A kinetically limited micro-scale diffusion bond between sapphire as an optically transparent insulating ceramic and titanium as an opaque conductive metal is provided. The diffusion bond is formed using an electromagnetic beam emanating from a Gaussian-Bessel laser. The micro-scale diffusion bond has a thickness that is greater than 1 micron, and preferably greater than 4 microns, with a weld width that is greater than 45 microns. Importantly, the diffusion bond is spaced from and intermediate undisturbed portions of the optically transparent ceramic and the opaque conductive metal.

A combined material honeycomb core and methods of manufacture are presented. The combined material honeycomb core comprises a plurality of cells arranged in columns and rows formed of multiple materials, the multiple materials comprising a metallic material and either a second metallic material or a non-metallic material.

An embodiment relates to an ultrasonic additive manufacturing process, comprising joining a foil comprising a bulk metallic glass to a substrate; and forming a cladded composite comprising the foil and the substrate; wherein a thickness of the cladded composite is greater than a critical casting thickness of the bulk metallic glass, wherein the cladded composite comprises a cladding layer of the bulk metallic glass on the substrate and the bulk metallic glass comprises approximately 0% crystallinity, approximately 0% porosity, less than 50 MPa thermal stress, approximately 0% distortion, approximately 0 inch heat affected zone, approximately 0% dilution, and a strength of about 2,000-3,500 MPa.

A paddle includes a core and at least one metallic lattice structure coupled to the core.

A multilayer foam film with an enhanced perceived surface whiteness comprising for light-blocking, signage, and general packaging application is disclosed. In an embodiment, the film has a bulk density of less than 0.962 gr/cm.sup.3 wherein more than 50% of the cells in the foam layer are closed cells. In an embodiment, the multilayer foam film has a thickness greater than 1 mil and one of the solid skin layers contains white pigment. In another embodiment the white skin layer has a skin whiteness value of greater than 80 according to ASTM E313-73, and a skin layer tint value of less than 1 according to ASTM E313-73, and The lightness value (L*) of the white skin layer of greater than 90 in CIE L*a*b* dimension according to ASTM E308. In an embodiment, the film has a very smooth surface with a smoothness value of less than 25 in Sheffield smoothness unit configuration according to TAPPI T 538.

The insertion of an ultra-thin sublayer of intentionally oxygen-doped aluminum nitride can drastically improve the adhesion between an intentionally stoichiometrically deposited aluminum nitride and a silver functional layer of a low-emissivity solar-control structure. A similar sublayer, optionally disposed above the functional layer, can improve the adhesion between the silver and top layers of the structure. Additional benefits of inserting the aluminum-oxy-nitride include an improved smoothness of the interface, reduced electron scattering, and better performance of the structure in both visible and infrared spectral regions.

The present invention relates to a photovoltaic module backsheet, comprising photovoltaic module backsheet comprising, in order: a functional layer; a connecting layer; and a weather-resistant layer, wherein each layer of the backsheet comprises at least 50 wt. % polyolefin and the backsheet is free of fluorinated polymers, characterized in that: i) the functional layer comprises a blend of polyethylene and a polyethylene copolymer; and ii) the weather-resistant layer comprises polypropylene; a UV stabilizer; a primary antioxidant, which primary antioxidant is a phenolic antioxidant or an aromatic amine antioxidant; and secondary antioxidant, which secondary antioxidant is a trivalent phosphorus containing antioxidant or a thioether containing antioxidant. The present invention also relates to a process for producing the backsheet and a photovoltaic module comprising the backsheet according to the present invention.

Bulk materials having a kinetically limited nano-scale diffusion bond is provided. The bulk materials having a kinetically limited nano-scale diffusion bond includes transparent material, absorbent opaque material and a diffusion bond. The transparent material has properties that allow an electromagnetic beam of a select wavelength to pass there through without more than minimal energy absorption. The absorbent opaque material has properties that significantly absorb energy from the electromagnetic beam. The diffusion bond is formed by the electromagnetic beam bonding the transparent material to the absorbent opaque material. Moreover, the diffusion bond has a thickness that is less than 1000 nm.

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of aluminum-plastic film production and discloses a metal composite film comprising an outer substrate resin layer, an intermediate metal layer and a heat-fusible resin layer; an anti-corrosion layer is formed on a side of the intermediate metal layer, the side being in contact with the heat-fusible resin layer; the anti-corrosion layer is formed of an anti-corrosion solution by coating or heat treatment; the components of the anti-corrosion solution include a trivalent chromium compound, an inorganic acid and an organic resin; the components of the anti-corrosion solution may further include a titanate; the components of the anti-corrosion solution may further include a fluoride. The use of the formula for the anti-corrosion solution within the range defined above in the present disclosure can significantly improve the initial peel strength of the intermediate metal layer and the heat-fusible resin layer of the metal composite film.

The present disclosure relates to a curved wall comprising an alternation of metal and composite layers, and to a method to produce it. The metal layer is made of aligned metal strips and can thus conform to any shape of the curved wall.