Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) nanoplasmonic structure includes a substrate; a plurality of nanorods formed on the substrate; and a plurality of metal nanoparticles formed on surfaces of the substrate and the plurality of nanorods.

Abstract: Three dimensional optical structures are described that can have various integrations between optical devices within and between layers of the optical structure. Optical turning elements can provide optical pathways between layers of optical devices. Methods are described that provide for great versatility on contouring optical materials throughout the optical structure. Various new optical devices are enabled by the improved optical processing approaches.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods that include depositing a first component and a second component to form a film including a plurality of nanostructures, and coating the nanostructures with a hydrophobic layer to render the film superhydrophobic. The first component and the second component can be immiscible and phase-separated during the depositing step. The first component and the second component can be independently selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal nitride, a metal oxynitride, a metal, and combinations thereof. The films can have a thickness greater than or equal to 5 nm; an average surface roughness (Ra) of from 90 to 120 nm, as measured on a 5 ?m×5 ?m area; a surface area of at least 20 m2/g; a contact angle with a drop of water of at least 120 degrees; and can maintain the contact angle when exposed to harsh conditions.

Abstract: A method of forming patterns on transparent substrates using a pulsed laser is disclosed. Various embodiments include an ultrashort pulsed laser, a substrate that is transparent to the laser wavelength, and a target plate. The laser beam is guided through the transparent substrate and focused on the target surface. The target material is ablated by the laser and is deposited on the opposite substrate surface. A pattern, for example a gray scale image, is formed by scanning the laser beam relative to the target. Variations of the laser beam scan speed and scan line density control the material deposition and change the optical properties of the deposited patterns, creating a visual effect of gray scale. In some embodiments patterns may be formed on a portion of a microelectronic device during a fabrication process. In some embodiments high repetition rate picoseconds and nanosecond sources are configured to produce the patterns.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure having a spatially organized polymer nanostructured thin film and a metal coating on the film. The thin film is made by directing a monomer vapor or pyrolyzed monomer vapor towards a substrate at an angle other than perpendicular to the substrate, and polymerizing the monomer or pyrolyzed monomer on the substrate.

Abstract: A material is applied to a part. The part is placed in a deposition chamber and a first electric potential is applied to the part. Components are evaporated for forming the material. The evaporated components are ionized. The first electric potential is modulated so as to draw the ionized component to the part. The modulation comprises a plurality of first steps for PA-PVD. Each of the first steps comprises a series of pulses of negative potential. The modulation further comprises a plurality of second steps for PVD alternating with the first steps.

Abstract: A p-type semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) film and a process for preparing the film are disclosed. The film is co-doped with phosphorous (P) and lithium (Li). A pulsed laser deposition scheme is described for use in growing the film. Further described is a process of pulsed laser deposition using transparent substrates which includes a pulsed laser source, a substrate that is transparent at the wavelength of the pulsed laser, and a multi-target system. The optical path of the pulsed laser is arranged in such a way that the pulsed laser is incident from the back of the substrate, passes through the substrate, and then focuses on the target. By translating the substrate towards the target, this geometric arrangement enables deposition of small features utilizing the root of the ablation plume, which can exist in a one-dimensional transition stage along the target surface normal, before the angular width of the plume is broadened by three-dimensional adiabatic expansion.

Abstract: A method of depositing a material on a work piece surface. The method comprising providing a deposition precursor gas at the work piece surface; providing a purification compound including a nitrogen-containing compound at the work piece surface; and directing a beam toward a local region on the work piece surface, the beam causing decomposition of the precursor gas to fabricate a deposit on the work piece surface, the deposited material including a contaminant, the purification compound causing a reduction in the concentration of the contaminant and providing a deposited material that includes less contamination than a material deposited using the same methodology but without using a purification compound.

Abstract: Surface metallization technology for ceramic substrates is disclosed herein. It makes use of a known phenomenon that many metal—metal oxide alloys in liquid state readily wet an oxide ceramic surface and strongly bond to it upon solidification. To achieve high adhesion strength of a metallization to ceramic, a discrete metallization layer consisting of metal droplets bonded to ceramic surface using metal—metal oxide bonding process is produced first. Next, a continuous metal layer is deposited on top of the discrete layer and bonded to it using a sintering process. As a result a strongly adhering, glass-free metallization layer directly bonded to ceramic surface is produced. In particular, the process can be successfully used to metalize aluminum nitride ceramic with high thermal and electrical conductivity copper metal.

Abstract: A spatially organized polymer nanostructured thin film and a ligand adsorbate attached to the polymer nanostructured thin film and, optionally, an additional material or materials attached to the ligand adsorbate. A method for forming a structure by: providing a spatially organized polymer nanostructured thin film and a ligand adsorbate, and adsorbing the ligand adsorbate onto the thin film and, optionally, binding additional material or materials to the ligand adsorbate.

