A structure containing a Sn layer or a Sn alloy layer includes a substrate, a Sn layer or Sn alloy layer formed above the substrate, and an under barrier metal formed between the substrate and the Sn layer or Sn alloy layer in the form of a single metal layer containing any one of Fe, Co, Ru and Pd, or an alloy layer containing two or more of Fe, Co, Ru and Pd.

Methods are described that include contacting an alkyl ammonium metal halide film with an alkyl ammonium halide, where the alkyl ammonium metal halide film includes a first halogen and a metal, the alkyl ammonium halide includes a second halogen, such that the contacting forms an alkyl ammonium metal mixed-halide film that interfaces with the alkyl ammonium metal halide film, where the alkyl ammonium metal mixed-halide film includes the first halogen, the second halogen, and the metal.

A flexible flat cable (FFC) includes a first insulation layer, at least one pair of conductors, a plurality of low-k dielectric layers, two second insulation layers, and at least one shielding layer. The pair of conductors is located within the first insulation layer. Each pair of conductors includes a plurality of first conductors, and the first conductors are axially extending and arranged in parallel. The low-k dielectric layers are embedded in the first insulation layer. Each of the pair of conductors or each of the first conductors is covered and surrounded with one low-k dielectric layer. The two second insulation layers are located on two surfaces of the first insulation layer. The shielding layer is located on the two second insulation layers opposite to the first insulation layer.

Provided are a vapor deposition film, a black metallic product, a vehicle interior/exterior member, a container, and a casing, which are capable of expressing a jet black metallic design having a luxurious appearance on items of various dimensions by a method simpler than a case of applying black plating and are excellent in physical properties such as light resistance. The vapor deposition film comprises: a protection layer; a decoration layer; and a vapor deposition layer, wherein the vapor deposition layer includes a metal including at least any one of indium and tin, wherein the decoration layer includes a resin and a black pigment, and wherein the black pigment includes carbon black and manganese ferrite having a spinel structure ((Fe,Mn)(Fe,Mn).sub.2O.sub.4).

Methods are described that include contacting an alkyl ammonium metal halide film with an alkyl ammonium halide, where the alkyl ammonium metal halide film includes a first halogen and a metal, the alkyl ammonium halide includes a second halogen, such that the contacting forms an alkyl ammonium metal mixed-halide film that interfaces with the alkyl ammonium metal halide film, where the alkyl ammonium metal mixed-halide film includes the first halogen, the second halogen, and the metal.

An electronic component includes an element main body and at least a pair of outer electrodes on the element main body. The outer electrodes each include an underlying electrode layer positioned so as to be in contact with the element main body and a plating layer positioned so as to be in contact with the underlying electrode layer. The plating layer includes a NiSn alloy plating layer positioned so as to be in contact with the underlying electrode layer.

An article includes at least one layer including a transparent portion and at least one metal portion; and a color-rendering layer; wherein the at least one metal portion is positioned in the article to provide reflection of incident light; and wherein the transparent portion is dimensioned to allow at least some incident light to pass through. A method of making an article is also disclosed.

A thin diamond film bonded to a diamond substrate made by the process of heating a diamond substrate inside a vacuum chamber to about 500 C., cooling the diamond substrate, coating a first surface of the diamond substrate with chromium, depositing an initial layer of palladium, heating the diamond substrate, allowing the chromium and the diamond substrate to form a chemical bond, inter-diffusing the adhesion layer of chromium and the initial layer of palladium, cooling, depositing palladium, placing a shadow mask, degassing the vacuum, depositing a tin layer, assembling the tin layer, heating the tin layer, melting the tin layer, and bonding the thin diamond film to the diamond substrate. A thin diamond film bonded to a diamond substrate comprising a thin diamond film, a layer of chromium, palladium, tin, and a diamond substrate.

Systems, methods and devices to inhibit sensing reduction in imperfect sensing conditions are described. A multifunctional coating superposing a lens includes a self-cleaning layer and a heating layer. The self-cleaning layer defines an external surface configured to be exposed to an exterior environment. The external surface defines three-dimensional surface features thereon. The three-dimensional surface features are adjacently disposed arcuate features that inhibit adhering of solid particles to the external surface and wetting of the external surface. The heating layer is in thermal communication with the external surface. The heating layer is selectively actuated to provide thermal energy to the external surface through resistive heating. Each of the self-cleaning layer and the heating layer is transparent to a predetermined wavelength of light.

Provided is a transparent conductor including a transparent resin substrate, a first metal oxide layer, a metal layer containing a silver alloy, and a second metal oxide layer laminated in the order presented, wherein the second metal oxide layer contains zinc oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, and tin oxide.