Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a semiconductor processing system are provided. The method includes the following steps. A photoresist layer is formed on a substrate in a lithography tool. The photoresist layer is exposed in the lithography tool to form an exposed photoresist layer. The exposed photoresist layer is developed to form a patterned photoresist layer in the lithography tool by using a developer. An ammonia gas by-product of the developer is removed from the lithography tool.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a semiconductor processing system are provided. The method includes the following steps. A photoresist layer is formed on a substrate in a lithography tool. The photoresist layer is exposed in the lithography tool to form an exposed photoresist layer. The exposed photoresist layer is developed to form a patterned photoresist layer in the lithography tool by using a developer. An ammonia gas by-product of the developer is removed from the lithography tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to an evaporator. The evaporator may include a drum. The drum may have a first portion and a second portion. The drum may include a product inlet positioned at the first portion of the drum, a product outlet positioned at the second portion of the drum, a vapor outlet, and an agitator. The evaporator may have a heating jacket and/or a product supply pipe. The heating jacket may be configured to surround the drum and/or to heat the product in the drum. The product supply pipe may be positioned outside the drum and/or may extend from the second portion of the drum to the product inlet positioned at the first portion of the drum. The product supply pipe may be in direct contact with the heating jacket.

Abstract: A layer stack for a touch panel is described. The layer stack includes a substrate including a polymer for depositing one or more layers on the substrate; a patterned transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer provided over the substrate, which comprises areas of TCO and gaps between the areas of TCO; a first dielectric material provided in the gaps of the patterned TCO layer and a dielectric layer being deposited directly on the TCO areas of the TCO layer and directly on the first dielectric material. Further, a touch panel including a layer stack and a method for forming a layer stack for a touch panel is described.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for rebalancing a solvent solution useful for treating photosensitive printing elements having a photopolymerizable layer. The solvent solution becomes contaminated with unpolymerized material and other materials that release from the photosensitive printing elements during washout treating, and separation of contaminates also removes some of one or more components in the used solvent solution. The method rebalances the proportion of the components in a solvent solution having 3 or more components. The method includes measuring a reclaimant, which has been separated from the contaminates, for two or more properties, calculating a mass of the components to be added to the reclaimant based on an equation generated for each measured property, and adding the mass of the component or components to the reclaimant to adjust the proportion of the components in the reclaimant to targeted proportions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of processing silver halide color paper that ensures (a) promptness such that finished prints can be handed at shop to customers, (b) small installation area for mini-labs, (c) processing solution stability capable of withstanding slack seasons, (d) normal image quality, (e) small replenishment solution amount and (f) inhibition of tar generation and sulfuration phenomenon occurrence. This object can be attained by a concentrated processing composition for color paper which has a concentrated processing composition for bleach replenishment of 3.0 or less in pH containing 0.3 mol/L or more of EDTA.Fe(III) ammonium, 0.3 mol/L or more of a sulfinic acid compound of specified structure and 0.5 mol/L or more of ammonium bromide and a concentrated processing composition for fixative replenishment of 4.0 or more in pH containing 0.7 mol/L of ammonium thiosulfate and 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for reclaiming and recycling developing solvents used in the production of flexographic printing plates. More specifically, the invention relates to reclaiming and/or recycling of the developing solvent through centrifugation and/or filtration. According to the invention, the solvent used in developing printing plates can be reclaimed and/or recycled by simply centrifuging the polymer-contaminated solvent. In certain embodiment, the centrifuged solvent is further filtered. The process involves transferring the contaminated solvent, from a plate processor or a dirty holding tank, to a centrifuge, and centrifuging the contaminated solvent to remove the polymer. The reclaimed solvent can be transfer directly back to the plate processor or to a clean holding tank.

Abstract: A bundle for simultaneous refilling of chemicals for processing color photography silver halide materials in an automatic processing apparatus, wherein the bundle comprises at least one bottle with the refilling solution for a color developer and at least two bottles with refilling solutions for a bleach-fixing bath, characterized in that the bottle with the refilling solution for the color developer comprises more than 60 g of color developer substance per 1 L of bottle volume, is distinguished in that the capacity of the bundle is increased.

