Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a patterned surface wherein predetermined regions of the surface are masked with a self-assembled monolayer (“SAM”) covalently bound to a brush polymer overlayer. The remainder of the substrate surface will generally be functionalized with a second self-assembled monolayer. Preferably, the method involves a microcontact printing technique, wherein a molecular moiety capable of spontaneously forming an SAM upon transfer to a surface is “stamped” onto a substrate surface, followed by growth (or covalent attachment) of a polymer on exposed functional groups within the SAM molecules. Coverage of surface regions with both an SAM and a polymer overlayer provides a number of advantages, particularly with regard to surface masking during etching and the like. The method is useful in the manufacture of microelectronic circuitry, biosensors, high-density assay plates, and the like.

Abstract: A metallized polyimide film of the present invention comprises a polyimide film 1 which has undergone surface roughening treatment to produce a surface Ra value of 2 to 10 nm, an intermediate layer 2 formed from one, or two or more elements selected from a group consisting of molybdenum, silicon and silicon monoxide, which is formed on top of the surface which has undergone surface roughening treatment with an average thickness of 5 to 50% of the aforementioned Ra value, and a conductive metal layer 4 which is formed on top of the intermediate layer 2. This construction improves the bonding strength between the polyimide film and the metal layer.

Abstract: The durability and abrasion resistance of nano-structured optical surfaces, particularly those formed of or on polymeric substrate, are enhanced by at least one of adhering to it a fluorinated carbon molecule or other reactive lube composition as a monolayer coating (or a thin and substantially uniform multi-layer coating) and by treatment with a surface-active cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A three dimensional photonic crystal and layer-by-layer processes of fabricating the photonic crystal. A templated substrate is exposed to a plurality of first microspheres made of a first material, the first material being of a type that will bond to the templated substrate and form a self-passivated layer of first microspheres to produce a first layer. The first layer is exposed to a plurality of second microspheres made of a second material, the second material being of a type that will bond to the first layer and form a self-passivated layer of second microspheres. This layering of alternating first and second microspheres can be repeated as desired to build a three dimensional photonic crystal of desired geometry.

Abstract: The composite material and methods of making the present invention rely upon a fully dense monolayer of molecules attached to an oxygenated surface at one end, and an organic terminal group at the other end, which is in turn bonded to a polymer. Thus, the composite material is a second material chemically bonded to a polymer with fully dense monolayer there between.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based magnetoresistive device with a first ferromagnetic material based film having electrically conductive, ferromagnetic material nanogranules embedded in an intergranular material of a smaller electrical conductivity first nonmagnetic. The device may have an intermediate layer adjacent the first ferromagnetic material based film and a second film is on the other side of the intermediate layer of a substantially ferromagnetic material. The first film is less than 1.0 &mgr;m thick.

Abstract: Sputter-deposited amorphous NiNb films on glass or glass-ceramic substrates have good adhesion with the substrates, and reduce lithium migration significantly. Longitudinal magnetic recording media deposited on oxidized NiNb sealing layers have very good magnetic recording performances and are suitable for high density recording application.

Abstract: A substrate with a charged surface coated with one or more bilayers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. Subsequent optional bilayers of polyelectrolytes must bear alternating opposite charges. The final or top layer may be activated for biomolecular attachment.

Abstract: A surface coating composition for providing a self-assembling monolayer, in stable form, on a material surface or at a suitable interface, as well as a method of preparing such a composition and a method of using such a composition to coat a surface, such as the surface of an implantable medical device, in order to provide the surface with desirable properties. The method provides the covalent attachment of a SAM to a surface in a manner that substantially retains or improves the characteristics and/or performance of both the SAM and the surface itself. Covalent attachment is accomplished by the use of one or more latent reactive groups, e.g., provided by either the surface and/or by the SAM-forming molecules themselves.

Abstract: Hydrophilic protein adsorption resistant coatings for microfluidic devices are provided. Additionally, microfluidic devices and methods of manufacturing microfluidic devices that include the coatings are provided.

