Abstract: The process of the present invention significantly increases the durability of superhydrophobic surfaces, while retaining similar optical properties to those of the original surface. The process uses velocity and heat to take freshly formed nano- and ultrafine particles and can partially embed and chemically bond them to the substrate, creating a strongly bonded nano-to-submicron textured surface. This nanotextured surface can then be modified to have desirable surface properties; for example, it can be hydrophobic, oliophobic, or hydrophilic. The high points of the coating made with this process protect the remainder of the surface from abrasion, thus greatly increasing product life in many uses. In preferred embodiments, the process is used to coat transportation vehicle windshields.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a material and method for obtaining a ceramic abradable system for high temperature applications. High purity partially stabilized zirconia and/or hafnia base material has higher sintering resistance compared to conventional 6-9 weight percent yttria stabilized zirconia systems. The benefits of these systems are higher service lifetime and low thermal conductivity to achieve high operating temperatures. System includes a superalloy substrate, oxidation resistant bond coat and a thick ceramic abradable top coat. Total coating thickness is about 0.5-5 mm. In some applications an intermediate layer of high purity partially stabilized zirconia or a partially stabilized YSZ/MCrAlY cermet is applied over the oxidation resistant bond coat. In other applications an abradable system is applied on top of a grid. Additional benefits should be reduced blade wear at high operating conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of at least one component of a chemically reducible gas mixture, an exhaust gas catalytic converter utilizing such a device, a vehicle including such a catalytic converter, a process for preparing such a device, a process for monitoring the NOx emissions of a vehicle, and the use of such a device.

Abstract: Method for thermally spraying a heater onto a substrate, comprising providing a metallic material having a core and an insulator therein and thermally spraying the metallic material and the insulator onto a substrate to form a heater. Method of fabricating a thermally sprayed gas heater, comprising providing a gas flow apparatus that propels a gas through a housing; thermally spraying a material to form a resistive heating layer; bonding the resistive heating layer to a surface of the apparatus, the heating layer being positioned to heat the gas flow in the housing. Method of fabricating a heater system of a turbulent gas flow duct, comprising providing a duct having a gas flow channel, the channel having a shaped surface providing a turbulent gas flow therein; thermally spraying a material to form a resistive heating layer; positioning the resistive heating layer to heat the gas flow in the channel.

Abstract: Combinatorial evaluation of dry semiconductor processes is described, including rotating a mask comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein the mask is positioned between a dry semiconductor processing source and the substrate, and performing a dry semiconductor process through the apertures of the mask at a plurality of intervals during the rotating the mask to combinatorially create a plurality of processed regions on the substrate, wherein the apertures of the mask are arranged in such a way that the plurality of processed regions have different geometries relative to the processing source, and analyzing the processed regions to determine effects of time and geometry on the processed regions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for protecting metal surfaces in oil & gas exploration and production, refinery and petrochemical process applications subject to solid particulate erosion at temperatures of up to 1000° C. The method includes the step of providing the metal surfaces in such applications with a hot erosion resistant cermet lining or insert, wherein the cermet lining or insert includes a) about 30 to about 95 vol % of a ceramic phase, and b) a metal binder phase, wherein the cermet lining or insert has a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0 and a K1C fracture toughness of at least 7.0 MPa-m1/2. The metal surfaces may also be provided with a hot erosion resistant cermet coating having a HEAT erosion resistance index of at least 5.0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the plasma treatment of large-scale components. Said device comprises a vacuum chamber (3) containing one or more pumps, a transport device (2) for conveying the component (1) into the vacuum chamber (3), insulation (4) that is situated between the component (1) and the vacuum chamber (3), a resonant circuit comprising a high-frequency generator (5), an adjustable capacitance and an adjustable inductance of the resonant circuit and at least one connection for connecting the resonant circuit to the component (1). To carry out said method, the component (1) is placed in the vacuum chamber (3), the latter is evacuated, the component (1) is connected to the resonant circuit comprising the high-frequency generator (5) and the inductance and/or the capacitance of the resonant circuit is tuned to the component (1).

Abstract: A thermal spraying method in which masking operation on the surface of a spray object can be facilitated and in which a test piece can be fixed securely so as to enable setting of spray conditions. There is disclosed a thermal spraying method of performing a thermal spraying of heat shield coating material on the surface of a metal as a constituent of heat resistant equipment to thereby form a heat shield coating layer.

