Abstract: A system of pointillist painting comprises an automated 3-D positioning system disposed proximate a painting surface, a colorant dispenser coupled to the gantry structure and having a dispensing tip in fluid communication with a colorant chamber, the gantry structure operable to move the colorant dispensing tip to a specified position of the painting surface, where the colorant dispenser is operable to apply a specified amount of a colorant to the painting surface and creating a dot having a two-dimensional coverage and three-dimensional profile at the specified position. The colorant dispenser further comprises a piston disposed in the colorant chamber, and a push rod coupled to the piston operable to advance the piston toward the dispensing tip to exude the specified amount of colorant onto the painting surface.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a transparent conductive film including a conductive layer having different thicknesses so as to increase the optical transmittance while maintaining the conductivity of the transparent conductive film. The present invention also pertains to a process for the preparation of the above-mentioned transparent conductive film.

Abstract: A shoe platen to securely hold a shoe so that graphics, including custom graphics, can be printed on the shoe automatically. The platen comprises a shoe plate 102 configured to receive shoes such as high-top shoes or low top shoes. Adjusters 104, 106 can also be used to accommodate shoes of various styles and sizes.

Abstract: A method of depositing an imprintable medium onto a target area of a substrate for imprint lithography is disclosed. The method includes moving the substrate, a print head comprising a nozzle to eject an imprintable medium onto the substrate, or both, relative to the other in a first direction across the target area while ejecting a first series of droplets of imprintable medium onto the substrate and moving the substrate, the print head; or both, relative to the other in a second opposing direction across the target area while ejecting a second series of droplets of imprintable medium onto the substrate on or adjacent to droplets from the first series of droplets.

Abstract: A method and equipment to form a digital print by applying dry colourants on a surface, bonding a part of the colourants with a binder and removing the non-bonded colourants from the surface. Also, a method to form embossed structures. Hard press particles may be applied in patterns on a carrier that is pressed against a surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a modified surface (5) comprising: patterning a surface (7) by forming thereon a porous molecular network (9) defined by non-covalent interactions between constituent molecules; and depositing in said porous network (9) and on said patterned surface (11) molecules (13) so as to form a self-assembled monolayer (15), wherein both said patterning and said depositing are effected by contact with liquids.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wire for straightening irregular teeth, which is not harmful to a human body and preserves the color of the teeth, is provided. The method of manufacturing a wire for straightening irregular teeth includes manufacturing a metal wire with metal alloy; physically or chemically etching a surface of the metal wire and then performing heat treatment; coating the surface of the metal wire with a metal material, Teflon, epoxy or urethane to show white or ivory and then performing heat treatment; forming a transparent parylene film on the metal material, Teflon, epoxy or urethane and then performing heat treatment; and removing one side of the foregoing coating layer from the surface of the metal wire, and then applying surface treatment to the one side with the coating layer removed.

Abstract: A method of patterning a block copolymer layer, the method including: providing a substrate with a guide pattern formed on a surface thereof; forming a block copolymer layer on the substrate with the guide pattern, the block copolymer layer including a block copolymer; and directing self-assembly of the block copolymer on the substrate according to the guide pattern to form n/2 discrete domains, wherein the guide pattern includes a block copolymer patterning area having a 90-degree bending portion, and an outer apex and an inner apex of the 90-degree bending portion are each rounded, the outer apex having a first curvature radius r1and the inner apex having a second curvature radius r2, respectively, and the width of the patterning area W, the first curvature radius r1 and the second curvature radius r2, satisfy Inequation 1: 2 + 2 - ( 1 + 2 ) [ ( n + 2 ) 2 n ? ( n + 1 ) ] 1 3 ? r 1 - r 2 W ? 2 + 2 - ( 1 + 2 ) [ ( n - 2 ) 2 n ? ( n - 1 ) ]

Abstract: A package assembly document comprises a top ply and a bottom ply. The top ply has a first shipping label and a first return label. The bottom ply has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface comprises silicone and is configured for releasable attachment of each of the first shipping label and the first return label. The bottom surface has indicia printed thereon. The indicia contains a list outlining contents of a package to which the first shipping label is to be adhered to. The top ply includes a slit to separate the first shipping label from the first return label.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for applying a colored or colorless micropattern to a support, in which a) a die form (40) is prepared whose surface exhibits an arrangement of elevations (42) and depressions (44) in the form of the desired micropattern, b) the depressions (44) in the die form are filled with a curable colored or colorless lacquer (26), c) the support (20, 30) is pretreated for a good anchoring of the colored or colorless lacquer (26), d) the surface of the die form (40) is brought into contact with the support (20, 30), e) the lacquer (26) that is in contact with the support (20, 30) in the depressions in the die form (40) is cured and, in the process, joined with the support (20, 30), and f) the surface of the die form (40) is removed from the support (20, 30) again such that the cured lacquer (26) that is joined with the support (20, 30) is pulled out of the depressions (44) in the die form (40).

