Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electroless or electrolytic process for treating metallic surfaces. The process employs a medium comprising at least one oxygen containing water soluble compound (e.g., stannates, molybdates, vanadates and hydrated cerium compounds) having a controlled and predetermined concentration, temperature and pH wherein the metallic surface is at least partially corroded or solubilized.

Abstract: An adhesion promoter for adhering a coating of a polymer, metal, metal oxide or fluorinated derivative thereof to an electrical or opto-electronic surface. The adhesion promoter is a hybrid organic-inorganic material which, in a preferred embodiment, includes silicon in the inorganic material.

Abstract: In a mounting structure including a first electrode and a second electrode electrically connected to each other via a conductive adhesive, the periphery of an adhesion portion between at least one of the electrodes and the conductive adhesive is covered with an electrical insulating layer, whereby the adhesion portion is reinforced from the periphery. The electrical insulating layer may be formed by dissolving a binder resin component of the conductive adhesive in a solvent. This increases the concentration of a conductive filler in the conductive adhesive, so that the conductivity of the adhesion portion is also enhanced.

Abstract: A base of synthetic resins or other materials is partially plated. The base includes not only a single base but an assembly with a number of chip bases for producing electronic and electric parts such as printed circuit board, lead frame insert molded circuit parts, etc. A method for partially plating a base by the use of a plating catalyst includes a coating process to coat a surface to be plated or not to be plated by means of a coating material selected from a water soluble polymer or hydrolyzable polymer either before or after a catalyst applying process to soak a container containing the base in a plating catalyst bath.

Abstract: A method of making a coated substrate which includes the steps of applying a layer of a coating composition, said coating composition comprising an alkenyl functional organopolysiloxane and a hydride functional organopolysiloxane, to the substrate, said substrate comprising a catalytically effective amount of a precious metal catalyst, and allowing the layer to cure, allows the use of a non-catalyzed coating bath having a very long useful life, while providing a highly reactive coating layer that may be rapidly cured at low temperature.

Abstract: A method of making a coated substrate which includes the steps of applying a layer of a coating composition, said coating composition comprising an alkenyl functional organopolysiloxane and a hydride functional organopolysiloxane, to the substrate, said substrate comprising a catalytically effective amount of a precious metal catalyst, and allowing the layer to cure, allows the use of a non-catalyzed coating bath having a very long useful life, while providing a highly reactive coating layer that may be rapidly cured at low temperature. A catalyst-containing article comprising a substrate selected from papers, polymer films, polymer coated papers, metal foils and combinations thereof, a precious metal catalyst disposed on at least one surface of the substrate, and an addition curable siloxane coating composition on said deposited precious metal catalyst, wherein said catalyst capable of catalyzing the cure of said addition curable siloxane coating composition.

Abstract: A method of making a coated substrate which includes the steps of applying a layer of a coating composition, said coating composition comprising an alkenyl functional organopolysiloxane and a hydride functional organopolysiloxane, to the substrate, said substrate comprising a catalytically effective amount of a precious metal catalyst, and allowing the layer to cure, allows the use of a non-catalyzed coating bath having a very long useful life, while providing a highly reactive coating layer that may be rapidly cured at low temperature.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting the fouling of a substrate in a fouling environment, which comprises forming on the substrate, before exposure to the environment, a coating comprising a film-forming polymer (A) carrying unreacted curable silicon-containing functional groups providing latent reactivity, and thereafter applying a layer comprising a curable polymeric fouling-inhibiting material (B), more especially a curable polysiloxane or a curable flourine-containing polymer, and bonding the applied layer to the coating by a condensation curing reaction involving the unreacted functional groups thereon. The initial coating can be applied over a range of worn or damaged anti-fouling coatings. The sequential application of layers is a simpler, more flexible and more controllable procedure than is offered by complex systems designed to produce outer siloxane-rich regions. Relatively long periods are achievable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of scratch-resistant coatings by dual cure of compositions comprising surface active benzoyl compounds wherein at least one non-polar fluorinated alkyl group is present. The invention also relates to a process for concentrating these surface-active photoinitiators in the surface of coatings, to novel surface active benzoyl compounds wherein at least one non-polar fluorinated alkyl group is present, to compositions wherein the novel surface active fluorinated photoinitiators are present, and to a method for improving the flow of a curable composition on substrates.

Abstract: In the catalyst-applying treatment, the sensitization treatment is carried out by dipping the base material which has been subjected to the preliminary treatment in a tin chloride solution applied with a predetermined amount of fluorine type anionic surfactant, and the activation treatment is carried out by dipping the base material which has been subjected to the preliminary treatment in a palladium chloride solution applied with a predetermined amount of fluorine type anionic surfactant.

