Abstract: An improved process for forming a PTFE mat is described. The process includes providing a dispersion with PTFE, a fiberizing polymer and a solvent wherein said dispersion has a viscosity of at least 50,000 cP. An apparatus is provided which comprises a charge source and a target a distance from the charge source. A voltage source is provided which creates a first charge at the charge source and an opposing charge at the target. The dispersion is electrostatically charged by contact with the charge source. The electrostatically charged dispersion is collected on the target to form a mat precursor which is heated to remove the solvent and the fiberizing polymer thereby forming the PTFE mat.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a curable composition for transfer materials. The curable composition is applicable to a UV nanoimprint process capable of forming micropatterns with high throughput, is applicable to a thermal nanoimprint process in some cases, and is capable of forming a micropattern having high selectivity on etching rates regarding a fluorine-based gas and an oxygen gas. The curable composition for transfer materials comprises a silsesquioxane skeleton-containing compound having, in its molecule, a specific silsesquioxane skeleton and a curable functional group.

Abstract: Electronic device housing structures and other structures may be formed from molded plastic. Plastic structures such as injection molding housing structures and other structures may be provided with openings. An opening may have sidewall surfaces. Machining operations and other techniques may be used in forming the openings. Openings may be processed to enhance resistance to stress-induced cracking of the plastic structures along the sidewall surfaces. Cracking resistance may be obtained by activating the surface using heat or laser treatment and by electroplating the activated surface to form a metal liner structure. Surface treatments using applied liquid chemicals or heat may form a treated layer on the surface of an opening with enhanced cracking resistance. A plastic sleeve or other insert may form a liner structure in an opening that resists cracking. Liner structures may also be formed by applying heat or light to a coating in an opening.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for making an object (122) is disclosed. The apparatus has a flexible element (101) having an upwardly facing surface for disposing thereon a material (104) used to make the object, and a member (110) connected to an actuator (112) that can move the member (110). A controller is in communication the actuator (112). A method which may be executed using the apparatus (100) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein include all-electron control over a chemical attachment and the subsequent self-assembly of an organic molecule into a well-ordered three-dimensional monolayer on a metal surface. The ordering or assembly of the organic molecule may be through electron excitation. Hot-electron and hot-hole excitation enables tethering of the organic molecule to a metal substrate, such as an alkyne group to a gold surface. All-electron reactions may allow a direct control over the size and shape of the self-assembly, defect structures and the reverse process of molecular disassembly from single molecular level to mesoscopic scale.

Abstract: The invention includes a novel light-activated polymerizable composition, wherein reversible crosslinks may be converted into irreversible crosslinks using a fully controllable physical and/or chemical process. The invention further includes methods of photofixing a light sensitive material or patterning an article comprising a light sensitive material.

Abstract: A culture bag for culturing adherent cells is provided without requiring a highly clean production environment and a complex production step such as a masking step. An adherent cell culture vessel that is formed of a polyolefin is configured so that part or the entirety of the inner surface of the culture vessel has a static water contact angle of 95° or more, and has an advancing contact angle and a receding contact angle that satisfy the inequality “advancing contact angle?receding contact angle>25°” when water runs down along the inner surface.

Abstract: A multi-layered foil appliqué for decorating nails is cut from a laminated sheet having the following layers: a first adhesive layer residing on a releasable substrate; a base coat residing on the first adhesive layer; a UV-curable adhesive layer residing on the base coat; a foil layer residing on the UV-curable adhesive layer; and a top coat residing on the foil layer. The foil is applied to the UV-curable adhesive layer by contact between the metallic side of a metallized plastic sheet and the adhesive before the adhesive is cured. The bottom coat and top coat are formed from organic solvent-based nail enamels. Sufficient solvent remains in the appliqué to keep it stretchable before use. Residual solvent evaporates after the appliqué is applied to a user's nail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanoimprint lithography method.

