4983 results about "Smooth surface" patented technology

A ruthenium film deposition method is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, a first ruthenium film is deposited by using a PEALD process until a substrate is substantially entirely covered with the first ruthenium film. Then, a second ruthenium film is deposited on the first ruthenium film by using a thermal ALD process having a higher deposition speed than that of the PEALD process. In the method, a ruthenium metal film having a high density is formed in a short time by combining a PEALD process of depositing a ruthenium film at a low deposition speed and a deposition process of depositing a ruthenium film at a higher deposition speed. Accordingly, it is possible to form a ruthenium film having high density, a smooth surface, good adhesiveness, and a short incubation period. Therefore, according to the embodiment, in comparison to cases of using only a PEALD process or an ALD process that has a long incubation period, it is possible to obtain a ruthenium film having a large thickness and a high density in the same time interval. As a result, the ruthenium film formed by the ruthenium film deposition method according to the embodiment is more suitable for electrode structures of semiconductor devices than the ruthenium films formed by using conventional methods.

A method and apparatus for selectively etching doped semiconductor oxides faster than undoped oxides. The method comprises applying dissociative energy to a mixture of nitrogen trifluoride and hydrogen gas remotely, flowing the activated gas toward a processing chamber to allow time for charged species to be extinguished, and applying the activated gas to the substrate. Reducing the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen trifluoride increases etch selectivity. A similar process may be used to smooth surface defects in a silicon surface.

A stent comprising a tubular stent matrix of which diameter is extendable and a flexible polymer layer covering the stent matrix. The polymer layer is closely attached to and covers the entire surface of the stent matrix. Since the flexible polymer layer closely covers the entire surface of the stent matrix not only the outer periphery of the stent matrix, the stent has no problem of causing allergic to metal, stimulus of tissues due to metal, and rust development. Since the inner periphery of the stent is a flat and smooth surface covered by the polymer layer without convexes and concaves, the formation of thrombus can be inhibited well. There is no problem of drift between the polymer layer and the stent matrix, thereby maintaining the positional relationship between the stent matrix and the polymer layer before and after the expansion of the stent.

A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.

We describe the structure and method of forming a STT-MTJ MRAM cell that utilizes transfer of spin angular momentum as a mechanism for changing the magnetic moment direction of a free layer. The device includes an IrMn pinning layer, a SyAP pinned layer, a naturally oxidized, crystalline MgO tunneling barrier layer that is formed on an Ar-ion plasma smoothed surface of the pinned layer and, in one embodiment, a free layer that comprises an amorphous layer of Co₆₀Fe₂₀B₂₀. of approximately 20 angstroms thickness formed between two crystalline layers of Fe of 3 and 6 angstroms thickness respectively. The free layer is characterized by a low Gilbert damping factor and by very strong polarizing action on conduction electrons. The resulting cell has a low critical current, a high dR/R and a plurality of such cells will exhibit a low variation of both resistance and pinned layer magnetization angular dispersion.

PCT No. PCT/JP97/02965 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 2, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 2, 1998 PCT Filed Aug. 26, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO98/09005 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 5, 1998A plurality of recesses having the same interval and array as those of pores of an alumina film, which are to be formed in anodizing, are formed on a smooth surface of an aluminum plate in advance, and then, the aluminum plate is anodized. With this process, the roundness of the pores of the porous anodized alumina film and the uniformity of pore size are improved, and the pores are regularly arrayed at a predetermined interval. The recesses are formed by pressing a substrate having a plurality of projections on its surface against the aluminum plate surface to be anodized.

Spinal implants include an elongated body portion dimensioned and configured for percutaneous introduction into a target interspinous process space, at which interspinous distraction and/or spinal fusion are desired. The body portion can include a threaded outer surface, or alternatively a smooth surface. The body portion can include one or more interior cavities, and can include deployable engagement members adapted and configured to move in tandem between a stowed position retracted within the interior cavity of the body portion and a deployed position extended from the interior cavity of the body for engaging adjacent spinous processes. An internal drive assembly for selectively moving the engagement members from the stowed position to the deployed position can be provided, as can a elements for locking the engagement members in a deployed position.

Improved polymeric endoprostheses and methods of manufacturing endoprostheses are disclosed herein. The endoprostheses may comprise one or more polymers wherein the polymer chains are substantially aligned circumferentially, and comprising increased radial strength and flexibility. An endoprosthesis according to the invention may comprise a smooth surface. Endoprostheses disclosed herein may be used in the treatment of strictures in lumens of the body. Alternatively, endoprostheses disclosed herein may be used as anchors to secure medical devices within lumens of the body. The endoprostheses disclosed herein may comprise one or more erodible polymer.

