Abstract: A process for applying an energy-curable primer and a brilliant metallic ink to a paperboard or paper substrate is provided. The primer may be cured using an energy curing system such as a UV or EB curing system. The curable primer facilitates the orientation of the metallic pigment particles to provide a coherent reflectance of light and optimal reflectance. Advantageously, the primer-cured paper may be “spot-coated” with the metallic ink at pre-designated areas, which minimizes the amount of metallic ink used. In exemplary embodiments, the metallic paper is over-coated with one or more transparent or opaque inks. Additionally, the cured, primer coated paper may be subjected to corona discharge to remove excess solvent and compounds in the liquid phase within the matrix of the cured primer and/or to increase the surface tension of the primer. In certain circumstances, the metallic paper and the end product are recyclable and repulpable.

Abstract: A wire-equipped crimp terminal includes a wire, a crimp terminal and a coating agent. The wire has a conductor exposed from an insulative sheath. The crimp terminal has a crimping piece which is press-deformed to embrace the conductor. The coating agent is coated to a first part of the crimp terminal. A recess is formed at a non-coating part of the crimp terminal where the coating agent is not coated. The coating agent is cured by irradiating light or an electron beam to the first part in a state where a part of the coating agent flowing out from the first part is received in the recess.

Abstract: A method for the partial or total modification of functional groups on the surface of polymeric materials or polymer-containing materials, by means of combined plasma functionalization and localized thermal defunctionalization, is disclosed. At first, a surface of a polymer material is exposed to a cold plasma, whereby a desired polymer functionalization is achieved. After the plasma treatment, the surface is locally heated in an optional manner, primarily by means of an electron beam, resulting in local defunctionalization of the heated surface area. The directing of the electron beam across the surface of the material results in any desired distribution of functional groups on the surface. Also disclosed is a device for performing such a treatment.

Abstract: A primer-less coating composition for facestock comprises: a binder being a water-dispersible polymer; an ethylenically unsaturated compound which is aqueous-dispersible and miscible with or bonded to said water-dispersible polymer, wherein said ethylenically unsaturated compound is able to form a covalent bond with an ink; and a crosslinker, wherein said crosslinker is suitable for binding the coating to the facestock. The coating composition may be applied to a substrate to form a printable film. A printed film in accordance with the invention may be used in a label, for example for use on a container such as a bottle.

Abstract: A primer-less coating composition for facestock comprises: a binder being a water-dispersible polymer; an ethylenically unsaturated compound which is aqueous-dispersible and miscible with or bonded to said water-dispersible polymer, wherein said ethylenically unsaturated compound is able to form a covalent bond with an ink; and a crosslinker, wherein said crosslinker is suitable for binding the coating to the facestock. The coating composition may be applied to a substrate to form a printable film. A printed film in accordance with the invention may be used in a label, for example for use on a container such as a bottle.

Abstract: A primer-less coating composition for facestock comprises: a binder being a water-dispersible polymer; an ethylenically unsaturated compound which is aqueous-dispersible and miscible with or bonded to said water-dispersible polymer, wherein said ethylenically unsaturated compound is able to form a covalent bond with an ink; and a crosslinker, wherein said crosslinker is suitable for binding the coating to the facestock. The coating composition may be applied to a substrate to form a printable film. A printed film in accordance with the invention may be used in a label, for example for use on a container such as a bottle.

Abstract: A nanosensor includes a substrate including a hole which extends through the substrate, a thin layer on the substrate and including a nanopore which is connected to the hole, and a first graphene layer and a second graphene layer which are on the thin layer and spaced apart from each other centering the nanopore therebetween. A method of manufacturing the nanosensor includes forming a nanopore in a thin layer on a substrate, and forming a first graphene layer and a second graphene layer on the thin layer. The first graphene layer and the second graphene layer are spaced apart from each other centering the nanopore therebetween.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nanopatterned biophotonic structure includes forming a customized nanopattern mask on a substrate using E-beam lithography, providing a biopolymer matrix solution, depositing the biopolymer matrix solution on the substrate, and drying the biopolymer matrix solution to form a solidified biopolymer film. A surface of the film is formed with the nanopattern mask, or a nanopattern is machined directly on a surface of the film using E-beam lithograpy such that the biopolymer film exhibits a spectral signature corresponding to the E-beam lithograpy nanopattern. The resulting bio-compatible nanopatterned biophotonic structures may be made from silk, may be biodegradable, and may be bio-sensing devices. The biophotonic structures may employ nanopatterned masks based on non-periodic photonic lattices, and the biophotonic structures may be designed with specific spectral signatures for use in probing biological substances, including displaying optical activity in the form of opalescence.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a membrane having a tampered pore, a polymeric membrane having a tapered pore, and uses of such polymeric membrane are disclosed. The membrane includes apertures of increasing diameter which are aligned with each other to form the tapered pore.

