Abstract: A photomask and a method of forming patterns using the photomask are provided. The photomask includes a mask body including a pattern region and a peripheral region and having a first surface and a second surface. Mask patterns are disposed on a portion overlapping with the pattern region of the first surface of the mask body. A shading layer is disposed in the peripheral region. The shading layer provides a spill-over-shading region extending to overlap with a critical dimension (CD) correction region in which CD correction in the pattern region is required.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator 60 having a metal plate and an anticorrosion resin coating layer 55 formed thereon is provided, with which adhesion between the resin coating layer 55 and its counterpart member is further increased and the durability of a fuel cell unit is improved. In forming the fuel cell separator 60 having a separator substrate 50 that is a metal plate and an anticorrosion resin coating layer 55 formed thereon, the resin coating layer 55 is formed such that it has a surface roughness Ra of 0.5 to 13.5 ?m. Increasing the surface roughness will produce an anchoring effect, which will improve the adhesive force at the interface. The aforementioned surface roughness Ra can be obtained either with the use of fillers that are mixed into the resin coating layer 55 or with external force applied to the surface of the resin coating layer 55 by means of shot blasting, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating an organic or metallic material by covalent grafting of at least one organic compound A having at least one aromatic group substituted with a diazonium function, on a surface of said material, characterized in that the material is porous or fibrillar having a geometric surface area of at least 10 cm2 of material, and in that said method includes a step of continuous imposition of a non-zero pulsed current in an intensiostatic mode on the surface of the material in order to electrochemically reduce the diazonium ion or ions. The invention further relates to the resulting composite materials and to the use of such materials for manufacturing electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating method by electrocatalyzed chemical grafting of a surface of a substrate with a polymeric layer characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a. a substrate is provided, b. a bath containing at least one polymerizable monomer via a radical route, at least one cleavable aryl salt, at least one reducing agent and at least one solvent is provided, in which a potential difference is applied, c. said substrate is immersed in said bath, d. a grafted polymer is obtained on the surface of said substrate. The invention also relates to a substrate obtained according to the coating method by electrocatalyzed chemical grafting, the surface of which is coated with a polymeric layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a polymer film on a surface that conducts or semiconducts electricity by means of electrografting. Said method uses an electrolytic solution containing a selected quantity of Bronsted acid. This invention also relates to the electrically conductive or semiconductive surfaces obtained by means of said method.

Abstract: An electrode for use in bio-electrochemical systems is described, including: a substantially planar electrode material; a frame comprising a non-conductive substance; and one or more first conductive substances linked or secured to the frame. Bio-electrochemical systems, racks for inserting the electrode, and methods of using the racks are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrodepositable coating compositions that produce cured coatings that exhibit resistance to cratering. The coating compositions include an active hydrogen-containing cationic salt group-containing polymer; and 0.1 to 20 percent by weight, based on the total weight of resin solids in the coating composition, of an ungelled acrylic polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrodepositable coating compositions that include a cationic amine salt group-containing (meth)acrylic polymer in which the (meth)acrylic polymer is prepared by polymerizing a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least 10% by weight of a (meth)acrylic monomer containing hydroxy ester groups, the % by weight being based on total weight of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and an acid salt of a guanidine or a guanidine reaction product. Associated methods of preparing an amine salt group containing composition and for coating a substrate are also disclosed. Substrates coated with the electrodepositable coating composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite having an electrically conductive substrate and a polymer derived from a vinyl-containing siloxane monomer coating on the substrate. A method of electropolymerizing a vinyl-containing siloxane monomer to form a coating on an electrically conductive substrate.

Abstract: A method for making a dry sensor element for an enzymatic determination of an analyte in a body fluid includes providing a substrate, producing a working electrode on the substrate, producing a counter electrode on the substrate, and producing electric connectors on the substrate connected to the working electrode and the counter electrode, the step of producing the working electrode further comprising depositing an active enzymatic electrode layer containing an enzyme and a catalyzer material for catalyzing an enzymatic determination of an analyte of a body fluid, the catalyzer material comprising at least one of metal nano-particles and metal oxide nano-particles. A dry sensor element for an enzymatic determination of an analyte in a body fluid is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, provided is an electrodeposition coating composition, which can form an electrodeposition coating film having excellent corrosion resistance and coating film smoothness. The present invention relates to an electrodeposition coating composition comprising a soluble metal compound (A), amine-modified resin (B) and curing agent (C), wherein the resin (B) has an average molecular weight of 1,000 to 5,000, an amine value of 20 to 100 mgKOH/g and a hydroxyl value of 50 to 400 mgKOH/g, a theoretical residual hydroxyl value when the resin (B) and curing agent are reacted in an electrodeposition coating film is from 30 to 350 mgKOH/g, and the ratio (R) of the concentration of the theoretical residual hydroxyl value to the concentration of the compound (A) in the composition, based on the total of the solid content of the resin (B) and the curing agent in the composition satisfies the relationship (4,000<R<400,000).

