Abstract: This invention provides for a method, system and apparatus for applying a chrome-like coating on objects using hand-held, portable, and self-contained spray canisters. The chrome-like coating is achieved by the simultaneous spraying of the object's surface with an ammoniacal silver nitrate solution and a reducing agent. This simultaneous spraying may be done using two spray canisters, one holding the ammoniacal silver nitrate solution and the other holding the reducing agent, with one canister held in each hand. The simultaneous spraying may also be achieved using a new, single-trigger, hand-held, spray gun configured to hold two canisters which are activated simultaneously by the single trigger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the surfaces of individual filaments in multifilament yarn. The method includes the steps of immersing the yarn into a liquid treatment solution and coating all exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, disrupting the orientation of the individual filaments and coating all newly exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, and repeating the previous steps until a predetermined treatment level is achieved. A filament orientation disruption assembly may include at least one roller having a roller profile such that for a given transverse section of the roller, a roller surface perimeter has a plurality of points located a plurality of distinct distances from a central axis of the roller, i.e., a non-cylindrical roller. The method is particularly effective in plating highly anisotropic uniaxially oriented polymer fibers, such as PBO.

Abstract: A high-strength quenched formed body containing a layer on the surface of an after-quenching formed-body steel material in which layer Zn is a major component and which layer contains 30% by mass or less of Fe, and which layer is present in an amount of 30 g/m2 or more. A quenched formed body is produced by quenching a zinc-plated steel material which includes a zinc-plated layer containing each of Al and Si having alloying-retarding function and readily-oxidizing function independently or compositely, in an amount of 0.15% by mass or more, after heating it to 800° C. or more and 950° C. or less in an oxidizing atmosphere containing 0.1% by volume or more of oxygen.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an interlayer film formed over a semiconductor substrate. A groove is formed in the interlayer film. A wiring formed in the groove is a copper alloy including copper and a metal element. An oxide layer of the metal element is formed over the surface of the wiring. The oxide layer is formed in a first region along a grain boundary of a copper crystal and a second region surrounded by the grain boundary, over the surface of the wiring. The oxide layer formed in the first region has a thickness greater than that of the oxide layer formed in the second region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit creation technology that improves conductive line manufacture by adding active and elemental palladium onto the surface of a substrate. The palladium is disposed in minute amounts on the surface and does not form a conductive layer by itself, but facilitates subsequent deposition of a metal onto the surface, according to the pattern of the palladium, to form the conductive lines.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present application provides electrically conductive metal-plated fibers and continuous processes of preparing metal-plated fibers. Additionally, provided are polymeric articles comprising the provided metal-plated fibers or other fibers prepared by the provided process, said articles having electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness.

Abstract: A resin material is brought into contact with a first solution containing ozone, and at the same time, ultraviolet rays are irradiated. The activation due to the treatment with ozone water and the activation due to the treatment with ultraviolet rays are synergistically operated to enable the formation of a plated coating having excellent adhesive strength by a short treatment. In addition, even by a long treatment, the adhesive strength can be restrained from lowering. Consequently, a plated coating having excellent adhesion can be formed without roughening the surface of the resin material by a short pretreatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst precursor composition for electroless plating, and more specifically, the present invention provides the catalyst precursor composition comprising (a) a reactive oligomer; (b) a reactive monomer; (c) a photoinitiator; (d) a catalyst precursor for electroless plating; and (e) a solvent, and a method of preparing the EMI shielding material with the same. The present invention provides an easy and simple method of preparing the EMI shielding material by using the catalyst precursor composition that contains a UV curable resin with good adhesion to the base material, thereby eliminating the need for pre-treating the base material with a receptive layer before electroless plating.

