Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] There is provided a highly wear-resistant and durable sliding contact material applicable to a commutator of a motor used for high-capacity applications in which the initial starting current (IS) is 1 ampere or higher. [Solution] The present invention provides a sliding contact material in which metal oxide particles are dispersed in an Ag alloy matrix, wherein the Ag alloy matrix is an Ag alloy containing 0.01 to 10.0 wt % of at least one kind of Fe, Co, Ni and Cu in Ag, and 0.1 to 3.0 wt % of a Ta oxide is dispersed as the metal oxide. In the present invention, 0.1 to 10.0 wt % of metal oxide particles of one kind or two or more kinds of Mg, Fe, Co, Ni and Zn may further be dispersed. The sliding contact material is used in a mode of clad composite material formed by embedding the sliding contact material in a part of a base material consisting of Cu or Cu alloy.

Abstract: There is provided a material having an excellent conductivity and oxidation resistance as well as a sufficient hardness for probe pins. The present invention provides a probe pin material including Au, Ag, Pd and Cu, wherein the concentration of Au is 40 to 55% by weight, the concentration of Ag is 15 to 30% by weight and the total concentration of Pd and Cu is 15 to 40% by weight. This material can further include 0.6 to 5% by weight of any one element from among Ni, Zn and Co. Furthermore, this alloy can be precipitation-hardened by being heated at 300 to 500° C., enabling provision of a material having a higher hardness.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oriented substrate for forming an epitaxial thin film thereon, which has a more excellent orientation than that of a conventional one and a high strength, and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention provides a clad textured metal substrate for forming the epitaxial thin film thereon, which includes a metallic layer and a silver layer bonded to at least one face of the metallic layer, wherein the silver layer has a {100}<001> cube texture in which a deviating angle ?? of crystal axes satisfies ???9 degree. The textured metal substrate can be manufactured by subjecting the silver sheet containing 30 to 200 ppm oxygen by concentration to the orienting treatment of hot-working and heat-treating, and bonding the metal sheet with the oriented silver sheet by using a surface activated bonding process.

Abstract: An artificial grass fiber is formed, which fiber has an elongated cross-section that remains substantially constant along its longitudinal axis. An artificial lawn comprising these artificial grass fibers is provided, as well as to the use of the aforesaid artificial grass fibers. The fibers collectively provide a special type of artificial grass which imitates the advantageous characteristics of natural grass, in particular in the field of ball roll and sliding characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particulate expandable polylactic acid which functions as a starting material for producing foamed moulded products. The present particulate expandable polylactic acid is provided with a coating so as to improve the fusion properties. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a particulate expandable polylactic acid as well as to a method for producing a foamed moulded product and to the moulded product obtained thereby.

Abstract: The present invention is an organoruthenium compound for use in production of a ruthenium or ruthenium compound thin film by chemical vapor deposition, including ruthenium and an arene group and norbornadiene both coordinated to the ruthenium and represented by the following formula. The present invention is an organoruthenium compound for use in chemical vapor deposition which does not require the coexistence of oxygen during the thin film formation, and moreover, is liquid at ordinary temperature, thereby having good handleability and recyclability. wherein the substituents, R1 to R6, of the arene group are each hydrogen or an alkyl group, and the total number of carbons of R1 to R6 (R1+R2+R3+R4+R5+R6) is 6 or less.

Abstract: A method and pile-driving device for driving a support into a ground surface. The device comprises a cylinder, an anvil which closes the lower side of the cylinder at least substantially, a ram which is movable as a piston above the anvil within the cylinder, and an injection device for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber between the anvil and the ram. The device has adjusting means for adjusting the moment of fuel injection and/or the amount of fuel to be injected. The method includes: causing the ram to move downward; injecting fuel into the combustion chamber; causing the fuel to combust for driving the ram upward, in such a manner that said combustion occurs before the ram strikes the anvil, wherein the moment of fuel injection and/or the amount of fuel to be injected is/are adjusted in dependence on at least one variable.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for the preparation, by torrefaction, of a solid fuel wherein a starting composition is heated indirectly. The present invention also relates to a solid fuel to be obtained by such method. The present application further relates to a method for the removal of one or more metals from or the reduction of the “total chlorine content”, the sulphur content and the trace element content of a solid fuel thus obtained. In addition to that, the present invention relates to a solid fuel, which can be obtained by the carrying out of such a method. Finally, the present invention relates to the uses of such solid fuels.

Abstract: The synthesis of stable, water-soluble tris and tetrakis aminium dyes. More particularly, carboxylic-acid modified tris and tetrakis dye intermediates, as well as salts and near-infrared dyes formed therefrom, as well as compositions including the dyes.

Abstract: A cover element for preventing the use of certain urinals, such as those which are out of use. The cover element temporarily covers an open area of a urinal bounded by a urinal edge, which area is accessible to a user. The dimension of the cover element is at least such that substantially the entire open area of the urinal can be covered therewith. The cover element has at least two lips which can be moved against a spring force from a first position to a second secured position, such that the lips are positioned in clamping contact against an inner side of the urinal edge. This serves to attach the cover element over the open area of the urinal.

