An electroplating apparatus includes a plating bath and a substrate in a horizontal direction. The electroplating apparatus further includes a plurality of cathodes on first and second sides of the substrate in a first direction on one surface of the substrate, and an anode above the substrate, the anode being spaced apart from the substrate and configured to be movable in the first direction.

A piston ring includes a base body having an inner circumferential surface, first and second flank surfaces and an outer circumferential surface, wherein a first hard chromium layer with a crack network is applied to the outer circumferential surface and has a crack density of 10-250 cracks per mm and solid particles having an average particle size of 0.01-10 μm embedded in cracks of the first hard chromium layer, a second hard chromium layer having a crack network applied to the first hard chromium layer and having a crack density of the crack network of 10-250 cracks per mm, no solid particles being embedded in the cracks thereof, where the cracks have an average width of 1-15 μm, the cracks are electrolytically expanded and the surface proportion of the cracks are 3-25% based on a total surface of the second hard chromium layer.

A method of making a catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes the step of preparing a porous buckypaper layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes. Platinum group metal nanoparticles are deposited in a liquid solution on an outer surface of the buckypaper to create a platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper. A proton conducting electrolyte is deposited on the platinum group metal nanoparticles by electrophoretic deposition to create a proton-conducting layer on the an outer surface of the platinum nanoparticles. An additional proton-conducting layer is deposited by contacting the platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper with a liquid proton-conducting composition in a solvent. The platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper is dried to remove the solvent. A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is also disclosed.

A method of making a catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes the step of preparing a porous buckypaper layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes. Platinum group metal nanoparticles are deposited in a liquid solution on an outer surface of the buckypaper to create a platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper. A proton conducting electrolyte is deposited on the platinum group metal nanoparticles by electrophoretic deposition to create a proton-conducting layer on the an outer surface of the platinum nanoparticles. An additional proton-conducting layer is deposited by contacting the platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper with a liquid proton-conducting composition in a solvent. The platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper is dried to remove the solvent. A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is also disclosed.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a coating composition and a method of using the same for forming metal coatings on substrates. In particular embodiments, the coating composition comprises a deep eutectic solvent and/or an ionic liquid; a metal precursor; an alkaline salt; and an optional additive component. The coating composition and method embodiments disclosed herein provide durable, even, high-surface area coatings on various types of substrates and also can be used at low temperatures.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a coating composition and a method of using the same for forming metal coatings on substrates. In particular embodiments, the coating composition comprises a deep eutectic solvent and/or an ionic liquid; a metal precursor; an alkaline salt; and an optional additive component. The coating composition and method embodiments disclosed herein provide durable, even, high-surface area coatings on various types of substrates and also can be used at low temperatures.

A method of forming a multilayered zinc alloy coating comprises steps of providing a bath of an aqueous electrolyte including zinc and a second electrodepositable component in an electrolytic cell having an anode and a cathode; applying a current or voltage between the anode and the cathode; modulating the applied current or voltage over time between at least two current or voltage values to thereby modulate the current density over multiple cycles between at least two current density values, wherein a first current density value is in a range of 0.3 to less than 2 A/dm.sup.2 and a second current density value is higher than the first current density value and is in a range of 0.6 to less than 5 A/dm.sup.2; and controlling the modulation of the applied current or voltage to obtain a multilayered structure having multiple layers of one or more of alternating proportions of the second component, alternating corrosion potential, alternating grain size, and alternating grain orientation, wherein one or more of the multiple layers has a thickness in the range of 1 to 10 μm.

A double layered electrolytic copper foil is disclosed. It is possible to freely control various physical properties of the double layered electrolytic copper foil. The double layered electrolytic copper foil contains a first copper layer, a second copper layer, and an interface formed between one surface of the first copper layer and one surface of the second copper layer. A method of manufacturing the double layered electrolytic copper foil is also disclosed.

Various embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for electroplating metal onto substrates. In various cases, a reference electrode may be modified to promote improved electroplating results. The modifications may relate to one or more of the reference electrode's shape, position, relative conductivity compared to the electrolyte, or other design feature. In some particular examples the reference electrode may be dynamically changeable, for example having a changeable shape and/or position. In a particular example the reference electrode may be made of multiple segments. The techniques described herein may be combined as desired for individual applications.

Various embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for electroplating metal onto substrates. In various cases, a reference electrode may be modified to promote improved electroplating results. The modifications may relate to one or more of the reference electrode's shape, position, relative conductivity compared to the electrolyte, or other design feature. In some particular examples the reference electrode may be dynamically changeable, for example having a changeable shape and/or position. In a particular example the reference electrode may be made of multiple segments. The techniques described herein may be combined as desired for individual applications.