Abstract: A storage container is provided, which includes carbon dioxide containing a functional material and a container body in which carbon dioxide has been hermetically contained. Accordingly, a method for molding a resin, a method for forming a plating film, and the storage container for carbon dioxide, which are excellent in the mass productively at low cost, are provided without using any special high pressure apparatus for producing a supercritical fluid.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a plating method on a glass base plate. The method allows forming a plating film on a base plate composed of a glass material with excellent adhesivity and homogeneity by means of an electroless plating method even to a thickness of 1 ?m or more. Before forming a plating film by a step of electroless plating S6, a surface treatment process is conducted on a surface of the base plate composed of a glass material. The surface treatment process comprises at least a step of glass activation treatment S2 to increase quantity of silanol groups on the surface of the base plate at least by a factor of two using an aqueous solution of diluted acid, a step of silane coupling agent treatment S3, a step of palladium catalyst treatment S4, and a step of palladium bonding treatment S5.

Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing a nanowire grid polarizer, and a nanowire grid polarizer prepared using the same. The method includes: mixing a surfactant and a silica precursor to prepare a mesoporous film composition; coating the mesoporous film composition on a substrate; aging the coated product to form a silica template composite; removing the surfactant inside the silica template composite to prepare a mesoporous material having channels; and filling the channels of the mesoporous material with metal. The method is suitable for the formation of a nanowire having a stable structure, mass production, and large-area production.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a resin molded article by using a resin into which fine metal particles are so introduced as to be hardly dissolved at the melting temperature of the resin and as to obtain high solubility in a high-pressure carbon dioxide. This process comprises the steps of forming a high-pressure fluid by dissolving, in a high-pressure carbon dioxide, a fluorine-containing metal complex and a fluorine-based solution capable of dissolving the same metal complex; introducing the high-pressure fluid into a heated and molten resin; and molding the resin having the high-pressure fluid introduced thereinto, to shape the molded article.

Abstract: Nanoparticles are coated using thick-film techniques with a catalyst to promote the growth of carbon nanotubes thereon. In one example, alumina nanoparticles are coated with a copper catalyst. Such nanoparticles can be selectively deposited onto a substrate to create a field emission cathode, which can then be utilized within field emission devices.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane and a method of manufacturing such gas separation membrane that comprises a porous substrate treated with a layer of metal-coated inorganic oxide particles and with the layer of such metal-coated inorganic oxide particles being coated with an overlayer of a gas-selective material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the corrosion-protecting pre-treatment of metal surfaces and using rinse water in a manner to conserve resources in such a corrosion-protecting pre-treatment, comprising a conversion treatment step using an aqueous composition comprising at least 50 ppm of the elements B, Si, Ti, Zr and/or Hf in the form of water-soluble compounds at a pH value of 3 to 5.5, wherein a minimum fraction of 10 ppm of the elements B, Si, Ti, Zr and/or Hf in the form of water-soluble compounds is present in the last pre-rinse step and a portion of the aqueous composition of the conversion treatment step is contained in the first post-rinse step. The resource-conserving use of the rinse water is accomplished according to the invention by way of a cascaded return of rinse water from the last rinse step to the first rinse step.

Abstract: A method for reducing porosity of metal layers on a substrate may comprise depositing a precursor onto at least a portion of the substrate, and adding metal layers over the precursor comprising at least one cycle, wherein each cycle comprises: depositing a metal layer over the precursor, and exposing the metal layer to a breath-out solution.

Abstract: In a method for producing a conductive coating on an insulating substrate, at least one surface of an electrically insulating substrate is equipped, in selected regions, with a coating of an electrically highly conductive first metal; the coated surface is cleaned; the coating made of the first metal on the substrate is seeded with seeds of a second metal; a layer of the second metal is deposited onto the layer thus seeded; the substrate thus coated is fired.

