Abstract: The present invention relates to a vanadium oxide thin film pattern which is fabricated by using APTS (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, H2NC3H5Si(OCH3)3) or the like to prepare an APTS-SAM or the like on the surface of a substrate, irradiating this APTS-SAM with vacuum ultraviolet light through a photomask to thereby modify amino-terminal silanes into silanol groups in the exposed area, and then depositing vanadium oxide in a liquid phase using a patterned self-assembled monolayer having the amino-terminated silane surface and silanol group surface as a template for patterning the vanadium oxide, to a method of fabricating the same, and to a vanadium oxide device.

Abstract: The invention provides a transferring apparatus for a flexible electronic device and method for fabricating a flexible electronic device. The transferring apparatus for the flexible electronic device includes a carrier substrate. A release layer is disposed on the carrier substrate. An adhesion layer is disposed on a portion of the carrier substrate, surrounding the release layer and adjacent to a sidewall of the release layer. A flexible electronic device is disposed on the release layer and the adhesion layer, wherein the flexible electronic device includes a flexible substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a tool marking structure includes: a coloring step of coloring a predetermined position of the first protective layer so as to form a marking area with a color layer and forming the first protective layer on a bottom surface of the marking area, and a second-time surface processing step of forming a second protective layer on a non-marking area of the tool.

Abstract: A method of forming a tool marking structure includes: a coloring step of coloring a predetermined position of the first protective layer so as to form a marking area with a color layer and forming the first protective layer on a bottom surface of the marking area, and a second-time surface processing step of forming a second protective layer on a non-marking area of the tool and forming the first protective layer on a bottom surface of the second protective layer; wherein the color of the first protective layer is different from that of the second protective layer.

Abstract: A method of producing coloured tyre portions, the method including: a step of forming a highly impermeable barrier layer; and a step of depositing a dye or coloured layer on the barrier layer. The step of forming the barrier layer includes, in sequence, the operations of (a) depositing an aqueous dispersion on the part of the tyre for colouring; (b) separating said aqueous dispersion into an aqueous phase and a solid phase; and (c) removing the aqueous phase.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for applying a pattern, such as a logo, onto the outer skin of an aircraft element, which includes the following steps: a) applying a coat of paint onto the aircraft element; b) applying a top coat (base coat) onto the coat of paint; c) applying a first coat of transparent varnish (clear coat) onto the base coat; d) applying the pattern onto the first coat of transparent varnish; and e) applying a second coat of transparent varnish (clear coat) onto the pattern.

Abstract: A self-assembled pattern forming method in an embodiment includes: forming a guide pattern on a substrate; forming a layer of a first polymer; filling a first block copolymer; and phase-separating the first block copolymer. The guide pattern includes a first recessed part having a depth T and a diameter D smaller than the depth T, and a second recessed part having a width larger than double of the diameter D. The first block copolymer has the first polymer and a second polymer which are substantially the same in volume fraction. By phase-separating the first block copolymer, a cylinder structure and a lamellar structure are obtained.

Abstract: A coated film with no observable streak is formed. The landing positions of a first discharge liquid discharged through a first printing head and the landing positions of a second discharge liquid discharged through a second printing head are disposed in a mixed manner in an area on a substrate where the first printing head and the second printing head overlap. Which discharge liquids are to be landed is determined according to random numbers. Since a coated film which is formed with the first and second discharge liquids in a mixed manner is disposed between a coated film formed with the first discharge liquids and a coated film formed with the second discharge liquids, a boundary is obscured and no streak appears.

Abstract: A camouflage system includes a layer of an adhesion promoter so paint will adhere to the surface of an article and a first layer of paint applied to the surface on top of the adhesion promoter. A second layer of paint of a different color is applied to a portion of the first layer of paint. The second layer of paint may be in the form of a design, symbol, brand, logo, mark, and/or name. A multi-color layer is then applied to the surface of the article over the layers of paint. The multi-color layer may be a camouflage ink pattern. A clear coat may be applied over the multi-color layer. The multi-color layer affects the visual appearance of the second layer of paint. The second layer of paint may be visible at one viewing angle and may be less visible or non-visible at a different viewing angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to making a golf ball having an overall purely aesthetic color appearance of two or more visually distinct color regions by partially painting/coating a portion the golf ball outer surface one or more times with a colorant. The invention also relates to the resulting golf ball.

