Focus on Materials

Mesophotonics has released Klarite substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Mounted on standard 3-in. glass slides, the SERS substrates allow the Raman fingerprint present in all molecules to be easily and repeatedly identified. Previous SERS substrates reportedly have been plagued by 100% signal variations and by hot spots where only small areas of the total device showed amplified Raman signals. Systematic nanometer-scale patterning of the gold surface of the new Klarite substrates forms photonic crystals that fundamentally control the physics of the Raman amplification process. As a result, the SERS signals are many orders of magnitude more intense than traditional Raman signals and enable detection with low-sensitivity detectors and low-power lasers. Mesophotonics Ltd, 2 Venture Road, Chilworth Science Park, Southampton, UK SO16 7NP, http://www.mesophotonics.com

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Polysciences has expanded its monomer/polymer line to include low-molecular polyhydroxybutyrates. These biodegradable PHBs can be used to develop nontoxic plastic devices and drug delivery systems that intentionally break down over a specific amount of time after they are inserted into the body. Devices include biodegradable sutures, bone regeneration supports, nerve guidance channels, and surgical screws. PHBs can also be used as microsphere conduits and other packaging for metabolically activated drug delivery and release. For example, a study in mice showed that administering cancer prodrugs using PHB microspheres leads to higher antitumor effects against leukemia. The new materials allow medical-device manufacturers to incorporate specific properties such as hardness, water permeability, and UV-light absorbency. Polysciences Inc, 400 Valley Road, Warrington, PA 18976, http://www.polysciences.com

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J. P. Sercel Associates (JPSA) has announced contract hole drilling in a wide range of materials, including glass, quartz, silicon nitride, III-V materials, metals, polymers, ceramics, sapphire, and others. The photo shows 2-micrometer-diameter dimples in a polymer. The company’s UV excimer and diode-pumped solidstate lasers use a range of UV wave-lengths from 157 to 355 nm and can drill smooth, straight or tapered holes, depending on the application required. Holes can be drilled in materials up to 2 mm thick in certain applications; hole sizes in thin materials range from 1 µm up to 2 mm in diameter. JPSA can align holes to pre-existing features, can create shaped (for example, square or diamond), blind, through, slotted, and other features. J. P. Sercel Associates Inc, 17D Clinton Drive, Hollis, NH 03049, http://jpsalaser.com

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Air Products and Chemicals has introduced Aquawhite 100 curing agent, a polymeric amine dispersion in water, designed for use in ambient or heat-cure two-part systems. It can be formulated with a variety of epoxy resins and waterborne epoxy dispersions while maintaining volatile organic compound levels less than 100 g/L. Aquawhite-based coatings remained intact upon exposure to sulphuric or acetic acid; it is said that other water-based systems showed severe failure on such exposure. The Aquawhite 100 features the advantages of long pot life, fast drying, high gloss, stain and yellowing resistance, and freeze and thaw stability. It can be applied in high-traffic areas without area shutdown because it is waterborne with low odor. Air Products and Chemicals Inc, 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18195-1501, http://www.airproducts.com

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Goodfellow Corp has developed a new thermoplastic self-reinforcing composite that is produced by hot compacting of polypropylene fabric. This process results in properties that combine light weight and recyclability with good mechanical performance and high impact strength. Because it is a thermoplastic composite, sheets of the material can readily be converted into components by thermoforming, punching, and machining. Applications for the new polypropylene–polypropylene composite include industrial cladding, audio products, personal protective equipment, sports goods, and the packaging of facing skins on foam sandwiches and honeycomb sandwiches. The company specializes in supplying small quantities (a few grams to a few kilograms) of materials for research or product development. Goodfellow Corporation, 237 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 252, Devon, PA 19333-1954, http://www.goodfellow.com

