Abstract: In a method of promoting adhesion between a copper body and a dielectric layer in contact therewith, the copper body and dielectric layer are placed in a vacuum chamber, in a chamber, the copper body and dielectric layer within the chamber are heated, and SiH4 is provided in the chamber.

Abstract: In a method for imaging a solid state substrate, a vapor is condensed to an amorphous solid water condensate layer on a surface of a solid state substrate. Then an image of at least a portion of the substrate surface is produced by scanning an electron beam along the substrate surface through the water condensate layer. The water condensate layer integrity is maintained during electron beam scanning to prevent electron-beam contamination from reaching the substrate during electron beam scanning. Then one or more regions of the layer can be locally removed by directing an electron beam at the regions. A material layer can be deposited on top of the water condensate layer and any substrate surface exposed at the one or more regions, and the water condensate layer and regions of the material layer on top of the layer can be removed, leaving a patterned material layer on the substrate.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a graphene oxide and a reduced graphene oxide and a gas sensor includes the optical fiber. A method for manufacturing the optical fiber includes coating a graphene oxide layer and reducing a part of the graphene oxide layer, and a method for manufacturing the gas sensor includes coating a graphene oxide layer and reducing a part of the graphene oxide layer.

Abstract: Provided is a film formation apparatus with which an anti-fouling film having high usability and antiwear performance may be formed efficiently. According to a film formation apparatus (1) of the present invention, a substrate holder (12) which comprises a basal body holding surface for folding a plurality of substrates (14) is disposed in a vacuum container (10) in a rotatable manner.

Abstract: A method for producing a low-emissivity layer system on at least one side of the substrate includes the steps of providing the substrate, forming at least one low-emissivity layer on at least one side of the substrate by a deposition process and briefly tempering at least one deposited layer. The electromagnetic radiation used for briefly tempering a low-emissivity layer is adjusted in such a manner that the tempered layer has layer properties comparable to those of a conventionally heat-treated low-emissivity layer of a safety glass.

Abstract: There is provided an optical waveguide which has appropriate orientation properties, a production process of which is simple so as to be suitable for producing an electro-optical element, and is able to reduce power consumption of the element due to excellent electro-optical properties, and further can be formed into a thin film and be layered; and a material for the optical waveguide. A cladding material of an optical waveguide, characterized by comprising a polymer compound including a triarylamine structure, and a nonlinear optical compound; and an optical waveguide produced by using the cladding material.

Abstract: An electrowetting device includes a substrate having a first face, a charged adhesion layer immobilized on the first face of the substrate and a dielectric layer bound to the charged adhesion layer. An unbound ionic liquid phase contacts the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A transparent laminated film is provided with which it is possible to inhibit peeling of thin film layers, even with long-term exposure to sunlight during use and exposure to UV rays during quality evaluation. The film has a thin film layer obtained by lamination of multiple thin films on at least one side of a transparent polymer film. This thin film layer has metal oxide thin films formed by a sol-gel process using light energy during sol-gel hardening and post-oxidation thin films formed by post-oxidation of at least one thin film selected from metal thin film, alloy thin film, and partially oxidized metal oxide thin film.

Abstract: The embodiments fill the need to enhance electro-migration performance, provide lower metal resistivity, and improve metal-to-metal interfacial adhesion for copper interconnects by providing improved processes and systems that produce an improved metal-to-metal interface, more specifically copper-to-cobalt-alloy interface. An exemplary method of preparing a substrate surface of a substrate to selectively deposit a thin layer of a cobalt-alloy material on a copper surface of a copper interconnect of the substrate in an integrated system to improve electromigration performance of the copper interconnect is provided. The method includes removing contaminants and metal oxides from the substrate surface in the integrated system, and reconditioning the substrate surface using a reducing environment after removing contaminants and metal oxides in the integrated system.

Abstract: An implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, is provided having an implant body containing biodegradable metallic material, preferably iron. To accelerate the degradation, at least a portion of the surface of the implant body has a first coating formed from a composition containing at least one element selected from the group including strontium and calcium. An inexpensive method for manufacturing such an implant is also described.

