Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma ion beam system that includes multiple gas sources and that can be used for performing multiple operations using different ion species to create or alter submicron features of a work piece. The system preferably uses an inductively coupled, magnetically enhanced ion beam source, suitable in conjunction with probe-forming optics sources to produce ion beams of a wide variety of ions without substantial kinetic energy oscillations induced by the source, thereby permitting formation of a high resolution beam.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, a soft magnetic layer, an underlayer, a magnetic recording layer, and a protective layer, wherein the magnetic recording layer is provided with a pattern including recording portions and non-recording portions, the non-recording portions have a composition that is equal to a composition obtained by demagnetizing the recording portions, the non-recording portions contain at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of vanadium and zirconium and at least one element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon, boron and oxygen, and the at least one element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon, boron and oxygen is contained in the non-recording portions at a higher content than the content of the at least one element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon, boron and oxygen in the recording portions.

Abstract: Embodiments provide electron-conducting, electron-transparent substrates that are chemically derivatized (e.g., functionalized) to enhance and facilitate the deposition of nanoscale materials thereupon, including both hard and soft nanoscale materials. In various embodiments, the substrates may include an electron-conducting mesh support, for example, a carbon, copper, nickel, molybdenum, beryllium, gold, silicon, GaAs, or oxide (e.g., SiO2, TiO2, ITO, or Al2O3) support, or a combination thereof, having one or more apertures. In various embodiments, the mesh support may be coated with an electron conducting, electron transparent carbon film membrane that has been chemically derivatized to promote adhesion and/or affinity for various materials, including hard inorganic materials and soft materials, such as polymers and biological molecules.

Abstract: Conductive carbon films having a resistivity of less than about 0.2 Ohm-cm, preferably less than about 0.05 Ohm-cm, are deposited by PECVD. Conductive carbon films are essentially free of sp3-hybridized carbon and contain predominantly sp2 carbon, based on IR spectral features. Carbon content of the films is at least about 75% atomic C. Conductive carbon films may contain hydrogen, but are typically hydrogen-poor, containing less than about 20% H. In some embodiments, conductive carbon films further contain nitrogen (N). For example, conductive films having a CxHyNz composition, where nitrogen is present at between about 5-10% atomic, have both high conductivity and low roughness, because introduction of nitrogen delays formation of crystallites in the film. The films are deposited at a process temperature of at least about 620° C., and at a pressure of less than about 20 Torr in a dual-frequency plasma process dominated by low frequency (LF) plasma.

Abstract: An object is to provide a method of making a metal oxide film with a sufficiently high degree of crystal orientation, without difficulties, at low cost, and with little damage to a base material and the metal oxide film, and to provide laminates and electronic devices using the same. A method includes a step of forming a metal film having a (111) plane, on a base material; a step of forming a metal oxide film on the (111) plane of the metal film; and a step of maintaining a temperature of the metal oxide film formed on the (111) plane of the metal film, at 25-600° C. and irradiating the metal oxide film with UV light.

Abstract: Described are devices and methods for forming one or more nanomembranes including electroactive nanomembranes within a nanowell or nanotube, or combinations thereof, in a support material. Nanopores/nanochannels can be formed by the electroactive nanomembrane within corresponding nanowells. The electroactive nanomembrane is capable of controllably altering a dimension, a composition, and/or a variety of properties in response to electrical stimuli. Various embodiments also include devices/systems and methods for using the nanomembrane-containing devices for molecular separation, purification, sensing, etc.

Abstract: A heating appliance including a metal substrate, at least a part of which is covered with a self-cleaning coating including at least one oxidation catalyst selected from the platinoid oxides, and at least one dopant of said oxidation catalyst selected from the rare-earth oxides. The self-cleaning coating is a bilayer coating including: an inner layer at least partially covering the metal substrate and including the dopant; and an outer layer in contact with the ambient air and including the oxidation catalyst. Also provided is a method for producing such a heating appliance.