Abstract: After forming first catalyst cores on the surfaces of adhesive layers of an insulating substrate, a plating resist is patterned. The insulating substrate is treated with an aqueous solution containing an anionic surfactant. Then, the insulating substrate is soaked successively in a palladium—tin mixed colloid catalyst solution and an accelerator solution, whereby second catalyst cores are formed on the surface of the adhesive layer not covered with the plating resist. Thereafter, conductive circuits are formed by electroless copper plating. Due to the anionic surfactant, adsorption of the palladium—tin mixed colloid catalyst to the plating resist is suppressed, and the first catalyst cores promote the formation of second catalyst cores. By setting the concentration of the first catalyst cores to 4×10−8 atomic mol/cm2 or less, a fine conductive circuit with a line width/line space of 50 &mgr;m or less having a high electrical insulating property between circuit lines can be formed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a carbon nanotube device, characterized in that selective chemical vapor-phase deposition is performed on the lateral sides of the portion where the carbon nanotube device is to be formed defined by using the density of catalyst grains as well as etching technique so as to position the carbon nanotube device according to the arrangement of the catalyst grains. Therefore, the carbon nanotube device can be formed on a large-area chip can be achieved so as to further fabricate arrays of carbon nanotube memories and transistors.

Abstract: Described are conductor track structures on a nonconductive support material, especially fine conductor track structures, which are comprised of a base containing a heavy metal and a metallized coating applied to this, and a method for their production. The invention is characterized in that the heavy metal base in the area of the conductor track structures contains heavy metal nuclei, which have been created by the breakup of an organic nonconductive heavy metal complex, and that the support material contains microporous or microrough support particles to which the heavy metal nuclei are bound. An outstanding strength of adhesion of the deposited metal conductor tracks is achieved. The method is especially suitable also for the production of three-dimensional circuit supports.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a superabrasive composite material having the general formula SixCyNz, and tools containing such a material. In one aspect, vapor forms of Si, C, and N elements are deposited onto a molten metal catalyst and solid SixCyNz is precipitated therefrom.

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 metal, glass or ceramics surface is treated to enhance its compatibility with biological material such as blood or blood related products. Treatment involves covalently bonding to the surface by means of a catalyst functional molecules each of has at least one alkoxysilane group which can form at least one first covalent bond by reaction with the oxide or hydroxide of said surface and at least one other group which can participate in free-radical polymerisation. Free-radical polymerisation from said functional molecules is then effected to build bio-compatible and/or hydrophilic polymer chains. The compatibility of the metal surface with biological material may be further improved by bonding bio-active molecules, such as heparin or heparin derived molecules to the polymer chains. Suitable metal surfaces are those of medical devices such as heat exchangers, coronary and peripheral stents and guide wires used in angioplasty.

Abstract: A hydrogen peroxide solution is applied onto the surface of a metallic member to oxidize the metallic member and to form the oxide film. At this time, a light beam is irradiated towards the metallic member through the hydrogen peroxide solution to promote oxidization of the metallic member. The light beam is one of a visible ray, a laser beam, and an ultraviolet ray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a material surface, comprising the steps of: (a) covalently binding a compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated double bond to the material surface; (b) polymerizing a monomer comprising a reactive or crosslinkable group on the surface and thereby providing a primary polymer coating comprising reactive or crosslinkable groups, (c) in case of a monomer comprising a reactive group in step (b) reacting the reactive groups of the primary coating with a further compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated double bond and graft-polymerizing a hydrophilic monomer and optionally a co-monomer having a crosslinkable group onto the primary coating obtained according to step (b) and (d) in case of crosslinkable groups being present in step (b) or (c) initiating crosslinking of said groups.

Abstract: Disclosed are a composite material comprising a substrate having a three-dimensional structure which has, on substantially entire surface thereof, regions where a polymerizable unsaturated compound is graft-bonded and regions where the polymerizable unsaturated compound is not graft-bonded, a method for graft polymerization comprising the steps of reacting the surface of the substrate having a three-dimensional structure with droplets of a solution containing a graft polymerization initiator in a suspension or an emulsion comprising the solution containing a graft polymerization initiator and a solvent immiscible with the solution containing the graft polymerization initiator so as to form polymerization initiating regions on the surface of the substrate and thereafter graft-polymerizing a polymerizable unsaturated compound to the surface part where the polymerization initiating regions are formed, and a composite material comprising a substrate which has, on substantially entire surface thereof, regions wher

Abstract: Ink and fixer compositions for printing on hydrophobic media. The ink compositions include a water soluble dye and a vehicle, the vehicle includes water, a glycol ether, a humectant, and a non-ionic surfactant. The fixer compositions include a fixing agent and a vehicle, the vehicle includes water, a glycol ether, a humectant, and a non-ionic surfactant.

