This application relates to omniphobic materials which are physically and chemically modified at their surface to create hierarchically structured materials with both nanoscale and microscale structures that provide the omniphobic properties. Methods of making such omniphobic surfaces with hierarchical structures and uses thereof, including as flexible films that repel contaminants are also disclosed in the application.

First, an ion beam is applied to a workpiece to form a tapered hole the side wall of which is inclined. Next, the application of the ion beam is stopped, and then a material gas is introduced from the gas source to the upper surface of the workpiece from an oblique direction to cause gas molecules to be adsorbed to the upper surface of the workpiece and to the upper portion of the side wall of the hole. Next, introduction of the material gas is stopped, and then the ion beam is applied again to the region of the workpiece where the hole is formed. As a result, at the upper portion of the side wall of the hole, film formation occurs using the gas molecules as the material adsorbed to the side wall of the hole, and, at the bottom portion of the hole, etching of the workpiece occurs.

An apparatus for matting a coating applied on mainly flat panels includes a cleaning workstation and an excimer treatment workstation where the panels are conveyed by a belt conveyor having an upper outward section and a lower return section. In the cleaning workstation, the upper outward section of the belt conveyor has a V-shaped path, which is formed by two rollers in contact with the plane of advancement of the panel, and a roller in lower position, and which is bridged by advancing rollers, among which gaseous nitrogen is supplied that brushes all sides of the panel. In the treatment workstation, the upper outward section of the belt has a V-shaped path, where the panel is irradiated by an excimer emitter, and which is formed by two rollers in contact with the plane of advancement of the panel, and a roller in lower position, and is bridged by advancing rollers.

An apparatus for matting a coating applied on mainly flat panels includes a cleaning workstation and an excimer treatment workstation where the panels are conveyed by a belt conveyor having an upper outward section and a lower return section. In the cleaning workstation, the upper outward section of the belt conveyor has a V-shaped path, which is formed by two rollers in contact with the plane of advancement of the panel, and a roller in lower position, and which is bridged by advancing rollers, among which gaseous nitrogen is supplied that brushes all sides of the panel. In the treatment workstation, the upper outward section of the belt has a V-shaped path, where the panel is irradiated by an excimer emitter, and which is formed by two rollers in contact with the plane of advancement of the panel, and a roller in lower position, and is bridged by advancing rollers.

A system and method for depositing a coating may comprise a coating chemical reactor, surface activation component, and a deposition component. A target surface may be prepared for deposition with the surface activation component. The coating chemical reactor may comprise a coating chemical dispenser and a coating chemical verifier that prepares the coating chemical for deposition. The coating chemical verifier may utilize an optical excitation source and at least one optical detector, wherein chemical substances are identified by unique signatures composed of binary code. The coating chemical may be received by the deposition component to depositing the coating chemical on the target surface.

The invention relates to a method for functionalising a surface of a solid substrate with at least one acrylic acid polymer layer, said method including the steps of: i) placing the surface in contact with a solution having of at least one acrylic acid homopolymer, a solvent and, optionally, metal salts; ii) removing the solvent from the solution in contact with the surface; and iii) binding the polymer to the surface by thermal treatment.

A system and method for depositing a coating may comprise a coating chemical reactor, surface activation component, and a deposition component. A target surface may be prepared for deposition with the surface activation component. The coating chemical reactor may comprise a coating chemical dispenser and a coating chemical verifier that prepares the coating chemical for deposition. The coating chemical verifier may utilize an optical excitation source and at least one optical detector, wherein chemical substances are identified by unique signatures composed of binary code. The coating chemical may be received by the deposition component to depositing the coating chemical on the target surface.

A system and method for depositing a coating may comprise a coating chemical reactor, surface activation component, and a deposition component. A target surface may be prepared for deposition with the surface activation component. The coating chemical reactor may comprise a coating chemical dispenser and a coating chemical verifier that prepares the coating chemical for deposition. The coating chemical verifier may utilize an optical excitation source and at least one optical detector, wherein chemical substances are identified by unique signatures composed of binary code. The coating chemical may be received by the deposition component to depositing the coating chemical on the target surface.

First, an ion beam is applied to a workpiece to form a tapered hole the side wall of which is inclined. Next, the application of the ion beam is stopped, and then a material gas is introduced from the gas source to the upper surface of the workpiece from an oblique direction to cause gas molecules to be adsorbed to the upper surface of the workpiece and to the upper portion of the side wall of the hole. Next, introduction of the material gas is stopped, and then the ion beam is applied again to the region of the workpiece where the hole is formed. As a result, at the upper portion of the side wall of the hole, film formation occurs using the gas molecules as the material adsorbed to the side wall of the hole, and, at the bottom portion of the hole, etching of the workpiece occurs.

The invention relates to a method for applying a primer, in particular a primer for UV coating systems, on an electrically conductive substrate, in particular a metal surface, comprising the steps of the treatment of the surface with process plasma providing an activated surface, and subsequently contacting of the plasma treated surface with a primer. The invention further relates to a pretreated surface comprising an electrically conductive substrate and a layer of a primer, which form an activated treatment surface for the treatment with a color characterized in that the activated surface is stable for at least several hours and a printed surface, in particular a printed surface comprising an electrically conductive substrate, a layer of a primer and a printed color layer, characterized in that the printed color layer is stable after immersion in water for more than 48 hours.