Abstract: A method for applying a vapor deposition coating onto a substrate with a non line of sight or limited line of sight is disclosed. A vapor stream is provided in a chamber that is below atmospheric pressure. The vapor stream is impinged with a working gas that provides a flow that transports the vapor stream. The flow of the working gas is modified with a physical object that directs the flow to achieve a desired coating on the substrate.

Abstract: The process for producing an amorphous carbon film of the present invention is a process for producing an amorphous carbon film comprising contacting a surface of a substrate S with bubbles B which have been formed in a liquid L containing an organic compound and inside which plasma has been generated, so as to form an amorphous carbon film on the surface of the substrate S, and the liquid L contains one or more selected from phenols and alcohols having a carbon number of from 1 to 12. According to the present invention, a hard amorphous carbon film can be formed easily.

Abstract: Ion irradiation is applied to the surface of a recording layer which has a granular structure containing ferromagnetic particles which are composed of an L10 ordered alloy and a non-magnetic intergranular layer, thereby the ferromagnetic particles in the side of the substrate are transformed into an L10 ordered alloy having a high magnetic anisotropy, and the ferromagnetic particles in the side of the surface of the medium are transformed into an A1 disordered alloy having a low magnetic anisotropy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diamond simulant with greater similarity to a diamond than cubic zirconia. The present invention further provides a diamond simulant with durability, hardness, and optical features closer to that of a genuine diamond that previously afforded by other diamond simulants, such as cubic zirconia.

Abstract: Optical articles of zinc sulfide and zinc selenide with thick coatings of alumina are disclosed. The alumina coatings are deposited on the zinc sulfide and zinc selenide by a microwave assisted magnetron sputtering. In addition to alumina coatings, the optical articles may also include various polymer coatings.

Abstract: A solar energy absorptive coating for absorbing sunlight energy is provided. The coating includes a multilayer stack including, a first absorbing layer with first absorbing layer material for absorbing an absorption radiation of a certain spectrum of the sunlight, a transmission dielectric layer with a transmission dielectric layer material for a transmission of the absorption radiation, and a second absorbing layer with a second absorbing layer material for absorbing the absorption radiation, wherein at least one of the absorbing layer materials has an absorbing layer material refractive index for the absorption radiation, between 1.5 and 4.0, and an absorbing layer material extinction coefficient for the absorption radiation, between 0.8 and 3.0, and the transmission dielectric layer material has a dielectric layer material refractive index for the absorption radiation, between 1.0 and 3.0, and a dielectric layer material extinction coefficient for the absorption radiation, between 0.0 and 0.2.

Abstract: A method of forming a monolayer film of nanoparticles includes forming a fluid mixture by combining nanoparticles dispersed in water with a water-miscible organic solvent and a molecular ligand comprising a head group with affinity for the nanoparticle, and introducing the fluid mixture to a substrate in the presence of an air/fluid interface, thereby causing a monolayer film of nanoparticles to form on the substrate. Such monolayers films can include metallic nanoparticles such as gold, and possess substantially uniform spacing over at least a one centimeter length scale.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus for processing an object to be processed using a plasma. The apparatus includes a processing chamber defining a processing cavity for containing an object to be processed and a process gas therein, a microwave radiating antenna having a microwave radiating surface for radiating a microwave in order to excite a plasma in the processing cavity, and a dielectric body provided so as to be opposed to the microwave radiating surface, in which the distance D between the microwave radiating surface and a surface of the dielectric body facing away from the microwave radiating surface, which is represented with the wavelength of the microwave being a distance unit, is determined to be in the range satisfying the inequality 0.7×n/4?D?1.3×n/4 (n being a natural number).