Abstract: A fuel cell component includes a first fluid distribution layer, a second fluid distribution layer, a cap layer, a third fluid distribution layer, and a pair of fluid diffusion medium layers. The individual layers are polymeric, mechanically integrated, and formed from a radiation-sensitive material. The first fluid distribution layer, the second fluid distribution layer, the cap layer, the third fluid distribution layer, and the pair of fluid diffusion medium layers are coated with an electrically conductive material. A pair of the fuel cell components may be arranged in a stack with a membrane electrode assembly therebetween to form a fuel cell.

Abstract: A method of producing a recording medium includes preparing a substrate of the recording medium, forming a first face recording layer at a first face side of the substrate, forming a first face protection layer for protecting the first face recording layer on the first face recording layer, forming a second face constituting whole or a part of a layer configuration at a second face side of the substrate, deactivating a protection feature of the first face protection layer; and forming a first face constituting whole or a part of a layer configuration of a first face on the first face protection layer.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a pattern phase difference film, which is used to display 3D images using a passive system, and provides a method for producing a pattern phase difference film that can be manufactured with high precision, easily and in large quantities. In a mask provided for manufacturing an alignment film, slits, which are provided for exposure treatment, are made so as to gradually narrow toward the ends in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The metal part is one where a carboxyl group or an amino group, or a hydroxyl group is imparted onto the surface. On the other hand, the resin part is one into which an adhesiveness modifier containing an epoxy group is blended. A process for producing a composite of metal and resin, wherein the metal part and the resin part are bonded by interaction of the carboxyl group or the amino group, or the hydroxyl group with the epoxy group.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for treating a polymeric surface to resist non-specific binding of biomolecules and attachment of cells. The method includes the steps of: imparting a charge to the polymeric surface to produce a charged surface; exposing the charged surface to a nitrogen-rich polymer to form a polymerized surface; exposing the polymerized surface to an oxidized polysaccharide to form an aldehyde surface; and exposing the aldehyde surface to a reducing agent. Advantageously, a method is provided which produces surfaces that resist non-specific protein binding and cell attachment and that avoids the use of photochemical reactions or prior art specially designed compounds.

Abstract: An optical component arranged for use in a low pressure environment including: a surface arranged to receive extreme ultra-violet (EUV) light and a coating, on the surface, arranged to block at least one contaminant in the low pressure environment from binding to the surface. A method of mitigating contamination of a surface of an optical component, including: inserting the optical component into a chamber for a semi-conductor inspection system, controlling a temperature and a pressure within the chamber, introducing a blocking material, in a gaseous state, into the chamber, coating a surface of the optical component with the blocking material, and preventing, using the coating, a contaminant in the chamber from binding to the optical component.

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

Abstract: Disclosed is nanocoupling of a polymer onto a surface of a metal substrate for improving coating adhesion of the polymer on the metal substrate, and in vivo stability and durability of the polymer. In accordance with the present invention, the polymers can be grafted via a chemical bonding on the surface of the metal substrate by the nanocoupling, by which adhesion, biocompatibility and durability of a polymer-coated layer which is to be formed later on the metal substrate were remarkably improved; therefore, the nanocoupling according to the present invention can be applied to surface modification of a metal implant, such as stents, mechanical valves, and an articular, a spinal, a dental and an orthopedic implants.

