Some embodiments of the invention are directed to electrochemical fabrication methods for forming structures or devices (e.g. microprobes for use in die level testing of semiconductor devices) from a core material and a shell or coating material that partially coats the surface of the structure. Other embodiments are directed to electrochemical fabrication methods for producing structures or devices (e.g. microprobes) from a core material and a shell or coating material that completely coats the surface of each layer from which the probe is formed including interlayer regions. Additional embodiments of the invention are directed to electrochemical fabrication methods for forming structures or devices (e.g. microprobes) from a core material and a shell or coating material wherein the coating material is located around each layer of the structure without locating the coating material in inter-layer regions.

A coated substrate has a substrate and a coating system having one or more ceramic layers. At least a first layer of one of the one or more ceramic layers is a columnar layer having as-deposited columns and intercolumn gaps. The intercolumn gaps have a mean width at least one of: at least 4.0 micrometers; and at least 1.5% of a thickness of said first layer.

A metallic glass part is provided. The metallic glass part includes an alloy core and a metallic glass shell surrounding the alloy core. The alloy core provides compressive force on the metallic glass shell at an interface between the alloy core and the metallic glass shell.

Metal nanowires with uniform noble metal coatings are described. Two methods, galvanic exchange and direct deposition, are disclosed for the successful formation of the uniform noble metal coatings. Both the galvanic exchange reaction and the direct deposition method benefit from the inclusion of appropriately strong binding ligands to control or mediate the coating process to provide for the formation of a uniform coating. The noble metal coated nanowires are effective for the production of stable transparent conductive films, which may comprise a fused metal nanostructured network.

A clad material includes a core material, a first skin material covering one side of the core material, and a second skin material covering the other side of the core material. The clad material is brazed in a state in which the first and second skin materials overlap each other. The core material is made of an Al alloy containing Mn (0.6 to 1.5 mass %), Ti (0.05 to 0.25 mass %), Cu (less than 0.05 mass %), Zn (less than 0.05 mass %), Fe (0.2 mass % or less), and Si (0.45 mass % or less) (balance: Al and unavoidable impurities). The first skin material is made of an Al alloy containing Si (6.8 to 11.0 mass %) and Zn (0.05 mass % or less) (balance: Al and unavoidable impurities). The second skin material is made of an Al alloy containing Si (4.0 to 6.0 mass %) and Cu (0.5 to 1.0 mass %) (balance: Al and unavoidable impurities).

In a method for coating a sliding element, in particular a piston ring or a cylinder liner of an internal combustion engine, DLC phases are embedded into a hard material layer as said hard material layer is deposited. A sliding element, such as a piston ring or a cylinder liner of an internal combustion engine, comprises a hard material layer with embedded DLC phases.

A highly-ordered nano-structure array, formed on a substrate, mainly comprises a plurality of highly-ordered nano-structure units. Each of the highly-ordered nano-structure units forms a receiving compartment. One end of the receiving compartment opposite to the substrate has an opening. Each of the highly-ordered nano-structure units comprises at least one thin film layer. A periphery and a bottom of the receiving compartment are defined by an inner surface of a surrounding portion of the at least one thin film layer and a top surface of a bottom portion of the at least one thin film layer, respectively. The at least one thin film layer is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of: metal, alloy, oxide, nitride, and sulfide.

Metal nanowires with uniform noble metal coatings are described. Two methods, galvanic exchange and direct deposition, are disclosed for the successful formation of the uniform noble metal coatings. Both the galvanic exchange reaction and the direct deposition method benefit from the inclusion of appropriately strong binding ligands to control or mediate the coating process to provide for the formation of a uniform coating. The noble metal coated nanowires are effective for the production of stable transparent conductive films, which may comprise a fused metal nanostructured network.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to electrochemical fabrication methods for forming structures or devices (e.g. microprobes for use in die level testing of semiconductor devices) from a core material and a shell or coating material that partially coats the surface of the structure. Other embodiments are directed to electrochemical fabrication methods for producing structures or devices (e.g. microprobes) from a core material and a shell or coating material that completely coats the surface of each layer from which the probe is formed including interlayer regions. Additional embodiments of the invention are directed to electrochemical fabrication methods for forming structures or devices (e.g. microprobes) from a core material and a shell or coating material wherein the coating material is located around each layer of the structure without locating the coating material in inter-layer regions.

A coated substrate has a substrate and a coating system having one or more ceramic layers. At least a first layer of one of the one or more ceramic layers is a columnar layer having as-deposited columns and intercolumn gaps. The intercolumn gaps have a mean width at least one of: at least 4.0 micrometers; and at least 1.5% of a thickness of said first layer.