Abstract: A process for modifying a metal surface by irradiating energized ion particles onto a metal surface while blowing a reactive gas directly on the metal surface under a vacuum condition. The process can achieve the effect of decreasing the wetting angle of the polymer or metal surface and enhancing the strength and the surface energy of the metal.

Abstract: A process for modifying a nitride surface includes irradiating energized ion particles onto the nitride surface while blowing a reactive gas directly on the nitride surface under a vacuum condition. An aluminum nitride for a direct bond copper (DBC) can be obtained by forming a thin copper film on the thusly modified nitride.

Abstract: A method for mask-free molecular or atomic patterning of surfaces of reactive solids is disclosed. A molecular-scale pattern of adsorbate molecules is used in place of the conventional macroscopic "mask". Molecules adsorb at surfaces in patterns, governed by the structure of the surface, the chemical nature of the adsorbate, and the adsorbate coverage at the surface. The surface is patterned and then marked or imprinted with the pattern by inducing localized chemical reaction between adsorbate molecules and the surface of the solid, resulting in an imprint being formed in the vicinity of the adsorbate molecules. In one aspect of the invention, photoinduced reaction of the patterned adsorbate leads to patterned photoreaction with the surface.

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: Described is a process for producing an adherent organic polymeric layer on organic polymeric substrates following the steps of (a) treating the surface of the polymeric substrate to provide reactive groups; (b) applying to the treated surface a polymerizable composition of a surface modifying amount of an organofunctional silane, a catalyzing amount of material which generates acid upon exposure to actinic radiation, and a solvating amount of solvent; (c) exposing the coated surface to an adhesion improving amount of actinic radiation; and (d) applying and curing a photochromic or non-photochromic polymer-forming composition on the coated surface. Also described are articles produced by the process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for efficiently and precisely adhering and centering particles on tacky areas on a surface containing an array of tacky and non-tacky areas. These methods and apparatus for particle attachment and centering involve holding and heating of the surface containing an array of tacky and non-tacky areas with particles adhered thereon for a period of time and at a temperature to allow the particles to adhere and center to the tacky areas. The surface containing the array of tacky and non-tacky areas can be heated either prior to, during or after a step of contacting the array with particles. Either discrete sheets or a continuous moving web of material having a surface containing an array of tacky and non-tacky areas can be employed. Each tacky area of an array of tacky and non-tacky areas has a size and bonding strength suitable for adhesion of one particle thereto in formation of an array.

Abstract: Durable--long lived plastic films carrying sputter-deposited metal layers such as reflective metal layers on both sides are disclosed. The slip side of the plastic film is not preglowed. The nonslip side is preglowed. This combination of glowing and not preglowing leads to the desired long life.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of coating cutting edges, more particularly razor blade cutting edges, with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The present method of forming a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating on a razor blade cutting edge comprises: spraying the edge of an aqueous dispersion of PTFE having a molecular weight of at least 500,000 to form a coating of the PTFE of the cutting edge; subjecting the PTFE coating to ionizing radiation in the presence of an oxygen containing gas to obtain a radiation dose of up to 50 Mrads, and then sintering the PTFE coating.

Abstract: A method for modifying an (oxide) material of a substrate surface to a nitride material by radiating reactive ion particles having a certain amount of energy onto the substrate surface is disclosed. The thin film deposited on the surface-modified substrate has improved material properties. In particular, a surface treatment using ion beam is executed on an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 substrate to initially form an AlN thin film, and then a GaN thin film is deposited on said AlN thin film. From this, it is possible to obtain a high quality GaN thin film having a better material property, compared with a GaN thin film according to the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface modification method that provides beneficial changes in surface properties, can modify a surface to a greater depth than previous methods, and that is suitable for industrial application. The present method comprises applying a thin-film coating to a surface of a substrate, then subjecting the coated surface to an ion beam. The ion beam power pulse heats the coated surface, leading to alloying between the material in the coating and the material of the substrate. Rapid cooling of the alloyed layer after an ion beam pulse can lead to formation of metastable alloys and microstructures not accessible by conventional alloying methods or intense ion beam treatment of the substrate alone.

Abstract: A barrier-coated polyester film comprises a polyethylene terphthalate substrate, a primer composition containing a vinyl polymer wherein at least 75% of the polymer repeat units contain side groups having hydroxyl moieties, and a waterborne, inorganic barrier coating. The primer coating facilitates the application and binding of the subsequently applied waterborne barrier coating composition to the substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect, a deposition method comprises the following steps: a) forming a layer on a semiconductive substrate, the layer comprising predominately an inorganic material, the layer also comprising incorporated carbon; b) generating a plasma adjacent the layer from a component gas, the component gas comprising Ar, and c) utilizing the plasma to remove the carbon from the layer.

