Abstract: Increased stability of derivitization agents on the surfaces of packing material used in choromatography is described. In particular, the stability of the organosilanes on silicia surfaces used in chromatography is increased, thereby creating a more durable coating of organosilanes. By increasing its stability, the organosilane entity becomes more resistant to de-bonding and the durability of the underlying surface is enhanced against dissolution. Thus, chromatographic separations are able to be performed at higher and lower pH ranges and higher temperatures. The stability can be increased through attachment of polydentate silanes which are either pre-polymerized and then surface bonded or can be bonded first and then cross-polymerized afterward, yielding a polymerized polycarbosilane backbone that is very stable against hydrolytic cleavage conditions.

Abstract: A power amplifier that utilizes a minimum amount of power, and, simultaneously, inhibits the generation of distortion is described. The power amplifier includes a differential input terminal, an output terminal, a negative feedback circuit, and an adaptive bias current control circuit. The differential input terminal receives a first voltage and a second voltage respectively through a first terminal and a second terminal, and outputs a current corresponding to a difference in the input voltages. The output terminal outputs an amplified signal corresponding to the current output by the differential input terminal. The negative feedback circuit performs negative feedback of an output voltage of the output terminal and provides the output voltage to the first terminal of the differential input terminal. The adaptive bias current control circuit controls a bias current of the output terminal according to distortion information corresponding to the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte composition for a lead storage battery, which can maintain the performance of a storage battery at low temperature by enhancing the performance and life of a storage battery. It can also be fully charged in a short period of time due to a greater current efficiency. The present invention can extend the life of a storage battery due to its effect of removing white-colored lead sulfate without corrosion at the electrode plates, and may lead to recycling of waste storage batteries ruined by white-colored lead sulfate.

Abstract: The present invention develops a new type of SPM, a scanning tunneling charge transfer microscope (STCTM). The STCTM is capable of first, detecting the transfer of an ultrasmall amount of charge (single electrons) or current (attoampere) into or out from a surface with atomic resolution and second, simultaneously measuring the electronic response of that surface to the transferred charge. This dual capability can be achieved by appropriately combining the virtues of the STM and a modified EFM. The STM provides the atomic resolution for the charge transfer, while the modified EFM provides the sub-electronic charge sensitivity for the current and charge detection. The STCTM, with sensitivity many orders of magnitude better than with SPM technology currently available, can be used to characterize the properties of molecules, ultrathin oxides, insulator surfaces, and clusters on insulators with atomic resolution.

Abstract: A device or apparatus that receives and supports a pipe, especially a pipe exposed on a horizontal surface like a roof. The device has a base with a substantially flat bottom for resting on the horizontal surface and a supporting structure with a recess rising from the base to support the pipe. Positioning means are provided in the bottom of the recess to position and center the pipe within the recess. Such a device maximizes the sliding ability of the pipe and minimize erosion of the recess since the pipe rarely abuts the walls of the recess.

Abstract: Silica crucibles containing an inner layer which is substantially pure and substantially bubble-free and methods for making such crucibles. The inner layer is also substantially stable against roughening and spot devitrification. The inner layer is formed by making a web structure which is then converted to a continuous layer, thereby minimizing or eliminating bubble formation. The inner layer is also formed using a gettering agent which getters alkaline and alkaline-earth elements while the inner layer is formed. The alkaline and alkaline-earth elements are gettered on an innermost portion of the inner layer which is later removed, leaving an inner layer with relatively few impurities. When used in a CZ-crystal growing process, the inner surface of the crucible remains smooth and substantially no bubbles grow in the inner layer.

Abstract: Secure documents and methods and apparatus for making the same. The documents are made secure using apparatus and methods in which one or more taggants are placed in the paper or ink of the document. The present or absence of the taggant within the document is detected by x-ray fluorescence analysis, thereby identifying or verifying the document.

Abstract: An abutment for securing a dental prosthesis to an implant fixture is disclosed. The abutment includes a base and an attachable coping. The attachable coping carries the dental prosthesis and is mounted on the base of the abutment using a ball-and-socket joint, which permits the dental prosthesis to be easily and accurately aligned with adjacent teeth, implant fixtures or other prostheses. A connector inserted through an aperture in the base of the abutment secures the abutment and the prosthesis to the implant fixture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in which one or more taggants that are intrinsically located—or extrinsically placed—in an article or product, such as carpet. The taggants are detected by x-ray fluorescence analysis to identify or verify the article or its point of manufacture. The taggants are manufactured as part of the article or the taggant is placed into a coating, label, or otherwise embedded within the article for the purpose of later verifying the presence or absence of these elements by x-ray fluorescence, thus determining the unique elemental composition of the taggant within the article.