Abstract: The method for the fabrication of nano scale temperature sensors and nano scale heaters using focused ion beam (FIB) techniques. The process used to deposit metal nano strips to form a sensor is ion beam assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The FIB Ga+ ion beam can be used to decompose W(CO)6 molecules to deposit a tungsten nano-strip on a suitable substrate. The same substrate can also be used for Pt nano-strip deposition. The precursors for the Pt can be trimethyl platinum (CH3)3Pt in the present case. Because of the Ga+ beam used in the deposition, both Pt and W nano-strips can contain a certain percentage of Ga impurities, which we denoted as Pt(Ga) and W(Ga) respectively. Our characterization of the response of this Pt(Ga)/W(Ga) nano scale junction indicates it has a temperature coefficient of approximately 5.4 mV/° C. This is a factor of approximately 130 larger than the conventional K-type thermocouples.

Abstract: A mercury gas discharge device comprises an envelope with inert gas and mercury vapour contained within it. The mercury gas discharge device further comprises a pair of electrodes. One or more sintered metal portions are also located inside the envelope. The sintered metal portions have high gettering characteristics with respect to waste gases, but low gettering characteristics with respect to the mercury vapour.

Abstract: A cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) comprises an inner fluorescent tube and an outer glass tube which is sheathed on the outside of said inner tube, characterized in that said inner fluorescent tube and said outer glass tube is separately disposed, and there is a space therebetween. Said CCFL further comprises electrodes sealed at the ends of said inner fluorescent tube and said outer glass tube. The CCFL of the present invention has a double-tube construction, as a result, the inner fluorescent tube is not so much affected by a change in the environmental temperature. Further, the inner fluorescent tube and the outer glass tube are separately disposed so that the end of the inner fluorescent tube and the end of the outer glass tube are not integrally joined, so that a rate of the breakage caused by the temperature difference between two ends is dramatically reduced.

Abstract: Carbon nanoparticles including both nanofilaments and nanotubes produced by an electrochemical deposition method from organic solutions at room temperature, in which the formation and growth of carbon nanoparticles are stimulated by the catalyst, such as iron and nickel. It has been found that the electrochemical deposition conditions have a strong influence on the growth phenomenon of the carbon nanotubes. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmitting electron microscope (TEM) characterizations show that the diameter of nanotubes is of the order of approximately 100 nm, and the length of filaments can be up to approximately 50 &mgr;m, depending on the size of catalyst particles.

Abstract: A mercury gas discharge device comprises an envelope with inert gas and mercury vapour contained within it. The mercury gas discharge device further comprises a pair of electrodes. One or more sintered metal portions are also located inside the envelope. The sintered metal portions have high gettering characteristics with respect to waste gases, but low gettering characteristics with respect to the mercury vapour.

Abstract: A flash discharge lamp includes a pair of electrodes i.e. an anode and a cathode, oppositely disposed in at both ends of the glass bulb. An electro-conductive member is provided on the outer surface of the glass tube. A triggering electrode is mounted on the cathode and electrically connected to the electro-conductive member. Xenon gas is sealed in the glass tube. The flash discharge lamp further includes at least one High Temperature Resistant electrode mounted on the cathode and at least one Getter electrode mounted on the cathode and/or the anode. Not only can the above design increase the discharge output power and the discharge frequency, but it also extends the life expectancy of the flash discharge lamp.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon nanotubes with an integrally attached outer graphitic layer is disclosed. The graphitic layer improves the ability to handle and manipulate the nanometer size nanotube device in various applications, such as a probe tip in scanning probe microscopes and optical microscopes, or as an electron emitting device. A thermal chemical vapor deposition reactor is the preferred reaction vessel in which a transition metal catalyst with an inert gas, hydrogen gas and a carbon-containing gas mixture are heated at various temperatures in a range between 500° C. and 1000° C. with gases and temperatures being adjusted periodically during the reaction times required to grow the nanotube core and subsequently grow the desired outer graphitic layer.

Abstract: A cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) comprises an inner fluorescent tube and an outer glass tube which is sheathed on the outside of said inner tube, characterized in that said inner fluorescent tube and said outer glass tube is separately disposed, and there is a space therebetween. Said CCFL further comprises electrodes sealed at the ends of said inner fluorescent tube and said outer glass tube. The CCFL of the present invention has a double-tube construction, as a result, the inner fluorescent tube is not so much affected by a change in the environmental temperature. Further, the inner fluorescent tube and the outer glass tube are separately disposed so that the end of the inner fluorescent tube and the end of the outer glass tube are not integrally joined, so that a rate of the breakage caused by the temperature difference between two ends is dramatically reduced.

Abstract: A flash discharge lamp comprising: a pair of electrodes i.e. an anode and a cathode, oppositely disposed in at both ends of the glass bulb, a electro-conductive member is provided on the outer surface of the glass tube, a triggering electrode mounted on said cathode and electrically connected to said electro-conductive member, and xenon gas sealed in said glass tube, said flash discharge lamp further includes at least one High Temperature Resistant electrode mounted on said cathode and at least one Getter electrode mounted on said cathode and/or said anode. Not only can the above design increase discharge output power and the discharge frequency, but also extend the life expectancy of the flash discharge lamp. The flash discharge lamp according to this invention goes further in the scope of application.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence devices, and the like, which have flaps are disclosed. The absorbent articles have a deformed hinge that is located between at least a portion of the main body portion of the absorbent article and the flaps, and zones of extensibility for relieving the stresses that develop in the flaps when the flaps are folded down and under a wearer's undergarment.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence devices, and the like, which have flaps are disclosed. The absorbent articles have flaps with a step configuration. The absorbent articles may also have a deformed hinge that is located between at least a portion of the main body portion of the absorbent article and the flaps, and zones of extensibility for relieving the stresses that develop in the flaps when the flaps are folded down and under a wearer's undergarment.

Abstract: Methods of producing fullerenes in large-macroscopic quantities inexpensively is disclosed without using solid carbon material such as graphite. In a preferred embodiment, fullerenes are formed by a hot filament CVD procedure. The fullerenes occur in the soot that forms as a by-product on the edges of the substrate holder. Mass spectrum of soot deposits shows lines corresponding to C.sub.60. From the typical concentrations of gaseous species in the diamond-growing CVD chamber, hydrocarbon species including CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2 H.sub.2 can be the precursors for the formation of fullerenes in the CVD chamber. A method of using fullerenes to enhance the properties of rubber composites is also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for growing a diamond thin film on a selected substrate. First the substrate is prepared by scratching the surface thereof with diamond paste. The substrate is then confined in an enclosed space which includes high purity hydrogen and high purity methane gasses under relatively low pressure. The substrate is then irradiated with microwave energy to subject the substrate to a plasma exhibiting a first predetermined power density for a first period of time sufficient to form, on the substrate, diamond-like ball structure particles. The power density of the plasma to which the substrate is exposed is then effectively increased to a second predetermined power density and the substrate in exposed to the plasma for a second period of time sufficiently long such that (100) diamond faces grow on top of the ball structure particles.