Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating a catalyst support body, which comprises: providing the catalyst support body as well as slurry located within a pan; introducing an open input end of the catalyst support body into the slurry; and, subsequently, directing an amount of the slurry though the input end and into the inside of the catalyst support body. At least a part of the circumference of the input end is covered with an impermeable sealing element while slurry is directed through the open end. In this way, contact between slurry and a circumferential outer surface of the catalyst support body is prevented and slurry is provided through the open end to an inner surface of the catalyst support body. Further, the invention relates to a loading platform for carrying out the method. The inventive assembly comprises a loading platform adapted for releasably holding a catalyst support body, and a cover mechanism having a sealing holder and a ring shaped sealing element attached to the sealing holder.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an electrode catalyst layer includes: containing a conductive carrier on which a catalyst is supported, a substrate, an electrolyte resin and a supercritical fluid inside a closed container (S102 to S106); and cooling the substrate to form an electrode catalyst layer, having the conductive carrier on which the catalyst is supported and the electrolyte resin, on the substrate (S 108).

Abstract: A radiation source having a nozzle configured to direct a stream of fuel droplets along a trajectory towards a plasma formation location, a laser configured to direct laser radiation at the fuel droplets at the plasma formation location to generate, in use, a radiation generating plasma. The nozzle has an internal surface that is configured to prevent contamination present in fuel used to form the fuel droplets from being deposited on that internal surface.

Abstract: Cushioning elements include a porous foam comprising a series of interconnected cell walls and an elastomeric material formed over at least a portion of the interconnected cell walls. The porous foam is configured to allow gases to pass through at least a portion thereof. Methods of forming cushioning elements may include coating interconnected cell walls of a breathable porous foam with a liquid comprising an elastomeric material, solidifying at least a portion of the elastomeric material, and providing a gas path through the elastomeric material. Other methods include pressing sheets of foam together at a pinch point, disposing a liquid between the foam over the pinch point, coating the foam with the liquid, and separating the sheets beyond the pinch point. Some methods include consolidating a plurality of portions of porous foam into a continuous cushioning material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a substrate with a volatile liquid, crop-preservative formulation, wherein said substrate is in proximity to a crop to be treated by the vapor from said formulation, is disclosed. The substrate is most conveniently a portion of a container in which said crop is stored or shipped. The apparatus and method are adapted to place predetermined quantities of said formulation upon a desired substrate.

Abstract: A method of reducing magnetite formation in the bore of a pipe including the steps of selecting a pipe with a pre-existing oxide layer on its inner bore surface and coating the pre-existing oxide layer with an oxidation resistant metal to thereby reduce magnetite formation in the bore of the pipe.

Abstract: A fluid tank for micro-fluid ejection devices is provided. The fluid tank includes housing with an interior surface coating. The interior surface coating has a highly hydrophobic to super hydrophobic surface with water contact angle of greater than about 120° and surface energy of less than about 20 mJ/m2. The interior surface coating includes nanoparticles and hydrophobic materials. The fluid tank is suitable as ink container having ink level measurement system, and allows an accurate and quickly responsive ink level measurement system.

Abstract: A masking method used in a surface treating process is disclosed. The masking method includes the following steps: preparing paint, coating the paint on inner surfaces of a hole in a workpiece, and curing the paint, thereby forming a protection coating layer on the inner surfaces of the hole to protect the inner surfaces of the hole during a surface treatment process. The paint is resistant to the surface treatment process, and includes resin and solvent. A surface tension of the paint is smaller than or equal to 22 mN/m.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal-resin composite includes a coating step, an assembling step, and a heating step. The coating step coats at least part of the outer periphery of a solid metal first member with a foaming resin and a non-foaming resin. The assembling step disposes the first member within a hollow metal second member. The heating step heats an assembly of the second member within which the first member coated with the foaming resin and the non-foaming resin with the axes of the first member and the second member extending in the horizontal direction, and thus foams the foaming resin between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for painting, which might be used to paint the soil in a golf hole are provided. A spraying device can comprise a first masking apparatus, a second masking apparatus coupled to the first and a paint dispersing device, between the first and second masking apparatus. The paint may disperse from a single nozzle that can include multiple individual exit points for the spray. In another embodiment, the single nozzle includes an exit point and a flat or curved plate to direct the spray. Alternatively, the paint dispersing apparatus may comprise multiple nozzles. The nozzles may be provided with paint using tubes connecting from a paint source, such as an aerosol paint can, to each nozzle. The first masking apparatus can be a golf cup mask and the second masking apparatus can be a putting green mask.