Abstract: Methods and devices for preparing microscale polymer relief structures from a thin polymer layer on an absorbing substrate are described. The described methods are ultrafast (about 8 nanoseconds) and allow formation of patterned microstructures having complex morphologies and narrow line widths that are an order of magnitude smaller than the masks used in the methods.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy component has a surface region alloyed with an anodic metal to increase corrosion resistance in aqueous environments with high salinity or sulfur content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for modifying wettability of a surface of an inorganic material, the method comprising the steps of: preparing an inorganic material with a surface; and charging the surface of the inorganic material with positive surface charges obtained from photoelectron-emission by an X-ray irradiation to the surface of the inorganic material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sensing electrical device includes the following steps; (a) forming a conductive trace on an insulating substrate; (b) placing the insulating substrate with the conductive trace in a mold cavity of a mold; (c) injecting an insulating material into the mold cavity to encapsulate the conductive trace to form an injection product; and (d) removing the injection product from the mold cavity.

Abstract: Method and equipment to produce nanopowders of materials based on pure metals, their alloys and chemical compounds of these metals with elements taken from the row of B, C, O and Si, encapsulated into a salt shell selected from the group of NaCl, NaF, LiCl, and LiF or their mixtures, includes independent evaporation by means of electron beam and/or laser radiation sources of the material and alkali metal(s) halogenide and simultaneous deposition of a mixture of their vapor phases on a substrate in a closed pumped-down volume. To achieve the required ratio of vapor flows, a screen with variable cross-section diaphragms is placed between the substrate movable in parallel to the evaporators, and the evaporators, thus allowing an independent regulation of the intensity of the vapor flow coming to the substrate from each of the evaporators.

Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into a at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrowetting display device including a plurality pixels. Each pixel includes a pixel electrode, a hydrophobic layer, a hydrophobic fluid, and a bank adapted to limit the range of movement of the hydrophobic fluid. The bank has a hydrophobic bank surface and a hydrophilic bank surface, which face each other. The hydrophobic fluid is moved from the hydrophilic bank surface towards the hydrophobic bank surface by the application of a voltage to the pixel electrode.

Abstract: A resin layer formation method and device for making a resin layer uniform on a substrate before lamination or on a substrate is provided. Adhesive is coated at an inner circumference side while rotating a substrate at low speed. A first adhesive layer is formed on the surface of the substrate by rotating at high speed. A step difference section is formed around a rotation center of the substrate by irradiating ultraviolet on an area in the inner circumference side of the first adhesive layer to hardening the area. Adhesive is coated at the rotation center side from the step difference section on the substrate, and a second adhesive layer is formed on the first adhesive layer by rotating the substrate at high speed. The first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer are integrated to form a uniform adhesive layer.

Abstract: A gas blocking layer forming apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber that provides a space where a chemical vapor deposition process and a sputtering process are performed; a holding unit that is provided at a lower side within the vacuum chamber and mounts thereon a target object on which an organic/inorganic mixed multilayer gas blocking layer is formed; a neutral particle generation unit that is provided at an upper side within the vacuum chamber and generates a neutral particle beam having a high-density flux with a current density of about 10 A/m2 or more; and common sputtering devices that are provided at both sides of the neutral particle generation unit, wherein each common sputtering device has a sputtering target of which a surface is inclined toward a surface of the target object.

Abstract: A method for producing conductive carbon coated particles of an at least partially lithiated electroactive core material comprises the step of premixing an oxidant electroactive material with a metallated reductant followed by chemically reacting the oxidant electroactive material with the metallated reductant, said reductant being a coating precursor, said metal being at least one alkaline and/or at least one alkaline earth metal, and said chemically reacting being performed under conditions allowing reduction and metallation of the electroactive material via insertion/intercalation of the alkaline metal cation(s) and/or the alkaline earth metal cation(s) and coating formation via a polymerisation reaction like polyanionic or radicalic polymerisation of the reductant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for applying solid layers (14) to an object (12) to be coated by means of at least one radiation source (2), in particular a laser radiation source, which comprises at least the step of removal of a sample (4) in the solid state in at least partially different sections (6) by means of at least one beam (8) emitted by the radiation source (2) to at least partly convert the sample (4) into a gaseous state (10) which deposits at least partially on the object (12) to be coated in order to form a solid layer (14), where at the same time the alignment of a trace of the emitted beam (8) is altered during the step of removal of the sample and the sample (4) is moved.