Abstract: A method of forming a patterned functional layer on a substrate using a poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) lift-off layer is described. The method can be used with substrates that would not tolerate the organic solvents required for processing of known poly(methyl methacrylate) lift-off layers. When used in combination with known nanoimprint lithography and step-and-flash imprint lithography techniques, the method can be used to generate patterned functional structures with dimensions as small as five nanometers.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for methods and systems of forming a palladium sulfide film on a substrate including flexible substrate. A palladium sulfide precursor may be applied to the substrate. The palladium sulfide precursor may comprise a palladium organothiolate. The palladium sulfide precursor may be heated under reaction conditions sufficient to decompose the palladium sulfide precursor to form the palladium sulfide film or patterns, the latter using various lithography techniques.

Abstract: A biological test member, and method of making the same, is disclosed with the member including a substrate. The test member has usefulness, for example, in testing a person's blood glucose level. A first layer and a second layer of conductive metal are printed or otherwise applied on the substrate in an electrode pattern. The metal or metals are cured or sintered at a low, non-damaging temperature, such as by applying one or more pulses of a high-energy broad spectrum light. A layer of reagent may be provided on said second metal layer.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a magnetic recording medium having a magnetically separated magnetic recording pattern formed therein, without oxidizing or halogenating a surface of a magnetic layer, and also without contaminating the surface with dust and without complicating a production process, the method of producing a magnetic recording medium characterized by including, in this order: a step of forming a magnetic layer (2) on top of a non-magnetic substrate (1); a step of forming a mask layer (3) for forming a magnetic recording pattern on top of the magnetic layer (2); and a step of irradiating an ion beam (10) onto regions in the magnetic layer (2) which are not covered by the mask layer (3), removing an upper layer portion of the magnetic layer (2) at that regions (7), and reforming magnetic properties of a lower layer portion (8), wherein two or more types of positive ions having different masses are used for the ion beam (10), and an ion gun for forming the ion beam has a positive electrod

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit creation technology that improves conductive line manufacture by adding active and elemental palladium onto the surface of a substrate. The palladium is disposed in minute amounts on the surface and does not form a conductive layer by itself, but facilitates subsequent deposition of a metal onto the surface, according to the pattern of the palladium, to form the conductive lines.

Abstract: A protective layer is applied to a work piece to protect the surface during charged particle beam processing by directing a fluid toward the surface. The surface is preferably not touched by the applicator. Ink jet print-type print heads are suitable applicators. Ink jet-type print heads allow a wide variety of fluids to be used to form the protective layer. Useful fluids that form protective layers include colloidal silica having small silver particles and hydrocarbon-based inks.

Abstract: A method and a system for manufacturing two-dimensional and three-dimensional nanostructures and nanodevices are described, wherein the formation of the nanostructure (of the nanodevice) on a target substrate is made, at a millimetric or super-millimetric distance from the substrate, by the deposition of material emitted in the form of an atomic/molecular beam having a selected pattern corresponding, at an enlarged scale, to the desired pattern of the nanostructure (nanodevice). The projection of the patterned beam through a diaphragm, associated with the substrate at a micrometric or sub-micrometric distance and having at least one shaped aperture of nanometric size, brings about the formation of a nanostructure pattern which is a convolution of the patterned beam with the diaphragm aperture.

Abstract: A patterned retarder film with a plurality of first retardation regions and a plurality of second retardation regions and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes providing a base film; forming an alignment layer on a first surface of the base film; coating a liquid crystal material on the alignment layer as a liquid crystal layer; aligning the liquid crystal layer with the alignment layer; embossing the liquid crystal layer with a predetermined pattern to form a patterned layer with a plurality of first and second retardation regions. The structure of the first and second retardation regions are grating-like stripe structure and parallel to each other and the structure of the second retardation regions are grooving-like stripe structure and interleaved with each other. The patterned liquid crystal layer is cured. The phase retardation of the first and second retardation regions is different by 180°.

