Abstract: An installation for continuous hot-dip coating of a metal strip is provided. The installation includes a tank containing a bath of molten metal, a metal strip running through the bath and a confined wiping device. The confined wiping device includes at least two wiping nozzles placed on each side of a path of the strip after the strip has left the bath of molten metal. Each nozzle has at least one gas outlet orifice and an upper face. The confined wiping device also includes a confinement box adjacent each upper face. The confinement boxes are open on a face which faces the strip. Each box includes at least one upper part and two lateral parts.

Abstract: An equipment for the continuous hot dip-coating of a metal strip including an annealing furnace, a tank containing a liquid metal bath, a snout connecting the annealing furnace and the tank, through which the metal strip runs in a protective atmosphere and the lower part of the snout, the snout tip, is at least partly immersed in the liquid metal bath in order to define with the surface of the bath, and inside this snout, a liquid seal and a separate overflow attached/hold to the snout through fixings, the overflow including at least one tray, placed in the vicinity of the strip when entering the liquid metal bath and encompassed by the liquid seal.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for performing video synthesis of audiovisual content. In an example, a computing system may determine first facial parameters of a face of a particular person from a first frame in a video shot, whereby the video shot shows the particular person speaking a message. The system may determine second facial parameters based on an audio file that corresponds to the message being spoken in a different way from the video shot. The system may generate third facial parameters by merging the first and the second facial parameters. The system may identify a region of the face that is associated with a difference between the first and second facial parameters, render the region of the face based on a neural texture of the video shot, and then output a new frame showing the face of the particular person speaking the message in the different way.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the formation of insoluble deposits in semiconductor electrochemical plating equipment or a surface thereof during electrochemical plating, including: removing electrochemical plating equipment or a surface thereof from an electroplating solution, wherein residual electroplating solution is disposed atop the electrochemical plating equipment or a surface thereof, and wherein the residual electroplating solution has a first pH; contacting the residual electroplating solution with a rinse agent having a second pH similar to the first pH to form a rinsate; and removing the rinsate from the electrochemical plating equipment or a surface thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating an inner surface of a medical tube includes a housing, an injection unit, a drying unit, and a supply unit. The housing defines an external shape of the apparatus and provides a workspace. The injection unit is positioned in an upper portion of the workspace and injects a coating fluid into a medical tube connected to a nozzle tip formed at a lower end thereof. The drying unit is positioned on the injection unit and dries the coating fluid introduced into the medical tube. The supply unit positioned in a lower portion of the workspace and collects a residual coating fluid discharged from a lower end of the medical tube and transfers the collected residual coating fluid to a supply valve of the injection unit. The apparatus can easily, uniformly, and efficiently coat the inner surface of a long medical tube such as a catheter.

Abstract: A coating weight control apparatus includes: a strip passing position movement amount estimate part configured to estimate an movement amount of a strip passing position, in response to any of activation factors for movement of a strip passing position, that is, a welding point passing, a change in tension, and an operation of a correcting roll; and a nozzle position control part configured to shift each of positions of a front side nozzle and a back side nozzle by an amount corresponding to the movement amount of the strip passing position estimated by the strip passing position movement amount estimate part.

Abstract: To provide surface treatment that can reduce occurrence of defects caused by incorporation of dust. Rollers 40 are rotatably fixed to rotating shafts 72 provided to protrude from lateral protective walls 49. The lateral protective walls 49 are fixed perpendicularly to lower protective walls 47 fixed to outer walls 39. Hanging plates 64 of a hanger 50 extend through a space 43 between both lower protective walls 47 and support clips 52. A liquid 41, such as water, is filled in spaces defined by the lateral protective walls 49, the lower protective walls 47, and the outer walls 39. The liquid 41 is filled to cover about half of each rotating shaft 72. Thus, fine dust generated by a transferring mechanism is captured by the liquid 41 and prevented from drifting from the space 34 toward the substrate 54.

Abstract: A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A candelabrum includes a frame assembly, a pair of anchor beams, and at least one candle support. The frame assembly includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and at least one cross member. The first frame member is rigidly coupled to the second frame member via the at least one cross member. The pair of anchor beams is coupled to the frame assembly. The at least one candle support is pivotally coupled to the pair of anchor beams. The at least one candle support is configured to receive a candle therein.

