Abstract: A method of producing a negative electrode for a lithium secondary cell having thin films of lithium and a sulfide-based inorganic solid electrolyte is provided. In the method, are used a negative electrode base material and an inorganic solid electrolyte source material respectively placed in closed containers. The base material has a surface of lithium metal. The base material and the source material are respectively taken out from the closed containers in a chamber space, which is substantially inactive to lithium and which is insulated from air and provided adjacent to a thin film deposition system. The base material and the source material are transferred into the thin film deposition system without being exposed to the air. In system, the source material is used and a thin film of an inorganic solid electrolyte is formed on the base material. The base material having the thin film is transferred, without being exposed to the air, into a chamber space, which is substantially inactive to lithium.

Abstract: A process capable of forming a silicon film on a substrate efficiently, for example, at a high yield and a high forming rate with simple operation and device unlike CVD and plasma CVD.

Abstract: A coating system is provided having at least one first basecoat applicator for applying a first basecoat layer over at least a portion of a surface of a substrate, at least one second basecoat applicator for applying a second basecoat layer over the first basecoat layer, and a first drying chamber located between the first and second basecoat applicators, the first drying chamber providing a temperature of about 50° F. to about 90° F. (10-32.5° C.), a relative humidity of about 40% to about 80% and an air velocity of about 20 FPM to about 150 FPM (0.10-0.76 m/s) at the surface of the first basecoat layer. A method of coating a substrate is provided in which a first liquid basecoat material is applied over the substrate. The first basecoat material is exposed to air having a temperature of about 50° F. to about 90° F. (10-32.5° C.), a relative humidity of about 40% to about 80% and an air velocity of about 20 FPM to about 150 FPM (0.10-0.

Abstract: A coating method is disclosed. The method comprises a step in which a coating composition comprising an organic solvent is coated onto a conveyed support, and a coating film is formed, and a step in which the support coated with said coating composition is dried in a drying zone, and the time prior to entry into said drying zone after said coating composition is coated onto said support is no more than 5 seconds.

Abstract: A process for producing a coating on a refractory structural member, in which a noble metal alloy is applied as a coating material to the refractory structural member. The noble metal alloy contains, among other constituents, an oxidizable substance, which includes boron and/or phosphorus and/or antimony and/or arsenic. The refractory structural member and the coating are heated at least once in an oxygen-containing atmosphere to a temperature T that is greater than or equal to the liquidus temperature TL of the noble metal alloy The oxidizable substance is oxidized during this heating process, and the oxide that has formed is at least partially vaporized. The temperature T is maintained until the proportion of oxidizable substance in the coating is <0.1 atomic percent, and the coated refractory structural member is then cooled.

Abstract: Processes for coating metal or polymeric substrates are provided which include the steps of: (a) applying a liquid basecoating composition to a surface of the metal substrate; (b) applying a first infrared radiation at a power density of 30 kilowatts per meter squared or less and a first air simultaneously to the basecoating composition for a first period of at least about 30 seconds, a first velocity of the air at the surface of the basecoating composition being about 4 meters per second or less, a first temperature of the metal substrate being increased at a first rate ranging from about 0.05° C. per second to about 0.3° C. per second to achieve a first peak metal temperature ranging from about 30° C. to about 60° C.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a material for a diamond sintered compact tool, which has a high strength and is available as a material for a cutting tool. Accordingly, the present invention is concerned with a diamond sintered compact comprising a WC-Co type cemented carbide substrate having slight undulation and a diamond sintered compact bonded to one surface of the substrate by sintering during a step of sintering at an ultra-high pressure and high temperature, which has a plate thickness is 0.5 mm to 5 mm and an outer diameter is at least 20 mm and whose diamond sintered compact layer has at least 50% of a thickness area within a range of 0.05 mm to 0.4 mm and contains Co diffusing from the cemented carbide substrate.

Abstract: A solid material is treated, the chemical structure of which defines reactive protogenic hydrophillic functions accessible to gases, by applying at least one gas stream (3) onto at least one microdispersion (5) of at least one grafting reagent RX produced on the solid material, R being a hydrophobic group, X being chosen so that HX is volatile under normal conditions, R and X being chosen so that the reaction of RX on the hydrophillic functions produces covalent grafting of the hydrophobic group R with formation of the compound HX, it being possible for the reaction to be carried out in a solid/gas heterogeneous medium on all the reactive hydrophillic functions accessible to gases and only on these. The invention extends to the hydrophobic solid material obtained, and is applicable to the obtaining of natural or artificial fibrous or inorganic structures impermeable to water and to aqueous solutions and/or absorbing fats.