Abstract: A method for filling cooling holes in a component of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The component may include a plurality of first cooling holes extending through the wall of the component. The method may comprise the steps of exposing the outer surface of the component, filling the plurality of first cooling holes with a polyimide, curing the polyimide to block the passage of cooling fluid through the plurality of first cooling holes, and applying a thermal bather coating over the outer surface of the component. The method may further include the step of installing a second plurality of cooling holes in the wall of the component wherein the plurality of second cooling holes penetrate the thermal barrier coating and the wall of the component and allow cooling fluid to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An aqueous solution containing a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant and a method of applying an aqueous solution containing a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant to a channel are presented. The aqueous solution includes a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant and may also include a blocking agent. The method includes providing an aqueous solution containing a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant, and applying the aqueous solution to the channel having the hydrophobic surfaces. The organosilicone surfactant is used to reduce surface tensions of the solution on the hydrophobic channel. The organosilicone surfactant is combined with the blocking agent for preventing an interaction between the surface of the channel and a component in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: Processes for hydrophobically coating a pipette tip by wetting at least regions of the outside and inside of the pipette by with a wetting solution are disclosed. Such a process may include coupling the pipette tip to a fluid pressure source having variable fluid pressure, immersing the coupled pipette tip in the wetting solution, aspirating wetting solution into the pipette tip, dispensing the aspirated wetting solution, and evaporating solvent contained in the wetting solution.

Abstract: Techniques comprising systems and methods for forming or pattering microstructures using microfluidics are described. A target structure can include a microchannel passage with a chamber into which a light hardenable material can be injected and selectively exposed to light to adhere to a desired location of a substrate. Unhardened material can be washed out of the chamber. One or more subsequent cycles can repeat the process using the same or a different material. A variety of composite microstructures can be created, including structures encapsulating viable living cells, such as for cell study or tissue engineering.

Abstract: There is provided a stator that can ensure safe rotation even if a width of a gap between a screw rotor and a stator is particularly smaller than that of a conventional one and can greatly increase a pumping performance of a pump. A stator of the present invention is formed of a metal and a PFA film is provided on an inner wall surface of a top end surface of a screw rotor. After coating the inner wall surface with PFA, followed by melting and remelting processes, the PFA film is formed to have a high smoothness. The stator is placed with a gap between the inner wall surface and the top end surface. If the PFA film of the present invention is provided in a predetermined manner, the width of the gap can be made significantly smaller than that of a conventional one.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising a solvated aromatic amine and a liquid carrier, wherein said solvated aromatic amine is the reaction product of an aromatic amine and at least one of any anhydride, an isocyanate or an acid in the liquid carrier. The present invention also provides a method of preparing a composition comprising a solvated aromatic amine and a liquid carrier, said method comprising the steps of providing a reaction mixture comprising: a) an aromatic amine; b) at least one of an anhydride, an isocyanate or an acid; and c) a liquid carrier; and heating the reaction mixture at an elevated temperature to provide the solvated aromatic amine in the liquid carriers. The present invention further provides the use of the compositions for the preparation of the curable compounds and for gasoline resistant coatings.

Abstract: The composition applied to the refractory structure has a magnesia-based refractory material, calcia source and a binder. After application of the refractory material to a refractory structure and upon application of heat to the applied refractory material a matrix is formed which protects against penetration of the slag into the refractory material. The resulting refractory material has improved hot strength, slag resistance and durability.

Abstract: A coating method for coating a crucible and a quartz crucible for growing a silicon crystal are provided. In the coating method, a bubble-free quartz layer which is 80 ?m to 4 mm thick is formed on an inner surface of a crucible for growing a silicon crystal, and the surface of the bubble-free quartz layer is covered with alkaline earth hydroxide, following which heating is performed to a temperature at which the surface becomes devitrified. The surface may be covered by immersing the inner surface in a solution of the alkaline earth hydroxide. The heating may be performed before the crucible for growing silicon crystal is filled with a solid raw material to be melted.

