Abstract: A turbine engine component (10) with a protective aluminide coating (14) that include additions of silicon and a dopant, such as yttrium and/or hafnium, in an amount effective to reduce sulfidation and a deposition process for forming such aluminide coatings (14). A silicon-containing layer (30) may be applied to the superalloy substrate (12) of the component (10) and the aluminide coating (14) formed by exposing component (10) and layer (30) to a vapor phase reactant containing the dopant. The aluminide coating (14), which contains dopant from the layer (30), may operate as a standalone environmental coating or as a bond coating for an optional ceramic thermal barrier layer (24). An optional zirconia layer (26) maybe provided between the aluminide coating (14) and the ceramic thermal barrier layer (24).

Abstract: Metallic substrates have a surface for receiving application of an adhesive that includes a precipitated coating of metallic nanoparticulates. A first portion of the nanoparticulates is adhered to the surface and a second portion is in contact with the first portion. Also provided are adhered constructs. These constructs include a first substrate with a first surface that has a metallic precipitated coating of nanoparticulates. A first portion of the nanoparticulates is adhered to the surface and a second portion contacts the first portion. The constructs include a second substrate that has a second surface; and an adhesive is applied between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: Thin film composite membranes on polyolefin structures may be prepared by interfacial polymerization on a polyolefin support. Polyolefin structures may have hollow and/or solid portions. The polyolefin structure may be hydrophilized prior to interfacial polymerization. The hydrophilized structure may also be treated with an aqueous monomer containing solution first, followed by the organic monomer containing solution. Alternatively, an organic monomer solution may be introduced first, followed by the aqueous monomer containing solution when treating a hydrophilized structure. The formed membrane may possess advantageous characteristics, including stability, hydrophilicity, predetermined pore sizes and/or solvent resistance.

Abstract: Improved methods for the anti-corrosion treatment of oil or gas recovery or conveying equipment, wherein the individual components of an epoxy/curing agent anti-corrosion system are sequentially applied. Preferably, a liquid epoxy dispersion is first contacted with metal surfaces to be treated, followed after a period of time by a liquid curing agent dispersion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a silica layer on a surface, the method comprising contacting the surface with a first alkoxysilane and a first base, such that a first siloxane layer is formed on the surface; and contacting the first siloxane layer with a combination of a binding alkoxysilane, a growth limiting alkoxysilane and a second base, such that a second siloxane layer forms on top of the first siloxane layer, wherein the silica layer is prepared at a temperature of less than 100° C., and wherein the growth limiting alkoxysilane limits the thickness of the silica layer to less than 100 nm, thereby preparing the silica layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyfunctional polymer networks comprising an assembly of cross-linked polymer subchains attached to a surface, with each polymer subchain comprising a multitude of identical or different repeating units carrying one or more functional groups which allows an interaction with a sample or probe molecule.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are incorporated in the fiber structure by growing them on the refractory fibers of the substrate so as to obtain a three-dimensional substrate made of refractory fibers and enriched in carbon nanotubes. The substrate is densified with a matrix to form a part of composite material such as a friction part of C/C composite material.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a coated optical element. The process Includes: a) providing an optical element substrate; b) contacting the optical element with a pretreatment composition of an aqueous solution of hydrolyzed aminosilane; and c) applying a film-forming composition to the optical element of (b) to form a coating on the optical element, thereby yielding a coated optical element. The pretreatment composition may further include a substantially water-miscible solvent that is capable of swelling the substrate surface without causing haze or degradation of the substrate. The coated optical element demonstrates improved adhesion between the film-forming composition and the substrate compared to a substantially identical optical element that has not been contacted with the pretreatment composition of step b) prior to application of the film-forming composition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal film pattern forming body, the method including: forming a desired metal film pattern on one surface of a stamp by using a catalyst for activating a surface of a plastic base; activating the surface of the plastic base by transferring the catalyst formed on the surface of the stamp onto the surface of the plastic base; and plating the surface of the activated plastic base.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprises particles each having a substrate being an oxide or other suitable compound of a metal other than titanium or of certain non-metal elements, and a coating on said substrate being a layer of titanium dioxide. A method of forming particles of titania-coated substrate, includes contacting a bed of hydrated particles of an oxide or other suitable compound of a metal other than titanium or of certain non-metal elements with a fluid medium containing flowing titanium tetrachloride, under conditions in which a layer comprising one or more involatile oxychloride or oxide compounds is formed at and below the surface of each of a multiplicity of the particles of the oxide or other suitable compound which thereby provides a substrate for the layer. The oxychloride or oxide compound or compounds are treated to convert the layer to a Titania coating on the particles.

