A substrate is coated with a hydrophobic coating that includes highly tetrahedral amorphous carbon that is a form of diamond-like carbon (DLC). In certain embodiments, the coating is deposited on the substrate in a manner to increase its hydrophobicity (e.g. so that the coating has an initial contact angle θ of at least about 100 degrees; and/or a surface energy of no more than about 20.2 mN/m). In certain embodiments, the coating is deposited in a manner such that it has an average hardness of at least about 10 GPa, more preferably from about 20-80 GPa.

Hydrophobic coating including DLC on substrate

An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes a mechanism to clean the wire-like electrodes in the first electrode array. A length of flexible Mylar type sheet material projects from the base of the second electrode array towards and beyond the first electrode array. The distal end of each sheet includes a slit that engages a corresponding wire-like electrode. As a user moves the second electrode array up or down within the conditioner housing, friction between slit edges and the wire-like electrode cleans the electrode surface. The sheet material may be biasedly pivotably attached to the base of the second electrode array, and may be urged away from and parallel to the wire-like electrodes when the conditioner is in use. Another embodiment includes a bead-like member having a through opening or channel, through which the wire-like electrode passes. As the conditioner is turned upside down and rightside up, friction between the opening in the bead-like member and wire-like electrode cleans the electrode surface. The bead-like member may be made of ceramic, glass, or even metal. The through channel may be symmetrically formed in the bead-like member, but preferably will be asymmetrical to create a mechanical moment and increased friction with the surface of the wire-like electrode being cleaned.

Electrode self-cleaning mechanism for electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner devices

An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first array comprises one or more wire electrodes spaced staggeringly apart from a second array comprising hollow “U”-shaped electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage pulses between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. A bias electrode, electrically coupled to the second array electrodes, affects net polarity of ions generated. The outflow of ionized air and ozone is thus conditioned.

Electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner

A brush includes a self-contained ion generator that subjects material being brushed to an outflow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first array comprises at least one metal pin spaced coaxially-apart from a metal ring-like structure. Alternatively, the first array may comprise one or more wire electrodes spaced staggeringly apart from a second array comprising hollow “U”-shaped electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage pulses between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. The outflow of ionized air and ozone is directed between the brush bristles onto the material being brushed.

Ion emitting grooming brush

A bioerodible endoprosthesis erodes by galvanic erosion that can provide, e.g., improved endothelialization and therapeutic effects.

Bioerodible endoprostheses and methods of making the same

A method of forming a diffusion barrier on an article of a polymer blend of (i) a high surface energy polymer and (ii) a low surface energy polymer. Most commonly the low surface energy polymer is an organosilicon polymer, as a polysilane or a polysiloxane. The surface of the article is exposed to ozone and ultraviolet radiation to form a diffusion barrier.

Method for producing a diffusion barrier and polymeric article having a diffusion barrier

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a thin protective barrier which can inhibit diffusion into the surface of a bulk substance, can inhibit a bulk substance from diffusing into the surroundings, and can inhibit the environmental pollution of the surface by exposing an object comprising a blend of specified polymers to O3 and ultraviolet rays to form a diffusion barrier on the object SOLUTION: An object made of a polymer blend comprising a high-surface- energy polymer desirably selected among polyalkyls, polyvinyls, polyepoxides, polycarbonates, polyimides and polyurethanes and a low-surface-energy polymer desirably selected among silanes and siloxanes and being present as a dopant on the object is exposed to O3 and ultraviolet rays to form a diffusion barrier, desirably being a layer of SiOx (wherein x is 16-20) It is desirable that the high-surface energy polymer has a surface tension which larger than that of the low-surface-energy polymer by at least 5dyn/cm

Bruce Otho Jr. South Burlington Morrison

Papers

Method for producing a diffusion barrier and polymeric article having a diffusion barrier

Method for forming diffusion barrier on object

Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Diffusionsbarriere und Polymergegenstand mit einer Diffusionsbarriere