Abstract: Structured materials for photonic devices, at wavelengths of X-ray, ultraviolet, visible, infrared and microwave radiation, can be made using layer growth techniques. Such a structure can be made layer by layer, by homogeneous deposition followed by localized modification for refractive index differentiation. Alternatively, the structure can be made by simultaneous growth of regions whose refractive index differs. The structures can be used as selective bandpass filters, and in photovoltaic solar cells, for example.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical contact to a substrate includes, a) placing a substrate having a silicon node to which electrical connection is to be made within a chemical vapor deposition reactor; b) injecting a first titanium organometallic precursor to within the reactor having the substrate positioned therein, and maintaining the reactor at a temperature and a pressure which in combination are effective to deposit a first layer comprising titanium nitride onto the substrate over the node to a first thickness, the first layer of titanium nitride having incorporated carbon from the first titanium organometallic precursor, the first layer and silicon node defaming a contact interface therebetween; c) after depositing the first layer, ceasing to inject the first titanium organometallic precursor into the reactor and first injecting a first component gas into the reactor and generating a first plasma from the first component gas within the reactor against the first layer, the first component gas and first p

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens consisting of a substrate made of organic glass, of an abrasion-resistant coating, of a layer of impact-resistant primer and of an inorganic antireflective coating, wherein the surface of the said substrate is covered with the abrasion-resistant coating and in that the impact-resistant primer layer is inserted between the said abrasion-resistant layer and the anti-reflective coating, wherein the abrasion-resistant coating comprises a hydrolyzate or a mixture of hydrolyzates of a silane compound of formula: ##STR1## in which: R.sup.1 denotes an organic group containing an epoxy group;R.sup.2 is a hydrocarbon radical which has 1 or 2 carbon atoms; andR.sup.3 is a hydrocarbon group which has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a is 0 or 1 in value.

Abstract: An adhesive strength increasing method which does not need a bulky apparatus such as an ion implantation apparatus and prevent the characteristic of a material from being degraded by using a high level current ion of a low level energy, thus increasing an adhesive strength between a metal thin film and a glass substrate. In the present invention, a metal is deposited on a substrate an inert gas or a reactive gas having a predetermined energy is irradiatd to the deposited metal thin film, and then the metal thin film is sealed, thus increasing an adhesive strength between a metal thin film and a glass substrate.

Abstract: A method for preventing radioactive contamination of porous surfaces comprising providing an apparatus for handling radioactive material comprising a porous surface; exposing the porous surface to a vacuum; depositing a flowable precursor material onto the porous surface, wherein the porous surface comprises pores and the vacuum is effective to substantially fill the pores with the flowable precursor material; subjecting the flowable precursor material to energy sufficient to convert the flowable precursor material to an effective sealant film comprising amorphous carbon. In a preferred embodiment, the porous surface is an anodized aluminum surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to medical devices having a drug-releasing coating and methods for making such coated devices. The coating permits timed or prolonged pharmacological activity on the surface of medical devices through a reservoir concept. Specifically, the coating comprises at least two layers: an outer layer containing at least one drug-ionic surfactant complex overlying a reservoir layer containing a polymer and the drug which is substantially free of an ionic surfactant. Upon exposure to body tissue of a medical device covered with such coating, the ionically bound drug in the outer layer is released into body fluid or tissue. Following release of such bound drug, the ionic surfactant binding sites in the outer layer are left vacant.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a silver complex diffusion transfer reversal material comprising a grained and anodized aluminum foil as support and a photosensitive silver halide emulsion coating, characterized in that said grained and anodized aluminum foil is corona treated in a corona station comprising a roller and at least one electrode, that has been coated with a dielectric coating before said foil is coated by a photosensitive layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a co-extruded film or sheet comprising a base layer and at least one surface layer, characterised in that the base layer comprises a polyolefin and has a thickness greater than about 10 .mu.m, and the surface layer comprises a polyolefin and a silica filler and has a thickness less than about 5 .mu.m. The surface layer contains from 10 to 60% w/w of silica based on the polyolefin content of said surface layer. Films and sheets of this type have superior absorbent properties for imprinting media such as eg ink.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for marking objects for their identification. The inventive system includes a laser that emits a select band of radiation and a coating system for application to an object or workpiece to be marked. The coating system is composed of two contrasting coats of paint, a topcoat and a basecoat, which have been coated sequentially on the workpiece. The topcoat, while still wet, can be ablated by the beam of said laser while the basecoat, while wet, dry or tacky, is refractory to the beam of said laser. The laser, thus, can generate alphanumeric and graphic characters (product identification indicia) on the workpiece by its beam being directed onto the coating system for ablating the topcoat to reveal the basecoat to generate the characters by dint of the visible contrast between the two coats of paint.