Abstract: An imprint method, in which pattern forming is performed by having a light curable material applied on a sample face of a substrate being a processing target hardened by being exposed to light in a state where the light curable material and a pattern formed surface of a template contact each other, the pattern formed surface having a concave-convex pattern formed thereon; wherein in one exposure performed with respect to a predetermined shot of the light curable material, an exposure amount at a light curable material on a first region which contacts a pattern formed region including the concave-convex pattern of the template is greater than an exposure amount at a light curable material on a second region which at least contacts a part of a pattern periphery region of the template, the pattern periphery region existing in a periphery of the pattern formed region of the template.

Abstract: A golf ball including one or more configurable materials allows the attributes of the golf ball, including physical properties and play characteristics, to be changed by selective exposure of energy from an energy source to the golf ball. The exposure to the energy from the energy source causes certain configurable materials within the golf ball to undergo a physical change in structure, thereby changing the attributes of the modified golf ball. A method of post production modification of a golf ball allows the attributes of the golf ball to be changed to meet the desired attributes of a consumer. A customization system including multiple stock golf ball sets with different configurations is used with different energy sources to produce a variety of modified golf balls having different attributes. A distribution system processes stock golf balls using post production modification processes to produce different modified golf balls to consumers.

Abstract: A method for producing a product having an uneven microstructure on a surface thereof includes: a step (I) which treats a surface of a roll mold (20) having an uneven microstructure thereon with an external release agent containing a fluorine and not containing a functional group (B) which reacts with a functional group (A) existing on the surface of the product; and a step (II) which obtains the product having the uneven microstructure on the surface thereof (40) by inserting an active energy ray curable resin composition (38) including an internal release agent between the roll mold (20) and a film (substrate) (42) after the step (I). Then, the composition is hardened by being irradiated with an active energy ray and a cured resin layer (44) having a surface, onto which the uneven microstructure is transferred, is formed on the surface of the film (42).

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for surface modification of catheters. The surface modification can be localized to a lumen surface of the catheter. The surface modification to the lumen surface extends radially into the catheter body a predetermined distance to provide a hardened zone having a hardness that is greater than a hardness of an exterior surface of the catheter body.

Abstract: A plastic shell with ink-free pattern and its manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes a step of providing a multilayered film with ink-free pattern, a step of adhering a protective layer of the multilayered film on a surface of a plastic shell body, and a step of performing a laser engraving procedure to present a relief pattern on a surface of the protective layer.

Abstract: In an imprint method of an embodiment, in the imprinting of an imprint shot including an outermost peripheral region of a substrate where resist is not desired to be entered at the time of imprinting, light curing the resist is applied to a light irradiation region with a predetermined width including a boundary between the outermost peripheral region and a pattern formation region more inside than the outermost peripheral region, whereby the resist which is to enter inside the outermost peripheral region is cured. Then, light curing the resist filled in a template pattern is applied onto a template.

Abstract: In an imprint method according to embodiments, light that hardens a resist is irradiated to a light irradiation region near an alignment mark in order to prevent the resist from being filled in the alignment mark of a template, when the alignment process between the template and a substrate is performed. After the alignment process is completed, the resist is filled in the template pattern and the alignment mark, and then, light that hardens the resist is irradiated onto the template.

