Methods are provided for forming a particular multi-layer micron-sized particle that is substantially transparent, yet that exhibits selectable coloration based on its physical properties. The disclosed physical properties of the particle are controllably selectable refractive indices to provide an opaque-appearing energy transmissive material when pluralities of the particles are suspended in a substantially transparent matrix material. Multiply-layered (up to 30+ constituent layers) particles result in an overall particle diameter of less than 5 microns. The material suspensions render the particles deliverable as aspirated or aerosol compositions onto substrates to form layers that selectively scatter specific wavelengths of electromagnetic energy while allowing remaining wavelengths of the incident energy to pass. The disclosed particles and material compositions uniquely implement optical light scattering techniques in energy (or light) transmissive layers that appear selectively opaque, while allowing 80+% of the energy impinging on the light incident side to pass through the layers.

A spray application system and a method of its operation are provided for applying a spray treatment onto a surface of an airframe of an aircraft. The spray application system includes a set of multiple modular hood units that are combinable to form a combined enclosure that defines a shared interior volume. Each modular hood unit of the set includes one or more enclosure walls. At least two airframe-interfacing edges of each modular hood unit define a portion of a spray treatment region of the airframe. At least one inter-unit-interfacing edge of each modular hood unit is configured to interface with another inter-unit-interfacing edge of a neighboring modular hood unit of the set to form at least a portion of the combined enclosure. A spray access port is defined within an enclosure wall of each modular hood unit.

A spray application system and a method of its operation are provided for applying a spray treatment onto a surface of an airframe of an aircraft. The spray application system includes a set of multiple modular hood units that are combinable to form a combined enclosure that defines a shared interior volume. Each modular hood unit of the set includes one or more enclosure walls. At least two airframe-interfacing edges of each modular hood unit define a portion of a spray treatment region of the airframe. At least one inter-unit-interfacing edge of each modular hood unit is configured to interface with another inter-unit-interfacing edge of a neighboring modular hood unit of the set to form at least a portion of the combined enclosure. A spray access port is defined within an enclosure wall of each modular hood unit.

Disclosed herein is a method for covalent immobilization of molecular compounds on a substrate surface, comprising the steps: Providing a substrate surface; Treating the substrate surface with a plasma at atmospheric pressure, thereby generating an activated surface site; Exposing at least the activated surface site, or some fraction of the activated surface site, to molecular compounds, thereby establishing a covalent bond between the molecular compounds and the substrate surface.

Disclosed herein is a method for covalent immobilization of molecular compounds on a substrate surface, comprising the steps: Providing a substrate surface; Treating the substrate surface with a plasma at atmospheric pressure, thereby generating an activated surface site; Exposing at least the activated surface site, or some fraction of the activated surface site, to molecular compounds, thereby establishing a covalent bond between the molecular compounds and the substrate surface.

A water-repellent structure includes: a base material; and a water-repellent layer located on a surface of the base material. The water-repellent layer contains water-repellent particles and filler particles having an average particle size that is 20 times or more as large as an average particle size of the water-repellent particles.

A substrate processing method includes performing a developing processing on a substrate. The developing processing includes supplying a developing liquid on a surface of the substrate to form a liquid film of the developing liquid on the surface of the substrate; maintaining the liquid film on the surface such that development progresses; and performing, during the maintaining of the liquid film, a first processing of supplying a gas to an inner region located at an inner side than a peripheral region on the surface of the substrate and a second processing of supplying an adjusting liquid configured to suppress progress of the development on the peripheral region to adjust a degree of the development between the peripheral region and the inner region. The second processing is started after a start time of the first processing, and the second processing is ended after an end time of the first processing.

A substrate processing method includes performing a developing processing on a substrate. The developing processing includes supplying a developing liquid on a surface of the substrate to form a liquid film of the developing liquid on the surface of the substrate; maintaining the liquid film on the surface such that development progresses; and performing, during the maintaining of the liquid film, a first processing of supplying a gas to an inner region located at an inner side than a peripheral region on the surface of the substrate and a second processing of supplying an adjusting liquid configured to suppress progress of the development on the peripheral region to adjust a degree of the development between the peripheral region and the inner region. The second processing is started after a start time of the first processing, and the second processing is ended after an end time of the first processing.

A spray coating system includes a spraying robot sized to fit within a conduit. The spraying robot includes arms that extend outward and retract inward to maintain contact with an interior surface of the conduit. The spraying robot is configured to be coupled with hoses that separately supply different fluids to the spraying robot. The spraying robot includes a spray head from which a compound formed from the fluids is sprayed onto the interior surface of the conduit. The spraying robot is configured to be pulled through the conduit and/or self-propel in the conduit to spray the compound onto the interior surface of the conduit and form a coating thereon.

Tunable multi-layer thermoplastic polymer sealants and tunable two-layer conductive thermoplastic polymer sealants, and substrates and assemblies comprising the tunable multi-layer sealants; and edge seals and fillet seals produced comprising such sealants; and substrates, components and objects comprising the tunable edge seals and fillet seals, and methods for making and applying such edge seals and fillet seals are disclosed.