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: A work piece for use in abrasive environments with hardbanding is provided. The work piece has at least a protective layer deposited onto at least a portion to be protected. The deposited layer exhibits a hardness of at least 50 Rc, a wear rate of less than 0.5 grams of mass loss as measured according to ASTM G65-04, Procedure A, a wear rate on a contacting secondary body comprising carbon steel of less than 0.005 grams as measured according to modified ASTM G77 wear test. The deposited alloy forms an iron matrix comprising embedded hard particles in an amount of less than 15 vol. %. The embedded hard particles have an average particle size of ranging from 100 nm to 5 ?m. In one embodiment, the deposition is via welding.

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 invention relates to a prism part included in an analysis chip for use in an analysis device for analyzing a specimen utilizing surface plasmon resonance, and being cooperative with a channel member to form a channel for flowing a sample solution containing the specimen. The prism part includes a prism main body into which excitation light for generating surface plasmon is incident, and a gold film formed on a specified surface of the prism main body. The prism main body includes a mixed layer having a predetermined thickness from the specified surface toward the inner side. The mixed layer is formed by ions of gold for the gold film to enter from the specified surface in the formation of the gold film on the specified surface.

Abstract: A package for fruits and vegetables having galvanic functionality is formed by using two or more metals with different galvanic activity properties on the surface of a nonmetallic substrate. The metals may be deposited electrolytically, by vacuum, autocatalytically, or by other methods. The metals are selected to create a galvanic reaction after the package is filled with a low pH food product and its associated liquids, juices, brine, etc. The package may extend the shelf-life of the food product contained therein, for example, by making metal ions available to the food product.

Abstract: Rare-earth-free, noble-metal-free nanostructured magnetic material thin films and methods of synthesis are described. Magnetocrystalline, ferrimagnetic thin films with islands of aligned single magnetic domains possess large coercivity. In particular, MnxGa thin films are described. These materials provide a potential substitute to rare-earth-based and noble-metal-based magnets in applications related to electric motors and generators, audio headphones and speakers, recording media and magnetic hard drive memory.

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: 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: A process of forming and the resulting nano-pitted metal substrate that serves both as patterns to grow nanostructured materials and as current collectors for the resulting nanostructured material is disclosed herein. The nano-pitted substrate can be fabricated from any suitable conductive material that allows nanostructured electrodes to be grown directly on the substrate.

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 mass spectrometer includes an Electron Impact (“EI”) or a Chemical Ionisation (“CI”) ion source, and the ion source includes a first coating or surface. The first coating or surface is formed of a metallic carbide, a metallic boride, a ceramic or DLC, or an ion-implanted transition metal.

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: A laser microcladding process utilizing powdered flux material (93b). A jet (92) of propellant gas containing powdered alloy material (93a) and the powdered flux material are directed toward a substrate (94). The powdered materials are melted by a laser beam (96) to form a weld pool (98) which separates into a layer of slag (100) covering a layer of clad alloy material (102). The flux material deoxidizes the weld pool and protects the layer of clad alloy material as it cools, thereby allowing the propellant gas to be nitrogen or air rather than an inert gas. In one embodiment, the substrate and alloy materials are superalloys with compositions beyond the traditional zone of weldability.

Abstract: A spacer wafer for a wafer-level camera and a method of manufacturing the spacer wafer include positioning a substrate in an additive manufacturing device and forming the spacer wafer over the substrate. The spacer wafer is formed by an additive manufacturing process.

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

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a substrate, including: a first chamber supplying an insulation layer; a second chamber including a roughening roller roughening at least one side of the insulation layer supplied from the first chamber, an evaporator depositing a metal layer on the roughened insulation layer, and a pressing roller pressing the insulation layer and the metal layer; and a third chamber storing the insulation layer including the metal layer formed thereon, the insulation layer being taken out from the second chamber. The apparatus for manufacturing a substrate is advantageous in that substrates are continuously produced, thus increasing the productivity of the substrates and preventing the substrates from being contaminated by the air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate made of an aluminium-silicon alloy or crystalline silicon to which a polishable layer is applied and also to a metal mirror which comprises this substrate. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the production of metal mirrors and also the use of the metal mirror according to the invention.