Abstract: An imprint lithography method is disclosed for forming a patterned layer from a UV-curable, imprintable liquid medium on a substrate by means of an imprint template with a patterned surface. The method involves bringing together the patterned surface and the UV-curable medium for a filling period, illuminating the UV-curable medium with UV-radiation for an illumination period, holding the patterned surface and the UV-curable imprintable liquid medium together for a holding period such that the UV-curable medium has formed a self-supporting patterned layer, and separating the patterned surface and the patterned layer at the end of the holding period. The start time of the illumination period is earlier than the end time of the filling period by a pre-cure period. Also, a method is disclosed where the end time of the illumination period is earlier than the end time of the holding period.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite item may include dispensing a composite material comprising a reinforcement and a resin. The method may further include energizing an infrared heat source. The infrared heat source may tend to generate a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is preferentially absorbed by the reinforcement. The method may additionally include controlling power to the infrared heat source to cause the infrared heat source to emit a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the resin to a relatively greater extent than the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the reinforcement.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molded article includes applying a photosensitive composition to at least one of a first plate and a second plate to form a coated film. The first plate is pressed against the second plate with the coated film therebetween. The coated film of the photosensitive composition is exposed. The first plate is separated from the second plate. The exposed coated film is heated. At least one of the first plate and the second plate has a pattern including concave and convex on its surface, and the coated film conforms to the pattern in the step of pressing the first plate against the second plate. The photosensitive composition includes a thioether compound, a photopolymerization initiator other than a phosphine oxide compound and an ?-aminoalkylphenone compound, and a compound having 1 to 6 (meth)acryloyl groups in one molecule.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode for a fuel cell, the method comprising forming a powder bed from a predetermined powder, sintering the powder bed at a first predetermined temperature to form a substrate, and in some embodiments subsequently distributing an electrolyte powder on a surface of the substrate, and impregnating the substrate with electrolyte by heating the substrate with the electrolyte powder thereon to a second predetermined temperature so as to melt and wick the electrolyte into the substrate, thereby forming the electrode for the fuel cell, wherein at least one of the sintering and impregnating is performed by applying induction heating to at least one of said powder bed and said substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a structure includes: a step of forming on a substrate a resin layer composed of a resin which is cured by irradiation with active energy rays; a step of pressing a first mold on the resin layer, the first mold being composed of an active energy ray-transmitting material and having projections each having an active energy ray-shielding film at the end thereof; a first irradiation step of irradiating the resin layer; a step of pressing a second mold on the resin layer within a region where the resin layer is not exposed to the rays, the second mold being composed of an active energy ray-transmitting material and having projections each having an active energy ray-shielding film at the end thereof; and a second irradiation step of irradiating a portion of the unexposed region of the resin layer.

Abstract: An economical method of manufacturing a plastic glazing panel having a decorative marking and/or opaque border printed from a UV curable ink is presented. This economical method includes the steps of forming a plastic panel; printing an opaque pattern from an ink, the pattern having an A-side and a B-side with the B-side being in contact with the plastic panel; curing the ink in the shape of the printed pattern using UV radiation directed at the ink from both the A-side and B-side; applying a weatherable layer on the A side of the pattern and on the plastic panel; curing the weatherable layer; and depositing an abrasion resistant layer onto the weatherable layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an imprint method comprises coating a photo-curable organic material on a film to be processed, bringing a concave-convex pattern of a template into contact with the photo-curable organic material, applying a force to the template in such a state that the template is brought into contact with the photo-curable organic material, curing the photo-curable organic material by irradiating light onto the photo-curable organic material, in such a state that the template is brought into contact with the photo-curable organic material, and releasing the template from the photo-curable organic material after the light irradiation. The force applied to the template corresponds to a gap between a surface of the film to be processed and the template.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing activated color regions in a web substrate where activated color regions are formed coinciding with deformed regions. The method includes providing a web substrate having an activatable colorant and producing a first activated color region therein. The web substrate is mechanically deformed to produce at least one deformed region in the first activated color region such that a second activated color region is produced coinciding with the at least one deformed region.

Abstract: Techniques for component protective overmolding include selectively applying a protective material substantially over one or more elements coupled to a framework, forming an inner molding substantially over the framework, the one or more electrical elements coupled to the framework, and the protective material. In some examples, the inner molding is formed after the protective material has been selectively applied, forming an outer molding substantially over the inner molding and the outer molding is configured to protect the framework and to provide a surface configured to receive a pattern. Further, the outer molding may be configured to be removable if a defect is found during an inspection performed after the outer molding is formed.

