Abstract: Carriers hold remote-acting bodies which can be manipulated by a remote force, and also hold a micro-substance which is a target substance of an assay. The remote-acting bodies are manipulated in order to control the positions of the micro-substances, so as to execute assays for various target substances efficiently, at low cost, easily, and reliably. Various aspects of interest include the carriers which hold the micro-substances, a system suspending the carriers, an apparatus for manipulating the carriers, and a method of controlling the position of the carriers.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element 2 having a light-receiving portion where a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 21 are arranged, and electrode pads 22 electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion elements 21 is mounted on a substrate 1. A scintillator 3 is formed on the surface of the light-receiving portion of the solid-state imaging element. Around a support surface 10 where the solid-state imaging element 2 of the substrate 1 is mounted, holding portions 14 and 15 are formed on opposing side walls to hold and project the surface of the light-receiving portion from a vapor deposition holder toward a vapor deposition chamber in forming the scintillator 3.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided which are adapted to process a microelectronic topography, particularly in association with an electroless deposition process. In general, the methods may include loading the topography into a chamber, closing the chamber to form an enclosed area, and supplying fluids to the enclosed area. In some embodiments, the fluids may fill the enclosed area. In addition or alternatively, a second enclosed area may be formed about the topography. As such, the provided system may be adapted to form different enclosed areas about a substrate holder. In some cases, the method may include agitating a solution to minimize the accumulation of bubbles upon a wafer during an electroless deposition process. As such, the system provided herein may include a means for agitating a solution in some embodiments. Such a means for agitation may be distinct from the inlet/s used to supply the solution to the chamber.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for efficiently applying a coating to each of a plurality of objects selected from the group consisting of ophthalmic lenses, molds for making ophthalmic lenses, and other medical devices, the method comprising dipping the plurality of objects into a coating bath containing a coating solution having a coating material; and creating with a means a convective current flow and thereby forcing a coating solution flowing over and under each of the plurality of ophthalmic lenses. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of objects are held in baskets which are pre-conditioned to have a first layer of polyelectrolytes and a second layer of aqueous solution or have a mixed layer of polyelectrolytes and aqueous solution on the surfaces of the baskets.

Abstract: A coil device includes terminal electrodes each including a bottom-surface electrode provided on a bottom surface of a flange, side-surface electrodes provided on side surfaces of the flange, and an end-surface electrode provided on an end surface of the flange at the lower part of the end surface. The end-surface electrode is arranged on the end surface of the flange so that the upper edge of the end-surface electrode is disposed at a first level that is substantially the same as that of the upper edges of the side-surface electrodes in the vicinity of boundaries between the end surface and each side surface of the flange and is disposed at a second level lower than the first level at an approximate central portion of the end surface of the flange.

Abstract: A method of electrolessly gold plating copper on a printed circuit board (PCB). Starting with a copper patterned PCB, steps include: clean with ultrasonic agitation with the PCB initially oriented vertically and gradually moved to a 45° angle; rinse; sulfuric acid bath with ultrasonic and mechanical agitation; rinse; another sulfuric acid bath with ultrasonic and mechanical agitation; plate the copper with palladium with ultrasonic agitation with the PCB initially oriented at a 45° angle and flipped half way through to opposing 45° angle; rinse; post dip in sulfuric acid; rinse; electrolessly nickel plate with mechanical agitation; rinse; nitrogen blow dry; visual inspection for nickel coverage of the copper; hydrochloric acid bath with manual agitation; rinse; if full nickel coverage was not achieved, repeat preceding steps starting with second sulfuric acid bath; gold flash plate to establish a first layer of gold; rinse; autocatalytic gold plate; rinse; and nitrogen blow dry.

Abstract: A process for depositing metal on microparticulate comprising immersing microparticulate in an autocatalytic plating bath comprising the metal; inducing ultrasonic vibration in the plating bath at a frequency corresponding to resonance frequency of the microparticulate; and inducing a turbulent vibration signal in the plating bath in a direction non-parallel to the ultrasonic vibration. This process results in the autocatalytic plating bath depositing the metal on the microparticulate with uniform thickness. The microparticulate can be spheres, flakes or microfibers, and can be made from a number of materials, such as synthetic polymers (nylon, Kevlar™, Zylon™, and aramid fibers) and biodegradable compounds. A method is disclosed for coating a surface with metallized microparticulate fibers with an orientation perpendicular to the surface.

Abstract: A process for coating an object formed of magnesium or a magnesium alloy comprising the steps of: immersion coating the object in a sonicated bath to form an undercoat and topcoating the object to form a topcoat. When desirable to protect against topcoat failure, the undercoat may be equally noble or more noble than the topcoat. If topcoat failure is not a concern, the nobility of the topcoat relative to the undercoat need not be considered. The process promotes uniform coating of a magnesium and its alloys.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing organic/inorganic hybrid nanocomposites by use of ultrasonic agitation.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device and method for treating moving substrates with fluid as the substrates move through the device at a relatively high rate of travel. Fluid injection in combination with the application of vibration energy (e.g., ultrasonic) results in enhanced fluid treatment of the substrates. In one embodiment, a bifurcated horn is utilized in combination with fluid injector members having pluralities of rows of spaced injector ports, the injectors being strategically positioned relative to the vibrational source. In one example, the device and method may be used for enhanced penetration by dye materials of ceramic substrate surfaces to detect adverse surface conditions (e.g., cracks) and thus potentially defective product.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for applying a coating to an implantable device. The implantable device can include depots formed in the outer surface thereof to receive the coating. The coating can include a polymer and a solvent applicable to the surface of the implantable device including the depots. The application of the composition is performed under a pressure, which can reduce the surface tension and/or molecular adhesion force of the composition. The reduced surface tension and/or adhesion force allows gas bubbles within the depots to be removed while the composition is being driven into the depots.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants from the surface of a substrate comprises contacting the substrate with a cleaning composition comprising at least one mono-, di-, or trialkoxy-substituted perfluoroalkane, perfluorocycloalkane, perfluorocycloalkyl-containing perfluoroalkane, or perfluorocycloalkylene-containing perfluoroalkane compound, the compound optionally containing additional catenary heteroatoms. The compounds exhibit good solvency properties while being environmentally acceptable.

Abstract: Filter for removal of leucocytes is provided, wherein the filter is coated with a natural polymer of chitosan which has a good blood compatibility and no side effect in human body on an ultrafine non-woven fabric. This blood filter provides a high removal rate of leucocytes as well as good recovery of platelets and red blood cells due to secondary filtration through electrostatic power between a leucocyte and a cationic residue provided by chitosan on the surface of the non-woven fabric.

Abstract: A method of electrolessly gold plating copper on a printed circuit board (PCB). Starting with a copper patterned PCB, steps include: clean with ultrasonic agitation with the PCB initially oriented vertically and gradually moved to a 45° angle; rinse; sulfuric acid bath with ultrasonic and mechanical agitation; rinse; another sulfuric acid bath with ultrasonic and mechanical agitation; plate the copper with palladium with ultrasonic agitation with the PCB initially oriented at a 45° angle and flipped half way through to opposing 45° angle; rinse; post dip in sulfuric acid; rinse; electrolessly nickel plate with mechanical agitation; rinse; nitrogen blow dry; visual inspection for nickel coverage of the copper; hydrochloric acid bath with manual agitation; rinse; if full nickel coverage was not achieved, repeat preceding steps starting with second sulfuric acid bath; gold flash plate to establish a first layer of gold; rinse; autocatalytic gold plate; rinse; and nitrogen blow dry.

Abstract: Methods for making metal matrix composite articles such as wires and tapes. The metal matrix composites include a plurality of substantially continuous, longitudinally positioned fibers in a metal matrix. The fibers are selected from the group of ceramic fibers, boron, carbon fibers, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming an oriented film. A target is provided and material from the target is ablated onto a substrate to form a film. The film is heated in a synthesis gel of the target material to orient the film.

Abstract: A process using acrylate monomers and ultraviolet light permits modification of porous polymeric materials without the use of a free radical initiator is described as is the material so modified. The modified polymeric material exhibits new properties such as wetability and advantageous flow characteristics that are useful in filtration.

Abstract: A novel hydrothermal gel process for preparing silicalite particles suitable for use in composite membranes for pervaporation processes is disclosed. A novel process for preparing a silicon-silicalite composite membrane is also disclosed. The novel hydrothermal gel process produces silicalite particles having a diameter from about 0.1 micrometers to about 0.2 micrometers in high yield.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate with an oriented film. A target is ablated to create a plume. The substrate is manipulated, which may be by vibration, in the plume to coat the substrate with a film. The film is heated in a synthesis gel of the target to form the oriented film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for carrying out a magnesium oxide based deposition on the dielectric surface of a glass plate of a display panel. The method includes the creation of a mist from a metalorganic compound of magnesium dissolved in a solvent, the conveying of the mist to the dielectric surface of the plate, the evaporation the solvent when approaching the dielectric surface of the plate which is taken to a temperature of about 380° to 430°, and the pyrolysis of the metalorganic compound leading to the magnesium oxide based deposit on the surface of the plate and the evaporation of the organic radical of the compound, this deposit being practically waterproof. The method is especially useful in the manufacture of plasma panels.

Abstract: A cork stopper for a wine bottle or the like is coated with, for example, silicone rubber to prevent impurities in the cork from contaminating the contents of the bottle. The coating may be applied by dipping or immersion preferably with ultrasonic agitation to improve penetration of the coating material into the cork pores. Prior to coating, the corks may be soaked in a solvent to leach out taint compounds from the surface of the cork, thereby reducing the likelihood of such compounds concentrating on the coating surface.

Abstract: A system (100, 100′, 100″) and method for robotic manipulation of objects (130) is provided wherein particulates (110, 110′) are agitated by the transfer of energy thereto to establish patterned granular motion of the particulates (110, 110′). The patterned granular motion of the particulates (110, 110′) forms standing waves (112). The objects (130) align themselves with the standing waves (112) and thus are dynamically arranged in a configuration established by the location of the standing waves (112). The location of the standing waves (112) can be predetermined by controlling the waveform of the signals applied to the energy application system (140). The predetermined waveforms are supplied from the signal source (150, 154) to the energy application system (140).

Abstract: The amount of coating dispensed by a metering rod type applicator such as used on size press coater for applying coating onto the size press rolls can be reduced by vibrating the metering rod. Such vibration of the metering rod has been found to reduce the thickness of the film passing through the metering nip of the coating applicator for a given metering nip rod pressure.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for processing a monolayer film and transferring the monolayer film to a substrate are provided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for processing a monolayer film and transferring the monolayer film to a substrate are provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing an agglomerate-free suspension of nanosize iron-containing oxide particles coated in a stable manner comprises preparing an aqueous suspension of nanosize iron-containing oxide particles which are partially or completely in the form of agglomerates; adding a trialkoxysilane and a water-miscible polar organic solvent which has a boiling point at least 10° C. higher than the boiling point of water; treating the resulting suspension with ultrasound until at least 70% of the particles present are in the range of ±20% of the average particle diameter; removing the water by distillation under the action of ultrasound; and separating the non-disintegrated agglomerates.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of electrolessly depositing metal onto the surfaces of electronic components using an enclosable single vessel. The methods of the present invention include contacting the electronic components with an activation solution followed by contacting the electronic components with a metal deposition solution. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the oxygen levels in the activation solution and metal deposition solution are controlled in a manner for improved processing results. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the activation and metal deposition solutions are used one time without reuse.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for the manufacture of magnetically responsive particles, also called ferrofluids. The improved method involves a heat treatment step, which may occur at various times during the preparation of the materials, including during subdivision of the magnetic starting material, during the addion of a coating material, after formation of a magnetically responsive particle, or some combination thereof. The materials formed by such a process have numerous advantages over materials formed by other processes, including enhanced salt stability, increased coating uptake, and increased binding capacity. These ferrofluids have applications in a variety of preparative and diagnostic techniques, including immunoassay, cell separations, toxicity testing, food testing, environmental analysis, and MRI.

Abstract: A method for coating a substrate with a radioisotope comprising is disclosed. The method comprises immersing the substrate within a solution containing a .gamma., .beta..sup.+, .alpha. or .beta..sup.- emitting radioisotope, then exposing the immersed substrate to tuned vibrational cavitation (i.e. ultrasonic) to produce a coated substrate, followed by baking the coated substrate at a temperature below the recrystallization temperature of the substrate. Following this step, the substrate is rinsed and dried. Substrates coated using the method of this invention exhibit very low rates of leaching of the coated radioisotope, and are suitable for use within medical applications.

Abstract: A method for treating a non-conductive through hole surface of a printed wiring board is disclosed. A printed wiring board including through holes is cleaned, conditioned, and a conductive coating is applied to the initially-nonconductive through hole by contacting it with a series of baths. The conductive coating, for example a graphite dispersion coating, facilitates later electroplating of the conductive surface. While at least partially immersing the through hole in one or more of these baths, ultrasonic energy is introduced in the bath in the vicinity of the through hole. The ultrasonic energy can be introduced during the entire immersing step, before the immersing step, or both. The ultrasonic energy reduces the formation of blowholes during later processing (and especially soldering) of the printed wiring board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for adhering a powder to a substrate. The process includes the steps of: a) providing an oscillating magnetic field, b) continuously introducing into the magnetic field coating material, a substrate, and a means of affixing the coating material to the substrate by forming a fluidized bed of at least the coating material and providing sufficient force to cause the coating material to adhere to the surface of the substrate, and c) continuously collecting the coated substrate.

Abstract: A process for coating sheet metal is disclosed that comprises the steps of 1) cleaning the sheet metal to remove surface contaminants that may interfere with the coating adhering to the sheet metal; 2) pretreating the sheet metal to promote adhesion of the coating to the sheet metal; 3) applying an electron beam curable coating to the sheet metal that when curing is complete, adheres to the sheet metal; and, 4) exposing the coating on the sheet metal to an electron beam to cure the coating, the cleaning, pretreating and curing resulting in no emission of pollutants that need to be removed before the emission is released into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A cleaning process for surfaces with very demanding cleanliness requirements, such as extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) optical substrates. Proper cleaning of optical substrates prior to applying reflective coatings thereon is very critical in the fabrication of the reflective optics used in EUV lithographic systems, for example. The cleaning process involves ultrasonic cleaning in acetone, methanol, and a pH neutral soap, such as FL-70, followed by rinsing in de-ionized water and drying with dry filtered nitrogen in conjunction with a spin-rinse.

Abstract: An improved method of coating an optical fiber is disclosed. A transducer is submerged in a container of liquid coating material and activated so that it causes the formation of a wave of coating material within the container. The optical fiber is then drawn through the container and through the wave, the wave counterbalancing the negative meniscus produced by drawing the fiber through the container. A curved housing also may be placed in the container and surrounding the transducer for controlling the size, amplitude, shape, or direction of the wave. A plurality of transducers also advantageously may be used.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a collagen fiber having microparticulates coated on the surface of the fiber and the method for forming the fiber are disclosed.

Abstract: Deleterious effects of friction between bullets and the barrel of a firearm are reduced by improving the lubricity of the surface of the bullet by coating the same with molybdenum disulfide according to a method that includes heating the bullets to be coated to open the pores thereof and then agitating the bullets and molybdenum disulfide with an impacting instrumentality to drive the molybdenum disulfide against the bullet to be deeply absorbed therein. The bullets are also polished and burnished.

Abstract: A metallic stent is coated with a synthetic or biological active or inactive agent that only adheres to the metallic surface of the stent and does not cover slots formed in the stent. In the method, a metallic stent is manufactured in a known manner and is then cleaned to remove surface contaminants and carbon deposits formed from cutting operations and electro-polishing procedures. The stent is then dried in a chamber in which nitrogen gas is purged and then placed in a bath containing a suitable surfactant, such as a long chain alkyl quaternary salt, that removes any residual carbon on the surface of the stent. The stent is then placed in a container filled with the coating agent and the container is placed in an ultrasonic bath. When the bath is activated, the stent swirls in the agent, which agent coats the stent but does not cover the slots of the stent. The stent is removed from the container and dried in a controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of modifying at least part of the surface of a polymer or polymer matrix composite material including: (i) oxidising at least part of the surface of the polymer or polymer matrix material and (ii) subsequently treating the oxidised surface with an organofunctional coupling agent and/or chelating agent, simultaneously with a static and/or a high frequency alternating physical field.

Abstract: An improved method of coating an optical fiber is disclosed. A transducer is submerged in a container of liquid coating material and activated so that it causes the formation of a wave of coating material within the container. The optical fiber is then drawn through the container and through the wave, the wave counterbalancing the negative meniscus produced by drawing the fiber through the container. A curved housing also may be placed in the container and surrounding the transducer for controlling the size, amplitude, shape, or direction of the wave. A plurality of transducers also advantageously may be used.

Abstract: Prior to applying an impregnation composition constituted by a solution of at least one phosphate, a part made of composite material is treated in depth by means of an aqueous solution that penetrates into the open internal pores of the composite material, and is then dried. The aqueous solution contains an additive which, after drying, imparts to the composite material, increased wettability by the impregnation composition. The additive contained in the aqueous solution is preferably constituted by at least one wetting agent that is soluble in water and non-ionic, such as an oxyethylenated fatty acid, an oxyethylenated fatty alcohol, an oxyethylenated alkyl-phenol or an ester of a high polyol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for plating nickel onto metal substrates. The method broadly comprises the steps of passing the metal substrate to be plated through a dilute organic acid bath solution to remove contaminants and other deleterious materials, agitating the bath solution as the metal substrate passes therethrough, and thereafter electrolessly plating nickel on the surfaces of the metal substrate. The method of the present invention may be used to nickel plate substrates formed from steel, copper and aluminum.

Abstract: A solution which is stored in a treatment bath is stirred by vibration stirring means provided in the treatment bath in a range of receiving a metal molded article or around a substantially horizontal surface of the metal molded article so that mean acceleration a expressed in the following equation is at least 8 cm/sec.sup.2 : ##EQU1## where X, Y and Z, which are in units of cm/sec.sup.2, represent average acceleration values of flow rate changes within 60 seconds, measured simultaneously in three axial directions of X, Y and Z which are perpendicular to each other at a measuring position.

Abstract: A faster and more efficient method for applying ultra thin films to substrate surfaces is disclosed. The method comprises heating a film forming composition comprising amphiphilic molecules to a liquid state, immersing the substrate surface in the heated liquid composition to heat the surface, and washing away the excess composition. For surfaces that ordinarily have insufficient or no chemical moieties reactive with the amphiphilic molecules, the immersion in the heated composition causes the substrate to become porous and expose previously unavailable chemically reactive moieties in the surface matrix. The amphiphilic molecules then self-assemble, chemically bond to the surface matrix and self-polymerize with each other and with other surface matrix-bound and/or surface-bound molecules to form the ultra thin surface film. The method is also faster and more efficient for coating non porous and metal surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to the chemical bonding of a polymer/or polymers onto non-metallic substrates such as cellophane by ultrasonic techniques. The cellophane film is preactivated by contacting with silver nitrate solution followed by treatment with potassium hydroxide solution whereby particles of silver and silver oxide are uniformly distributed, in situ, over the surface of cellophane film. The pretreated cellophane film when contacted with grafting solution, that contains monomers, prepolymers, catalyst, graft initiator and other ingredients of the composition, which is being agitated with ultrasonic energy results in polymerization of monomer/prepolymer onto the surface of the cellophane film.

Abstract: A novel, improved process for forming a thin, adherent coating of a perfluorocarbon ionomer on a polymeric substrate which is typically in powdered form, fibrous form, or a mixture of powdered and fibrous forms, from a colloidal dispersion of the perfluorocarbon ionomer in a liquid medium which consists essentially of water and is substantially free of organic solvents, comprising adding a) the colloidal dispersion and b) a salt or a strongly ionizing acid to a vessel containing the polymeric substrate, and subjecting the dispersion, salt or acid and polymeric material to high shear conditions whereby a thin, durable coating of the perfluorocarbon ionomer is formed on the polymeric substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for the manufacture of magnetically responsive particles, also called ferrofluids. The improved method involves a heat treatment step, which may occur at various times during the preparation of the materials, including during subdivision of the magnetic starting material, during the addion of a coating material, after formation of a magnetically responsive particle, or some combination thereof. The materials formed by such a process have numerous advantages over materials formed by other processes, including enhanced salt stability, increased coating uptake, and increased binding capacity. These ferrofluids have applications in a variety of preparative and diagnostic techniques, including immunoassay, cell separations, toxicity testing, food testing, environmental analysis, and MRI.

Abstract: Proteins are applied to a polymeric article by contacting the polymeric article with a protein and exposing the contacted polymeric article to a frequency with a sufficient power dissipation for a sufficient period of time. A frequency range for applying proteins to a polymeric article is between about 5 kHz to about 40 kHz with a minimum power dissipated of about 1 watt. As a result, polymeric articles so treated exhibit improved water wettability, proteins may be applied to the polymeric articles very rapidly and more uniformly than by other methods, and polymeric articles having selected zones of wettability may be produced.

Abstract: A reinforcing composition is provided comprising pellets produced by the process of hydrating glass fibers to achieve a water content on the glass fibers of from about 11 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, mixing the glass fibers for at least about three minutes, thereby forming pellets, and drying.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a vibrational enhancement to the recoating process in stereolithography are disclosed. The formation of a thin layer of building material over a previous layer of structure of a partially completed three-dimensional object, in preparation for formation of an additional layer of structure, is enhanced by the use of vibrational energy imparted to the building medium. In a first preferred apparatus, vibration is induced into the surface of the material by a plurality of vibrating needles that penetrate below the working surface to a sufficient depth to ensure adequate coupling but not deep enough to come into contact with the surface of the partially completed part. In a second preferred apparatus, vibration is coupled directly to the object support. The vibrational energy is then transmitted through the part to the surface of the building material.

Abstract: A liquid phase deposition method involves a reaction mixture composed of a hydrosilicofluoric acid aqueous solution supersaturated with silicon dioxide, and a semiconductor substrate disposed therein. The reaction mixture is treated with an ultrasonic oscillation at a frequency ranging between 20 and 100 KHz and at a temperature ranging between 10.degree. and 50.degree. C. for accelerating the growth rate of a silicon dioxide layer formed on the semiconductor substrate.