Abstract: A radiation-curable composition in a liquid or solid form comprises at least one solid, non-crystalline radiation-transmissible material, dispersed in at least one cationic-curable or free-radical curable composition or mixture thereof. The solid, non-crystalline radiation-transmissible materials comprise glasses and other suitable materials that transmit (i.e., are transparent to) at least about 40% of radiation having a wavelength from about 180 to about 600 nanometers. The cationic-curable compositions comprise at least one cycloaliphatic epoxide, at least one polyol, and at least one cation-generating photoinitiator. The free-radical curable compositions comprise at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound and at least one free-radical-generating photoinitiator unless electron beam curing is used, in which case the amount of photoinitiator can be reduced or even eliminated.

Abstract: Substantially transparent electrodes are formed on a substrate by a process including forming on the substrate, in order, a bottom high index layer, a metallic conductive layer, and a top high index layer with a conductivity of at least about 400 &OHgr;/square; and chemically etching the bottom high index layer, the top high index layer and the conductive layer to form discrete electrodes in the metallic conductive layer.

Abstract: A plated material having a substrate, and a plating formed on the substrate, or on an undercoating formed on the substrate further has a layer formed on the plating from an organic compound capable of combining chemically with a component of the plating, and a lubricating layer formed on the layer of an organic compound. The lubricating layer is substantially a fluid film of a high molecular compound.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a reversible, electrically controllable light transmission (RECLT) film, article of manufacture composition, process and product produced by the process, comprising a conductive narrow composition distribution polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer in combination with an electrolyte and an RECLT material. The narrow composition distribution polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer has low solubility, high thermal stability and strength, and very high optical clarity. The polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer comprises a nonporous or porous copolymer of vinylidene fluoride preferably with either hexafluoropropylene or tetrafluoroethylene or chlorotrifluoroethylene, or vinyl acetate, or combinations thereof. The RECLT material includes organic or inorganic compounds known in the art. Typical RECLT materials include electrochromic materials, reversible metal electrodeposition materials, liquid crystal materials and dispersed particle materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transparent conductive layered structure which comprises a transparent substrate, a transparent conductive layer and a transparent coating layer formed successively in this order on the substrate, and is used in, for instance, the front panel of displays such as CRT, etc. The transparent conductive layered structure according to the invention is characterized in that the main components of the above-mentioned transparent conductive layer are gold microparticles or gold-containing noble metal microparticles containing 5 wt % or more of gold with a mean particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm, and a binder matrix comprising at least one functional group selected from mercapto groups (—SH), sulfide groups (—S), and polysulfide groups (—Sx, X≧2). Film strength and weather resistance of the transparent conductive layer are improved because the noble metal microparticles and a binder matrix are firmly bonded via the above-mentioned functional groups.

Abstract: Birefringent optical films have a Brewster angle (the angle at which reflectance of p-polarized light goes to zero) which is very large or is nonexistent. This allows for the construction of multilayer mirrors and polarizers whose reflectivity for p-polarized light decreases slowly with angle of incidence, are independent of angle of incidence, or increase with angle of incidence away from the normal. As a result, mirror films with high reflectivity in two different planes of polarization for any incident direction over a wide bandwidth can be achieved.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a core layer comprising filler and synthetic resin and containing the filler having a weight 0.7 times or more the product of volume of the core layer and bulk density of the filler; and a surface layer comprising a thermosetting resin reinforced by long fibers extending parallel in a longitudinal direction thereof, the surface layer being laminated on the core layer to cover at least one surface of the core layer with respect to a thickness direction thereof.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the previously known functional material having a self-assembled monolayer on a substrate has a plurality of assembly molecules each with an assembly atom with a plurality of bonding sites (four sites when silicon is the assembly molecule) wherein a bonding fraction (or fraction) of fully bonded assembly atoms (the plurality of bonding sites bonded to an oxygen atom) has a maximum when made by liquid solution deposition, for example a maximum of 40% when silicon is the assembly molecule, and maximum surface density of assembly molecules was 5 silanes per square nanometer. Note that bonding fraction and surface population are independent parameters. The method of the present invention is an improvement to the known method for making a siloxane layer on a substrate, wherein instead of a liquid phase solution chemistry, the improvement is a supercritical phase chemistry.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymer-clay nanocomposite material comprising a melt-processible matrix polymer and a layered clay material having decreased levels of extractable material, such as extractable salts of organic cations. This invention is also directed to processes for preparing polymer-clay nanocomposites, and articles or products produced from nanocomposite materials.