Abstract: A method of selectively modifying a structure including preparing a structure including a nano-sized through-pore, filling the nano-sized through-pore with a surfactant, removing a portion of the surfactant from both ends of the nano-sized through-pore to expose a portion of an internal surface of the nano-sized through-pore, modifying the exposed internal surface of the nano-sized through-pore with a first compound, removing the surfactant from the nano-sized through-pore having the internal surface modified with the first compound to expose an internal surface that remains unmodified with the first compound, and modifying with a second compound the exposed internal surface without being modified with the first compound, the second compound being different from the first compound.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement layers of metallic glass-based materials. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a layer of metallic glass includes: applying a coating layer of liquid phase metallic glass to an object, the coating layer being applied in a sufficient quantity such that the surface tension of the liquid phase metallic glass causes the coating layer to have a smooth surface; where the metallic glass has a critical cooling rate less than 1000 K/s; and cooling the coating layer of liquid phase metallic glass to form a layer of solid phase metallic glass.

Abstract: A construction element for a plant for capture of an acidic gas using an aqueous amine absorbent, wherein at least a part of a surface of said element comprises a polyolefin, and a hydrolytically stable antioxidant, is described. Additionally, a liner comprising said polyolefin and the hydrolytically stable antioxidant, is described. The construction element may be a column, a pipe, an insert, like a column packing element or a tray. An apparatus for capturing CO2 using the construction elements, is also described.

Abstract: An inflatable ear piece is used in a hearing aid. The inflatable ear piece defines an inflatable part, which defines an inflatable cavity. The inflatable cavity, when inflated, defines an inflated state in which the inflatable part abuts an inner wall of an auditory canal when provided therein, and, when deflated to a deflated state, allows for insertion and/or retraction of the ear piece from the auditory canal. The inflatable ear piece comprises one or more biasing means that are arranged to bias the inflatable part away from a totally collapsed state and into the deflated state. The biasing means is secured to an inner wall of the inflatable cavity.

Abstract: A liner includes a rubber liner portion, and a polyurethane liner portion disposed on a surface of the rubber liner portion. The rubber polyurethane liner can be applied to cover surfaces of process support elements used to transport or handle process material such as tar sand slurry. The rubber polyurethane liner increases the effectiveness and operating lifetimes of such process support elements.

Abstract: A method of enhancing corrosion resistance of a hollow vessel. The method includes providing a hollow vessel including a wall defining a cavity, providing a coating tank filled with a liquid coating having charged coating elements, submerging the hollow vessel into the liquid coating, allowing the liquid coating to pass into the cavity through at least one aperture of the wall, coating the exterior surface of the wall with a portion of the coating elements, coating the interior surface of the wall with an additional portion of the coating elements, removing the hollow vessel from the coating tank, draining the liquid coating from the cavity, heating the hollow vessel in an oven, and curing the portion of the coating elements on the exterior surface and curing the additional portion of the coating elements on the interior surface.

Abstract: An apparatus including a pouch and a valve stem. The pouch can include a sealant. The valve stem can be fluidly coupled to the pouch.

Abstract: A coating for reducing interaction between a surface and the environment around the surface includes an alkali silicate glass material configured to protect the surface from environmental corrosion due to water or moisture. The alkali silicate glass material is doped with a first element to affect various forms of radiation passing through the coating. The electromagnetic radiation is at least one of ultraviolet, x-ray, atomic (gamma, alpha, beta), and electromagnetic or radio wave radiation. The coating may also be used to protect a solar cell from the environment and UV rays while retransmitting received light as usable light for conversion into electrical energy. The coating may also be used to prevent whisker formation in metal finishes of tin, cadmium, zinc, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for coating fluidic channels, particularly millifluidic channels, with a catalyst coating having controlled dimensions and morphology, and methods for preparing such channels, and devices that can be used in combination with the channels. The invention further provides portable, hand-held millifluidic devices applicable for a wide variety of uses including molecular reduction reactions, in situ material characterization, in situ reaction catalysis characterization, in situ reaction mechanism characterization, nanomaterial synthesis, nanostructured metal and metal oxide growth and coating of channels, continuous flow cell culturing, enzymatic catalysis, biomolecular catalysis, combinatorial chemistry, reactions involving homogeneous catalysts bound to channel walls, peptide synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, biofunctionalization of nanomaterials or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vessel, in particular a pipe, especially an oil pipe, having a preformed film adhered onto the interior surface of the pipe, the interior surface of the preformed film reducing the deposition of at least one of asphaltenes, paraffin wax, and inorganic scale by at least 40% as compared to the interior surface of said oil pipe without said preformed film being present. In a preferred embodiment, the preformed film is adhered to the interior surface of the pipe with a primer layer with an optional barrier layer between the primer layer and the preformed film.