Abstract: A candelabrum includes a frame assembly, a pair of anchor beams, and at least one candle support. The frame assembly includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and at least one cross member. The first frame member is rigidly coupled to the second frame member via the at least one cross member. The pair of anchor beams is coupled to the frame assembly. The at least one candle support is pivotally coupled to the pair of anchor beams. The at least one candle support is configured to receive a candle therein.

Abstract: A device for wet-chemical treatment of substrates includes: an accommodation device for a substrate and a process medium, the substrate having a treatment side in operative connection with the process medium; a fluid guidance element, having a specified surface texture, housed in the accommodation device, the specified surface texture being configured to provide a guidance of the process medium along the specified surface texture, the specified surface texture being positioned lying opposite and at a predetermined fixed recess at a distance from the treatment side of the substrate; and the process medium being moved in the intervening space between the specified surface texture of the fluid guidance element and the treatment side of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to a microfluidic surface processing device including a microfluidic probe head with at least one aperture, on a face, including at least an outlet aperture; and a surface processing structure extending outward and perpendicular with respect to the face, the processing structure being further dimensioned and located with respect to the outlet aperture such that it can intercept a flowpath of liquid dispensed via the outlet aperture. The present invention is further directed to related apparatuses and methods.

Abstract: A plating method can improve uniformity in a thickness of a plating layer formed on an inner surface of a recess. The plating method includes a loading process of loading the substrate in which the recess is formed into a casing; and a plating process of supplying a plating liquid to the substrate and forming a plating layer having a specific function on an inner surface of the recess. The plating process includes a first plating process of supplying a first plating liquid to the substrate and forming a first plating layer; and a second plating process of supplying a second plating liquid to the substrate and forming a second plating layer on the first plating layer after the first plating process. Further, a concentration of an additive contained in the first plating liquid is different from a concentration of an additive contained in the second plating liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating subject materials with compositions includes a material treatment section for treating a subject material with a composition of a silane-containing material and a hydrocarbon solvent to form a treated material, and a neutralizing section for neutralizing the treated material such that the treated material has a pH in a range of approximately 7 to approximately 8.

Abstract: A method for removing material from surfaces of at least a portion of at least one recess or at least one aperture extending into a surface of a substrate includes pressurizing fluid so as to cause the fluid to flow into the at least one recess or the at least one aperture. The fluid may be pressurized by generating a pressure differential across the substrate, which causes the fluid to flow into or through the at least one aperture or recess. Apparatus for pressurizing fluid so as to cause it to flow into or through recesses or apertures in a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a first water repellent portion that is formed on a liquid supply surface provided in a liquid supply platform to once retain a liquid to be transferred to a coating object, and a hydrophilic portion that is formed around the first water repellent portion. Further, a coating method includes supplying a liquid to a top surface of a liquid supply platform, which is a liquid supply surface formed with a water repellent portion and a hydrophilic portion disposed around the water repellent portion, and transferring by pressing a coating object of the liquid against the liquid that is retained by the liquid supply surface.

Abstract: A device for coating at least regions of a medical implant including a powder having at least one pharmaceutically active substance or one bone growth-promoting substance such that the powder can be transferred to the medical implant when the medical implant is contacted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for applying preferably liquid flavorings (15), in particular menthol, to a medium (16), wherein flavoring (15) is supplyable from a (storage or processing) container (10) to an applicator unit (14) via at least one conduit (11, 13). The invention is characterized in that the applicator unit (14) has a controllable valve for the application of flavoring (15) to the medium (16).

Abstract: A wiping pad includes: a scraping edge provided to cross a long side direction of a discharge port and come into contact with the discharge port and nozzle side surfaces, and a lead-out passage provided ahead of the scraping edge in a moving direction along a nozzle long side direction to drain a treatment solution scraped away with the scraping edge, wherein the lead-out passage is a V-shaped groove formed along the moving direction on a pad upper surface side, and the V-shaped groove has the scraping edge formed at a rear end edge portion thereof and is formed to gradually increase in groove width and depth toward a front thereof from the scraping edge.

Abstract: A device for coating at least regions of a medical implant including a powder having at least one pharmaceutically active substance or one bone growth-promoting substance such that the powder can be transferred to the medical implant when the medical implant is contacted.

