Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a pin-less substrate transfer apparatus and method for a processing chamber. The processing chamber includes a pedestal. The pedestal includes a pedestal plate. The pedestal plate has a radius, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The pedestal plate further includes a plurality of cut outs on a perimeter of the pedestal plate. Flat edges are disposed on opposite sides of the pedestal plate. Recesses are disposed in the bottom surface below each of the flat edges.

Abstract: A bonding apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a first holder and a second holder. The first holder holds a first substrate. The second holder includes a plurality of suction portions that suck a second substrate and that are arranged on concentric circles about a center of the second substrate substantially evenly. The second holder bonds the second substrate to the first substrate while opposing the second substrate to the first substrate. A first gas supply portion has a plurality of first gas supply ports to supply gas toward a bonding position between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first gas supply ports are provided to correspond to at least a part of outermost suction portions that are farthest ones of the suction portions from a center of the second holder, and are concentrically arranged on a circle about the center substantially evenly.

Abstract: An electroplating device for electroplating an alloy comprising a plurality of metals on a workpiece includes an electroplating bath, a plurality of groups of anodes, and a power supply device. The electroplating bath contains an electroplating solution in which the workpiece as a cathode is at least partially immersed. Each of the plurality of groups of anodes provides at least one metal required for electroplating. An electrolytic potential of at least one metal of each group of anodes is distinct from that of at least one metal of any other group of anodes. The power supply device adjusts the proportion of current transmitted to each group of anodes according to the proportion of the metals in the alloy.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to augmenting syngas production using electrolysis are disclosed. A disclosed method includes harvesting a volume of carbon monoxide from a syngas production system operating on a volume of natural gas, supplying the volume of carbon monoxide to a cathode area of an electrolyzer, and generating, using the volume of carbon monoxide and the electrolyzer, a volume of generated chemicals. The volume of generated chemicals is at least one of: a volume of hydrocarbons, a volume of olefins, a volume of organic acids, a volume of alcohols, and a volume of N-rich organic compounds.

Abstract: Provided is a device that uses a high-temperature exhaust gas released from an internal combustion engine to produce a fuel. The present invention relates to the fuel production device including the internal combustion engine, an electrolysis device connected to the internal combustion engine, and a hydrogenation reactor connected to the electrolysis device, wherein the electrolysis device is a device for decomposing high-temperature water vapor contained in the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine into hydrogen and oxygen, and the hydrogenation reactor is a device for converting the hydrogen resulting from the decomposition to the fuel.

Abstract: In a solid electrolyte integrated device including a substrate with electrically insulated surfaces, a first lower electrode layer and a second upper electrode layer are electrically connected to each other on a first main surface side, and a first upper electrode layer, the first lower electrode layer, the second upper electrode layer, and a second lower electrode layer transmit ions and/or have ion redox ability, contain a metal or a metal oxide or both of a metal and a metal oxide, and have a permeable portion.

Abstract: A lithium electrode and a lithium secondary battery including the same. By using an olefin-based ion conducting polymer as a protective layer-forming material of a lithium electrode having a protective layer formed on a lithium metal layer, the lithium electrode may be protected from moisture or open air during a lithium electrode preparation process, lithium dendrite formation and growth from the lithium electrode may be prevented, and performance of a battery using the lithium electrode may be enhanced.

Abstract: A method for forming a hydrophobic coating on a substrate by a thermal spray deposition process is described. The method may comprise feeding a thermal spray apparatus with a coating precursor consisting of particles having an initial particle morphology, and heating the particles with the thermal spray apparatus to cause the particle to at least partially melt. The method may further comprise accelerating the particles towards the substrate, and forming the hydrophobic coating on the substrate by allowing the particles to impact the substrate in a partially melted state in which a fraction of the initial particle morphology of at least some of the particles is retained.

