Author: claimsbot

1. A storage box comprising:\u2014
a) a body, at least partially defining a volume, for receiving items to be stored in said box;
b) a lid, hingedly attached to said body and adapted to close said volume; and
c) at least one lock for releasably locking at least one non-hinged portion of said lid into locking engagement with said body, wherein at least one said lock is fixedly engaged with one of said body and said lid and includes at least one turning portion and a plurality of arms extending therefrom, said arms moving between a first unlocked position and a second locked position as a result of rotation of said turning portion, wherein
i) a plurality of said arms have end portions adapted to extend into first recess portions in the other of said body and said lid when said arms are in said second position and said end portions do not extend into said first recess portions when said arms are in said first position, and
ii) at least one of said arms has a hook portion adapted to extend into a second recess portion in the other of said body and said lid such that in said second position said hook portion comes into engagement with a surface of the other of said lid and said body thereby preventing movement of said hook portion into and out of said second recess portion and that in said first position said hook portion is able to move in and out of said second recess portion.
2. A box according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of said arms comprise respective hook portions.
3. A box according to claims 1 wherein said turning portion comprises an aperture adapted to receive a key and rotation of said key by an operator results in movement of said arms between said first and second positions.
4. A box according to claim 1, wherein at least one said lock is fixedly engaged with said lid.
5. A box according claim 1, wherein said lid comprises a first lid portion adapted to substantially form a face of said box and a second lid portion adapted to engages a first body portion wherein said first body portion and said second lid portion form an adjacent face of said box.
6. A box according to claims 4 wherein said first recess portions are formed in second and third body portions that form side faces of said box and said second recess portions are formed in said first box portion.
7. A storage box comprising:\u2014
a) a body, at least partially defining a first volume, for receiving items to be stored in said box;
b) a lid, hingedly attached to said body and adapted to close said first volume;
c) at least one lock for releasably locking at least one non-hinged portion of said lid into locking engagement with said body; and
d) at least one handle comprising
i) a recess in a wall of said body or said lid, said recess and said wall defining a second volume;
ii) a handle portion adapted to be gripped by an operator;
iii) a plurality of support portions attached to said body or lid within said recess and adapted to receive said handle portion and allow rotation of said handle between a first storage position wherein said handle portion is contained with said second volume defined by said recess and a second position wherein at least part of said handle portion extends outside said second volume and said support portion further comprising at least one limiter for limiting movement of said handle portion.
8. A box according to claim 7, wherein rotation from said first portion to said second position is rotation through 90 degrees.
9. A storage box comprising:\u2014
a) a body, at least partially defining a first volume, for receiving items to be stored in said box;
b) a lid, hingedly attached to said body and adapted to close said first volume;
c) at least one lock for releasably locking at least one non-hinged portion of said lid into locking engagement with said body; and
d) at least one anti-jemmy device for protecting a junction between body and said lid when said box is in a closed condition, wherein at least one said anti-jemmy device comprises a first bar portion extending from one of said body and said lid and a second bar portion at least partially covering at least one said junction.
10. A locking device for locking a first article to a second article, the first article having a first end face adapted to engage a second end face of the second article and first side faces extending from said first end face and adapted to be located between second side faces of said second article, the locking device fixedly engaged with said first article and comprising:\u2014
at least one turning portion and a plurality of arms extending therefrom, said arms moving between a first unlocked position and a second locked position as a result of rotation of said turning portion, wherein
i) a plurality of said arms have end portions adapted to extend into respective first recess portions in said second side faces when said arms are in said second position and said end portions do not extend into said first recess portions when said arms are in said first position, and
ii) at least one of said arms has a hook portion adapted to extend into a second recess portion in said second end face such that in said second position said hook portion comes into engagement with a surface of said second end face thereby preventing movement of said hook portion into and out of said second recess portion and that in said first position said hook portion is able to move in and out of said second recess portion as a result of movement of said first article relative to said second article.
