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.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a mobile device accessory has a mobile device cover defining a mobile device receiving region, and a resilient material on the mobile device cover. The resilient material defines a plurality of peaks extending generally away from the mobile device receiving region. The plurality of peaks increase the surface area of the mobile device cover and provide shock absorption. The peaks are formed rising a robot. Other objects having such a resilient material, and methods of making and distributing such objects, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for depositing a ceramic layer on a metal substrate for producing a thermal barrier, the process including depositing the ceramic in a columnar structure. The deposition is carried out through a grid pierced with holes, which is positioned parallel to a surface of the substrate so as to produce ceramic columns separated from one another by a space. The process can further include a subsequent depositing of an isotropic ceramic layer in the spaces.

Abstract: Provided is a method for disposing a component on a substrate (100), the method comprising steps of: a step (a) of preparing the substrate (100), a first liquid, and a component-dispersing liquid; a step (b) of applying the first liquid to the substrate (100) along the +X direction continuously to dispose the first liquid on hydrophilic lines (112) and hydrophilic body regions (111) along the +X direction alternately; a step (c) of bringing the component-dispersing liquid in contact with the first liquid disposed on the hydrophilic region (111); and a step (d) of removing the first liquid and the second liquid from the substrate (100) to dispose the component on the hydrophilic region (111).

Abstract: In order to increase the probability that the component is disposed on the hydrophilic region, used is a substrate comprises a water-repellant region, a hydrophilic region, and a hydrophilic line, wherein the water-repellant region surrounds the hydrophilic region and the hydrophilic line, the hydrophilic region and the hydrophilic line are disposed along the +X direction in this order, the value of D1/D2 is not less than 0.1 and not more than 1.2, the value of D3 is not less than 5 micrometers, the value of D4 is less than the minimum length of the component.

Abstract: A method of preparing a flexographic printing master including an optional elastomeric floor, an optional mesa relief, and an image relief are applied in this order on a flexographic printing support includes applying and curing fluid droplets thereby building up a plurality of layers of fluid on top of each other, wherein each fluid droplet applied is at least partially cured before an adjacent fluid droplet is subsequently applied, with the exception that a fluid droplet applied during building up at least one layer of fluid is not cured before an adjacent fluid droplet of the same layer is subsequently applied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a coating, in regions, on a substrate, said coating being based on a formulation, in the form of an active colour-change motif, which contains bacteriorhodopsin colour-changing pigment, and to coatings produced using a method of this type and to articles having coatings of this type. Here, the method comprises the following steps: a) printing of the substrate with the formulation, in the form of a motif, containing bacteriorhodopsin colour-changing pigment; b) partial drying of the printed substrate; c) optionally repetition of steps a) and/or b); calendering of the printed and partially dried substrate; e) complete drying of the coating.

Abstract: A method and system for providing identification and medical information of a person to emergency response personnel comprises a card or other data storage device imprinted and/or encoded with at least one of human-readable and machine-readable data pertaining to said person and useful in guiding emergency medical triage and treatment for said person in the absence of available verbal communication. The device also can automatically populate data fields on an EMS run form, and the method allows for updating the data contained. An invoice for the services rendered can then be generated from the EMS run data.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing magnesium-aluminum alloy casing includes performing an adhesion process to form a protective layer on an antioxidant layer which is on a magnesium-aluminum alloy substrate by a ceramic paint. The ceramic paint includes a ceramic powder, a resin, a dilution agent and a particle. The particle is one percent to fifteen percent of the ceramic paint, and the particle is used to enhance roughness of the protective layer. By performing the adhesion process to form the protective layer, effects of anti-corrosion and anti-salt fog of the magnesium-aluminum alloy casing are achieved.