Abstract: A method for producing printed articles that encompasses providing a first ink composition that contains metal oxide particles with an average particle size in the range of about 3 to about 300 nm; providing a second ink composition that contains colored pigments dispersed in an ink vehicle; providing a printable media having a bottom supporting substrate and an ink-absorbing layer with pore diameters that are smaller than the size of the metal oxide pigment particles and colored pigments; and sequentially applying, on the same print area, the first and the second ink compositions onto said printable media. Also disclosed herein are the printed articles obtained according to the present method.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes depositing a liquid based material onto a top surface of a rotatable plate. The top surface of the rotatable plate has at least one cavity formed thereon that defines the shape of a layer of the z-directed component. The rotatable plate is spun to level a top surface of the liquid based material in the at least one cavity. The liquid based material is cured to form the layer of the z-directed component. A conductive material is applied to at least one surface of the formed layer. The z-directed component is formed including a stack of component layers that includes the formed layer.

Abstract: A method of printing articles having variable conductivities, including those having conductivity gradients.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pattern forming method includes forming a self-assembled material on a plurality of first patterns, forming a plurality of second patterns by heating the self-assembled material and causing microphase separation of the self-assembled material, the second patterns corresponding to the first patterns, and calculating positional deviations of respective positions of the second patterns from positions of the corresponding first patterns. When at least one of the positional deviations is larger than a predetermined value, the self-assembled material is adjusted.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a multi-layer data acquiring part configured to acquire multi-layer data having a required-formation-amount-related value representing a value relating to a formation amount required to form an image, and an expanding part configured to expand, based on a correspondence relationship for expansion, the acquired multi-layer data into multiple sets of single-layer data. The correspondence relationship for expansion has a correspondence relationship between the required-formation-amount-related value in each of the sets of single-layer data and the required-formation-amount-related value in the multi-layer data. The required-formation-amount-related value in the multi-layer data is image data that exceeds a maximum-formation-amount-related value representing a value relating to a maximum formation amount of a color value of the single-layer data with which an image can be printed in a single printing process.

Abstract: A printed layer formation processing device performs a part of a process for forming a printed layer on a part of the print medium by a first colorant in a molded object formation process. The printed layer formation processing device includes: a formation amount correspondence relationship storage part that stores a formation amount correspondence relationship, which is a correspondence relationship between a degree of deformation of the print medium and a formation amount of the first colorant, which are correlated so that the thickness of the printed layer is substantially the same in respective regions of the molded object, a deformation degree acquisition part that acquires the degree of deformation in the respective regions of the print medium; and a formation amount determining part that determines the formation amount of the first colorant in the respective regions based on the degree of the deformation and the formation amount correspondence relationship.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coated-product with marking. The coated-product is obtained by the steps of forming a coating layer having brightness higher than the brightness of a bare surface of a molding on the surface of the molding made of resin colored with dye, and removing a predetermined portion of the coating layer by laser marking and exposing the bare surface of the coated-product to form a marking portion.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for electroless deposition (ELD) for forming metal conductive layer on an insulating substrate made of glass, polymer, etc. According to an aspect, an adhesive layer and a catalyst layer are formed on a substrate using a dry deposition method, such as are plasma deposition (APD) or sputtering, etc., and electroless deposition is performed thereon, thereby forming a metal thin, film. Therefore, it is possible to significantly simplify a complicated pretreatment process required for electroless depositions and increase adhesive strength of a deposited metal thin film.

Abstract: A layered structure comprising a self-assembled material is formed by a method that includes forming a photochemically, thermally and/or chemically treated patterned photoresist layer disposed on a first surface of a substrate. The treated patterned photoresist layer comprises a non-crosslinked treated photoresist. An orientation control material is cast on the treated patterned photoresist layer, forming a layer containing orientation control material bound to a second surface of the substrate. The treated photoresist and, optionally, any non-bound orientation control material are removed by a development process, resulting in a pre-pattern for self-assembly. A material capable of self-assembly is cast on the pre-pattern. The casted material is allowed to self-assemble with optional heating and/or annealing to produce the layered structure.

Abstract: A method for making an electrowetting device includes: (a) forming a surrounding wall on an upper surface of a substrate to surround a microchamber, the surrounding wall having an inner surface surrounding the microchamber and a top surface above the inner surface, the upper surface of the substrate being non-hydrophobic; (b) coating the surrounding wall and the upper surface of the substrate with a hydrophobic coating material; (c) removing a portion of the hydrophobic coating material formed on the top surface of the surrounding wall, thereby exposing the top surface of the surrounding wall; and (d) disposing a liquid into the microchamber.

Abstract: A system and method for three-dimensional printing are provided. One three-dimensional printing system includes a first printing surface configured to hold a first three-dimensional object. The three-dimensional printing system also includes a second printing surface configured to hold a second three-dimensional object. The three-dimensional printing system includes at least one printing head disposed adjacent to the first and second printing surfaces for printing the first and second three-dimensional objects. A vertical position of the first printing surface is controlled independently from a vertical position of the second printing surface.