Abstract: A multi layer film having enhanced barrier properties against transmission of oxygen and water vapor is provided. The multi layer film includes a polypropylene base layer, with a high density polyethylene layer on at least one surface of the polypropylene base layer. The polyethylene layer includes a surface which has been subjected to plasma treatment with a hydroxyl-donating material such as a methanol. The film further includes a metal layer deposited on the plasma treated surface, such as a layer of vacuum deposited aluminum. Multi layer films according to the present invention are particularly useful as packaging films for food products.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the absorbency, hand-feel, or both of an article made from fibers having a spin finish thereon, where the spin finish decreases the hand-feel desirability and decreases the absorbency of the article. The method involves subjecting the article to corona treatment for a period of time sufficient to enhance the absorbency, hand-feel, or both of the article. The article produced by subjecting a substrate made of fibers having a finish thereon to corona treatment for a period of time sufficient to enhance the absorbency, hand-feel, or both of the substrate. A method of disposing of such articles by contacting the articles with a hot liquid, such as water, for a period of time sufficient to disperse or dissolve the article. Hot water soluble, cold water insoluble poly(vinyl) alcohol is one suitable fiber material.

Abstract: Antimicrobial activity is imparted to the surface(s) of an apparatus or article by a method, comprising:copolymerizing tertbutylaminoethyl methacrylate with at least one other aliphatically unsaturated monomer in the presence of said apparatus or article by which adhesion of the copolymer to said surface(s) is achieved. In an embodiment of the invention, adhesion of the polymer coating on the apparatus or article occurs by graft copolymerization.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a polyester film support in which the surface has been subjected to an energetic treatment with nitrogen plasma to produce amine groups on the polyester surface. The treated surface is then coated with a dilute solution of amine reactive hardener and gelatin. After drying the hardener/gelatin coated support a photographic emulsion is coated on the surface. The resulting film element has excellent adhesion of the photographic emulsion after photoprocessing, and it is safer to coat and handle than previously known methods involving grafting of hardener directly to the support.

Abstract: The present invention is a plastic container coated with a multi-layer barrier coating. The multi-layer barrier coating is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas permeability in containers and for extending shelf-life of containers, especially plastic evacuated blood collection devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the surface treatment of at least one portion of an article comprising at least one plastic material, the process comprising a step of fluorination for out most 12 seconds, following a step of an energetic surface oxidation of this portion.

Abstract: A method for producing an information recording medium is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of (1) applying a surface treatment on a surface of a film support so that the atomic percentage of oxygen at said surface is increased by 1.0 atomic-% to 10 atomic-% compared to the atomic percentage of oxygen at said surface before treatment, (2) providing a subbing layer comprising a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer having a 2-oxazoline group represented by Formula A on said treated surface of the film support so that the subbing layer is directly adjoined to said surface, and (3) providing an information recording layer on said subbing layer, ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, a phenyl group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of forming an antimicrobial coating on a surface of a medical implant, the coating comprising an antimicrobially effective amount of antimicrobial metal atoms incorporated into a coating of amorphous carbonaceous material.

Abstract: An electronic device fabrication apparatus a reaction chamber; a cathode electrode and an anode electrode opposed to each other in the reaction chamber; a gas introduction pipe introduced into the reaction chamber for supplying reaction gas into the reaction chamber, the gas introduction pipe being electrically connected to the cathode electrode; and a high frequency power generation device for applying high frequency lower having a high exciting frequency which is included in one of a VHF band and a UHF band to the cathode electrode through the gas introduction pipe for exciting the reaction gas into a plasma state. The gas introduction pipe includes an impedance adjusting device for adjusting an impedance of the gas introduction pipe.

Abstract: A method of fabricating nanometric structures on a substrate by dry etching includes setting the substrate at a temperature at which condensation of etching gas products of etching gas decomposed, recombined and reacted, or products of reactions between the etching gas and substrate material starts to occur, forming condensates at specific locations on the substrate. The condensates form an etching mask for the dry etching process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal part coated with a layer of polycrystalline diamond includes fabricating a metal substrate having a surface to be coated, the metal substrate containing titanium, vanadium or alloys thereof; depositing a layer of at least 10% graphitic plus amorphous carbon and designed to diffuse fully through the titanium; and depositing a diamond coating on the carbon layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diamond like carbon coating comprising a surface comprising an interface and a lubricant film, said interface comprising atomic bonds between atoms in said diamond-like carbon coating and atoms in said lubricant precursor film. The invention also provides a method for producing said coating, interface, and film.