Abstract: A transparent porous SiO2-coating for a transparent substrate material has improved optical properties. These properties can be obtained, in particular, by plasma treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to anti-reflective coatings comprising ordered layers of nanowires, methods to prepare the coatings, and products prepared by the methods.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for realization of polymeric materials with second order nonlinear electro-optical properties comprising the following steps: mixing of a chromophore with nonlinear optical properties with two or three hydroxy groups; isolation of said pure bi- or tri-isocyanate NLO chromophores obtained according to the above step; dissolution of said bi- or tri-isocyanate NLO chromophores obtained according to the above step in one or more isocyanate group not reactive solvents containing reactive substances; coating of a thin layer of said prepolymer mixture on a substrate and evaporation of said not reactive solvents; cross-linking and poling of said thin layer on substrate, by means of heating and application of an electric field; cooling of said thin cross-linked and poled layer at ambient temperature maintaining the applied poling electric field; switching off the poling electric field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing novel photopolymers on the basis of prepolymer-based polyurethane compositions that are suitable for producing holographic media, in particular for the visual display of images.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a component of a secondary battery, said process comprising the following steps: (i) preparing a liquid composition comprising: —a liquid medium selected from the group consisting of aliphatic ketones, cycloaliphatic ketones, cycloaliphatic esters and mixtures thereof, and —at least one fluorinated polymer [polymer (F)] comprising recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF), hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and at least one (meth)acrylic monomer (MA) having formula (I), wherein: —R1, R2 and R3, equal to or different from each other, are independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a C1-C3 hydrocarbon group, and —Rx, is a hydrogen atom or a C1-C5 hydrocarbon moiety comprising at least one functional group selected from a hydroxyl, a carboxyl, an epoxide, an ester and an ether group; and (ii) processing said liquid composition to provide a film.

Abstract: Fragrances having a fresh character are usually very volatile and therefore not very economical in typical applications such as washing or cleaning processes for example. For that reason they have to be used in relatively large amounts in order to bring about appropriate effects. The present invention describes photolabile pro-fragrances that allow for a greatly improved persistence of the fragrance impression, in particular one having a fresh character, in typical applications. A more economical use of the fragrances in question can be ensured in this way.

Abstract: A method of making a micro-louver structure includes coating a curable layer on a surface and imprinting a pattern of micro-channels in the curable layer. The micro-channels have a greater depth than width and are spaced apart by a separation distance greater than the width. The curable layer is at least partially cured to form a cured layer. A light-absorbing material is coated over the cured layer and in the micro-channels and at least a portion of the light-absorbing material removed from the surface of the cured layer leaving at least a portion of the light-absorbing material in the micro-channels. The light-absorbing material is cured to form a light-absorbing structure in each micro-channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tubular elements, such as fuel assembly tubes, which are designed to be used in high pressure and high temperature water in nuclear reactors, such as pressurized water nuclear reactors. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of improving wear resistance and corrosion resistance by depositing a protective coating having a depth of from about 5 to about 25 ?m on the surface of the tubular elements. The coating is provided by nitriding the tubular element at a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 440° C. The nitridation of the tubular element can be carried out for a duration of from about 12 hours to about 40 hours.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a coating method including the steps of providing a multi-component coating composition including two or more components, applying each component to a porous substrate, mixing each component with at least one other component thereby causing at least two components to undergo a chemical reaction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for composite materials, including coatings and stand-alone structures are provided. An apparatus may include a first layer structure that includes a first plurality of densely packed sub-macroscale particles having a first mean diameter; and at least a second layer structure that includes a second plurality of densely packed sub-macroscale particles having a second mean diameter that is different from the first mean diameter. The first layer structure and the second layer structure may be applied to a substrate, where the substrate may be an article of sports equipment, medical device or other article.

Abstract: A method for controlled deposition and orientation of molecular sized nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) on substrates is disclosed. The method comprised: forming a thin layer of polymer coating on a substrate; exposing a selected portion of the thin layer of polymer to alter a selected portion of the thin layer of polymer; forming a suspension of nanostructures in a solvent, wherein the solvent suspends the nanostructures and activates the nanostructures in the solvent for deposition; and flowing a suspension of nanostructures across the layer of polymer in a flow direction; thereby: depositing a nanostructure in the suspension of nanostructures only to the selected portion of the thin layer of polymer coating on the substrate to form a deposited nanostructure oriented in the flow direction. By selectively employing portions of the method above, complex NEMS may be built of simpler NEMSs components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the continuous production of a flexible substrate, preferably a plastics film containing a multi-layer coating in a roll-to-roll coating process, in which at least one vacuum coating process and at least one wet coating process are combined together, and to a device for use in such a process.