Abstract: A method is provided for surface treating a substrate utilizing powder coating so that the substrate can be adorned with a decorative pattern and/or color, and can have a durable, aesthetically appealing finish. The decorative pattern can be applied via transfer printing processes, for example, by a sublimation process or a hydrographic process. The method optionally can be used to produce a visually perceivable transition between a decorative pattern, for example, a camouflage pattern, and a generally solid color on the substrate. The transition can be gradual, so that the decorative pattern appears to fade into the generally solid color to provide an appealing visual effect on a product. The method can be used to surface treat a variety of products, for example, archery products and/or firearm products.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an offset printing substrate and a method of manufacturing a display substrate, the method includes forming a first coating layer on a base substrate on which is formed a first concave pattern having a first width. An intermediate substrate is also formed upon the first coating layer of the base substrate, the intermediate substrate having a pattern corresponding to the first concave pattern. An offset printing substrate is also formed upon the pattern of the intermediate substrate, the offset printing substrate having a second concave pattern is formed to correspond to the pattern of the intermediate substrate, and the second concave pattern has a second width smaller than the first width.

Abstract: The application relates to methods for producing islands of functionality within nanoscale apertures. Islands of functionality can be produced by growing an aperture constriction layer from the walls, functionalizing the exposed base of the aperture, then removing the aperture constriction layer. The aperture constriction layer can be produced, for example, by anodically growing an oxide layer onto a cladding through which the aperture extends. The islands of functionality can be used to bind a single molecule of interest, such as an enzyme within the nanoscale aperture.

Abstract: Decorated candles and a process for obtaining the same, relate to candles having decorative patterns protected with a transparent lining. The candles exhibit a decoration similar to decoration of porcelain items, simulating porcelain candles.

Abstract: Provided is a bling nail sticker, including a substrate layer on which a pattern is printed, and a three-dimensional ornamental portion disposed on the top surface of the substrate layer and having a pattern formed of a luminant material, such as a jewel, wherein the three-dimensional ornamental portion includes: a luminant reflective layer printed on the top surface of the substrate layer; a transparent coating layer printed on the top surface of the substrate layer at the position where the reflective layer is formed, and allowing light transmission to the reflective layer; and a three-dimensional layer applied and adhered to the top surface of the coating layer.

Abstract: The ink of the invention comprises a mixture of finely subdivided polyethylene powder, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, a dispersing agent, an indicia material additive such as a dye or pigment and/or a physical property enhancing additive such as alumina, glass beads, silica, metal flakes, etc. Preferably high and very high molecular weight polyethylene is used, alone or in mixture with lower density polyethylene in amounts from 25 to 45 weight percent in the ink. The polyethylene can have a particle size from 1 nanometer to 150 microns, preferably from 0.1 to 100 microns. The printing ink can be used to prepare a transfer having a decorative layer printed onto a carrier sheet. Various printing methods can be used to prepare the transfer such as gravure printing with etched or engraved chrome-plated or copper rolls; flexography printing with a flexible printing plate; and screen printing. The preferred method is screen printing.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for silver plating onto metal surfaces such as PWBs in electronics manufacture to produce a silver plating which is greater than 80 atomic % silver, tarnish resistant, and has good solderability.

Abstract: Graphene layers can be formed on a dielectric substrate using a process that includes forming a copper thin film on a dielectric substrate; diffusing carbon atoms through the copper thin film; and forming a graphene layer at an interface between the copper thin film and the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: Proposed are a composite material, wherein non-penetrating pores that are formed in a silicon surface layer are filled up with a metal or the like without leaving any voids by using the plating technique, and a method of producing the composite material. A composite material, which has been packed at a high accuracy, or in other words, in which little voids are left, can be obtained by filling up non-penetrating pores that are formed from a silicon surface (100) substantially with a second metal or an alloy of the second metal (106) with the use of the autocatalytic electroless plating technique wherein a first metal located at the bottom of the non-penetrating pores as described above serves as the starting point.

Abstract: A component is provided that includes at least one passageway. In another aspect, a component, such as a lamp or a vehicular washer jet, is made of layers of material, a light curable material and/or multiple built-up materials. Another aspect uses a three-dimensional printing machine to emit material from an ink jet printing head to build up a component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional plaster objects via thin layer deposition. The inventive method comprises steps of depositing a layer of a calcium sulfate hemihydrate slurry onto the surface of a support in a predetermined pattern and activating the slurry with an activating agent so as to accelerate the setting reaction of calcium sulfate hemihydrate and water to form set calcium sulfate dihydrate. The depositing and activating steps can be repeated as necessary until the desired three-dimensional plaster object is formed.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal pattern on a substrate via printing and electroless plating is disclosed, which includes printing a pattern on the substrate with an ink composition, drying the printed pattern, and contacting the dried pattern with an electroless plating solution. The ink composition either contains components (i), (ii) and (iii), components (i) and (iv), or components (i) and (v), which are dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, wherein (i) is a binder; (ii) is a sulfate terminated polymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; (iii) is a catalytic metal precursor; (iv) is a polymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer deposited with particles of catalytic metal; and (v) is a copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a hydrophilic monomer deposited with particles of catalytic metal. The binder (i) is a water swellable resin. The catalytic metal may be Au, Ag, Pd, Pt or Ru.