Abstract: A stage device includes a stage configured to hold a target substrate in a vacuum chamber, a cold heat transfer body fixedly disposed below a bottom surface of the stage with a gap between the stage and the cold heat transfer body and cooled to an extremely low temperature by a chiller disposed below the cold heat transfer body, and cooling fluid supplied to the gap to transfer cold heat of the cold heat transfer body to the stage. The stage device further includes a stage support configured to rotatably support the stage and formed in a cylindrical shape to surround an upper part of the cold heat transfer body wherein the stage support has a vacuum insulation structure, and a rotation part configured to support the stage support and rotated by a driving mechanism while being sealed with magnetic fluid.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation apparatus is provided. The electrical stimulation apparatus includes a frame worn on a user, an electrode module including a plurality of microelectrodes covered by a single patch, one surface of the electrode module is connected to the frame and the other surface faces the user while being covered by the single patch, and a processor controlling an operation of the electrode module such that a target effect is capable of being provided to the user through electrical stimulation in a state where the frame is worn on the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting defects in pipelines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for detecting defects in pipelines includes: generating an electrical signal in a first pipeline by a signal generator electrically connected with the first pipeline and a second pipeline. A reflected signal is acquired by data acquisition equipment electrically connected with the first pipeline and the second pipeline. The reflected signal at least partially reflects from a defect in the first pipeline or the second pipeline. The method also includes analyzing the reflected signal to determine at least one of a location of the defect and a severity of the defect. In some embodiments, the first pipeline and a second pipeline are connected with a shunt cable.

Abstract: A hydrogen system including: a hydrogen production apparatus that produces hydrogen; a hydrogen storage apparatus that stores produced hydrogen; a first flow path, wherein hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen production apparatus flows into the hydrogen storage apparatus through the first flow path; a second flow path, wherein hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen storage apparatus flows into a hydrogen-using apparatus through the second flow path; a casing that houses the hydrogen production apparatus, the hydrogen storage apparatus, the first flow path and at least part of the second flow path; a third flow path, wherein hydrogen discharged from at least one of the hydrogen production apparatus, the hydrogen storage apparatus, the first flow path and the at least part of the second flow path flows outside the casing through the third flow path; a first valve provided in the third flow path; and a controller that opens the first valve.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrostatic chuck (ESC) and a method for manufacturing the plurality of protrusions of the ESC. The electrostatic chuck includes a support surface for carrying a workpiece and the plurality of protrusions distributed at intervals on the support surface. The protrusions are formed by a hydrogen-free amorphous carbon with a resistivity ranging from 10?4 ?·cm˜109?·cm. For the ESC provided by the present disclosure, the protrusions are formed by the hydrogen-free amorphous carbon and have a high hardness and a good wear resistance, which may effectively prevent a generation of particles. As such, the negative impact of the particles on the semiconductor process may be avoided, and the hydrogen does not dissociate in a high-temperature environment. Thereby, a problem that the protrusions may easily fall off and may not be suitable in the high-temperature environment (above 250° C.) may be solved.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a substrate holder holds a rectangular substrate and performs electrolytic plating on the substrate. The substrate holder includes a first holding member and a second holding member clamping the substrate between the first holding member and it and having a contact which contacts a peripheral part of the substrate and supplies an electric current to the substrate. The second holding member includes an opening defining a region where an electric field is formed and, at a position farther from the substrate than the opening, a shielding part protruding closer to an inner side than the opening and shielding the peripheral part of a surface of the substrate. The shielding part has a frame shape having a predetermined shielding width in the peripheral part of the substrate, and has, at a corner part thereof, a discontinuous part having a smaller shielding width than surroundings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for creating solar cell assemblies with bonded interlayers are disclosed. In summary, the present invention describes an apparatus and method for making a solar cell assembly with transparent conductive bonding interlayers. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a substrate, a first solar cell, coupled to a first side of the substrate, wherein the first solar cell comprises a first Transparent Conductive Coating (TCC) layer coupled to a first polarity electrode of the first solar cell, and a second solar cell, the second solar cell being bonded to the first solar cell by bonding the first TCC layer to the second solar cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are precursor compounds, composite electrodes comprising the same, and methods of making and use thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator includes a first separator plate and a second separator plate for an anode or a cathode. The first and second separator plates are adjacent to each other for assembly in a fuel cell stack. A first protrusion is formed at an edge portion of the first separator plate and protrudes toward the second separator plate arranged facing the first separator plate. A second protrusion is formed at an edge portion of the second separator plate and protrudes toward the first separator plate arranged facing the second separator plate. With the first and second separator plates adjacent to each other, since side surfaces of the first and second protrusions push each other, assembly positions of the first and second separator plates are regulated. The first and second protrusions are arranged such that opposing side surfaces thereof are spaced from each other. A third gasket is arranged in a gap between the first and second protrusions.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making a biomimetic hydrogel scaffold comprising a polycation and a polyanion. Also provided are anisotropic biomimetic hydrogel scaffold compositions suitable for use in tissue growth, including bone, muscle, and nerve growth an optionally comprising a carbon allotrope such as graphene. Also provided are methods of producing tissue comprising growing tissue on the biomimetic hydrogel scaffold comprising a polycation and a polyanion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochromic device includes a single unitary active layer including a dye having a nitrogen group and a conducting polymer having a nitrogen group, wherein the active layer has a first color in an oxidized state and a second color in a reduced state, and wherein the electrochromic device comprises no other active layer.