Abstract: A system for spray delivery of liquids comprising a motor axially coupled to one or more pistons through a wobble plate coupling. Each piston feeds an input port of a swirl chamber spray nozzle. Each piston may separately pulse the swirl chamber using a different injection point. In one embodiment, the spray nozzle, swirl chamber, feed channels and cylinder heads for the cylinders may be formed as a single integrated casting. In one embodiment, the sprayer may include an intermediate plate rotatably mounted on the wobble plate. The sprayer may include a piston cap with a flat contact with the wobble plate/intermediate plate and a spherical interface with the piston. In a further embodiment, the system may be configured for handheld application of liquids and may comprise a tank for holding the liquid, a power source and control actuator together with the spray pump and nozzle in a hand operable package.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of printing, onto a substrate (12), an array (14) of spots of reagent compositions for use in a chemical and/or biochemical analysis. The method includes displacing an array of reagent composition containing capillary tubes (22) arranged alongside one another from an inoperative position to an operative position in which open ends of the capillary tubes (22) simultaneously impinge against a substrate and thereafter displacing the array of tubes (22) from the operative position back to the inoperative position. The invention extends to a printing apparatus (10), a method of printing a layered array of spots of reagent compositions, a method of introducing reagent compositions into the tubes, a reagent introducing device for introducing reagent compositions into the tubes and a printing installation which includes the printing apparatus (10) and the reagent introducing device.

Abstract: Precoated color chips having a reference colored basecoat and at least one reference effect appearance midcoat partially covering a portion of the basecoat are used to verify the colors of multi-layer automotive coatings when they are applied to automotive components. Visual characteristics of multi-layer automotive coatings may be verified by comparing an applied colored basecoat to the corresponding reference colored basecoat of the precoated color chips, followed by comparing an applied effect appearance midcoat to the corresponding reference effect appearance midcoat of the precoated color chips. Methods of making the precoated color chips are also disclosed.

Abstract: Metallic ink compositions for use in capillary-action markers are provided. More particularly, a metallic ink composition includes an organic solvent, a metallic pigment, and a resin component.

Abstract: A hybrid patterning apparatus and system for producing thin films on demand from customized patterns is disclosed. The apparatus includes a slot die body integrated with inkjet actuators. The hybrid patterning apparatus may be used in a method of preparing patterned thin film materials.

Abstract: A metal nanoparticle composition includes an organic-stabilized metal nanoparticle and a solvent in which the solvent selected has the following Hansen solubility parameters: a dispersion parameter of about 16 MPa0.5 or more, and a sum of a polarity parameter and a hydrogen bonding parameter of about 8.0 MPa0.5 or less. The metal nanoparticle composition is suitable for printing conductive lines that are uniform, smooth and narrow on various substrate surfaces. The metal nanoparticle composition is able to form printed conductive features having a coffee ring effect ratio of about 1.2 to about 0.8, a surface roughness of about 15 or less and a line width of about 200 microns or less.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling printed ink horizontal cross-sectional areas using fluoropolymer templates. The method initially forms a fluoropolymer template overlying a substrate. The fluoropolymer template has a horizontal first cross-sectional dimension. Then, a primary ink is printed overlying the fluoropolymer template having a horizontal second cross-sectional dimension less than the first cross-sectional dimension. In the case of a fluoropolymer line having a template length greater than a template width, where the template width is the first cross-sectional dimension, printing the primary ink entails printing a primary ink line having an ink length greater than an ink width, where the ink width is the second cross-sectional dimension. In one aspect, the method prints a plurality of primary ink layers, each primary ink layer having an ink width less than the template width. Each overlying primary ink layer can be printed prior to solvents in underlying primary ink layers evaporating.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system comprising a platen assembly configured to restrain and release a film, a head gantry configured to retain a print head for printing a three-dimensional part on the restrained film, and a removal assembly configured to draw the film having the printed three-dimensional part from the platen assembly and to cut the drawn film.