Abstract: A monitoring method for photoresist regeneration, a process and a system for the same are provided. In the photoresist regeneration process of the invention, the solid content and viscosity of photoresist are adjusted by condensation under reduced pressure or dilution with photoresist thinner until the final solid content and viscosity reach the predetermined values thereof obtained through the quantification equation of the invention and then the waste photoresist is caused to pass through filters for removing pollution particles contained therein, such that the regenerated photoresist is acquired.

Abstract: A method of processing photographic material includes the steps of processing the photographic material in a processing solution, monitoring the concentration of a process-retarding by-product of the processing in the processing solution during operation of the method, reducing the concentration of the by-product in the processing solution by a first method and as the by-product concentration in the processing solution exceeds a predetermined level, activating simultaneous operation of a second method for a period of time to thereby ensure that the photographic material is always adequately processed. The invention enables rapid processing of film whilst maintaining low replenishment rates and low fixer solution temperature such that inadequately fixed film is avoided.

Abstract: A method of enabling reuse of photographic processing waste solutions with ease at low cost without discharging effluents in a substantial sense, and a photographic processing agent regenerated by such a method are provided, which is a method of reusing a photographic processing waste solution, in which a solidified matter is prepared from the photographic processing waste solution by a dry-solidification according to a thin film concentration method without removing ingredients accumulated during a processing, the solidified matter is formed into granules, and the granules is reused as a solid photographic processing agent: and a regenerated processing agent prepared by the aforesaid method.

Abstract: A photographic processing system, which contains: solidifying a photographic processing waste solution, to give a solidified matter thereof; and reusing part of the solidified matter as a solid processing agent.

Abstract: This relates to a method of rendering a used photographic processing solution less corrosive to low carbon steel comprising: taking at least a used photographic processing solution containing a color developing agent and a used photographic processing solution containing a bleaching agent; delivering the used photographic processing solutions to a collection vessel to form a used photographic processing composition; and adjusting the pH of the used photographic processing composition to 6.5 to 11.

Abstract: The invention relates to a low-water-consumption method for processing an exposed color reversal photographic film. This method comprises the circulation of this exposed film in: i) a black and white development bath, ii) a first washing bath, iii) a reversal bath comprising at least a buffer agent liable to pass through a nanofiltration membrane and, in addition, the collection of waters leaving the said reversal bath, the circulation of these waters through a nanofiltration device to produce a permeate that is recycled in the said first washing bath, a water volume at least equivalent to that supplied by the said permeate being rejected via the overflow and the said buffer agent being chosen so as to keep the pH in the first washing bath between 5 and 7.

Abstract: A rinse-processing composition of the present invention comprises a compound represented by R—(OC2H4)n—OH, wherein R is an alkyl group containing 8 to 13 carbon atoms and n is an integer of 10 to 30, but comprises neither aldehyde compounds nor hexamethylenetetramine derivatives, and a processing method and a processing apparatus of the present invention uses such a rinse-processing composition.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the refreshment and reuse of loaded developers used in lithographic printing are disclosed. The pH of an aqueous, essentially silicate-free loaded developer is reduced to below about 11. Insoluble material is separated, and the pH increased to about 12.0 to 14.0 to produce a refreshed developer. The refreshed developer may be used to develop additional exposed printing plate precursors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing an exposed color reversal photographic film. This method comprises the step of circulating the exposed film in a fixing bath, in and then a final washing zone comprises at least one washing bath. Each washing bath of this zone comprising a buffer prepared from a weak acid and its conjugated base, with a conjugated base concentration more than 1 g/l, said buffer being chosen to maintain the pH between 4.5 and 6. The method comprises then the step of collecting the contents of the washing baths of this zone and the passage of said contents through a nanofiltration device comprising a membrane, whose cut-off threshold is more than the molar mass of the weak acid and the conjugated base making up the buffer, to give a permeate that is recycled in the final washing zone.

Abstract: A photographic processing composition, containing at least one compound of formula (I) or (II):

Abstract: This relates to a method of rendering a used photographic processing solution less corrosive to low carbon steel comprising:

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for separating polyester materials from various coating materials. In general, the process includes the steps of mixing polyester materials which have coatings adhered to the surface with an alkaline composition in a mixer. The alkaline composition contains a solution of a Group I alkaline compound and a Group II alkaline compound. The mixer imparts sufficient energy to the slurry to provide substantially complete, even coating of the polyester containing materials with the alkaline composition and cause separation of the coating materials from the surface of the polyester substrate. The mixture can be dried causing the remaining coating materials to form a dry powder mixed with the polyester substrate. After drying, the coating materials can be substantially removed from the polyester substrate by one or more dry separation techniques.