11. A locking device according to claim 10 wherein a plurality of said arms comprise respective hook portions.
12. A locking device according to claim 10 wherein said turning portion comprises an aperture adapted to receive a key and rotation of said key by an operator results in movement of said arms between said first and second positions.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. Apparatus for supplying power to a load device that is unable to tap into a power source, comprising:
a plurality of signal lines connected to said load device that is unable to tap into a power source;
at least a first device that provides first and second potentially time varying signals on first and second ones of said signal lines to said load device, wherein said first and second time varying signals are information bearing signals;
a power extractor that extracts voltagecurrent from said first and second potentially time varying signals and provides first and second voltagecurrent signals, wherein positive going portions of said first and second potentially time varying signals are combined in an additive manner to provide said first voltagecurrent signal and negative going portions said first and second potentially time varying signals are combined in an additive manner to provide said second voltagecurrent signal; and
a power conversion circuit that converts said first and second voltagecurrent signals to a plurality of dc voltages that are provided to said load device that is unable to tap into a power source.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second voltagecurrent signals are each limited in magnitude.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power extractor comprises a diode network for each of said first and second potentially time varying signals.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said diode networks are connected in parallel between first and second lines that carry said first and second voltagecurrent signals, respectively.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second voltagecurrent signals have a common reference potential.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power conversion circuit further comprises a transformer circuit that combines said first and second voltagecurrent signals in an additive manner into said dc voltages.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said power conversion circuit comprises a switch that simultaneously switches said first and second voltagecurrent signals to said transformer circuit.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a separate power source and means for coupling said separate power source to said power conversion circuit when said first and second potentially time varying signals provide inadequate power for generating said plurality of dc voltages.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for coupling comprises an array of diode pairs, each connected as a half bridge to a corresponding input signal, and an additional diode pair connected as a half bridge to a common ground.
10. An apparatus for supplying power to a load device comprising:
a plurality of signal lines connected to said load device;
at least a first device that provides first and second potentially time varying signals on first and second ones of said signal lines to said load device;
a power extractor that extracts voltagecurrent from said first and second potentially time varying signals and provides first and second voltagecurrent signals;
a power conversion circuit that converts said first and second voltagecurrent signals to a plurality of dc voltages that are provided to said load device: and
a second device that provides at least a third one of said potentially time varying signals on a third one of said signal lines.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said load device is interconnected with said first and second devices via said plurality of signal lines.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second voltagecurrent signals vary in magnitude based on a combination of said first and second potentially time varying signals.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first voltagecurrent signal has a first magnitude that is greater than a second magnitude of said second voltagecurrent signal, and both of said first and second voltagecurrent signals are positive.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a feedback circuit responsive to a first one of said dc voltages to provide an error signal, and wherein said power conversion circuit responds to said error signal to regulate said first dc voltage.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said feedback circuit comprises an error amplifier that has an output capacitance and a stable voltage supply connected in circuit with said error amplifier to substantially remove the effect of said output capacitance upon said power conversion circuit.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said stable voltage supply provides a stable voltage to said error amplifier, and wherein said stable voltage is derived from said first and second voltagecurrent signals.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said error amplifier comprises a transistor having its collector connected in circuit with said stable voltage supply and its emitter connected to provide said error signal to said power conversion circuit.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said transistor is a phototransistor that is optically coupled to a light emitting diode that is controlled by an active device in response to said first dc voltage.
19. Apparatus for supplying power to a load device that is unable to tap into a power source comprising:
a plurality of input stages and a plurality of output stages connected in circuit with a transformer, wherein said input stages extract power from a plurality of potentially time varying signals to produce a first voltagecurrent signal and a second voltagecurrent signal, and wherein positive going portions of said first and second potentially time varying signals are combined in an additive manner to provide said first voltagecurrent signal and negative going portions said first and second potentially time varying signals are combined in an additive manner to provide said second voltagecurrent signal, wherein said first and second time varying signals are information bearing signals; and
a switching circuit that switches said input stages to combine said first voltagecurrent signal and said second voltagecurrent signal in said transformer to provide a plurality of dc voltages in said output stages for said load device that is unable to tap into a power source.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said plurality of dc voltages is provided when each of said potentially time varying voltages has a non-zero magnitude or when some but not all of said potentially time varying voltages has a magnitude of zero.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an optional input stage for connecting an optional input voltage source in circuit with said transformer, and wherein said optional input stage, said transformer and said output stages co-act to provide said plurality of dc voltages.
22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein at least one of said dc voltages is positive and at least one of said dc voltages is negative.
23. A method for supplying power to a load device that is unable to tap into a power source comprising:
providing a plurality of signal lines connected to said load device that is unable to tap into a power source;
providing at least a first device that provides first and second potentially time varying signals on first and second ones of said signal lines to said load device, wherein said first and second time varying signals are information bearing signals;
extracting positive going and negative going portions from first and second potentially time varying signals;
combining said positive going portions in an additive manner to provide a first voltagecurrent signal and said negative going portions in an additive manner to provide a second voltagecurrent signal; and
converting said first and second voltagecurrent signals to a plurality of dc voltages that are provided to said load device that is unable to tap into a power source.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein said dc voltages are provided both when each of said potentially time varying signals has a non-zero magnitude or when at least one, but not all, of said potentially time varying signals has a magnitude of zero.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein said first and second voltagecurrent signals vary in magnitude and polarity based on a combination of said potentially time varying signals.

