A method for forming a nickel plated graphene hollow sphere is based on self assembly of graphene under the actions of a rotation force and the van der Waals force, and an electroless nickel plating process performed on the exposed surface of the graphene by means of a hydrothermal method. The method is simple to implement at low cost, and the nickel plated graphene hollow sphere product can be produced with good reproducibility and a high yield. The nickel plated graphene hollow sphere formed by the present method can exhibit good electromagnetic wave absorbing performances of both nickel and graphene, and may have a lower overall density.

A cathode is provided for electrolysis of water wherein the cathode material comprises a multi-principal element, transition metal dichalcogenide material that has four or more chemical elements and that is a single phase, solid solution. The pristine cathode material does not contain platinum as a principal (major) component. However, a cathode comprising a transition metal dichalcogenide having platinum (Pt) nanosized islands or precipitates disposed thereon is also provided.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for producing a metal-CNT composite material is proposed. The method includes providing a layer of CNT by depositing CNT coated with a polyphenol or poly(catecholamine) coating and filling the interstices of the carbon nanotubes layer with a metal so as to form a metal matrix, in which CNT are embedded. The filling is effected by electrode position or by electroless deposition. The polyphenol or poly(catecholamine) coating is crosslinked by metal ions, the metal ions promoting, as metal seeds, adhesion and/or growth of the metal matrix during the filling step. A further aspect of the invention relates to the metal-CNT composite obtainable by the method.

A cathode is provided for electrolysis of water wherein the cathode material comprises a multi-principal element, transition metal dichalcogenide material that has four or more chemical elements and that is a single phase, solid solution. The pristine cathode material does not contain platinum as a principal (major) component. However, a cathode comprising a transition metal dichalcogenide having platinum (Pt) nanosized islands or precipitates disposed thereon is also provided.

A method of coating an antimicrobial conductive metal layer on a non-conductive surface of articles with novel chemistry and methods with just a few process steps consisting of contacting the chemistries at room temperature for short durations is disclosed. The methodology is environmentally friendly, non-toxic aqueous bath of different salt compositions for providing uniform anti-microbial metal coating on the articles. The cost-effective methodology can be used on a wide variety of non-conductive surfaces such as glass, fibers, textiles, ceramic, plastic, foam and so on.

The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a glass structure having a metallized surface portion. The method may comprise forming a structure using a flowable first material, adapted to form a glass, which includes a metal component. The structure is then treated to remove substantially all solvents and organic components contained in the first flowable material. Finally, the structure is exposed to a bath of a metal salt during which nucleation occurs and a metallized surface coating is formed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the structure.

A graphene reinforced aluminum matrix composite with high electrical conductivity and a preparation method thereof. The method includes: obtaining aluminum coated graphene powder by plating aluminum on a graphene surface, melting aluminum block into aluminum liquid, heating a mold to be lower than an aluminum melting point, alternately pouring the aluminum liquid and the aluminum coated graphene powder into the mold for layered casting to obtain a sandwich structure; extruding the sandwich structure into a rectangular test block and then heating to 500˜600° C., performing heat preservation for a preset time and performing forging treatment, and performing longitudinal cold deformation under inert gas to obtain the graphene reinforced aluminum matrix composite. The method can solve a problem that poor wettability of graphene and aluminum matrix, the graphene is evenly dispersed in the aluminum matrix, which can improve strength of the aluminum matrix and keep its high electrical conductivity.

A touch input device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The touch input device includes: a first base including a metal compound; a first pattern groove formed over one surface of the first base; a first sense pattern formed over the first pattern groove and including a conductive material; a second base stacked over the first base, and configured to include a metal compound; a second pattern groove formed over one surface of the second base; a second sense pattern formed over the second pattern groove, including a conductive material, and spaced apart from the first sense pattern; and a line unit connecting the first sense pattern and the second sense pattern to an integrated-circuit.

Described herein is a chamber component including a metal layer comprising nickel and a barrier layer of nickel oxide over the metal layer. The barrier layer of nickel oxide may be formed by treating the chamber component with an oxidizing agent comprising hydrofluoric acid and/or nitric acid

A method for fabricating a sensor includes coating an end-polished sapphire fiber with aluminum to produce a sapphire fiber having an aluminum coating, anodizing the aluminum coating to produce an aluminum oxide coating, and removing the aluminum oxide coating from a distal end of the sapphire fiber.