The invention discloses a parallax optimization algorithm-based binocular stereo vision automatic measurement method. The method comprises the steps of 1, obtaining a corrected binocular view; 2, matching by using a stereo matching algorithm and taking a left view as a base map to obtain a preliminary disparity map; 3, for the corrected left view, enabling a target object area to be a colorized master map and other non-target areas to be wholly black; 4, acquiring a complete disparity map of the target object area according to the target object area; 5, for the complete disparity map, obtaining a three-dimensional point cloud according to a projection model; 6, performing coordinate reprojection on the three-dimensional point cloud to compound a coordinate related pixel map; 7, using a morphology method to automatically measure the length and width of a target object. By adopting the method, a binocular measuring operation process is simplified, the influence of specular reflection, foreshortening, perspective distortion, low textures and repeated textures on a smooth surface is reduced, automatic and intelligent measuring is realized, the application range of binocular measuring is widened, and technical support is provided for subsequent robot binocular vision.

A process for forming a porous nanoscale membrane is described. The process involves applying a nanoscale film to one side of a substrate, where the nanoscale film includes a semiconductor material; masking an opposite side of the substrate; etching the substrate, beginning from the masked opposite side of the substrate and continuing until a passage is formed through the substrate, thereby exposing the film on both sides thereof to form a membrane; and then simultaneously forming a plurality of randomly spaced pores in the membrane. The resulting porous nanoscale membranes, characterized by substantially smooth surfaces, high pore densities, and high aspect ratio dimensions, can be used in filtration devices, microfluidic devices, fuel cell membranes, and as electron microscopy substrates.

A method for producing a semiconductor light-emitting device includes stacking at least a first conductive type semiconductor layer (2), an active layer (3) and a second conductive type semiconductor layer (4) on a substrate (1) to form a wafer, then forming on a side of growth surfaces of the semiconductor layers first trenches (40) exposing the first conductive type semiconductor layer, further forming second trenches (50) reaching the substrate from above the first trenches by using a laser beam, subsequently forming third trenches (60) from the substrate at the positions corresponding to the second trenches, and finally cutting the wafer into chips. The produced semiconductor chips provide an enhanced efficiency of extracting emitted light even when the end faces thereof are smooth surfaces and they allow the semiconductor layer to be cut without distorting the end faces of the chips.

The invention prepares a nanometer rare earth inorganic substance/ rubber composite with high wear resistant and excellent dynamic property. The invention adopts a mechanical blending method to prepare the nanometer rare earth inorganic substance and rubber composite. After the nanometer rare earth inorganic substance and the rubber are composited, higher modulus can be provided, the mechanical property of the rubber composite is improved, the abrasion stripes are blocked up to achieve the aim of dispersing stress through the high strength of the nanometer rare earth inorganic substance so as to improve wear-resisting property, and the internal friction of the composite is improved by utilizing the specific characteristic of smooth surface of the rare earth material so as to achieve the aim of reducing internal friction and resistance to rolling. According to the material prepared by the invention, the modulus can be improved, the mechanical property is improved, the abrasion is greatly reduced simultaneously, the internal friction and the resistance to rolling are reduced, and the composite can be widely applied to materials such as tyres, conveyer belts, sealing elements, piston rings, soles and the like.

Vacuum insulation panels and methods for making vacuum insulation panels. The panels include first and second spaced-apart sidewalls, where at least one of the sidewalls has a very smooth surface. The panels are particularly useful as insulation in applications where a smooth and aesthetically acceptable surface is required, such as in a refrigeration appliance. A method for making a vacuum insulation panel can include placing an insulative core material and a liner within a barrier envelope defining an enclosure, evacuating the enclosure, and sealing the envelope to form the vacuum insulation panel.

Various embodiments related to infrared vision for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device are disclosed herein. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a display system, comprising an LCD device and a display backlight configured to illuminate the LCD device by directing visible light toward an interior surface of the LCD device. The display system further comprises a wavelength-selective reflector disposed between the display backlight and the LCD device and having a smooth surface facing the interior surface of the LCD device, where the wavelength-selective reflector has a wavelength-selective coating configured to cause incident visible light from the display backlight to be transmitted through the wavelength-selective reflector to the LCD device, and cause incident infrared light reflected from an object on or near an exterior surface of the LCD device to be reflected off of the wavelength-selective reflector and directed to an infrared vision subsystem.

Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface. Further aspects of the invention provide a switching member that is selectively moveable relative to a guideway in order to change a magnetic force acting on the vehicle transverse to a direction of motion of the vehicle.

A knotless aperture fixation system, and method for use thereof, for securing a flexible material (i.e., suture, cable, fiber tape, or any other suitable flexible material) to a nearby tissue using knotless fixation achieved by a compression fit of the flexible material between two smooth surfaces. The system comprises a cylindrical or spherical flanged sleeve with threaded upper portion and smooth tapered lower portion is used in conjunction with a headless set screw with a bullet-shaped tip to achieve a compression fit of the flexible material between the smooth tapered lower portion of the sleeve and the smooth bullet-shaped tip of the headless set screw. The system may be used in conjunction with an expanded washer with a recessed lip, a flanged washer, or a bone plate with an opening containing a recessed lip.

Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.

Proppant material for hydraulic fracturing is provided. The particles of the proppant are formed by drip casting. A slurry of finely divided ceramic particles is flowed through nozzles and formed into droplets under the influence of vibration. Uniform sized, smooth surface, spherical green particles are formed. The green particles are dried and sintered to form the proppant. The proppant is used in the process of hydraulic fracturing of wells.

A matt surface (7) of a display screen (2) is converted to an optically flat surface (11), for example, via an epoxy resin coating (10) or the like which has a refractive index equal to that or the matt surface (7). Alternatively, the matt surface (7) may be removed from the screen (2), and replaced with an optically smooth surface. The matt surface may be a diffusive surface (7) formed on a birefringent film (6) of an LCD screen (2). The display screen (2) is the front screen of a multilevel three-dimensional display comprising layered screens (2, 3), and altering the surface from matt to flat reduces the blurring of displayed images.

A self-healing, scratch resistant slippery surface that is manufactured by wicking a chemically-inert, high-density liquid coating over a roughened solid surface featuring micro and nanoscale topographies is described. Such a slippery surface shows anti-wetting properties, as well as exhibits significant reduction of adhesion of a broad range of biological materials, including particles in suspension or solution. Specifically, the slippery surfaces can be applied to medical devices and equipment to effectively repel biological materials such as blood, and prevent, reduce, or delay coagulation and surface-mediated clot formation. Moreover, the slippery surfaces can be used to prevent fouling by microorganisms such as bacteria.

Embodiments of the present invention enable an optical device to track on a diffusing surface over which a transparent and/or translucent and/or optically smooth surface is placed. Some embodiments are directed towards detecting when an optical device is lifted off the surface it was resting on. Embodiments also include a sensing system that detects the z distance (distance to the tracking surface) and improves image quality by improving the effectiveness of the optical sensor subsystem and/or the illumination subsystem at the detected z distance. Other embodiments include a system and method that enables an optical device to track on a transparent and/or translucent and/or optically smooth surface alone. This may involve dark-field imaging based on certain features (e.g., dirt) already present on the transparent surface. Alternately, this may involve creating features such as droplets, spreading dirt residue, and creating thermal spots, which can be used for tracking.

An electrically conductive coating is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the coating includes a plurality of single-wall or multi-walled Carbon nanotubes having a diameter less than 20 nanometers. The disclosed coating demonstrates excellent conductivity and smooth surface morphology. Methods of preparing the coating as well as methods of its use are also disclosed herein.

An ophthalmic lens, such as multifocal contact lens, that is worn on the surface of the eye and has a blended design for a segmented optical zone. The lens has an anterior surface and an opposite posterior surface, wherein the anterior surface includes a vertical meridian, a horizontal meridian, a central optical zone having at least a first optical zone for primary gaze, a second optical zone for down-gaze and an optical blending zone between the first and second optical zones. The optical blending zone has a surface that ensures a smooth surface transition from the first optical zone to the second optical zone and that allows the first and second optical zone to be designed independently and optimally so that ghost images or blur from the transition between the first and second optical zones can be minimized or eliminated. Image blur from the blend zone that subtends the pupil is minimized by the magnitude of the curvature of the blend zone. The optical zones will have the optimal aberration parameters to control vision.