Abstract: The invention is applied to a compressor assembly wherein a coating is applied to the pocket in the piston for sliding engagement with a shoe for reciprocating the piston. The coating is a composite of solid particles of a lubricant, suspended in an adhesive, bonded to the to the aluminum alloy defining the pocket. More specifically, the coating comprises particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) suspended in an epoxy resin having a low cross-linking characteristic. The particles of PTFE are sub-micron in size and the ratio of PTFE to epoxy resin is optimally one to one. The thickness of the coating is between two and ten microns and preferably substantially four microns.

Abstract: In a method of forming a conductive layer, a conductive layer formed using the method, an organic electroluminescent device including the conductive layer, and a method of manufacturing the organic electroluminescent device, the method of forming the conductive layer comprises: pre-treating a substrate in order to improve adhesive force; coating a mixture solution which contains a sulfonate-based catalyst and a solvent on the substrate, and then drying the coated product; and performing vapor-phase polymerization by contacting the substrate on which the catalyst is coated with monomers which make up a conductive polymer in a vapor phase. The conductive layer obtained using the method of forming a conductive layer has high conductivity, high transmittance with respect to light having a wavelength of 300 nm to 700 nm, uniform thickness, and thermal-chemical stability.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an improved process for the hydrothermal conversion of coral into hydroxyapatite, a process for coating an object with hydroxyapatite, a process for coating an object with a divalent metal phosphate and uses of objects prepared by these processes. Following the processes according to the present invention, the resultant hydroxyapatite has greater strength and bioactivity than that of the coral prior to its conversion.

Abstract: A method for increasing adhesion between a substrate and a polymeric imprintable material during an imprinting procedure. The method includes chemically bonding a plurality of molecules to a surface of a substrate to form a self-assembled monolayer thereon. A monomer is copolymerized with the self-assembled monolayer to form a polymeric imprintable material that is chemically bonded to the self-assembled monolayer. Adhesion between the polymeric imprintable material and the substrate is substantially increased by the self-assembled monolayer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for micro array fabrication exclusive from the impact of a gas. A housing with a gas free chamber provides for improved micro array fabrication with a lower defect rate. The invention provides a housing that excludes a gas such as ozone to prevent interaction with probe construction or attachment. A method of fabricating a micro array in an ozone free environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a practical method of grafting oligo- and/or poly(ethyleneglycol) (OEG and/or PEG) derivatives onto hydrogen-terminated silicon surfaces, including the surfaces of silicon scanning probe microscopy (SPM) tips, by hydrosilylation of OEG and/or PEG-terminated alkenes. This invention is related to the development of silicon-based bio-devices, including biochips, biosensors such as SPM probes, microarrays, micro-fluidic systems, and implantable microdevices. This invention is also a practical method to modify (many) SPM probe tips with OEG/PEG derivatives and to subsequently modify the tip apex with functional single molecules to improve the specificity and resolution of AFM imaging and measurements. The functional molecules include the dendritic adsorbates with a functional group at their focal point and with or without a tripod-shaped framework.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction-material body or coating, containing a hydraulic agglutinant, aggregate material and glass granulate as the principal components. The surface of said glass granulate is coated with a protective layer, which contains at least one organic silicon compound and/or at least one duroplastic.

Abstract: Nanotubes and nanotube-based devices are implemented in a variety of applications. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a nanotube device is manufactured having a nanotube extending between two conductive elements. In one implementation, each conductive element includes a catalyst portion, wherein electrical connection is made to opposite ends of the nanotube at each of the catalyst portions. In one implementation, the conductive elements are coupled to circuitry for detecting an electrical characteristic of the nanotube, such as the response of the nanotube to exposure to one or more of a variety of materials. In another implementation, the nanotube device is adapted for chemical and biological sensing. In still another implementation, a particular functionality is imparted to the nanotube using one or more of a variety of materials coupled to the nanotube, such as metal particles, biological particles and/or layers of the same.

Abstract: A method for preparing an extended conjugated molecular assembly includes applying onto a surface of a substrate a first molecular compound G1-Molecule1-G2, where G1 includes a first functional group, G2 includes a second functional group, and Molecule1 includes a conjugated organic group bonded to G1 and G2, and reacting the first molecular compound with a second molecular compound G3-Molecule2-G4, where G3 includes a third functional group. G4 includes a fourth function group, and Molecule 2 includes a conjugated organic group bonded to G3 and G4, to form on the substrate an extended conjugated molecule G1-Molecule1-Molecule2-G4.