Abstract: The novel method allows monitoring of nitrogen processes by making use of the fact that the incorporation of nitrogen near the surface in silicon, or in a thin silicon nitride layer on the silicon surface, inhibits the diffusion of oxygen during the subsequent thermal oxidation. Accordingly, the oxidation rate of the thermal oxidation is reduced and the growth of the oxide layer on the silicon surface is inhibited. The thickness of the oxide layer is thus used as a measure for the nitrogen content, i.e., for the quality of the nitrogen process.

Abstract: By forming a film that comprises a microcrystalline polymer having at least a fluorocarbon group and has a rough surface on a surface of a base material, super-water-repellency is provided, the dew condensation water of an air conditioner, for example, can be easily removed, and the freezing of the fin of the heat exchanger can be prevented. A fin that is made of aluminium is coated with a solution for forming a coating film, in which CF3(CF2)7—(CH2)2—SiCl3 is diluted with nonaqueous cyclohexamethyl trisiloxane at a concentration of 10 vol. % for preparation, to a thickness of 1 to 10 &mgr;m by a brush, and then the cyclohexamethyl trisiloxane is vaporized in an atmosphere having a relative humidity of about 75% at room temperature. CF3(CF2)7—(CH2)2—SiCl3 that remained on the fin is rapidly hydrolyzed with the moisture in the atmosphere, and the moisture in air and a —SiCl3 group dehydrochlorinated to form a microcrystalline polymer on the fin.

Abstract: The bleeding of lignosulfonates from lignosulfonate-treated substrates when contacted under humid conditions is reduced by rendering the lignosulfonates water-insoluble via reacting them with an amine polymer-epichlorohydrin adduct containing at least one quaternary ammonium group under acidic conditions.

Abstract: Fragile, porous carbonaceous parts can be impregnated with a methacrylate polymer by curing the impregnated methacrylate in a curing atmosphere above atmospheric pressure. Preferably, the curing atmosphere is substantially free of oxygen. Thin carbonaceous components of flexible graphite for use in solid polymer fuel cells can be suitably impregnated in this way.

Abstract: In a process for making a leather-like sheet by impregnating a fibrous substrate with a polyurethane emulsion, heat gellable polyurethane emulsion having a specific modulus of elasticity is employed as the polyurethane emulsion, and either of following methods (1) and (2) is also employed: (1) before impregnation of the polyurethane emulsion, the fibrous substrates are pretreated with a surfactant having a function of inhibiting adhesion between fibers and polyurethane (2) in addition to the above modulus of elasticity, the polyurethane emulsion has a specific &agr; dispersion temperature, the fibrous substrates are composed of microfine fiber-forming fibers, and after coagulation of polyurethane emulsion, the fibers are converted to microfine fibers. The leather-like sheets obtained according to this invention exhibits natural leather-like softness and hand touchness as well as excellent physical properties such as bending fatigue resistance.

Abstract: This pertains generally to precursors and deposition methods suited to aerogel thin film fabrication of nanoporous dielectrics. An aerogel precursor sol is disclosed. This aerogel precursor sol contains a metal alkoxide (such as TEOS) and a solvent, but no gelation catalyst. By a method according to the present invention, such a precursor sol is applied as a nongelling thin film 14 to a semiconductor substrate 10. This substrate may contain patterned conductors 12, gaps 13, or other structures. An independent gelation catalyst (preferably, vapor phase ammonia) is added to promote rapid gelation of the thin film sol 14 at the desired time. One advantage is that it allows substantially independent control of gelation and pore fluid evaporation. This independent catalyst introduction allows additional processing steps to be performed between sol deposition and the onset of substantial gelation. One potential step is to evaporate a portion of the pore fluid solvent.

Abstract: An organic acid containing solution obtained by adding an organic acid having an alkyl group to a solution including silanol condensate particles is applied on a substrate so as to form a coating film. The coating film is heat treated so as to form a porous film.

