Abstract: Hard surfaced polymers and the method for making them are generally described. Polymers are subjected to simultaneous multiple ion beam bombardment, that results in a hardening of the surface, improved wear resistance, and improved oxygen erosion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is a surface modification process which provides a means of rapidly heating a thin layer of a polymer surface or a thin coating of material on a coated substrate and various surfaces produced by such a process.

Abstract: A cell adhesive material with excellent cell adhesion and cell proliferating property and a method for producing the same are provided. The adhesion and proliferation of cells can be improved remarkably by the surface modification of a cell adhesive material comprising a polymer material containing carbon as a constituting element, such as polystyrene or segmented polyurethane, wherein at least a part of the surface is modified by ion bombardment through ion implantation. The method for producing such cell adhesive material comprises implanting ions into at least a part of the surface of the polymer material. The cell adhesive material and the method for producing the same are promising for application to cell culture petri dishes and hybrid-type medicinal materials.

Abstract: A method for patterning precursor film, a product thereof, a method for preparing a patterned ceramic film and a processing workpiece. The method for patterning precursor film includes the steps of depositing a blocking layer over the precursor film, patterning the overlaid blocking layer to uncover portions of the precursor film, irradiating the patterned blocking layer and uncovered portions of the precursor film with a beam sufficiently energetic to radiation modify the full thickness of unmasked portions of the precursor film and insufficiently energetic to radiation modify portions of the precursor film covered by the blocking layer, and developing the precursor film. The blocking layer has a lesser thickness than the precursor film, but is sufficiently thick to block an irradiating beam having the minimal energy necessary to radiation modify the full thickness of the precursor layer.

Abstract: Electrification is suppressed with a water-soluble electrification-suppressing film having an electron conductivity and comprising a polymer resin. A high electrification-suppressing effect which is also high in vacuum can be easily obtained by using the electrification-suppressing film with less contamination.

Abstract: This method comprises the following steps, which are compatible with thin-film technology: forming a bottom electrode (2) on an insulating substrate (1), depositing a humidity-sensitive polymer layer (5) of uniform thickness on the bottom electrode (2) leaving contact areas (3a, 3b) uncovered, activating surface bonds of the polymer layer (5), applying a colloidal dispersion of SiO.sub.2 or Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 particles (6) of uniform grain size as a thin layer to the polymer layer (5) and subsequently drying it, depositing a cover electrode (7) on the particles (6) still evenly distributed on the polymer layer (5) after the drying of the dispersion, and removing the particles (6) together with the portions of the cover electrode (7) overlying them.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing and lubricating elastomeric material includes depositing a first material film layer of carbide forming material by high energy level vacuum plating onto the elastomeric material to thereby stabilize free carbon atoms present in the elastomeric material. A second material film layer is deposited by high energy vacuum plating onto the first material film layer to thereby lubricate the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A method of producing a plasma treated article in a mold tool having electrically isolated mold dies including the steps of placing an article to be treated with a plasma between at least one of the dies and the article to be treated and applying an electric field between the dies to create a plasma in the space.

Abstract: A process to improve the surface properties of products made, at least in part, from silicone rubber is disclosed. The products find uses in industrial and medical device applications, such as drug-pump seals and valves, membranes, mammary prostheses, artificial heart diaphragms, pacemaker lead insulation and the like. The process is designed to change the silicone rubber's surface to one that is characterized by low friction, being antithrombotic, inkable, more wear resistant and deformable, and also being hydro-compatible. The process includes subjecting the product's silicone rubber surface to ion bombardment with gaseous ions that diffuse out with doses and at energy levels at least about 3E14 ions/cm.sup.2 at 80 keV.