Abstract: A microelectronic processing component can include a substrate and a corrosion-resistant layer. The substrate can include a metal-containing material, and the corrosion-resistant layer can be adjacent to the surface region. The corrosion-resistant layer can include a first portion and a second portion each including a rare earth compound, wherein the first portion is disposed between the substrate and the second portion, and the first portion has a first porosity, and the second portion has a second porosity that is greater than the first porosity. The component can be component within a processing apparatus used to process microelectronic workpieces. In a particular embodiment, the component can be exposed to the processing conditions as seen by the microelectronic workpiece when fabrication a microelectronic device from the microelectronic workpiece. Methods can be used to achieve the difference in porosity, and such methods can be for articles other than microelectronic processing components.

Abstract: In a method for coating a fibre composite component for an aircraft or spacecraft, a surface layer of the fibre composite component, which surface layer has spacing from the fibres introduced in the fibre composite component for the protection thereof, is pretreated, at least in portions to form a primer coat; at least one functional coat is then applied to the formed primer coat. A corresponding fibre composite component comprises at least one functional coat which is applied to a primer coat.

Abstract: Proposed is a zirconium crucible used for melting an analytical sample in the pretreatment of the analytical sample, wherein the purity of the zirconium crucible is 99.99 wt % or higher. In light of the recent analytical technology demanded of fast and accurate measurement of high purity materials, the present invention provides a zirconium crucible for melting an analytical sample, a method of preparing such analytical sample, and a method of analysis that enables the analysis of high purity materials by inhibiting the inclusion of impurities from the crucible regardless of difference in the analysts and their skill.

Abstract: A method for forming a ceramic coating is provided. The method includes providing a slurry comprising a liquid and a plurality of feedstock particles disposed in the liquid, injecting the slurry into the flame of a thermal spray gun, and spraying the slurry on a surface of a substrate using the thermal spray gun to form the ceramic coating such that at least a part of the surface of the substrate is covered by the ceramic coating, wherein a thickness of the ceramic coating is in a range from about 10 nanometers to about 3 micrometers, and wherein a density of the ceramic coating is more than about 90 percent, and wherein the ceramic coating is a continuous coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing a crack-free abradable coating with enhanced adhesion. The methods include the steps of providing a substrate and applying an abradable material to the substrate, either directly or indirectly via one or more additional layers. A critical coating temperature of the abradable material is determined that ensures that the thermal stress level in the abradable material is lower than the tensile strength of the abradable material. The temperature of the abradable material is held at a constant temperature below the critical coating temperature throughout the step of applying the abradable material to the substrate.

Abstract: A turbine engine component has a substrate, a thermal barrier coating deposited onto the substrate, and a sealing layer of ceramic material on an outer surface of the thermal barrier coating for limiting molten sand penetration.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a thermal barrier coating having vertical cracks for improved thermal and mechanical stress tolerance. The method can include depositing a first sub-layer on a substrate at a first temperature T1, followed by depositing a second sub-layer on the first sub-layer at a second temperature T2, wherein T2 is less than T1 such that a temperature gradient having a negative heat flux toward the top of the second sub-layer is created, thereby introducing thermal stress in the sub-layers causing vertical cracks to be formed in the sub-layers. The method then involves repeating steps (a) and (b) for n cycles to form the thermal barrier coating comprising the vertical cracks, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 200.

Abstract: A process for applying a bonding primer layer for a protective ceramic layer on a component surface by high-velocity flame spraying is proposed. A coating material in the foam of at least one metal alloy powder is at least partially melted and is applied as particle stream with high velocity to the component surface. The coating material has two powder fractions that have a fine particle size and a coarse particle size. The coating material comprises an agglomerated and sintered powder.

Abstract: A protective coating system for metal components includes a superalloy metal substrate, such as a component of a gas turbine. A single layer bond coat is applied to the superalloy metal substrate in a thermal spray process from a homogeneous powder composition having a particle size distribution wherein about 90% of the particles by volume are within a range of about 10 pan to about 100 ?m. The percentage of particles within any 10 ?m band within the range does not exceed about 20% by volume, and the percentage of particles within any two adjacent 10 ?m bands within the range does not deviate by more than about 8% by volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for manufacturing an article having a wetting-resistant surface. The method includes providing a mixture comprising a plurality of micron-sized first particles and a plurality of nano-sized second particles, and a binder; depositing the mixture onto a substrate to form a wetting-resistant surface via a thermal spray process. The mixture is deposited without substantial melting of the first and second particles. The wetting-resistant surface has wettability sufficient to generate, with a reference fluid, a static contact angle of greater than about 90 degrees.