Abstract: The present invention aims at maintaining a low dielectric constant in a case of forming an interlayer insulation film by baking SOG. When a plate-like material to be treated W, on the surface of which an applying film is formed, is entered into an apparatus, an elevator means 3 is lowered, so that the plate-like material to be treated W comes close to the cool plate 2, and further N2 gas is introduced into the apparatus. Then, the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere is reduced to less than or equal to 1% before the surface temperature of the plate-like material to be treated W rises to 200° C. Thereafter, while maintaining the oxygen concentration to be less than or equal to 1%, the elevator means 3 is elevated, so that the plate-like material to be treated W comes close to the hot plate 1, and the surface of the plate-like material to be treated W is heated to be greater than or equal to 400° C. After such a condition is continued for a predetermined period of time, the temperature is lowered.

Abstract: A method for rapidly increasing the photosensitivity of an optical fiber comprising the step of providing an optical fiber comprising a glassy material and a thermally-stable coating. The thermally-stable coating has a thermally-stable exposure band, wherein desired time/temperature exposure parameters fall within the time/temperature thermal stability exposure band for the coating. The optical fiber is exposed for the desired time/temperature exposure to a hydrogen-containing atmosphere. The desired temperature is more than 250° C. and the desired time exposure does not exceed one hour. The glassy material then may be irradiated with actinic radiation, such that the refractive index of the irradiated portion results in a normalized index change of at least 10−5.

Abstract: A device for direct or indirect application of a liquid or viscous coating medium onto a moving material web, specifically a paper or cardboard web, includes an applicator unit which, in the direct application method, applies the coating medium in the form of a coating layer directly onto the material web at a point of application. In the indirect application method, the coating medium is first applied onto an applicator element, for example an applicator roll, which then transfers, at the point of application, the coating medium to the material web in the form of a coating layer. In addition, a drying device for drying of the coating layer is provided downstream from the point of application, viewed in the direction of flow of the material web. In the applicator unit, a device for moistening and/or warming the material web, coating medium or the coating layer is additionally provided before the drying device, viewed in the flow direction of the material web.

Abstract: Dielectric films in integrated circuits are annealed in the presence of water to improve their thermal stability and their resistance to damage from ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite coating having a polychromatic effect over a substrate is provided in which a first liquid basecoat material is exposed to air having a temperature of about 50° F. to about 90° F. (10-32.5° C.), a relative humidity of about 40% to about 80% and an air vilocity of about 20 FPM to about 150 FPM (0.10-0.76 m/s) at the surface of the first basecoat material for a peroid of about 10 to about 180 seconds. A second liquid basecoat material comprising effect pigment is then applied over the set first basecoat material by a bell applicator to produce the composite coating.

Abstract: A multi-layer ferroelectric thin film includes a nucleation layer, a bulk layer, and an optional cap layer. A thin nucleation layer of a specific composition is implemented on a bottom electrode to optimize ferroelectric crystal orientation and is markedly different from the composition required in the bulk of a ferroelectric film. The bulk film utilizes the established nucleation layer as a foundation for its crystalline growth. A multi-step deposition process is implemented to achieve a desired composition profile. This method also allows for an optional third composition adjustment near the upper surface of the film to ensure compatibility with an upper electrode interface and to compensate for interactions resulting from subsequent processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the hard panning of chewable cores in a pan or drum wherein a syrup of a crystallizable sugar or polyol is intermittently sprayed over a bed of the cores and the cores are dried between sprayings with a flow of air. The speed and efficiency of the panning process is increased by controlling the drying of the cores between sprayings by controlling parameters of the drying air in such a way as to intentionally leave a substantial residual moisture in the drying coating layer at the start of a subsequent spraying phase. The chewable products are preferably xylitol coated chewing gums.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an improved spacer comprising the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate that has a gate already formed thereon. A PNO spacer is formed on a sidewall of the gate. The method of forming the PNO spacer comprises first forming a PNO layer on the conductive layer and the semiconductor, and performing an anisotropic etching step on the PNO layer to form the PNO spacer. The step of forming the PNO layer includes chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using PH3, O2, NH3 and N2 as reagents. The step of etching the PNO layer includes plasma etching using CFX+O2 as plasma source. The material of the PNO spacer is a chemical compound PXNYOZ containing phosphorous (P), nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) and does not contain silicon. Therefore, the PNO spacer can avoid erosion during etching and does not react with Ti during the Salicide process.