Abstract: A method of bonding a metal to a substrate is disclosed herein. The method involves forming a nano-brush on a surface of the substrate, where the nano-brush includes a plurality of nano-wires extending above the substrate surface. In a molten state, the metal is introduced onto the substrate surface, and the metal surrounds the nano-wires. Upon cooling, the metal surrounding the nano-wires solidifies, and during the solidifying, at least a mechanical interlock is formed between the metal and the substrate.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method may include a computing device generating a digital representation of a metamaterial structure and sectioning the digital representation to generate a plurality of substantially two-dimensional layer layouts. The method may also include a printing device sequentially fabricating each of a plurality of substantially two-dimensional layers based on a corresponding one of the plurality of substantially two-dimensional layer layouts.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure includes forming a first structure having a relief pattern on a substrate, forming a sacrifice layer on the first structure such that the sacrifice layer can be filled in a concave part of the first structure and the sacrifice layer can cover a surface of a convex part of the first structure on a side opposite to the substrate, forming a second structure having a relief pattern on the sacrifice layer, and a fourth step of removing the sacrifice layer from between the first structure and the second structure, and thereby bringing the second structure into contact with the surface of the first structure.

Abstract: A method of producing a textile article having a localized finish is described. The method comprises providing a continuous supply of a textile substrate, providing an array of digital nozzles, supplying a finishing composition to the nozzles and selectively depositing the finishing composition from the nozzles in a series of droplets to deposit a first predetermined pattern of droplets on a selected area of the substrate to endow a functional characteristic on the selected areas. In this way, it is possible to ensure that only those areas receive the finishing composition that ultimately require it. Usage of valuable chemicals and process time can hereby be reduced.

Abstract: A printed material includes a first printed layer and a second printed layer. The first printed layer is produced by printing using a first curing ink which is provided in a first processing region for deformation process and contains at least a monofunctional polymerizable compound. The second printed layer is produced by printing using a second curing ink which is provided in a second processing region for shear processing and contains at least a multifunctional polymerizable compound. In the first curing ink, y1/x1 is 0.5 or less, where x1 and y1 are respective masses of the monofunctional polymerizable compound and the multifunctional polymerizable compound in the first curing ink. In the second crying ink, y2/x2 is 1 or greater, where x2 and y2 are respective masses of the monofunctional polymerizable compound and the multifunctional polymerizable compound in the second curing ink.

Abstract: Provided is a treatment agent used for forming an image on fabric, containing a resin emulsion and a metal salt. A pH of the treatment agent is in a range from 5.5 to 9. The pH may be adjusted using a pH adjuster. Examples of the pH adjuster include sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, calcium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, triethanolamine, and N-butyl diethanolamine.

Abstract: A coated substrate. The coated substrate includes a unitary substrate having a major surface. A first coating is applied to a first surface segment of the major surface. A second coating applied to a second surface segment of the major surface. The first coating is different than the second coating.

Abstract: A masking tape for use in applications where a coating material is applied to a surface for defining a sharp edge of the portion of the surface that is coated. A masking tape may include a reinforcing strip releasably attached to the non-adhesive side of conventional masking tape comprising a substrate with an adhesive layer on one side. The reinforcing strip extends longitudinally along the length of the substrate with one edge substantially aligned with, and preferably flush with, one longitudinal edge of the substrate and acts as a separate means to cut through a coating or film more efficiently than the masking tape alone, while subsequently leaving the masking tape in place until the preferred time of removal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for depositing multiple lines on an object, specifically contact and busbar metallization lines on a solar cell. The contact lines are preferably less than 100 microns wide, and all contact lines are preferably deposited in a single pass of the deposition head. There can be multiple rows of nozzles on the deposition head. Multiple materials can be deposited, on top of one another, forming layered structures on the object. Each layer can be less than five microns thick. Alignment of such layers is preferably accomplished without having to deposit oversized alignment features. Multiple atomizers can be used to deposit the multiple materials. The busbar apparatus preferably has multiple nozzles, each of which is sufficiently wide to deposit a busbar in a single pass.