Abstract: In various embodiments, large-area sputtering targets are formed by providing a plurality of sputtering targets each comprising a backing plate and a refractory metal layer disposed thereon, and spray depositing a refractory metal powder on an interface between the sputtering targets, the refractory metal powder consisting essentially of the same metal as each refractory metal layer, thereby joining the refractory metal layers of the sputtering targets.

Abstract: The invention is directed to effective means for joining materials having dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion, such as advanced ceramics with metallic compounds. Moreover, the present invention relates to furnace tubes and methods of fabricating a joint between two different materials, which is compositionally graded to provide a substantially graded coefficient of thermal expansion between the joint materials.

Abstract: A novel means for placing conductive metal traces on ceramic without adhesives, glues or any organic materials. Metal traces created by thermal spraying metal on to a prepared ceramic surface. The ceramic surface is prepared by creating recesses where the metal is to remain as circuit traces. Following thermal spray, the excess metal is removed from the surface leaving the metal electrically conductive traces in the ceramic recesses. This process improves metal to ceramic bond, reducing failures caused from thermal expansion differences between ceramic and metal traces and eliminates all organic adhesives.

Abstract: Corona roller comprising a cylindrical base body and a roller cover of dielectric material, and method for producing it. The roller cover includes a layer of thermoplastic material, e.g. polyamide, applied onto the outer surface of the base body. Solid (powder) particles having electrically insulating characteristics are imbedded in the material matrix of said layer in the vicinity of the surface thereof in a form-locking manner such that merely a partial region of said particles protrudes from said inner layer. A hard, wear- and corrosion-resistant surface is formed at the outer side of the layer of plastic material, said hard, wear- and corrosion-resistant surface likewise having electrically insulating characteristics. For producing the corona roller, the layer of thermoplastic material is heated to a viscosity similar to that of honey.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid oxide fuel cell, including a polygonal tubular support an outer surface of which has a plurality of planes, a plurality of unit cells respectively formed on the plurality of planes of the tubular support, inner connectors for connecting the plurality of unit cells in series, and a pair of outer connectors for connecting the plurality of unit cells connected in series to a current collector, so that respective unit cells are connected in series on the planes of the tubular support, thus exhibiting excellent cell performance and high power density per unit volume, and maintaining high voltage upon collection of current to thereby reduce power loss due to electrical resistance. A method of manufacturing the solid oxide fuel cell is also provided.

Abstract: Method for performing a thermal spray process. Method includes heating and/or accelerating a gas to form an effluent gas stream, feeding a particulate-bearing carrier stream through an axial injection port into the effluent gas stream to form a mixed stream, in which the axial injection port includes a plurality of chevrons located at a distal end of said axial injection port, and impacting the mixed stream on a substrate to form a coating.

Abstract: This invention relates to a percussion drill bit head for a percussion drilling apparatus, the drill bit head comprising a working surface and a plurality of super-hard buttons protruding from the working surface, the working surface having a hard area that is free of buttons and has Rockwell C hardness of at least 60 HRc. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a percussion drill bit head comprising a working surface and a plurality of buttons and a percussion drill bit assembly comprising a drill bit head according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bioactive glass coatings. In particular, the present invention relates to bioactive glass coatings for Ti6Al4V alloys and chrome cobalt alloys, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the glass coating is matched to that of the alloy. Such coatings have a particular application in the field of medical prosthetics. The bioactive glass comprises (in mol %) 35-53 SiO2; 2-11 Na20; at least 2% of each of CaO, MgO and K20; 0-15 ZnO; 0-2 B202 and 0-9 P205.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal spraying apparatus (1) for coating a surface (2) of a substrate (3) by means of a coating material (4). The thermal spraying apparatus (1) includes a spray pistol (5) with a heating device for heating the coating material (4) in a heating zone (6) and also a charging apparatus (7) with a feed (8) through which the coating material (4) can be introduced into the heating zone (6). In this arrangement the thermal spraying apparatus is so designed that a relative position (9) between the feed (8) and the heating zone (6) can be changed in the operating state.

