Abstract: A coated tool may include a base member and a coating layer located on the base member. The coating layer may include a first section located on the base member and a second section located on the first section. The first section may include an AlTi portion including aluminum and titanium, and an AlCr portion including aluminum and chromium, and each of the AlTi portion and the AlCr portion may be in contact with the base member. The second section may include a plurality of AlTi layers including aluminum and titanium, and a plurality of AlCr layers including aluminum and chromium, and the AlTi layers and the AlCr layers may be located alternately one upon another.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a flow path component includes a flow path component body having a flow surface. The flow path component also includes a plurality of antimicrobial nanoparticles embedded in the flow surface and at least partially exposed external to the flow surface to provide an antimicrobial surface.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming the interconnect structure are provided. A dielectric layer and openings therein are formed over a substrate. A conductive seed layer is formed over the top surface and along a bottom and sidewalls of the openings. A conductive fill layer is formed over the seed layer. Metal oxide on the surface of the seed layer may be reduced/removed by a surface pre-treatment. The cleaned surface is covered by depositing fill material over the seed layer without exposing the surface to oxygen. The surface treatment may include a reactive remote plasma clean using hydrogen radicals. If electroplating is used to deposit the fill layer, then the surface treatment may include soaking the substrate in the electrolyte before turning on the electroplating current. Other surface treatments may include active pre-clean (APC) using hydrogen radicals; or Ar sputtering using a metal clean version xT (MCxT) tool.

Abstract: A circuit board is formed from a catalytic laminate having a resin rich surface with catalytic particles dispersed below a surface exclusion depth. Trace channels and apertures are formed into the catalytic laminate, electroless plated with a metal such as copper, filled with a conductive paste containing metallic particles, which are then melted to form traces. In a variation, multiple circuit board layers have channels formed into the surface below the exclusion depth, apertures formed, are electroless plated, and the channels and apertures filled with metal particles. Several such catalytic laminate layers are placed together and pressed together under elevated temperature until the catalytic laminate layers laminate together and metal particles form into traces for a multi-layer circuit board.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition having plasma-treated recycled steel fibers within the matrix.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of applying to a substrate a hydrophilic coating that becomes lubricious when activated with water or water vapor, and to substrates having such a hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: A system and method of cladding a carbon steel piece with stainless steel according to which the carbon steel piece is cleaned, heated, coated with the stainless steel, and strengthened. In an exemplary embodiment, coating the carbon steel piece with the stainless steel includes melting the stainless steel, atomizing the melted stainless steel, and spraying the atomized stainless steel so that at least a portion of the atomized stainless steel is deposited on the carbon steel piece to thereby coat the carbon steel piece with the stainless steel.

Abstract: A method of producing a delivery device for delivering a chemical compound includes i) providing an interpenetrating polymer substrate (IP substrate) having a first continuous polymer comprising rubber and a second polymer having hydrogel or a hydrogelable precursor, where the second polymer is interpenetrating in the first polymer; ii) providing the chemical compound and a loading solvent for the chemical compound; and iii) loading the IP substrate with the chemical compound by subjecting the IP substrate to the loading solvent having the chemical compound under conditions where the loading solvent at least partially swells the second polymer. The chemical compound, the second polymer and the loading solvent are selected such that the work of adhesion (Whc) between the second polymer and the chemical compound during at least a part of the loading is at least about 0 J/m2.