Abstract: A method for making a dry sensor element for an enzymatic determination of an analyte in a body fluid includes providing a substrate, producing a working electrode on the substrate, comprising depositing an active enzymatic electrode layer on a working electrode base structure provided on the substrate, the active enzymatic electrode layer containing an enzyme, producing a counter electrode on the substrate, and producing electric connectors on the substrate connected to the working electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the step of depositing the active enzymatic electrode layer on the working electrode base structure comprises depositing PEDOT:PSS by electropolymerization. A dry sensor element for an enzymatic determination of an analyte in a body fluid is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrodepositable coating compositions that produce cured coatings that exhibit resistance to cratering. The coating compositions include an active hydrogen-containing cationic salt group-containing polymer; and 0.1 to 20 percent by weight, based on the total weight of resin solids in the coating composition, of an ungelled acrylic polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of diazonium salts for the formation of thick layers on at least one surface of a substrate. The diazonium salts used in the invention have the following formula (I): wherein R is a group that can be electrochemically reduced in a reversible manner to a cathodic potential between 0 and ?1.5 V, E is a spacer chain consisting of at least one aromatic cyclic group having between 5 and 6 links, optionally containing at least one heteroatom preferably selected from N, S, O or P and optionally substituted by at least one group selected from the C1-C5 alkyls and the halogens, r is 1 or 2, m is a whole number between 1 and 5 inclusive, p is a whole number between 1 and 5, and B is a counter-ion. The invention can be especially applied to the field of gas sensors.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to sensors, methods of manufacture thereof, methods of use thereof for sensing analytes, such as small molecules and biomolecules, and methods of immobilization. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a multi-analyte sensor. The multi-analyte sensor includes a plurality of sensing electrodes. Each sensing electrode is functionalized with a different molecule (e.g., biomolecule), at least two of the sensing electrodes are spaced apart prior to and after functionalization by 100 ?m or less, and there is no cross-talk between the plurality of sensing electrodes.

Abstract: An electrochemical method for producing a hole extraction layer in a solar cell based on organic semiconductor materials. Conjugated polymers are used to build a hole extraction layer and a photoactive layer. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is used as a hole extraction layer and is deposited electrochemically from an aqueous solution on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. A nanofibrilar or nanogranular morphology of the PEDOT is achieved by carrying out the polymerization in the presence of a surfactant. A photoactive layer of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PCBM) can be deposited by spin-coating technique on top of the PEDOT layer.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to coated electrodes comprising an electrically conductive substrate and a polymeric coating, and to methods for the preparation of the same.

Abstract: A method for producing a conductive polymer film using an apparatus comprising a prism having a working electrode, a light-emitting means, a light probe disposed on both sides of the prism, a container having an electrolytic solution containing a conductive-polymer-forming monomer and a dopant, a counter electrode immersed in the electrolytic solution, a power supply connected to a working electrode and the counter electrode, and a controller connected to the light probe and the power supply means. The method comprises determining an absorption spectrum from light reflected by the conductive polymer film, storing the relation between the absorbance of the conductive polymer film obtained from the absorption spectrum and a parameter of the conductive polymer film in the controller, and controlling current supply to the electrodes based on the relation of the absorbance and the parameter to obtain a desired parameter.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) forests or sheets coated and/or bonded at room temperature with one or more coatings were measured to produce thermal resistances that are on par with conventional metallic solders. These results were achieved by reducing the high contact resistance at CNT tips and/or sidewalls, which has encumbered the development of high-performance thermal interface materials based on CNTs. Resistances as low as 4.9±0.3 mm2-K/W were achieved for the entire polymer-coated CNT interface structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrodepositable coating composition comprising a bismuth salt and a stabilizing agent, and wherein the molar ratio of elemental bismuth to the stabilizing agent is not less than 1:0.25.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device to conduct an electrochemical reaction on the surface of a semiconductor substrate (S), characterized in that the device comprises: a container (10) intended to contain an electrolyte (E), a support (20) arranged in the container, said support being adapted for attachment of the semiconductor substrate (S) on said support (20), a counter-electrode (30) arranged in the container (10), illumination means (50) comprising a source (51) emitting light rays and means (52) to homogenize the light rays on all of said surface of the semiconductor substrate (S), so as to activate the surface of the semiconductor substrate (S), and an electric supply (40) comprising connection means for connection to the semiconductor substrate and to the counter-electrode in order to polarize said surface of said semiconductor substrate (S) at an electric potential permitting the electrochemical reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for grafting an organic film onto an electrically conductive or semiconductive surface by electro-reduction of a solution, wherein the solution comprises one diazonium salt and one monomer bearing at least one chain polymerizable functional group. During the electrolyzing process, at least one protocol consisting of an electrical polarization of the surface by applying a variable potential over at least a range of values which are more cathodic that the reduction or peak potential of all diazonium salts in said solution is applied. The invention also relates to an electrically conducting or semiconducting surface obtained by implementing this method. The invention further relates to electrolytic compositions.