Abstract: An epoxy resin is provided that includes a diglycidyl ether of a substituted cycloaliphatic diol or bis-thiol, and a thermoset epoxy polymer is provided employing the same. The epoxy resin is bisphenol A free, and capable of forming thermoset epoxy polymers with fewer associated health and environmental concerns than conventional epoxies based on phenolic compounds.

Abstract: Stable zero-valent metal compositions and methods of making and using these compositions are provided. Such compositions are useful as catalysts for subsequent metallization of non-conductive substrates, and are particularly useful in the manufacture of electronic devices.

Abstract: The invention is the use of low boiling point, low vapor pressure blowing agents with froth polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams to fill cavity voids when compared to higher vapor pressure or more ozone-depleting blowing agents.

Abstract: A method of making an antifouling article includes providing a mold having a mold cavity and a mold surface for defining an article. The method also includes applying a mold release material to the mold surface. The method further includes coating the mold surface with a plurality of metallic powder particles comprising an antifouling agent. Still further, the method includes filling the mold with a curable polymeric material. Yet further, the method includes curing the polymeric material and forming an article having a surface defined by the mold surface, the surface of the article having the plurality of metallic powder particles disposed thereon and comprising an antifouling coating.

Abstract: Methods are presented for applying a coating material to the particle collecting regions and surfaces of the stages of a cascade impactor after the impactor is assembled for use. The methods comprise generation of a multimodal droplet aerosol of liquid coating material and delivering it into the impactor. The modes of coating droplet aerosol are selected to produce droplets that span the range of cutoff diameters for the stages of the cascade impactor. The coating substance improves the trapping of particles on the stages. The methods limit the total amount of coating material applied and confine it to the regions of particle impact opposite the stage orifices, thereby reducing the possibility of chemical interference when analyzing a test aerosol.

Abstract: The invention relates to microscopic structures and methods of making and using the structures. A method of forming a microscopic structure of a material includes obtaining a solution (310) containing the material, establishing a flowing stream of the solution (310) in a capillary (104), wherein the capillary (104) has an inner dimension that is smaller than about 300 micrometers, and maintaining the stream until a layer is built up along an inner wall of the capillary (104) from material deposited from the flowing stream, thereby forming a microscopic structure.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a catalytic converter component, a ceramic unit is used that has been prepared by extruding green ceramic product through a die to form an extrusion having a honeycomb substrate structure in which tubular passages extend along the extrusion, the passages bounded by walls dividing adjacent passages from one another. The unit is obtained by cutting off a length of the extrusion and curing and firing it. The process further comprises flowing insulation material as by injecting mastic insulation from one end of the unit into selected ones of the elongate passages to fill the selected passages throughout their length, the insulating material then being cured. The passages are selected so that the cured insulation material forms an internal thermal insulating barrier between a core zone of the unit and a radially outer zone of the unit.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method and an apparatus for the automated fabrication of a molecular layer made from amphiphilic molecules, in particular lipids for a lipid bilayer membrane, in the apparatus, which has a support substrate for supporting the molecular layer, a rotation element, which can be rotated on top of the support substrate, and an actuator device, by means of which the rotation element can be automatically rotated, wherein the rotation element has an outer surface, which is formed hydrophobic at least in sections, the method having the following steps: placing a first solvent, which contains amphiphilic molecules, in a region above the support substrate; causing the automatic rotation of the rotation element above the support substrate; moving the first solvent between the support substrate and the rotation element by the interaction of the rotating rotation element with the first solvent, thus forming the molecular layer.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method of making a coating composition, the method comprising: contacting a first material comprising at least one first alloy comprising at least a first element and a second element with an interior surface of a second hollow material comprising at least one ferrous second alloy to form a preform; and heating at least a portion of the preform to promote intermixing of at least some of the first material and the second material to form the coating composition.

Abstract: A method of processing a component having a capillary passage, particularly a sample testing device for tests involving capillary flow, comprises passing a treatment fluid through the passage to leave a surface coating on the internal surface of the passage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent.