Abstract: Artificial leather can be produced, without using any organic solvent, by coating or impregnating a fibrous base material to be formed into artificial leather with a polymer solution in the form of an aqueous emulsion, in which the polymer exhibits elasticity when it is solidified and adhered to the base material; and then solidifying and adhering or fixed, in the fibrous base material, the polymer solution contained in the base material using a combination of wet heat (using the heat of water vapor) and microwave heating. Therefore, the method is not harmful to the environment and permits the reduction of the degree of migration as compared with the conventional methods in which the solidification and adhesion or fixation are performed by dry heating while making use of hot air.

Abstract: A thin film of metal or metal compound is produced by preparing an ultrafine particle dispersion liquid by dispersing ultrafine particles at least partly made of metal into a given organic solvent, applying the ultrafine particle dispersion liquid to a substrate, drying the ultrafine particle dispersion liquid to leave metal or metal compound particles on the substrate, heating the metal or metal compound particles to join the metal or metal compound particles, and annealing the metal or metal compound particles into a thin film.

Abstract: A method for coating substrates having sides of the substrate with unequal adhesion properties includes the steps of non-symmetrically coating the substrate by coating a first side under a first set of coating conditions and coating a second side under a second set of operating conditions wherein the operating conditions used to coat each side are varied so as to compensate for the unequal adhesion properties of the sides.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for environmental exchange control for a polymer on a wafer surface. An apparatus for controlling an exchange between an environment and a polymer on a surface of a wafer located in the environment includes: a chamber adapted to hold the wafer, define the environment, and maintain the polymer in an adjacent relationship with the environment; and a heater coupled to the chamber. A method for improving performance of a spin-on material includes: forming the spin-on material on a surface of a wafer; then locating the spin-on material in an environment so that said environment is adjacent said spin-on material; and then controlling an exchange between the spin-on material and said environment. The systems and methods provide advantages because inappropriate deprotection is mitigated by careful control of the environmental temperature and environmental species partial pressures (e.g. relative humidity).

Abstract: A material having a substrate and a coating formed on the surface of the substrate, in which the coating contains a resin swellable with water such as an acrylic copolymer, and a water-soluble compound such as polyethylene glycol. When such a coating is formed on the surface of a material such as an office automation sheet, inks and other deposits can be easily removed with water from the surface, and the office automation sheet can be repeatedly used. Thus, such a coating is useful for reserving resources and protecting environments. Furthermore, dirts can be easily removed from furniture, electric appliances, and the like.

Abstract: A coater having a controllable pressurized process chamber for applying photoresist to a wafer is provided. The controllable pressurized process chamber reduces the evaporation of solvent in the photoresist during a spin-on process step. Reducing premature curing of the photoresist results in improved uniform planarization of the photoresist layer. Contaminants in the photoresist are also reduced by having an environmentally controllable process chamber. A housing having a upper and lower section forms a process chamber surrounding a wafer chuck. The upper housing section includes a solvent vapor opening for introducing pressurized solvent vapor into the process chamber and the lower housing section includes an exhaust opening. The upper housing section also includes an opening for introducing photoresist onto a wafer. A control device is coupled to the exhaust opening and a vacuum device for controlling the pressure in the process chamber.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed containing a metal-oxide ferroelectric thin film. An inert-gas recovery anneal is conducted to reverse the degradation of ferroelectric properties caused by hydrogen. The inert-gas recovery anneal is conducted in an unreactive gas atmosphere at a temperature range from 300° to 1000° C. for a time period from one minute to two hours. Preferably, the metal-oxide thin film comprises layered superlattice material. Preferably, the layered superlattice material comprises strontium bismuth tantalate or strontium bismuth tantalum niobate. If the integrated circuit manufacture includes a forming-gas anneal, then the inert-gas recovery anneal is performed after the forming-gas anneal, preferably at or near the same temperature and for the same time duration as the forming-gas anneal.

Abstract: A method for depositing a multi-layered protective and decorative coating on an article comprising first depositing at least one coating layer on the article by electroplating, removing the electroplated article from the electroplating bath and subjecting it to pulse blow drying to produce a spot-free surface on the electroplated article, and then depositing, by physical vapor deposition, at least one vapor deposited coating layer on the electroplated article.

Abstract: Polyorganosilicon dielectric coatings are prepared by subjecting specified polycarbosilanes to thermal or high energy treatments to generate cross-linked polyorganosilicon coatings having low k dielectric properties. The thermal process includes multi-step sequentially increasing temperature heating steps. The instantly prepared polyorganosilicon polymers can be employed as dielectric interconnect materials and film coatings for conductor wiring in semiconductor devices. These polyorganosilicon film coatings have the additional characteristics of relative thermal stability and excellent adhesion to substrate surfaces.