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The LFA 457 MicroFlash from Netzsch Instruments is a tabletop thermal diffusivity/conductivity analyzer for ceramics, metals, composites, and multilayer systems. The instrument uses the flash method, in which the front side of a plane-parallel solid sample is heated by a short laser pulse, which causes a temperature increase on the rear surface. The rise is measured against time using an IR detector. The thermal diffusivity (for materials between 0.01 and 1000 mm²/s) and thermal conductivity (in the range between 0.1 and 2000 W/Km) can be determined. The LFA 457 allows tests between −125°C and 1100°C using two interchangeable furnaces; measurements over the entire temperature range can be done within a few hours. Thermal diffusivity can be determined within ±3%, thermal conductivity within ±5%, for most materials. Netzsch Instruments Inc, 37 North Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803, http://www.e-thermal.com

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Parker Hannifin has made it possible to eliminate dangerous gas cylinders from the laboratory with new Balston brand H2-500 series hydrogen gas generators. They supply flows of 90, 150, 300, 500, 800, and 1200 cm³/min of ultrapure hydrogen gas at regulated pressures from 0 to 100 psig. The gas is produced through the electrolytic dissociation of water via a proton exchange membrane. The resultant hydrogen stream then passes through a palladium membrane, which, because of its small pore size, allows only hydrogen and its isotopes to penetrate. This technology produces hydrogen gas at a purity level of 99.99999%, said to be two orders of magnitude greater than dessicant or silica gel–based systems. Hydrogen gas is used extensively with gas chromatographs. Parker Hannifin Corp, 242 Neck Road, P.O. Box 8223, Haverhill, MA 01835-0723, http://www.parker.com/ags

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Ultrasonic rotary drilling of hard, brittle, nonmetallic materials is now available from Valley Design. Materials such as glass, quartz, ceramics, and 96% and 99.6% alumina and aluminum nitride will often overheat and fracture during drilling due to stresses associated with ordinary rotational drilling or laser cutting methods. The smooth, controlled cutting action of a lubricated ultrasonic rotary drill, plus a water coolant, reduces diamond tool binding. This enables faster, more efficient cutting and uses lighter tool pressure than conventional machining. The lighter tool pressure simplifies drilling small-diameter holes (from 0.020 to 0.500 inches), long and deep holes, and holes close together. Less friction also reduces the stress imposed on the material. Valley Design Corp, Two Shaker Road, Bldg. E-001, Shirley, MA 01464, http://www.valleydesign.com

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Cabot Supermetals’ tantalum sputtering targets are ideally suited for critical thin-film applications, such as optics, magnetics, ink-jet print heads, and flat panel displays. They are also valuable in 200- and 300-mm semiconductor facilities for producing devices at the 130- and 90-nm nodes.

Tantalum targets are available with purities as high as 99.999% and are made using a process that results in a controlled grain structure with an average grain size of less than 50 µm and a preferred <111> texture. Size and texture are uniform through the target thickness and across its surface, so film performance is consistent across the substrate throughout the target’s lifetime. The company’s target bonding assemblies reportedly set a new standard for bond strength at greater than 50 kpsi. Cabot Supermetals, 1201 Etna Parkway, Pataskala, OH 43062, http://www.cabot-corp.com

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Rehm has announced the Synergic.Pro, a new generation of metal inert/metal active gas welding units. They feature the company’s stepless dynamic induction (SDI), a choke with continuous electronic adjustment, to enable better ignition characteristic, and a stable arc. The SDI welding choke is characteristic controlled, which means that the optimum process data can be called automatically according to the combination of material and gas, wire diameter, and switch step (that sets the welding voltage). The standard system offers two- and four-roller wire feeders with power up to 310 A. Units from the larger Synergic. Pro system have power ranges from 250 to 450 A and provide an additional SDI control, which allows manual modification of the effect of the welding choke on the arc characteristics. Such modifications are valuable for welding out of position or in narrow gaps. Rehm Gmbh u. Co, Ottostrasse 2, Uhingen D-73066, Germany, http://www.rehm-online.de