Abstract: A process for forming a printed product that includes applying an energy-hardenable varnish to a sheet-like substrate at a first station; conveying the substrate to a hardening device where the outermost surface of the varnish is applied against a smooth polishing surface that smoothens it during its passage through the hardening device; hardening the layer of varnish typically by UV or EB curing; and applying metalized ink by a printing process to the smoothened surface of the layer of varnish.

Abstract: The present invention is a metallized shrinkable label and a method for producing the same. The label of the invention is composed of a shrinkable film base and a graphic. The graphic is created by combining pigmented inks, a metallic coating and a shrink-resistant coating which is printed in a predetermined pattern with gaps so that upon exposure of the label to heat, the gaps close thereby forming a continuous graphic layer. Advantageously, the shrink-resistant coating minimizes discoloration and pleating of the metallic coating.

Abstract: A method for forming a film by atomic layer deposition wherein vertical growth of a film is controlled, includes: (i) adsorbing a metal-containing precursor for film formation on a concave or convex surface pattern of a substrate; (ii) oxidizing the adsorbed precursor to form a metal oxide sub-layer; (iii) adsorbing a metal-free inhibitor on the metal oxide sub-layer more on a top/bottom portion than on side walls of the concave or convex surface pattern; and (iv) repeating steps (i) to (iii) to form a film constituted by multiple metal oxide sub-layers while controlling vertical growth of the film by step (iii). The adsorption of the inhibitor is antagonistic to next adsorption of the precursor on the metal oxide sub-layer.

Abstract: A wrapper of a smoking article comprising a base web and banded regions comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of material-free openings between said leading edge and said trailing edge. The openings establish a predetermined, nominal opened-area within said banded regions to control diffusivity. The add-on material can be applied by a gravure roller comprising a surface region with cells, cell-free areas and a chevron shape.

Abstract: Imprint lithography may comprise generating a fluid map, generating a fluid drop pattern, and applying a fluid to a substrate according to the fluid drop pattern. The fluid drop pattern may be generated using a stochastic process such as a Monte Carlo or structured experiment over the expected range of process variability for drop locations and drop volumes. Thus, variability in drop placement, volume, or both may be compensated for, resulting in surface features being substantially filled with the fluid during imprint.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to improve patterning accuracy while maintaining low cost, high throughput and a high degree of freedom of an optical material in a matrix type display device and a manufacturing method thereof. In order to achieve the object, a difference in height, a desired distribution of liquid repellency and affinity to liquid, or a desired potential distribution is formed by utilizing first bus lines in a passive matrix type display device or utilizing scanning lines, signal lines, common current supply lines, pixel electrodes, an interlevel insulation film, or a light shielding layer in an active matrix type display device. A liquid optical material is selectively coated at predetermined positions by utilizing the difference in height, the desired distribution of liquid repellency and affinity to liquid, or the desired potential distribution.

Abstract: Patterned SAM arrays and methods of preparing patterned SAM arrays are disclosed. Advantageously, the methods used to prepare the patterned SAM arrays allow for controlling SAM spot-to-spot conditions such as ligand identity and ligand density, which allows for preparing a wide range of SAM spots in a single array format. Additionally, the patterned SAM arrays of the present disclosure support the culture of a range of cell types. The patterned SAM arrays offer the ability to rapidly screen substrate components for influencing cell attachment, spreading, proliferation, migration, and differentiation.

Abstract: Provided is a printed matter, a printed matter forming apparatus, and a printed matter forming method, which improve the expression of the texture. A lower layer having an upper surface provided with concavities and convexities different for each region; an image layer provided above the lower layer, the image layer forming an image and transmitting part of incident light towards the lower layer; and a surface layer provided above the image layer, the surface layer having an upper surface provided with concavities and convexities different for each region, the surface layer transmitting part of incident light towards the image layer are included. This allows various textures to be expressed fully.

Abstract: In at least some examples, a three-dimensional (3D) printing system comprises a coarse 3D printing interface to form a 3D object core. The 3D printing system also comprises a fine 3D printing interface to form a 3D object shell around at least some of the 3D object core. The 3D printing system also comprises a controller to receive a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model and to direct the coarse 3D printing interface to form the 3D object core based on the dataset.

Abstract: A system and method for depositing a substance onto a substrate comprises continuously transporting the substrate in a transport direction while traversing a deposition arrangement across the substrate to deposit the substance in a number of swathes. During such movement the positions of the deposition arrangement and the substrate are controlled with respect to one another such that the swathes complement one another to provide substantially uniform coverage of the substrate. As a result of the defined arrangement, improved substrate speeds can be achieved since there is no need for the substrate to stop at each traverse.

