Abstract: The present invention is related to the modifying of substrates such as monofilaments, bundles of monofilaments, and fibrous structural material with a modifying agent. The modifying agent is suspended or dissolved in a supercritical fluid, near-critical fluid, superheated fluid, superheated liquid, or a liquified gas and is deposited by rapidly altering the pressure in a chamber to deposit the modifying material onto the substrate.

Abstract: A method of protecting a surface of a display glass or a hard disk substrate during processing arid transport includes applying at least one polyvinyl alcohol or other polymer protective layer on the surface, which is soluble in polarorganic solvents, so that the layer can be removed after processing and transport by washing in heated water or a polar organic solvent without leaving residues on the surface. The polyvinyl alcohol used to make the protective coating has an average molecular weight of ≧ about 60,000 g/mol and a hydrolysis degree of ≧95% and the at least one polyvinyl alcohol layer is dried by heating at temperatures of about 150° C. or less to form the protective coating after applying the polyvinyl alcohol layer. The other polymers are less soluble in water than polyvinyl alcohol but are easily removed with organic solvent.

Abstract: Methods for making metal matrix composite articles such as wires and tapes. The metal matrix composites include a plurality of substantially continuous, longitudinally positioned fibers in a metal matrix. The fibers are selected from the group of ceramic fibers, boron, carbon fibers, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Process for producing a multi-layer lacquer finish, in which a surfacer coating compound is applied to a substrate optionally pre-coated with a priming layer and/or further coating layers, and a top coating comprising a colour-imparting and/or special-effect-imparting base lacquer layer and a transparent clear lacquer layer, or a top coating comprising a pigmented one-layer top lacquer, is then applied, in which coating compounds which contain binders which are curable by free radical and/or cationic polymerisation are employed as the surfacer, the base lacquer and the clear lacquer as well as the one-layer top lacquer, and wherein the said binders are cured by means of high-energy radiation.

Abstract: A water repellent for application to glass, comprising disilazane with the general formula in which n and n′ are the same or different integers having values from 2 to 20, and water-repellent glass whose surface has been treated with said water repellent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for infiltrating a liquid composition, such as a molten metal or thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer, into a porous solid material, such as a ceramic or porous metal, by contacting the porous material with the liquid composition at a first pressure and then increasing the pressure by at least the critical capillary pressure for the liquid composition/porous solid material system to effect infiltration. The infiltrated liquid composition may then be solidified inside the porous material, such as by cooling, to produce composite materials including ceramic-metal composites as well as ceramic-polymer, metal-polymer, and metal—metal composites.

Abstract: An automotive lambda oxygen sensor is formed by electroless plating of a thin, catalytically active, conductive electrode uniformly on the outer surface of a zirconia thimble. The process includes forming a pristine zirconia solid electrolyte thimble and drilling out a cylindrical cavity in it. A porous outer surface suitable for producing crystallization sites is formed by dipping the unfired thimble in a zirconia slurry containing spray-dried microspheres and firing the coated thimble to densify the thimble and the microspheres and to produce cavities on the surface of the thimble. An inner platinum electrode is formed by conventional conductive ink painting on the axial cavity of the sensor, and the sensor is again fired. The surface is activated by immersion in an acetone chloroplatinic acid bath to form multiple crystallization points, heat treated, then plated in an electroless platinum bath to a desired thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transparent conductive thin film and a method for the preparation of the same., and more particularly to a method for the preparation of a transparent conductive thin film comprising the steps of a) preparing a sol solution of antimony-tin oxides (ATO) or indium-tin oxides (ITO), b) forming a transparent coating layer on an outer surface of a cathode ray tube using the sol solution, and c) rapidly increasing a temperature of the transparent coating layer to a predetermined temperature of 300 to 1200° C., and rapidly cooling the transparent coating layer either immediately or after maintaining the predetermined temperature for up to 20 seconds, and a transparent conductive thin film prepared by this preparation method, i.e., a transparent conductive thin film which not only has superior conductivity, high hardness, and non-reflectivity but also saves production process time and increases production process effectiveness, and a method for the preparation of the same.