Abstract: Provided is a sensitizing solution for electroless plating which can easily dissolve an Sn compound therein without the use of acid, and thus can be used for a long period of time without impairing the uniformity of a metal plating coating. The sensitizing solution for electroless plating is a sensitizing solution for electroless plating including: an Sn compound; and a solvent, wherein the solvent contains 10 vol. % or more of a water-soluble alcohol. In addition, provided is an electroless plating method including: a pretreatment process of immersing a body to be plated into a pretreatment solution; and a plating process of immersing the body to be plated after being subjected to the pretreatment process into a plating solution, wherein the sensitizing solution for electroless plating according to the invention is used as the pretreatment solution.

Abstract: A substrate processing method and apparatus can securely carry out a pre-plating treatment that enables uniform plating in the necessary area of the surface of a substrate. The substrate processing method carries out a cleaning treatment and a catalyst-imparting treatment of a surface of a substrate as pre-plating treatments and then electroless plates a metal film on the catalyst-imparted surface of the substrate. The cleaning treatment is carried out in a wider area of the surface of the substrate than that area to which a catalyst is imparted by the catalyst-imparting treatment.

Abstract: A method for increasing the durability of glass (1) by a coating, according to the present invention comprises the step of coating glass (1) with a coating comprising at least one layer (4, 5, 6) whose thickness is below 5 nanometres, wherein the coating comprises a compound of at least one element. A glass product comprising a coating, according to the present invention is fabricated by coating glass (1) with a coating comprising at least one layer (4, 5, 6) whose thickness is below 5 nanometres. A glass product comprising a coating, according to the present invention comprises surface scratches (2) with a width at the level of the glass (1) surface of below 50 nanometres, the coating residing essentially conformally on the inside of the surface scratches (2) to increase the durability of the glass (1).

Abstract: Methods of attaching a ligand to a surface are described that include contacting a surface with a substrate containing an amphiphilic comb polymer. The substrate is configured to provide a pattern of the amphiphilic comb polymer on a selected region of the surface. The substrate can be separated from the surface leaving the amphiphilic comb polymer on the selected region of the surface, thus providing a selected region of the surface having amphiphilic comb polymer on it. A ligand can then be deposited on the surface such that the selected region of the surface having the amphiphilic comb polymer is substantially free of the ligand.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing a method capable of conveniently enhancing adhesion between a metal film and an insulating resin upon forming the metal film on a flat surface of the insulating resin, the invention provides a method for conditioning an insulating resin, comprising hydrophilizing an insulating resin, treating the insulating resin with a solution containing a polymer having a primary amine, a secondary amine or both of them on a side chain thereof, and a method for metallizing an insulating resin utilizing the conditioning method.

Abstract: Electroless plating is performed to deposit conductive materials on work pieces such as partially fabricated integrated circuits. Components of an electroless plating bath are separately applied to a work piece by spin coating to produce a very thin conductive layer (in the range of a few hundred angstroms). The components are typically a reducing agent and a metal source.

Abstract: A high-strength quenched formed body containing a layer on the surface of an after-quenching formed-body steel material in which layer Zn is a major component and which layer contains 30% by mass or less of Fe, and which layer is present in an amount of 30 g/m2 or more. A quenched formed body is produced by quenching a zinc-plated steel material which includes a zinc-plated layer containing each of Al and Si having alloying-retarding function and readily-oxidizing function independently or compositely, in an amount of 0.15% by mass or more, after heating it to 800° C. or more and 950° C. or less in an oxidizing atmosphere containing 0.1% by volume or more of oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for allowing a metal complex to stably penetrate into a polymer and immobilizing the metal complex in the polymer by a low temperature treatment, in a batch processing for a plating pre-treatment wherein the metal complex is allowed to penetrate into the polymer with the use of high-pressure carbon dioxide. In particular, the present invention provides a method for producing a composite material containing a resin molded product, characterized in that a reducing agent is brought into contact with the resin molded product so as to allow the reducing agent to penetrate into the resin molded product, and in that high-pressure carbon dioxide having an organic metal complex dissolved therein is brought into contact with the resin molded product into which said reducing agent has penetrated, so as to immobilize the organic metal complex in the resin molded product by the reducing agent.