Abstract: According to the present invention, provided is an electrodeposition coating composition, which can form an electrodeposition coating film having excellent corrosion resistance and coating film smoothness. The present invention relates to an electrodeposition coating composition comprising a soluble metal compound (A), amine-modified resin (B) and curing agent (C), wherein the resin (B) has an average molecular weight of 1,000 to 5,000, an amine value of 20 to 100 mgKOH/g and a hydroxyl value of 50 to 400 mgKOH/g, a theoretical residual hydroxyl value when the resin (B) and curing agent are reacted in an electrodeposition coating film is from 30 to 350 mgKOH/g, and the ratio (R) of the concentration of the theoretical residual hydroxyl value to the concentration of the compound (A) in the composition, based on the total of the solid content of the resin (B) and the curing agent in the composition satisfies the relationship (4,000<R<400,000).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a polymeric organic film on an electrically conductive or semiconductive surface by application of an electric potential between a gel, in contact with said surface, and said surface, the gel comprising (i) a protic solvent, (ii) compounds having colloidal properties, (iii) an adhesion primer, optionally (iv) a monomer and the potential applied being at least equal to the reduction potential of the adhesion primer. The invention also relates to said gel, to its use and to a kit for forming an organic film.

Abstract: Methods for reductively polymerizing vinylic based monomers from a solution thereof onto the surface of an electrode material, resulting in thin, electrically insulating solid-polymer electrolyte coatings strongly bound to the surface of the electrode material, are described. The strong bond permits a second electrode to be coated directly onto the solid-polymer electrolyte, thereby incorporating the required components for a Li-ion battery cell. At least one initiator species, which is readily reduced by accepting an electron from the electrode material, is included in electropolymerization deposition solution for permitting the polymerization of vinylic species that would otherwise not electrochemically polymerize without damage to either the electrode material or to the solvents employed.

Abstract: Anti-corrosion coatings comprising electroconductive polymers polymerized in the presence of one or more film forming polymers are provided. These coatings can be used with metal substrates such as cold-rolled steel and other metals to inhibit corrosion.

Abstract: An electrodepositable composition comprising; (a) an active hydrogen-containing, cationic salt group-containing resin, such as a (meth)acrylic sulfonium salt group-containing resin; (b) a capped polyisocyanate curing agent; and (c) a dimethyltin dicarboxylate or dimercaptide, such as dimethyltin dicarboxylate or dimercaptide in which the carboxylate and mercaptide groups contain from 8 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An electrodepositable composition comprising: (a) an active hydrogen-containing, cationic salt group-containing resin, such as a (meth)acrylic sulfonium salt group-containing resin; (b) a capped polyisocyanate curing agent; and (c) a dialkyltin dicarboxylate or dimercaptide, in which one or both of the alkyl groups contain from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and one or both of the carboxylate and mercaptide groups contain from 8 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electrodeposition paint composition and a method of forming an electrodeposited coating, which exhibit quality of coating deposition even in the interior of narrow spaces of objects subjected to painting. A solution of the object is cationic electrodeposition paint composition in which in an aqueous medium contained are a cationic epoxy resin, a blocked isocyanate curing agent, a hydrophobic agent wherein an SP value of the hydrophobic agent (C) is 10.2 or more and less than 10.6 and is lower by 0.6 to 1.0 than an SP value of the cationic epoxy resin, a viscosity modifier, and a neutralizing acid, and in which coulombic efficiency of the cationic electrodeposition paint composition is 2.0 to 2.5 mg/(?m·C). A voltage boost rate of the voltage in painting is 30 to 70V/10 seconds.

