Abstract: A method of fabricating materials by epitaxy by epitaxially growing at least one layer of a material upon a composite structure that has at least one thin film bonded to a support substrate and a bonding layer of oxide formed by deposition between the support substrate and the thin film. The thin film and the support substrate have a mean thermal expansion coefficient of 7×10?6 K?1 or more. The bonding layer is formed by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of a layer of silicon oxide on the bonding face of the support substrate or on the bonding face of the thin film. The thin film has a thickness of 5 micrometers or less while the thickness of the layer of oxide is equal to or greater than the thickness of the thin film. The method also includes a heat treatment carried out at a temperature that is higher than the temperature for deposition of the layer of oxide of silicon and for a predetermined period.

Abstract: This invention provides apparatus, protocols, and methods that permit wafers to be loaded and unloaded in a gas-phase epitaxial growth chamber at high temperatures. Specifically, this invention provides a device for moving wafers or substrates that can bath a substrate being moved in active gases that are optionally temperature controlled. The active gases can act to limit or prevent sublimation or decomposition of the wafer surface, and can be temperature controlled to limit or prevent thermal damage. Thereby, previously-necessary temperature ramping of growth chambers can be reduced or eliminated leading to improvement in wafer throughput and system efficiency.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a SeOI substrate that includes a thin working layer made from one or more semiconductor material(s); a support layer; and a thin buried oxide layer between the working layer and the support layer. The method includes a manufacturing step of an intermediate SeOI substrate having a buried oxide layer with a thickness greater than a thickness desired for the thin buried oxide layer; and a dissolution step of the buried oxide layer in order to form therewith the thin buried oxide layer. After the dissolution step, an oxidation step of the substrate is conducted for creating an oxidized layer on the substrate, and an oxide migration step for diffusing at least a part of the oxide layer through the working layer in order to increase the electrical interface quality of the substrate and decrease its Dit value.

Abstract: A hierarchical modular beverage production system that includes a docking station and a beverage production module adapted to be selectively in a connected state and a disconnected state, respectively, with the docking station. In this system, the module is provided with a fluid delivery mechanism for producing a beverage from ingredients contained in a capsule, the docking station and module are respectively provided with control circuitry with the control circuitry of the module being designed for an autonomous control of the module in the disconnected state, and the control circuitry of the docking station being designed to take over at least partially the control of the module in the connected state.

Abstract: A novel vending machine system integrating a food storage container and a high speed stored energy cooking oven capable of cooking foods in under one minute such as that further described by U.S. Provisional Application 60/822,028 filed on Aug. 10, 2006 as well as co-pending application “Wire Mesh Thermal Radiative Element and Use in a Radiative Oven” filed on Dec. 30, 2008 by De Luca. The invention disclosing a novel configuration for the oven incorporating storage, a system allowing for the proper cooking of items and food positioning, an activation system, and an invoicing system.

Abstract: An environmentally beneficial method of producing methanol from varied sources of carbon dioxide including flue gases of fossil fuel burning power plants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. Converting carbon dioxide by an electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide in a divided electrochemical cell that includes an anode in one compartment and a metal cathode electrode in a compartment that also contains an aqueous solution comprising methanol and an electrolyte. An anion-conducting membrane can be provided between the anode and cathode to produce at the cathode therein a reaction mixture containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which can be subsequently used to produce methanol while also producing oxygen in the cell at the anode. The oxygen produced at the anode can be recycled for efficient combustion of fossil fuels in power plants to exclusively produce CO2 exhausts for capture and recycling as the source of CO2 for the cell.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of forming dimethyl ether by bimolecular dehydration of methanol produced from a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide obtained by reforming of methane, water and carbon dioxide in a ratio of about 3:2:1. Subsequent use of water produced in the dehydration of methanol in the bi-reforming process leads to an overall ratio of carbon dioxide to methane of about 1:3 to produce dimethyl ether.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for programming an operating device for lighting, wherein the operating device comprises firmware and an interface for receiving external control commands for operating the lighting. This method includes at least partially programming the firmware of the operating device or the interface by transmitting additional information to the interface. This can conveniently be accomplished while the operating device is in operation. Typical lighting of the invention is the type that includes an electronic ballast for gas discharge lamps.