Abstract: Described is a chiral liquid crystal polymer (CLCP) layer or pattern which comprises randomly distributed craters of controlled mean diameter and/or density. The density and/or mean diameter of the craters can be controlled, for example, by adjusting the wetting of a substrate by a CLCP precursor composition, the development time of the precursor composition, and the thickness of the applied precursor composition.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system comprising a platen assembly configured to restrain and release a film or substrate, a head gantry configured to retain a print head for printing a three-dimensional part on the restrained film or substrate. The additive manufacturing system may also include a removal assembly configured to draw the film having the printed three-dimensional part from the platen assembly and to cut the drawn film.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe methods and systems for evaluating thermochromic material processing conditions. A plurality of site-isolated regions on at least one substrate are designated. A first thermochromic material is formed on a first of the plurality of site-isolated regions on the at least one substrate with a first set of processing conditions. A second thermochromic material is formed on a second of the plurality of site-isolated regions on the at least one substrate with a second set of processing conditions. The second set of processing conditions is different than the first set of processing conditions.

Abstract: Methods are generally disclosed for forming and using a release sheet. To form the release sheet, a release coating is applied over a first surface of a base sheet. Generally, the release coating includes a fatty alcohol ester of acrylic acid and a curable monomer, and can also include a curable polymeric resin. Then, the release coating can be cured. In one particular embodiment, the release coating can be substantially free from siloxanes. The release sheet formed according to this method is also generally provided, along with methods of forming a casting sheet using the release sheet are also generally provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a waterborne composition comprising of a water-based polyurethane, water, and colorant which can be used as a printing ink for non-woven articles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for patterning a nanomaterial using solution evaporation. More particularly, the method for patterning a nanomaterial using solution evaporation includes; coating the nanomaterial with a polymer material and uniformly dispersing the coated nanomaterial in a solvent to prepare a solution containing the nanomaterial, and pouring the nanomaterial-containing solution on a substrate, enabling the nanomaterial to be patterned after evaporation of the solvent.

Abstract: An artificial fingerprinting solution that includes a heated blend of glyceryl trioleate and artificial sebum configured to approximate the fingerprint oil of a human. The artificial fingerprinting solution may also be included in a kit that also includes an artificial fingerprint stamp that has an artificial fingerprint transfer member that imitates a human fingerprint and is capable of receiving and holding at least a portion of the artificial fingerprint solution when the artificial fingerprinting transfer member contacts the artificial fingerprint solution.

Abstract: A golf tee having a contact alert coating provides a novel training aid that is economical, compact, and encourages proper golfing form. The golf tee has a golf tee body with a top plate, top wall and side walls. The top plate is fixedly attached to a shaft which terminates into a point that is inserted into a ground surface when a ball is placed on the top plate. A contact alert coating is coated on at least an upper portion of the golf tee body. The contact alert coating is composed of a material that will generate an alert when a golf club head strikes the ball and strikes the contact alert coating of the golf tee at the coating/golf tee interface. Preferably, the material is a spark inducing composition and/or a sound generating composition.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference shield is disclosed. The electromagnetic interference shield includes an optically transparent substrate and a metallic coating on the optically transparent substrate. The metal coating is characterized by a plurality of apertures aligned in a pattern that is defined by a deterministic relation. Distances between each of the plurality of apertures and an observation point in an associated image plane are uncorrelated.

Abstract: A coating and developing system includes a cassette station, a processing station and an inspection station interposed between the cassette station and the processing station. Time for which a substrate is held uselessly in the inspection module is reduced. A substrate carrying means disposed in the inspection module places priority to transferring a substrate between the cassette station and the processing station, and transfers a substrate to an inspection module in a part of a cycle time in which a substrate carrying means disposed in the processing station carries out one carrying cycle. It is permitted to carry out a substrate from the inspection module in a skip carrying mode, in which a substrate specified by a larger ordinal numeral is carried ahead of a substrate specified by a smaller ordinal numeral. It is inhibited to carry a substrate to the inspection module in the skip carrying mode.

Abstract: Cyclodextrin compositions, including a hydrophobic carrier and a cyclodextrin complex, are formed and disposed on a variety of substrates using conditions that avoid substantial loss of the complexed compound from the cyclodextrin complex, even where the complexed compound is a gas a common ambient temperatures (e.g. 20° C.). Flexographic printing is particularly useful for disposing the cyclodextrin compositions on one or more substrates. Substrates treated with the cyclodextrin complexes are useful for subsequent release of the complexed compound.

Abstract: Economical heavy concrete weight coating is used as a weight coating for submarine pipes. The developed economical heavy concrete weight includes steel slag and iron ore as aggregate. Steel slag can contain iron and thus have a higher density than some other types of slag. By supplementing the steel slag with iron ore as aggregate, the economical heavy concrete weight coating can have a higher density than a coating having just slag. Economical heavy concrete weight coating can have a density greater than 190 pcf.