Abstract: Methods of coating surfaces of a (e.g. drinking water) pipeline and pigments dispersions are described. The coating composition of the method and pigment dispersion comprise one or more alkyl phenyl ester compounds wherein the alkyl group comprises at least 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A plasma coating system includes at least one coating station with a first side and a second side defining a pathway with at least one bend. The coating station also includes a first plasma arc that provides a plasma jet directed towards a substrate. The first plasma arc is positioned on either the first side or the second side of the bend.

Abstract: Two-part coating compositions are described comprising an aliphatic cyclic secondary amine and methods of coating surfaces of a (e.g. drinking water) pipeline.

Abstract: A tube-shaped assembly, a tube-shaped part and an associated method of manufacturing the same are provided. In regards to a method, a glass or plastic tube is provided that has a maskant positioned upon an interior region of the tube to define a window. The method also includes coating an interior surface of the tube with a tinted anti-splinter material having a dye or pigment mixed therein. The method also includes curing the tinted anti-splinter material and removing the maskant such that the interior region is free of the tinted anti-splinter material. A tube-shaped part is also provided that includes a glass or plastic tube and a maskant positioned upon an interior region of the tube to define a window. The tube-shaped part also includes a tinted anti-splinter material having a dye or pigment mixed therein.

Abstract: A cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine includes a liner body defining a longitudinal axis coated with a coating on the interior surface of the liner body that varies in thickness along the longitudinal axis. The coating on the interior surface is thicker in a region of the interior surface corresponding to a top dead center or a bottom dead center of a piston.

Abstract: Disclosed are sulfur-containing polymers containing copolymerizable adhesion promoters and compositions including sealant compositions useful in aerospace applications comprising sulfur-containing polymers containing copolymerizable adhesion promoters. In particular, polythioethers and polysulfides incorporating copolymerizable adhesion promoters are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel cylinder passivation procedures to increase the room temperature stability of gaseous tin deuteride (SnD4) are described. Incorporation of specific organic-containing materials, which when applied onto surfaces of a vessel and/or conduit extending therefrom, can increase the shelf life stability of thermodynamically unstable gases stored within such pretreated vessels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polyether-amido-amine corn-pound, obtainable by a two-step reaction of a poly-etheramine with an alkyl acrylate and a polyalkyle-neimine, whereas the polyetheramine and the polyalkyleneimine have at least one primary or secondary amine group, in which the first step comprises the reaction of the polyetheramine with the alkyl acrylate and the second step comprises the reaction of the polyalkyleneimine with the product of the first step. The invention also relates to a method for synthesising a polyether-amido-amine compound by a two-step-reaction. Another object of this invention is a curable composition containing at least one polyether-amido-amine-compound of this invention and a method for coating the surface of a substrate or for binding at least two substrates together using such a curable composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing gas hydrate adhesion to the interior surface of a conduit and associated equipment transporting or processing a fluid stream in oil and gas exploration and production, petroleum refining and/or petrochemistry, by providing the conduit interior surface with a coating layer exhibiting a static contact angle of the sessile water drop on the coating layer in air higher than 75° at ambient air conditions, as measured according to ASTM D7334-08, wherein said coating layer comprises diamond like carbon (DLC) comprising fractions of one or more components selected from the group consisting of silicon (Si), oxygen (O) and fluor (F).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a getter device (1), wherein a getter material (3) is introduced into a container (2) and the getter material (3) is heated to a temperature under reduced pressure so that getter material (3) is deposited on an inside of the container (2). In order to be able to provide a getter device (1) in a short time that has a high getter capacity, it is provided according to the invention that during a deposition of getter material (3), the container (2) is moved relative to a zone (4) in which the container (2) is cooled.

Abstract: A low friction coating for an internal combustion engine and a method of forming a low friction surface on at least one of the engine's friction-sensitive components. In one form, a solid lubricant precursor additive is combined with motor oil such that upon work being performed on the combination by adjacently-interacting engine components, the solid lubricant tribochemically reacts to form a friction-reducing coating or film. In one preferred form, the coating or film is triboformed on a cylinder bore or a liner configured to fit within the bore. The reciprocating movement between the cylinder or liner and a piston and/or piston rings promotes in-situ formation of the layer after the engine has already been manufactured rather than during engine fabrication or assembly.