Abstract: An article to be inserted in a human or animal body cavity, use of the article and preparation thereof. The article has a biologically inhibiting arrangement of electrically connected electrode materials in direct contact with each other on one or more surfaces of the article. The arrangement includes as electrode materials a metallic anode material and a cathode material, where the potential of the cathode material is higher than the potential of the anode material. The cathode material is an electrically conductive material selected among certain non-metallic materials. The arrangement provided on the article releases biological inhibiting ions of the metallic anode material or complexes of such ions when the biologically inhibiting arrangement is contacted with a body fluid.

Abstract: A process for fabricating oleophobic surface coatings to be deposited on a metal surface, such as the front-face or aperture plate of piezoelectric print heads and transfix rolls. The surface coatings are applied to the surface by electrochemical polymerization.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode body for a solar cell, which is capable of being used as a component of both an organic thin-film solar cell and a dye-sensitized solar cell, and has excellent heat resistance. This electrode body for a solar cell is provided with a substrate with a conductive part at least on the surface and a conductive polymer layer located on the conductive part of the substrate, in which the conductive polymer layer includes: a polymer derived from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of 3,4-disubstituted thiophenes; and an anion as a dopant to the polymer generated from at least one organic non-sulfonate compound having an anion with the molecular weight of 200 or more. Additionally, the density of the conductive polymer layer is in the range of 1.15 to 1.80 g/cm3. The dense conductive polymer layer including the anion as a dopant exhibits excellent heat resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrodepositable coating compositions that produce cured coatings that exhibit resistance to cratering. The coating compositions include an active hydrogen-containing cationic salt group-containing polymer; and 0.1 to 20 percent by weight, based on the total weight of resin solids in the coating composition, of an ungelled acrylic polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode body for a solar cell, which is capable of being used as a component of both an organic thin-film solar cell and a dye-sensitized solar cell, and has excellent heat resistance. This electrode body for a solar cell is provided with a substrate with a conductive part at least on the surface and a conductive polymer layer located on the conductive part of the substrate, in which the conductive polymer layer includes: a polymer which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer selected from the group consisting of 3,4-disubstituted thiophenes; and an anion as a dopant to the polymer generated from at least one organic non-sulfonate compound having an anion with the molecular weight of 200 or more. Since the anion of the organic non-sulfonate compound is included as a dopant in the conductive polymer layer, the heat resistance of the conductive polymer layer is improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides new materials that combine the advantages of well-defined polymeric starting materials and the convenience of surface modification by physical methods into one package and, thus, offers a general and powerful platform suitable for use in numerous applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating method by electrocatalyzed chemical grafting of a surface of a substrate with a polymeric layer characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a. a substrate is provided, b. a bath containing at least one polymerizable monomer via a radical route, at least one cleavable aryl salt, at least one reducing agent and at least one solvent is provided, in which a potential difference is applied, c. said substrate is immersed in said bath, d. a grafted polymer is obtained on the surface of said substrate. The invention also relates to a substrate obtained according to the coating method by electrocatalyzed chemical grafting, the surface of which is coated with a polymeric layer.

Abstract: A method includes (a) contacting at least a portion of a substrate material with a solution comprising a source of copper, wherein the solution is essentially free of a source of a group IIIB metal and a source of a group IVB metal; and (b) after step (a), contacting at least a portion of the substrate with an electrodepositable coating composition comprising (i) a film-forming resin and (ii) a source of yttrium.

