Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining an aqueous dispersion of hydrophobic polymers dispersed in the form of particles with mean diameter less than 100 nm stablized soley with a macromolecular surfactant based on low molecular weight styrene/maleic anhydride imide copolymer. The invention also concerns the use of said dispersion for treating and sizing paper.

Abstract: A process for removing photoresist from semiconductor wafers is disclosed wherein at least one semiconductor wafer having at least one layer of photoresist is positioned in a process tank; ozone gas is provided to said process tank; and said semiconductor wafer is spayed with a mixture of ozone and deionized water via at least one nozzle. The temperature during the process is maintained at or above ambient temperature. The ozone gas supplied to the tank is preferably under pressure within said process tank and the nozzles preferably spray the mixture of deionized water and ozone at a nozzle pressure between 5 and 10 atmospheres. In another embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A labor saving system, method, and apparatus for connecting or coupling lengths of electric metallic tubing (“EMT”). The invention uses couplings/connectors that have barbs that are designed to engage corresponding indentations on EMT to ensure proper installation. In one aspect, the invention is an EMT having: an EMT inner surface forming an EMT cavity; an EMT outer surface; an EMT first end; and at least one indentation in the EMT outer surface at or near the EMT first end, the indentation adapted to receive a corresponding barb from a sleeve device. In another aspect, the invention is a sleeve device comprising; a sleeve inner surface formning a sleeve cavity adapted to receive an end of an EMT; a sleeve outer surface; a first sleeve end; at least one barb on the sleeve inner surface at or near the first sleeve end, the barb adapted to engage a corresponding indentation on the EMT.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring a canister of spent nuclear fuel from a transfer cask to a receiving cask. In one aspect, the system comprises a below grade opening adapted for receiving a cask; a platform positioned within the opening, the platform capable of vertical movement; and at least two jacks for vertically moving the platform; wherein the platform is capable of lowering the cask within the opening.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring constant concentration ratios in multi-fluid mixtures used in wafer processing steps. In one aspect the invention is a method for supplying a multi-fluid mixture to a process tank comprising: transporting a first fluid through a first supply line having means to control mass flow rate of the first fluid; transporting a second fluid through a second supply line having means to control mass flow rate of the second fluid; converging the first and second fluids to form a multi-fluid mixture; repetitively measuring the concentration levels of the first and second fluids in the multi-fluid mixture with a sensor; and upon the sensor detecting undesirable concentration levels of either the first or second fluid in the multi-fluid mixture, automatically adjusting the mass flow rate of at least one of the first and second fluids to achieve desired concentration levels.

Abstract: Silicon wafers are treated with chemicals during the manufacture of integrated circuits according to the method of the invnention in the apparatus of the invention which comprises a process tank for cleaning, rinsing, and/or drying silicon wafers; a first chemical supply vessel suitable for being pressurized, fluidly coupled to the process tank; a chemical flow sensor for electronically monitoring the flow rate of chemical from the first hemical supply vessel; a first chemical flow metering valve for electronically controlling the flow rate of chemical from the first chemical supply vessel; a supply of hot DI water fluidly coupled to the process tank; a hot water metering valve for electronically controlling the flow rate of hot DI water from the supply of the hot DI water; a supply of cold DI water fluidly coupled to the process tank; a cold water metering means for electronically controlling the flow rate of cold DI water from the supply of cold DI water; water flow sensor means for electronically monitorin

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the amount of contaminants that come into contact with wafer substrates during the production of integrated circuit devices. The system allows for uniform overflow of processing liquid from a process tank while preventing contaminants from reentering the process tank and contacting the wafers. The system in one aspect comprises an inner weir with a top surface, and overflow wall with at least one recess having a bottom, and a structure, the structure connecting the overflow wall and the inner weir to form a drainage basin with at least one drain hole; wherein the top surface of the inner weir is below the bottom of the at least one recess.