Abstract: The present invention is a plastic container coated with a multi-layer barrier coating. The multi-layer barrier coating is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas permeability in containers and for extending shelf-life of containers, especially plastic evacuated blood collection devices.

Abstract: A process for coating a tungsten carbide base material substrate with CVD diamond film includes carburization and gas-assisted vaporization of cobalt from the surface with simultaneous recrystallization of surface grains of tungsten carbide to change their stoichiometry for improved adherence.Also disclosed is a WC-Co cutting tool having a relatively fine WC grain size and coated with adherent CVD diamond.

Abstract: This invention includes the discovery that poorly crystallized hexagonal-like films of boron nitride with sp.sup.2 bonding can be converted by ion implantation to amorphous, cubic-like, boron nitride with sp.sup.3 bonding. Preferably the sp.sup.2 bonded film has a considerable amount of residual stress. The discovery that sp.sup.2 bonded BN can be converted to sp.sup.3 bonded BN may prove to be a significant advancement in coating technology for the electronics, machine tool, biomedical, and automotive industries. This discovery is important in that growth processes compatible with high volume production can be used to grow sp.sup.2 bonded BN (e.g., sputtering, e-beam evaporation, and CVD), then implantation procedures can be used to subsequently change the film to sp.sup.3 bonding. The amorphous, cubic-like, BN films can be grown on silicon wafers. This technique is also well-suited for metallic and plastic substrates because both the deposition and implantation processes occur at low temperatures.

Abstract: A method of preparing particles of an exfoliated vermiculite for the manufacture of a finished product, such as a particle board, includes the steps of, if necessary, chemically modifying the vermiculite by impregnating the vermiculite with a suitable anhydride in a non-aqueous solvent; if necessary, applying to the particles of vermiculite an adhesion promoter to promote the adherence of a resin to the surfaces of the particles of vermiculite; and resinating the particles of vermiculite either with a thermoplastic resin which has been surface modified by irradiation or by fluorination, or by an isocyanate thermosetting resin, or by a dry powder novolac thermosetting resin; and if necessary removing any solvent present.

Abstract: Preparation of an electrode comprising a substrate of a valve metal or of an alloy thereof having similar properties thereto and a coating thereon comprising at least an outer layer of an electrocatalytically-active material which comprises an oxide of at least ruthenium and an oxide of at least one non-noble metal by a one-step coating process which comprises the vapor phase deposition of a mixture of at least ruthenium and/or oxide thereof and at least one non-noble metal or oxide thereof onto the substrate. The outer layer is of substantially uniform thickness, the contours thereof are at least substantially the same as the contours of the substrate underlying it and the electrode affords an increased surface area for a given mass of catalyst and a more efficient use of catalyst to obtain a given thickness thereof.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which includes a pair of substrates; a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates; and an electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer is disclosed. The liquid crystal layers includes liquid crystal molecules, and is divided into a plurality of regions having different twist angles from one another.

Abstract: The proposed method of carrying out diagnostics on a process for the thermo-chemical treatment of steels and alloys in a glow discharge involves monitoring the ionization characteristics of the atmosphere as revealed by the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation in various frequency intervals. The proposed device for carrying out the method in question comprises a primary converter (1) in the form of an electromagnetic radiation emitter unit and contains filtering elements (5) mounted in such a way that they can be positioned in the radiation zone in front of the receiver (6) on a rotating disk (4). The disk (4) is provided with a rotation drive (7) for positioning the elements (5).

Abstract: A maskless process generates a patterned coating on a polymeric substrate, wherein the pattern is at least partially defined by the substrate topography. The process uses a high intensity/high fluence energy source to strike a coated substrate, thus selectively removing a portion of the coating. The amount and area of the coating removed is dependent on the substrate topography and the applied energy, and this forms a pattern of residual coating material on the substrate.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for manufacturing a photographic support which includes providing a support and laminating a surface of the support with a polymer resin formulation containing from 0.001 to 1 weight percent antioxidant at a temperature of from 305.degree. to 360.degree. C. while exposing the polymer resin formulation to an ozone containing gas at a rate of greater than 0.1 mg/m.sup.2 of said support.