Abstract: A method for selectively depositing a thin film structure on a substrate is provided. The method includes providing a process gas to a surface of the substrate and directing concentrated electromagnetic energy from a source of energy to at least a portion of the surface. The process gas is decomposed onto the substrate to form a selectively deposited thin film structure.

Abstract: In a method of producing ultra-thin graphitic layers, a carbide crystal is placed into a graphitic enclosure. The carbide crystal and the graphitic enclosure are placed into a chamber. The carbide crystal and the graphitic enclosure are subjected to a predetermined environment. Once the predetermined environment is established, the carbide crystal and the graphitic enclosure are heated to a first temperature for a predetermined period of time sufficient to cause at least one non-carbon element to evaporate from a crystal face of the carbide crystal so as to form at least one graphitic layer on the crystal face of the carbide crystal.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to coated articles including anti-fingerprint and/or smudge-reducing coatings, and/or methods of making the same. Oil from fingerprints and the like may easily transfer to the surface of an article. However, it has been found that in certain example embodiments, a reduced-smudge and reduced-glare effect on a glass substrate may be achieved by micro-engineering a glass surface's properties, such as surface morphology and/or roughness. In certain example embodiments, a thin film coating may be introduced to the glass surface in order to alter the contact angle of the article, or for other optical, electrical, mechanical, chemical and/or environmental purposes and/or durability. It has further advantageously been found that by altering the contact angle of the surface, the anti-smudge and anti-glare effects of the substrate may be further improved.

Abstract: A method for depositing a hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (H-DLC) film on a surface of a substrate. The method includes maintaining a reduced-pressure environment around a substrate holder for holding a substrate, holding the substrate securely within the reduced-pressure environment, and forming a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) from a pressurized gas containing hydrocarbon gas and a carrier gas. The method further includes accelerating the GCIB to the reduced-pressure environment, irradiating the accelerated GCIB onto at least a portion of the surface of the substrate, and forming an H-DLC film on the surface.

Abstract: An effect of suppressing diffusion of metal elements from a substrate is high and orientation of a forcibly-oriented layer is improved. A base material (2) for a superconducting thin film includes: a substrate (10) including a metal element; a bed layer (22) formed on a surface of the substrate (10), the bed layer (22) including, as a main component, a non-orientated spinel compound that has a spinel type crystal structure and includes at least one transition metal element, Mg, and oxygen; and a forcibly-oriented layer (24) formed on a surface of the bed layer (22), the forcibly-oriented layer (24) having biaxial orientation and including, as a main component, a rock salt type compound that has a rock salt type crystal structure and includes Mg.

Abstract: A low-index silica coating may be made by forming a silica precursor having a radiation curable composition including a radiation curable monomer and/or a photoinitiator, and also including a silica sol comprising a silane and/or a colloidal silica. The silica precursor may be deposited on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate or silicon wafer) to form a coating layer. The coating layer may then be cured via exposure to electromagnetic radiation, such as UV radiation. Then, the cured coating layer may be fired using temperature(s) of from about 550 to 700° C., in forming the low-index silica based coating. The low-index silica based coating may be used as an antireflective (AR) film on a front glass substrate of a photovoltaic device (e.g., solar cell) in certain example instances.

Abstract: A method and system for coating a vinyl workpiece includes denibbing the workpiece and deionizing the air around the workpiece. The workpiece is roll coated using a roll coating machine, wherein the roll coating machine includes a plurality of engraving rollers. An angular surface of the workpiece is roll coated using a corresponding angularly positioned application roller. The workpiece is coated with an ultraviolet (UV) curable coating using a vacuum coating machine. The UV coating is cured using the vacuum coating machine.

Abstract: A method of treatment for inhibiting sulfur-based corrosion or scaling or for removing scaling from a surface including inhibiting corrosion caused by sulfur-containing materials, reducing corrosion caused by sulfur-containing materials, inhibiting scaling caused by sulfur-containing and sulfur-containing materials in gas, liquid or solid phase or any combination of multiple phases of materials, reducing scaling caused by sulfur-containing and sulfur-containing materials, and removing scaling caused by sulfur-containing and sulfur-containing materials. The method involves contacting sulfur-containing materials with a composition containing a turpentine liquid. The method also involves contacting corrodible surfaces or surfaces prone to scaling with a composition containing a turpentine liquid.