Abstract: Drying semiconductor wafers or substrates by introducing an polar organic compound in liquid form into or onto means for enhancing evaporation within a process chamber and allowing the liquid to evaporate and form a drying vapor within the process chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of storing and transferring a canister of spent nuclear fuel. In one aspect, the apparatus is a lid for a ventilated vertical overpack having a chamber for receiving spent nuclear fuel, the lid having ventilation ducts. In one aspect, the system comprises: a lid for a ventilated vertical overpack having a chamber for receiving spent nuclear fuel, the lid having ventilation ducts; and a ventilated vertical overpack having a cylindrical body including lower ventilation ducts, a bottom, and a chamber formed by the body and the bottom adapted for receiving a canister of spent nuclear fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying cable in a body of water comprising an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) capable of converting vertical motion into horizontal travel, having a housing and means to deploy cable in a body of water. The cable, usually a cable sensor array, is released from a cable storage section of the AUV as the AUV glides. Vertical motion can be provided by buoyancy change, by dropping the AUV into the water, or by release of the AUV from a weighted bunker at the bottom.

Abstract: A process and system for removing photoresist from semiconductor wafers comprises applying pressure in excess of one atmosphere to ozone, mixing the ozone with ambient temperature or higher deionized water via a sparger plate, and exposing the semiconductor wafers to the mixture of ozone and deionized water. The system is comprised of a tank capable of holding the semiconductor wafers, a sparger plate within the tank, a source of ozone connected to the tank, a source of deionized water connected to the tank; and finally a means for recirculating the deionized water connected to the tank. No chiller is included in the system as required by the prior art.

Abstract: A method for stripping photoresist from semiconductor wafers. In one aspect, the invention is a method for processing integrated circuits comprising: placing at least one wafer having an edge in a process tank having a lid; closing the lid; filling the process tank with a process liquid to a predetermined level below the edge of the wafer; supplying a process gas under pressure to a remaining volume of the process tank; and applying acoustical energy to the process liquid so as to form a mist of process liquid in the process tank. Preferably, the process liquid is ozonated deionized water and the process gas is ozone.

Abstract: An apparatus, transfer cask, system, and method for defueling a nuclear reactor and transferring spent nuclear fuel from a spent nuclear fuel pool to a storage cask for long terms storage. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus for use in transferring a canister of spent nuclear fuel from a transfer cask to a storage cask, the apparatus comprising a radiation absorbing shield surrounding a portion of a hole through which the canister can pass; means for securing the apparatus to the top surface of the storage cask; means for securing the bottom surface of the transfer cask to the apparatus; wherein the transfer cask securing means and the storage cask securing means are positioned on the apparatus so that when the apparatus is secured to both the transfer cask and the storage cask.

Abstract: A power plant apparatus comprising a condenser for condensing turbine exhaust steam having a steam dome, a steam inlet, a tube bundle, a hot well for collecting condensate, an air removal section, an internal makeup water heater bundle. An internal makeup water header which includes a pipe having spray nozzles arranged counter-current to the flow of steam introduced by the steam inlet is used to introduce heated makeup water into the exhaust stream from the turbine within the condenser.

Abstract: Cantilevered apparatus for supporting a wired device such as a microphone, video camera, lamp, or illuminated microscope in any desired position comprising boom arms having a U-shaped channel which receives the wire for the device. A method of supporting the wired device wherein the wire can be easily removed and replaced, and yet is essentially hidden from view in most directions, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process tank for stripping photoresist from semiconductor wafers. In one aspect the invention is a process tank having a process chamber, means to support at least one wafer in the processing chamber, means for supplying a process liquid to the chamber, a lid adapted to close the chamber, a liquid level sensor adapted to stop the supply of process liquid to the chamber when the process liquid fills the chamber to a predetermined level below a wafer supported in the processing chamber, an acoustical energy source adapted to supply acoustical energy to process liquid located in the chamber so as to create a mist of the process liquid in the processing chamber, and means to supply a process gas to the chamber, the process gas supply means being located above the predetermined level and adapted to supply process gas to the chamber under pressure during mist creation.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate propulsion device comprising a lever and a wheel frame having a top, a bottom, a plurality of wheel axle holes near the bottom, a pivot connection near the top for pivotally connecting the lever to the wheel frame, and a hole and shaft combination for connecting a resilient member. The lever's pivot connection is located forward of the center of the lever. As the lever rotates around its pivotal connection to the wheel frame, the resilient member is stretched. Upon release of the rotating force, the resilient member returns the lever to a point of contact with the wheel frame or a stopping piece attached thereto. This action allows a skater to achieve greater speeds than with regular in-line roller skates while exerting the same amount of energy.