Abstract: A display structure is formed using patterned deposition of display materials. A substrate includes a plurality of distinct electrodes. A plurality of droplets including a material are formed and charged to a second polarity. First selected ones of the plurality of electrodes are charged to a first polarity opposite the second polarity to selectively attract the droplets including the material to the oppositely charged first selected ones of the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: An inventive method for forming a thin film comprises the steps of preparing a sputter-target of a material which is fully oxidized and crystallized to a perovskite structure, sputter-depositing a thin film on top of a sample with the target in an inert gas atmosphere, and annealing the thin film in non-oxygen ambient. With the use of such a target, it is possible to reduce the negative ion effect during the sputter deposition and to eliminate the presence of oxygen during the annealing process.

Abstract: The tribological behavior of titanium or titanium alloy article is improved by gaseous oxidation of the article at a temperature in the range of 500 to 725° C. for 0.5 to 100 hours, the temperature and time being selected such as to produce an adherent surface compound layer containing at least 50% by weight of oxides of titanium having a rutile structure and a thickness of 0.2 to 2 &mgr;m on a solid solution-strengthened diffusion zone wherein the diffusing element is oxygen and the diffusion zone has a depth of 5 to 50 &mgr;m.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method for producing thermally stable multi-layer coatings and the coatings produced therefrom. The multi-layer coating is comprised of a first coating produced from hydrogen silsesquioxane having a thickness of 1.25 to 2.25 &mgr;m and a second coating comprising silicon dioxide having a thickness of at least 100 nm. The method for producing the first coating comprises applying a fillerless hydrogen silsesquioxane resin composition onto a substrate and thereafter heating the hydrogen silsesquioxane resin at a temperature of 150° C. to 500° C. for a sufficient period of time to produce a crack-free coating having a thickness of 1.25 &mgr;m to 2.25 &mgr;m. The second coating is produced by depositing, preferably by PECVD, silicon dioxide over the first coating at a thickness of at least 100 nm.

Abstract: A process is described which imparts exceptional antisoiling, anti-staining and repellent properties to carpets. The process makes use of a water-based exhaustion process wherein the water-based treating solution contains (1) glassy fluorochemical material, glassy hydrocarbon material, or combinations thereof; (2) a stainblocking material; (3) a polyvalent metal salt, acid, or combinations thereof; and (4) water. Subsequent to exhaustion, the wet treated carpet is heated, usually in a steaming step, rinsed, and dried in a dry heat oven.

Abstract: An organic acid containing solution obtained by adding an organic acid having an alkyl group to a solution including silanol condensate particles is applied on a substrate so as to form a coating film. The coating film is heat treated so as to form a porous film.

Abstract: An apparatus applies a liquid or viscid coating medium onto a moving material web, especially one made of paper or cardboard. A coating mechanism first applies the coating medium onto an applicator element or an applicator roll, which subsequently transfers the coating medium at a coating location onto the material web in the form of a coating layer. Furthermore, if so desired, a doctoring device can be positioned at a doctor station, adjacent to the coating location, on the downstream side relative to the movement of the material web for the purpose of smoothing and/or metering the coating. The coating apparatus incorporates an apparatus for the generation and/or supplying of a fluid, preferably steam. This apparatus is positioned adjacent to the coating location or to the doctor station on the downstream side relative to the movement L of the material web.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions derived from polymers containing metal-nitrogen bonds, which compositions exhibit, among other things, desirable oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance and hydrolytic stability when exposed to adverse environments, whether at ambient or at elevated temperatures, and which may be useful as, for example, protective coatings on surfaces.

Abstract: A method for preparing a surface modified gas separation membrane, wherein said membrane has improved permselective properties for separating a mixture of gases as compared to the unmodified membrane, is described. The method comprises coating a surface unmodified gas separation membrane with a solution of a coating material, wherein the coating material is an organic material having at least one site of unsaturation; heating the coated gas separation membrane; and contacting the heated coated gas separation membrane with at least one oxidizing agent for a time effective to surface modify the gas separation membrane to produce the surface modified gas separation membrane having improved permselectivity.