Abstract: A process for making a composite article comprising providing a coating composition comprising a silane, optional pH modifying agent, and optional lubricant, wherein the silane is compatible with one or more ROMP catalysts used to initiate ring opening metathesis polymerization of the cycloolefin resins; coating fibers with the coating composition; contacting the coated fiber with an uncured cycloolefin resin catalyzed using one or more ROMP catalysts used to form a resin and reinforcing fiber material mixture; and curing the resin and reinforcing fiber material mixture to form the composite article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a nickel metal thin film, comprising the steps of coating a substrate with a solution for forming a nickel metal thin film, the solution being formed of an alcohol solution containing nickel ions and a reducible chelate type ligand having a hydrazone unit so as to form a gel film, and subjecting the resultant gel film to a heat treatment under an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for impregnating a porous surface with a magneto-rheological substance includes the steps of providing a porous surface with a porosity sufficient to receive the magneto-rheological substance within the pores and covering a portion of one side of the porous surface with the magneto-rheological substance. The method further includes the step of providing a magnet on the opposite side of the porous surface to apply a magnetic field and draw the magneto-rheological substance into the porous surface.

Abstract: Process for selected adjustment of dropwise condensation on a surface comprising implanting nitrogen ions with a theoretically predicted minimum dose concentration of 1015 cm−2, the wetting characteristics of the surface being adjusted without cleaning or other preparation steps in such a way that stable dropwise condensation is formed on the surface and the intensity of condensation and thus heat transfer performance can be selected using the level of the dose concentration.

Abstract: Composite particles made of a resin and filler material are provided for use in subterranean formations. The filler is finely divided mineral and optional fiber. The particles are proppants useful to prop open subterranean formation fractures. The particles are also useful for water filtration. Methods of making the composite particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixture is formed that comprises at least some to about 10 wt % boron nitride and silicon. A body comprising a component that is wetted by or reacts with silicon is contacted with the mixture and the contacted body is infiltrated with silicon from the mixture.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for restricting the areas of contact between components to be plated or coated and liquid solutions containing plating or coating agents, without the use of masking tape. Components made of electrically conductive material are suspended underneath a hood or bell housing which is sized and shaped to receive those portions of the components that should not be plated (or coated). Then the suspended components and the hood or bell housing are fully immersed in a bath of plating (or coating) solution, forming an air pocket under the hood or bell housing. This air pocket surrounds those portions of the components which are not to be plated (or coated) and prevents the liquid solution in the bath from touching those portions. The air acts as a mask that prevents paint or metal from contacting or adhering to surfaces not to be plated (or coated).

Abstract: A process for plating copper on particulate graphite comprises cleaning and drying the graphite particles; wetting the graphite particles with an aqueous solution of cupric sulfate and glacial acetic acid; dripping the graphite particles as wetted with a layer of the aqueous solution on a rotating metal (including zinc, aluminum and iron) disk to conduct a displacement reaction to plate copper, as displaced by the metal existing in situ on the metal disk, on each graphite particle; and washing the graphite particles as plated by copper with water and then drying the copper-plated graphite particles.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating for superalloy turbine engine vanes and blades that are exposed to high temperature gas is disclosed. The coating includes an aluminide or MCrAIY layer, an alumina layer, and a ceramic top layer. The ceramic layer has a columnar grain microstructure. A bond inhibitor is disposed in the gaps between the columnar grains. This inhibitor is either unstabilized zirconia, unstabilized hafnia, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention a method is provided for forming a superconductor composite. A salt is heated to a melting temperature of the salt. Superconductor particles are added to the salt. A metal composition is added to the salt. The metal composition is decomposed into a metal substance and another substance. The metal substance plates out onto surfaces of the superconductor particles to form metal plated particles. The metal plated superconductor particles are removed from the salt.

Abstract: There is described a method of applying insulative coating on high temperature superconductors and low temperature superconductors from sol-gel solutions prepared from Zr, or Zr with one of Mg, Y, Ce, In and Sn based precursor materials. The solution is prepared with isopropanol as a solvent and acetyl acetone as a catalyst. The conductors are dipped into the solution and thereafter dried at a temperature effective to evaporate the solvent. Thereafter, heat treatment in the presence of oxygen is applied at a temperature sufficient to oxidize the precursors to result in a ceramic insulative coating on the conductor.