Abstract: A sealed electrical connection assembly joins an electrical component to a plug-in component. For liquid-tight sealing, the free, deformable ends of the conductor tracks of the electrical component and/or the contact elements of the plug-in component are provided with hydrophobic surfaces at least regionally, so that even after a plurality of plug contact operations have been performed, in the coupling position and, optionally, in the uncoupled position, the contact region is surrounded by hydrophobic surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoelectric conversion material having a low thermal conductivity and having an improved figure of merit, and a method for producing it. The thermoelectric conversion material has, as formed on a substrate having a nano-level microporous nanostructure, a thermoelectric semiconductor layer prepared by forming a thermoelectric semiconductor material into a film, wherein the substrate is a block copolymer substrate formed of a block copolymer that comprises a polymethyl methacrylate unit and a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-containing polymethacrylate unit, and the thermoelectric semiconductor material is a p-type bismuth telluride or an n-type bismuth telluride. The production method comprises a substrate formation step of forming the nanostructure-having block copolymer substrate, and a film formation step of forming a p-type bismuth telluride or an n-type bismuth telluride into a film to thereby provide a thermoelectric semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a coated apparatus for improved corrosion resistance and associated system and system and method for artificial lift.

Abstract: An ammonium thio-transition metal complex is used as an adhesion promoter for immobilizing temperature-stable transition metal oxide layers on an inert metal surface. The ammonium thio-transition metal complex comprises a transition metal selected from molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium, and is preferably ammonium tetrathiomolybdate. A precursor of the transition metal oxide is deposited on the inert metal surface by a solution-based process. The precursor is a dispersion or a dissolution of the transition metal oxide, a transition metal oxide hydrate, an ammonium salt of an acidic transition metal oxide hydrate or phosphoric acid-transition metal oxide complex in water or a phosphoric acid-transition metal oxide complex dissolved in a polar organic solvent.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge having a microfluidic channel may have at least one surface that has been roughened, etched or otherwise treated to alter its surface characteristics. In some instances, a microfluidic cartridge may have a microfluidic channel that is configured to provide even distribution of a lysing reagent across the channel. The surface may be roughened or etched using a laser, an abrasive, application of a solvent or in any other suitable manner.

Abstract: A method for preparing a metal substrate for inkjet CTP, comprising: treating a metal substrate by anodizing or non-anodizing (such as sandpaper burnishing, sand blasting, polishing, or brushing), and then applying a hydrophilic polymer paint on the surface of the metal substrate. Due to the existence of nano-size or micron-size oxide particles in the hydrophilic polymer paint, the metal substrate has high specific surface energy, while the metal substrate has a certain roughness, therefore the metal substrate has ink absorbency and good abrasive resistance. The metal substrate can reduce the spread of ink droplets and produces print image having better resolution and definition. The non-anodizing method can avoid environmental pollution which is caused by waste acid and waste alkali discharge of anodizing method.

Abstract: A process of producing metal-decorating material, which causes no pollution to the environment and can be used both in industrial manner and handicrafts, for decorating article or process of decorating of various article surface, e.g., furniture, weapons, purse, box, small casket, etc. makes a pollenlike holder on at least one of the surface of a base metal plate and sets design creating material on said base metal surface by said pollen holder.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for adjusting adhesion strength between materials during semiconductor sensor processing. One or more embodiments are directed to using various surface treatments to a substrate to adjust adhesion strength between the substrate and a polymer. In one embodiment, the surface of the substrate is roughened to decrease the adhesive strength between the substrate and the polymer. In another embodiment, the surface of the substrate is smoothed to increase the adhesive strength between the substrate and the polymer.

Abstract: Provided are a substrate for a superconducting compound and a method for manufacturing the substrate which can realize the excellent adhesive strength simultaneously with high orientation of copper. An absorbed material on a surface of a copper foil to which rolling is applied at a draft of 90% or more is removed by applying sputter etching to the surface of the copper foil, sputter etching is applied to a nonmagnetic metal sheet, the copper foil and the metal sheet are bonded to each other by applying a pressure to the copper foil and the metal sheet using reduction rolls, crystals of the copper in the copper foil are oriented by heating a laminated body formed by such bonding, copper is diffused into the metal sheet by heating with a copper diffusion distance of 10 nm or more, and a protective layer is laminated to a surface of the copper foil of the laminated body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a microbial substance-releasing layer on a technical surface. The inventive method comprises three steps: a) producing a solution from polyvinylacetate, a preservative agent and a solvent, b) applying the solution to the technical surface, and c) drying the solution applied to the technical surface while forming the layer. The inventive method is characterized by using benzoic acid, sorbic acid, natamycin, bacteriocines, plant extracts or mixtures thereof as the preservative agent and an ethanol/water mixture, ethyl acetate or acetone as the solvent.