Abstract: A coated article has a metallic substrate. A coating layer comprises at least 33% by volume ceramic, at least 5% by volume of a lubricant selected from the group consisting of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), clay, graphite, and mixtures thereof. The coating layer lacks a metal phase of more than 5% by volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved electrostatic chuck for a substrate processing system. The electrostatic chuck comprising a main body having a top surface configured to support the substrate, a power supply to apply a voltage to the main body and a sealing ring disposed between the main body and the substrate wherein the sealing ring has a conductive layer.

Abstract: A method for the production of a run-in coating is provided, whereby a metallic run-in coating material is provided on a component on the stator side of a turbomachine, especially a gas turbine. According to an embodiment of the invention, the provided run-in coating undergoes a heat treatment for purposes of improving its run-in characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing assembly for metal components, wherein the sealing assembly has an electrical insulating effect, and wherein the sealing assembly comprises a ceramic layer and a base brazing material disposed thereon, to which germanium is added. The addition of germanium advantageously ranges from 0.1 to 5.0 mol %, and preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 mol %. A particular embodiment provides for the use of a brazing material which additionally comprises silicon in the range of>0 to 2.5 mol %, and preferably between 0.1 and 0.9 mol %. Furthermore, a brazing material having a further addition of 10 to 40% by volume of Al2TiO5, and preferably between 20 and 30% by volume of Al2TiO5, has proven to be particularly suited for the sealing assembly.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a metal frame, a porous metal substrate, a first anode isolation layer, an anode interlayer, a second anode isolation layer, an electrolyte layer, a cathode isolation layer, a cathode interlayer and a cathode current collecting layer. The first anode isolation layer, the anode interlayer, the second anode isolation layer, the electrolyte layer, the cathode isolation layer, the cathode interlayer and the cathode current collecting layer are sequentially disposed on the porous metal substrate. The first anode isolation layer is porous sub-micron structured or porous micron structured; the anode interlayer is porous nano structured; the second anode isolation layer is dense structured or porous nano structured; the electrolyte is dense and gas-tight; the cathode isolation layer is dense structured or porous nano structured; the cathode interlayer is porous nano structured or porous sub-micron structured; and the cathode current collecting layer is porous micron structured.

Abstract: A plain bearing is provided which has an Sn-and-Si-rich layer formed of an Al alloy containing Sn and Si, and a base material which does not contain Sn. The Sn-and-Si-rich layer have the sliding surface having an area ratio of Sn phase grains in a range of 6 to 40% and that of Si phase grains in a range of 5 to 25%.

Abstract: Powder injection apparatus, plasma gun, and method of use. Powder injection apparatus includes a shroud attachable to an outlet nozzle of a thermal spray apparatus and a substantially smooth and continuous inner wall defining a bowl through which a plume of the thermal spray apparatus travels. At least one port in the inner wall is structured and arranged to receive a powder injection nozzle that injects powder into the plume.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a battery member from a precursor comprising providing a precursor having at least one component dissolved in the precursor; and thermal spray depositing the precursor on a substrate to form a coating layer such that the at least one component is synthesized within the thermal spray prior to being deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a composite material that contains structured particles. The process includes providing a first precursor in the form of a dry precursor powder, a precursor liquid, a precursor vapor of a liquid and/or a precursor gas. The process also includes providing a plasma that has a high field zone and passing the first precursor through the high field zone of the plasma. As the first precursor passes through the high field zone of the plasma, at least part of the first precursor is decomposed. An aerosol having a second precursor is provided downstream of the high field zone of the plasma and the decomposed first material is allowed to condense onto the second precursor to from structured particles.

Abstract: A sputtering target, including a sputtering layer and a support structure. The sputtering layer includes an alkali-containing transition metal. The support structure includes a second material that does not negatively impact the performance of a copper indium selenide (CIS) based semiconductor absorber layer of a solar cell. The sputtering layer directly contacts the second material.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine component has a metallic substrate. A coating is on the substrate. A barrier coat is applied while varying a speed of the component rotation so as to provide a corresponding microstructure to the barrier coat.

Abstract: A linear process tool comprising at least two deposition modules each comprising one or more plasma spray guns operable to move in a direction approximately orthogonal to the direction of a substrate carrier is configured to deposit at least a first and second layer, in direct contact with each other, wherein a first layer is of first composition and the second layer is of second composition different than the first composition.