Abstract: Layer processing for pharmaceuticals, and related systems, methods, and articles are generally described. In some embodiments, ingestible pharmaceutical products (e.g., tablets) can be formed by processing one or more layers containing a pharmaceutically active composition. For example, at least one layer containing a pharmaceutically active composition can be manipulated (e.g., folded, rolled, stacked, etc.) such that the average thickness of the product formed by the manipulation is at least about two times the average thickness of the portions of the layer(s) used to form the product. In some embodiments, after the layer is manipulated, it can be processed (e.g., cut, coated, etc.) to form a final product such as, for example, a tablet.

Abstract: The present application relates to a full wafer nanoimprint lithography device comprises a wafer stage, a full wafer coated with a liquid resist, a demolding nozzle, a composite mold, an imprint head, a pressure passageway, a vacuum passageway and a UV light source. The present application also relates to an imprinting method using the full wafer nanoimprint lithography device comprises the following steps: 1) a pretreatment process; 2) an imprinting process; 3) a curing process; and 4) a demolding process. The device and the method can be used for high volume manufacturing photonic crystal LEDs, nano patterned sapphire substrates and the like in large scale patterning on the non-planar surface or substrate.

Abstract: A separator plate for a fuel cell is provided, including a substrate having a radiation-cured first flow field layer disposed thereon. A method for fabricating the separator plate is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate; applying a first radiation-sensitive material to the substrate; placing a first mask between a first radiation source and the first radiation-sensitive material, the first mask having a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures; and exposing the first radiation-sensitive material to a plurality of first radiation beams to form a radiation-cured first flow field layer adjacent the substrate. A fuel cell having the separator plate is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides foams of desired cell sizes formed from metal or ceramic materials that coat the surfaces of carbon foams which are subsequently removed. For example, metal is located over a sol-gel foam monolith. The metal is melted to produce a metal/sol-gel composition. The sol-gel foam monolith is removed, leaving a metal foam.

Abstract: A method capable of efficiently manufacturing a high-quality seamless belt for electrophotography is provided. The method is a method for manufacturing a seamless belt for electrophotography including a base layer having a thermoplastic resin composition, and a surface layer, wherein the method includes: (1) forming an energy curable coated film having a glass transition temperature on an outer surface of a test tube-shaped preform including a thermoplastic resin; then blow molding the preform to obtain a blow bottle; (2) irradiating the blow bottle with an energy ray to cure the coated film to thereby form the surface layer; and (3) cutting out a seamless belt from the blow bottle obtained in (2) and having a surface layer.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a reflective film formed on concave and convex marks after the concave and convex marks are synchronized with the integral multiple of a channel bit length and formed in accordance with modulated main information. Thereafter, continuous or intermittent laser light synchronized with the integral multiple of the channel bit length is irradiated at intervals longer than the longest one of the concave and convex marks in accordance with a spiral track formed in a circumferential direction of the concave and convex marks, whereby an optical characteristic of the reflective film is changed to form a recordable mark and sub-information necessary to reproduce the main information is recorded in a superimposition manner.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus for fixing a plastic sheet which fixes a plastic sheet to fabricate a nano pattern and a method of fabricating a nano pattern on a plastic sheet using the same. The apparatus for fixing a plastic sheet includes: a pair of planar metal guide rings interposingly fixing a plastic sheet from above and below, respectively; and a sheet fixing chuck including: a ring fixer sucking the pair of planar metal guide rings through a vacuum groove to be fixed thereto; and a sheet fixer having a plurality of vacuum pin holes formed therein, the vacuum pin holes sucking a bottom of the plastic sheet fixed by the planar metal guide rings. The apparatus allows fabrication of the nano pattern on the plastic sheet having less roughness than that of a semiconductor substrate or a glass substrate.