Abstract: A device is provided for applying paints that includes, but is not limited to an apparatus for producing a stream of paint particles, a guide element with a surface for limiting the stream of paint particles in space. The guide element is realized in such a way that an area situated adjacent to its surface for limiting the stream of paint particles in space can be kept free of paint particles.

Abstract: A solid shaped product is fabricated by using a liquid. In a solid shaped-product fabrication method of discharging, to a target, a droplet from a nozzle of a liquid discharge unit for discharging a liquid, and fabricating a solid shaped product, the liquid contains at least water and a colorant that is dissolved or dispersed in the water, the droplet has a specific surface area of 0.2 m3/g or more and 0.5 m3/g or less on condition that the droplet is approximated by an ideal true sphere on the basis of a volume when the liquid is caused to fly as a single droplet, and the droplet having the specific surface area in such a range is continuously discharged to the target at 1 Hz or higher and 100 Hz or lower.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing an article comprising an approximately flat porous support and, within this support, defined zones in a chosen pattern, these zones being grafted with sensor molecules, such as metals, biological molecules, whereas the rest of the support remains free of this grafting.

Abstract: A patterned roller, and a method of making the patterned roller, is provided. A patterned roller may be made by first forming a first mold having a negative pattern by etching pits in a flat mold surface with an etching process. Then, a second mold is formed having a positive pattern, by pouring a first curable material into the first mold, curing the first curable material, and removing the first curable material from the first mold. Then the patterned roller having the negative pattern is formed by coating a roller with a layer of a second curable material, pre-curing the second curable material to provide a viscous but not hardened surface, and rolling the roller over the second mold to create the negative pattern in the second curable material. The second curable material is then cured. Any of the curable materials may be coated after curing, preferably with metal, to reduce sticking in subsequent steps. The patterned roller may be used to create a pattern of microlenses in a third curable material.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a coating method including the steps of providing a multi-component coating composition including two or more components, applying each component to a porous substrate, mixing each component with at least one other component thereby causing at least two components to undergo a chemical reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). The method include the following steps: (i) providing a substrate and a scanning probe microscope tip; (ii) coating the tip with a patterning compound and a solvent to form a wet tip; and (iii) contacting the coated tip with the substrate so that the compound is applied to the substrate so as to produce a desired pattern. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN and kits for performing DPN.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for growing a thin film, which includes modifying a surface grain size and surface roughness on a thin film to improve the mobility of a carrier and a light scattering effect. The method for growing a thin film includes: forming nuclei of grains having various grain orientations on a substrate; causing first grains having a first specific grain orientation to grow predominantly among the grains having various grain orientations, thereby forming a first preferred texture comprised of the predominantly grown first grains; and then causing second grains having a second grain orientation to grow predominantly, thereby forming a second preferred texture comprised of the predominantly grown second grains, wherein the surface grain size of each of the second grains forming the second texture is larger than that of each of the first grains forming the first texture.

Abstract: Highly-ordered block copolymer films are prepared by a method that includes forming a polymeric replica of a topographically patterned crystalline surface, forming a block copolymer film on the topographically patterned surface of the polymeric replica, and annealing the block copolymer film. The resulting structures can be used in a variety of different applications, including the fabrication of high density data storage media. The ability to use flexible polymers to form the polymeric replica facilitates industrial-scale processes utilizing the highly-ordered block copolymer films.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system of rendering clear texturing on a media substrate. According to one exemplary method, one or more parameters are provided by a user, via a UI (User Interface), to control the clear texturing process, wherein the parameters are associated with, but are not limited to, media sheet area coverage, object type the clear texturing process is to be performed on and maximum/minimum percentage of clear material to be used for rendering the clear texturing.