Abstract: Provided is a heating article comprising a substrate having two opposite surfaces, a heat-stable coating comprising at least one base layer comprising at least one heat-stable binder, said base layer being arranged on one of the surfaces of the substrate, and one microstructured surface layer comprising a heat-stable binder of the same chemical nature as that of the base layer. The microstructured layer partly or fully covers the base layer and is sintered integrally to it. The microstructured surface layer has a relief with patterns comprised of local variations in its surface level, said relief having a regularity in average pitch Ar with a variation SAr which is not more than 10% higher or lower than the value of said average pitch Ar. A method of manufacturing such an article is also provided.

Abstract: The oscillating tube (10) includes a first end (12), an opposed second end (16), and a fluid conduit (18) defined by the tube extending between the opposed ends (12, 16). A segmented damping coating (20) covers in intimate contact a covered or coated portion (22) of the tube (10) so that the coated portion (22) of the tube includes at least about ten percent of an axial length of the tube and an uncoated portion (34, 36) that is not covered by the segmented damping coating (22) includes greater than about ten percent of an axial length of the tube (10). The segmented damping coating (20) may include polymers, polytetrafluoroethylene, single composition polymers, ceramic fibers, polymer fibers, reinforced polymer fibers including a polytetrafluoroethylene, ceramics, including monolithic and matrix ceramics, thermoplastics, carbon/graphic materials, silicon materials, metal rings or clamps, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger wall that bounds a passage. A coating lines the heat exchanger wall. The coating has a thickness that varies according to location on the heat exchanger wall.

Abstract: An article having a nanostructured surface and a method of making the same are described. The article can include a substrate and a nanostructured layer bonded to the substrate. The nanostructured layer can include a plurality of spaced apart nanostructured features comprising a contiguous, protrusive material and the nanostructured features can be sufficiently small that the nanostructured layer is optically transparent. A surface of the nanostructured features can be coated with a continuous hydrophobic coating. The method can include providing a substrate; depositing a film on the substrate; decomposing the film to form a decomposed film; and etching the decomposed film to form the nanostructured layer.

Abstract: A component is disclosed. The component comprises a substrate comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, where the inner surface defines at least one hollow, interior space, where the outer surface defines one or more grooves, and where each of the one or more grooves extends at least partially along the surface of the substrate and has a base. One or more access holes extend through the base of a respective groove to place the groove in fluid communication with respective ones of the at least one hollow interior space. The component further comprises a coating disposed over at least a portion of the substrate surface, where the coating comprises one or more layers. At least one of the layers defines one or more permeable slots, such that the respective layer does not completely bridge each of the one or more grooves. The grooves and the coating together define one or more channels for cooling the component.

Abstract: A method of leveling a polymer pen array includes contacting a pen array with a surface and measuring a total force exerted on the surface by the pen array, the pen array being disposed at a first angle with respect to a first axis of the surface and a second angle with respect to a second axis of the surface; tilting one or both of the pen array and the surface to vary the first and second angles of the pen array with respect to the surface; measuring the total force exerted by the tilted pen array on the surface; and repeating the tilting and measuring steps until a global maximum of the total force exerted on the surface by the pen array is measured, thereby determining first and second angles which correspond to a leveled position of the pen array with respect to the surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the methods and apparatuses herein involve applying fluids onto an advancing substrate. The apparatuses and methods herein may provide for the application of viscous fluids, such as adhesives, in pre-determined patterns to an advancing substrate. The fluid application apparatus may include a slot die applicator and a substrate carrier. The slot die applicator may include a slot opening, a first lip, and a second lip, the slot opening located between the first lip and the second lip. And the substrate carrier may be adapted to advance the substrate past the slot die applicator as the slot die applicator discharges adhesive onto the substrate. In operation, when a first surface of the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier, the substrate carrier advances a second surface of the substrate past the slot opening of the slot die applicator.

Abstract: Porous organic polymeric films having multiple discrete cavities can be prepared using an water-in-oil emulsion that includes a cavity stabilizing hydrocolloid on the inner walls of the multiple discrete cavities. The multiple discrete cavities can also include organic catalytic materials for various catalytic reactions, markers materials for security applications, or the multiple discrete cavities can be used to increase opacity, hydrophobicity, or other desirable properties compared to nonporous organic polymeric films composed of the composition and dry thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for coating paper wrapper for smoking articles, which comprises a combination of gum arabic, preferably between 40% and 95% by weight with respect to the total dry material weight of the composition, and a filler that comprises calcium carbonate, preferably in an amount of at least 5% by weight with respect to the dry material weight of the composition, alone or in combination with other substances such as, for example, kaolin, calcium sulphate, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof, and to the use thereof for producing a paper wrapper for smoking articles.

