A method for selective metallization includes: selectively adsorbing catalytic nanoparticles onto an imprint mold to form a selectively adsorbed catalytic nanoparticle (SACN) mold; using the SACN mold in an imprinting process to synchronously transfer a pattern and the catalytic nanoparticles onto a film; separating the film from the SACN mold; and selectively depositing metal onto the film based on the pattern transferred to the film.

A method of creating a selectively plated three-dimensional thermoplastic part. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a film of uncured polycarbonate film having a hardcoated layer on a first surface thereof; b) selectively catalyzing the polycarbonate film by depositing a catalyst in a desired pattern on the first surface of the polycarbonate film; c) thermoforming the polycarbonate film to form a three-dimensional polycarbonate film; d) UV-curing the hardcoated polycarbonate film by irradiating the film with UV rays; e) molding the hardcoated polycarbonate film to produce a three-dimensional molded part comprising the hardcoated polycarbonate film; f) activating the selectively catalyzed hardcoated polycarbonate film; and g) plating a metal layer on the catalyzed portions of the hardcoated polycarbonate film, wherein the plated metal only deposits on the catalyzed portions of the hardcoated polycarbonate film.

A plasma treatment method is provided. The method includes generating a planar plasma in a plasma treatment chamber, observing an effective influence region of the planar plasma by using an optical observation system in which an observation lens has a transparent substrate and a fluorescent coating thereon, adjusting a location of the observation lens to observe a brightness change of the fluorescent coating and the transparent substrate to obtain a location and a thickness range of the effective influence region of the planar plasma, and then adjusting a location of the observation lens to observe a brightness change of the fluorescent coating and the transparent substrate to obtain a location and a thickness range of the effective influence region of the planar plasma. A location of a sample is adjusted to within the effective influence region, and a plasma treatment is then performed on the sample.

The present invention provides for depositing a desired pattern (31) of magnetic material (30) on a non-magnetic substrate (20). Control of the deposition pattern (31) is achieved by use of a magnetised template (10) shaped to correspond to the desired deposition pattern. In use, the template (10) is placed behind the substrate (20). Subsequently, the front surface of the substrate (20) is exposed to a solution containing the magnetic material (30) to be deposited. The magnetic material (30) is attracted to the magnetised template (10) and consequently is deposited in a pattern (31) covering areas corresponding to the shape of the template (10).

The present invention relates to methods and systems that utilize a catalyst or thin metal film by atomic level deposition (ALD) of one or more metals that allows fine traces deposition to the trench formed in a dielectric material, thereby minimizing potential physical damage due to embedded conductor format and making the fine space between traces to prevent electromigration in the traces.

A plasma treatment apparatus and a plasma treatment method are provided. The apparatus includes a chamber, a planar plasma-generating electrode, a sample suspension and holding system, and an optical observation system. The chamber defines a processing inner chamber, and the top portion of the chamber has a window. The planar plasma-generating electrode is located in the processing inner chamber for generating a planar plasma. The sample suspension and holding system is disposed opposite to the planar plasma-generating electrode in the processing inner chamber to suspend and hold a sample. The optical observation system is located in the processing inner chamber adjacent to the sample suspension and holding system to measure the thickness range of a planar plasma effective influence region through the window of the chamber.

A method of forming a patterned metal unit on an article. The method includes the steps of: providing an article that has an insulating surface; transferring a catalyst layer onto the insulating surface of the article, the catalyst layer including a catalytic material; removing a part of the catalyst layer to form a patterned catalyst layer; and forming a patterned metal layer on the patterned catalyst layer by an electroless plating technique to obtain a patterned metal unit that is constituted by the patterned catalyst layer and the patterned metal layer.

The present invention relates to a fuel hose made from a metal-plated elastomer and to a method for its manufacturing.

The invention pertains to an electric circuit comprising a flexible conductor made from a metallized elastomer possessing electrical conductivity and ability to retain the same under strain/bending, to a method of conducting electrical current through said flexible conductor, to the use of the same as electro-conductive part in flexible displays, wearable electronics, conformable sensors and actuators, and to devices comprising the same.

The instant disclosure provides a self-adsorbed catalyst composition, a method for preparing the self-adsorbed catalyst composition and a method for manufacturing an electroless plating substrate. The self-adsorbed catalyst composition includes colloidal nanoparticles and a silane compound. The colloidal nanoparticles include palladium nanoparticles and capping agents enclosing the palladium nanoparticles. The silane compound has at least an amino group, and an interaction is established between the amino group of the silane compound and the colloidal nanoparticle.