Abstract: The invention concerns complex porous structures varying in thickness and the method used for making them electrically conductive by conductive polymer deposit. The conductive activation is obtained by depositing a conductive polymer, set on the whole developed surface of the structure through its entire thickness, by pre-treatment steps for oxidizing the structure, depositing a monomer, polymerizing oxidaton-doping of the monomer. The structures are of the type crosslinked foam, felt or woven fabric and are mass-treated by flowing treatment solutions within blocks, still unwound rolls. Said structures, which can be metal-coated or not, are particularly designed to be used as electrodes for the electrolysis of effluent liquids, detecting and trapping organic or biological molecules, supporting electrodes for electrochemical generators, catalyst supports, filtering media, sound insulating materials, electromagnetic, nuclear, antistatic protecting structures, heat exchangers and others.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing particles with an insulating, semiconducting and/or metallic coating and stabilized particles prepared thereby are disclosed. In addition, particles stabilized by an insulating, semiconducting and/or metallic coating, wherein said coating is attached to said particles via a bifunctional ligand are provided, as is a method is provided for determining the presence of an analyte in a sample comprising incubating the sample with a ligand bound to a coated particle, capable of specifically binding to the analyte and capable of providing a detectable signal and detecting the presence of a ligand-coated particle:analyte complex as indicating the presence of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexible printed circuit in which a resin solution is applied onto a circuit substrate having a wiring pattern on its surface so as to form a resin cover layer, having the steps of: wetting the surface of the circuit substrate with a solvent which is capable of dissolving the resin; applying the resin solution onto the surface wetted with the solvent; and drying the resin solution to thereby form the resin cover layer. A flexible printed circuit obtained in the manufacturing method.

Abstract: With a transfer member, such as a toner sheet, provided with at least two layers including an intermediate layer having a function of preventing transfer of a substance and a thermally fusible ink layer on the supporting member side, and an image receiving member, such as image receiving sheet, used, a solution for improving the transfer sensitivity is jetted onto either of them according to the image so as to form a transfer image on the image receiving member surface.

Abstract: A method for sintering a porous coating on an open-structure substrate, i.e., a substrate with pre-made pores or openings. The open-structure substrate is spread with a coating paste that is prepared with such a viscosity so that the paste will not drip through the pores/openings on the open-structure substrate. The coating paste is then sintered to form a porous layer on the surface of the open-structure substrate. Optionally, the porous coating may be further coated with a catalyst for fuel cell applications.

Abstract: A method of producing an organic LED display panel, which includes: a step of preparing a donor film by forming a transfer film on a base film comprising at least a foundation film and a light-to-heat conversion layer and a step of combining the donor film with a substrate and irradiating the donor film with one of a light beam and a heat radiation beam to pattern-transfer the transfer film from the donor film onto the substrate, wherein surfaces of the base film and the substrate which are to be brought into contact with the transfer film are hydrophilic or hydrophobic, and have water contact angles &thgr;1 and &thgr;2, respectively, which satisfy the following expression (I):

Abstract: A process wherein a low viscosity, metal-containing paste is screened onto a ceramic greensheet and then sets up to increase its viscosity. In one method, the low viscosity is caused by excess solvent which is then blotted or otherwise removed so that the viscosity of the paste is increased. In an alternative method, the low viscosity paste contains a cross-linking agent which causes the paste to increase its viscosity after screening.

Abstract: A coated substrate and methods of making and using coated substrates, wherein the coated substrate comprises a coating consisting essentially of a layered mineral, a thermoplastic polymeric substrate having pendant groups receptive to said layered mineral, and wherein said pendant groups are coordinated metal groups, or are groups which can be bonded to coordinating cations or anions, or pendant groups directly receptive said layered mineral. The coated substrate is less permeable to gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for the fabrication of submicron copper interconnection useful on IC structures without deposition of copper seed is described. A dense metal layer can be deposited through contact displacement reaction between diffusion barrier layer and metal ions in solution under appropriate conditions. The metal layer formed by the displacement deposition can serve as the conducting material for subsequent copper electroplating. Moreover, the costly process for applying seed layer through CVD or PVD can be eliminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a material surface, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the material surface with polymer brushes comprising polymerization initiator radicals; and (b) graft polymerizing one or more different ethylenically unsaturated hydrophilic monomers or macromonomers onto the polymerization initiator-modified polymer brushes. The coated articles that are obtainable by 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: The present invention relates to a process for preparing surface modifications having an improved antithrombogenic activity, whereby the improvement is achieved by treating heparin at a temperature above 40° C. or a pH in the rage of 9-14 or in contact with nucleophilic catalysts before attaching said heparin to the surface to be modified.