Abstract: A cell adhesion solution of a cross-linked polymer for substrates includes an amino acid polymer, a buffered cross-linking agent, and deionized water (DI H2O). In one example, the amino acid polymer is selected from a neutral or basic amino acid, such as poly 1-lysine or poly 1-arginine. In another example, the amino acid polymer includes poly 1-1sine. In another example, the amino acid polymer includes poly 1-1sine of molecular weight of 100,000 or higher. The cross-linking agent can be selected from an aldehyde functional group, a buffered formaldehyde solution or a 10% neutral buffered formalin solution.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced silicon-silicon carbide matrix composite having improved oxidation resistance at high temperatures in dry or water-containing environments is produced. The invention also provides a method for protecting the reinforcing fibers in the silicon-silicon carbide matrix composites by coating the fibers with a silicon-doped boron nitride coating.

Abstract: A method for coating a metal substrate in which a coating film is applied reliably and strongly on a surface processed film on a metal matrix material. The coating method for the metal substrate includes an immersion step of immersing a surface-processed metal substrate in a solution mainly composed of an amorphous-like fluorine resin, a polymerization step of polymerizing the amorphous-like fluorine resin and the surface processed metal substrate, and a step of forming a coating film on a surface-processed surface of the metal substrate.

Abstract: In a method for fabricating a thin film of polymer, particularly a semiconducting thin film of polymer with an improved structural order, wherein the thin film is formed by deposition of a polymer material onto a solid substrate material from a polymer solution formed by means of a solvent, the polymer solution is provided in a closed container such that a free volume is left in the container above the polymer solution and the substrate material immersed in the solution, whereupon the substrate material with a thin film deposited thereon is withdrawn from the polymer solution with a withdrawal speed being selected dependent on the concentration of the polymer solution, until the substrate material is located in the free volume a certain distance above the polymer solution. The substrate material is kept in vertical position in the free volume while the solvent evaporates, whereupon the substrate material with the thin film is removed from the container for further drying in a vacuum oven.

Abstract: Master discs and similar devices used in the production of digital data storage and recording discs and the like are produced with a substrate member which is provided with a layer of material which is applied to the substrate member in liquid form of a thickness greater than the surface roughness of the substrate member and of a thickness greater than any particulates present on the substrate member. The material layer is preferably a polymer such as epoxy, acrylic or styrene and is hardenable by exposure to UV light, heat, air circulation or catalytic reaction to provide a substantially smooth flat surface for receiving a data bearing film. The film may be treated to generate bumps or pits representing digital signals, for example, which are free of any defects resulting from surface roughness or contamination of the substrate member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a optical fiber (102) which includes a furnace (104) for softening an optical fiber blank (106); a tractor (114) for drawing the optical fiber (102) from the softened optical fiber blank (106); and a first applicator (110) for applying a coating of a first coating material to the optical fiber (102), the first applicator having a rotatable die.

Abstract: Antimicrobial activity is imparted to the surface(s) of an apparatus or article by polymerizing tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate in the presence of the apparatus or article by which adhesion of the polymer to the surface(s) is achieved. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the antimicrobial monomer is graft polymerized on the surface(s).

Abstract: An automotive lambda oxygen sensor is formed by electroless plating of a thin, catalytically active, conductive electrode uniformly on the outer surface of a zirconia thimble. The process includes forming a pristine zirconia solid electrolyte thimble and drilling out a cylindrical cavity in it. A porous outer surface suitable for producing crystallization sites is formed by dipping the unfired thimble in a zirconia slurry containing spray-dried microspheres and firing the coated thimble to densify the thimble and the microspheres and to produce cavities on the surface of the thimble. An inner platinum electrode is formed by conventional conductive ink painting on the axial cavity of the sensor, and the sensor is again fired. The surface is activated by immersion in an acetone chloroplatinic acid bath to form multiple crystallization points, heat treated, then plated in an electroless platinum bath to a desired thickness.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described to prepare monolayers of particles (or molecules) (3), realizing the steps of: injecting a liquid film (2) with particles (3) dispersed on the external surface of a rotary member (1); adjusting the surface charge density of the particles (3) by injecting adsorption reagents (10), carrying particles (3) placed on film (2) surface so that they form a substantially uniform monolayer (5); putting the monolayer (5) on the liquid film surface (2) in contact with a substrate (7); and advancing the rotary member (1) longitudinally with respect to the substrate (7), in both directions, so that the monolayer (5) is detached from the liquid film (2) and attached to the substrate (7).