Abstract: An apparatus for synthesizing highly oriented, aligned carbon nanotubes from an alcohol includes a liquid tank for retaining an alcohol; a water cooling device for cooling the liquid tank from its outside; a condensing device for cooling and condensing vapor from the alcohol; a substrate holding device having an electrode for passing an electric current through the substrate in the alcohol; an inert gas inlet for removing air; a tank sealing device to prevent the alcohol becoming gaseous in phase; and a temperature measuring device, wherein the Si substrate with a buildup thereon of the thin film or insular particles is heated by electric current to a temperature, thereby providing a temperature gradient from the Si substrate surface toward the alcohol, wherein said thin film or insular particles is a catalyst for synthesizing carbon nanotubes, and the carbon nanotubes are synthesized.

Abstract: Various lipid nanoparticles are disclosed, including nanoparticles comprising a lipid bilayer comprising a phospholipid, a sterol, a polyethylene glycol-lipid surrounding an aqueous core which comprises a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent and nanoparticles comprising a lipid monolayer surrounding a hydrophobic core. Of particular interest are limit size lipid nanoparticles with a diameter from 10-100 nm. Such lipid nanoparticles are the smallest particles possible for a specific particle composition. Methods and apparatus for preparing such limit size lipid nanoparticles are disclosed.

Abstract: A camera is used to take an image of an end surface of a honeycomb structure gripped by a hand. Based on the image, an initial rotation angle of the honeycomb structure around a vertical axis at a reference position where the image has been taken is recognized. An arm turning section is driven to convey the honeycomb structure gripped by the hand from the reference position to above a plugging mask. A rotation angle required to adjust the rotation angle of the honeycomb structure on the plugging mask to a desired final rotation angle is acquired based on the initial rotation angle recognized at the reference position and a rotation angle of the honeycomb structure around the vertical axis associated with the driving of the arm turning section from the reference position to above the plugging mask. The honeycomb structure is rotated based on the required rotation angle.

Abstract: In a viscous liquid feed nozzle having a nozzle body provided with a thin and long hole with a front end serving as a feed port, a lubricative plated layer is provided by immersing the liquid feed nozzle in a plating tank containing a lubricative plating solution and forming, by electroless plating, the lubricative plated layer at least on the inside and outside of the feed port.

Abstract: A system for passivating a plurality of hollow copper strands in a stator water cooling system including; a first storage tank containing a cleaning solution, a second storage tank containing rinsing water; a third storage tank containing a passivation solution; a plurality of conduits connecting the first, second, and third storage tanks in a closed loop with the plurality of hollow copper strands; and an alkaline pump for pumping the cleaning solution, the rinsing water, and the passivation solution through the closed loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods of treating, e.g., stripping and coating, a target surface of an article including a passageway are disclosed. The systems may fluidly connect a pressure masker including pressurized masking fluid to a first side of the passageway, passing the pressurized masking fluid through the passageway from the first side to a second side including the target surface, and, submerging at least a portion of the target surface in a treatment bath, wherein the pressurized masking fluid passing through the passageway prevents the treatment bath from entering the passageway.

Abstract: A pre-treatment process surface preparation of workpieces for subsequent nickel coating is provided including a thermal process to remove residue, grit blasting for surface roughening, such as with garnet, and rust avoidance by submergence in hot ammonia. Use of expensive tank materials for electroless nickel coating are avoided through the provision of replaceable liners optionally protected from the subject workpieces using movable wall panels. Further, tank heating is effectively provided using industrial hot water heaters and an indirect water/nickel solution heat exchanger, obviating the need for risky and regulated heat sources. In a final option, a fluoropolymer sealer is provided over the nickel coating.

Abstract: A sheet forming apparatus includes a supply port for supplying a slurry, a discharge port for discharging a green sheet, a first slurry spreading chamber, a second slurry spreading chamber, and a third slurry spreading chamber that are disposed between the supply port and the discharge port, and joining holes through which the first, second, and third slurry spreading chambers are joined to each other. At least two of the joining holes are disposed one on each side of the supply port along a transverse direction of the green sheet.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses and devices relate to porous metal layers on a substrate which are three-dimensionally coated. In one embodiment, a porous metal layer is deposited over a substrate. The porous metal layer can be three-dimensionally coated with a coating material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wood preservative formulation comprising a biocidal agent which is a copper or zinc ion complexed with an amino compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia, a water soluble amine or alkanolamine and an aminocarboxylic acid and a stabilizer, as well as to aqueous treatment solutions comprising such a formulation and methods of treating wood or other cellulosic material utilising said formulation.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for making gelatin shunts. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods that may involve moving a wire through a bath including a bottom layer of liquid gelatin and a top layer of water, thereby coating the wire with gelatin, moving the gelatin coated wire through an aperture, and drying the gelatin on the wire in a humidity controlled space, thereby manufacturing a gelatin shunt. In other embodiments, the invention provides systems that may include a motor, a wire operable coupled to the motor for movement of the wire, a temperature controllable bath, an aperture plate situated in a top portion of the bath, and an ultrasonic fogger, in which the system is configured such that the wire moves through the bath, through the aperture plate, and into the ultrasonic fogger.