Abstract: In a method of controlling a photoresist stripping process for fabricating a semiconductor device or a liquid crystal display device, the composition of the stripper used in stripping the photoresist layer is first analyzed with the NIR spectrometer. The state of the stripper is then determined by comparing the analyzed composition with the reference composition. In case the life span of the stripper comes to an end, the stripper is replaced with a new stripper. By contrast, in case the life span of the stripper is left over, the stripper is delivered to the next photoresist stripping process. This analysis technique may be applied to the photoresist stripper regenerating process in a similar way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing an exposed color reversal photographic film. This method comprises the step of circulating the exposed film in a fixing bath, in and then a final washing zone comprises at least one washing bath. Each washing bath of this zone comprising a buffer prepared from a weak acid and its conjugated base, with a conjugated base concentration more than 1 g/l, said buffer being chosen to maintain the pH between 4.5 and 6. The method comprises then the step of collecting the contents of the washing baths of this zone and the passage of said contents through a nanofiltration device comprising a membrane, whose cut-off threshold is more than the molar mass of the weak acid and the conjugated base making up the buffer, to give a permeate that is recycled in the final washing zone.

Abstract: A replenisher composition developing exposed radiation-sensitive printing plate precursors for plate/developer systems in which the electrical conductivity of the developer does not decrease to the same extend as the activity of the developer decreases or even increases is disclosed. A method for developing exposed radiation-sensitive printing plates using the replenisher composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material and a method for treating of photographic effluents in order to eliminate micro-organisms and pollutant by-products so as to control bacterial growth and thereby obtain effluents that comply with regulatory requirements. The method for preparing an oxidizing material according to the invention comprises the dispersion in colloidal form of a metal or metal compound in an aqueous solution of an inorganic aluminosilicate polymer, said aluminosilicate being able to form an inorganic gel, and said metal or metal compound being able to cause the oxidation of oxidizable products and (or) micro-organisms to be eliminated, followed by the addition of a base to cause said aluminosilicate to gel. The metal is preferably silver in a powder form that is able to form a colloid when it is dispersed. The oxidizing material of the invention is efficient especially for the treatment of photographic baths, in particular wash baths placed after the fixing step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for processing an exposed colour reversal photographic film. This method enables the water consumption of the washing baths to be limited, the water levels being maintained by a counter-current coming from the bath placed downstream, an equivalent volume of water being discharged through an overflow. The wash waters are recovered and treated by a nanofiltration unit capable of giving a permeate which can be recycled to the washing baths. This method makes it possible to overcome the problem of the presence of tin (II) in the first washing bath supplied with water by a counter-current coming from the reversal bath. This process also makes it possible to overcome the problems of discharges of chemical substances to the drains while maintaining a good sensitometry of the developed films.

Abstract: A method to improve the functioning of a membrane of a nanofiltration device provided to filter a solution optimizes the retention rate of the membrane. In the method, the permeate and the retentate are circulated through the nanofiltration membrane for a time before starting to use the membrane. The method is applicable to the treatment of photographic baths.

Abstract: A tetraalkylammonium hydroxide (TAAH) solution recovered from a development waste through separation therefrom of impurities such as photoresist is mixed with a surface-active substance to have the surface tension thereof adjusted to a desired one, and then reused as a rejuvenated developer. Thus, the surface-active effect (wetting properties) of the rejuvenated developer recovered from the development waste is properly adjusted and controlled, whereby fine photoresist patterns can be stably and effectively developed. Usable surface-active substances include surfactants, and dissolved photoresist contained in the development waste or a photoresist-containing solution such as a photoresist-containing treated solution derived therefrom.

Abstract: A method of processing a silver halide photographic material is disclosed, comprising on a support a light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, wherein the light-sensitive layer contains a spectral-sensitizing dye represented by formula (1-a); a developer solution contains a developing agent represented by formula (A); and the replenishing rate of a processing solution is determined based on the proportion of an exposed area per unit area of the photographic material to perform replenishment.

Abstract: Stable, single-part photographic bleach-fixing “precursor” compositions comprise one or more iron-ligand complexes, one or more thiosulfates as the sole fixing agents, and optionally, a sulfite preservative. At least 50 mol % of the iron in the composition is in the form of Fe(II). This composition can be used directly in photoprocessing, or used as a regenerator when mixed with bleach-fixing overflow to provide a replenishing solution. Because the Fe(II) compounds are precursor bleaching agents, they must be oxidized to Fe(III) for active bleaching prior to or during the photographic processing operations.

