Systems and methods for grafting a molecular code onto a material by an atmospheric plasma treatment
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorRory Wolf
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure describes material surface treatment systems and methods for grafting a coded substance (e.g., a molecular code) to a material through a surface treatment process. In some examples, the material is subjected to a plasma discharge containing the molecular code, which is grafted onto the material at the molecular level thereby having little or no impact on the properties of the treated material.
Claims20
A material surface treatment system comprising:
- a vaporizer to receive a solution comprising a molecular code, the vaporizer to create a vapor having the molecular code;
- and
- an electrode to generate an electric discharge to create a plasma comprised of ionized process gases and the vapor and apply the plasma to a material near the electrode, wherein application of the plasma grafts the molecular code to the material.
A material surface treatment system configured for treatment of a planar object, the system comprising:
- a vaporizer to receive a solution comprising a molecular code, the vaporizer to create a vapor having the molecular code;
- an electrode to generate an electric discharge to create a plasma comprised of ionized process gases and the vapor;
- and
- one or more rollers to convey the planar object toward the electrode to apply the plasma to a material of the planar object near the electrode, wherein application of the plasma grafts the molecular code to the material.
A material surface treatment system configured for treatment of an object with a non-uniform geometry, the system comprising:
- a vaporizer to receive a solution comprising a molecular code, the vaporizer to create a vapor having the molecular code;
- an electrode to generate an electric discharge to create a plasma comprised of ionized process gases and the vapor;
- and
- a nozzle to apply the plasma to a material of the object near the electrode, wherein application of the plasma grafts the molecular code to the material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.