Abstract: A thermal spraying powder contains granulated and sintered particles of an yttrium-aluminum double oxide formed by granulating and sintering raw-material particles. The crushing strength of the granulated and sintered particles is 15 MPa or more, and 10% particle size of the granulated and sintered particles is 6 ?m or more. The thermal spraying powder is suitable for use in forming a thermal spray coating through plasma spraying.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to nucleic acids targeting certain miRNA molecules are disclosed. The nucleic acids are useful, for example, in methods of increasing the expression and/or secretion of EPO and treating various disease states including anemia, hemophilia, and/or sickle cell disease.

Abstract: An improved thermal spray apparatus and method of promotes mixing of axially fed particles in a carrier stream with a heated effluent stream without introducing significant turbulence into either the effluent or carrier streams. An axial injection port includes a plurality of chevrons at the distal end of the port. The chevrons are located radially around the circumference of the distal end of the axial injection port to increase the shared area between the two flow streams at the outlet of the port.

Abstract: A thermal spray powder contains particles composed of an oxide of any of the rare earth elements having an atomic number of 39 or from 59 to 70. The crushing strength of the particles is 80 MPa or greater. The ratio of bulk specific gravity to true specific gravity of the thermal spray powder is 0.15 or greater. The particles are preferably granulated and sintered particles. The average particle size of primary particles constituting the granulated and sintered particles is preferably 6 ?m or less.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for production of nanoscale materials is disclosed. In the preferred embodiments, the invention is scalable and tunable to reliably produce nanoscale materials of specifically desired qualities and at relatively high levels of purity. In a preferred embodiment, combustible gas is discharged onto a substrate through a multi-zone flame facilitating the formation of nanoscale materials such as single and multi-wall nanotubes.

Abstract: Nano technologies are widely recognized as enabling enhanced and new functionality in a wide range of applications and products. Many different ways have been developed to create and apply these nanomaterials. One method for making dry nanocoatings is vapor deposition. There exists a need for a portable machine that can apply nanocoatings to a wide of range of surfaces in a wide range of locations. The present invention comprises such a portable machine that can apply nanocoatings to a wide of range of surfaces in a wide range of locations.

Abstract: The formation of electronic assemblies including a heat spreader coupled to a die through a thermal interface material formed from an indium preform, is described. One embodiment relates to a method including providing a preform comprising indium, the preform including an indium oxide layer thereon. The method also includes exposing the preform to fluorine so that part of the indium oxide layer is transformed into an indium oxy-fluoride. The method may also include, after the exposing the preform to fluorine so that part of the indium oxide layer is transformed into an indium oxy-fluoride, positioning the preform between a die and a heat sink, and applying pressure to and heating the preform positioned between the die and the heat sink so that reflow occurs and a bond is formed between the die and the heat sink.

Abstract: A process for providing a protective layer to an article. The process includes depositing a layer of material onto a surface of the article with a thermal spray process. Examples of thermal spray process include high velocity oxygen/air fuel, atmospheric plasma spray, and chemical vapor deposition. Coating methods, such as cold vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition, may also be used. The layer can then be bonded to the article by heating material in the layer adjacent its connection with the article.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit having a layer of wear resistant material applied thereon utilizing a thermal spray process and methods of manufacturing such drill bits.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermal spray coatings on a metal or non-metal substrate. The thermal spray coating comprises a partially or fully stabilized ceramic coating, e.g., yttria stabilized zirconia coating, and has sufficiently high thermodynamic phase stability to provide corrosion and/or erosion resistance to the substrate. This invention also relates to methods of protecting metal and non-metal substrates by applying the thermal spray coatings. The coatings are useful, for example, in the protection of integrated circuit manufacturing equipment, internal chamber components, and electrostatic chuck manufacture.

Abstract: A system and method for use in applying a coating of a desired material onto one or more medical implant components. The system may include one or more thermal sprayers and a rotatable holding fixture having a plurality of mounting stations each operable to hold at least one medical implant component. The fixture may be operable to rotate about a central axis and each mounting station may be operable to rotate about a respective mounting station axis. The fixture may be arranged adjacent to one or more thermal sprayers so that during operation one or more desired materials may be sprayed by the one or more thermal sprayers upon an outer surface of each of the medical implant components while the fixture rotates about the central axis and while simultaneously therewith each of mounting stations having a respective medical implant component rotates about the respective mounting station axis.