Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating a metal on a semiconductor substrate with high control over plated thickness on a die-level includes an ionically resistive ionically permeable element (e.g., a plate with channels), where the element allows for flow of ionic current through the element towards the substrate during electroplating, where the element includes a plurality of regions, each region having a pattern of varied local resistance, and where the pattern of varied local resistance repeats in at least two regions. An electroplating method includes providing a semiconductor substrate to an electroplating apparatus having an ionically resistive ionically permeable element or a grid-like shield having a pattern correlating with a pattern of features on the substrate, and plating metal, while the pattern on the substrate remains spatially aligned with the pattern of the element or the grid-like shield for at least a portion of the total electroplating time.

Abstract: An ionically resistive ionically permeable element for use in an electroplating apparatus includes ribs to tailor hydrodynamic environment proximate a substrate during electroplating. In one implementation, the ionically resistive ionically permeable element includes a channeled portion that is at least coextensive with a plating face of the substrate, and a plurality of ribs extending from the substrate-facing surface of the channeled portion towards the substrate. Ribs include a first plurality of ribs of full maximum height and a second plurality of ribs of smaller maximum height than the full maximum height. In one implementation the ribs of smaller maximum height are disposed such that the maximum height of the ribs gradually increases in a direction from one edge of the element to the center of the element.

Abstract: A combination cheese-grater/music-maker device is provided such that grated cheese and musical notes are produced simultaneously and synchronously. The device uses of one or more cylinders rotatably attached to said device wherein all of the cylinders can be rotated simultaneously and synchronously. The device features with a handle to allow a person's hand to impart simultaneous and synchronous rotation to all said cylinders. Musical note producing elements are attached to the device such that a note is produced when a protrusion on a cylinder contacts one such element. The device also features cheese-grating sections on one or more cylinders and with a surface to impart downward pressure on the cheese to facilitate contact of the cheese with the sections.

Abstract: A combination cheese-grater/music-maker device is provided such that grated cheese and musical notes are produced simultaneously and synchronously, the device comprising one or more cylinders rotatably attached to said device; wherein all of the cylinders can be rotated simultaneously and synchronously; with a handle to allow a person's hand to impart simultaneous and synchronous rotation to all said cylinders; with musical notes producing elements attached to the device such that a note is produced when a protrusion on a cylinder contacts one such element; with cheese-grating sections on one or more cylinders and with a surface to impart downward pressure on the cheese to facilitate contact of the cheese with the sections.

Abstract: A financial transaction authorization server comprises a database of records of fixed-location transaction participants, and transaction authorization means in communication with the database of records. Each record of the database of records is associated with a respective one of the fixed-location transaction participants and identifies a physical location of the associated fixed-location transaction participant. The transaction authorization means is configured to (i) receive a request from one of the fixed-location transaction participants for completion of a financial transaction; (ii) receive current location information of a mobile-location transaction participant associated with the financial transaction; and (iii) authorize the transaction in accordance with a correlation between the received current location information and physical location of the fixed-location transaction participant.

Abstract: A unipivot tone arm assembly wherein the tone arm is supported by a single point is balanced in such a way as to have neutral stability providing constant tracking force over the peaks and valleys of phonograph records. Lateral stability lacking in a neutral balanced unipivot tone arm is provided by magnetic coupling between magnets on the tone arm housing assembly and a freely rotating platform. Anti-skate is accomplished through a pulley mechanism between the rotating platform and the tone arm gantry, with the pulley on a counterweighted rotating pivot arm.

Abstract: Methods for the recovery of bitumen from tar sands comprising the steps of mixing tar sand, solvent and a displacing amount of aqueous medium to form a mixture, followed by separating a bitumen-rich solvent phase from the mixture and recovering bitumen from the bitumen-rich solvent phase are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of bitumen from tar sand comprises slurrying tar sand with about 0.5 to about 4.0 pound of a organic solvent per pound of tar sand, then adding greater than about 0.50 pound water per pound of tar sand, and separating a bitumen rich solvent phase. The method has the advantage of permitting separation of sand from the bitumen rich solvent extract without formation of a stable emulsion.

Abstract: Apparatus for straightening metal flanges of a cylindrical spool having a center longitudinal portion with a planar flange perpendicularly mounted upon each end thereof. The apparatus includes a pair of movable jaw assemblies which first engage the center longitudinal portion of the spool and then expand to provide a rigid support adjacent the inner planar surfaces of the spool flanges. A hydraulic control system is provided which senses the fully extended engagement of the movable jaw assemblies with the spool, and then actuates a hydraulic press to engage the outer surfaces of the spool flanges. The flanges are compressed between the movable jaw assemblies and the hydraulic press, thereby straightening out irregularities in the flanges.