Abstract: A capsule forming apparatus comprising a plurality of outputs configured to output capsule materials, a tank for housing a first capsule material and being configured to supply the first capsule material to the outputs and at least one conduit being configured to convey a second capsule material to the outputs. A method for forming capsules is also described.

Abstract: Non-woven matrices and, more particularly, cotton shoddy and/or natural fiber matrices, and systems and methods for producing the matrices are described herein.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for controlling the depth of a layer of a layer of adhesive on a peripheral surface of a rotary member (e.g., a wheel) for the application of the adhesive to an object. The apparatus comprises a heated reservoir containing a supply of hot melt adhesive maintained within a desired temperature range, where the rotary member is partially immersed in the adhesive and is rotated by a motor such that the as the rotary member is rotated up out of the peripheral surface of the rotary member has the layer of adhesive thereon. A computer controls system controls the motor such that the speed of the rotary member may be increased or decreased so as to vary the depth of the adhesive on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin film solar cell device includes forming a back contact layer on a substrate, forming an CIGS absorber layer on the back contact layer, treating the CIGS absorber layer with a metal-based alkaline solution, and forming a buffer layer on the CIGS absorber layer where the treatment of the CIGS absorber layer improves the adhesion between the CIGS absorber layer and the buffer layer and also improves the quality of the p-n junction at the CIGS absorber layer/buffer layer interface.

Abstract: A dual-purpose facility of continuous hot-dip coating and continuous annealing is configured so as to be switched between a continuous hot-dip coated material production line and a continuous annealed material production line, and includes a gas discharge path that discharges atmosphere gas in an annealing furnace from a gas discharge port provided in an outlet side of the annealing furnace out of the annealing furnace and a path opening and closing unit for opening and closing the gas discharge path. The path opening and closing unit opens the gas discharge path when the dual-purpose facility is used as the continuous hot-dip coated material production line and closes the gas discharge path when the dual-purpose facility is used as the continuous annealed material production line.

Abstract: A crystal growing device includes a furnace, a platform, a crucible, a heating unit, a heat transmitting block, and a heat exchanger. The furnace defines a chamber therein. The platform is disposed in the chamber and has a top surface and a bottom surface. The crucible is disposed on the top surface of the platform for receiving a crystal seed layer and a raw material therein. The heating unit is disposed in the chamber and surrounds the crucible. The heat transmitting block is disposed at the bottom surface of the platform and is made of a material with high thermal conductivity. The heat exchanger is coupled to the heat transmitting block for absorbing heat from the heat transmitting block.

Abstract: A device for guiding a strip through a liquid contained in a tank, includes an immersed diverting roller, in particular a roller immersed in a bath of liquid metal such as zinc, mounted rotatably about an axis on two aligned supporting shafts extending through two respective side walls of the tank, and each rotating in a centering bearing positioned outside of the tank. Each bearing of one shaft of the roller includes two rotary supporting members mounted in a fixed housing and spaced apart from each other, namely an outer supporting member and an inner supporting member. The housing of the bearing is held against a support plane formed on the wall and perpendicular to the axis of a hole through which the shaft passes. The wall has measures for centering the housing on the axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite material wherein adhesion between a silicon surface and a plating material is enhanced. A method and an apparatus for producing the composite material are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to a microfluidic surface processing device including a microfluidic probe head with at least one aperture, on a face, including at least an outlet aperture; and a surface processing structure extending outward and perpendicular with respect to the face, the processing structure being further dimensioned and located with respect to the outlet aperture such that it can intercept a flowpath of liquid dispensed via the outlet aperture. The present invention is further directed to related apparatuses and methods.