Abstract: There is provided a water treatment pad for a drilling tool capable of being fixed quickly and firmly. The present invention provides a water treatment pad for a drilling tool, which is installed on a drilling surface of an object to be drilled when a hole is drilled in the object by using the rotating drill tool while machining water is supplied. The water treatment pad includes a substantially cylindrical pad body having a drain in the side surface thereof and mounted in a manner that surrounds the drilling tool, and a cylindrical diffuser ring detachably fixed in the pad body in a manner that surrounds the drilling tool to accelerate a fluid therein and release the fluid to the outside. On the end surface of the diffuser ring which comes into contact with the drilling surface, convex-shaped blades the transverse cross section of which has an airfoil profile tilting in the rotative direction of the drilling tool are arranged in an aligned manner.

Abstract: Box constructions suitable for packaging, storing and transporting small objects including flat rectangular objects of any size such as books, CD's, DVD's, and the like. The box construction has an outer member which surrounds an inner member. An object is packaged by attaching an object onto a surface of the inner member; positioning the inner member on the outer member; folding panel of the outer member around the object on the inner member; and attaching the panels of the outer member thus enclosing the object within the box construction.

Abstract: Probe pins related to the present invention are formed from a material which consists essentially of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, ruthenium, osmium, palladium and rhodium. A material obtained by adding one or more elements selected from the group consisting of tungsten, nickel and cobalt to this metal may also be used.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oriented substrate for forming an epitaxial thin film thereon, which has a more excellent orientation than that of a conventional one and a high strength, and a method for manufacturing the same. A clad textured metal substrate for forming the epitaxial thin film thereon according to the present invention comprises a metallic layer and a nickel layer which is bonded to at least one face of the metallic layer, wherein the nickel layer has a {100}<001> cube texture in which a deviating angle ?? of crystal axes satisfies ???7 degrees and has a nickel purity of 99.9% or more. The oriented metal substrate is manufactured by cold-working the nickel sheet having a purity of 99.9% or more, heat-treating it for orientation, and bonding the metal sheet with the oriented nickel sheet by using a surface activated bonding process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for deforming a plastic plate comprising a core of resin-treated fibers, wherein the plate is obtained by-compression under elevated pressure and temperature conditions and the plate thus obtained is deformed in a mold (1, 2, 3), characterized in that the plastic plate must have a temperature in the range of (Tg+15?C)-(Tg+115?C) prior to being deformed in the mold, wherein Tg (?C) is the deformation or glass transition temperature of the plastic plate.

Abstract: A device and method for exposing light sensitive substrates to a concentrated light source. The device is suitable for curing substances such as photosensitive sensitive inks, adhesives, and photographic elements. Ultraviolet or visible light is emitted from an array of LED's, and then directed by an array of light guides to a light concentrator having a light input region along its length. The light is then concentrated and emitted from a light output region along the length of the light concentrator to a photosensitive target to be exposed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that resolves a long-standing seafaring problem of how close to the wind to sail. Sailboats need a convenient way to determine the optimal heading to minimize the Tacking Time to Destination (TTD). Unlike Velocity Made Good (VMG), the method disclosed here allows route planning before the trip, predicts travel time on different points of sail, allows comparison of the optimal tacking routes, and also plots the different routes so that it is inherently obvious that a particular tacking angle is longer and more off-course but will arrive sooner because of the speed on that heading. These principles can be implemented with manual dials that define the distance and speed, to calculate the relative or actual travel time on a leg without using electronics. Software is also described that visually illustrates the current and optimal headings by calculating Tacking Time to Destination before departure.

Abstract: A system and processes for the accurate measurement and control of image color values on a printing press with or without the presence of a color bar. More particularly, a universal closed loop color control system and processes for controlling the color quality of color images printed on a substrate online or offline, with or without a color bar printed on the substrate. The system may be run in a “Color Bar Mode” and scan simple rectangular color patches corresponding to each ink key in the print units, or can run in “Gray Spot Mode” and maintain overall target ink density values on the substrate as well as gray balance if the job has critical half tone images, or if the color bar is obtrusive on the job.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gravure printing ink and a method of multi-color gravure printing on flexible substrates with liquid radiation curable inks. Individual colors are transferred via direct contact between engraved gravure cylinder and a substrate. Each color is dried such that the sequentially printed ink layers transfer through the press without distortion of the printed image during multiple web turns around turn bars. Finally the printed substrate is cured by exposing an electron beam unit. The gravure printing ink comprises an admixture of a) a water dispersible pigment; b) a water dispersible, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, ethylenically unsaturated oligomer or ethylenically unsaturated polymer which is polymerizable or crosslinkable by the application of sufficient electron beam radiation; c) a defoaming agent; d) sufficient water to form a dispersion with components a), b) and c), which dispersion has a viscosity of from about 25 cps to about 200 cps.

Abstract: A method for converting kinetic energy in horizontal currents of naturally occurring fluids above ground into mechanical energy. A circulating element is guided in a closed cycle and is arranged substantially in a plane parallel to the ground. The circulating element has two lengthwise adjustable traction ropes/chains fastened in two opposite positions. The ropes/chains have buoyancy elements at their free ends. The buoyancy elements have cross-sections for the current to impact. In an embodiment, a traction rope/chain fixed to a section of the circulating element facing the horizontal current is adjusted to be longer than the traction rope/chain fixed to a section of the circulating element facing away from horizontal current.