An example device includes a nanovoided polymer element, which may be located at least in part between the electrodes. In some examples, the nanovoided polymer element may include anisotropic voids, including a gas, and separated from each other by polymer walls. The device may be an electroactive device, such as an actuator having a response time for a transition between actuation states. The gas may have a characteristic diffusion time (e.g., to diffuse half the mean wall thickness through the polymer walls) that is less than the response time. The nanovoids may be sufficiently small (e.g., below 1 micron in diameter or an analogous dimension), and/or the polymer walls may be sufficiently thin, such that the gas interchange between gas in the voids and gas absorbed by the polymer walls may occur faster than the response time, and in some examples, effectively instantaneously.

A composition and method for spray-applying a two-part, self-setting composition containing a structural reinforcement component that is particularly adapted for delivering the components of the composition at a temperature that promotes their spray application as well as a self-setting reaction. The method includes selecting a self-setting compound that is adapted for curing in place once applied, the self-setting compound including at least one reinforcing material; and applying the compound to a substrate. Alternately, a self-curing compound includes a multi-part compound which, upon a mixing of the parts, chemically reacts and cures, and at least one reinforcing material dispersed into at least one of the parts, wherein the reinforcing material enhances the strength of the coating upon application of the compound.

A composition comprising nano- or micro-particles grafted onto a surface are disclosed. Process of preparing the compositions and methods of using the same, such as for anti-fogging, anti-fouling and anti-scratching are provided.

The present application discloses a method of forming a hydrogel-coated substrate, wherein the hydrogel has antifouling and antimicrobial properties. The method comprises applying an aqueous pre-hydrogel solution to a substrate, polymerizing the aqueous pre-hydrogel solution, thereby forming a coated substrate having a conformal hydrogel coating and a non-conformal hydrogel coating, contacting the coated substrate with a swelling agent, and removing the non-conformal hydrogel coating from the coated substrate, thereby leaving the conformal hydrogel coating on the substrate to form the hydrogel-coated substrate. The aqueous pre-hydrogel solution comprises a monomer with antimicrobial activity, a monomer with antifouling activity, and either a polymer, oligomer, or macromer which, when polymerized together, form a hydrogel. Also disclosed is a coated substrate and a hydrogel coating.

A method for providing a textured surface finish to a substrate includes providing an image having a contrast ratio; altering the image to increase the contrast ratio; determining an engraving profile for an ink transfer tool based on the contrast ratio of the image; etching the ink transfer tool in accordance with the engraving profile; coating the ink transfer tool with an ink; transferring the ink from the ink transfer tool to a substrate; applying a top coat to the substrate while the ink is set; and curing the ink and top coat on the substrate in an oven. The etching creates a plurality of wells in the ink transfer tool for holding the ink. The engraving profile is not identical to the altered image.

The invention relates to a hydrolysable binder based on an ABAB type polysiloxane copolymer suitable for the preparation of coating compositions with an improved anti-adhesive and/or dirt-repellent surface.

One variation of a method for fabricating a dermal heatsink includes: fabricating a substrate defining an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and an open network of pores extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface; activating surfaces of the substrate and walls of the open network of pores; applying a coating over the substrate to form a heatsink, the coating comprising a porous, hydrophilic material and defining a void network; removing an excess of the coating from the substrate to clear blockages within the open network of pores by the coating; hydrating the heatsink during a curing period; heating the heatsink during the curing period to increase porosity of the coating applied over surfaces of the substrate; and rinsing the heatsink with an acid to decarbonate the coating along walls of the open network of pores in the substrate.

Described are electrochromic films produced by low temperature condensation of polyoxometalates and applications thereof. A method of producing an electrochromic film includes depositing a polyoxometalate (POM) solution on a substrate to form a POM film. The POM solution includes anionic POM clusters and counter ions, and may be doped with near-infrared plasmonic nanocrystals. The film is chemically cured using an acid to condense the POM clusters within the POM film. Another method of producing an electrochromic film includes electrochemical deposition and condensation of POM clusters.

The present disclosure relates to processes for derivatizing a reactive pentafluorophenyl surface of a substrate with a covalently bonded thin film of poly(methylsilester sesquioxane)-bonded polymers as a platform for the synthesis of a biomolecule array. These processes can also be used to prepare a surface of a substrate for an in situ solid-phase synthesis of biomolecule array.

Base coats, methods of using base coats, and methods of producing base coats are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of producing a base coat includes forming a CPO intermediate and a color intermediate. The CPO intermediate includes a chlorinated polyolefin at from about 5 to about 20 weight percent, based on a total weight of the CPO intermediate, as well as a CPO solvent. The color intermediate includes a color imparting additive and a color solvent that is different than the CPO solvent. The CPO intermediate and the color intermediate are combined to form the base coat, where the base coat includes from about 1 to about 3 weight percent chlorinated polyolefin and from about 5 to about 30 weight percent solids, based on a total weight of the base coat.