A method is provided for metallisation of non-conductive substrates providing a high adhesion of the deposited metal to the substrate material and thereby forming a durable bond. The method applies a metal oxide adhesion promoter which is activated and then metal plated. The method provides high adhesion of the non-conductive substrate to the plated metal layer.

Provided are a compound, including metal atoms for forming metal nano particles through a simple process within a short time at a low production cost for commercial purposes, and a solution including the compound.

The present disclosure relates to a method for chemical vapour deposition on a substrate, the method comprising a precursor step and a reactant step, wherein the precursor step comprises chemisorbing a layer of precursor molecules on the substrate (170), and wherein the reactant step comprises adding to at least part of the substrate (170) surface species able to reduce the precursor molecule, whereby at least a part of the reduced precursor molecule is deposited on the substrate (170) surface, characterized by applying by means of a voltage source (130) a positive bias to at least part of the substrate (170) surface during at least part of the reactant step, wherein the step of adding the reducing species comprises providing by means of an electron source (150) electrons as free particles, whereby during the reactant step a closed electrical circuit is formed as the free electrons are transmitted to the substrate (170) surface.

Embodiments relate to surface treating a substrate, spraying precursor onto the substrate using supercritical carrier fluid, and post-treating the substrate sprayed with the precursor to form a layer with nanometer thickness of material on the substrate. A spraying assembly for spraying the precursor includes one or more spraying modules and one or more radical injectors at one or more sides of the spraying module. A differential spread mechanism is provided between the spraying module and the radical injectors to inject spread gas that isolates the sprayed precursor and radicals generated by the radical injectors. As relative movement between the substrate and the spraying assembly is made, portions of the substrate is exposed to first radicals, sprayed with precursors either one of the spraying modules or both spraying modules using supercritical carrier fluid, and then exposed to second radicals again.

Embodiments relate to surface treating a substrate, spraying precursor onto the substrate using supercritical carrier fluid, and post-treating the substrate sprayed with the precursor to form a layer with nanometer thickness of material on the substrate. A spraying assembly for spraying the precursor includes one or more spraying modules and one or more radical injectors at one or more sides of the spraying module. A differential spread mechanism is provided between the spraying module and the radical injectors to inject spread gas that isolates the sprayed precursor and radicals generated by the radical injectors. As relative movement between the substrate and the spraying assembly is made, portions of the substrate is exposed to first radicals, sprayed with precursors either one of the spraying modules or both spraying modules using supercritical carrier fluid, and then exposed to second radicals again.

Embodiments of the invention include a method of initiating an optical fiber. In some embodiments, a distal portion of the optical fiber is coated with an energy absorbing material. In some embodiments, the material includes a metal flakes or powder dispersed in a solution of organic solvents. After the material dries, laser energy is fired through the optical fiber. The laser energy can be absorbed in the material and ignites the organic solvents. This combustion melts the material of the optical fiber, and impregnates the optical fiber with the metal flakes or powder of the material. The resulting optical fiber is thus permanently modified so that the energy applied through the fiber is partially absorbed and converted to heat.

Embodiments of the invention include a method of initiating an optical fiber. In some embodiments, a distal portion of the optical fiber is coated with an energy absorbing material. In some embodiments, the material includes a metal flakes or powder dispersed in a solution of organic solvents. After the material dries, laser energy is fired through the optical fiber. The laser energy can be absorbed in the material and ignites the organic solvents. This combustion melts the material of the optical fiber, and impregnates the optical fiber with the metal flakes or powder of the material. The resulting optical fiber is thus permanently modified so that the energy applied through the fiber is partially absorbed and converted to heat.

Disclosed herein are methods comprising: illuminating a first location of an optothermal substrate with electromagnetic radiation; wherein the optothermal substrate converts at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation into thermal energy; and wherein the optothermal substrate is in thermal contact with a liquid sample comprising a plurality of thermally reducible metal ions; thereby: generating a confinement region at a location in the liquid sample proximate to the first location of the optothermal substrate; trapping at least a portion of the plurality of thermally reducible metal ions within the confinement region; and thermally reducing the trapped portion of the plurality of thermally reducible metal ions; thereby: depositing a metal particle on the optothermal substrate at the first location. Also disclosed herein are systems for performing the methods described herein. Also disclosed herein are patterned substrates made by the methods described herein, and methods of use thereof.

Process for producing a layer structure, which comprises the steps: E1. provision of a composition comprising i. gold (Au) particles in an amount in the range from 0.1 to 50% by weight; ii. a balance to 100% by weight of a polar, protic organic solvent; iii. less than 5% by weight of water, where the % by weight, in each case based on the total mass of the composition, add up to 100% by weight; E2. application of the composition to a substrate to give a precursor; E3. heating of the precursor to a temperature in the range from 25 to 200 C. to give the layer structure.

We disclose a system for preparing antimicrobial surfaces, coated with metal oxide nanoparticles by means of a novel sonochemical method. These antibacterial surfaces are widely used in medical and other applications. The deposition of metal oxides known to possess antimicrobial activity, namely ZnO, MgO and CuO, can significantly extend the applications of textile fabrics, medical devices and other items and prolong the period of their use. By means of the novel sonochemical method disclosed here, uniform deposition of metal oxide nanoparticles is achieved simply.