Abstract: An electroless nickel plating method for the preparation of zirconia ceramic material. The surface of the zirconia ceramic material is first cleaned of contaminants. This is followed by an etching step where the surface of the material is etched by an acid. Then, activating the surface of the material is achieved by first applying a tin sensitizer, and then a palladium activator. Following the palladium activator step, applying an electroless nickel to the surface of the post activated material. After the electroless nickel bath, the zirconial ceramic material can then be further electroless or electrolytically plated with a variety of finishes. Applying the method of the present invention provides a suitable, commercially practicable method for the preparation of zirconia ceramic material for electroless nickel plating, so that the electroless nickel chemistry is distributed evenly on the material's surface.

Abstract: A method for adhering windshield sealants directly over a basecoat/clearcoat finish in which the clearcoat comprises a carbamate polymer or oligomer.

Abstract: A deposition method includes contacting a substrate with a first initiation precursor and forming a first portion of an initiation layer on the substrate. At least a part of the substrate is contacted with a second initiation precursor different from the first initiation precursor and a second portion of the initiation layer is formed on the substrate. The substrate may be simultaneously contacted with a plurality of initiation precursors, forming on the substrate and initiation layer comprising components derived from each of the plurality of initiation precursors. An initiation layer may be contacted with a deposition precursor, forming a deposition layer on the initiation layer. The deposition layer may be contacted with a second initiation precursor different from the first initiation precursor forming a second initiation layer over the substrate.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing a catalyst on a substrate surface involves providing novel ligating copolymers comprising functional groups capable of binding to a substrate surface and functional groups capable of ligating to catalysts such as metal ions, metal complexes, nanoparticles, or colloids; applying the ligating copolymer to a substrate surface to cause the ligating copolymer to bind thereto, and contacting the modified substrate surface with a solution of a catalyst, causing the catalyst to be ligated by the ligating copolymer and thus immobilized on the substrate surface. The ligating copolymer may be patterned on the substrate surface using a method such as microcontact printing.

Abstract: A fibrous solid carbon manifold assembly and a method for producing the fibrous solid carbon manifold assembly are provided. The fibrous solid carbon manifold assembly has fibrous bodies carbonized, and a limitless number of superfine graphite filaments grown on surfaces of the carbonized fibrous bodies, in the inside of each of said fibrous bodies and in a gap between adjacent ones of said fibrous bodies. With such a configuration, the number of superfine graphite filaments can be increased more greatly.

Abstract: Resin cloths, powders, specular bodies and other objects resistant to conventional plating can be plated with metals by a simple method. According to the metal plating method of the present invention, electroless plating is performed after the surface of a object to be plated is treated with a pretreatment agent obtained by reacting or mixing in advance a noble metal compound (catalyst) with a silane-coupling agent having functional groups capable of capturing metals. According to this method, metal plating can be securely applied to powders, resin cloths, semiconductor wafers, and other specular bodies. Moreover, the problem of the insufficient coverage of the seed layer on the inside walls of vias and trenches during the formation of fine wiring can be addressed by applying this method to semiconductor wafers. The silane-coupling agent may be a compound containing azole groups, preferably an imidazole.

Abstract: A conductive polymer composite, comprising a polymer and polypyrrole and derivatives thereof. The composite is manufactured by first diffusing an oxidant such as iodine into the polymer, and then diffusing pyrrole or a pyrrole derivative vapor into the impregnated polymer, resulting in an in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole at the oxidant site. The conductivity of the composite foam can be effectively controlled between 10?7 to 10?1 S/cm, inclusive.

Abstract: Seed layer treatment to remove impurities in the seed layer that might lead to the formation of voids in interconnect circuit features. In one embodiment, the seed layer is heated in a reducing environment. In another embodiment, the seed layer is washed with a surfactant that is compatible with a surfactant used when forming the remainder of the circuit feature on the seed layer. Yet another embodiment combines both techniques.

Abstract: A method for the acyl fluoride activation of a carboxysilyl-coated glass is described. The method includes providing a glass substrate having a surface with at least one pendant carboxysilyl linker comprising a carboxyl group and activating without etching the surface of the glass by converting the carboxyl group into an acyl fluoride group. In one embodiment, the surface of the glass may be activated by contacting the surface with a fluoridating agent and a tertiary amine reagent, and a solvent that is capable of binding hydrogen fluoride. A substrate for the covalent immobilization of nucleophile-containing species is also provided. The substrate comprises a glass having a surface with a pendant carboxysilyl linker activated by acyl fluoride without etching the surface of the glass. The invention also provides a bioarray formed on a glass surface activated with acyl fluorides without etching.

