The present invention is a metallic wire rod comprising iridium or an iridium-containing alloy and, the wire rod has in the cross section thereof biaxial crystal orientation of 50% or more of abundance proportion of textures in which crystallographic orientation has preferred orientation to <100> direction. In the present invention, crystal orientation in the outer periphery from semicircle of the cross section which is the periphery of the wire rod is important, and in this zone, abundance proportion of textures in which crystallographic orientation has preferred orientation to <100> direction is preferably not less than 50%.

The present invention is a metallic wire rod comprising iridium or an iridium-containing alloy and, the wire rod has in the cross section thereof biaxial crystal orientation of 50% or more of abundance proportion of textures in which crystallographic orientation has preferred orientation to <100> direction. In the present invention, crystal orientation in the outer periphery from semicircle of the cross section which is the periphery of the wire rod is important, and in this zone, abundance proportion of textures in which crystallographic orientation has preferred orientation to <100> direction is preferably not less than 50%.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of shielding apparatus or assemblies having a frame with drawn latching features or portions that are configured for removably attaching a cover to the frame. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a shielding apparatus suitable for use in providing electromagnetic interference shielding for one or more electrical components on a substrate. In this example, the shielding apparatus generally includes a cover and a frame. The cover includes one or more openings. The frame includes a top surface and sidewalls configured to be disposed generally about one or more electrical components on a substrate. The frame is partly drawn in construction such that the frame includes one or more drawn latching features or portions configured to be engaged within the one or more openings of the cover to thereby releasably attach the cover to the frame.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of shielding apparatus or assemblies having a frame with drawn latching features or portions that are configured for removably attaching a cover to the frame. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a shielding apparatus suitable for use in providing electromagnetic interference shielding for one or more electrical components on a substrate. In this example, the shielding apparatus generally includes a cover and a frame. The cover includes one or more openings. The frame includes a top surface and sidewalls configured to be disposed generally about one or more electrical components on a substrate. The frame is partly drawn in construction such that the frame includes one or more drawn latching features or portions configured to be engaged within the one or more openings of the cover to thereby releasably attach the cover to the frame.

A multi-walled tube that is useful as an analytical column in which chemical mixtures can be separated into their individual components is described. In order to be acceptable as an analytical column, the inner surface of the multi-walled tube must support effective separation, but not react chemically with or contaminate the solvent or the analyte (sample to be separated). Grade 316 stainless steel is typically preferred for this purpose. Moreover, the inner diameter (ID) surface of the multi-walled column is preferably very smooth (less than 10 micro inch Ra) with no interruptions in the surface such as scratches, pits, or asperities. However, since the column is designed to be attached to chromatographic equipment using standard size connection features, the size of standard fittings define the outer diameter (OD) of the column.

A die apparatus for forming a press-formed component includes a piercing die, a piercing punch, and a support. The piercing die includes a tubular first forming portion for forming a boss portion and a second forming portion having a cutting edge and an inwardly extending portion. The second forming portion is adapted to perform pressing of a preform while cutting a portion thereof. A cutting edge which cooperates with the cutting edge of the second forming portion is formed at a distal end of the piercing punch. When forming a press-formed component, a projection end portion of a preform formed from a blank by drawing is cut and removed by the two cutting edges, and a preform boss portion is then pressed and swaged by the inwardly extending portion.

A die apparatus for forming a press-formed component includes a piercing die, a piercing punch, and a support. The piercing die includes a tubular first forming portion for forming a boss portion and a second forming portion having a cutting edge and an inwardly extending portion. The second forming portion is adapted to perform pressing of a preform while cutting a portion thereof. A cutting edge which cooperates with the cutting edge of the second forming portion is formed at a distal end of the piercing punch. When forming a press-formed component, a projection end portion of a preform formed from a blank by drawing is cut and removed by the two cutting edges, and a preform boss portion is then pressed and swaged by the inwardly extending portion.

There is provided an irregularly-shaped diamond die for producing an irregularly-shaped wire, wherein a processing hole is provided, the processing hole having a reduction portion and a bearing portion in this order from an upstream side in a wire drawing direction, a corner portion having a curved shape and a non-corner portion located at a position different from a position of the corner portion are provided in a cross section of the bearing portion perpendicular to the wire drawing direction, and a surface roughness of the corner portion is greater than a surface roughness of the non-corner portion. The surface roughness Sa of the corner portion is equal to or less than 0.30 m and the surface roughness Sa of the non-corner portion is equal to or less than 0.20 m.

There is provided an irregularly-shaped diamond die for producing an irregularly-shaped wire, wherein a processing hole is provided, the processing hole having a reduction portion and a bearing portion in this order from an upstream side in a wire drawing direction, a corner portion having a curved shape and a non-corner portion located at a position different from a position of the corner portion are provided in a cross section of the bearing portion perpendicular to the wire drawing direction, and a surface roughness of the corner portion is greater than a surface roughness of the non-corner portion. The surface roughness Sa of the corner portion is equal to or less than 0.30 m and the surface roughness Sa of the non-corner portion is equal to or less than 0.20 m.

Optimization techniques are disclosed for producing sharp and stable tips/nanotips relying on liquid Taylor cones created from electrically conductive materials with high melting points. A wire substrate of such a material with a preform end in the shape of a regular or concave cone, is first melted with a focused laser beam. Under the influence of a high positive potential, a Taylor cone in a liquid/molten state is formed at that end. The cone is then quenched upon cessation of the laser power, thus freezing the Taylor cone. The tip of the frozen Taylor cone is reheated by the laser to allow its precise localized melting and shaping. Tips thus obtained yield desirable end-forms suitable as electron field emission sources for a variety of applications. In-situ regeneration of the tip is readily accomplished. These tips can also be employed as regenerable bright ion sources using field ionization/desorption of introduced chemical species.