Abstract: A multi-microlayer thermoplastic film structure and methods of making the same. More specifically, this invention relates to a multi-microlayer film having a degradable polymer layer and a thermoplastic elastomer layer. Filler materials may be included in either the degradable polymer layer or the thermoplastic elastomer layer. The multi-microlayer films may be formed in a co-extrusion process.

Abstract: Low reflective, flexible, transparent, laminates having a sheet of flexible plastic substrate, a conductive outer layer on one side of the sheet, and an anti-reflective stack of at least one pair of oxide layers on at least one of the sides of the sheet, adapted for use as touch panel membrane electrodes in screen interface displays. A preferred laminate includes a flexible, polyethylene terephthalate sheet substrate having on one side a outer conductive surface of indium tin oxide and on one or both sides an anti-reflective stack of oxide layers, e.g., a stack of a layer of silicon dioxide and a layer of indium tin oxide. Preferred laminates have at least 90% transmission and less than 2% reflection of visible light in the range of 460 to 700 nm and are especially useful as touch panel electrodes, e.g., on computer display screens.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an array of nanostuctures, such as quantum dots, having a controlled diameter and a substrate with an ordered array of nanostructures having a controlled diameter. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, nanoscale features are produced on a substrate by using a porous crystalline protein as a template for preparing an etch/deposition mask having a regular array of nanoscale pores of a diameter different from the protein template. The mask may be used to etch a regular array of nanoscale wells and/or deposit nanoclusters of adatoms on the surface of an underlying substrate. A further embodiment of the invention is a substrate including an ordered array of nanoscale features having a controlled size.

Abstract: A white film for a reflecting structure for surface light sources, which contains voids inside it and has a light stabilizer-containing coating film formed on at least one surface of it, is aged little with time and its brightness lowers little even when used for a long time. The white film ensures good image quality of display screens for a long time, and it is favorable to reflecting sheets and reflectors in edge light-type and direct back light-type surface light sources for liquid crystal display screens.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the previously known functional material having a self-assembled monolayer on a substrate has a plurality of assembly molecules each with an assembly atom with a plurality of bonding sites (four sites when silicon is the assembly molecule) wherein a bonding fraction (or fraction) of fully bonded assembly atoms (the plurality of bonding sites bonded to an oxygen atom) has a maximum when made by liquid solution deposition, for example a maximum of 40% when silicon is the assembly molecule, and maximum surface density of assembly molecules was 5 silanes per square nanometer. Note that bonding fraction and surface population are independent parameters. The method of the present invention is an improvement to the known method for making a siloxane layer on a substrate, wherein instead of a liquid phase solution chemistry, the improvement is a supercritical phase chemistry.