1. A method comprising:
establishing, via a computing device, a trust relationship between a first email user and at least a second email user, wherein establishing the trust relationship between the first email user and the second email user includes:
sending, between the first email user and the second email user, an offer through one or more visual windows defining the trust relationship, wherein the one or more visual windows include one or more selectable rules defining which one or more email messages to propagate between the first email user and the second email user; and
receiving an acceptance of the offer and a selection of the one or more selectable rules through the one or more visual windows, wherein the acceptance of the offer establishes the trust relationship.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically propagating at least one email message received by the second email user to the first email user based upon, at least in part, the trust relationship.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein establishing the trust relationship further includes allowing the second email user to grant permission for the at least one email message to be automatically propagated to the first email user.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein establishing the trust relationship further includes transmitting the offer to the first email user for the at least one email message to be automatically propagated from the second email user.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein establishing the trust relationship further includes receiving the acceptance from the first email user for the at least one email message to be automatically propagated from the second email user.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the trust relationship is based upon, at least in part, at least one of:
an attribute of an original sender of the at least one email message; and
an attribute of the at least one email message.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein establishing the trust relationship further includes receiving a request that the second email user grant permission for the at least one email message to be automatically propagated to the first email user.
8. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining if the at least one email message is a duplicate email.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the trust relationship includes a bidirectional trust relationship and at least one email message received by the first email user is propagated to the second email user based upon, at least in part, the bidirectional trust relationship.
10. A computer program product residing on a non-transitory computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
establishing, via a computing device, a trust relationship between a first email user and at least a second email user, wherein establishing the trust relationship between the first email user and the second email user includes:
sending, between the first email user and the second email user, an offer through one or more visual windows defining the trust relationship, wherein the one or more visual windows include one or more selectable rules defining which one or more email messages to propagate between the first email user and the second email user; and
receiving an acceptance of the offer and a selection of the one or more selectable rules through the one or more visual windows, wherein the acceptance of the offer establishes the trust relationship.
11. The computer program product of claim 10 further comprising automatically propagating at least one email message received by the second email user to the first email user based upon, at least in part, the trust relationship.
12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein establishing the trust relationship further includes allowing the second email user to grant permission for the at least one email message to be automatically propagated to the first email user.
13. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein establishing the trust relationship further includes transmitting the offer to the first email user for the at least one email message to be automatically propagated from the second email user.
14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein establishing the trust relationship further includes receiving the acceptance from the first email user for the at least one email message to be automatically propagated from the second email user.
15. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the trust relationship is based upon, at least in part, at least one of:
an attribute of an original sender of the at least one email message; and
an attribute of the at least one email message.
16. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein establishing the trust relationship further includes receiving a request that the second email user grant permission for the at least one email message to be automatically propagated to the first email user.
17. The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising determining if the at least one email message is a duplicate email.
18. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the trust relationship includes a bidirectional trust relationship and at least one email message received by the first email user is propagated to the second email user based upon, at least in part, the bidirectional trust relationship.
19. A computing system including a processor and memory configured to perform operations comprising:
establishing, via a computing device, a trust relationship between a first email user and at least a second email user, wherein establishing the trust relationship between the first email user and the second email user includes:
sending, between the first email user and the second email user, an offer through one or more visual windows defining the trust relationship, wherein the one or more visual windows include one or more selectable rules defining which one or more email messages to propagate between the first email user and the second email user; and
receiving an acceptance of the offer and a selection of the one or more selectable rules through the one or more visual windows, wherein the acceptance of the offer establishes the trust relationship.
20. The computing system of claim 19 further comprising automatically propagating at least one email message received by the second email user to the first email user based upon, at least in part, the trust relationship.
21. The computing system of claim 20, wherein the trust relationship is based upon, at least in part, at least one of:
an attribute of an original sender of the at least one email message; and
an attribute of the at least one email message.
22. The computing system of claim 20, wherein establishing the trust relationship further includes receiving a request that the second email user grant permission for the at least one email message to be automatically propagated to the first email user.
