Abstract: Metal solutions such as copper and nickel suitable for chemical solution deposition (CSD) are disclosed, and their manufacture into low resistivity thin metal films is disclosed. The films may be thermal processed at relatively low temperatures and may be co-fired with ultra low fire high K ceramic dielectrics.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process of using molten salt ion exchange to treat particles such as spherically shaped soda-lime-silica glass particles. The treated particles may be used as proppants in hydrofractured oil and natural gas wells.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for reducing the sulfur content in hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel. The invention provides a method and materials for producing ultra low sulfur content transportation fuels for motor vehicles as well as for applications such as fuel cells. The materials and method of the invention may be used at ambient or elevated temperatures and at ambient or elevated pressures without the need for hydrogen.

Abstract: A maze type package that includes a cylindrical container member that has a plurality of mazes thereon is disclosed. The package includes a coaxial closure member that employs studs for engaging the mazes and to releasably secure the closure to the container.

Abstract: The invention provides a new-style tonneau cover, wherein comprises a cover plate body matching the rear truck bed. The cover plate body is a three-layer structure, comprising an outer layer, an intermediate layer and an inner layer from the exterior to the interior. The outer layer is made of polyurethane foam mixed with glass fiber; the intermediate layer is made of polyurethane foam and the inner layer is made of resin; the density of polyurethane foam in the intermediate layer is lower than that in the outer layer; polyurethane foam is light in weight and high in specific strength. In this invention, the cover plate body is made of three different layers so that the cover is light in weight and high in strength, taking up less room of the rear truck bed, better for free opening and closing operation.

Abstract: The artificial marble with good natural pattern and color in accordance with the present invention is prepared mixing ununiformly at least two liquid resins through a line mixer 1, feeding the ununiformly mixed resin on a moving steel belt 4 at a constant speed through a flexible hose 2 and an exit nozzle 3, and reciprocating the exit nozzle perpendicularly to the steel belt by a predetermined program for the exit nozzle to stop at different positions for different durations. The line mixer used in this invention is a Kenics type and has inner elements of eight or less than eight. A line mixer with four to eight elements can be more preferably used.

Abstract: A method of treating a hollow fiber membrane microfiltration filter having an influent side and an effluent side to improve performance of the filter is disclosed. The method entails sealing imperfections in surfaces of the filter by flushing the filter with a liquid aqueous suspension of particulates. Filter cartridge devices also are disclosed. The devices may include a bactericidal chamber. A radial flow filter may be included in the devices. The filter cartridges may include a drain tube positioned within the filter for removing of effluent generated by the filter. A plurality of filter cartridges may be positioned on the drain tube.

Abstract: A composition includes a salt of a carboxyethyl phosphinate ester compound. Additionally, the composition may also include a polymeric resin, such as a thermoplastic resin. The composition may have improved physical and chemical properties including flame retardancy, thermal stability, and hygroscopicity.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a method of manufacture of transparent ceramics such as yttrium aluminum garnet by tape casting. The method entails forming a mixture of ceramic oxide, dispersant and organic solvent, milling the mixture to produce a first slurry, mixing the first slurry with an organic binder and a plasticizer to form a treated slurry, milling the treated slurry to produce milled slurry, tape casting the milled slurry to produce cast tape, drying the cast tape to produce dried tape, stacking portions of dried tape to form an assembly, compressing the assembly to produce a preform, heating the preform to produce a green preform, and sintering the green preform to produce transparent yttrium aluminum garnet. The method may be used to produce a unitary ceramic product having differing transparent sections as well as transparent ceramic product having a dopant gradient across a portion of the thickness of the product.

Abstract: An improved prong for use in a retaining device such as a jewelry setting is disclosed. The prong includes a riser section, an engagement section and a lever section. The riser section may include one or more indents and a longitudinal groove to aid in engagement of an object such as a gemstone. The engagement section may include diverging tines configured to match the contour of a gemstone. The present invention also provides a jewelry setting which includes the prongs.

Abstract: The invention relates to sulfonimide bearing phenolic compounds and the use of those compounds to produce polyphosphazenes functionalized by one or more of those compounds alone, or in combination with cosubstituents. The invention also relates to blends of sulfonimide functionalized phosphazene polymers with other polymers, membranes formed of the functionalized polymers, and the use of those membranes in devices such as fuel cells.