Abstract: A method for coating substrates having sides of the substrate with unequal adhesion properties includes the steps of non-symmetrically coating the substrate by coating a first side under a first set of coating conditions and coating a second side under a second set of operating conditions wherein the operating conditions used to coat each side are varied so as to compensate for the unequal adhesion properties of the sides.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for reducing the crystallization temperature of amorphous or partially crystallized ceramic films by providing a higher pressure under which the crystallization of the amorphous or partially crystallized ceramic films can be significantly enhanced. The present invention not only improves quality, performance and reliability of the ceramic films, but also reduces the cost for production. By lowering the crystallization temperature, the cost for thermal energy consumed during the crystallization process is greatly reduced. In addition, the interaction or interdiffusion occurring between films and substrates is significantly suppressed or essentially prevented, avoiding the off-stoichiometry and malfunction of thin films, which usually occur in the conventional high-temperature crystallization processes. The process of present invention also decreases the grain size of formed films, thus reducing the roughness of films and producing relatively smooth, good quality films.

Abstract: Debonders, particularly including polysiloxanes, are applied to tissue webs by atomizing the debonder and applying the debonder to the tissue with a steam jet as a debonder/steam mixture. The debonder is applied after the creping blade and prior to the reel. Other suitable debonders include quaternary ammonium surfactants.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a process for coating a titanium or titanium alloy golf club head is presented, wherein a brazing composition is securely adhered to the titanium or titanium alloy golf club head, preferably on the striking surface thereof. The brazing composition is disposed on the titanium striking surface and the golf club head is subjected to a vacuum furnace process. The vacuum process of the present invention is designed so that the brazing composition including the plurality of hard particles is securely bonded to the titanium striking surface to form a hard, durable striking surface on the golf club head.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a film includes a substrate stage, a slit coater and a chamber lid. The substrate stage holds a substrate and defines a lower chamber of an openable low pressure chamber. A treatment solution feed applies the film onto the surface of the substrate held on the substrate stage when the chamber lid (3) is open. The chamber lid defines the low pressure chamber with the substrate stage (1). In the low pressure chamber, the film applied onto the surface of the substrate is subjected to drying by reducing the pressure in the chamber when the chamber lid is closed. Furthermore, according to a method for forming the film, immediately after the film has been applied onto the substrate, the thus applied film is subjected to low pressure drying at the position where the film has been applied.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for modifying a surface layer formed on the surface of a base material in order to modify the characteristics of the surface layer such as to control the chemical composition of the surface layer and to develop a novel utilization of ultra-pure water.The method includes the step of contacting a surface layer on a base material with ultra-pure water in an oxygen-free atmosphere. The amount of dissolved oxygen in the water is preferably 1 ppm or below, and the ultra-pure water is preferably boiled.The apparatus includes a chamber having inert gas introduction means for introducing an inert gas thereinto, and inert gas discharge means for discharging the inert gas therefrom, a container disposed inside the chamber for holding ultra-pure water, and heating means disposed in the chamber for heating ultra-pure water held in the ultra-pure water container.

Abstract: A multi-layer ferroelectric thin film includes a nucleation layer, a bulk layer, and an optional cap layer. A thin nucleation layer of a specific composition is implemented on a bottom electrode to optimize ferroelectric crystal orientation and is markedly different from the composition required in the bulk of a ferroelectric film. The bulk film utilizes the established nucleation layer as a foundation for its crystalline growth. A multi-step deposition process is implemented to achieve a desired composition profile. This method also allows for an optional third composition adjustment near the upper surface of the film to ensure compatibility with an upper electrode interface and to compensate for interactions resulting from subsequent processing.

Abstract: A nickel-based or cobalt-based superalloy substrate is covered with a protective system which is resistant to thermal, corrosive and erosive attack. An anchoring layer is disposed on the substrate. The anchoring layer is formed as an oxide compound, in particular alumina, doped with nitrogen. A ceramic coating is disposed on the anchoring layer. The modification of the anchoring layer prevents the transmission of diffusing elements through the anchoring layer to the thermal barrier layer.

Abstract: A thermal insulation is produced by forming aerogels interstitially within a fiber matrix. The resulting composite structures have substantially no fiber--fiber contacts. The insulating product is made by impregnating the fiber matrix with an aerogel forming precursor and supercritically drying the aerogel precursor under pressure. Drying is conducted prior to aging of the aerogel precursor.