Abstract: At least one monomolecule film is formed on a transparent substrate surface directly or via a protective film. The monomolecule film is formed with chemical coupling of chlorosilane surface active compound, for example, of the formula: F(CF2)m(CH2)nSiRqX3−q where m is an integer of from 1 to 15, n is an integer of from 0 to 15 provided that the total of m and n is an integer of from 10 to 30 and R is an alkyl or an alkoxyl group, or F(CF2)m′(CH2)n′A(CH2)pSiRqX3−q where m represents an integer ranging from 1 to 8, n′ represents an integer ranging from 0 to 2, p represents an integer ranging from 5 to 25, q represents an integer ranging from 0 to 2, X represents a halogen atom or an alkoxyl group, R represents an alkyl or an alkoxyl group, and A represents O, a —COO— or —Si(CH3)2—. The transparent substrate such as glass is made hydrophobic and free of contamination.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the fabrication of hydrophilic coatings on hydrophobic surfaces. In one embodiment, a polyethylene oxide (PEO) coating is fabricated on the surface of a polymeric material by contacting the surface with a methacrylic acid or acrylic acid monomer. The monomer first is reacted, for example by irradiation with an electron beam, to polymerize and covalently attach the monomer to the surface, to improve the hydrophilicity of the polymeric material. A coating of PEO molecules is subsequently attached to the polymer surface by hydrogen bond complexation. The PEO coating then may be covalently grafted onto the surface, for example, by irradiation grafting with an electron beam. The covalent grafting of a coating of the methacrylic or acrylic monomers to the surface greatly improves the wettability of the surface, and facilitates the covalent or non-covalent attachment of a coating of PEO to the polymer surface.

Abstract: Hydrophilic protein adsorption resistant coatings for microfluidic devices are provided. Additionally, microfluidic devices and methods of manufacturing microfluidic devices that include the coatings are provided.

Abstract: A roll of flexible web having on its surface a plurality of reactive vinylsulfonyl groups fixed to the web via a linking group is favorably employable for manufacturing analytical elements to be used for analysis of biochemically active substances, for instance, analytical elements to which nucleotide derivatives or their analogues are attached.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal insulation to be inserted between two structures, surfaces, walls or the walls of components which are to be insulated. The thermal insulation consists of an plurality of hollow spheres made up by loose hollow spheres or by hollow spheres which are interconnected by sintered contacts. The ratio of the outer diameter of the hollow spheres to their wall thickness is 5 300. The hollow spheres are made of silicides, silicide composites, metals and intermetals and the alloys thereof, ceramics or glass. When the walls of the hollow spheres have a closed porous structure, the inner pressure in the hollow spheres is between 0 to 0.1 that of the surrounding air pressure at room temperature.

Abstract: A process for modifying the surface of a polymeric substrate is disclosed, wherein said process is comprised of contacting a surface of a polymeric substrate with a protic liquid or fluid containing a diazonium composition under such conditions that will effectively allow the reaction of the diazonium composition with the surface, resulting in the attachment of aromatic groups to the polymeric surface. The polymeric substrate contains aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bonds, while the protic composition is comprised of a diazonium complex formed by diazotizing an amino compound comprised of at least one amino group bonded to an aromatic group. Also disclosed are the products generated using the aforementioned surface modifications.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer-clay nanocomposite having an improved gas permeability comprising (i) a melt-processible matrix polymer, and incorporated therein (ii) a layered clay material intercalated with a mixture of at least two organic cations. The invention also relates to processes for preparing a nanocomposite and articles produced from a nanocomposite.

Abstract: This invention relates to a colorant composition comprising a layered clay material intercalated with at least one cationic colorant, optical brightener or a mixture thereof. This invention also relates to a polymer-clay nanocomposite comprising (i) a melt-processible matrix polymer, and (ii) a layered clay material intercalated with at least one cationic colorant, optical brightener or a mixture thereof, wherein the clay-cation colorant/optical brightener intercalate is incorporated into the matrix polymer. The invention further relates to articles produced from the polymer nanocomposite.

Abstract: An optical filter comprises a transparent support and a filter layer. The filter layer contains a dye and a binder polymer. The dye is in an aggregated form exhibiting an absorption maximum in the wavelength region of 750 to 1,100 nm. The support, the filter layer or an optional layer contains an ultraviolet absorbing agent represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) or the like.