Abstract: A low-index silica coating may be made by forming a silica precursor having a radiation curable composition including a radiation curable monomer and/or a photoinitiator, and also including a silica sol comprising a silane and/or a colloidal silica. The silica precursor may be deposited on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) to form a coating layer. The coating layer may then be cured via exposure to electromagnetic radiation, such as UV radiation. Then, the cured coating layer may be fired using temperature(s) of from about 550 to 700° C., in forming the low-index silica based coating. The low-index silica based coating may be used as an antireflective (AR) film on a front glass substrate of a photovoltaic device (e.g., solar cell) in certain example instances.

Abstract: A graphene manufacturing apparatus includes a gas supplying unit supplying a gas including carbon; a gas heating unit heating the gas supplied from the gas supplying unit; a deposition chamber in which a substrate having a catalyst layer is disposed; and an inlet pipe introducing the gas of the gas heating unit into the deposition chamber. A temperature of the deposition chamber is set at a temperature lower than a temperature of the gas heating unit so that a selection range with respect to a catalyst metal to be used in the catalyst layer may be expanded, and damage of the substrate due to a high temperature heat may be minimized.

Abstract: An ink composition comprising: (A) an isoindoline-based pigment; (B) a polymeric dispersant; (C) an alkylammonium salt of a sulfonated derivative of a disazo-based yellow colorant; (D) a polymerizable compound; and (E) a polymerization initiator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a deposition process for forming a glass film. An embodiment comprising the steps of disposing a substrate in a chemical vapor deposition chamber and exposing the substrate surface to a SiO2 precursor gas, a carrier gas, and optionally a dopant gas in the presence of ozone and exposing the reaction volume of the gases above the substrate surface to a high intensity light source.

Abstract: Processes and compositions for making photovoltaic absorber materials for thin film solar cells including CIGS are disclosed. The processes and compositions achieve high thickness per pass for efficient manufacturing. Processes include depositing one or more layers of an ink onto a substrate, wherein the ink contains one or more polymeric precursor compounds. An ink for making a photovoltaic absorber material may contain one or more precursor compounds and an additive dissolved in one or more solvents, including hydrocarbon solvents.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a substrate of an analytical sensor and the substrate thus prepared are disclosed.

Abstract: To provide a magnetic recording medium enabling excellent magnetic recording reproduction characteristics to be exhibited with the spacing loss reduced and a manufacturing method of the medium, a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium of the invention is to manufacture a magnetic recording medium having a magnetic recording layer of a granular structure having nonmagnetic boundary portions between pillar-shaped magnetic particles on a nonmagnetic substrate, and an exchange coupling layer provided on the magnetic recording layer to add an action of exchange coupling the magnetic particles, and is characterized by having an ion irradiation step of performing ion irradiation on the entire surface of the exchange coupling layer after layering the exchange coupling layer on the magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A method to grow a boule of silicon carbide is described. The method may include flowing a silicon-containing precursor and a carbon-containing precursor proximate to a heated filament array and forming the silicon carbide boule on a substrate from reactions of the heated silicon-containing and carbon-containing precursors. Also, an apparatus for growing a silicon carbide boule is described. The apparatus may include a deposition chamber to deposit silicon carbide on a substrate, and a precursor transport system for introducing silicon-containing and carbon-containing precursors into the deposition chamber. The apparatus may also include at least one filament or filament segment capable of being heated to a temperature that can activate the precursors, and a substrate pedestal to hold a deposition substrate upon which the silicon carbide boule is grown. The pedestal may be operable to change the distance between the substrate and the filament as the silicon carbide boule is grown.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatuses for creating a textured press plate by spreading ink over the press plate using a heater. Some embodiments provide a method that includes: (a) dispensing radiation-curable ink onto a press plate; (b) spreading the ink over the press plate by heating the ink; and (c) irradiating the ink so that the ink is at least partially cured and/or fixed, and/or such that the spreading of the ink is at least partially slowed and/or stopped. In some embodiments, the irradiating the ink occurs after the spreading the ink. In other embodiments, the ink acts to resist a chemical solution, and the method further includes etching a surface portion of the press plate by exposing the portion to a chemical solution, where the surface portion includes the ink, and where the etching the surface portion occurs after the irradiating the ink.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a graphene sheet-carbon nanotube film composite structure. The method includes steps of: providing a carbon nanotube film structure and a dispersed solution, and the dispersed solution comprises a solvent and an amount of functionalized graphene sheets dispersed in the solvent; applying the dispersed solution on a surface of the carbon nanotube film structure; and removing the solvent and thereby locating the functionalized graphene sheets on the carbon nanotube film structure. The present invention also relates to a method for making a transmission electron microscope grid.