Abstract: An electroforming system and method for electroforming a component includes an electroforming reservoir with a housing defining a fluid passage. An electroforming chamber can be located within the housing and fluidly coupled to the fluid passage via a set of apertures in at least one wall of the electroforming chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the catalytic activity of an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst comprising a substrate with a catalytic metallic composite coating. The method comprises exposing the metallic composite coating to a reducing agent to thereby increase oxygen vacancy density in the metallic composite coating.

Abstract: A negative electrode for an electrochemical device includes: a negative current collector; a first negative electrode active material layer supported on a first surface of the negative current collector; and a second negative electrode active material layer supported on a second surface of the negative current collector. And capacity C1 per unit mass of the first negative electrode active material layer is greater than capacity C2 per unit mass of the second negative electrode active material layer. As a result, it is possible to provide a negative electrode suited for an electrochemical device having high capacitance, the electrochemical device being manufactured by pre-doping the negative electrode with lithium ions.

Abstract: A method for converting carboxylic acids (including carboxylic acids derived from biomass) into hydrocarbons. The produced hydrocarbons will generally have at least two oxygen containing substituents (or other substituents). In one example of application, the electrolysis converts alkali salts of carboxylic acids into diols which can then be used as solvents or be dehydrated to produce dienes, which can then be used to produce elastic polymeric materials. This process allows custom synthesis of high value chemicals from renewable feed stocks such as carboxylic acids derived from biomass.

Abstract: A method of automatically ensuring against chloramine contamination in purified product water includes supplying input water to the system and purifying the water to generate the purified product water. The purifying includes removing chlorine and chloramine contamination from the water using a carbon filter and supplying chlorine-depleted water to a deionization filter, and deionizing the chlorine-depleted water using said deionization filter. The product water is supplied to a sensor for continuous monitoring of the resistivity of the purified product water by the first sensor, and an alarm is generated indicating possible chloramine breakthrough when the resistivity of the product water falls below a predetermined resistivity level, which is selected to provide a reserve filter capacity before breakthrough would occur. The carbon filter is replaced at least responsively to the alarm to ensure excess capacity of said carbon filter sufficient to prevent chloramine breakthrough in said product water.

Abstract: A method for making a metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material comprises titrating a precursor solution with a (bi)carbonate salt, the precursor solution comprising a first metal salt and a solvent, wherein the titration induces reactions between the (bi)carbonate salt and the first metal salt to provide first metal carbonate species in the titrated precursor solution; and exposing the titrated precursor solution to microwave radiation to decompose the first metal carbonate species to form the metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material and carbon dioxide. Mixed metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic materials such as nickel-iron oxyhydroxide may be formed. Also provided are the materials themselves, electrocatalytic systems comprising the materials, and methods of using the materials and systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an electrode for a secondary battery, including the steps of: (i) preparing a first electrode mixture for primary coating and a second electrode mixture for secondary coating; (ii) coating the first electrode mixture onto an electrode current collector and carrying out drying; and (iii) coating the second electrode mixture onto the first electrode mixture and carrying out drying in such a manner that the drying rate of the second electrode mixture is lower than the drying rate of the first electrode mixture in step (ii).

