Abstract: Within a method for fabricating a microelectronic fabrication there is first provided a substrate. There is then formed over the substrate a microelectronic device. There is then formed over the microelectronic device a passivating dielectric layer formed from a passivating dielectric material selected from the group consisting of fluorosilicate glass (FSG) passivating dielectric materials, atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposited (APCVD) passivating dielectric materials, subatmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposited (SACVD) passivating dielectric materials and spin-on-glass (SOG) passivating dielectric materials to form from the microelectronic device a passivated microelectronic device. Finally, there is then annealed thermally, while employing a thermal annealing method employing an atmosphere comprising hydrogen, the passivated microelectronic device to form a stabilized passivated microelectronic device.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system having an ultrasonic probe including an array of ultrasonic transducers is provided. The imaging system further includes a plurality of interconnect channels for enabling optical communication of the ultrasonic probe with an imaging console. Each interconnect channel includes a quantum-well device having a terminal electrically coupled to receive an electrical signal from a corresponding transducer. The quantum well device is further configured to receive and process an input optical signal to supply a modulated optical signal in response to amplitude variation of the electrical signal. An optical cable assembly is coupled to transmit from the imaging console the optical input signal received by the quantum-well device.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion comprised of high chloride cubical host grains containing from 0.

Abstract: A pneumatic deicing system includes a deicer assembly comprised of an outer layer having a low modulus of elasticity, an inner ply, and a plurality of inflatable members provided therebetween for imposing strain in ice accumulated thereon. The deicer assembly is disposed directly on top of and bonded to the leading edge of an airfoil. The deicer has a plurality of large radius spanwise running inflatable members arranged substantially parallel to the leading edge and a plurality of small radius spanwise running inflatable members arranged substantially parallel to the leading edge and disposed chordwise aft of the large radius spanwise running inflatable members. The small radius inflatable members are covered with a low ice adhesion surface.

Abstract: An electro-optic display system includes a display patterned on at least one of the conductive layers of an electro-optic device. Voltages can be applied to individual display segments of the display to create a contrast with the rest of the electro-optic medium to enable information to be displayed. In a preferred embodiment this display is incorporated into a rearview mirror of a vehicle to display information during day and night conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous composition for reducing malodor impression. The composition comprises from about 0.01% to about 1%, by weight of the composition, of perfume wherein the perfume preferably comprises ingredients having a Clog P of 3 or smaller. Optionally, but preferably, the composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 5%, by weight of the composition of, water-soluble cyclodextrin, from about 0.1% to about 10%, by weight of the composition, of water-soluble metallic salt, from about 0% to about 3%, by weight of the composition, of solubilizing aid. The composition is essentially free of any material that would soil or stain fabric and contains less than about 5%, by weight of the composition of low molecular weight monohydric alcohols.

Abstract: An ink jet printing process comprising the steps of; a) providing an ink jet printer in which a continuous stream of ink jet ink is emitted from a nozzle that is responsive to digital data signals; b) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element; c) loading the printer with an ink jet ink comprising an organic solvent; and d) ejecting ink from a thermally-steered continuous ink jet print head onto one of the ink jet recording elements in response to the digital data signals.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus and method reduces band-like unevenness in a recorded image which unevenness is generated in relation to an interlace printing method. A recording head has a plurality of nozzles arranged at a uniform interval D in a sub-scanning direction. A control unit controls a scanning operation so that k main scanning operations are performed within the interval D, where k is an integer equal to or greater than 2. A part of an area recorded by the nth main scanning operation is overlapped with a part of an area recorded by the (n+k)th main scanning operation, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 1. A part of dots included in the overlapping area is recorded by the nth main scanning operation so that the rest of the dots included in the overlapping area are complementarily recorded by the (n+k)th main scanning operation.

Abstract: A sensing device and method for determining the proximity and lateral movement of a second object relative to a first object. To determine proximity and lateral movement, the second object is illuminated to create light contrasts on that second object that correspond to unique structural and/or printed features of that second object. Light contrast data is compared to reference data to determine proximity and lateral movement of the second object relative to the first object. The invention typically utilizes an illumination source, imaging optics, and a sensor array mounted to the first object. This invention can be used in the end-effectors of a robotic arm to manage handling of a payload. It can also be used as a contact sensor to gate the operation of a manual scanning device when the scanner is brought into contact with the surface of a document.

Abstract: A method of controlling peak power of a radiant energy emitting system, such as lasers adapted for use in laser edge marking apparatus, reduces fog spots on the web caused by impinging laser energy. A laser printer has an attenuating member provided in the optical path of a laser beam tube for controlling peak power to each one of the plurality of lasers.

Abstract: An automotive exhaust system includes an exhaust manifold, an exhaust pipe, and a catalytic converter connected at its upstream end to the exhaust manifold by an inlet connector and at its downstream end to the exhaust pipe by an outlet connector. The outlet connector is cone-shaped having a spiral outline.