Abstract: A method is disclosed involving depositing a neutral orientation template layer onto a substrate after formation of chemical epitaxy or graphoepitaxy features on the substrate, but before deposition and orientation of a self-assemblable polymer. The orientation layer is arranged to bond with the substrate but not with certain features, so that it may be easily removed by vacuum or rinsing with organic solvent. The neutral orientation layer has a chemical affinity to match that of blocks in the self-assemblable polymer so that blocks of differing types wet the neutral orientation layer so that domains in the self-assembled polymer may lie side by side along the substrate surface, with interfaces normal to the substrate surface. The resulting aligned and oriented self-assembled polymer may itself be used as a resist for device lithography of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for making a strip shaped graphene layer includes the following steps. First, a carbon nanotube structure on a surface of a metal substrate is provided. The carbon nanotube structure includes at least one drawn carbon nanotube film. The at least one drawn carbon nanotube film includes carbon nanotube segments substantially parallel to each other and separated from each other by a strip-shaped gap. Second, a catalyst layer is disposed on the carbon nanotube structure, and parts of the catalyst layer are contacted to the surface of the substrate in the strip-shaped gaps. Third, the carbon nanotube structure is removed to obtain s plurality of catalyst strips on the surface of the substrate. Fourth, graphene strips are grown on the number of catalyst strips. Third, the metal substrate is annealed to obtain the strip shaped graphene layer.

Abstract: A surface treatment method for substrate include following steps: a substrate is provided; a color layer is formed on the substrate by printing or spraying, the color layer includes a first region and a second region, a portion of the first region is adjacent to a portion of the second region, a junction is formed between the first and second regions, the color of the first region is different from the color of the second region; a paint layer is sprayed on the color layer, the thickness of the paint layer gradually decreasing with the distance from the junction to the two opposite sides of the color layer. A coated article manufactured by the method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying a decoration to the upper face of a composite wood board, in particular a MDF or HDF board, wherein said method is characterised in that at least one second decoration produced by digital printing is applied to a first decoration produced by intaglio printing.

Abstract: A method for providing copper filled features in a layer is provided. A deposition of copper is provided to fill features in the layer. Tops of the copper deposit are cleaned to remove copper or copper oxide at tops of the copper deposit. A selective copper alloy plating on the tops of the copper deposit is provided. The copper deposit and selective copper alloy plating are annealed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pattern formation method includes: forming a cyclic pattern having first strips of a first polymer component and second strips of a second polymer component by forming chemical guides having affinity for the first polymer component on a substrate to be processed and coating a directed self-assembly material comprising the first polymer component and the second polymer component on the substrate to be processed. In this pattern formation method, the chemical guides comprise a plurality of regions arrayed in matrix with a predetermined interval on the substrate to be processed; each of the regions has a symmetrical shape with respect to a centerline of the region, the centerline extends in the first direction; and a width along the first direction of the region is narrowed from the centerline toward each of end parts of the region.

Abstract: Methods of producing an ombré finish for materials may comprise applying a stain to the surface of a material in a first concentration toward a first part of said surface and in a second concentration toward a second part of said surface, blending said stain from said first part to said second part to create a gradual transition in concentration, and sealing said surface. Said methods may also comprise applying a stain substantially uniformly to the surface of a material, removing said stain from said surface so as to create a gradual transition in concentration of said stain, and sealing said surface. Said methods may further comprise the steps of comparing the color of said material to a target color and toning said material until said color of said material matches said target color.

Abstract: In a coating zone, a cylindrical tube is soaked in and taken out from a solution, such that a coating film is formed on a curved surface of the tube. In a wet gas zone, while a first gas feeding nozzle having a gas outlet moves in a state where the gas outlet faces an outer peripheral surface of the tube, wet gas is blown toward the coating film through the gas outlet. Water drops are generated on the coating film and grown up. In a dry gas zone, as in the case of the first gas feeding nozzle, while a second gas feeding nozzle having a gas outlet moves, dry gas is blown toward the coating film through the gas outlet. Solvent and water drops are evaporated from the coating film. Pores form from the water drops as a template for the porous material on the coating film.

Abstract: A method for producing a non-slip coating on a carrier which is in the form of a sheet or can be unwound off a roll and has a first and second surface, comprising the steps of applying a single-colored or multi-colored printing process on at least the first surface of the carrier, and subsequently applying a covering layer comprising varnish to at least the first surface of the carrier, wherein the varnish is applied in the form of a grid by a printing process on the first surface of the carrier for improving friction-related treatment characteristics of the carrier for subsequent cutting, stamping or folding steps, and wherein said grid is applied with a maximum layer thickness of 7 g/m2 on the at least first surface.