Abstract: Stable, single-part photographic bleach-fixing “precursor” compositions comprise one or more iron-ligand complexes, one or more thiosulfates as the sole fixing agents, and optionally, a sulfite preservative. At least 50 mol % of the iron in the composition is in the form of Fe(II). This composition can be used directly in photoprocessing, or used as a regenerator when mixed with bleach-fixing overflow to provide a replenishing solution. Because the Fe(II) compounds are precursor bleaching agents, they must be oxidized to Fe(III) for active bleaching prior to or during the photographic processing operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for processing an exposed color reversal photographic film. This method enables the water consumption of the washing baths to be limited, the water levels being maintained by a counter-current coming from the bath placed downstream, an equivalent volume of water being discharged through an overflow. The wash waters are recovered and treated by a nanofiltration unit capable of giving a permeate which can be recycled to the washing baths. This method makes it possible to overcome the problem of the presence of tin (II) in the first washing bath supplied with water by a counter-current coming from the reversal bath. This process also makes it possible to overcome the problems of discharges of chemical substances to the drains while maintaining a good sensitometry of the developed films.

Abstract: Concentrated aqueous photographic fixing compositions include a photographic fixing agent and a compound represented by Structure I wherein R is carboxy or sulfo, m is an integer of from 0 to 7 and n is an integer of from 2 to 5. This compound is provided in a concentrated aqueous fixer additive composition. These compositions can be used to provide images in color photographic materials, and particularly in color reversal films, with reduced residual sensitizing dye stain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of a digital color proof in which consistent images are obtained while minimizing density variation in spite of various variations of conditions due to the use of a silver halide light-sensitive color material, specifically, the present invention provides a method for forming proof images similar to printed images in terms of various characteristics such as the paper quality of silver halide light-sensitive materials, the dot gain, and the density.

Abstract: A method for separating metal ions absorbed on a resin includes: suspending or percolating a cationic exchange resin charged with a polar solvent containing an eluting agent or a mixture of eluting agents containing at least an organic or mineral ligand complexing the metal ions to be separated; circulating a direct electric current, whether constant or not, in the charged eluting solution forming an electrolyte so as to recuperate at least a metal by deposition; and finally optionally repeating the last step by setting up one or several cathode(s) made of another metal and by re-adjusting the cathode potential and the anode/cathode potential difference to new values, depending on the new type of metal to be recuperated. An installation for treating/recycling photographic bath waste includes an exchanger connected to a tank for waste bath to be treated, to a treated waste bath tank, to a regenerating solution tank and to an electrolysis vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing system and method for processing photographic material. The processing system and method of the invention is adapted to recover water from humid air for reuse in the processor, as well as convert a liquid waste processing solution into a dry waste for disposal. In the system and method of the present invention, heated air is circulated through the processor and comes into contact with a cold surface to condense the heated air. The water resulting from this contacting of the heated air with the cold surface can be collected and recycled back to the processor for reuse in the processor. Further, waste solution can be absorbed by a matting material appropriately placed in the processor which evaporates the waste solution to a solid waste for subsequent disposal.

Abstract: A method to improve the functioning of a membrane of a nanofiltration device provided to filter a solution optimizes the retention rate of the membrane. In the method, the permeate and the retentate are circulated through the nanofiltration membrane for a time before starting to use the membrane. The method is applicable to the treatment of photographic baths.

Abstract: A method of processing a silver halide photographic material is disclosed, comprising on a support a light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, wherein the light-sensitive layer contains a spectral-sensitizing dye represented by formula (1-a); a developer solution contains a developing agent represented by formula (A); and the replenishing rate of a processing solution is determined based on the proportion of an exposed area per unit area of the photographic material to perform replenishment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for processing an exposed color reversal photographic film. This method enables the water consumption of the washing baths to be limited, the water levels being maintained by a counter-current coming from the bath placed downstream, an equivalent volume of water being discharged through an overflow. The wash waters are recovered and treated by a nanofiltration unit capable of giving a permeate which can be recycled to the washing baths. This method makes it possible to overcome the problem of the presence of tin (II) in the first washing bath supplied with water by a counter-current coming from the reversal bath. This process also makes it possible to overcome the problems of discharges of chemical substances to the drains while maintaining a good sensitometry of the developed films.