Abstract: Ink composition for continuous deflected jet printing, that is liquid at ambient temperature, comprising a solvent containing less than 0.5% by weight of water and less than 0.5% by weight of alcohols relative to the total weight of the ink composition; one or more dye(s) and/or pigment(s) that is (are) insoluble in water, and in mixtures of water and of at least one alcohol; and a binder, comprising at least 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the binder, of at least one binder resin capable of being obtained by reaction between at least one alkoxysilane and at least one hydroxyaromatic resin.

Abstract: A method of depositing material onto a base portion of a wafer is disclosed. The method includes forming a bevel into a portion of a surface of the base portion of the wafer and depositing a first layer of conductive material onto the beveled portion of the base portion so that part of the first layer includes a wedge shape above the surface of the base portion. A second layer of conductive material is deposited onto the base portion including the portion of the base portion onto which the first layer of material is deposited.

Abstract: A mixture comprising an expandable graphite and a polymer resin is described wherein the polymer resin-expandable graphite mixture has a volume increase and structural integrity after exposure to heat. Methods are described for increasing the thermal protective performance (TPP) of textiles and laminates while optionally maintaining comfort, flexibility, and liquid protective properties.

Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating of polyalkylene oxide and biguanide compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and a biguanide-type compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more biguanide functional groups.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming topographical features. In one method, a pre-patterned structure is provided which comprises i) a support member having a surface and ii) an element for topographically guiding segregation of a polymer mixture including a first polymer and a second polymer, the element comprising a feature having a sidewall adjoined to the surface. The polymer mixture is disposed on the pre-patterned structure, wherein the disposed polymer mixture has contact with the sidewall and the surface. The first polymer and the second polymer are segregated in a plane parallel to the surface, thereby forming a segregated structure comprising a first polymer domain and a second polymer domain.

Abstract: A consumable material for use in an additive manufacturing system, the consumable filament comprising a polyamide blend of at least one semi-crystalline polyamide, and at least one amorphous polyamide that is substantially miscible with the at least one semi-crystalline polyamide, and a physical geometry configured to be received by the additive manufacturing system for printing a three-dimensional part from the consumable material in a layer-by-layer manner using an additive manufacturing technique. The consumable material is preferably capable of printing three-dimensional parts having good part strengths and ductilities, and low curl.

Abstract: An article for culturing cells includes (i) a substrate having a surface; (ii) a plurality of pillars extending from the surface of the substrate; and (iii) a polymeric coating disposed on the surface of the substrate between the pillars, forming a plurality of mini-menisci on the surface of the substrate between the plurality of pillars. The mini-menisci may have diameters of from about 20 to about 250 micrometers. The plurality of pillars are spaced apart from one another in a manner to encourage cell growth on the mini-menisci rather than the on top of the pillars. Such articles may effectively address issues associated with the meniscus effect on a global scale.

Abstract: Polymer Pen Lithography materials that retain the simplicity characteristic for the fabrication of poly(dimethyl siloxane) tip arrays while preserving the control over feature dimensions and to understand the role of the mechanical properties of the different materials on Polymer Pen Lithography printing.

Abstract: Provided is a production method of a metallic decorative sheet capable of preventing from getting detached at edge portions. The production method of a metallic decorative sheet for insert molding comprises steps of forming a metal thin-film layer 12 on a back surface of a transparent thermoplastic resin film 11; removing a first region J for displaying a non-metallic design on an outer surface of the thermoplastic resin film 11 and a second region K which is at least a part of edge region of the thermoplastic resin film 11 from the metal thin-film layer 12; and laminating an ink layer 14 on at least the metal thin-film layer 12 and the second region K.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an endoluminal implantable surface, stent, or graft includes the steps of providing an endoluminal implantable surface, stent, or graft having an inner wall surface, an outer wall surface, and a wall thickness and forming a pattern design into the endoluminal implantable surface, stent, or graft. At least one groove is created in the inner surface of the intravascular stent by applying a laser machining method to the inner surface.

Abstract: Provided are method and apparatus to nanoposition ink, the apparatus including: a substrate; a pattern index; an atomic force microscope (AMF) tip configured to form a pattern on the pattern index; a first ink reservoir including a first ink; a second ink reservoir including a second ink; a first cleaning portion configured to remove the first ink from the AMF tip; a second washing portion configured to remove the second ink from the AMF tip; a position determining portion configured to interact with the AMF tip; an electrode connection portion configured to apply a voltage to the position determining portion, in order to determine a position of the AMF tip when the AMF tip interacts with the position determining portion. The AMF tip is configured to configured to interact with the position determining portion, prior to forming the pattern using the first and second inks.