Abstract: Imprint lithography may comprise generating a fluid map, generating a fluid drop pattern, and applying a fluid to a substrate according to the fluid drop pattern. The fluid drop pattern may be generated using edge weighting through one or more modified Lloyd's method iterations to result in surface features being substantially filled with the fluid during imprint.

Abstract: A suction apparatus 1 holds a wafer W by performing vacuum-suctioning on the wafer W. The suction apparatus 1 comprises a suction substrate 2. The suction substrate 2, which is rigid, comprises a plurality of pin-like protrusions 2a formed so that the tip-end faces (upper surfaces) thereof are the same height. An elastic coating layer is coated by way of an undercoat layer 4 on the tip-end faces of the protrusions 2a. When the wafer W is suctioned, even if a foreign matter is interposed between the wafer W and the suction surface, because the foreign matter embeds itself into the coating layer 3, the planarization of the wafer W is improved. In addition, because the coating layer 3 can be made comparatively thinner, undulations in the wafer W can be reduced and, to that end, the planarization of the wafer W in the suctioned state can be improved.

Abstract: A simple and practical method that can reduce the feature size of a patterned structure bearing surface hydroxyl groups is described. The patterned structure can be obtained by any patterning technologies, such as photo-lithography, e-beam lithography, nano-imprinting lithography. The method includes: (1) initially converting the hydroxyl or silanol-rich surface into an amine-rich surface with the treatment of an amine agent, preferably a cyclic compound; (2) coating an epoxy material on the top of the patterned structure; (3) forming an extra layer when applied heat via a surface-initiated polymerization; (4) applying an amine coupling agent to regenerate the amine-rich surface; (5) coating an epoxy material on the top of the patterned structure to form the next layer; (6) repeating step 4 and 5 to form multiple layers; This method allows the fabrication of feature sizes of various patterns and contact holes that are difficult to reach by conventional lithographic methods.

Abstract: A method for producing a printed product with raised print includes receiving a prepress format document containing a plurality of flat ink color separations and at least one raised print color separation, printing onto a substrate the flat ink color separations using flat ink and the at least one raised print color separation using dimensional ink, allowing the flat and dimensional ink to dry, heating the inked substrate to a temperature that causes the applied dimensional ink to become sticky, applying thermographic powder to the heated inked substrate such that the thermographic powder sticks to the sticky dimensional ink, removing the thermographic powder from regions of the substrate where the dimensional ink is not applied, reheating the sheet to melt the thermographic powder, and cooling the sheet to result in a print product having both flat and raised printed content.

Abstract: A plastic housing includes a plastic substrate and a decorative pattern layer attached on the plastic substrate. The decorative pattern layer includes an primer layer of a predetermined pattern formed on the plastic substrate and a colored pattern layer printed on the primer layer. The colored pattern layer is impervious to the color of the background color of the color layer, thus enabling housings with different colors to have substantially the same visual effects.

Abstract: A coated panel may include a substrate and a decorative top layer provided on the substrate. A method for manufacturing the panel may involve forming at least a portion of the top layer by printing on the substrate to provide a structure on the substrate. The structure may include protrusions formed by two or more prints provided on top of each other.

Abstract: Described herein are various methods for making textured articles, textured articles that have improved fingerprint resistance, and methods of using the textured articles. The textured articles generally include a substrate and at least two different sets of nanostructured topographical features that are created in or on a surface of the substrate. Each set of nanostructured topographical features will have at least one average dimensional attribute that is different from that of any other set of nanostructured topographical features.

Abstract: The method of forming a pigment layer and a foam layer on a substrate includes steps of material preparation, material coating, pigment coating and foaming. A coating material layer is coated on the substrate, and then a pigment layer is coated on the substrate before the coating material layer is foamed. Thus the pigment can be coated on the substrate more quickly, easily and more accurately.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the consistency of performance of assays, such as multiplexed assays, by printing features in a particular pattern, such that the outer edge of the pattern has a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the test well. For example, the pattern is a circular or oval pattern along the bottom of multiplexed wells. The assay substrates prepared according to the methods described result in more accurate, precise, and sensitive chemical and/or biological analyses.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming an organic thin film including forming a first layer containing a first organic material on a substrate, performing a first imprint process on the first layer using a pattern mold, forming a second layer containing a second organic material on the first layer after the first imprint process, and performing a second imprint process on the second layer using a blanket mold.