Abstract: In a method of forming fine patterns, a photocurable coating layer is formed on a substrate. A first surface of a template makes contact with the photocurable coating layer. The first surface of the template includes at least two first patterns having a first dispersion degree of sizes, and at least one portion of the first surface of the template includes a photo attenuation member. A light is irradiated onto the photocurable coating layer through the template to form a cured coating layer including second patterns having a second dispersion degree of sizes. The second patterns are generated from the first patterns and the second dispersion degree is less than the first dispersion degree. The template is separate from the cured coating layer. A size dispersion degree of the patterns used in a nanoimprint lithography process may be adjusted by the light attenuation member, so that the fine patterns may be formed to have an improved size dispersion degree.

Abstract: Materials and Methods are provided for fabricating microfluidic devices. The materials include low surface energy fluoropolymer compositions having multiple cure functional groups. The materials can include multiple photocurable and/or thermal-curable functional groups such that laminate devices can be fabricated. The materials also substantially do not swell in the presence of hydrocarbon solvents.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a reflective film formed on concave and convex marks after the concave and convex marks are synchronized with the integral multiple of a channel bit length and formed in accordance with modulated main information. Thereafter, continuous or intermittent laser light synchronized with the integral multiple of the channel bit length is irradiated at intervals longer than the longest one of the concave and convex marks in accordance with a spiral track formed in a circumferential direction of the concave and convex marks, whereby an optical characteristic of the reflective film is changed to form a recordable mark and sub-information necessary to reproduce the main information is recorded in a superimposition manner.

Abstract: A near-field exposure mask according to an embodiment includes: a silicon substrate; and a near-field light generating unit that is formed on the silicon substrate, the near-field light generating unit being a layer containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Au, Al, Ag, Cu, Cr, Sb, W, Ni, In, Ge, Sn, Pb, Zn, Pd, and C, or a film stack formed with layers made of some of those materials.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing a resin layer of a resin-coated metal tube. The resin layer is removed with a laser beam. More particularly, the resin layer of a desired range is burned out by focusing the laser beam into a pinpoint without defocusing the sectional shape of the laser beam in the axial direction o the resin-coated metal tube.

Abstract: A microstructure transferring device is characterized in that the device comprises a stamper made from a first photo-curable resin composition cured with light with a first wavelength, and a light source emitting light with a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength. The microstructure is transferred to an impression receptor supplied with a second photo-curable resin composition, which is curable with light with the second wavelength emitted by the light source.

Abstract: A decorative resin molded article includes a resin sheet having, as formed on one side thereof, convex projections made of an ink containing a UV-curable resin and a colorant, and therefore having, on that one side thereof, a design of a color pattern and a concave and convex pattern synchronizing with each other, and a resin injection-molded body as laminated and integrated on the other side of the resin sheet through injection molding of a synthetic resin thereon.

Abstract: To provide a photocurable composition from which a cured product excellent in mold release characteristics and mechanical strength can be obtained, and a method for producing a molded product excellent in durability, with a fine pattern having a reverse pattern of a mold precisely transferred on its surface. A photocurable composition 20 comprising from 15 to 60 mass % of a compound (A) which is an aromatic compound having at least two rings or an alicyclic compound having at least two rings and which has two (meth)acryloyloxy groups, from 5 to 40 mass % of a compound (B) having a fluorine atom and having at least one carbon-carbon unsaturated double bond (excluding the compound (A)), from 10 to 55 mass % of a compound (C) having one (meth)acryloyloxy group (excluding the compound (B)) and from 1 to 12 mass % of a photopolymerization initiator (D) (provided that (A)+(B)+(C)+(D)=100 mass %) is used.