Abstract: A system and method of cladding a carbon steel piece with stainless steel according to which the carbon steel piece is cleaned, heated, coated with the stainless steel, and strengthened. In an exemplary embodiment, coating the carbon steel piece with the stainless steel includes melting the stainless steel, atomizing the melted stainless steel, and spraying the atomized stainless steel so that at least a portion of the atomized stainless steel is deposited on the carbon steel piece to thereby coat the carbon steel piece with the stainless steel.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to coated articles including anti-fingerprint and/or smudge-reducing coatings, and/or methods of making the same. Oil from fingerprints and the like may easily transfer to the surface of an article. However, it has been found that in certain example embodiments, a reduced-smudge and reduced-glare effect on a glass substrate may be achieved by micro-engineering a glass surface's properties, such as surface morphology and/or roughness. In certain example embodiments, a thin film coating may be introduced to the glass surface in order to alter the contact angle of the article, or for other optical, electrical, mechanical, chemical and/or environmental purposes and/or durability. It has further advantageously been found that by altering the contact angle of the surface, the anti-smudge and anti-glare effects of the substrate may be further improved.

Abstract: A process for coating a surface of a substrate made of nonmetallic material with a metal layer consisting of providing a substrate made of nonmetallic material; subjecting a surface of said substrate to a treatment for increasing the specific surface area thereof; subjecting the resulting surface to an oxidizing treatment; contacting the resulting substrate with a solution containing an ion of a metal from groups IB and VIII of the Periodic Table; obtaining a substrate comprising ions of a metal that are chemically attached to the nonmetallic material constituting the substrate on at least one of its surfaces; subjecting the ions to a reducing treatment to obtain a substrate comprising atoms of a metal that are chemically attached to the nonmetallic material constituting the substrate on a part of at least one of its surfaces; and contacting the resulting surface with a solution containing ions of a metal.

Abstract: A method for adhering a coating to a substrate structure comprises selecting a substrate structure having an outer surface oriented substantially parallel to a direction of radial stress, modifying the outer surface to provide a textured region having steps to adhere a coating thereto, and applying a coating to extend over at least a portion of the textured region, wherein the steps are oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of radial stress to resist deformation of the coating relative to the substrate structure. A rotating component comprises a substrate structure having an outer surface oriented substantially parallel to a direction of radial stress. The outer surface defines a textured region having steps to adhere a coating thereto, and a coating extends over at least a portion of the textured region. The steps are oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of radial stress to resist creep.

Abstract: Application of a resin to a pool surface to provide a colored finish that is ultraviolet resistant. The resin may be a powder that can be melted at a fairly low temperature and applied to the pool surface. A first later of resin may be applied to an epoxy layer that is applied to the pool surface to provide better adhesion while the epoxy is still tacky (hot-flocking). The hot-flocking causes the resin and the epoxy to blend into a single layer. An additional layer of resin may be applied after the epoxy and the first layer of resin fully cured. After the second layer of resin has cured an additional layer may be applied to provide designs and/or markings. The designs/markings may be produced with tape and/or stencils and the next layer may be applied to the non-covered areas to provide the desired look.

Abstract: Processes for preparation of an epitaxial graphene surface to make it suitable for deposition of high-? oxide-based dielectric compounds such as Al2O3, HfO2, TaO5, or TiO2 are provided. A first process combines ex situ wet chemistry conditioning of an epitaxially grown graphene sample with an in situ pulsing sequence in the ALD reactor. A second process combines ex situ dry chemistry conditioning of the epitaxially grown graphene sample with the in situ pulsing sequence.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide textured surfaces to be lubricated, the texturing to enhance the effectiveness of the intended nano-lubrication. The texturing may make asperities and depressions in the surface to be lubricated. This texturing may be executed, for example, by chemical etching, laser etching, or other techniques. This texturing may create locations in the lubricated surface to hold or anchor the intended nano-lubricants, to facilitate the creation of a tribo-film on the surface when the lubricated surface is used under pressure, and resulting in delivery of multiple chemistries from the nano-lubricant.

