Abstract: Aqueous polishing slurries for chemical-mechanical polishing are effective for polishing copper at high polish rates. The aqueous slurries according to the present invention may include soluble salts of molybdenum dissolved in an oxidizing agent and molybdic acid dissolved in an oxidizing agent. Methods for polishing copper by chemical-mechanical planarization include polishing copper with low pressures using a polishing pad and a aqueous slurries including soluble salts of molybdenum dissolved in an oxidizing agent and molybdic acid dissolved in an oxidizing agent, particles of MoO3 dissolved in an oxidizing agent, and particles of MoO2 dissolved in an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Novel forms of molybdenum metal, and apparatus and methods for production thereof. Novel forms of molybdenum metal are preferably characterized by a surface area of substantially 2.5 m2/g. Novel forms of molybdenum metal are also preferably characterized by a relatively uniform size.

Abstract: Method for producing pigment nano-particles may include vaporizing a pigment precursor material; drawing the vaporized pigment precursor material into a precipitation conduit; contacting the vapor in the precipitation conduit with a collection fluid at a first location within the precipitation conduit, the contacting cooling the vapor and precipitating pigment nano-particles, the contacting occurring in the absence of a temperature change in the vapor at locations within the precipitation conduit that are upstream of the first location; and collecting the pigment nano-particles in a collection fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for actuating a valve includes a support frame and at least one valve driving linkage arm, one end of which is rotatably connected to a valve stem of the valve and the other end of which is rotatably connected to a screw block. A motor connected to the frame is operatively connected to a motor driven shaft which is in threaded screw driving relationship with the screw block. The motor rotates the motor driven shaft which drives translational movement of the screw block which drives rotatable movement of the valve driving linkage arm which drives translational movement of the valve stem. The valve actuator may further include a sensory control element disposed in operative relationship with the valve stem, the sensory control element being adapted to provide control over the position of the valve stem by at least sensing the travel and/or position of the valve stem.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing molybdenum carbide from a precursor material includes a supply of process gas and a furnace defining at least a first heating zone and a second heating zone. The furnace heats the first heating zone to a first temperature and the second heating zone to a second temperature. The second temperature is at least about 100° C. hotter than the first temperature. A transfer system operatively associated with the furnace and the supply of process gas moves the precursor material through the first and second heating zones and in the presence of the process gas to form molybdenum carbide (MoC and Mo2C).

Abstract: A non-destructive testing method comprises providing a specimen having at least one positron emitter therein; determining a threshold energy for activating the positron emitter; and determining whether a half-life of the positron emitter is less than a selected half-life. If the half-life of the positron emitter is greater than or equal to the selected half-life, then activating the positron emitter by bombarding the specimen with photons having energies greater than the threshold energy and detecting gamma rays produced by annihilation of positrons in the specimen. If the half-life of the positron emitter is less then the selected half-life, then alternately activating the positron emitter by bombarding the specimen with photons having energies greater then the threshold energy and detecting gamma rays produced by positron annihilation within the specimen.

Abstract: Electrostatic shape-shifting ion optics includes an outer electrode that defines an interior region between first and second opposed open ends. A first inner electrode is positioned within the interior region of the outer electrode at about the first open end. A second inner electrode is positioned within the interior region of the outer electrode at about the second open end. A first end cap electrode is positioned at about a first open end of the first inner electrode so that the first end cap electrode substantially encloses the first open end of the first inner electrode. A second end cap electrode is positioned at about a second open end of the second inner electrode so that the second end cap electrode substantially encloses the second open end of the second inner electrode. A voltage source operatively connected to each of the electrodes applies voltage functions to each of the electrodes to produce an electric field within an interior space enclosed by the electrodes.

Abstract: Exfiltrometer apparatus includes a container for holding soil. A sample container for holding sample soil is positionable with respect to the container so that the sample soil contained in the sample container is in communication with soil contained in the container. A first tensiometer operatively associated with the sample container senses a surface water potential at about a surface of the sample soil contained in the sample container. A second tensiometer operatively associated with the sample container senses a first subsurface water potential below the surface of the sample soil. A water content sensor operatively associated with the sample container senses a water content in the sample soil. A water supply supplies water to the sample soil. A data logger operatively connected to the first and second tensiometers, and to the water content sensor receives and processes data provided by the first and second tensiometers and by the water content sensor.

Abstract: An automatically scramming nuclear reactor system. One embodiment comprises a core having a coolant inlet end and a coolant outlet end. A cooling system operatively associated with the core provides coolant to the coolant inlet end and removes heated coolant from the coolant outlet end, thus maintaining a pressure differential therebetween during a normal operating condition of the nuclear reactor system. A guide tube is positioned within the core with a first end of the guide tube in fluid communication with the coolant inlet end of the core, and a second end of the guide tube in fluid communication with the coolant outlet end of the core. A control element is positioned within the guide tube and is movable therein between upper and lower positions, and automatically falls under the action of gravity to the lower position when the pressure differential drops below a safe pressure differential.

Abstract: A pulse discrimination method for discriminating between pulses having a short decay period and a long decay period, may comprise: Detecting the pulse; integrating a rise portion of the pulse; integrating a decay portion of the pulse; and comparing the integrated rise portion of the pulse with the integrated decay portion of the pulse to distinguish between a pulse having a long decay period and a pulse having a short decay period.