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 new method for CVD deposition on a substrate is taught wherein radical species are used in alternate steps to depositions from a molecular precursor to treat the material deposited from the molecular precursor and to prepare the substrate surface with a reactive chemical in preparation for the next molecular precursor step. By repetitive cycles a composite integrated film is produced. In a preferred embodiment the depositions from the molecular precursor are metals, and the radicals in the alternate steps are used to remove ligands left from the metal precursor reactions, and to oxidize or nitridize the metal surface in subsequent layers. A variety of alternative chemistries are taught for different films, and hardware combinations to practice the invention are taught as well.

Abstract: Adhesion between a coating and an EPDM rubber membrane may be improved by pre-treating the surface of the EPDM rubber membrane with an aqueous detergent composition having a pH above 8 and comprising from 1 to 10% by weight phosphate and from 1 to 10% by weight silicate, before application of the mastic.

Abstract: A method of forming a metallic feature on a substrate, comprising the steps of: providing a stamp having a raised region; depositing catalytic particles on a selected area of the stamp, including the raised region thereof; providing a substrate; applying the stamp to the substrate, such that the raised region of the stamp causes a corresponding indented region in the substrate and at least some of the catalytic particles are transferred to a selected area of the substrate; and plating the selected area of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of a strip-like metallic composite material by the high-temperature dip coating of a metallic carrier strip, consisting of a metallurgic vessel for receiving the liquid depositing material, through which the carrier strip is capable of being led in a preferably vertical run-through direction by means of pairs of rollers arranged on the entry and the exit side, and of a preheating device for the carrier strip, said preheating device being located upstream of the metallurgic vessel. At the same time, the preheating device (41) is arranged in a housing (61) which is arranged in the entry region upstream of the metallurgic vessel (11) and surrounds the carrier strip (21) and into which the medium coming from a media supply (52) is capable of being introduced via at least one feed (51) led into the housing.

Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. 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. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.

Abstract: A process for producing an excellent gel-coated seed, a coating gel-layer of which has a uniform thickness and hardness, is provided. The process for producing a gel-coated seed according to the present invention employs a gel-forming solution and a hardener for gelatinizing the gel-forming solution, wherein a seed is dipped into the gel-forming solution after the hardener adheres to the seed.

Abstract: A method of depositing a functional group on a surface portion of an elastic substrate comprises the steps of: (a) stretching an elastic substrate having an initial surface portion to form an enlarged surface portion from the initial surface portion; then (b) conjugating a functional group on the enlarged surface portion; and then (c) releasing the substrate to form a reduced surface portion from the enlarged surface portion, with the reduced surface portion having an area less than the enlarged surface portion, and with the reduced surface portion having the functional group deposited therein at a greater density than the enlarged surface portion.

Abstract: A viscosity-increasing agent, capable of increasing the viscosity of a film-forming polymer in an image-functional layer, is preapplied in a first solution onto a web through a coating and drying process. When a second solution containing the film-forming polymer is then coated on the web, the viscosity-increasing agent diffuses through the applied second solution. As the viscosity-increasing agent interacts with the film-forming polymer during this diffusion process, the viscosity of the solution increases. The invention can be used to improve the manufacture of ink-jet media, photographic or photothermographic elements, and other imaging and image-receiving media.

Abstract: Intercalated graphite flake which has enhanced exfoliation volume characteristics at relatively low exfoliation temperatures, e.g., 600° C. and even lower, is made by adding an organic expansion aid to the intercalant solution and heating a blend of intercalated particles and an organic reducing agent in the temperature range of 25° to 125° C.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of coating a substrate, comprising exposing a substrate to an initiator capable of initiating a graft polymerization reaction on the substrate, to generate reactive radical sites on the surface of the substrate; contacting the substrate with a composition comprising one or more monomers in a medium which has different hydrophilicity compared to the substrate, and grafting monomer molecules onto the substrate by forming covalent bonds between monomer molecules and the substrate at reactive radical sites on the substrate surface. With the invention, novel coated articles can be obtained which are particularly usefull as medical products such as catheters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of applying ink containing dyes to fabric composed of synthetic and cellulose fibers using an ink-jet system to print the fabric with high color shade depth and brilliancy and ink-jet printed goods obtained by the ink-jet printing method. The fabric composed of cellulose and synthetic fibers is treated with an acidic aqueous dispersion containing cellulose reactive compound, water-soluble polymer and non-water-soluble inactive organic compound with a melting point of 40° C.-150° C. and the fabric is dried before its ink-jet printing with reactive and disperse dyes.