Abstract: A radially expandable, endovascular stent designed for placement at a site of vascular injury, for inhibiting restenosis at the site, a method of using, and a method of making the stent. The stent includes a radially expandable body formed of one or more metallic filaments and a liquid-infusible mechanical anchoring layer attached to or formed in outer surface of the filaments. A drug coating in the stent is composed of a substantially polymer-free composition of an anti-restenosis drug, and has a substratum infused in the anchoring layer and a substantially continuous surface stratum of drug that is brought into direct contact with the vessel walls at the vascular site. Thus, the rate of release of the anti-restenosis drug from the surface stratum into said vascular site is determined solely by the composition of said drug coating.

Abstract: A tubular threaded element including a dry protective coating. The coating includes a solid matrix adhering to the substrate in which there are dispersed particles of at least one solid lubricant belonging to one and the same class. The solid matrix is lubricating and has a rheological behaviour of plastic or viscoplastic type. The coating protects the threadings of the threaded elements, used for example in hydrocarbon wells, from corrosion and galling.

Abstract: Particles are embedded in a substrate by applying to at least a portion of the substrate a fluid and a population of particles, such that the substrate is softened to at least a degree that particles are at least partially embedded in the softened portion of the substrate. The softened portion of the substrate is hardened so as to securely embed the particles in the substrate.

Abstract: A flow channel structure includes a substrate having a flow channel formed therein, and plural fibrous bristles extending from the inner wall of the flow channel. The flow channel is configured to allow a solution to flow through the flow channel. The inner wall of the flow channel is made of silicon. The flow channel is configured to allow a solution to flow through the flow channel. This flow channel structure can homogenize the solution inside the flow channel.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a carbon work piece includes the step of applying an acetone cleaning agent to the carbon work piece to remove debris therefrom. The removal of debris promotes adhesion between the carbon work piece and a subsequently applied coating. For example, other steps may precede the acetone cleaning step, such as submersing the carbon work piece in deionized water. In one example, a subsequent coating process deposits an alumina coating on the carbon work piece.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a three-step method for an aqua based chemical composition for flame retardation. The composition comprises: Sodium Borate, Boric Acid, Guanylurea Phosphate, Hydrogen Peroxide, Magnesium Chloride, and Sodium Silicate. The referenced salts are dissolved in distilled water, and the resultant flame retarding solution is coated on substrate surfaces to be protected against flame retardation. The flame retarding composition solution from step-1 alone may be used on non-prepared substrate surfaces. The flame retarding composition solution fully satisfies the Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 25.853(a) vertical burn test, and Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 25.853(d) heat release test. The utility of the present invention extends to numerous commercial and non-commercial applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an article comprising an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) and an IPN comprising article e.g. obtainable by this method. The method comprises providing a polymer substrate e.g. shaped to provide the desired article and applying it in a reaction chamber, providing at least one monomer for an interpenetrating polymer, exposing said polymer substrate in said reaction chamber to said at least one monomer in the presence of an impregnation solvent comprising CO2 under conditions wherein said CO2 is in its liquid or supercritical state and polymerizing and optionally cross linking said at least one monomer to form an interpenetrating polymer in the presence of a polymerization solvent under conditions wherein at least a part of said at least one monomer is dissolved in said polymerization solvent.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microchannels utilizing an aqueous emulsion of an amphiphilic agent and a water-soluble, hydrogel-forming polymer, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.

Abstract: A novel activation/etch method is disclosed for conductive polymer substrates and conductive polymer composite substrates to achieve good adhesion to subsequently applied coatings. The method in a preferred case involves anodically polarizing conductive polymers/polymer composites in aqueous etching solutions.