Abstract: A growth-enhancing element for enhancing plant growth includes a substrate and a plurality of discrete portions of fertilizer. The substrate includes at least one first layer of polymer and at least one second layer of polymer disposed over the at least one first layer of polymer. The discrete portions of fertilizer are encapsulated in the substrate such that the plurality of discrete portions of fertilizer are disposed between the at least one first layer of polymer and the at least one second layer of polymer. The discrete portions of fertilizer each have a flat side that abuts the at least one first layer of polymer and a rounded side that abuts the at least one second layer of polymer. The substrate is configured and arranged to controllably release the fertilizer from the substrate over a period of time.

Abstract: A method produces a marked object. To be able to create markings in a particularly flexible way, it is provided that the object is produced by an additive production process, at least one marking being formed in the object during the additive production process. The method makes many degrees of freedom possible in the design of the marking. For example, the method makes it possible in a very simple way for two- or three-dimensional structures to be concealed within the object during the additive production process. In addition or as an alternative, production parameters can be varied, whether stochastically or deterministically, to produce variations in density. For example, a porous microstructure may be produced as a marking. It is also possible for basic material in the object to be left untreated or to be differently treated, so that it forms the marking.

Abstract: Provided is a direct write patterning method utilizing a mixture comprising an ink of choice and an ink carrier matrix. The method involves disposing the mixture on a tip or stamp and transporting the mixture from the tip or stamp on a surface to form a pattern that contains the ink. The method does not require chemical or physical modification of either the tip or stamp or the surface prior to transporting the mixture to the surface. The method can be applied for patterning hard inks such as nanomaterials and crystallized polymers and soft inks such as biomaterials including peptides and proteins. Also provided are related biomaterial and hard ink arrays.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a patterned thin-film layer includes the steps of: providing a substrate with a plurality of banks thereon, the plurality of banks defining a plurality of spaces; providing an ink-jet device comprising a plurality of nozzles for depositing ink therefrom; generating a jetting information about ink volume that each of the nozzles deposits into the respective spaces by a random method, the jetting information meeting ink volume deposited into each of the spaces is in a range from about 92.5% to about 107.5% of an average volume of ink in the spaces; making the nozzles to deposit ink into the respective spaces according to the jetting information; and solidifying the ink so as to form a plurality of patterned thin-film layers formed in the spaces.

Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN, including submicrometer combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.

Abstract: The method of patterning a photosensitive layer includes providing a substrate including a first layer formed thereon, treating the substrate including the first layer with cations, forming a first photosensitive layer over the first layer, patterning the first photosensitive layer to form a first pattern, treating the first pattern with cations, forming a second photosensitive layer over the treated first pattern, patterning the second photosensitive layer to form a second pattern, and processing the first layer using the first and second patterns as a mask.

Abstract: A coated substrate is disclosed. The coated substrate includes a substrate; an undercoating layer comprising at least one layer selected from a mixture of silica and zirconia; a mixture of silica and alumina; or a mixture of silica, alumina and titania overlaying at least a portion of the substrate; and a functional coating overlaying at least a portion of the undercoating. The coated substrates of the invention exhibit improved properties such as increased durability, photocatalytic activity, etc. as a result of the undercoating layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for applying a pattern onto the upper of a shoe or other footwear. The footwear is preferably made by injection molding where raw materials are injected into a mold to form the shape of a footwear.

Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN and kits for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air. The method comprises coating an AFM tip with a hydrophobic compound, the hydrophobic compound being selected so that AFM imaging performed using the coated AFM tip is improved compared to AFM imaging performed using an uncoated AFM tip. Finally, the invention provides AFM tips coated with the hydrophobic compounds.

Abstract: A segmented film deposition device and a method of performing segemented film deposition. A wire grid polarizer, with a separate, symmetrical, coating on top of each wire, without coating the substrate between the wires, can be made by this method.

Abstract: This invention relates to the printing of a substrate having a pre-printed “print pattern” with a “design layer” of ink where there is differential adhesion within and without the print pattern. The print pattern is receptive to an ink, and the design layer ink forms a durable image material with good bond to the print pattern, but the ink does not form a durable image material on the portions of the substrate outside the print pattern. The design layer ink is a UV-curable ink, and the print pattern may have a higher surface energy than the portions of the substrate outside the print pattern.