Abstract: A traveling type dipping apparatus in a painting system of a vehicle body of an automobile, usable as mechanism to rotate and dip the vehicle body having been supported on a conveying traveling body horizontally in a forward facing direction in a treatment liquid while conveying the vehicle body.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for doping a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a carbon free layer of phosphoric acid on a semiconductor substrate, and diffusing phosphorous from the layer of phosphoric acid in the substrate to form an activated phosphorous dopant therein. In an embodiment, the semiconductor substrate is immersed in a solution of a phosphorous compound to form a layer of the phosphorous compound on the substrate, and this layer of phosphorous is processed to form the layer of phosphoric acid. In an embodiment, this processing may include hydrolyzing the layer of the phosphorous compound to form the layer of phosphoric acid. In one embodiment, an oxide cap layer is formed on the phosphoric acid layer to form a capped substrate. The capped substrate may be annealed to diffuse the phosphorous in the substrate and to form the activated dopant.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for manufacturing pipes coated with a peelable protection layer, wherein the core pipe (1) is produced by extruding and calibrating, after which the surface of core pipe (1) is heated before a protecting coating layer (7a) is applied onto the core pipe (1) on passing through a coating die (7), followed by cooling the applied coating layer (7a) before the readily coated pipe (9) is drawn out of the process. The method is characterized in that the degree of adhesion between core pipe (1) and coating layer (7a) is controlled by rapid and effective heating of the surface of the core pipe (1) to a predetermined temperature and by controlling welding time and stretching of the coating layer being applied onto the core pipe (1) by maintaining a controlled vacuum level inside the coating die (7) forcing the coating layer to hit the surface of the core pipe at an angle as steep as possibly, preferably between 45 and 90 degrees, most preferably between 60 and 80 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to tissue dilators and protectors. More specifically, this application relates to tissue dilators and protectors used in medical procedures such as bone fixation or fusion. One embodiment of a soft tissue protector includes a port for coating an implant with a biologic aid. One embodiment of an expandable dilator includes a plurality of slidably connected longitudinal wall segments. One embodiment of a delivery sleeve includes a flexible tapered portion configured to expand.

Abstract: A nozzle for making a reinforced hollow fibre membrane discharges one or more reinforcing yarns at or near a plane where the dope exits the nozzle, or in the same plane as a discharge opening of dope passage, or both. Multiple discrete yarn discharge openings may be spaced around a longitudinal axis of the nozzle. A reinforcing yarn passage remains generally free of dope during use. The dope may be discharged in an annular ring inside of the one or more reinforcing yarns, in an annular ring outside of the reinforcing yarns, or both. Minimal tension is required to pull the yarns through the nozzle, which helps to reduce distortion of the membrane cross section in a coagulation bath.

Abstract: The invention provides a film deposition apparatus, which includes a first cover and a second cover, wherein the first cover and the second cover are disposed opposite to each other, and the first cover has at least two holes, and a spacer disposed between the first cover and the second cover, wherein the first cover, the spacer and the second cover form a film deposition space.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical catheters, tubes, and other medical devices, systems, and methods. The catheter, tube, or other medical device is capable of releasing drugs for extended periods of time. Drugs can be loaded into the wall thereof with a loading solution. The drug in the wall of the device and in the loading solution can be in dynamic equilibrium, yielding stable and easy-to-manufacture products.

Abstract: A wood treatment method and apparatus utilizing a treatment vessel having an integrated bundle hold-down system for securing a bundle of wood within the interior of the vessel during treatment. The bundle hold-down system can be operable to counteract large buoyant forces associated with submersing the bundle of wood in a liquid reagent and/or can be used to maintain the shape and/or position of the bundle during treatment, even if a liquid reagent is not present.

Abstract: A chemical bath deposition (CBD) apparatus includes a first cap, a second cap, and a solution input/output device. The second cap is arranged corresponding to the first cap so as to form a deposition space. The solution input/output device is located in the first cap so as to feed a solution into/out of the deposition space. The position of the solution input/output device is fixed, or the solution input/output device is movable in the deposition space.

Abstract: An installation for the hardened galvanization of a continuously-moving rolled steel strip, includes a coating tank receiving a liquid metal mixture containing, for example, zinc and aluminum to be deposited on the strip which is immersed in the mixture. The liquid mixture is permanently circulated between the coating tank and a preparation device, in which the temperature of the liquid mixture is deliberately lowered in order to reduce an iron solubility threshold and is sufficiently high for initiating fusion of at least one ingot containing a zinc-aluminum Zn—Al alloy in a so-called fusion zone of the preparation device, in an amount necessary to compensate for the liquid mixture used for deposition on the strip. The installation includes a loop for circulating the liquid mixture that is thermally optimized.