It is intended to reduce the media noise, and to improve the recording density dependence of read output voltage. The present invention provides a perpendicular magnetic recording media and its manufacturing process, wherein a perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprises a soft magnetic underlayer film and a perpendicular magnetizing film, these films being formed on a substrate in this order, a smoothness control film such as Cr film, being inserted between the substrate and the soft magnetic underlayer film. Therefore, perpendicular orientation and surface smoothness are improved for the perpendicular magnetizing film laminated on the smooth surface of the soft magnetic underlayer film. As the perpendicular orientation is improved for the perpendicular magnetizing film, the initial layer is reduced, thereby media noise being lowered and recording density dependence of read output voltage being improved. In addition, as the surface smoothness is improved for the perpendicular magnetizing film, sliding characteristics of a recording/reproducing head is also improved, thereby this also lowering the media noise.

A method to obtain thin (less than 300 nm) strain-relaxed Si_1-xGe_x buffer layers on Si or silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates. These buffer layers have a homogeneous distribution of misfit dislocations that relieve the strain, remarkably smooth surfaces, and a low threading dislocation (TD) density, i.e. less than 10⁶ cm². The approach begins with the growth of a pseudomorphic or nearly pseudomorphic Si_1-xGe_x layer, i.e., a layer that is free of misfit dislocations, which is then implanted with He or other light elements and subsequently annealed to achieve the substantial strain relaxation. The very effective strain relaxation mechanism operating with this method is dislocation nucleation at He-induced platelets (not bubbles) that lie below the Si/Si_1-xGe_x interface, parallel to the Si(001) surface.

An easily adjustable food slicer for cutting various foods having a frame with a sloped cutting surface that is equipped with interchangeable cutting blades that face a selectively positioned primary ramp that is pivotally joined to the frame opposite the location of the blades. The ramp is removable and has a non-abrasive, smooth surface that can be raised or lowered by the use of an infinitely-adjustable cam. The cam has a knob located on a side surface of the frame and can be adjusted at anytime before and during a process allowing a user to vary the thickness of the slice of food. Also provided is an alternative secondary ramp with an abrasive, grating surface for grating food that can be installed after removal of the primary ramp.

A new power tong for rotating tubular members for make-up (connection) and break-out (disconnection) operations. In one aspect such a tong has at least one movable jaw with a smooth surface gripping element thereon and pre-load apparatus for applying a pre-load force to a movable jaw so that the jaw does not slip on a tubular to be rotated and so it does not mark or damage the tubular. In one aspect the pre-load apparatus includes a first pre-load device at one end of a movable jaw for breakout operations and a second pre-load device at another end of the jaw for make-up operations. In one aspect a power tong which has unique smooth surfaced jaw inserts made, e.g., of aluminum. In one aspect a single pivotable pre-load cylinder, fixed to rotary, pivots for pivotable connection to one jaw or the other. This can be done manually or a powered smaller piston/cylinder may be used to pivot the pre-load cylinder. In one aspect a jaw unit which comprises a jaw holder and a jaw movable with respect to said jaw holder, characterized in that said jaw is slidably mounted on said jaw holder.

Retroreflective sheeting includes a body layer having a structured surface with recessed faces and top surfaces, the recessed faces forming cube corner cavities. The recessed faces have a high specular reflectivity, while the top surfaces have a low specular reflectivity. In some embodiments a substantially continuous film of reflective material covers the structured surface, and a masking substance is provided over the reflective material at the top surfaces. Alternatively, the top surfaces are given a non-smooth surface finish so that the film of reflective material on those portions has a diffuse reflectivity. In other embodiments the film of reflective material is discontinuous, disposed selectively on the recessed faces and not on the top surfaces. A cover layer is also provided, and can bond at least to the top surfaces. Keeping the top surfaces substantially free of reflective material inhibits corrosion and can enhance the bond integrity. The top surfaces are preferably flat, and diffusely reflective to enhance the daytime whiteness of the sheeting.

An interbody spinal implant having at least three distinct surfaces including (1) at least one integration surface having a roughened surface topography including macro features, micro features, and nano features, without sharp teeth that risk damage to bone structures; (2) at least one graft contact surface having a coarse surface topography including micro features and nano features; and (3) at least one soft tissue surface having a substantially smooth surface including nano features. Also disclosed are processes of fabricating the different surface topographies, which may include separate macro processing, micro processing, and nano processing steps.

A cover (101) for being located on an infusion device, which cover (101) comprises an upper plate element (103) with an upper face (104) and a lower face (105) oriented towards the upper face of the infusion device, wherein the lower face (105) of the plate element (103) comprises attachment means (106), which means cooperate with elements on the infusion device. Hereby the risk of bacteria and soil collected thereon penetrating into the construction, is reduced considerably, and likewise the cover yields a smoother surface with an ensuing minimisation of the risk of the infusion device being torn off.