Abstract: Provided is a fabrication method for a functional surface that has self-cleaning ability and superhydrophilic anti-reflective property, which includes a) arranging a plurality of beads having a sphere shape on a surface of a transparent substrate; b) forming a predetermined inter-bead gap by etching the plurality of beads; c) forming a surface unevenness on the surface of the substrate by etching the substrate using the plurality of the beads having the predetermined gap as an etching mask; d) removing the plurality of the beads from the surface of the substrate; and e) forming a photocatalytic layer or a compound layer having a surface tension of 18 to 28 N/m on the surface of the substrate formed with the surface unevenness.

Abstract: A method for forming a protective coating on a substrate comprising, applying a bond coating to the substrate, the bond coating having a first surface roughness, ionizing an inert gas which flows into the surface of the bond coating so as to impart a second surface roughness to the bond coating greater than the first surface roughness, wherein the inert gas is ionized and caused to flow into the surface of the bond coating by a reverse polarity current supplied to an electrode which removes at least one electron from the inert gas, and applying a top coating to the bond coating. Additionally, a method for preparing a surface to receive and adhere to a coating comprising roughening the surface to create a micro-roughening network on the surface. In addition, a method of improving strain tolerance and cyclic spallation life of a protective coating.

Abstract: Methods for making a bearing are disclosed, wherein the bearing includes a substratum and a self-lubricating surface coating composition. The self-lubricating surface coating composition further includes at least one cured thermosetting acrylate and at least one phenolic resin. Methods includes the step of disposing the self-lubricating surface coating composition onto the substratum.

Abstract: Processes are described herein for preparing medical devices and other articles having a low-fouling surface on a substrate comprising a polymeric surface. The polymeric surface material may possess a range of polymeric backbones and substituents while providing the articles with a highly efficient, biocompatible, and non-fouling surface. The processes involve treating the substrate to reduce the concentration of chemical species on the surface of or in the substrate without altering the bulk physical properties of the device or article, and thereafter forming a grafted polymer layer on the treated substrate surface.

Abstract: Processes are described herein for preparing medical devices and other articles having a low-fouling surface on a substrate comprising a polymeric surface. The polymeric surface material may possess a range of polymeric backbones and substituents while providing the articles with a highly efficient, biocompatible, and non-fouling surface. The processes involve treating the substrate to reduce the concentration of chemical species on the surface of or in the substrate without altering the bulk physical properties of the device or article, and thereafter forming a grafted polymer layer on the treated substrate surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for modification of a biocompatible component comprising the steps of a) providing a biocompatible component at least partly covered by metallic oxide; and b) treating at least a part of said component, which part is covered by said metallic oxide, with an aqueous composition comprising oxalic acid; whereby a modified metallic oxide is obtained. The invention also relates to a biocompatible component comprising a substrate having a surface comprising a) a microstructure comprising pits separated by plateus and/or ridges; and b) a primary nanostructure being superimposed on said microstructure, said primary nanostructure comprising depressions arranged in a wave-like formation.

Abstract: A method of isolating piezoelectric thin film acoustic resonator devices to prevent laterally propagating waves generated by the device from leaving the device and/or interfering with adjacent devices or systems. Specifically, this isolation technique involves the manipulation or isolation of the piezoelectric material layer between the acoustic resonator devices, in an effort to limit the amount of acoustic energy which propagates in a lateral direction away from the device. In one aspect, at least a portion of the piezoelectric material not involved in signal transmission by transduction between RF and acoustic energy is removed from the device. In another aspect, the growth a piezoelectric material is limited to certain regions during fabrication of the device. In a further aspect, the crystal orientation of the piezoelectric material is disrupted or altered during device fabrication so as to form regions having excellent piezoelectric properties and regions exhibiting poor piezoelectric characteristics.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide textured surfaces to be lubricated, the texturing to enhance the effectiveness of the intended nano-lubrication. The texturing may make asperities and depressions in the surface to be lubricated. This texturing may be executed, for example, by chemical etching, laser etching, or other techniques. This texturing may create locations in the lubricated surface to hold or anchor the intended nano-lubricants, to facilitate the creation of a tribo-film on the surface when the lubricated surface is used under pressure, and resulting in delivery of multiple chemistries from the nano-lubricant.

