrate a certain time period, constant for all the locations on the substrate, after the application of the first curing radiation to said locations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a roll-to-roll patterning apparatus and a patterning system using the same. The patterning system may include a supply roll to supply a film member, a recovery roll to recover the film member, and a roll-to-roll patterning apparatus forming a coating on the film member. The roll-to-roll patterning apparatus may include a pattern roller, a plurality of press rollers, and an alignment roller. The pattern roller may include an outer peripheral surface with a first pattern. The plurality of press rollers may press a film member against the pattern roller to form a second pattern on the film member. The alignment roller may be spaced apart from the pattern roller and may be arranged at an upstream position in a movement direction of the film member. The alignment roller may align the film member entering a region between the pattern roller and the plurality of press rollers.

Abstract: A process for coating an implantable device is disclosed. In this process, at least one implantable device is tumbled. As the implantable device is being tumbled, a coating substance is introduced to coat the implantable device with the coating substance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving densification of porous substrate using a film boiling process. In particular, the disclosed method and apparatus permit more complete densification of a substrate (i.e., densification closer to the surface of the substrate) by selectively providing a sort of barrier that reduces cooling of the surface of the substrate being densified caused by contact with the relatively cool boiling liquid precursor of the densifying material, such as carbon. In particular, contact between the substrate and the liquid precursor is reduced using one or both of physical barriers (such as a mesh material) or structures that promote the formation of an insulating gaseous layer between the substrate and the liquid precursor (such as a plate closely spaced apart from the surface of the porous substrate). The barrier is moved into operational position before the applied power level increases sharply (as is known) near the end of the film boiling densification process.