Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for depositing an adherent zinc coating onto a zinc-containing magnesium alloy substrate in order to render the surface suitable for electroplating. The coatings are applied from a pyrophosphate-based zinc electrolyte solution containing a small quantity of fluoride ions. Depending on the zinc and aluminum content of the magnesium alloy, the zinc electrolyte solution is applied by immersion deposition or electrolytically.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the purpose of increasing the adhesion of a polymeric material to a metal surface. The process comprises plating the metal surface with a layer of electroless nickel, electroless cobalt or electroless (or immersion) tin followed by phosphating the plated layer prior to bonding the polymeric material thereto. The process is particularly suited to treating printed circuit board inner-layers and lead frames.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoconductor having an excellent crack resistance and wear resistance as well as excellent sensitivity characteristics, while keeping good image characteristics of the photoconductor is provided. In addition, an image-forming apparatus equipped with such an electrophotographic photoconductor is also provided. The electrophotographic photoconductor includes a photosensitive layer containing at least a charge-generating agent, a hole-transfer agent, and a binder resin on a conductive substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of perovskite manganite thin films and other magnetic films that exhibit both planar Hall effect and biaxial magnetic anisotropy to form the active area in magnetic sensor devices and in magnetic bit cells used in magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) devices. The manganite thin films of the invention are ferromagnetic manganites of the formula R1-xAxMnO3, wherein R is a rare-earth metal, A is an alkaline earth metal, and x is generally between about 0.15 and about 0.5.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved method for metallizing polymer substrates, such as polyimides. The present invention comprises the steps of surface treating the polymer substrate with a plasma jet or corona discharge surface treatment, conditioning and etching the polymer substrate with an etching solution comprising a hydroxide and ionic palladium, activating the polymer substrate with ionic palladium, reducing the palladium on the polymer substrate, plating an electroless nickel layer onto the prepared polymer substrate, and plating an electroless copper layer over the electroless nickel layer. The process of the invention provides an improved method for preparing the polymer substrate for subsequent electrolytic plating thereon.

Abstract: A gift box that includes a detachable gift support for insertion into a gift box after construction from a one-piece sheet of material. Gift restraints are provided for restraining the gift on the gift support. Preferably, the gift is in the shape of a card, such as the shape of a credit card, and is preferably what is known as a giftcard, similar to a gift certificate.

Abstract: A method of adding at least one more string to a stringed instrument having an initial plurality of strings and an initial plurality of tuners equaling the number of initial plurality of strings, wherein the stringed instrument comprises a headstock on which is disposed the initial plurality of tuners, a neck and a body coupled to the neck, wherein among other things, the headstock has a front surface, a rear surface and at least one side planer surface and at least one elongated bore in the side planer surface and wherein the headstock further comprises at least one individual aperture extending from the front surface to the rear surface of the headstock and the elongated bore extends perpendicularly to the aperture, wherein the method comprises the steps of inserting a steel flanged insert into the individual aperture; inserting a shaft, having a first end and a second end, in the elongated bore such that the first end of the shaft extends into the aperture of the headstock; coupling a first end of the at l

Abstract: A process is described for treating metal surfaces with roughening compositions that use poly(ethyleneamino propionitrile) polymer as an additive in the composition to improve adhesion of polymeric materials to the metal surfaces and to improve peel strength for thermal stability. The polymer of the invention may be added to compositions containing for example, cupric chloride and hydrochloric acid and is also usable in compositions containing an oxidizer/acid/azole mixture. Other additives, such as adiponitrile may also be beneficially added to compositions of the invention.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a statistical measure of the size of liquid water droplets in a cloud, as well as a system and method for the detection and/or measurement of the presence of a cloud, liquid water content in the cloud and ice water content in the cloud, among other parameters.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of selectively pre-exposing a photosensitive printing element prior to imagewise exposure in order to remove oxygen from the photosensitive layer prior to imagewise exposure. The invention is usable in a computer-to-plate process to produce flexographic relief image printing elements.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the solderability of a metallic surface is disclosed where the metallic surface is plated with a silver plate prior to soldering, which immersion silver plate is treated with an additive comprising a mercapto substituted or thio substituted silane compound. Preferred post treatments comprise 3-mercapto propyl trimethoxysilane and/or 3-oxtanoylthio-1-propyltriethoxy silane.

Abstract: A magnifying assembly for use in enlarging information disposed on a container. In a preferred embodiment, the magnifying assembly comprises a container holder assembly for holding the container; and a magnifying lens coupled to the container holder assembly, wherein the magnifying lens is movable towards and away from the container while the container remains held by the container holder assembly; whereby information disposed on the container appears enlarged when viewed through the magnifying lens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic mono-component toner which can suppress a selection development on a latent image carrier and can maintain favorable image properties for a long period by using a toner having the coarse powder distribution (S) within a given range in a jumping developing method and an image forming method which uses the toner. In the toner used in the jumping developing method which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image carrier using a developer carrier, the toner includes toner particles which contain at least a binding resin and a magnetic powder, and the coarse powder distribution (S) of the toner particles satisfies a following formula (1). Coarse powder distribution (S)=(50?A)/2?17 (volume %/?m)??(1) (wherein, A is a volume % of the coarse powder having particle sizes larger than D50 based on volume by 2 ?m or more).