Abstract: Compositions and processes are disclosed for removing sulfur and sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon fuel feedstocks. The feedstock is contacted with a regenerable sorbent such as a compound of the formula TixCeyO2 where 0<x/y?1 and where 0<x?1 and 0<y?1 capable of selectively adsorbing sulfur compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstock at about 0° C. to about 100° C. such as at about 25° C.

Abstract: A buoy system having a buoyant flotation reel 10 for retaining a length of anchor line 95 and for supporting a display pole is disclosed. The anchor line 95 includes an anchor weight 98 thereon and a reel insert 15 for placement within the interior of the buoyant flotation reel 10. The display pole 5 includes a pivot ball 20 thereon for mounting within a socket component 27 mounted on the reel insert 15 to enable the display pole 5 to move within the socket component 27 relative to the reel insert 15. A kit for the buoy system also is disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to achieving micromachined piezoelectrically-actuated diaphragms. The piezoelectric diaphragm includes a central, inactive electrode free region and an annular shaped interdigitated electrode adjacent to the outer periphery of the central region. The diaphragm also may have an inactive annular, electrode free region and an active central, interdigitated electrode region. The diaphragms may be used in, such as, miniature pumps. The pumps may include a plurality of chambers to generate peristaltic pumping of fluids.

Abstract: Solid, shaped and fired fibers of Ti4O7 and Ti5O9 are made by firing TiO2 fibers in a reducing atmosphere. In a first aspect, the TiO2 fibers are made by extruding into air a viscous TiO2 gel and heat treating the resulting green fibers to remove solvent, decompose and to volatilize undesired constituents to form electrically conductive, refractory fibers of Ti4O7 and Ti5O9. In a second aspect, solid, shaped and fired fibers of Ti4O7 and Ti5O9 are made by firing extruded fibers from mixtures of TiO2.

Abstract: A marking system that may be configured to achieve a variety of marking devices. The marking system includes a main body member and a plurality of downwardly directed marking members.

Abstract: The invention relates to investment casting shell molds and their method of manufacture. The method entails mixing fiber such as ceramic refractory fiber and organic fiber with ceramic filler to form a dry blend. The dry blend is mixed with a binder sol such as colloidal silica sol to form slurry. An expendable preform is dipped into the slurry, stuccoed and dried. This step is repeated until a ceramic shell of a desired thickness is formed over the expendable preform. The expendable preform then is removed, and the green ceramic shell is fired. Molten metal then may be poured into the shell to form a metal casting.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to sterilization by infrared radiation to eliminate pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, E. Coli 0157:H7 and E. Coli (EXEC) from articles such as medical, dental and veterinary instruments, as well as from tableware and eating utensils. The invention further relates to sterilization of soil, military and agriculture equipment to eliminate pathogenic bacteria such as hepatitis, AIDS, and anthrax, and prions such as mad cow disease using infrared radiation. Sterilization is performed by exposing the article to infrared radiation generated from heating elements positioned in an enclosed chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a investment casting molds and their method of manufacture. The method entails mixing refractory fiber, glass fiber, and refractory filler to form a dry blend; mixing the dry blend with an aqueous colloidal silica sol to form a refractory prime coat slurry, and employing the refractory slurry to produce an investment casting mold.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to piezoelectric rare earth doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O3—Pb(Mn,Sb)O3 compounds including (zPb(ZrwTi(1−w))O3—(1−z)Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3+REx) where z is ≦0.95, 0.40<w<0.60, and where RE is a rare earth cation dopant, and 0<x<5.0%. The doped compounds have both improved Qm and (k). The RE dopants employed advantageously generate both “hardening” and “softening” effects in doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O3—Pb(Mn,Sb)O3 compounds. The RE doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O3—Pb(Mn,Sb)O3 compounds have advantageously high vibrational velocity compared to pure Pb(Zr,Ti)O3—Pb(Mn,Sb)O3 compounds and commercialized hard PZT. The disclosed invention also relates to piezoelectric devices which include the doped piezoelectric ceramic compounds.