Abstract: A method of selectively and electrolessly depositing a metal onto a substrate having a metallic patterned-nanostructure surface is disclosed. The method includes providing a tool having a patterned-nanostructure surface, the patterned-nanostructure surface having surface regions having a nanostructured surface, replicating the tool patterned-nanostructure surface onto a substrate to form a substrate patterned-nanostructure surface, disposing a metal layer on the substrate patterned-nanostructure surface to form a metallic patterned-nanostructure surface region, forming a self-assembled monolayer on the metallic patterned-nanostructure surface region, exposing the self-assembled monolayer to an electroless plating solution comprising a deposit metal, and depositing electrolessly the deposit metal selectively on the surface regions having a metallic nanostructured surface. Articles formed from this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of modifying the surface of a metallic hydride-forming material, through functionalization treating the surface of the metallic hydride-forming material with aminosilane to deposit self-assembled monolayers onto the surface. Thereafter at least one Platinum Group Metal is deposited onto the treated surface of the metallic hydride-forming material to allow chemical bonding to occur between the Platinum Group Metal(s) and the self-assembled monolayers.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a metal plating method by a simple process, for example, on resins on which plating has been heretofore impossible. The metal plating method involves surface treating an article to be plated with a liquid prepared by mixing or reacting in advance an organic acid salt of a silane coupling agent containing an azole in a molecule, for example, a coupling agent which is an equimolar reaction product of imidazole and ?-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, and a noble metal compound, and then conducting electroless plating thereon.

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: There are provided a metal film-carrying substrate including a substrate and a metal film with good adhesion to the substrate and being less dependent on temperature or humidity, and a method for preparation thereof. There are also provided a metal pattern material having a patterned metal portion with good adhesion to a substrate, being less dependent on temperature or humidity, and providing highly reliable insulation for a region where the patterned metal portion is not formed, and a method for preparation thereof.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing a polymer member having a plated film with excellent adhesion by subjecting a polymer member in which a catalyst component is dispersed by using pressurized carbon dioxide to electroless plating under ordinary pressure. A polymer member in which a catalyst component is dispersed is formed by using a pressurized fluid in which a catalyst component containing a metal which serves as a plating catalyst is dissolved in pressurized carbon dioxide; the polymer member in which the catalyst component is dispersed is immersed in an alcohol treatment liquid under ordinary pressure; and the polymer member, which has been subjected to the pretreatment with the alcohol treatment liquid, is immersed in an electroless plating solution containing an alcohol under ordinary pressure to form a plated film.

Abstract: A fine metal structure having its surface furnished with microprojections of high strength, high precision and large aspect ratio; and a process for producing the fine metal structure free of defects. There is provided a fine metal structure having its surface furnished with microprojections, characterized in that the microprojections have a minimum thickness or minimum diameter ranging from 10 nanometers to 10 micrometers and that the ratio between minimum thickness or minimum diameter (D) of microprojections and height of microprojections (H), H/D, is greater than 1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing an electrode having an electrochemical catalyst layer, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate having a conductive layer thereon, immersing the substrate in a first solution having a conditioner to form a conditioner layer on the surface of the conductive layer, and immersing the substrate in a second solution having polymer-capped noble metal nanoclusters to form an electrochemical catalyst layer on the conditioner layer of the substrate. This method can reduce the amount of noble metal used in the electrochemical catalyst layer and is suitable for mass production.

Abstract: The present invention provides microwave attenuating, filled composite materials which contain a polymer or ceramic matrix and metallic tubules and processes for making the same and devices which contain such materials.

Abstract: A plating method comprising: (a) applying a plating catalyst liquid containing a catalytic element and an organic solvent, to an object to be plated having, at least at a surface thereof, a functional group capable of forming an interaction with the catalytic element; and (b) performing plating on the object to be plated, to which the plating catalyst liquid has been applied.