Abstract: A multilayer type optical information recording medium in which in multilayering of a write-once type optical information recording medium, when a second film is formed using a metallic stamper, a protective layer composed of an inorganic material is free from peeling, is provided. In the multilayer type optical information recording medium including an interlayer, the interlayer is constituted by multiple films of a first film contacting a protective layer and a second film contacting a reflection layer; materials of the first and second films are constituted of materials different from each other; and a peeling resistance of the material of the first film against a material of the protective layer of the first optical information recording layer is higher than that of the second film.

Abstract: There is a problem in a method for forming an EL layer by heating with light and transferring an organic material in that the organic material is not uniformly transferred. The present invention relates to a film formation method including the steps of forming a metal film over a first surface of an elastic substrate; forming an organic material layer onto a second surface of the elastic substrate which is opposite to the first surface; placing the second surface of the elastic substrate and a substrate on which a film is to be formed, with a space between the second surface of the elastic substrate and the substrate on which a film is to be formed; heating locally and rapidly the metal film from a first surface side of the elastic substrate to deform the elastic substrate by expansion of the metal film; and transferring the organic material layer from the elastic substrate onto the substrate on which a film is to be formed.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyaryl ethers in which a polycondensation of the monomer building blocks is carried out using microwave irradiation leads to thermoplastic molding compositions having improved color properties.

Abstract: Processes, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for forming products from atomized metals and alloys. A stream of molten alloy and/or a series of droplets of molten alloy are produced. The molten alloy is atomized to produce electrically-charged particles of the molten alloy by impinging electrons on the stream of molten alloy and/or the series of droplets of molten alloy. The electrically-charged molten alloy particles are accelerated with at least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field. The accelerating molten alloy particles are cooled to a temperature that is less than a solidus temperature of the molten alloy particles so that the molten alloy particles solidify while accelerating. The solid alloy particles are impacted onto a substrate and the impacting particles deform and metallurgically bond to the substrate to produce a solid alloy preform.

Abstract: A self-arranging, luminescence-enhancement device 101 for surface-enhanced luminescence. The self-arranging, luminescence-enhancement device 101 for surface-enhanced luminescence includes a substrate 110, and a plurality 120 of flexible columnar structures. A flexible columnar structure 120-1 of the plurality 120 includes a flexible column 120-1A, and a metallic cap 120-1B coupled to the apex 120-1 C of the flexible column 120-1A. At least the flexible columnar structure 120-1 and a second flexible columnar structure 120-2 are configured to self-arrange into a close-packed configuration with at least one molecule 220-1 disposed between at least the metallic cap 120-1B and a second metallic cap 120-2B of respective flexible columnar structure 120-1 and second flexible columnar structure 120-2.

Abstract: A method is described for the production of a manufactured article (20) constituted of an elastomeric polymer substrate, in selected zones of which there are deposits of particles of nanometric size of a metal or some other compound which create a region (24) of the polymeric element having desired electrical, biocompatibility and/or dielectric properties, and such that said properties are maintained even after numerous elastic deformations of the manufactured article; the invention also relates to functionalized elastomeric manufactured articles obtained by means of said method.