Abstract: A method of fabricating quantum confinements is provided. The method includes depositing, using a deposition apparatus, a material layer on a substrate, where the depositing includes irradiating the layer, before a cycle, during a cycle, and/or after a cycle of the deposition to alter nucleation of quantum confinements in the material layer to control a size and/or a shape of the quantum confinements. The quantum confinements can include quantum wells, nanowires, or quantum dots. The irradiation can be in-situ or ex-situ with respect to the deposition apparatus. The irradiation can include irradiation by photons, electrons, or ions. The deposition is can include atomic layer deposition, chemical vapor deposition, MOCVD, molecular beam epitaxy, evaporation, sputtering, or pulsed-laser deposition.

Abstract: In a method for producing a starting material (M, N, N?) for the production of a wear layer (420), a coating (40) with a composition which corresponds to that of the wear layer (420) which is to be produced is chemically undissolved from its substrate (30) and is detached as a solid body, and that the starting material (M, N, N?) is formed by the layer material (60) of the detached coating (40).

Abstract: According to the embodiments, a pattern formation method includes a process of formation of a self-assembly material layer containing at least a first segment and a second segment on a substrate having a guide layer, a process of formation of a neutralization coating on the self-assembly material layer, and a process of formation of a self-assembly pattern including a first region containing the first segment and a second region containing the second segment following phase separation of the self-assembly material layer.

Abstract: Provided is an optical diffraction element that restricts overall thickness of the element while maintaining strength. The optical diffraction element comprises a substrate; an orientation layer that is formed on one surface of the substrate and includes anisotropic polymers that are oriented perpendicular to or inclined relative to a surface of the substrate in at least a partial region of the orientation layer; and a liquid crystal layer formed on the orientation layer. The liquid crystal layer includes a plurality of orientation patterns that are formed periodically and include liquid crystal molecules having different orientation directions, and the orientation direction for at least some of the orientation patterns is perpendicular to or inclined relative to the surface of the substrate, as a result of aligning with the orientation of the orientation layer formed on a bottom surface of the orientation patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing, repairing and/or replacing a component, particularly an aircraft component, by means of a powder that can be solidified by energy radiation of an energy radiation source, characterized in that the device comprises an application unit that is designed such that the powder can be applied onto an uneven surface by means of the application unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to microscopic structures and methods of making and using the structures. A method of forming a microscopic structure of a material includes obtaining a solution (310) containing the material, establishing a flowing stream of the solution (310) in a capillary (104), wherein the capillary (104) has an inner dimension that is smaller than about 300 micrometers, and maintaining the stream until a layer is built up along an inner wall of the capillary (104) from material deposited from the flowing stream, thereby forming a microscopic structure.

Abstract: A structure (100) comprises a transparent substrate (110) having a surface (104), and the surface (104) has a three dimensional pattern (310) resulting from a combination of at least two surface waves (312, 314, 316). The at least two surface waves (312, 314, 316) differ in wavelength by in maximum 50% based on the wavelength of the wave of the at least two surface waves (312, 314, 316) having the bigger wavelength. Each wavelength of the at least two waves (312, 314, 316) is selected from the range of 200 to 900 nm. The structure (100) may be integrated into plastic films or sheets or glazings, especially for the purpose of light management.

Abstract: Touch screen structures may have an on cell resistive touch sensor made up of a a polarizer film or analyzer. The polarizer film has a first high resolution grid pattern printed on it by at least one master plate and a second flexible, optically isotropic transparent substrate carrying a second high resolution pattern may also be used and assembled to the first pattern. The patterns are plated with conductive material and assembled so that the first and the second conductive patterns engage when the substrate is pressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating a component (16), wherein the component (16) is provided with at least one coating layer that can be cured by applying UV light, said layer having UV light applied thereto in an exposure chamber (14) comprising a substantially spherical or ellipsoidal interior (18), wherein the at least one coating layer is applied to the component (16) in a coating chamber (12) comprising the exposure chamber (14).