Abstract: A substrate processing method and apparatus can securely carry out a pre-plating treatment that enables uniform plating in the necessary area of the surface of a substrate. The substrate processing method carries out a cleaning treatment and a catalyst-imparting treatment of a surface of a substrate as pre-plating treatments and then electroless plates a metal film on the catalyst-imparted surface of the substrate. The cleaning treatment is carried out in a wider area of the surface of the substrate than that area to which a catalyst is imparted by the catalyst-imparting treatment.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a workpiece-surface-influencing device preferentially contacts the top surface of the workpiece, to chemically modify the surface at desired field areas of the workpiece without affecting the surfaces of cavities or recesses in the field areas. The device includes a substance which is chemically reactive with material forming the workpiece surface. The substance can be in the form of a thin film or coating which contacts the surface of the workpiece to chemically modify that surface. The workpiece-surface-influencing device can be in the form of a solid state applicator such as a roller or a semi-permeable membrane. In some other embodiments, the cavities are filled with material that prevents surface modification of the cavity surfaces while allowing modification of the field areas, or which encourages surface modification of the cavity surfaces while preventing modification of the field areas. The modified surface facilitates selective deposition of materials on the workpiece.

Abstract: An object is to provide a laminated polyimide substrate, and a method for the production thereof, in which various properties are ensured and/or provided by effectively controlling changes over time under stringent conditions, while ensuring sufficient adhesion between a polyimide film and metal layer. A laminated polyimide substrate comprising a polyimide layer, an alkali-treated layer derived from the polyimide layer, and a metal layer, arranged in that order, wherein the alkali-treated layer contains an anionic functional group, and is a laminated structure having a layer containing a metal catalyst arranged on the metal layer side and a layer containing a complex of the metal catalyst arranged on the polyimide layer side.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a molded article, which can be perform the continuous processes and effectively impregnate a modifying material such as metal complexes in the thermoplastic resin for short period of time. The above object is achieved by providing the method of producing the thermoplastic resin molded article which includes impregnating the high-pressure fluid having a modifying material dissolved therein, in thermoplastic resin, and continuously molding the thermoplastic resin in which the modifying material has been impregnated, into the form of a film.

Abstract: After treated in a solution containing ozone, a plating material is brought into contact with a solution containing at least one of an anionic surface active agent and a nonionic surface active agent, and an alkaline component. Ozone acts to locally break unsaturated bonds on a surface of the plating material to form C—OH bonds or C?O bonds, thereby activating the surface of the plating material, and since a surface active agent 1 is adsorbed thereon, a catalyst 2 is adsorbed on hydrophilic groups of the surface active agent 1 which has been adsorbed on the above-described functional groups. Consequently, no etching treatment is required, and an electroless plated coating having excellent adhesion can be formed without roughening the surface of the resin material.