Abstract: A methodology for cleaning and upgrading any kind of tires (cars, motorcycles, trucks, etc.), any kind of waste lubricants (internal combustion engines, industrial parts), any kind of oils as well as plant and animal fats by means of removal of the inorganic elements (potassium, sodium, chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus and heavy metals such as Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, Hg, Mn, etc.) and the simultaneous addition of new such as calcium, magnesium and ammonium, in order to produce a clean and upgraded rubber material, lubricant as well as fat/oil, which can be used as raw material in thermochemical conversion processes such as flash (t<1 sec)/fast pyrolysis.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter with a lumen for fluid delivery and fluid evacuation, and an ultrasound source is used for the treatment of intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhages. After the catheter is inserted into a blood clot, a lytic drug can be delivered to the blood clot via the lumen while applying ultrasonic energy to the treatment site. As the blood clot is dissolved, the liquefied blood clot can be removed by evacuation through the lumen.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of making compositions are provided for nitride- and/or oxide-modified electrode compositions. In certain embodiments, the nitride- and/or oxide-modified compositions have the general formula M1-zM?zOaF3-xNy. Such compositions may be used as bulk or surface compositions, and used in a battery as the anode or cathode. In other embodiments, the electrode includes a surface coating composition selected from metal nitrides and metal oxides, and a core composition having the formula M1-zM?zOaF3-x, or an oxide fluoride.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides reactor designs, component designs, and operating schemes for removing nitrates and chemical oxygen demand from any suitable wastewater stream. In another aspect, the invention also provides reactor designs, component designs, and operating schemes designed to modify and improve pH and water quality in wastewater streams.

Abstract: A wipe that can be used deodorize, disinfect, and/or sterilize an object. A wipe manipulator may be used with a wipe to create, energize, or enhance one or more treatment agent in a wipe to improve its efficacy. Desirably, a wipe manipulator is flexible to accommodate to curved surfaces. A wipe includes a flexible membrane or cloth-like element that may apply, distribute, and/or remove a treatment agent to, over, or from a surface of the object. An enhanced treatment agent, such as peracetic acid, may be applied to the surface subsequent to being formed in the wipe as a result of installation of the wipe onto a manipulator, or otherwise activating the wipe. A wipe manipulator may include one or more rechargeable reservoir to contain and apply a synergistic treatment agent to the wipe to create the enhanced treatment agent.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a bioreactor coupled to a substrate. The bioreactor includes: a plurality of walls defining a reservoir; a plurality of fluidic channels in at least some of the walls; a fluidic inlet in fluidic communication with the reservoir via, the fluidic channels; a fluidic outlet in fluidic communication with the reservoir via the fluidic channels; and one or more sensors coupled to the reservoir, each sensor being configured to detect one or more of: environmental conditions in the reservoir; and physiological conditions of one or more cells optionally present in the reservoir. In another embodiment, a method includes delivering media to a reservoir of a bioreactor; delivering a plurality of cells to the reservoir, controlling a reservoir temperature and a reservoir gas composition; using one or more of the sensors to monitor environmental and physiological conditions; and reporting the environmental and/or physiological conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ionic liquid produced from a renewable source and with excellent lubricating properties, and methods of making the same. The ionic liquid includes an anion salt of at least one of a fatty acid, a rosin acid, or derivative thereof. The method for making the ionic liquid or lubricant composition of the present disclosure includes admixing a cation and an anion in a ratio of about a 1.5:1 to about 1:1.5 at room temperature to form a reaction mixture, wherein the anion comprises at least one of a fatty acid, a rosin acid, derivative thereof, or a combination thereof, and the cation comprises at least one of choline, imidazolium, pyridium, pyrrolidinium, ammonium, phosphonium, sulfonium, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof; maintaining the reaction mixture at a pH of about 6 to about 9; and drying under reduced pressure to yield a lubricant including an ionic liquid.