Abstract: A method for recovering a resin support from an image forming material comprising a resin support having thereon an image forming layer is disclosed, in which the image forming material is immersed into a dipolar aprotic solvent or an alkaline alcohol and the image forming layer is dissolved with stirring under heat.

Abstract: A method for recovering a resin support from an image forming material comprising a resin support having thereon an image forming layer is disclosed, in which the image forming material is immersed into a dipolar aprotic solvent or an alkaline alcohol and the image forming layer is dissolved with stirring under heat.

Abstract: A method for selectively extracted species from an aqueous solution which comprises contacting the aqueous solution with a membrane capable of selectively transporting species from a liquid to another, the membrane comprising a porous polymer support having an average surface pore size less than 100 nm, coated with a continuous layer of a fluorinated polymer obtained by plasma energized chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) using a plasma containing at least one fluorinated compound.

Abstract: This invention concerns photographic processing, and specifically the decontamination of effluents from photographic processing. This invention consists in placing the effluents in contact with a heat-reversible polymer in the form of hydrogel particles, for a long enough time for the polymer to adsorb the contaminants from the effluent, in then removing the heat-reversible polymer from the effluent, and in then cooling the heat-reversible polymer to extract the contaminants from it. This invention is useful for the elimination of tars that are formed in photographic baths during processing.

Abstract: A method of replenishing a processing solution by adding the replenisher directly to the surface of the emulsion side of the material to be processed. This accelerates the processing of the material and maintains the sensitometry of the processing solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for the treatment of photographic films. The film circulates in a series of processing baths, each of these baths comprising a washing area each comprising one or more tanks, the waste water from all the washing areas is recovered and treated in a single nanofiltration device, common to all the processing baths, the water hardness of the permeate from the nanofiltration device is adjusted, and the permeate is recycled to each of the washing areas of each of the processing baths.

Abstract: A method of processing an exposed black-and-white silver halide photographic film material, the method having the steps of developing in a developer solution, fixing in a fixer solution, replenishing of fixer and developer solution, rinsing in a washing solution and drying, characterized in that fixing is performed in one step and under such conditions that a "silver equilibrium ratio" of less than 2.0 is maintained, the said ratio being defined as the ratio between actual by the film material in the rinsing step through carry-over (cross-over) of silver from the fixing solution to the washing solution and amount of silver brought into the washing solution and the total amount of silver that theoretically could be brought into the washing solution by the film material by such carry-over; a "fixer to film silver ratio" of less than 0.

Abstract: In a container for storing plural different kinds of photosensitive material processing agents provided with a first storing room having a first opening; a second storing room having a second opening; a third storing room having a third opening; a first flange section to enclose the periphery of the first opening; a second flange section to enclose the periphery of both the second opening and the third opening; and a cover member to cover the first opening, the second opening and the third opening, the second storing room is located between the first storing room and the third storing room and a first distance between the first storing room and the second storing room and is made larger than a second distance between the second storing room and the third storing room.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating a photographic effluent with an oxidation catalyst. This catalyst is prepared by forming in situ, in a porous membrane, a cerium derivative. In this way the thiosulfate and organics contents of photographic effluents are reduced.

Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide photographic material comprises the steps of developing, fixing and washing the photographic material. The fixing step is carried out using a fixing solution comprising thiosulfate ions, and the washing step is carried out by washing the material with an aqueous solution containing an oxidizing agent capable of reacting with thiosulfate. The oxidizing agent is present in an amount sufficient to precipitate any silver in the solution.

Abstract: A method of preparing a bleaching solution for a photographic element comprising combining a photographic bleach starter comprising sodium acetate, potassium acetate or ammonium acetate with a photographic solution having bleaching ability.

Abstract: An imagesetting system includes: an imagesetter for photographically recording an image onto media; a wet chemical processor, proximately positioned adjacent to the imagesetter, for receiving and processing the imaged media, and a light-tight control wedge box containing a test strip to be processed by the wet chemical processor, without physically separating the imagesetter and the processor, to indicate whether chemicals in the wet chemical processor are depleted below a level of effectiveness. The imagesetting system operates in a test mode to determine whether chemicals in the processor are depleted below the level of effectiveness.