Abstract: A fabrication method which can improve electrical properties, shorten processing time, and reduce the thickness of a chip package by achieving an ultra-thin fine circuit pattern. The method for fabricating a printed circuit board includes: providing an insulating material; forming in the insulating material at least one via-hole for interlayer electrical connection; ion beam treating the surface of the insulating material having the via-hole formed therein; forming a copper seed layer on the surface-treated insulating material using a vacuum deposition process; and plating a copper pattern on the copper seed layer to form a circuit pattern.

Abstract: Defined nanoparticle cluster arrays (NCAs) with total lateral dimensions of up to 25.4 ?m by 25.4 ?m have been fabricated on top of a 10 nm thin gold film using template guided self-assembly. This approach provides precise control of the structural parameters in the arrays allowing a systematic variation of the average number of nanoparticles in the clusters (n) and the edge to edge separation (?) between 1<n<20 and 50 nm???1000 nm, respectively. Investigations of the Rayleigh scattering spectra and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signal intensities as a function of n and ? reveal direct near-field coupling between the particles within individual clusters, whose strength increases with the cluster size (n) until it saturates at around n=4. Our analysis shows that strong near-field interactions between individual clusters significantly affects the SERS signal enhancement for edge-to-edge separations ?<200 nm.

Abstract: A method for patterning a one or more biomolecules on a substrate that includes coating the substrate with a coating of the one or more biomolecules, applying a laser to the coating, and ablating a portion of the one or more biomolecules with the laser in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method for coating a workpiece by cold gas spraying is carried out using a cold gas spray nozzle which generates a particle jet that is directed onto the surface. Additional energy is introduced into the layer that is being formed by way of an electromagnetic energy source, e.g. a laser, which the energy introduced into the particles by the cold gas spray nozzle also contributes to forming the layer. The cold spraying process can be used flexibly as a result of the additional activation by way of electromagnetic radiation. Moreover, layers having a complicated structure, e.g. strip conductors, can be created with the aid of the laser without further processing. A coating unit includes a generator for electromagnetic radiation in addition to the cold gas spray nozzle and is therefore suitable for carrying out the novel method.

Abstract: An article comprising a metal support with two opposing faces at least one of which is covered by a discontinuous ceramic coating. Said coating has a softening point above the melting point of the support and has at least one absorbing element for the laser radiation at a wavelength of the order of 1 ?m, being at least 1% of the weight of said coating. The invention further relates to a method for producing said article.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a patterned material layer on a structure, by condensing a vapor to a solid condensate layer on a surface of the structure and then localized removal of selected regions of the condensate layer by directing a beam of energy at the selected regions. The structure can then be processed, with at least a portion of the patterned solid condensate layer on the structure surface, and then the solid condensate layer removed. Further there can be stimulated localized reaction between the solid condensate layer and the structure by directing a beam of energy at at least one selected region of the condensate layer.

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: The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for providing an Au-containing layer onto a surface of a work piece, which method comprises: providing 510 a deposition fluid comprising Au(CO)Cl; depositing 520 the fluid on at least part of the surface of the work piece; and directing 530 a charged particle beam toward the surface of the work piece onto which at least part of the fluid is deposited to decompose Au(CO)Cl thereby forming the Au-containing layer on the surface of the work piece. By using Au(CO)Cl as a precursor for charged particle induced deposition, a gold Au layer may be deposited with a very high purity compared to methods known in the art.

Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer.

Abstract: A spray coated member having an excellent resistance to plasma erosion is produced by irradiating an electron beam to an outermost surface layer portion of a ceramic spray coated portion covering a surface of a substrate to form an electron beam irradiated layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a metallized image on a sheet material includes impregnating the material with a metal salts-containing solution and exposing the specified material points to a pulse laser radiation. The interaction of the pulses with the solution within a laser spot irritates a photochemical reaction resulting in a metal ion reduction into the elementary state thereof by associating the required number of electrons and deposition of metallic film which is firmly fixed to the filler of the sheet material in the laser spot area on the material surface. In case of sufficient laser radiation power, a recess is formed on the sheet material surface, and the metallic film is deposited on the bottom of the recess.