Abstract: A substrate holder is provided. The substrate holder comprises a first holding member having a support surface supporting a substrate; and a second holding member sandwiching and holding the substrate together with the first holding member. The first holding member comprises a first contact point located along a periphery of the support surface. The second holding member comprises a second contact point configured to contact with the substrate placed on the support surface. The first contact point has a flat plate shape. The second contact point comprises a first end portion contacting with the substrate; and a second end portion contacting with the first contact point. The second end portion is configured to elastically contact with the first contact point when the substrate is held between the first holding member and the second holding member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anode for use in electroplating applications for highly alkaline electroplating electrolytes based on sodium hydroxide for depositing zinc and zinc alloys onto steel substrates and die-cast zinc substrates.

Abstract: Plating bath and well structures and methods are described to stop the organic compounds present in plating reservoir wells or bath solution from rising, i.e., climbing up the reservoir wall. An electroplating apparatus includes a vessel holding a liquid solution including metal plating material and an organic species, and a method of operating an electroplating apparatus. The apparatus is designed with plating bath and structures and methods to stop the organic compounds present in plating reservoir wells or bath solution from rising, i.e., climbing or wicking up the inner surfaces of reservoir walls, and to wash them back down on a continuous or cyclical basis in order to maintain a concentration of organic compounds in the plating solution within upper and lower specification limits.

Abstract: An embodiment method includes generating a first water product and a sludge of contaminants from water to be treated using an advanced electronic-oxidation process. The advanced electronic-oxidation process includes an electronic treatment comprising a combination of electrocoagulation, electro-flocculation, electro-chlorinator, and electro-dialysis operated in synchronization with ozone. The method further includes separating the sludge of contaminants from the first water product using a filtration process, and filtering the first water product to produce a second water product and a concentrated water byproduct. The filtering includes a first sub-stage to remove particles greater than 0.02 ?m to about 0.05 ?m followed by a second sub-stage that includes a reverse osmosis process or a nano-filtration process. The second water is exposed product to an ultraviolet light treatment or ozonation process to generate clean water.

Abstract: Upon light irradiation, a dye sensitized photoactive surfaces can undergo hydrophobic to hydrophilic conversion in both in air and oil environments.

Abstract: The claimed invention provides an economical cathode for electrolysis and a method of manufacturing the same. The cathode includes a conductive base and a catalyst layer including a catalyst component. The conductive base, e.g. a wire mesh, includes plural intersection portions and is made of nickel. The cathode catalyst layer includes a catalyst component, such as platinum, and is formed by applying an application liquid to the base and drying and solidifying the liquid. The solidified portion of the applied liquid is not formed in the intersection portions of the base, or even if formed, the cross-sectional shape of the solidified portion has mesh-shaped pores with an average porosity of 15% or larger. The base is prepared by preheating to a temperature from 43° C. to 120° C. immediately before applying the application liquid, and thereafter the cathode catalyst layer is formed.

Abstract: A cell of the present invention is obtained by locating a first electrode layer on a porous supporting body, a solid electrolyte layer that is formed of a ceramic on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer on the solid electrolyte layer, wherein an amount of Na in the supporting body is 30×10?6 mass % or less.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides an electrolytic treatment unit comprising a casing, a plate bundle, a cathode and an anode. The casing has a longitudinal axis. The plate bundle is positioned in the casing. The plate bundle comprises a plurality of spaced-apart parallel plates and each plate is positioned normal to the longitudinal axis. The cathode or anode are connected to selected plates of the bundle. Another embodiment of the invention provides an electrolytic treatment unit comprising a casing, a baffle separating the casing into first and second compartment, and a plate bundle positioned in each compartment. A cathode is connected to one bundle and an anode to the other bundle. A product stream is taken from each compartment. To achieve needed throughput at low head, the plates are spaced in the range of 1 cm to 10 cm apart.