Abstract: The cavity has first and second main walls covered by a photoresist. The photoresist is subjected to electronic or electromagnetic radiation of wavelength comprised between 12.5 nm and 15 nm. A first thickness of the photoresist is exposed to form a first area of sacrificial material and a second area of different nature defining the surface coating. The sacrificial material is removed, the surface coating is formed and has a surface against one of the main walls and a free opposite surface. The lateral dimensions of the surface coating are defined in the cavity by the radiation through the first main wall.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pattern formation method includes grouping an unevenness pattern of a template into a plurality of groups having different pattern sizes. The method includes using a nozzle having a relatively small nozzle diameter to dispense an imprint resist in liquid form into a region on a substrate where the unevenness pattern of a group of the plurality of groups having a relatively small pattern size is to be aligned, and using a nozzle having a relatively large nozzle diameter to dispense the liquid imprint resist into one other region on the substrate where the unevenness pattern of a group of the plurality of groups having a relatively large pattern size is to be aligned. The method includes curing the imprint resist. The method includes releasing the template from the cured imprint resist.

Abstract: There is provided a process for forming a contained second layer over a first layer, including the steps: forming the first layer having a first surface energy; treating the first layer with a priming layer; exposing the priming layer patternwise with radiation resulting in exposed areas and unexposed areas; developing the priming layer to effectively remove the priming layer from either the exposed areas or the unexposed areas resulting in a first layer having a pattern of priming layer, wherein the pattern of priming layer has a second surface energy that is higher than the first surface energy; and forming the second layer by liquid depositions on the pattern of priming layer on the first layer. There is also provided an organic electronic device made by the process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ALD thin film deposition include a mechanism for removing excess non-chemisorbed precursors from the surface of a substrate in a translation-based process involving multiple separate precursor zones. Excess precursor removal mechanisms according to the present disclosure may introduce localized high temperature conditions, high energy conditions, or azeotropes of the excess precursor, to liberate the excess precursor before it reaches a separate precursor zone, thereby inhibiting CVD deposition from occurring without causing heat-induced degradation of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of production of graphene comprising the following stages respectively: a stage of deposition of a thin layer comprising amorphous carbon on a substrate; a stage of annealing of said thin layer under photonic and/or electronic irradiation, by which a layer comprising graphene is obtained.

Abstract: A conductive film producing method according to the present invention contains a conductive metal portion forming step of forming a conductive metal portion containing a conductive substance and a binder on a support, and a vapor contact step of bringing the conductive metal portion into contact with a superheated vapor. This method may further contain a smoothing treatment step of smoothing the conductive metal portion, such that the smoothed conductive metal portion is brought into contact with the superheated vapor in the vapor contact step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the properties of coatings on transparent materials by plasma treatment, preferably by an atmospheric pressure plasma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hard coating layer and a method for forming the hard coating layer. A method for forming hard coating layer which comprises: washing a substrate; installing the washed substrate in a vacuum equipment, and vacuating the chamber of the vacuum equipment; cleaning the substrate; forming oblique coating layer on the substrate; and forming vertical coating layer, vertically to the substrate, on the oblique coating layer by applying bias-voltage after forming oblique coating layer is provided. According to present invention, hardness of coating layer may be enhanced by forming a oblique coating layer and vertical coating layer on a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for imparting decreased adhesion of biological material to the surface of a substrate comprises the following steps (i) oxidizing the surface of the substrate (ii) applying a composition comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds to the oxidized surface of the substrate and (iii) curing the composition in order to form a coating layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-component composite film comprising a) polymer support layer, and b) porous gellable polymer layer which is formed on one side or both sides of the support layer of a), wherein the support film of a) and the gellable polymer layer of b) are unified without the interface, a method for preparing the same, and a polymer electrolyte system applied the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for effective spark detection during a process for treating workpieces with a vacuum treatment installation, For this purpose, in the case of a bias voltage applied to the workpieces, the discrepancy between the current flowing through the workpieces and a mean value is measured and, in the event of a threshold value being exceeded by this discrepancy, the process is stopped. According to the invention, the threshold value is made dependent on the magnitude of the bias voltage.