In various embodiments, bilayers are formed in electronic devices at least in part by anodization of metal-alloy base layers.

An improved thin film optical interference apparatus, methods of use and of manufacture are provided, the apparatus comprising means for generating optical interference colours directly on the surface of a single layer of anodized metal. The interference colours generated by the presently improved apparatus can be used to indicate the presence of at least one organic compound or analyte.

Subjecting an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate to anti-corrosion and anti-wear treatment that is applicable in particular in the field of aviation for protecting certain mechanical parts of airplanes or helicopters that are subjected simultaneously to corrosion and to wear, including applying to the substrate, a sol-gel treatment step forming a sol-gel layer; and after the sol-gel treatment step, a hard oxidation step forming a hard oxide layer.

A porous region structure and a method of fabrication thereof are disclosed. The porous region structure is characterized by having a hard mask interface region with non-uniform pores sealed and thereby excluded functionally from the structure. The sealing of the hard mask interface region is done using a hard mask deposited on top of an anodization hard mask used to define the porous region of the structure. By excluding the hard mask interface region, the porosity ratio and the equivalent specific surface of the porous region structure can be controlled or quantified with higher accuracy. Corrosion due to exposure of an underlying metal layer of the structure is also significantly reduced by sealing the hard mask interface region.

A composition for selective anodization, comprising the substances amidosulphuric acid, magnesium sulphate and concentrated sulphuric acid as a base electrolyte and additionally sodium stannate and/or molybdenum oxide. A corresponding method of selectively anodizing a substrate or workpiece includes providing a substrate having a surface which is to be selectively coated, where the substrate is arranged in a tool and forms a coating cell, selectively bathing the surface with the composition for selective anodization, and applying an electric current between substrate (anode) and tool (cathode) for selective anodization of the surface.

Methods and structures for forming anodization layers that protect and cosmetically enhance metal surfaces are described. In some embodiments, methods involve forming an anodization layer on an underlying metal that permits an underlying metal surface to be viewable. In some embodiments, methods involve forming a first anodization layer and an adjacent second anodization layer on an angled surface, the interface between the two anodization layers being regular and uniform. Described are photomasking techniques and tools for providing sharply defined corners on anodized and texturized patterns on metal surfaces. Also described are techniques and tools for providing anodizing resistant components in the manufacture of electronic devices.

A method of patterning a layer of superconductor material comprises: forming a mask over the layer of superconductor material, the mask having at least one opening; depositing a layer of anodizable metal in the at least one opening, over a portion of the layer of superconductor material; removing the mask; and performing anodic oxidation, whereby the layer of anodizable metal protects the portion of the layer of the superconductor material from the anodic oxidation. The superconductor material is aluminium. The method allows for patterning of the superconductor material without the use of a chemical etch. This may in turn allow for improvements in resolution, and/or may avoid damage to further components or interfaces between components which may be present during the patterning. Also provided are the use of a titanium layer to protect an aluminium layer from anodic oxidation, and a semiconductor-superconductor hybrid device obtainable by the method.

At least one embodiment relates to a method for transforming at least part of a valve metal layer into a template that includes a plurality of spaced channels aligned longitudinally along a first direction. The method includes a first anodization step that includes anodizing the valve metal layer in a thickness direction to form a porous layer that includes a plurality of channels. Each channel has channel walls and a channel bottom. The channel bottom is coated with a first insulating metal oxide barrier layer as a result of the first anodization step. The method also includes a protective treatment. Further, the method includes a second anodization step after the protective treatment. The second anodization step substantially removes the first insulating metal oxide barrier layer, induces anodization, and creates a second insulating metal oxide barrier layer. In addition, the method includes an etching step.

A method for manufacturing an electrical device that includes: anodizing a portion of an anodizable metal layer so as to obtain an anodic porous oxide region and an anodizable metal region adjoining the anodic porous oxide region, the anodic porous oxide region being thicker than the anodizable metal region; depositing a layer of liner material on the anodic porous oxide region and on the anodizable metal region; depositing a layer of filler material on the layer of liner material to obtain a stacked structure having a top surface; planarizing the stacked structure from a top surface thereof until reaching the layer of the liner material, so as to expose a portion of liner material located above at least a portion of the anodic porous oxide region; and removing the exposed portion of liner material.

Methods are provided for modifying a porous surface of an implantable medical device by subjecting the porous surface to a modified micro-arc oxidation process to improve the ability of the medical device to resist microbial growth, to improve the ability of the medical device to adsorb a bioactive agent or a therapeutic agent, and to improve tissue in-growth and tissue on-growth of the implantable medical device.