Abstract: Method of improving wetting and adhesive properties of dielectric materials by injecting electrical charges into the substrate under conditions such that the primary effect on the surface is that of charging so that improved wettability of the surface will be achieved. Flowable materials are then applied to the surface and cured in situ to permanently adhere the flowable materials to the surface.

Abstract: An antistatic agent comprising a water-soluble electroconductive polymer comprising at least a repeating unit having a sulfo group-containing isothianaphthenylene structure; a method for suppressing electrification of an article during the production or use of the article by forming an electroconductive film comprising the water-soluble electroconductive polymer on the article; an article of which electrification is suppressed by having an electroconductive film comprising the water-soluble conductive polymer on the article; and a method for observing or inspecting an article with suppressing electrification thereof during irradiation with charged particle beams by forming an electroconductive film comprising the water-soluble electroconductive polymer on the article. The electroconductive film retains the electrification-suppressing effect and removability stably even when subjected to a heat treatment or left to stand for a long period of time.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micro-bubble textured material includes performing simultaneous implantation of inert gas atoms and plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition. Plasma that contains ions of an inert gas and neutrals necessary for PCVD is produced over a substrate. The substrate being deposited with the material to be textured is then biased with a negative voltage to accelerate the ions from the plasma. Control over the bias voltage determines the penetration depth into the materials and control over the ion current to the substrate determines the fractional atomic density of the implanted gas atoms and the penetration depth. Simultaneous deposition causes the location of the layer of the implanted atoms to move at the deposition rate, resulting in a uniform implantation of the atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel composition of matter comprising a polyacid and a polymer containing repeating units which contain one or more basic atoms. The complex is water-soluble and electrically conductive. The complex is useful in providing organic discharge layers for use in electronic applications and fabrications.

Abstract: A method for surface treating a metallic substrate to enhance its corrosion resistance. The method comprises the step of applying to the surface of the substrate a pulse treatment with a beam of dense high-temperature radiation generated by a coaxial plasma accelerator of the erosion type. The method provides for rapid heating of the surface region of the substrate to modify its metallurgical structure, without substantial heating of the underlying bulk thereof, followed by rapid cooling, whereby crystal nucleation and growth are suppressed and phase segregation and separation of substrate additives or compounds is avoided.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical contact to a substrate includes, a) placing a substrate having a silicon node to which electrical connection is to be made within a chemical vapor deposition reactor; b) injecting a first titanium organometallic precursor to within the reactor having the substrate positioned therein, and maintaining the reactor at a temperature and a pressure which in combination are effective to deposit a first layer comprising titanium nitride onto the substrate over the node to a first thickness, the first layer of titanium nitride having incorporated carbon from the first titanium organometallic precursor, the first layer and silicon node defining a contact interface therebetween; c) after depositing the first layer, ceasing to inject the first titanium organometallic precursor into the reactor and first injecting a first component gas into the reactor and generating a first plasma from the first component gas within the reactor against the first layer, the first component gas and first p

Abstract: Applicants have discovered methods for making, treating and using diamonds which substantially enhance their capability for low voltage emission. Specifically, applicants have discovered that defect-rich diamonds--diamonds grown or treated to increase the concentration of defects--have enhanced properties of low voltage emission. Defect-rich diamonds are characterized in Raman spectroscopy by a diamond peak at 1332 cm.sup.-1 broadened by a full width at half maximum .DELTA.K in the range 5-15 cm.sup.-1 (and preferably 7-11 cm.sup.-1). Such defect-rich diamonds can emit electron current densities of 0.1 mA/mm.sup.2 or more at a low applied field of 25 V/.mu.m or less. Particularly advantageous structures use such diamonds in an array of islands or particles each less than 10 .mu.m in diameter at fields of 15 V/.mu.m or less.

Abstract: A method of forming a single crystal diamond film in which a single crystal diamond film of large area can be formed at low cost, thereby making it possible to realize a large improvement in the properties of the diamond and also making possible the practical use of diamond in a wide range of applications thereof, said method comprising the steps of: first vapor-depositing a platinum film 2 on a first substrate 1, pressing a second substrate 3 onto the platinum film 2, and carrying out annealing in a vacuum. Next the platinum film 2 and the first substrate 1 are mechanically separated from each other, and the join surface 2a of the platinum film that had once been joined to the first substrate 1 is subjected to a surface scratching treatment, after which diamond is formed by gas-phase synthesis on this join face 2a. A single crystal diamond film is obtained in this way. In the case that the vapor-deposited platinum film has a thickness of no less than 20 .mu.