Abstract: Substitution of tantalum into the lattice of monoclinic niobium phosphate results in improved reversibility, near 0% irreversible loss, and similar excellent 20 C high rate behavior in large grain material without the formation of electronically conducting nanocomposites. Tantalum substitution into niobium pentaphosphate enables an improved stabilization of the difficult to fabricate monoclinic niobium phosphate phase. Such tantalum-substituted niobium phosphates show excellent potential for use as electrodes in lithium or lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a negative electrode for a secondary battery, the negative electrode including a negative electrode current collector, a first negative electrode active material layer located on the negative electrode current collector, and a second negative electrode active material layer located on the first negative electrode active material layer, such that resistance in the electrode is decreased due to an increase in adhesion between the negative electrode current collector and the active material and cohesion between the active materials, thereby significantly improving capacity and lifespan characteristics of a battery, a method of fabricating the same, and a secondary battery including the same.

Abstract: An electro-separation apparatus for separation of drilling fluids is provided. The apparatus can include a reaction chamber and a set of electrode plates provided in the reaction chamber. A sediment outlet can be provided near a bottom of the reaction chamber and wiper blades can be provided for sweeping sediment that has collected on the electrode plates towards the sediment outlet.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) furnace includes a condensing furnace and a condensate removal system associated with the condensing furnace. The condensate removal system includes an electrolyzer having a container that may collect a condensate generated from an exhaust gas produced in the condensing furnace and an electrode disposed within the container and that may apply an electric current to the condensate to electrolyze the condensate and thereby generate condensate gases.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus has a vessel for holding electrolyte. A head has a rotor including a contact ring for holding a wafer having a notch. The contact ring includes a perimeter voltage ring having perimeter contact fingers for contacting the wafer around the perimeter of the wafer, except at the notch. The contact ring also has a notch contact segment having one or more notch contact fingers for contacting the wafer at the notch. The perimeter voltage ring is insulated from the notch contact segment. A negative voltage source is connected to the perimeter voltage ring, and a positive voltage source connected to the notch contact segment. The positive voltage applied at the notch reduces the current crowding effect at the notch. The wafer is plated with a film having more uniform thickness.

Abstract: A metal ion detection equipment and a metal ion detection method are provided. The metal ion detection equipment includes a porous silicon resonant cavity structure, an electrochemical device and a spectrum detecting device. A sample solution permeates into the porous silicon resonant cavity structure. A to-be-detected metal ion of the sample solution in the porous silicon resonant cavity structure is reduced into a to-be-detected metal by the electrochemical device. The spectrum detecting device detects a spectral variation of a reflective light from the porous silicon resonant cavity structure.

Abstract: The oxygen evolution reaction (OER)-catalyzing activity of transition metal perovskite oxide catalysts depends on the occupancy of the ?-bonding orbital of eg symmetry parentage of the active cation. Catalysts having preferred values of eg orbital filling can have a high intrinsic activity for catalysis of the OER.

Abstract: Inorganic plastic crystal electrolytes, also referred to herein as inorganic plastic crystal conductors or single ion conductors including [ABx-yCy]y?[M]y+, where A is a tetravalent to hexavalent atom; B is a monovalent ligand; C is an oxyanion; M is an alkali metal; x is 4 when A is tetravalent, x is 5 when A is pentavalent, and x is 6 when A is hexavalent; y is an integer from 1 to x?1 inclusive. [ABx-yCy]y?[M]y+ is rotationally disordered and ionically conductive.

Abstract: An electrode production method by which an electrode including an electrode active material layer formed on a surface of a current collecting member is produced includes, when a material having a lower bulk density between an electrode active material and a conductive material is used as a first substance and a material having a higher bulk density is used as a second substance, wetting the first substance with a solvent to prepare a wet substance, performing first mixing in which the wet substance and the second substance are mixed to prepare a preceding mixture, and performing second mixing in which the preceding mixture, a binder, and the solvent are mixed and granulated to prepare a wet granulated substance.