The invention relates to three-dimensional crystalline foams with high surface areas, high lithium capacity, and high conductivity for use as electrode materials and methods for their fabrication. In additional embodiments, the invention also relates to the use of three-dimensional crystalline foams as supercapacitors for improved charge and energy storage.

A high-strength coating for dental and orthopedic implants utilizing hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles provides for a high level of osseointegration through a range of surface pore sizes in the micro- to nanoscale. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles may be incorporated with the HAp nanoparticles to form a composite coating material, with ZnO providing infection resistance due to its inherent antimicrobial properties. A textured surface, consisting of islands of roughly square coating structures measuring about 250 m on a side, with spacing of 50-100 m therebetween, may further promote the osseointegration and antimicrobial properties of the implant coating.

A sol-gel method for forming durable, scratch-resistant coatings on glass substrates. Zirconia coatings, for example, are formed from a solution of zirconium oxychloride octahydrate in an organic, polar, aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide. Annealed coatings, which optionally include an additive such as graphene, have a low coefficient of friction and can exhibit high hardness and hydrophobicity.

Chemically and mechanically protective oxide film was formed on Mg alloys using micro-arc oxidation (MAO) methods. Further modification of the obtained MAO surfaces was made in various aspects and the processes thereof were described. Firstly, the protection is enhanced by forming super-hydrophobic surfaces, with water contact angle higher than 140, attributed to hierarchical nano-micro structures. Secondly, the electrical property of the MAO surfaces is modified. A film with sheet resistance as low as 0.05 /sq is achieved by electro-less Ni deposition on MAO surfaces. Thirdly, black colors are achieved by the sol-gel process on MAO samples.

The invention relates to a thermal spray powder on a tungsten carbide basis, as well as to a method for the manufacture of such a spray powder for the thermal coating of a substrate, in particular for the thermal coating of a brake disc for a vehicle. In accordance with the invention, the spray powder includes, apart from impurities, WC in the range of 60% to 75% by weight, Cr.sub.3C.sub.2 in the range of 14% to 22% by weight and Ni in the range of 11% to 23% by weight. The invention further relates to a sub-strate, in particular for a brake disc having a thermal spray layer on a tungsten carbide basis, as well as to a method for the manufacture of a thermal spray layer on a substrate.

A composite of metal and resin and a manufacturing method require a metal piece and a resin piece, and the surface of the metal piece is etched to include a number of micropores. Each micropore includes a first inclined hole and a second inclined hole, the first inclined hole and the second inclined hole diverging from each other below the surface of the metal piece. The first inclined hole and the second inclined hole extend downwards from a common starting hole which is symmetric around an axis perpendicular to the surface of the metal piece. The resin is embedded in the micropores to combine with the metal piece, where the bonding strength of the composite of metal and resin is increased.

The invention relates to a method for obtaining a magnesium fluoride (MgF.sub.2) sol solution, comprising the steps of providing a magnesium alkoxide precursor in a non-aqueous solvent and adding 1.85 to 2.05 molar equivalents of non-aqueous hydrofluoric acid to said magnesium precursor, characterized in that the reaction proceeds in the presence of carbon dioxide. The invention further relates to sol solutions, method of applying the sol solutions of the invention to surfaces as a coating, and to antireflective coatings obtained thereby.

A composite of metal and resin is provided. The composite of metal and resin includes a metal piece and a resin piece, and the surface of the metal piece includes a number of micropores. Each micropore includes a first inclining hole and a second inclining hole, and the first inclining hole and the second inclining hole are disposed inclined with the surface of the metal piece. The first inclining hole and the second inclining hole are disposed symmetrical around an axis perpendicular to the surface of the metal piece, and communicate with each other on the surface of the metal piece. The resin piece is embedded to the micropores to combine with the metal piece. The bonding strength of the composite of metal and resin is increased. A method of manufacturing the composite of metal and resin is also provided.

The invention relates to a coating composition for making a porous inorganic oxide coating layer on a substrate, the composition comprising an inorganic oxide precursor as binder, a solvent, and a synthetic polyampholyte as pore forming agent. The size of the pores in the coating can be advantageously controlled by the comonomer composition of the polyampholyte, and/or by selecting conditions like temperature, pH, salt concentration, and solvent composition when making the composition. The invention also relates to a method of making such coating composition, to a process of applying a coating on a substrate using such composition, and to such coated substrate showing a specific combination of optical and mechanical properties.

A method includes forming a ceramic member that has a plurality of closed pores within a ceramic matrix. The forming includes compacting a ceramic powder to form intra-particle pores between particles of the ceramic powder, and sintering the compacted ceramic powder to cause diffusion of the ceramic powder and formation of the ceramic matrix. The diffusion does not fill the intra-particle pores and leaves the closed pores.