Abstract: The synthesis of ordered arrays of GSC's by re-growth from pre-patterned seed crystals that offer an approach for scalable fabrication of single crystal graphene devices while avoiding domain boundaries is demonstrated herein. Each graphene island is a single crystal and every graphene island is of similar size. The size of graphene island arrays can be as small as less than 1 mm2 or as large as several m2. The distance between each GSC island is also adjustable from several micrometers to millimeters. All of the graphene islands are addressable for devices and electrical circuit fabrication.

Abstract: A diamond layer can be applied stably onto a graphite substrate in a CVD process when the graphite substrate is subjected to the following pretreatment steps before the CVD process: fine cleaning of the surface in a vacuum at a temperature >500° C., preferably >800° C., in an etching gas atmosphere, mechanical removal of loose particles, seeding of the substrate surface with very small diamond particles and at least one degassing treatment in a vacuum to remove adsorbed hydrocarbons and adsorbed air at a temperature T>500° C., preferably T>700° C.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating anchored nanostructure materials are described. The methods include heating a nano-catalyst under a protective atmosphere to a temperature ranging from about 450° C. to about 1500° C. and contacting the heated nano-catalysts with an organic vapor to affix carbon nanostructures to the nano-catalysts and form the anchored nanostructure material.

Abstract: An autocatalytic tin plating bath containing Sn2+ ions, Ti3+ ions as reducing agent, an organic complexing agent and phenanthroline or a derivative thereof as stabilizing agent is disclosed. The plating bath is suitable for manufacture of printed circuit boards, IC substrates and metallization of semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: Plastic restoration kits and methods for effectively restoring the light transmission and optical clarity properties to a plastic surface such as an aircraft window. The kits and methods restore plastic surfaces that have been damaged by scratching and/or UV-induced oxidation. The kits and methods employ a polishing composition and optionally a lusterizing composition, each having particles selected so as to polish and lusterize a plastic surface. After polishing and lusterizing, a UV protective composition that forms a hard UV protective coating is applied. The polishing and/or lusterizing compositions may include agglomerated abrasive particles dispersed in a liquid or gel carrier that progressively break down in size when exposed to oxygen and mechanical pressuring during polishing or lusterizing.

Abstract: A production method of an electroless plating material of the present invention is a method for the production of an electroless plating material that has a surface to be plated by electroless plating, and includes an ozone treatment step in which a material body that is made of a resin is brought into contact with a solution that contains ozone to form a modified layer in a surface of the material body, and a superficial layer removal step in which, after the ozone treatment step, the surface of the material body is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to remove a superficial layer of the modified layer.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprising a first shield and a second shield and a sensor stack between the first and the second shield, the sensor stack having a plurality of layers wherein at least one layer is annealed using in-situ rapid thermal annealing. In one implementation of the magnetic sensor a seed layer is annealed using in-situ rapid thermal annealing. Alternatively, one of a barrier layer, an AFM layer, and a cap layer is annealed using in-situ rapid thermal annealing.

Abstract: A process for increasing the adhesion of a polymeric material to a metal surface, the process comprising contacting the metal surface with an adhesion promoting composition comprising: 1) an oxidizer; 2) an inorganic acid; 3) a corrosion inhibitor; and 4) an organic phosphonate; and thereafter b) bonding the polymeric material to the metal surface. The organic phosphonate aids in stabilizing the oxidizer and organic components present in the bath and prevents decomposition of the components, thereby increasing the working life of the bath, especially when used with copper alloys having a high iron content.