Abstract: Charged particle sources, systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for patterning a one or more biomolecules on a substrate that includes coating the substrate with a coating of the one or more biomolecules, applying a laser to the coating, and ablating a portion of the one or more biomolecules with the laser in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A process for making an optical transducer that includes depositing a lower molecular weight first layer and a higher molecular weight second layer. E-beam radiation is applied to the first and second layers which are developed to form an aperture. The aperture includes a resist protrusion in the second layer. The resist protrusion protrudes outward beyond the first layer. Metal is evaporated through the aperture to form the optical transducer. The resist protrusion defines a shape of a concave metal transducer corner.

Abstract: An ink-jet ink is disclosed, comprising a colorant, water, a polymeric compound which is comprised of a hydrophilic backbone having plural side chains and is capable of curing via the side chains upon exposure to an actinic ray and a fluorine-containing surfactant having a specific structure. An ink-jet recording method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming electrical traces includes the steps of: providing a substrate; printing an ink pattern using a silver containing ink on the substrate, the ink comprising an aqueous carrier medium having dissolved therein a water-soluble light sensitive silver salt; irradiating the ink pattern to reduce silver salt therein to silver particles thereby forming an underlayer; and electroless plating a metal overcoat layer on the underlayer thereby obtaining electrical traces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of producing microstructure and a method of producing mold, the methods permitting production of much smaller pores than before in an atmosphere where impurities are negligible and also permitting production of microstructures having a smaller size and a higher crystallinity than before with the help of the pores. The method of producing microstructure comprises a step of making pores (4) in a substrate (1) to become a mold (5) by irradiation with a focused energy beam (3) and a step of growing a microstructure (8) in the thus made pores (4). The method of producing a mold includes a step of making pores (4) by irradiating a substrate (1) to become a mold (5) with a focused energy beam (3).

Abstract: Part of the surface of a metallic-oxide refractory ceramic part, such as a fusion-cast refractory block, is treated using a high energy beam, to remove portions of the surface. A metal film may then be sprayed onto the treated surface of the ceramic part, for example to provide protection against erosion/corrosion in glass furnaces. Excellent adhesion between metal and ceramic can be attained.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of making improved net-shaped components by a hybrid metal deposition process for either hot or cold metals. The method involves using a metal deposition machine to deposit at least one layer of a metal alloy onto a top surface of a substrate to form a component part, and to cut the component part with a cutting component, such as an electron beam gun to form a predetermined net-shaped component part. Preferably, the number of layers deposited equals the number of layers cut.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for manufacturing an integrated circuit (IC) package and an integrated circuit (IC) package. The process, without limitation, includes providing an integrated circuit chip having a configuration, and forming a layer of overcoat material over the integrated circuit chip based upon the configuration.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of modifying a mechanical, physical and/or electrical property of a dielectric layer comprises exposing the dielectric layer to a first dose of electron beam radiation at a first energy level; and thereafter, exposing the dielectric layer to a second dose of electron beam radiation at a second energy level that is different from the first energy level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating plastic substrates structured by means of a laser or generation of seed structures on the surface that are suitable for subsequent metallization. The substrates, after the laser structuring, are brought into contact with a process solution that is suitable for removal of the unintentional deposits that arise during the laser structuring. The treatment of the laser-structured substrates with a mixture of wetting agents and compositions that support the cleaning before metallization leads to sufficient removal of the unintentionally deposited metal seeds, without having a lasting damaging effect on the planned structured surface paths.