Abstract: Positive and negative stamp masters derived from UV curable ink molds comprising ultraviolet (UV) curable inks and methods for digitally preparing those stamp masters. In particular, the digitally prepared molds provide a method of printing micropatterns of fine variable features or images in a more efficient manner than the methods currently available.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of manufacturing a micropatterned film are disclosed. More particularly, a method for manufacturing a master mold capable of forming a micropattern on a film applied to an exterior of a household appliance, an apparatus and a method for production of a micropatterned film using the above master mold, and appliances having such micropatterned films attached thereto are disclosed. The method for manufacturing a master mold used for forming a micropatterned film applied to an exterior of a household appliance includes, applying photoresist (110) to a surface of an STS substrate (100) and UV irradating the same through a patterned mask (140) to transfer the pattern of the mask (140) to the substrate (100), etching the STS substrate (100) to which the pattern has been transferred removing the photoresist (110) from the etched STS substrate (100), and reproducing the pattern of the STS substrate on a synthetic resin substrate (210).

Abstract: In a method of processing a substrate in accordance with an embodiment, a trench may be formed in the substrate, imprint material may be deposited at least into the trench, the imprint material in the trench may be embossed using a stamp device, and the stamp device may be removed from the trench.

Abstract: A silsesquioxane resin is applied on top of the patterned photo-resist and cured to produce a cured silsesquioxane resin on top of the pattern surface. Subsequently, an aqueous base stripper or a reactive ion etch recipe containing CF4 is used to “etch back” the silicon resin to the top of the photoresist material, exposing the entire top surface of the photoresist. Then, a second reactive ion etch recipe containing O2 to etch away the photoresist. The result is a silicon resin film with via holes with the size and shape of the post that were patterned into the photoresist. Optionally, the new pattern can be transferred into the underlying layer(s).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nanopatterned biophotonic structure includes forming a customized nanopattern mask on a substrate using E-beam lithography, providing a biopolymer matrix solution, depositing the biopolymer matrix solution on the substrate, and drying the biopolymer matrix solution to form a solidified biopolymer film. A surface of the film is formed with the nanopattern mask, or a nanopattern is machined directly on a surface of the film using E-beam lithograpy such that the biopolymer film exhibits a spectral signature corresponding to the E-beam lithograpy nanopattern. The resulting bio-compatible nanopatterned biophotonic structures may be made from silk, may be biodegradable, and may be bio-sensing devices. The biophotonic structures may employ nanopatterned masks based on non-periodic photonic lattices, and the biophotonic structures may be designed with specific spectral signatures for use in probing biological substances, including displaying optical activity in the form of opalescence.

Abstract: A pattern transfer method for filling a surface on a template having a concave-convex pattern with a resist material has contacting the template with the resist material applied on a substrate, curing the resist material while contacting the template with the resist, electrically charging the template and the resist with an identical polarity, and removing the template from the resist material while eclectically charging the template and the resist with an identical polarity.

Abstract: A process for coating a metallic surface of a metallic substrate comprising applying, an organic, anionically, cationically or radically curable anticorrosive composition, to the metallic surface, wherein said anticorrosive composition is a dispersion or solution containing at least two components that are at least partially anionically, cationically or radically curable, wherein at least one monofunctional monomer or monofunctional oliger is present, a photoinitiator, and an first organic corrosion inhibition.

Abstract: Coating compositions suitable for UV imprint lithographic applications include at least one vinyl ether crosslinker having at least two vinyl ether groups; at least one diluent comprising a monofunctional vinyl ether compound; at least one photoacid generator soluble in a selected one or both of the at least one monofunctional vinyl ether compound and the at least one vinyl ether crosslinker having the at least two vinyl ether groups; and at least one stabilizer comprising an ester compound selectively substituted with a substituent at an ester position or an alpha and the ester positions. Also disclosed are imprint processes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to stencils for high-throughput, high-resolution etching of substrates and processes of making and using the same.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an imprint lithography apparatus includes an arithmetic unit calculating a mixing ratio of a demolding agent and a resist to be contained in a pattern forming agent on a basis of a pattern size formed on a template, a mixer mixing the resist and the demolding agent, a nozzle dropping the pattern forming agent on a substrate from the mixer, and an irradiation apparatus irradiating the pattern forming agent dropped on the substrate with light after pressing the template onto the pattern forming agent.