Abstract: A sol-gel catalyst composition for electroless plating includes a metal alkoxide in a polar organic solvent, an acid, a chloride salt or acid chloride, and a catalytic metallic salt. The sol-gel catalyst adheres to smooth surfaces without the preconditioning normally associated with other sol-gel smooth surface catalyst, as well as a method for coating a substrate with the sol-gel catalyst composition, and then a metallic platting solution.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing polymer, having a number-average molecular weight of 500 to 100,000 and represented by the following general formula Rf—(OC3F6)a—(OC2F4)b—(OCF2)c—X—Y—Z—MPnRm−n or PnRm−nM—Z—Y—X—(OC3F6)a—(OC2F4)b—(OCF2)c—X—Y—Z—MPnRm−n (wherein Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group; a, b and c independently represent 0 or a number equal to or greater than 1, with the proviso that the sum of a, b and c is at least 1; X is a group represented by the formula: —(O)d—(CF2)e—(CH2)f—; Y is a divalent polar group; Z is a group represented by the formula: —(CH2)g—; M is a metal atom; R is a hydrocarbon group; P is a hydrolyzable polar group; m is an integer equal to “(valency of M)−1”; and n is an integer of 1 to m), exhibits excellent stainproof property against oily dirt and can form on a substrate a stainproof layer having an excellent stainproof pro

Abstract: An applicator tip for dispensing a polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material which is porous, absorbent or adsorbent and includes a polymerization or cross-linking initiator. The initiator initiates polymerization or cross-linking when the polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material is dispensed through the applicator tip. The polymerizable and/or cross-linkable material may be applied to a variety of substrates.

Abstract: A multi-station processing chamber in which incompatible processes are performed includes multiple pedestals positioned in wells with annular gaps around the pedestals. Showerheads located above the pedestals flow reactive gases over substrates located on the pedestals. The reactive gases are drawn through the annular gaps by a pressure gradient. The reactive gases are then pumped out of the wells through an exhaust port. The narrow annular gap permits little recirculation of the reactive gases one they are drawn into the wells. Moreover, the showerheads are flush with ceiling of the chamber and the wells contain smooth contours to minimize dead space in the chamber thereby reducing residence time of the reactive gases. An indexing plate is used to lift the substrates off the pedestals and to accurately position the substrates at the next processing station.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods for the protection and consolidation of calcareous materials. An exemplary method includes providing an aqueous solution of a hydroxycarboxylic acid, adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution by adding an alkaline agent, and applying the pH-adjusted aqueous solution to a calcareous mineral to form a conversion layer on the mineral. The calcareous mineral may, for example, be carbonate rock, particularly limestone and marble, or may be part of masonry material, aggregates, or fillers. Adherent conversion layers are readily formed at ambient temperatures and, therefore, methods provided are suitable for field application. Conversion layers so formed are provided as further embodiments.

Abstract: An ink transfer sheet and method for using the same. The transfer sheet includes a backing layer, a release layer on the backing layer, and an ink receiving layer on the release layer. The ink receiving layer contains a quaternary ammonium salt thereon or impregnated therein. To use the transfer sheet, an ink containing an anionic coloring agent is applied to the ink receiving layer, preferably using thermal inkjet methods. Thereafter, the transfer sheet is positioned on a fabric substrate. Heat is applied to the sheet which causes the release layer and ink receiving layer to adhere to the substrate. The backing layer is then detached from the release layer leaving the release and ink receiving layers (with the printed image thereon) on the substrate. This process transfers the image to the fabric substrate, with the image being stabilized by interactions between the quaternary ammonium salt and anionic coloring agent.

Abstract: There is provided a method for partially plating on a base of synthetic resins or other materials including not only a single base but an assembly thereof comprising a number of chip bases for producing electronic and electric parts such as printed circuit board, lead frame insert molded circuit parts, etc. A method for partially plating on an assembly of bases 21 by the use of a plating catalyst comprising a coating process to coat a surface to be plated or not to be plated by means of a coating material selected from a water soluble polymer or hydrolyzable polymer either before or after a catalyst applying process to soak a container containing bases 21 in a plating catalyst bath.