Abstract: A method of forming a bioelectronic device including a protein on an electrically conductive substrate, by electrodepositing aminopolysaccharide chitosan on the substrate while applying a cathodic voltage to the substrate, to form an aminopolysaccharide chitosan film thereon, applying an anodic voltage to the substrate in the presence of NaCl to activate the aminopolysaccharide chitosan film so that it is reactive with protein. The method also optionally includes reacting the aminopolysaccharide film, after activation thereof, with the protein, so that the protein assembles on and is coupled to the substrate, thereby forming a bioelectronic device. The protein can include single or multiple protein species, and including biosensing proteins. Additional methods include biosensing of electrochemically active compounds either present in a sample or generated during a biological recognition event and devices useful in such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of diazonium salts for the formation of thick layers on at least one surface of a substrate. The diazonium salts used in the invention have the following formula (I): wherein R is a group that can be electrochemically reduced in a reversible manner to a cathodic potential between 0 and ?1.5 V, E is a spacer chain consisting of at least one aromatic cyclic group having between 5 and 6 links, optionally containing at least one heteroatom preferably selected from N, S, O or P and optionally substituted by at least one group selected from the C1-C5 alkyls and the halogens, r is 1 or 2, m is a whole number between 1 and 5 inclusive, p is a whole number between 1 and 5, and B is a counter-ion. The invention can be especially applied to the field of gas sensors.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that contains an anodically oxidized porous anode body, a cathode containing a metal substrate coated with a conductive coating, and a working electrolyte that wets the dielectric on the anode. The conductive coating is formed through anodic electrochemical polymerization (“electro-polymerization”) of a microemulsion on the surface of the metal substrate. The microemulsion is a thermodynamically stable, isotropic liquid mixture that contains a precursor monomer, sulfonic acid, nonionic surfactant, and solvent.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that contains an anodically oxidized porous anode body, a cathode containing a metal substrate coated with a conductive coating, and a working electrolyte that wets the dielectric on the anode. The conductive coating contains a conductive copolymer having at least one thiophene repeating unit, as well as a pyrrole repeating unit and/or aniline repeating unit.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that contains an anodically oxidized porous anode body, a cathode containing a metal substrate coated with a conductive coating, and a working electrolyte that wets the dielectric on the anode. The conductive coating contains an alkyl-substituted poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) having a certain structure. Such polymers can result in a higher degree of capacitance than many conventional types of coating materials. Further, because the polymers are generally semi-crystalline or amorphous, they can dissipate and/or absorb the heat associated with the high voltage. The degree of surface contact between the conductive coating and the surface of the metal substrate may also be enhanced in the present invention by selectively controlling the manner in which the conductive coating is formed.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that contains an anodically oxidized porous anode body, a cathode containing a metal substrate coated with a conductive coating, and a working electrolyte that wets the dielectric on the anode. The conductive coating is formed through anodic electrochemical polymerization (“electro-polymerization”) of a precursor colloidal suspension on the surface of the substrate. The colloidal suspension includes a precursor monomer, ionic surfactant, and sulfonic acid, which when employed in combination can synergistically improve the degree of surface coverage and overall conductivity of the coating.

Abstract: This method enables the use of nanowire or nano-textured forms of Polyaniline and other conductive polymers in energy storage components. The delicate nature of these very high surface area materials are preserved during the continuous electrochemical synthesis, drying, solvent application and physical assembly. The invention also relates to a negative electrode that is comprised of etched, lithiated aluminum that is safer and lighter weight than conventional carbon based lithium-ion negative electrodes. The invention provides for improved methods for making negative and positive electrodes and for energy storage devices containing them. The invention provides sufficient stability in organic solvent and electrolyte solutions, where the prior art processes commonly fail. The invention further provides stability during repetitive charge and discharge. The invention also provides for novel microstructure protecting support membranes to be used in an energy storage device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach for coating a biocompatible material, in particular chitosan, onto a surface in need thereof. This approach results in a coating that is highly uniform, even on irregular surfaces, and enables ready adjustment of the morphology of the coated material. A convenient means to add a functional property to the biocompatible material by incorporation of functional additives is also provided.

Abstract: A flux composition which includes one or more organic compounds including one or more sulfonic acid groups, salts or anhydrides thereof is applied to tin or tin alloy deposits. The flux composition is then homogenized on the tin or tin alloy to inhibit tin or tin alloy oxidation and improve brightness of the tin or tin alloy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to structures having a plurality of discrete insulated elongated electrical conductors projecting from a support surface which are useful as probes for testing of electrical interconnections to electronic devices, such as integrated circuit devices and other electronic components and particularly for testing of integrated circuit devices with rigid interconnection pads and multi-chip module packages with high density interconnection pads and the apparatus for use thereof and to methods of fabrication thereof. Coaxial probe structures are fabricated by the methods described providing a high density coaxial probe.

Abstract: An electrodepositable coating composition comprising (i) a film-forming polymer, (ii) a corrosion inhibitor, and (iii) a silane that does not contain an ethylenically unsaturated double bond.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive polymer deposit on a substrate is disclosed. The method may include the steps of preparing a composition comprising monomers of the conductive polymer and a nitrosyl precursor, contacting the substrate with the composition so as to allow formation of nitrosyl ion on the exterior surface of the substrate, and allowing the monomer to polymerize into the conductive polymer, wherein the polymerization is initiated by the nitrosyl ion and the conductive polymer is deposited on the exterior surface of the substrate. The conductive polymer may be polypyrrole.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to processes for the electrochemical modification of electron emitting materials such as carbon nanotubes. The processes improve the oxidation resistance of the electron emitting materials when they are fired in an oxygen-containing atmosphere such as air. The disclosure also relates to the preparation of cathodes or cathode assemblies, for use in a field emission device, wherein are contained an electron field emitter made from such electron emitting material.