Abstract: An upper support mechanism for an unloader auger tube of a combine having a ball mechanism fixed atop the unloader auger tube and a bushing having a generally spherical opening for swivellably receiving the ball member. The bushing is slidable up and down within a cylindrical opening formed in a sleeve member fixed with the combine frame. The bushing is made of a material that generally does not require lubrication as it rubs against the ball member or the sleeve member.

Abstract: A cosmetic make-up composition suitable for use as a mascara or the like and which is in the form of an emulsion comprising an insoluble polymeric material in an aqueous emulsion; and lipophilic oil components including a polyvinylpyrrolidone hexadecane copolymer. The compositions exhibit improved wear and water resistance and are removable with soap and water.

Abstract: Genes encoding Class II EPSPS enzymes are disclosed. The genes are useful in producing transformed bacteria and plants which are tolerant to glyphosate herbicide. Class II EPSPS genes share little homology with known, Class I EPSPS genes, and do not hybridize to probes from Class I EPSPS's. The Class II EPSPS enzymes are characterized by being more kinetically efficient than Class I EPSPS's in the presence of glyphosate. Plants transformed with Class II EPSPS genes are also disclosed as well as a method for selectively controlling weeds in a planted transgenic crop field.

Abstract: Water-fastness in aqueous ink-jet inks containing water-soluble dyes is achieved by using a specific ionic species having a charge opposite to that on the dye molecule. Anionic dyes typically contain sulfonate (or carboxylate) anionic groups. Using at least one specific ionic species of opposite charge, specifically, phosphonium salts, causes the colorant components to “crash” or precipitate out of the water-based ink onto the print medium due to the formation of a suitable charge complex between the ionic parts of the dye and the opposite charge of the counter-ion species. Other positively charged salts, such as quaternary ammonium salts, carbonium salts, iodonium salts, sulfonium salts, and pyrillium salts may be used to improve aqueous dispersion stability and thus printability. Such additional cationic salt partially replaces the phosphonium salt(s).

Abstract: A hair styling composition comprising: (a) from about 0.1% to about 15%, by weight, of an adhesive polymer, said polymer being characterized by an organic polymeric backbone wherein said polymer is substantially free of silicone; (b) from about 0.1% to about 15%, by weight, of a silicone grafted adhesive polymer, said polymer being characterized by an organic polymeric backbone, compatible with said adhesive polymer of (a) wherein said silicone grafted adhesive polymer has silicone macromers grafted to said backbone and wherein the number average molecular weight of said silicone macromers is greater than about 500; (c) from about 0.1% to about 15%, by weight, of a hydrocarbon solvent selected from the group consisting of C10-C14 branched chain hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof having a boiling point of from about 105° C. to about 260° C.

Abstract: A method for monitoring bubble formation in and over a spin-on glass(SOG) layer during the CVD deposition of a superjacent insulative layer is described wherein a monitor wafer is processed either with or without a metal pattern. After a SOG layer has been deposited and cured, a layer of silicon oxide is deposited over it by CVD. If bubbles are formed during the silicon oxide deposition step as a result of out-gassing of the SOG layer, they are entrapped at or near the SOG/silicon oxide interface. The silicon oxide layer is then subjected to a buffered HF etch which exposes the bubbles either by opening them up by eroding the SOG layer underneath the oxide layer or by bringing the surface of the silicon oxide layer closer to the entrapped bubbles, thereby decorating them to make them visible to a white light scanning tool. The monitor wafer is initially scanned just prior to the SOG deposition to obtain a reference scan.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing and expanding digital data including a compressor module for compressing original data and an expander module for expanding the compressed data to substantially recover the original data. The compressor module includes a reduced resolution data set (RRDS) generator providing low pass filtering and decimation (down sampling) of the original data, and a one-dimensional delta pulse code modulation (DPCM) compressor performing either three or four bit encoding on the data output from the RRDS generator. The expander module includes a DPCM expander performing either three or four bit decoding of the data output from the compressor module, an RRDS expander providing interpolation (up-sampling) of the expanded data output from the DPCM expander, and an edge enhancement filter for processing the data output from the RRDS expander to correct for any RRDS introduced signal and texture errors.

Abstract: A crosslinkble waterborne dispersion useful as a coating on metal substrates of an epoxidized polydiene block polymer composition which comprises: (a) 10 to 65% by weight of a polydiene block polymer containing at least five olefinic epoxy groups per molecule which are sterically hindered, (b) 0.2 to 25% by weight of a compatible aminoplast, (c) 0.1 to 10% by weight of a surfactant which is nonionic or anionic and has a volatile cation, and (d) the balance water. A water-continuous process and an inversion process for making a dispersion are also described.

Abstract: A vending machine for increasing consumer interest in the vending process and vended product includes an internal elevator. This elevator has a conveyor or tiltable bed mounted thereon whereby a vended article is both horizontally and vertically moveable within the machine. A transparent window is provided on the face of the vending machine whereby the dispensing operations can be viewed by a consumer. An alignment device can be provided on the elevator in order to prevent tipping of the articles to be dispensed.