Abstract: Porous and/or curved nanofiber bearing substrate materials are provided having enhanced surface area for a variety of applications including as electrical substrates, semipermeable membranes and barriers, structural lattices for tissue culturing and for composite materials, production of long unbranched nanofibers, and the like. A method of producing nanofibers is disclosed including providing a plurality of microparticles or nanoparticles such as carbon black particles having a catalyst material deposited thereon, and synthesizing a plurality of nanofibers from the catalyst material on the microparticles or nanoparticles. Compositions including carbon black particles having nanowires deposited thereon are further disclosed.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane and a method of manufacturing such gas separation membrane that comprises a porous substrate treated with a layer of metal-coated inorganic oxide particles and with the layer of such metal-coated inorganic oxide particles being coated with an overlayer of a gas-selective material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pretreatment process for electroless plating of a resin molded article, comprising etching the resin molded article using a manganate salt-containing etching solution, and then bringing the resin molded article into contact with an aqueous solution containing a reducing compound and an inorganic acid; and a plating process of a resin molded article comprising the pretreatment process. Further, the present invention provides various treatment agents for use in the plating process. According to the present invention, a plating layer with sufficient adhesion can be formed when an etching treatment is performed using a manganate salt-containing etching solution in an electroless plating treatment of a resin molded article.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production and use of novel bioactive devices and metallic coatings for example for sterilizing, disinfecting, and decontaminating water or aqueous solutions. The known oligodynamic effect of silver for reducing the amount of germs is thereby improved and increased by combining silver with ruthenium and a vitamin or derivative thereof. The novel properties of these bioactive metal surfaces lead to faster and more efficient killing of microorganisms. Simultaneously, these novel bioactive metal surfaces prevent infestation by microorganisms and attachment or permanent deposition of problematic biomolecules such as for example DNA, RNA, or proteins. A self-cleaning surface is thus obtained, which very quickly and efficiently and over extended periods of time sterilizes water and aqueous solutions when they come in contact with said surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for a structured application of molecules on a strip conductor and to a molecular memory matrix. The inventive method makes it possible, for the first time, to economically and simply apply any number of molecular memory elements on the strip conductor in a structured and targeted way, thereby making available, also for the first time, a memory matrix at a molecular level.

Abstract: A copolymer deposited with particles of catalytic metal is disclosed in the present invention, which is formed from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a hydrophilic monomer, and the catalytic metal is Au, Ag, Pd, Pt or Ru. The copolymer is hydrophilic when the temperature is lower than a specific temperature, and will become hydrophobic when the temperature is greater than the specific temperature. The present invention also discloses a method for forming a metal layer on a substrate via electroless plating, which includes contacting the substrate with an ink composition, drying the ink composition on the substrate, and contacting the dried ink composition with an electroless plating solution, wherein the ink composition contains the copolymer of the present invention in an aqueous phase. The present invention further discloses a method for forming metal conductors in through holes of a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of controlling properties of a thin film applied to a substrate whereby the properties of the thin film may be controlled by the surface morphology of the substrate. Methods of increasing a deposition rate of an electroless plating process applied to a substrate, controlling the grain size distribution and/or grain size of a thin film applied to a substrate and maintaining a uniform overpotential of an electroless plating process on a substrate are also provided.

Abstract: There are provided technologies for adsorbing a catalyst metal selectively to an anionic group such as a carboxyl group, thereby forming a metal film on a nonconductive resin selectively, including a palladium complex represented by the following formula (I): wherein L represents an alkylene group and R represents an amino group or a guanidyl group, or a structural isomer thereof, a processing solution for electroless plating catalyst application containing the complex as an active component, and a method for forming a metal plated film on a nonconductive resin, containing subjecting a nonconductive resin having a surface anionic group to a catalyst adsorbing treatment using the processing solution and then to a reduction treatment, electroless metal plating, and metal electroplating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved method for metallizing polymer substrates, such as polyimides. The present invention comprises the steps of surface treating the polymer substrate with a plasma jet or corona discharge surface treatment, conditioning and etching the polymer substrate with an etching solution comprising a hydroxide and ionic palladium, activating the polymer substrate with ionic palladium, reducing the palladium on the polymer substrate, plating an electroless nickel layer onto the prepared polymer substrate, and plating an electroless copper layer over the electroless nickel layer. The process of the invention provides an improved method for preparing the polymer substrate for subsequent electrolytic plating thereon.

Abstract: A method of producing a metallized polymeric foam that produces an anti-microbial material using an advanced method of metallizing polymeric foam with a metal, such as silver. The foam material may be polyurethane, polyester, polyether, or a combination thereof. The method provides a 3-dimensional surface coating of the metal. The metallized substrate is durable and highly adherent. Such metallized foam is a highly effective filter and/or an anti-microbial product. The mechanism of filtration is mainly due to Vander Der Wal attraction. The anti-microbial activity may be due, in part, to the release of select metal ions as a response to stimuli.