Abstract: A high chair clean seat is disclosed for use as a seat cover on a restaurant high chair for the purpose of protecting babies and toddlers from the dirt and bacteria left on the restaurant high chair. The high chair clean seat includes a continuous connected sleeve covering the entire seating area of a high chair including the sides, back, front, corners and seat bottom with leg openings provided for legs to slide through. The high chair clean seat also comprises a strap and buckle for helping babies and toddlers sit more securely without using the soiled strap/buckle already found on restaurant high chairs. The strap/buckle system secures to the high chair by means of a small button-hole/slit on the bottom of each side of the high chair clean seat.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing a desired spectral intensity profile from a broadband light source. The apparatus comprises separation means for separating light provided by the broadband light source into radiation having a continuum of wavelengths; a blocking element having a first side and a second side, the first side having a two-dimensional surface with a desired blocking contour configured thereon, the blocking element positioned relative to the separation means so as to receive the radiation separated into the continuum of wavelengths onto the first side thereof and allow a portion of the radiation to pass from the first side to the second side, wherein the portion of the radiation conforms to the desired blocking contour; and recombination means for recombining the portion of the radiation conforming to the desired blocking contour into the desired spectral intensity profile.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided with an impeller and a cover, fixed to one another and configured for attachment to a drive member. A turbine is rotationally mounted between the impeller and the cover and is configured for attachment to a driven member. A lockup clutch is provided to lock the impeller and cover to the turbine when a fluid pressure applied to the lockup clutch increases above a torque converter lockup pressure. The lockup clutch may include a clutch-pack having rings that are splined to the piston or to the cover via tabs. The flanks of the tabs and their corresponding lugs may be substantially radial, or the flanks of the tabs or lugs may be parallel to one another. The cover may be formed from a base plate and a cylindrical wall piece. A plurality of lugs may be formed around the periphery of the base plate, and ones of the tabs may be splined thereto.

Abstract: An automatically scramming nuclear reactor system. One embodiment comprises a core having a coolant inlet end and a coolant outlet end. A cooling system operatively associated with the core provides coolant to the coolant inlet end and removes heated coolant from the coolant outlet end, thus maintaining a pressure differential therebetween during a normal operating condition of the nuclear reactor system. A guide tube is positioned within the core with a first end of the guide tube in fluid communication with the coolant inlet end of the core, and a second end of the guide tube in fluid communication with the coolant outlet end of the core. A control element is positioned within the guide tube and is movable therein between upper and lower positions, and automatically falls under the action of gravity to the lower position when the pressure differential drops below a safe pressure differential.

Abstract: A nail removing hand tool has been developed. This tool comprises a nail removal means containing continuously curved head portion attached to a handle. The handle is attached to the head portion in such a manner that the continuous curved nature of the upper surface of the head is unimpaired. In one embodiment of the tool, a striker head is incorporated in the structure to provide a device which can perform both nail insertion and nail removal functions.

Abstract: A system for the spray forming manufacturing of near-net-shape molds, dies and related toolings, wherein liquid material such as molten metal, metallic alloys, or polymers are atomized into fine droplets by a high temperature, high velocity gas and deposited onto a pattern. Quenching of the in-flight atomized droplets provides a heat sink, thereby allowing undercooled and partially solidified droplets to be formed in-flight. Composites can be formed by combining the atomized droplets with solid particles such as powders, whiskers or fibers.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium ion electrochemical cell and/or battery configured to provide improved reversible energy storage capacity is disclosed. The electrochemical cell and/or battery comprising a body of aprotic, non-aqueous electrolyte, first and second electrodes in effective electrochemical contact with the electrolyte, the first electrode comprising a cathode formed by active materials such as a lithiated intercalation compound and the second electrode comprising an anode formed by a carbonaceous material combined with molybdenum carbide. An electrochemical lithium ion cell and/or battery according to the invention is designed to provide improved reversible energy storage capacity characteristics as compared with similar lithium-ion cells having carbon anodes that are not combined with molybdenum carbide.

Abstract: A new and improved cosmetic composition and method of using the same to prevent and treat chemically induced skin irritation and discoloration and protect from the adverse effects of tyrosinase containing a small but effective amount of ethyl p-methoxycinnamate derived from Kaempferia Galanga roots.

Abstract: A lightweight armor system may comprise a substrate having a graded metal matrix composite layer formed thereon by thermal spray deposition. The graded metal matrix composite layer comprises an increasing volume fraction of ceramic particles imbedded in a decreasing volume fraction of a metal matrix as a function of a thickness of the graded metal matrix composite layer. A ceramic impact layer is affixed to the graded metal matrix composite layer.

Abstract: Novel forms of molybdenum metal, and apparatus and methods for production thereof. Novel forms of molybdenum metal are preferably characterized by a surface area of substantially 2.5 m2/g. Novel forms of molybdenum metal are also preferably characterized by a relatively uniform size. Preferred embodiments of the invention may comprise heating a precursor material to a first temperature in the presence of a reducing gas, and increasing the first temperature at least once to reduce the precursor material and form the molybdenum metal product.