Abstract: A color developer pigment for carbonless copying papers based on acid-activated smectitic layered silicates, wherein a phenolic resin is condensed on the acid-activated layered silicate. The invention also concerns a coating composition based on the color developer pigment as well as a copying paper containing the color developer pigment.

Abstract: The aqueous maintenance solution according to the invention is characterized by the presence of an effective amount of polyethylene glycol 120 methylglucose dioleate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a nickel metal thin film, comprising the steps of coating a substrate with a solution for forming a nickel metal thin film, the solution being formed of an alcohol solution containing nickel ions and a reducible chelate type ligand having a hydrazone unit so as to form a gel film, and subjecting the resultant gel film to a heat treatment under an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate, with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacting the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the electroless deposition of a copper coating on an iron or iron alloy surface wherein the workpiece surface is contacted with a solution which contains hydrogen ions, 5 to 30 g/l Cu as well as 0.2 to 5 g/l Mg and preferably copper and magnesium with a weight ratio of Cu:Mg of (35 to 5):1 for a treatment time of 3 sec to 15 min at a temperature of the solution of 20 to 65° C.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor element includes a solid electrolyte having cavities on a surface thereof and an electrode formed on the surface of the solid electrolyte. In a method of producing the oxygen sensor element, a solution containing a noble metal compound for nucleus formation is first applied to an electrode forming portion of the solid electrolyte to form a coating film. Then, the coating film is heat-treated to form a nucleus forming portion where noble metal nuclei are deposited. Subsequently, metal plating is applied to the nucleus forming portion to form a plating film deeply entering the cavities. Thereafter, the plating film is burned to form the electrode deeply entering the cavities.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of semi-soft or soft magnetic layers. The process involves chemical reduction in aqueous medium of one or more types of metal ions including nickel ions, washing the resulting dispersion of metal particles, and coating this dispersion onto a support. The resulting magnetic layers can be used in an anti-theft system.

Abstract: Metal patterns (11, 11′, 11″) can be provided on a glass substrate (1) in an electroless process by modifying the substrate with a silane monolayer (3), nucleating said momolayer with a polymer-stabilized Pd sol (5) and, subsequently, locally removing the Pd nuclei and silane layer (9, 9′) with a pulsed laser. Neither a photoresist nor organic solvents are used. The method can very suitably be used for the manufacture of the black matrix on a faceplate of display devices, such as the passive plate for an LCD.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for modifying the properties of a porous freeform fabricated part by increasing its density and reducing its porosity. The porosity and density of a freeform fabricated part are altered by packing the pores in a freeform part with an infiltrant, such as a preceramic polymer. The process includes drawing a vacuum on or pressurizing the freeform part while it is in an infiltrant bath, thereby forcing the infiltrant into the pores of the freeform part. After removing the densified freeform part from the infiltrant bath, the freeform part is subjected to a treating process, such that the infiltrant within the pores transforms to a ceramic or ceramic-containing phase to thereby increasing the density of the freeform part.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing highly reliable zinc oxide varistors through simple production steps. The varistor is produced by dispersing a powdery raw material comprising 1-40 solar % (in terms of Fe2O3) iron, 0-20 molar % (in terms of Bi2O3) bismuth, and the balance consisting of SiO2 in a solution of a water-soluble binder such as polyvinyl alcohol, and applying the formed dispersion to a molded or calcined zinc oxide varistor to form on the lateral face thereof a lateral high-resistance layer (2) containing Zn2SiO4 as the principal ingredient and a solid solution of iron in Zn7Sb2O12 as the auxiliary ingredient.

Abstract: A process for producing an article having a three-dimensional optical effect comprising a transparent substrate provided with a translucent simulated ice crystal formation having a controlled amount of fern-like patterns along with articles produced by this process.