Abstract: A broad class of lyotropic liquid crystals of a non-surfactant nature, the so-called lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs), are alignable with the techniques, in particular, LCLCs can be aligned at a surface as one monomolecular layer as a stack of monomolecular layers. The method for monolayer alignment is based on alternate layer-by-layer adsorption of polyions and dyes from aqueous solutions that have liquid crystalline structure. Using this method, one is able to stack alternate monolayers of dye and polyion while controlling the long-range in-plane orientation of the dye molecules within the plane of each layer. The feature of controlling the alignment of LCLCs enables one to create practical devices from them. For example, alignment of multilayered stacks allows one to use the resulting dried LCLC films in optical devices, for example, as internal polarizers, color filters, optical compensators, band-gap filters, and the like.

Abstract: A photocatalytic titanium dioxide coating composition is described, which comprises (a) finely-divided titanium dioxide particles exhibiting photocatalytic activity, (b) particles of an inorganic compound other than titanium dioxide, or particles of an organic compound convertible to particles of an inorganic compound on firing, (c) a binder, and (d) a solvent. The articles of an inorganic compound have an average particle diameter larger than that of the finely divided titanium dioxide particles and falls within the range of about 0.1 &mgr;m to about 1.0 &mgr;m. The inorganic compound particles are substantially insoluble in the solvent. The amount of the inorganic compound particles is in the range of about 0.5% to about 7% by weight based on the weight of the finely divided titanium dioxide particles. By coating a surface of a substrate with the coating composition, a coating film exhibiting excellent photocatalytic activity and no interference color is formed.

Abstract: In a friction material including a fibrous reinforcement, a friction modifier and a binder, no whisker-like potassium titanate fiber is contained, but powdery or flaky potassium titanate with an aspect ratio of not higher than 3 is mixed as a friction component. The diameter of the powdery or flaky potassium titanate is preferably in a range of from 0.05 &mgr;m to 150 &mgr;m. In addition, the powdery or flaky potassium titanate is preferably subjected to surface treatment with a silane coupling agent, phenolic resin, or the like. Further, fibrous potassium titanate may be mixed at a volume ratio of not higher than 30% with respect to the powdery or flaky potassium titanate. The fibrous potassium titanate is a by-product when the powdery or flaky potassium titanate is produced and which has a length of not longer than 5 &mgr;m or a diameter of not smaller than 3 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Poly-n-isopropylacrylamide surface coatings demonstrate the useful property of being able to switch charateristics depending upon temperature. More specifically, these coatings switch from being hydrophilic at low temperature to hydrophobic at high temperature. Research has been conducted for many years to better characterize and control the properties of temperature sensitive coatings. The present invention provides novel temperature sensitive coatings on articles and novel methods of making temperature sensitive coatings that are disposed on the surfaces of various articles. These novel coatings contain the reaction products of n-isopropylacrylamide and are characterized by their properties such as advancing contact angles. Numerous other characteristics such as coating thickness, surface roughness, and hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic transition temperatures are also described.

Abstract: An alkanethiol of formula (1):

Abstract: It is an object to satisfactorily display an image by lowering the reflectance of right-side incident light and reverse-side incident light. A reflection preventive member incorporates a transparent substrate and a multilayered reflection preventive film. The multilayered reflection preventive film incorporates a first transparent film made of a transparent film material, a first light absorptive film made of a light absorptive material having conductivity, a second transparent film made of a transparent material, a second light absorptive film made of a light absorptive material having conductivity and a third transparent film made of a transparent material.

Abstract: A highly dense chemically adsorbed film is formed by repeating the alternate process of adsorption reaction and washing. Adsorption reaction is directed by contacting the substrate surface, which has or is given an alkali metal or a functional group, with a chemical adsorbent, having halosilyl or alkoxysilyl groups at the end of molecules. An unreacted chemical adsorbent is then washed away from the substrate surface. The alternate treatment of adsorption reaction and washing is repeated, thereby covalently bonding a chemically adsorbed film to the substrate surface.