Abstract: A method for producing lead involves feeding lead concentrate, flux and solid fuel passing to a feed preparation unit. The prepared, mixed feed is then passed to a lead smelting furnace, such as an ISASMELT furnace or other top entry, submerged lance furnace. Air or oxygen, is injected into the molten charge in the ISASMELT furnace via the submerged lance. The feed mixture is converted into lead bullion and a lead-containing slag. The slag removed from the furnace is formed into lumps having a desirable size range. The slag lumps, together with coke and flux are fed into a blast furnace. In the blast furnace, the slag is converted into lead bullion and discard slag. The lead bullion removed may be subsequently fed to a lead refinery for further treatment.

Abstract: An intramedullary fixation device for fractures having a core guide wire, and distal and proximal petal segments mountable on the core guide wire and being able to be moved towards each other. Each petal segment has multiple petals able to be expanded for gripping an internal wall of a medullary canal; expansion segments are also mountable on the core guide wire, each expansion segment having a tapered engagement surface for engaging with and expanding the petals of the distal and proximal petal segments. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for transdermal delivery of dried or lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions and methods using thereof. The system comprises an apparatus for facilitating transdermal delivery of an agent that generates hydrophilic micro-channels, and a patch comprising a therapeutically active agent. The present invention is useful for transdermal delivery of hydrophilic agents, particularly of high molecular weight proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removal of bothersome acrochordons or skin tags from the skin. The device has an adhesive surface which allows manipulation and locking of the skin tag in such a way that acrochordon ectomic strangulation can occur without anesthetic or risk for bleeding or infections. The device includes three parts with one or several surfaces, the edges of which can be pivoted, folded, rotated or bent in relation to each other, whereby a more or less elastic strangulation of the skin tag causes an occlusion of the blood flow. The skin tag is simultaneously sealed to the skin surface and concealed by the device which makes the painless ectomic process cosmetically acceptable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of a 1,4-dialkyl-2,3-diol-1,4-butanedione by a acidic aldol condensation between an alkyl glyoxal and an ?-hydroxy ketone.

Abstract: A method of and system for labeling containers of prescribed medicine is provided wherein a photograph of a patient is taken using a camera. The photograph is then stored on a computer as a computer software object. When a prescription is filled for the patient, the photograph is printed on the label along with prescription information and the label is attached to the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery system in the form of a dynamic mixture obtained by reacting together, in the presence of water, at least one hydrazine derivative with at least one perfuming, flavoring, insect repellent or attractant, bactericide or fungicide aldehyde or ketone. The inventive mixture is capable of releasing in a controlled and prolonged manner the aldehyde or ketone in the surrounding environment. Furthermore, the present invention concerns also the use of these dynamic mixtures as perfuming ingredients as well as the perfuming compositions or perfumed articles that include such mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of catalytic hydrogenation and, more particularly, to the use of Ru complexes with tetradentate ligands having at least one amino or imino coordinating group and at least one phosphino coordinating group in hydrogenation processes for the reduction of esters or lactones into the corresponding alcohol or diol respectively.

Abstract: An oven is configured with a cooking cavity for receiving a cooking load, a circuit for current supplied by one or more stored energy devices such as rechargeable batteries, and a heater comprising one or more radiant lamps to be driven by the current, the one or more radiant lamps being sized and positioned for heating the cooking load. The lamps are driven by current discharged from the batteries to radiantly heat a cooking load. An application of this stove configuration is in a toaster which is capable of toasting slices of bread in a matter of seconds.

Abstract: The present invention provides fibroblast growth factor variants demonstrating enhanced receptor subtype specificity and/or affinity. Preferred embodiments include both variants having enhanced activity that act as improved agonists and variants having reduced activity that act as antagonists. Methods of utilizing preferred FGF variants in preparation of medicaments for the treatment of skeletal disorders including skeletal dysplasia, osteoporosis and enhancing bone fracture healing and cartilage healing processes are provided.