Abstract: A fibrous ceramics fabrication method using a room extrusion process and a fibrous monolithic ceramics fabrication method using thereof is disclosed. The method includes the steps of obtaining a extrusion-purpose slurry by evenly mixing a hydrophilic cellulose bonding agent 3 to 7 and a hydrophilic organic plasticizer 5 to 20 for improving a formation property by softening the cellulose bonding agent with a distilled water 45 to 55, with regard to a weight percent 100 of a ceramic powders selected from a group of silicon nitride, silicon carbide and alumina, carrying out a room temperature extrusion from the extrusion-purpose slurry, and coating the fiber by passing through a mixedly dispersed coating-purpose slurry a ceramic powders 20 to 45 selected from a group of boron nitride and graphite, an organic dispersant 0.

Abstract: A method for protecting a metal substrate from corrosion comprises the steps of providing a metal substrate and applying a treatment solution to the surface of the metal substrate, wherein the treatment solution comprises a partially hydrolyzed aminosilane and a fluorine-containing inorganic compound. Preferably the metal substrate is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloys and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing strip in a plant for coating strip material, in which a metal strip is taken through a container holding molten coating material that has, below the melt surface, a through channel, in which induction currents are induced by an electromagnetic travelling field in the coating material and, in interaction with the electromagnetic travelling field, generate an electromagnetic force to retain the coating material. In the region of the through channel, a controllable magnetic field superimposed on the modulation of the electromagnetic travelling field is applied, whose field strength and/or frequency are adjustable as a function of sensor-detected position of the strip in the coating channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for cleaning and applying a mobility enhancer to a metal container, preferably to an aluminum can, the process comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the container with an aqueous acidic prewashing solution; (b) contacting the container with an aqueous acidic or alkaline cleaning solution; (c) rinsing the container with an aqueous acidic dispersion (d) rinsing the container with an aqueous acidic dispersion comprised of a mobility enhancing composition, the mobility enhancing composition comprising (i) at least one wax; and (ii) at least one surfactant, in an amount sufficient to decrease the coefficient of static friction on the outside surface of the container, and to provide a substantially water-break-free surface thereon.

Abstract: A surface-treating method of of screw parts, which method consists of coating beforehand a liquid organic resin based coating composition capable of forming a film having a volume resistivity of 1014 &OHgr;·cm or more at normal temperature onto a thread of screw parts to be mounted onto an automobile body by welding prior to a coating step of the automobile body, followed by heating and drying.

Abstract: Red decorations on substrates which can undergo decorative baking, such as glass, porcelain, ceramic and metal, can be produced using nanoporous aluminium oxide membranes according to the invention, the nanopores of which contain ligand-stabilized gold clusters. The membrane is applied to the substrate followed by baking, resulting in formation of the red color. Alternatively, the membrane can be converted into a red membrane by thermolysis, after which the membrane is employed for production of the decoration. The membranes according to the invention can be obtained by bringing a nanoporous Al2O3 membrane into contact with a solution of a ligand-stabilized gold cluster, in particular one of the formula Au55L12X6, wherein L is a phosphane ligand and X is an anion.

Abstract: An internally swept membrane separation device is manufactured by applying a coating layer to an otherwise non-selective membrane in a controlled manner. A coating material is introduced into one end of a vertically positioned membrane separation device to flood the device to a controlled depth, thereby coating a predetermined portion of the non-selective membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an abrasion resistant ceramic material comprising a porous ceramic material having a surface, and a preceramic polymer infiltrated into the surface wherein the preceramic polymer is converted to a ceramic state.

Abstract: A method of applying a conductive carbon coating to a non-conductive surface, conductive carbon compositions for that purpose, and a printed wiring board having through holes or other nonconductive surfaces treated with such carbon compositions are disclosed. A liquid dispersion of electrically conductive carbon (for example, graphite) having a mean particle size no greater than about 50 microns is coated on the non-conductive surface to form an electrically conductive carbon coating. The conductive carbon coating is then fixed on the (formerly) nonconductive surface. Fixing may be accomplished in a variety of different ways. For example, the fixing step can be carried out by applying a fixing liquid to the carbon-coated surface. One example of a suitable fixing liquid is a dilute aqueous acid. Fixing may also be carried out by removing the excess carbon dispersion with an air knife or other source of compressed air.