Abstract: Modified strain regions are created in correlation to strain reactive structures that are subjected to a predetermined dimensional precision adjustment. The modified strain regions are created by impacting incident particles into exposed regions of the strain reactive structures. The irradiation by the incident particles creates a predetermined material disruption and consequently a change in strain energy. The strain energy, and the associated dimensional adjustment is dependent on the irradiation process and the sum properties of the modified strain regions and the strain reactive structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a manufacturing method that can form a track guide separation area of a magnetic disk substrate constituting a patterned medium represented by a discrete track medium or bit patterned medium suitable for high recording density, uniformly on the whole surface of the magnetic disk substrate, and accurately according to the mask. According to one embodiment, a soft magnetic film, an under coating film, and a magnetic film are formed on a substrate. A mask having an arbitrary pattern shape provided for forming the track guide separation area in the magnetic film is formed on the magnetic film, and the track guide separation area is formed by irradiating ions and electrons onto the surface of the magnetic film and applying an intermittent voltage to the substrate, thereby non-magnetizing the area irradiated.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a patterned material layer on a structure, by condensing a vapor to a solid condensate layer on a surface of the structure and then localized removal of selected regions of the condensate layer by directing a beam of energy at the selected regions, exposing the structure at the selected regions. A material layer is then deposited on top of the solid condensate layer and the exposed structure at the selected regions. Then the solid condensate layer and regions of the material layer that were deposited on the solid condensate layer are removed, leaving a patterned material layer on the structure.

Abstract: An optical element or component having excellent anti-fog effects as well as excellent scratch resistance and/or reflection reducing effects and optionally also hydrophobic and/or oleophobic properties, and a method for producing such an optical element or component. The element or component includes, in the following order, a glass substrate, a water-absorbing first layer, and a second layer selected from (i) an anti-reflecting coating; a mirror coating and a hard layer; (ii) a compound and/or combination of a hard layers and anti-reflecting coatings; and (iii) a compound and/or combination of hard layers and mirror coating. Blind holes or bores are introduced into the second layer and the water-absorbing first layer with the holes opening out from the second layer and extending completely through the second layer, and at least partially through the water-absorbing first layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a patterned material layer on a structure, by condensing a vapor to a solid condensate layer on a surface of the structure and then localized removal of selected regions of the condensate layer by directing a beam of energy at the selected regions. The structure can then be processed, with at least a portion of the patterned solid condensate layer on the structure surface, and then the solid condensate layer removed. Further there can be stimulated localized reaction between the solid condensate layer and the structure by directing a beam of energy at at least one selected region of the condensate layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to materials treatable by electron beam (EB) processing, such as materials for flexible packaging. The material comprises a substrate; an ink formulation on at least a portion of the substrate, the ink formulation comprising ink and at least one monomer selected from acrylate esters, vinyl ethers, cycloaliphatic diepoxides, and polyols; and a lacquer on at least a portion of the ink formulation, the lacquer comprising at least one monomer selected from acrylate esters, vinyl ethers, cycloaliphatic diepoxides, and polyols. The processing apparatus for EB treating the material operates at a low voltage, such as 125 kVolts or less.

Abstract: A method of forming a patterned functional layer on a substrate using a poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) lift-off layer is described. The method can be used with substrates that would not tolerate the organic solvents required for processing of known poly(methyl methacrylate) lift-off layers. When used in combination with known nanoimprint lithography and step-and-flash imprint lithography techniques, the method can be used to generate patterned functional structures with dimensions as small as five nanometers.

Abstract: A target layer comprising at least one degradable material is deposited on a support. Nanotubes are then formed on the degradable material of the target layer before deposition of an insulating layer is performed. Degradation of the degradable material and elimination of degradation sub-products are then performed by means of the nanotubes passing through the insulating layer thus forming air gaps in the target layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a patterned material layer on a structure, by condensing a vapor to a solid condensate layer on a surface of the structure and then localized removal of selected regions of the condensate layer by directing a beam of energy at the selected regions. The structure can then be processed, with at least a portion of the patterned solid condensate layer on the structure surface, and then the solid condensate layer removed. Further there can be stimulated localized reaction between the solid condensate layer and the structure by directing a beam of energy at at least one selected region of the condensate layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a low temperature polysilicon film is provided. A first metal layer is formed on a substrate; and openings have been formed in the first metal layer. A second metal layer is formed on the first metal layer: and a hole corresponding to each of the openings is formed in the second metal layer. A silicon layer is formed on the second metal layer; a silicon seed is formed on the substrate inside each of the holes. After removing the first and the second metal layers, an amorphous silicon layer is formed on the substrate by using the silicon seed. Then a laser crystallization step is performed to form a polysilicon layer from the amorphous layer. Since the position of the silicon seed can be controlled, the size and distribution of the silicon grain and the number of the silicon crystal interface can also be controlled.