Abstract: A variable hardness gradient armor alloy is produced with a liquid-state reaction between a metallic molten pool and a gaseous atmosphere having a small fraction of reactive gas. The content of the reactant gas is varied as the armor is fabricated in order to vary the properties of the resultant material across its thickness and typically include, for example, a hardened outer or initial layer for impact resistance, and at least one inner layer having a lower hardness than the outer layer but greater energy absorption.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for depositing material on a component. The system includes a deposition device operatively coupled to a fiber optic Nd:YAG laser. The deposition device includes a focusing prism that focuses the Nd:YAG laser at a focal area on a bladed disk, where the focal area on the bladed disk is between two blades of the disk. The system further includes an imaging means that views the focal area of the component. The imaging means and the fiber optic Nd:YAG laser each are positioned in a substantially similar optical relationship to the focal area on the bladed disk. The system further includes an additive material delivery means that delivers additive material to the component at the focal area on the component.

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 method of fabricating a component and a fabricated component are disclosed. The method includes depositing a material to a component and manipulating the material to form a boundary region and a filler region for desired properties. The component includes the boundary region and the filler region, thereby having the desired properties.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal oxide film is disclosed. The method includes the steps of soaking a substrate on which the metal oxide film is formed in a precursor solution for forming the metal oxide film; and irradiating and scanning a light, the light being collected at an interface between the substrate and the precursor solution, wherein the light is transmitted through the precursor solution, and the metal oxide film is formed on the substrate.

Abstract: An antenna includes a base body, an antenna radiator and a ferrite core. The base body includes a laser direct structuring material. The antenna radiator is formed by selectively activating a portion of the base body with a laser and by plating the activated portion. The ferrite core is fixed to the antenna radiator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method whereby a metalized coating is applied to the surface of composite, carbon fiber, syntactic foam, polymer foam or other non-conductive material in a vacuum chamber utilizing a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) processes. There are at least three coating methodologies which may be employed to achieve the desired metallic surface characteristics. Through the application of any of the three coating processes, the metallically coated substrate, work piece, will become electrostatically charged. Once applied, this coating will facilitate the next process which entails the application of electrically charged powder coat products (more commonly referred to as Powder Coating) to the surface of the metalized composite substrate. The resulting finish enhances the composite substrate enabling its use in a myriad of new applications and processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is disclosed wherein an inner surface of a container is coated with SERS active materials such as nanoparticles of noble metals. Such a container can provide a partially enclosed, optical diffuse cavity whose inner surfaces serve for dual purposes of enhancing Raman scattering of the contained analyte and optical integration, therefore improving the efficiency of optical excitation and signal collection. The container may be configured to isolate the SERS active material from the external environment. The container, which may be a cylindrical tube, may be referred to as a SERS tube. Methods of coating the inner wall of a container with pulsed laser ablation and with nanoparticle colloids, respectively, are disclosed.

Abstract: A laminated structure includes a wettability variable layer formed on a substrate, including a material whose critical surface tension varies by receiving energy so that high and low surface energy regions are formed; a conductive layer formed in one of the high surface energy regions; and an insulating layer formed in such a manner as to cover the conductive layer, wherein another one of the high surface energy regions is formed in such a manner as to surround a periphery of a circuit formation region in which a plurality of the conductive layers are formed; and the insulating layer is formed in such a manner as to also cover the another one of the high surface energy regions so that an adhesive guard ring region is formed between the wettability variable layer and the insulating layer.

Abstract: A turbine engine component includes an electron beam-physical vapor deposition thermal barrier coating covering at least a portion of a substrate. The thermal barrier coating includes an inner layer having a columnar-grained microstructure with inter-columnar gap porosity. The inner layer includes a stabilized ceramic material. The thermal barrier coating also includes a substantially non-porous outer layer, covering the inner layer and including the stabilized ceramic material. The outer layer is deposited with continuous line-of-sight exposure to the vapor source under oxygen deficient conditions. The outer layer may further comprise a dopant oxide that is more readily reducible than the stabilized ceramic material. During deposition, the outer layer may also have an oxygen deficient stoichiometry with respect to the inner layer. Oxygen stoichiometry in the outer layer may be restored by exposure of the coated component to an oxidizing environment.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention relate to coated biological material for the manufacture of heart valve prostheses, characterized in that the surface of the biological material is covered entirely or partially with a coating which contains or is composed of a biocompatible anorganic material, and to a process for manufacturing such a coated biological material.

Abstract: A method for depositing a powder metal onto a surface of the substrate and a substrate with conductive elements provided on a surface of the substrate are disclosed. The conductive elements are formed by cold spray depositing at least one layer of powder metal onto the surface of the substrate to form at least one conductive element on the surface of the article.

Abstract: A method of forming articles having closed microchannels includes the steps of providing a substrate including a composite material, the composite having metal nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer matrix. The substrate is irradiated with a laser beam at an intensity and time sufficient to selectively remove the polymer below a surface of said substrate to form at least one microchannel, wherein the intensity and time is low enough to avoid removing the polymer above the microchannel, wherein an article having at least one closed microchannel is formed. A metal nanoparticle/polymer composite composition can have functionality that can undergo addition reactions to seal or join pieces of polymers or composites upon irradiation of the composition placed on one or more pieces.