23. The computing system of claim 19, wherein the trust relationship includes a bidirectional trust relationship and at least one email message received by the first email user is propagated to the second email user based upon, at least in part, the bidirectional trust relationship.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of forming a self-cleaning coating on a substrate comprising the steps of:
selecting a substrate; and
treating the substrate with a sol-gel, wherein the sol-gel comprises a metal oxide precursor, silanol, silane, or a derivative thereof,
wherein sol-gel forms an interpenetration polymer network that provides a microscopic or nanoscopic topology on a surface of the substrate.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sol-gel comprises a material with a formula:
M(OR)4-xR\u2032x,

where M=Si, Al, In, Sn or Ti; x=0 to 3, and
R and R\u2032 can be the same or different and comprises hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted epoxy, or a substituted or unsubstituted amine.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising curing the substrate at a temperature equal to or between 25-200\xb0 C.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the microscopic or nanoscopic topology on the substrate varies in depth from equal to or between 300 \u03bcm to 5 nm.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising coating the surface of the substrate with at least one hydrophobic chemical agent, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent is dissolved or dispersed in at least one organic solvent.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent is deposited by dip coating, spray coating, inkjet printing, or immersing the substrate in the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein one or more steps of the method are performed in a controlled environment.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising keeping the controlled environment at a temperature equal to or between 25-300\xb0 C.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the controlled environment is kept at a set pressure equal to or between 0.001-10 atm.
10. The method of claim 5, wherein the sol-gel or the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent renders the substrate oleophilic.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein an additive is added to the sol-gel, and the additive includes a material that provides UV absorbing or blocking, anti-reflective, fire-retardant, conducting, oleophilic, pigmentation, or anti-microbial benefits.
12. The method of claim 6, wherein the organic solvent is anhydrous toluene, toluene, benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene, n-propyl bromide, diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, or methyl-t-butyl ether, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, acetone, acetonitrile, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, or dimethyl sulfoxide and water.
13. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of fluoroalkylsilaneCF3(CF2)a(CH2)bcSiX4-c (where a=0-20, b=0-10, c=1-3, and X=Cl, Br, I or an organic leaving group).
14. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of alkylsilaneCH3(CH2)abSiX4-c (where a=0-20, b=1-3, and X=Cl, Br, I or an organic leaving group).
15. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of alkoxyfluoroalkylsilaneCF3(CF2)a(CH2)bcSialkoxy4-c (where a=0-20, b=0-10, c=1-3, and where the alkoxy group can be methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, or a combination thereof).
16. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of alkoxyalkylsilaneCH3(CH2)abSialkoxy4-c (where a=0-20, b=0-10, c=1-3; where the alkoxy group can be methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, or a combination thereof).
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a metal, metal oxide, organicinorganic composite containing a metal or metal oxide and plastic with silicon dioxide or metal oxides layer, natural polymer, cellulose or protein, man-made polymer, polyester, polyamide, polyether and copolymer, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(ketone ethylene ether), inorganic material, glass, clay, ceramic, woven fiber, cotton, wool, cloth, polymer tarpaulin, non-woven fibers, paper, wood, natural inorganic, man-made inorganic, stone, or concrete brick.
18. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent comprises a fluoroalkylsilane.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the fluoroalkylsilane is selected from the group consisting of trichloro(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, dichloro-methyl(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, chloro-dimethyl(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, dichloro-methyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, chloro-dimethyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, trichloro(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)silane, dichloro-methyl(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)silane, chloro dimethyl(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)silane, trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, dichloro-methyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, chloro-dimethyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, dichloro-methyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, chloro-dimethyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, trimethoxy(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, triethoxy(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, tripropoxy(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, triisopropoxy(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, trimethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexyl)silane, triethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexyl)silane, tripropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexyl)silane, triisopropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexyl)silane, trimethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, triethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, tripropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, triisopropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, trimethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, triethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, tripropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, triisopropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, trimethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, triethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, tripropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, or triisopropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane.
20. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent comprises chlorosilane, dichlorosilane, trichlorosilane, chlorotrimethylsilane, dichlorodimethylsilane, trichloromethylsilane, chlorophenylsilane, dichlorophenylsilane, trichlorophenylsilane, chloromethylphenylsilane, chlorodimethylphenylsilane, dichloromethylphenylsilane, chlorodimethylphenethylsilane, dichloromethylphenethylsilane, trichlorophenethylsilane, chlorodimethyldodecylsilane, dichloromethyldodecylsilane, trichlorododecylsilane, chlorodecyldimethylsilane, dichlorodecylmethylsilane, trichlorodecylsilane, chlorodimethyloctadecylsilane, dichloromethyloctadecylsilane, trichlorooctadecylsilane, chlorodimethyloctylsilane, dichloromethyloctylsilane, trichlorooctylsilane, chlorodimethylhexylsilane, dichloromethylhexylsilane, trichlorohexylsilane, chlorodimethylthexylsilane, dichloromethylthexylsilane, trichlorothexylsilane, allyldichloromethylsilane, allylchlorodimethylsilane, allyltrichlorosilane, (cyclohexylmethyl)chlorodimethylsilane, (cyclohexylmethyl)dichloromethylsilane, (cyclohexylmethyl)trichlorosilane, trimethoxy(hexyl)silane, triethoxy(hexyl)silane, tripropoxy(hexyl)silane, triisopropoxy(hexyl)silane, trimethoxy(octyl)silane, triethoxy(octyl)silane, tripropoxy(octyl)silane, triisopropoxy(octyl)silane, trimethoxy(decyl)silane, triethoxy(decyl)silane, tripropoxy(decyl)silane, triisopropoxy(decyl)silane, trimethoxy(dodecyl)silane, triethoxy(dodecyl)silane, or tripropoxy(dodecyl)silane, triisopropoxy(dodecyl)silane.
21. A method of forming a self-cleaning coating on a substrate with an all solution process comprising the steps of:
selecting a substrate;
treating the substrate with a sol-gel, wherein the sol-gel comprises a metal oxide precursor, silanol, silane, or a derivative thereof; and
coating a surface of the substrate with at least one hydrophobic chemical agent, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent is dissolved or dispersed in at least one organic solvent, and the sol-gel or at least one hydrophobic chemical agent forms an interpenetration polymer network that provides a microscopic or nanoscopic topology on the surface of the substrate.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the sol-gel comprises a material with a formula:
M(OR)4-xR\u2032x,

where M=Si, Al, In, Sn or Ti; x=0 to 3, and
R and R\u2032 can be the same or different and comprises hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted epoxy, or a substituted or unsubstituted amine.
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising curing the substrate after the sol-gel treatment or the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent coating step at a temperature equal to or between 25-200\xb0 C.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the microscopic or nanoscopic topology on the substrate varies in depth from equal to or between 300 \u03bcm to 5 nm.
25. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent is deposited by dip coating, spray coating, inkjet printing, or immersing the substrate in the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent.
26. The method of claim 21, wherein the sol-gel or the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent renders the substrate oleophilic.
27. The method of claim 21, wherein an additive is added to the sol-gel, and the additive includes a material that provides UV absorbing or blocking, anti-reflective, fire-retardant, conducting, oleophilic, pigmentation, or anti-microbial benefits.
28. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one organic solvent is anhydrous toluene, toluene, benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene, n-propyl bromide, diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, or methyl-t-butyl ether, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, acetone, acetonitrile, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, or dimethyl sulfoxide and water.
29. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of fluoroalkylsilaneCF3(CF2)a(CH2)bcSiX4-c (where a=0-20, b=0-10, c=1-3, and X=Cl, Br, I or an organic leaving group).
30. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of alkylsilaneCH3(CH2)abSiX4-c (where a=0-20, b=1-3, and X=Cl, Br, I or an organic leaving group).
31. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of alkoxyfluoroalkylsilaneCF3(CF2)a(CH2)bcSialkoxy4-c (where a=0-20, b=0-10, c=1-3, and where the alkoxy group can be methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, or a combination thereof).
32. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of alkoxyalkylsilaneCH3(CH2)abSialkoxy4-c (where a=0-20, b=0-10, c=1-3; where the alkoxy group can be methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, or a combination thereof).
33. The method of claim 21, wherein the substrate is a metal, metal oxide, organicinorganic composite containing a metal or metal oxide and plastic with silicon dioxide or metal oxides layer, natural polymer, cellulose or protein, man-made polymer, polyester, polyamide, polyether and copolymer, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(ketone ethylene ether), inorganic material, glass, clay, ceramic, woven fiber, cotton, wool, cloth, polymer tarpaulin, non-woven fibers, paper, wood, natural inorganic, man-made inorganic, stone, or concrete brick.
34. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent comprises a fluoroalkylsilane.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the fluoroalkylsilane is selected from the group consisting of trichloro(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, dichloro-methyl(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, chloro-dimethyl(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, dichloro-methyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, chloro-dimethyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, trichloro(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)silane, dichloro-methyl(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)silane, chloro dimethyl(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)silane, trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, dichloro-methyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, chloro-dimethyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, dichloro-methyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, chloro-dimethyl(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, trimethoxy(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, triethoxy(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, tripropoxy(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, triisopropoxy(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane, trimethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexyl)silane, triethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexyl)silane, tripropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexyl)silane, triisopropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexyl)silane, trimethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, triethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, tripropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, triisopropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane, trimethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, triethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, tripropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, triisopropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)silane, trimethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, triethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, tripropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane, or triisopropoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl)silane.
36. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent comprises chlorosilane, dichlorosilane, trichlorosilane, chlorotrimethylsilane, dichlorodimethylsilane, trichloromethylsilane, chlorophenylsilane, dichlorophenylsilane, trichlorophenylsilane, chloromethylphenylsilane, chlorodimethylphenylsilane, dichloromethylphenylsilane, chlorodimethylphenethylsilane, dichloromethylphenethylsilane, trichlorophenethylsilane, chlorodimethyldodecylsilane, dichloromethyldodecylsilane, trichlorododecylsilane, chlorodecyldimethylsilane, dichlorodecylmethylsilane, trichlorodecylsilane, chlorodimethyloctadecylsilane, dichloromethyloctadecylsilane, trichlorooctadecylsilane, chlorodimethyloctylsilane, dichloromethyloctylsilane, trichlorooctylsilane, chlorodimethylhexylsilane, dichloromethylhexylsilane, trichlorohexylsilane, chlorodimethylthexylsilane, dichloromethylthexylsilane, trichlorothexylsilane, allyldichloromethylsilane, allylchlorodimethylsilane, allyltrichlorosilane, (cyclohexylmethyl)chlorodimethylsilane, (cyclohexylmethyl)dichloromethylsilane, (cyclohexylmethyl)trichlorosilane, trimethoxy(hexyl)silane, triethoxy(hexyl)silane, tripropoxy(hexyl)silane, triisopropoxy(hexyl)silane, trimethoxy(octyl)silane, triethoxy(octyl)silane, tripropoxy(octyl)silane, triisopropoxy(octyl)silane, trimethoxy(decyl)silane, triethoxy(decyl)silane, tripropoxy(decyl)silane, triisopropoxy(decyl)silane, trimethoxy(dodecyl)silane, triethoxy(dodecyl)silane, or tripropoxy(dodecyl)silane, triisopropoxy(dodecyl)silane.
37. A method of forming a self-cleaning coating on a substrate comprising the steps of:
selecting a substrate; and
treating the substrate with a sol-gel, wherein the sol-gel comprises a metal oxide precursor, silanol, silane, or a derivative thereof; and
coating the surface of the substrate with at least one hydrophobic chemical agent, wherein the coating step is performed in a controlled environment, wherein the sol-gel or at least one hydrophobic chemical agent forms an interpenetration polymer network that provides a microscopic or nanoscopic topology on the surface of the substrate
38. The method of claim 37, further comprising keeping the controlled environment at a temperature equal to or between 25-300\xb0 C.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the controlled environment is kept at a set pressure equal to or between 0.001-10 atm.
40. The method of claim 37, wherein the sol-gel comprises a material with a formula:
M(OR)4-xR\u2032x,

where M=Si, Al, In, Sn or Ti; x=0 to 3, and
R and R\u2032 can be the same or different and comprises hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted epoxy, or a substituted or unsubstituted amine.
41. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of fluoroalkylsilaneCF3(CF2)a(CH2)bcSiX4-c (where a=0-20, b=0-10, c=1-3, and X=Cl, Br, I or an organic leaving group).
42. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of alkylsilaneCH3(CH2)abSiX4-c (where a=0-20, b=1-3, and X=Cl, Br, I or an organic leaving group).
43. The method of claim 37 wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of alkoxyfluoroalkylsilaneCF3(CF2)a(CH2)bcSialkoxy4-c (where a=0-20, b=0-10, c=1-3, and where the alkoxy group can be methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, or a combination thereof).
44. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one hydrophobic chemical agent used has a formula of alkoxyalkylsilaneCH3(CH2)abSialkoxy4-c (where a=0-20, b=0-10, c=1-3; where the alkoxy group can be methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, or a combination thereof).