Abstract: A method for assembling components on a substrate including the steps of: (a) selectively coating at least a first receptor site of the substrate with a liquid precursor that forms a solid adhesive upon contact with an initiator; (b) providing each of the components with an adhesion surface that has the initiator; and (c) depositing the components on the substrate in a manner that causes a first of the components to contact the at least first receptor site whereupon contact between the initiator and the liquid precursor causes formation of the adhesive which affixes the first compound to the first receptor site. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the precursor is a liquid monomer and the initiator initiates a polymerization reaction upon contact with the monomer to form a solid polymer.

Abstract: A method for bonding a material to a first substrate surface that includes providing a catalyst at the first substrate surface and then contacting that surface with a material that undergoes a metathesis reaction to bond the material to the first substrate surface. There are two embodiments of this method—a coating process and an adhesive process. In the coating embodiment, the metathesizable material is contacted with the catalyst on the substrate surface so that it undergoes metathesis polymerization to form the coating. The adhesive process includes (a) providing a catalyst at the first substrate surface, (b) providing a metathesizable material between the first substrate surface and the second substrate surface, and (c) contacting the catalyst on the first substrate surface with the metathesizable material so that the metathesizable material undergoes a metathesis reaction and bonds the first substrate surface to the second substrate surface.

Abstract: Medical devices that include oxidizable portions can be plated after a two step activation process that includes successive applications of two aqueous solutions of ammonium bifluoride. Once plated, such materials can be soldered using conventional solders and fluxes. Medical devices can be assembled by soldering together plated materials. Oxidizable materials can be plated with radiopaque materials to yield medical devices that are more visible to fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A method is taught for fabricating patterned silicon dioxide layers on process areas disposed perpendicularly or at an inclination to a substrate surface. Firstly, a starter layer having leaving groups is produced by non-conformal deposition of a reactive component. Tris(tert-butoxy)silanol is subsequently added. The addition of the tris(tert-butoxy)silanol leads to the formation of a silicon dioxide layer selectively only on the starter layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of depositing rutile type titanium dioxide, and a substrate and glass flakes having rutile type titanium dioxide obtained using the method fixed thereto. An object of the present invention is to make heating essentially unnecessary and simplify the manufacturing process, thus reducing costs, and also enable rutile type titanium dioxide to be fixed easily even to a substrate having low heat resistance. This object is attained by depositing rutile type crystals from a titanium-containing solution through a neutralization reaction under conditions of a temperature in a range of 55 to 85° C. and a pH of not more than 1.3.

Abstract: A laminated composite fabric material used for example in the manufacture of automobile air bags has at least one thermoplastic coating layer that is pressure laminated to a pre-treated fabric using an adhesive. The fabric, pre-treated with a curing agent such as an alkyl ether amine, resists penetration by the adhesive, resulting in a softer, more pliable composite fabric. The composite fabric also optionally includes a layer comprising a silicone polyurethane copolymer or acrylic cross-linked with a blocked isocyanate, which functions as a non-stick coating. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a laminated composite fabric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a component having two adjacent insulating layers and to a production process therefore. The component has an activated insulating layer, which can be converted into an electrically conductive layer by metallization.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a metal or metal silicide layer by an electroless deposition technique. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including depositing an initiation layer on a substrate surface, cleaning the substrate surface, and depositing a conductive material on the initiation layer by exposing the initiation layer to an electroless solution. The method may further comprise etching the substrate surface with an acidic solution and cleaning the substrate of the acidic solution prior to depositing the initiation layer. The initiation layer may be formed by exposing the substrate surface to a noble metal electroless solution or a borane-containing solution. The conductive material may be deposited with a borane-containing reducing agent. The conductive material may be used as a passivation layer, a barrier layer, a seed layer, or for use in forming a metal silicide layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for derivatizing supports on a carriers, wherein a functional group is activated on a support surface by reaction with an activating reagent and then reacted with an amine component. The invention also relates to a support with a dendrimer structure on its surface and to the use of a support that has been produced according to the invention for binding biopolymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the interior metal-coating of glass tubes, with the metal-coated surface being a cylindrical shell. In accordance with the invention such a method comprises the following process steps: the glass tube is sealed off at either end; the glass tube is brought to a horizontal position: a sensitizer solution is introduced into the interior space of the glass tube in such a quantity that the interior space is only partly filled; the sensitizer solution is removed from the interior space after a certain dwell period; a mirror-coating solution is introduced into the interior space of the glass tube, with the entire interior surface of the glass tube being wetted by the mirror-coating solution; the used-up mirror-coating solution is removed from the interior space of the glass tube.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a metal or metal silicide layer by an electroless deposition technique. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including depositing an initiation layer on a substrate surface, cleaning the substrate surface, and depositing a conductive material on the initiation layer by exposing the initiation layer to an electroless solution. The method may further comprise etching the substrate surface with an acidic solution and cleaning the substrate of the acidic solution prior to depositing the initiation layer. The initiation layer may be formed by exposing the substrate surface to a noble metal electroless solution or a borane-containing solution. The conductive material may be deposited with a borane-containing reducing agent. The conductive material may be used as a passivation layer, a barrier layer, a seed layer, or for use in forming a metal silicide layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for more efficient application of photoresist to a wafer surface. One aspect of the method comprises applying solvent to the wafer and spinning it to coat the entire wafer surface prior to the application of photoresist. This reduces surface tension on the wafer and reduces the amount of resist required to achieve a high quality film. The apparatus comprises adding a third solenoid and nozzle to the coating unit to accommodate the application of solvent to the center of the wafer surface. The method also describes incorporating a new solvent comprising diacetone alcohol, which is a low-pressure solvent, providing extended process latitudes and reduced material expenditures.