Abstract: A method for the formation of at least one passage hole in a high-temperature substrate is described. For each desired passage hole or group of passage holes, a node is first formed on the exterior surface of the substrate, by a laser consolidation process. The node functions as a pre-selected entry region for each passage hole. The passage hole can then be formed through the node, into the substrate. Related articles, such as turbine engine components, are also described.

Abstract: A method for partially metallizing a product comprising a first surface, a first polymer material, and a second surface, a second polymer material, wherein the method comprises the sequential steps of exposing the first and second surfaces to conditions which render the first surface hydrophilic, and the second surface hydrophobic; contacting the first and second surfaces with water or aqueous solution; contacting the first and second surfaces with a solution of a film former in a water-immiscible solvent; evaporating the solvent to allow formation of a film by the film former on the second surface; adherence of a film by the film former on the first surface is prevented by the presence of the water or aqueous solution thereupon; performing a conventional metallization process to deposit a metal layer on the first and second surface; and removing the metallized film from the second surface to render the first surface metallized.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly including an anode that incorporates a porous support and a hydrogen permeable metal thin film disposed on the porous support; a cathode; and a proton conductive solid oxide electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser pattern mask, and a method for fabricating the same, which can prevent a laser pattern mask from being damaged by coating a protective film on a surface of a laser pattern mask for patterning an entire layer on a mother substrate at a time by laser ablation. The laser pattern mask includes a base substrate, a laser shielding pattern formed of a non-transparent metal on the base substrate to define laser pass through regions, and a protective film formed on an entire surface of the base substrate including the laser shielding pattern.

Abstract: A package for fruits and vegetables having galvanic functionality is formed by using two or more metals with different galvanic activity properties on the surface of a nonmetallic substrate. The metals may be deposited electrolytically, by vacuum, autocatalytically, or by other methods. The metals are selected to create a galvanic reaction after the package is filled with a low pH food product and its associated liquids, juices, brine, etc. The package may extend the shelf-life of the food product contained therein, for example, by making metal ions available to the food product.

Abstract: A methodology and system for applying coatings onto the interior surfaces of components, includes a vapor creation device, a vacuum chamber having a moderate gas pressure and an inert gas jet having controlled velocity and flow fields. The gas jet is created by a rarefied, inert gas supersonic expansion through a nozzle. By controlling the carrier gas flow into a region upstream of the nozzle an upstream pressure is achieved. The carrier gas flow and chamber pumping rate control the downstream pressure. The ratio of the upstream to downstream pressure along with the size and shape of the nozzle opening controls the speed of the gas entering the chamber. Vapor created from a source is transported into the interior regions of a component using binary collisions between the vapor and gas jet atoms. These collisions enable the vapor atoms to scatter onto the interior surfaces of the component and deposit.

Abstract: A conductive particle sintering system has light blocking coating, aperture, or shutter to allow energy from a radiant source, such as a flash lamp, to reach a desired portion of a workpiece to be sintered, while blocking stray light from reaching other workpieces and/or other portions of a workpiece being processed to prevent stray light from partially sintering the other workpieces and/or other portions of a workpiece.

Abstract: A method of directing a pulse of laser energy though a workpiece. The workpiece has: a substrate that transmits the laser energy; focusing elements on a surface of the substrate proximal to the laser that focus the laser energy; and a coating on the substrate distal to the laser that absorbs a portion of the laser energy. Each focusing element focuses the laser energy to a point that removes or ablates a portion of the coating from the substrate to produce a hole in the coating.

Abstract: A coating is disclosed that consists essentially of, by weight, about 27.5% to about 31.5% aluminum, about 0.20% to about 0.60% hafnium, about 0.08% to about 0.30% zirconium, about 0.005% to about 0.100% of two or more reactive elements selected from a group consisting of yttrium, lanthanum, and cerium, and a balance of nickel. Turbine engine components including the coating and methods of applying the coating on such components are also disclosed.

Abstract: Direct-metal deposition (DMD), preferably under closed-loop control, is used to fabricate alloy-variant material structures which provide a combination of desirable physical and mechanical properties. Use of the invention facilitates the production of high-strength, high-wear, and impact-resistant structures which decrease the likelihood of erosion, heat checking and brittle failure in injection molds, die casting, thixomolding and other, more exotic tooling. The invention uses DMD to deposit a first material or alloy in an area exposed to high wear, such as the tooling gate area, with a second material or alloy being used elsewhere in the tool for greater impact resistance. Advantageously, the areas may be of a user-defined thickness to further improve longevity. The resulting composite material structure has mechanical properties (i.e.