In this research, novel functionally graded Ni-P coating was deposited with electroless process. The content of phosphorus was controlled to change gradual through the thickness of the coating. During the plating, bath temperature and pH were changed at specified intervals to obtain functionally graded structure. To compare the properties of functionally graded coating with Ni-P single-layer co...

We previously discovered that covalently coating glass and plastic slides with certain long poly(vinyl-N-alkylpyridinium) chains enables the resultant surfaces to kill a variety of airborne and waterborne bacteria on contact. In the present study, these findings have been extended to an unrelated polymer class, polyethylenimines (PEIs). Alkylated PEIs attached to flat macroscopic surfaces and t...

The preparation of ultrathin (<100 nm) bicomponent films from hydrophobic polysaccharides with phase-specific pore growth was demonstrated and the underlying phenomena behind morphology formation were fundamentally investigated. The films were constructed, in a single-step process, by spin coating mixtures of trimethylsilyl cellulose (TMSC) and cellulose triacetate (CTA) from a common solvent. ...

The use of hydrated vanadium(V)oxide as a replacement of the commonly employed hole transporting material PEDOT:PSS was explored in this work. Polymer solar cells were prepared by spin coating on glass. Polymer solar cells and modules comprising 16 serially connected cells were prepared using full roll-to-roll (R2R) processing of all layers. The devices were prepared on flexible polyethyleneter...

Type I diabetics are dependent on daily insulin injections. A therapy capable of immunoisolating pancreatic beta-cells and providing normoglycaemia is an alternative since it would avoid the late complications associated with insulin use. Here, 3D-concave agarose micro-wells were used to culture robust pancreatic MIN-6 cell spheroids within 24 hours that were shown to exhibit cell-cell contact ...

A new kind of polymer-based sensor is described in which the experimental parameters controlling selectivity and sensitivity are decoupled. The sensor is based on a surface acoustic wave (SAW) gravimetric transducer modified with a high-surface-area, nanoporous alumina coating. A very thin ( approximately 40 nm) poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coating resides atop the porous alumina structure. In...

At present, there is an increasing focus on stents that have a biodegradable polymer coating, rather than a permanent polymer coating. This is due to the fact that following the implantation of a drug-eluting stent (DES) with a permanent polymer coating, the continued existence of the coating may result in a foreign body reaction and delayed re-endothelialization. The aim of the present study w...

Ultrasonic spray coating process (USCP) with high material -utilization, low manufacture costs and compatibility to streamline production has been attractive in researches on photoelectric devices. However, surface tension exists in the solvent is still a huge obstacle to realize smooth organic film for organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) by USCP. Here, high quality polymer anode buffer laye...

Surface modification of polymers and paints is a popular and effective way to enhance the properties of these materials. This can be achieved by introducing a thin coating that preserves the bulk properties of the material, while protecting it from environmental exposure. Suitable materials for such coating technologies are inorganic oxides, such as alumina, titania and silica; however, the fat...

The preparation of ultrathin (<100 nm) bicomponent films from hydrophobic polysaccharides with phase-specific pore growth was demonstrated and the underlying phenomena behind morphology formation were fundamentally investigated. The films were constructed, in a single-step process, by spin coating mixtures of trimethylsilyl cellulose (TMSC) and cellulose triacetate (CTA) from a common solvent. ...