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UV Process Supply has introduced rigid and flexible UV filtering material that protects against premature curing. By design, radiation curable coatings, inks, and adhesives are sensitive to UV radiation. Actinic radiation from the sun or from electric signs can initiate curing of formulations prior to processing. To avoid unwanted changes, one must filter out the UV from all light sources. UV Process Supply produces clear and orange flexible sheets that offer 99.8% protection against UV radiation. These are available in cut sheets customized by length or in uncut 100-ft. rolls, with or without adhesive backing. Rigid UV filter sheets, made out of tough acrylic, filter out 100% of UV radiation below 390 nm and 98% between 390 and 400 nm. UV Process Supply Inc, 1229 West Cortland Street, Chicago, IL 60614-4805, http://www.uvprocess.com

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Master Bond has developed EP21TDCHT-1, a new two-component epoxy adhesive/sealant with high peel and shear strength and a wide temperature-range serviceability of −100°F to +400°F. This compound is formulated to cure at room temperature or more rapidly at elevated temperatures and has a convenient 1:1 mix ratio by weight or volume. EP21TDCHT-1 offers superior durability and resistance to vibration, impact, thermal shock, and exposure to water, oils, and many organic solvents. It has high bond strength to both similar and dissimilar substrates and is especially well suited for bonding dissimilar substrates that have different coefficients of expansion. The new epoxy is an excellent electrical insulator with a volume resistivity of 10¹⁴ Ωcm. Master Bond Inc, 154 Hobart Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601-3922, http://www.masterbond.com

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Metrology Resource Co has announced a new optical measurement system based on white light interferometry, a noncontact process that allows users to measure surface topography without target damage. The WLI system was developed for fast and accurate measurements of surface profiles, roughness, step height, microstructures, and other surface parameters. It has a measuring range of approximately 100 µm using the piezo actuator and up to 12 mm using the integral motor; the measurement area is 100 µm × 100 µm up to 1.0 mm. Lateral resolution depends on the objective lens used; the vertical resolution is in the order of the roughness of the object surface. An extended microscope mode enables 3D images to be obtained. Metrology Resource Co, P.O. Box 396, Ortonville, MI 48462-0396, http://www.metrologyresource.com

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Edmund Optics is exploiting its recently acquired Q22-Y MRF technology to provide magnetorheological finishing, a deterministic process that uses an interferometrically documented subaperture tool to correct waveform errors by selectively removing material from optical glasses, crystalline materials, and ceramics. The Q22-Y MRF can produce high-precision flats and spheres and aspheres exceeding 1/20 wave accuracy. In addition to polishing rotationally symmetric parts, the machine can use a raster tool path routine to polish rectangular and polygonal surfaces that allow for surface figure and angular corrections. An optical form profile is fed into the company’s MRF machine-based software. Edmund Industrial Optics, 101 East Gloucester Pike, Barrington, NJ 08007-1380, http://www.edmundoptics.com

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Alfa Aesar, a Johnson Matthey company, is offering a fine-chemical capabilities brochure, which discusses the company’s expanded manufacturing, custom synthesis, and customer service capabilities. It also outlines the company’s specialty manufacturing expertise in the area of organics, catalysts, and high-purity inorganics. Alfa Aesar, 26 Parkridge Road, Ward Hill, MA 01835, http://www.alfa.com

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Performance-Materials. Net is a new website providing information for those interested in research, development, manufacture, and applications for advanced ceramics, composites, plastics, and biomedical materials. The site offers news and information indexed by application, brand, company, and places. http://www.performance-materials.net

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The Meller High Precision Optics website describes the firm’s optical grinding, polishing, and finishing capabilities for producing windows, substrates, lenses, domes, and prisms from a wide variety of materials. It also includes complete material specifications and pricing. Meller Optics Inc, 120 Corliss Street, Providence, RI 02940, http://www.melleroptics.com

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