Abstract: A method for coating particles and the coated particles obtained thereby are disclosed. The particles are first placed in a solution of a first monomer that forms a self-assembling monolayer on the particles thereby forming coated particles. The coated particles are then suspended in a second solution that includes a chemical species and an initiator for oxidative polymerization. The chemical species has a higher oxidation potential than the monomers. In addition, the chemical species form a homopolymer in the presence of the initiator that is covalently bound to the first monomers. Particles of semiconductors such as TiO2, SiO2, SnO2, Al2O3 can be coated with polymers that alter the bandgap energy of the semiconducting particles and/or provide other useful surface chemistries.

Abstract: The invention provides for a back-end metallisation process in which a recess is filled with copper and which includes the step of forming a plating base on the surfaces of the recess for the subsequent galvanic deposition of the said copper, and wherein subsequent to the formation of the plating base, but prior to the galvanic deposition of the copper, a modifying agent is introduced to the recess and which serves to absorb in the surface regions not covered by the plating base and to thereby modify the surface to promote copper growth thereon so as to effectively repair the initial plating base before the copper plating fill commences.

Abstract: Silicon substrates having Si—H bonds are chemically modified using a fluorinated olefin having the formula: wherein m is an integer greater than or equal to 1; n is an integer greater than or equal to 0; Z is a divalent linking group; and Rf is a highly fluorinated organic group.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern on an article comprising applying a carrier material to a substrate to provide the pattern, the carrier material carrying a seeding substance to allow application of a metallic material thereto, moulding the substrate to form the article, and applying the metallic material to the seeding substance on the carrier material.

Abstract: A method of recording fingerprints in which a solution of monohydrogen or dihydrogen ester having an AAV of about 9 or more is applied to a person's fingerprint area with the area then pressed onto a thermosensitive substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a material surface comprising the steps of: (a) providing an inorganic or organic bulk material having covalently bound to its surface initiator moieties for radical polymerization; (b) graft polymerizing a hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated macromonomer from the bulk material surface in the presence of a biocompatible hydrophilic polymer being devoid of polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups and thereby entrapping said hydrophilic polymer within the polymer matrix formed by the polymerization of the macromonomer. Composite materials obtainable according to the process of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus useful for the manufacture of biomedical articles such as ophthalmic devices.

Abstract: A method for preparing an &agr;-Al2O3 nanotemplate of fully crystalline &agr;-Al2O3 directly on the surface of a metal alloy is provided. Also provided is a related apparatus.

Abstract: A system for making a coated substrate, comprising a coating composition, said coating composition comprising an alkenyl functional compound and a hydride functional compound, and a substrate having a precious metal catalyst disposed on at least one surface of the substrate in an amount effective to catalyze cure of the coating composition when the coating composition is applied to the substrate wherein the substrate is selected from papers, polymers films, metal foils and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder, in one embodiment, comprises a fibrous carrier substrate material covered with a solidified coating comprising a binder resin material having an acid value of less than about 30 mg KOH/g of resin. Additionally, the coating may include a catalyst applied as a separate layer or in combination with the binder resin material. The string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous reinforcing material to make a product suitable for use in various molding applications.

Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a receptacle with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The receptacle has a cavity for holding electronic components (eg. battery, microphone, amplifier). A soft polymeric body is preliminarily formed by encapsulating a plurality of the electronic hearing aid component shaped inserts. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. After forming, the insert is removed to provide an insert cavity that can carry electronic components. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal.