Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically conductive polyethylene resin composition having a stable volume resistance value and in addition, a low-friction property and a wear-resistant property and a resin molding, a sliding bearing, and a sliding sheet made of the electrically conductive polyethylene resin composition. The electrically conductive polyethylene resin composition contains 100 parts by weight of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene resin which cannot be injection-molded and has a weight average molecular weight of one million to four millions, 2 to 15 parts by weight of Ketjenblack, and 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of at least one powder, having an average particle size of 1 to 30 ?m, which is selected from among polytetrafluoroethylene resin powder, graphite powder, and silicone resin powder.

Abstract: An ink jet textile printing method includes applying a pretreatment liquid that contains a coagulant to a fabric, discharging a first ink composition from a first recording head to apply the first ink composition to the fabric, and discharging a second ink composition from a second recording head to apply the second ink composition to the fabric. The first ink composition contains water, pigment, and a cohesive resin. The second ink composition contains water, pigment, and a non-cohesive resin.

Abstract: A self-adhesive permeable membrane sheet (1), for use in a building structure, includes a continuous layer of a permeable pressure sensitive adhesive (8) attached to one surface of a permeable membrane sheet (2,4,6). Methods for using the permeable membrane sheet (1) in construction are also provided.

Abstract: A patterned photoresist is provided atop a substrate. A hardening agent is applied to the patterned photoresist to provide a polymeric coated patterned photoresist. The polymeric coated patterned photoresist is baked to provide a hardened photoresist, and subsequent the baking step, the polymeric coating is removed from the hardened photoresist by rinsing. The hardened photoresist can be removed anytime during the patterning of the substrate by an aqueous resist developer.

Abstract: A base film-forming composition includes a compound including a group capable of reacting with Si—OH or Si—H, and a solvent. The base film-forming composition is for forming a base film provided between a layer including a silicon atom and a directed self-assembling film in a directed self-assembly lithography process. The receding contact angle of the base film for pure water is no less than 70° and no greater than 90°. The compound is preferably represented by formula (1). In the formula (1), A represents a linking group having a valency of (m+n); D represents a monovalent organic group having at least 10 carbon atoms; E represents the group capable of reacting with Si—OH or Si—H; and m and n are each independently an integer of 1 to 200.

Abstract: A recording medium includes a substrate and a first ink-receiving layer. The first ink-receiving layer contains an amorphous silica having an average particle size of 1.0 ?m or more and an inorganic particle having an average particle size of 50 nm or less. The content of the amorphous silica in the first ink-receiving layer is 30 mass % or more and 95 mass % or less based on a total content of all inorganic particles.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a composite material that includes a first material and a second material. In some implementations, the composite material is a metamaterial. The first material includes a chiral polymer (e.g., crystalline chiral helical polymer, poly-?-benzyl-L-glutamate (PBLG), poly-L-lactic acid (PLA), polypeptide, and/or polyacetylene). The second material is within the chiral polymer. The first material and the second material are configured to provide an effective index of refraction value for the composite material of 1 or less. In some implementations, the effective index of refraction value for the composite material is negative. In some implementations, the effective index of refraction value for the composite material of 1 or less is at least in a wavelength of one of at least a visible spectrum, an infrared spectrum, a microwave spectrum, and/or an ultraviolet spectrum.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording method including recording which includes attaching a color ink composition, which contains a coloring material, and a reaction solution, which includes an aggregating agent which aggregates components of the color ink composition, to a recording medium in no particular order, in which the color ink composition gives recorded matter with a glossiness at 60° of 60 to 100 when the color ink composition is individually attached to a recording medium with a glossiness at 60° of 80 to 100.

Abstract: A method for patterning an underlying layer is described, the method comprising providing a guiding layer on the underlying layer, the guiding layer comprising guiding structures and being substantially planar; providing a block-copolymer layer on the guiding layer; inducing phase separation of the block-copolymer layer in a regular pattern of structures of a first and a second polymer component, whereby one of the components aligns to the guiding structures, by chemo-epitaxy; thereafter, removing a first of the components of the block-copolymer layers completely, leaving a regular pattern of structures of the second component; providing a planarizing layer over the regular pattern of structures of the second component and the guiding layer; removing a portion of the planarizing layer, thereby leaving a regular pattern of structures of the planarizing layer at positions in between the structures of the second component, and exposing the structures of the second component; removing the structures of the second

Abstract: A method for forming a pattern includes steps of forming a patterned core layer on a substrate, conformally forming a spacer layer on the patterned core layer to form first concave portions, performing an etch back process to expose the patterned core layer, removing the exposed patterned core layer to form second concave portions, filling up the first concave portions and the second concave portions with a directed self-assembly material, and activating a directed self-assembly process, so that the directed self-assembly material is diffused to the perimeter of the concave portions to form a hole surrounding by the directed self-assembly material in each concave portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyvinyl acetal resin composition exerting excellent mechanical strength over a wide temperature range from low temperatures to high temperatures. The present invention provides a polyvinyl acetal resin composition containing a polyvinyl acetal resin and a resin having a crosslinked structure, the polyvinyl acetal resin composition having a structure in which the resin having a crosslinked structure is dispersed as a dispersed phase in the polyvinyl acetal resin as a continuous phase, the polyvinyl acetal resin composition having a maximum value of a loss tangent derived from the polyvinyl acetal resin at 40° C. or higher and a maximum value of a loss tangent derived from the resin having a crosslinked structure at 10° C. or lower in measurement of a dynamic viscoelasticity spectrum at a frequency of 10 Hz.

Abstract: Provided is the pattern formability and line edge roughness of the resultant substrate. An underlay film composition for imprints comprising a compound (A) and a solvent (B), the compound (A) having at least either one of a group (Ka) capable of covalently bonding and/or interacting with a substrate, and, a group (Kb) capable of covalently bonding and/or interacting with a curable composition for imprints, an Ohnishi parameter (Z) calculated from (equation 1) of 3.8 or larger, and a molecular weight of 400 or larger: the Ohnishi parameter=(total number of atoms)/(number of carbon atoms?number of oxygen atoms).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for tinting optical films comprising: (a) coating onto an optical film a liquid coating composition comprising, in a water miscible organic solvent, 1 part of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), from 0.1 to 2 parts by weight of dicyclohexyl phthalate, from 0.1 to 1 part by weight of isocyanato-alkyltrialcoxysilane, and at least 0.5 moles of H2O per mole of hydrolysable alcoxy groups of isocyanatoalkyltrialcoxysilane, (b) submitting said coated composition to a drying step so as to form an image-receiving CAB layer on the optical film, (c) printing the dried image-receiving CAB layer with a sublimation dye by means of a thermal transfer printer, (d) submitting the resulting printed film and image -receiving CAB layer to a thermal treatment so as to transfer the printed sublimation dye from the image-receiving layer to the underlying optical film, and (e) removing the image-receiving CAB layer by means of a suitable solvent.

Abstract: An aqueous ink for ink jet contains a urethane resin. The urethane resin has a unit derived from a polyether polyol and a unit containing an acidic group. The acid value of the urethane resin is 40 to 140 mg KOH/g. The molar ratio of urethane bonds/urea bonds is 80.0/20.0 or more. Some of the acidic groups in the urethane resin are neutralized with particular neutralizing agents.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate, including: a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active substrate; a patterned hydrophilic region and a patterned hydrophobic region formed on the SERS-active substrate, wherein a water contact angle difference between the patterned hydrophilic region and the patterned hydrophobic region is in a range from about 29 degrees to about 90 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial microstructure. The artificial microstructure includes at least three split rings. The at least three split rings surround and embed in turn. Each split ring is formed by a wire which is made of conductive material, with two terminals of the wire towards each other to form an opening of the corresponding split ring. The present invention also provides an artificial electromagnetic material using the artificial microstructure. The artificial electromagnetic material with the artificial microstructure can achieve the function of broadband wave-absorbing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reworking a composite structure. A composite rework patch system comprises a composite rework patch and a plurality of adhesive layers. The composite rework patch includes a first side having a contour conforming to an inconsistent area on the composite structure. The composite re patch comprises a plurality of regions having different structural properties. The plurality of adhesive layers is on the first side of the composite rework patch. The plurality of adhesive layers change in thickness within at least one region of the composite rework patch to form tapered adhesive sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayered-stretched resin film characterized in that on the back surface of a printable front layer (A) comprising a thermoplastic resin, an inorganic finepowder, and/or an organic filler is laminated a back layer (B) comprising a surface-treated inorganic finepowder and a thermoplastic resin comprising a hydrophilic thermoplastic resin, and in that the peel strength of back layer (B) is from 10 to 200 g/cm. The multilayered-stretched resin film affords good suitability for printing and embossing, that can be directly adhered to a wall or the like using a water-soluble adhesive without necessitating a backing of natural paper required by conventional wallpapers, and that can be readily peeled off the wall in a manner permitting recycling.

Abstract: A silicon wafer cleaning agent includes at least a water-based cleaning liquid, and a water-repellent cleaning liquid for providing water-repellent to an uneven pattern at least at recessed portions during a cleaning process. The water-repellent cleaning liquid is a liquid composed of a water-repellent compound containing a reactive moiety which is chemically bondable to Si in the silicon wafer, and a hydrophobic group, or is a liquid wherein 0.1 mass % or more of the water-repellent compound relative to the total quantity of 100 mass % of the water-repellent cleaning liquid and an organic solvent are mixed and contained therein. A cleaning process wherein a pattern collapse is easily induced can be improved by using the cleaning agent.

Abstract: A white toner has a first temperature range not less than 25° C. in which 60° glossiness is 10 or less between a fixable minimum temperature and a fixable maximum temperature thereof. The white toner has a second temperature range not less than 25° C. in which 60° glossiness is from 30 to 60 therebetween.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification wristband for attaching to a patient that has a band, a wristband housing attached to or integral with said band, one or more radio frequency identification tag(s) or tag inlay(s), an insulator material, wherein said wristband housing is adhered to said radio frequency identification tag or tag inlay, said radio frequency identification tag or tag inlay is adhered to an isolator material, and wherein said insulator material is nearest to the skin of the patient and insulates the radio frequency identification tag or tag inlay from the patient's skin.

Abstract: A method for quick and easy identification of layer thickness and uniformity of entire large-area graphene samples on arbitrary substrates utilizing fluorescence quenching microscopy in which a polymer mixed with fluorescent dye is applied onto the graphene, then viewing the sample under a fluorescence microscope. A large-scale, high-resolution montage image of the sample is obtained for histogram-based segmentation based on contrast relative to the substrates.

Abstract: Laser output (114) is employed to mark an article (100) including a layer (104) supported by a substrate (102), wherein the layer (104) has a thickness (t) that is less than or equal to 50 microns. The laser output (114) is focused to a numerical aperture diffraction-limited spot size (32) of less than or equal to 5 microns at a focal point (80) of the beam waist (90) and directed into the layer (104) to form a plurality of structures comprising a plurality of laser-induced cracks within the layer (104) and within a region of the article (100), wherein the laser-induced cracks terminate within the layer (104) without extending to the substrate (102) or an outer surface (108) of the layer (104), and wherein the plurality of structures are configured to scatter light incident upon the article (100).

Abstract: A water-based ink composition for glass and ceramic surfaces contains an acrylic silicone resin emulsion, pigment, dispersant, and water-based solvent. The water-based ink composition may further contain a thixotropic agent and/or resin beads. The ink composition allows writing made with it to sufficiently demonstrate excellent water resistance, hot water resistance, and scratch resistance even on glass and ceramic surfaces, and to remain sufficiently legible even after the glass products or ceramics are cleaned repeatedly.

Abstract: To provide a negative photosensitive resin composition which is capable of imparting good ink repellency to a cured film, particularly to the upper surface of partition walls, and which has characteristics such that an ink repellent agent is less likely to remain in opening sections defined by the partition walls even without UV/O3 irradiation treatment, and the ink is permitted to uniformly wet-spread without unevenness. A negative photosensitive resin composition characterized by comprising (A) an alkali-soluble resin or alkali-soluble monomer, which has a photo-curability, (B) a photopolymerization initiator, (C) an ink repellent agent having fluorine atoms, and (D) a compound which is a partially hydrolyzed condensate of a hydrolysable silane compound mixture containing a hydrolysable silane compound having a mercapto group and a hydrolysable group and/or a hydrolysable silane compound having a group with an ethylenic double bond and a hydrolysable group, and which has no fluorine atom.

Abstract: A virtual substrate includes a handle support and a strain-relieved single crystalline layer on the handle support. A method of making the virtual substrate includes growing a coherently-strained single crystalline layer on an initial growth substrate, removing the initial growth substrate to relieve the strain on the single crystalline layer, and applying the strain-relieved single crystalline layer on a handle support.

Abstract: Markings on products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on the housings. For example, a housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on the outer housing surface so as to be visible from the outside of the housing. The markings may be precisely formed using a laser. Processing may be used to increase reflectivity of the markings.

Abstract: A security laminate (1) including in order a transparent oriented polyester support (2), a subbing layer (3) and an adhesive layer (4) which is coated on top of the subbing layer, wherein the binder of the adhesive layer is based on a mixture of a first and a second polymer in a weight ratio from 50/50 to 90/10, wherein the first polymer is a copolymer comprising vinyl acetate and at least 85 wt % of vinyl chloride based on the total weight of the first polymer; wherein the second polymer is a copolymer of styrene, butadiene and methylmethacrylate or a copolymer of vinyl butyral, vinyl acetate and vinyl alcohol; and wherein the binder of the subbing layer is based on a polyester-urethane copolymer.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes: a plurality of solar cell elements that have electrodes on surfaces thereof; a tab wire that connects the electrodes of the plurality of solar cell elements; and a resin portion that is provided in a discontinuous manner on the surfaces and that bonds the tab wire and the surfaces to each other. The tab wire extends in a predetermined direction along the electrodes, and the resin portion is discontinuously arranged along the tab wire. A bus bar electrode extends in a non-linear shape. The bus bar electrode is provided such that the bus bar electrode passes a plurality of vertices that are each positioned spaced apart in a short-side direction of the bus bar electrode from a center position of the bus bar electrode in the short-side direction. The resin portion is provided avoiding the vicinity of the vertices.

Abstract: A lenticular device includes an array of lenticular focusing elements located over a corresponding array of pairs of image strips such that, in a first viewing direction, a first image strip from each pair is viewed by respective ones of the lenticular focusing elements and, in a second viewing direction, different from the first, a second image strip from each pair is viewed by respective ones of the lenticular focusing elements, One of each pair of image strips has portions defining a first image in a first color and a second image in a second color respectively, and the other of each pair of image strips has portions defining the first image in the second color and the second image in the first color respectively, whereby on tilting the device, a color switch is observed between the first and second images.

Abstract: Methods for making pigmented, curable, liquid ink compositions, and the ink compositions prepared from the methods are disclosed. The method includes adding at least one monomer and a dispersant to mixing vessel, and metering into the mixing vessel at least one pigment over a period of time. The method further includes adding at least one initiator and at least one curing agent, and then milling the composition. The pigmented, curable, high viscosity liquid ink compositions are suitable for digital offset printing.

Abstract: A negative-working, infrared radiation-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is prepared to contain an infrared radiation-sensitive imageable layer that is disposed on the hydrophilic surface of a substrate. This imageable layer contains sufficient free radical chemistry for infrared sensitivity and imaging to polymerize the exposed regions. This chemistry is dispersed within a primary polymeric binder comprising polyalkylenes oxide segments and optional pendant cyano groups and is present in the form of particles, and a secondary crosslinked hydrophobic binder to provide improved ink receptivity, rapid development, and run length especially with aged precursors. Exposed precursors can be developed on-press while forming the first printed impressions.

Abstract: A printing method and system include a printhead configured to eject a fixer fluid. A controller is operatively connected to the printhead and configured to control the printhead so as to apply the fixer fluid to a print area in a pattern to form cells having a predetermined area without the fixer fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for strengthening a sapphire part are described herein. One method may take the form of orienting a first surface of a sapphire member relative to an ion implantation device, selecting an ion implantation concentration and directing ions at the first surface of the sapphire member. The ions are embedded under the first surface to create compressive stress in the sapphire surface.

Abstract: A light guide plate (LGP) and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed, the LGP is electro-conductive. The fabrication method including the following steps: preparing an electro-conductive solution; making one or more surfaces of a regular LGP adsorb the electro-conductive solution uniformly; drying the LGP which adsorbs the electro-conductive solution to form an electro-conductive film on the one or more surfaces. A method for fabricating the LGP is also disclosed in which electro-conductive organic macromolecular compound is used as a raw material. The effect of static charge on the LGP is avoided by the electro-conductive property of the LGP.

Abstract: A method of repairing a component comprises identifying a non-compliant surface of the component, wherein the non-compliant surface is not within an allowable tolerance, cold spraying a powder comprising a metal onto the non-compliant surface, and forming a coating comprising the metal over the non-compliant surface, wherein an outer surface of the coating is within an allowable tolerance. In an embodiment, the method of repairing an outer component further comprises machining the outer surface of the coating. In an embodiment, the component is a shaft, a rotor mast, an input quill, or a bearing. In an embodiment, the component contains electronic equipment during the cold spraying, and wherein the cold spraying does not damage the electronic equipment. In an embodiment, the component is repaired without subjecting the component to a hydrogen embrittlement bake.

Abstract: The purpose is to provide a protective layer transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium, in which the protective layer has excellent foil tearing property during transfer and in which sufficient durability can be imparted to the thermally transferred image. The above problem is solved by a protective layer transfer sheet in which a transferable protective layer (20) is provided on one surface of a substrate (1) so as to be peelable from the substrate (1), wherein the transferable protective layer (20) has a layered structure in which a first protective layer (3A), and a second protective layer (3B) which is in contact directly with the first protective layer (3A), are provided in this order from the substrate (1); the first protective layer contains an epoxy-cured resin in which a reactive resin having a functional group capable of reacting with an epoxy group and having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of not less than 60° C.

Abstract: Reinforced articles particularly adapted for use in combination with an adhesive to form reinforced adhesive tape articles that are stretchable as well as hand-tearable along with being highly conformable and cinchable.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for capturing information is disclosed. The method includes emitting energy of a first wavelength from a first energy source located proximate to a first end of a digital pen and forming a first set handwritten markings on the substrate by causing the substrate to image as a result of an exposure of the substrate to the energy emitted from the first energy source. The method also includes detecting by an image-capturing sensor of the digital pen a first detected portion of a position-identifying pattern on the substrate and storing in the memory a digital document file comprising the first set of handwritten markings and the first detected portion of the position-identifying data. An apparatus and system for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include ink receptive media for use in prototyping and transfer of a UV curable acid resist ink to surfaces for etching. Further embodiments are directed to an ink receptive media used for prototyping and transfer of a UV curable acid resist ink to surfaces for etching. In some implementations the films of the invention are useful for transfer of acid resist inks, maximizing ink droplet contact angle, and ink receptive surface for prototyping inks.

Abstract: A case molded article is molded by injecting resin into a molding space formed in an in-mold decoration die; meanwhile, foil is joined to the surface of the case molded article. After that, the foil is peeled off from the surface of the case molded article while leaving a pattern layer at least on the upper ends of the corners of the rising wall on the case molded article. Subsequently, the foil is peeled off from the surface of the case molded article while leaving the pattern layer at other points where the foil is joined to the surface of the case molded article.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to an aqueous inkjet ink containing a pigment as colorant, a polymeric binder, an anionic surfactant and a 1-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone co-solvent. The present disclosure further pertains to an ink set containing this aqueous inkjet ink, as well as to methods of printing with this ink and ink set on a variety of substrates, and particularly hydrophobic substrates and nonporous media.

Abstract: A press felt includes a base structure providing dimensional stability in a machine and a cross machine direction of the felt, a batt fiber structure including batt fiber layers attached to the base structure which provide a paper contacting side and a machine contacting side of the felt. The base structure includes a first and second side. Polymeric beads or strands made from a polymeric material are arranged on at least one of the two sides of the base structure. The polymeric beads or strands arranged on the at least one side have a longitudinal expansion in the machine direction of the felt and are arranged side-by-side when viewed in the cross machine direction of the felt to generate space between adjacent beads or strands. At least one of the batt fiber layers is arranged to cover both the at least one side and the polymeric beads or strands thereon.

Abstract: An electrically-conductive pattern is prepared using a reactive composition having: (1) a reactive polymer; (2) a compound that provides a cleaving acid upon exposure to radiation; and (3) a crosslinking agent that reacts in the presence of the cleaving acid, to provide crosslinking in the reactive polymer. A polymeric layer of the reactive composition is patternwise exposed to provide a polymeric layer comprising non-exposed regions and exposed regions comprising a polymer comprising sulfonic acid or sulfonate groups. The exposed regions are contacted with electroless seed metal ions to form a pattern of electroless seed metal ions, which pattern is reduced to provide a pattern of corresponding electroless seed metal particles. Electrolessly plating is then carried out in the exposed regions. The unique reactive comprises (a) recurring units represented Structure (A) as described in the disclosure, and can also include other recurring units that are crosslinkable or provide other properties.

Abstract: The disclosed radiation-curable acrylate-based ink-jet ink comprises a pigment, a bifunctional acrylate and, optionally, a trifunctional or multifunctional acrylate, a compound that has an ethylenic double bond and a molecular weight of 90 to 205, and a photoinitiator in the form of an acyl phosphine oxide, and furthermore contains 0.05 to 3.0 wt. % of stabilizer and 0.05 to 1.5 wt. % of surfactant.

Abstract: A negative-working, infrared radiation-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is exposed and processed on-press to provide a lithographic printing plate. This precursor has an infrared radiation-sensitive imageable layer comprises free radical imaging chemistry; an infrared radiation absorber; a particulate primary polymeric binder comprising polyalkylene oxide segments having an average particle size (D1) of at least 50 nm and up to and including 1000 nm; and a particulate secondary resin having an average particle size (D2) of at least 3 ?m and up to and including 10 ?m. The imageable layer has an average dry thickness (t) of at least 1 ?m and up to and including 4 ?m and satisfies Equation (1): D2/1.4>t>D1?? (1) and the average dry thickness (t) is defined by Equation (2): t=w/r?? (2) wherein w is the dry coverage of the imageable layer in g/m2 and r is 1 g/cm3.

Abstract: An ink film construction comprising: (a) a printing substrate; and (b) at least one ink film, fixedly adhered to a top surface of the printing substrate, the ink film having an upper film surface distal to the top surface of the substrate, wherein a surface concentration of nitrogen at the upper film surface exceeds a bulk concentration of nitrogen within the film, the bulk concentration measured at a depth of at least 30 nanometers below the upper film surface, and wherein a ratio of the surface concentration to the bulk concentration is at least 1.1 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for imaging mass spectrometry using an ionization-assisting matrix of a test sample, wherein the ionization efficiency is high, migration and visual information reduction are inhibited, no interference peaks originating from the matrix occur, and the analysis can be performed at high spatial resolution. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for imaging mass spectrometry using a sample prepared by physical vapor depositing platinum nanoparticles on the surface of a test sample to be subjected to imaging mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Laser engravable films are disclosed. In one aspect, the laser engravable film of the present invention includes a monolayer film, preferably comprising polycarbonate, having a laser engraving additive and an antistatic composition mixed within the layer of polycarbonate. In another aspect, the laser engravable film of the present invention includes a first layer, preferably comprising polycarbonate, having an antistatic composition mixed within the first layer, and a second layer, preferably comprising polycarbonate, with laser engraving additives mixed within the second layer.

Abstract: A farnesene polymer is provided having a glass transition temperature greater than zero degrees Celsius that is obtained by combining a farnesene monomer and a solvent and optionally adding one or more vinyl aromatic comonomers to provide a monomer feed and polymerizing the monomer feed with a Friedel-Crafts catalyst. The farnesene polymer may be included as a resin in a rubber composition for tire applications.