Abstract: A non-asbestos friction material is made by molding and curing a composition comprising a fibrous base, an inorganic filler, an organic filler and a binder. The inorganic filler, typically zirconium silicate, has a 90% particle size of 0.1 to 8 &mgr;m, a Mohs hardness of 6 to 8, and accounts for 0.1 to 10% by volume of the overall composition. The friction material is useful as brake linings and has a high braking effectiveness in normal use, a small speed spread, low change over time in braking effectiveness, and can prevent morning effect and jerky low-speed braking.

Abstract: A color-developing composite short fiber having a length of 0.01 to 100 mm is obtained by cutting a color-developing short fiber capable of reflecting visible rays and interfering with visible rays consisting of two or more kinds or polymer compounds having different refractive indices which are laminated alternately. A color-developing structure is formed by binding particles of the short fiber to one another, dispersing the short fiber in a mixture with other materials or adhering the short fiber on the surface of a support. Further, a color-developing composite short fiber having a length of 0.01 to 100 mm is obtained by cutting a color-developing composite fiber comprising two or more polymer compounds having different refractive indices which are laminated alternately forming a layer capable of reflecting visible rays and interfering therewith and a layer capable of reflecting invisible rays and interfering therewith.

Abstract: Heat-shrinkable polyester films which exhibit a total light transmittance of 80% to 90% and a haze of 15% to 60%, both in a thickness of 50 &mgr;m and further exhibit a 45-degrees specular gloss of 70% or lower, so that they have frosted glass appearances without being printed or processed. Heat-shrinkable polyester films which exhibit a light transmittance of 0% to 20% at a wavelength of 380 nm and of 0% to 60% at a wavelength of 400 nm and further exhibit a haze of 15% or lower, so that they can prevent the contents of a vessel fitted therewith from being deteriorated by ultraviolet light and they have good shrinkage finish and particularly cause only rare occurrence of wrinkles, shrinkage spots, or other defects. These films are suitable for labels, particularly for labels of great product value.

Abstract: An antireflection film comprises a transparent substrate carrying on one surface a polymeric antireflection layer, this antireflection layer having a refractive index at least about 0.02 lower than that of the substrate and being formed from a cured polymer comprising repeating units derived from a fluoroalkene, an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate and a polyfunctional acrylate monomer. No inorganic antireflection layer is present between the substrate and the polymeric antireflection layer.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds having the formula: wherein Rf is CnF2n+1—(CH2)m—, wherein n is 1 to 22 and m is 0, or an integer from 1 to 3; X is —CO2—, —SO3—, —CONH—, —O—, —S— a covalent bond, —SO2NR—, or —NR—, wherein R is H or C1 to C5 alkylene; Y is —CH2— wherein z is 0 or 1; and R1 is H, lower alkyl or Rf—X—Yz— with the provisos that when X is —S—, or —O—, m is 0, sand z is 0, n is ≧7 and when X is a covalent bond, m or z is at least 1, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A multilayer synthetic packaging film includes an at least partially transparent carrier layer having opposite first and second faces and a light-absorbing absorption layer applied to the first face of the carrier layer and having a maximum thickness of 10 micron.

Abstract: A method of performing a lower temperature bonding technique to bond together two mating pieces of glass includes applying a sodium silicate aqueous solution between the two pieces.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced clay panel having low water permeability is made from a mixture of clay and primary clarifier recovered fiber, a waste material produced by pulp mills. The mixture is compressed and dried to form a panel having a rigidity like plywood and a very low coefficient of hydraulic conductivity. The panels are useful for lining and covering landfill and waste disposal sites, water-proofing basements and similar applications.

Abstract: Hydrophilic protein adsorption resistant coatings for microfluidic devices are provided. Additionally, microfluidic devices and methods of manufacturing microfluidic devices that include the coatings are provided.

Abstract: At least one monomolecule film is formed on a transparent substrate surface directly or via a protective film.